In the aftermath of the slave revolt and hard-fought victory over Spartacus’ relentless army, Lucius Porcianus thinks his days of fighting for the empire behind him. Injured and seemingly no longer needed by Rome, he returns to the quiet embrace of his family’s farm. Yet the blood of a soldier runs deep; restless and missing […]
Cannae: The Longest Day by Ben Kane
It’s 216BC and, under a blisteringly hot sun, Hannibal Barca, perhaps the most skilful general in history, leads his army against the unstoppable might of Rome. His soldiers are outnumbered two to one. The momentous battle will determine the Roman Republic’s fate. By the day’s end, tens of thousands of men will be dead, the […]
The Centurion by Jack Jarvie
Centurion Marcus Marcellus carries a legendary name. His great-grandfather was the Roman commander whose faith once astonished Jesus of Nazareth. But while Marcus inherited the reputation, he did not inherit the belief – until now. Persecuted in Rome, he is posted to Britannia’s bleak northern frontier. Charged with supplies for the emperor’s new wall, he […]
The Governor’s Man by Jacquie Rogers
In AD224, Imperial Investigator Quintus Valerius is summoned from Rome to Britannia by his old companion-in-arms, Governor Gaius Trebonius. Trebonius wants Quintus to investigate fraud at the silver mines he is overseeing. But on his journey to Somerset in the south-west of the isle, Quintus hears rumours of a Druid uprising. And when he encounters […]
How small discoveries have big impacts on stories
Three writers of Roman historical fiction reveal how seemingly minor research discoveries inspired their stories. Sit any three historical fiction authors around the table and ask them about their research and you’ll be there for a week. Narrow it down to the specific ‘minor discovery’ that changed the course of the narrative and you might […]
Agrippa, Augustus’ friend and fixer
Marcus Agrippa was Emperor Augustus’ right-hand man. From humble birth, Agrippa rose to become Augustus’ friend and fixer, married his daughter and helped build the Empire. As Agrippa’s biographer, Lindsay Powell, says, the former Octavian would likely neither have triumphed nor held on to power without Agrippa by his side. To rule effectively, a national […]
Marcus Agrippa: The True Story by Lindsay Powell
Marcus Agrippa was a remarkable man in his own day and, 2,000 years later, his achievement is undiminished. As the foremost deputy of Emperor Augustus, for three decades he waged wars, befriended kings and potentates, pacified provinces, and beautified Rome. Most people who recognise his name today likely know it through novels, films, and television. […]
A Land Aflame by Ben Kane
In 211BC Hannibal’s struggle against the Romans in Italy continues, but the Carthaginians have been utterly defeated on Sicily. Fleeing the island to Spain, Hanno and Aurelia are shipwrecked, and taken prisoner by local tribesmen. Unless they escape, a life of slavery and brutal treatment awaits. Aurelia’s brother Quintus is posted with his comrades to […]