The Caspian Gates

Warrior of Rome #4

by Harry Sidebottom

AD262 - the Imperium is in turmoil after the struggle for the throne. Furthermore, Ephesus, Asia's metropolis, lies in ruins, shattered by a mighty earthquake. Its citizens live in fear as the mob overwhelms the city, baying for blood to avenge the gods who have punished them. Yet an even greater threat to the Empire advances from the North. The barbaric Goth tribes sail towards Ephesus, determined to pillage the city. Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome, knows the ways of the barbarians, and only he can defeat them. The Goths' appetite for brutality and destruction is limitless and before long Ballista is locked into a deadly bloodfeud, with an enemy that has sworn to destroy him - and the Imperium - at all costs.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Roman, War, Audiobook, Roman History

450 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Harry Sidebottom is Lecturer in Ancient History at Merton College, Oxford, and part-time lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick. He has written for and contributed to many publications, including Classical Review, Journal of Roman Studies, and War and Society in the Roman World.

Reviews

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**

Read this book in 2011, and its the 4th volume of the great "Warrior of Rome" series.

We are now in the year AD 262, and the Imperium in desperate struggles for the all important purple and throne.

Equally dangerous is the situation in Ephesus, ruined by an earthquake, and citizens living in fear and baying for blood.

From the North will come another dangerous threat, the barbaric Goths are heading towards Ephesus, determined to pillage this already ruined city.

Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome and who is originally from the North and knows their ways, can stop those Goths in their barbarous quest.

Not before long Ballista will end up in a deadly blood feud, with an enemy who has sworn destroy him and the Imperium in the process.

What is to follow is a very exciting Roman adventure, in which Ballista will excel to save the Roman Empire in the East for the time being from the Goths and other enemies, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own admirable and knowledgeable fashion.

Highly recommended, for this is another terrific addition to this brilliant series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Captivating Caspian Gates Encounter"!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but not as much as the previous ones. In Ephesus Ballista and familia survive an earthquake and a Goth attack and flee. Given no command, Ballista takes it on himself to relieve two cities from Goth attack. Instead of a death sentence for his crime of taking on the purple temporarily, the emperor semi-exiles him to the far end of the Black Sea, with the charge to repair passes, the so-called Caspian Gates, along with a fortress -- really not much more than a watchtower -- and to bring back the king of Suania [most probably a part of modern Georgia] into the Roman fold. The ruler is wavering towards the Sassanids. Other Roman "troublemakers" are given similar assignments with other kings of the area.

I conceive of this series as the first four books as dealing with Sassanids, then the following as adventures in other strange lands. I felt the middle section: journey towards Ballista's assignment a bit slow despite storm at sea and fight with Gothic pirates and felt uneasy with Ballista himself. Heretofore he had shown an admirable abstemiousness, but I felt he fell to sexual temptation too hard and too fast.

I'll continue with this series in spite of my having lost some respect for Ballista. I hope the next will be better than this one.

[Roger Kean · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Caspian Gates
Dr. Harry Sidebottom
Michael Joseph (Penguin)

Hard Cover: 423 pages, including Maps, Notes, Glossary, List of Characters

Sequels are a demanding task for any writer, in keeping the characters alive for the reader and consistent. In this, the fourth of the Warrior of Rome series, Harry Sidebottom triumphs effortlessly. Once again, he combines a fascinating interpretation of the mid-third-century Roman Empire in collapse with his lucid exposition and thrilling command of action scenes. His prose is taut—elegant and earthy by turn: when they curse and swear, the Roman soldiers do so like the troopers they are.

If you haven’t read the first three titles (Fire in the East, King of Kings, and Lion of the Sun—and you should), the hero Ballista is a barbarian Angle who, through fortune and a fighting spirit tempered by a gift for diplomacy, is promoted to the heights of the Imperial Army. But it wasn’t all easy. In between fighting the Sassanian Persian Empire, Ballista has contended with his numerous imperial enemies, all eager to bury a dagger in his back. At his side stalwart companions ugly Calgacus, testosterone-driven Maximus, and the young Greek slave-secretary Demetrius, fight against all odds.

In The Caspian Gates, Demetrius had been freed and now resides in the household of Gallienus, the emperor who rules barely a third of the Roman Imperium, thanks to the secession of Gaul, Spain, and Britain; and the East is in a mess. Away from his straight-laced former master, Demetrius is also free to indulge his homosexuality, worshipping at the fount of all power, on the couch of the emperor.

Another Greeks steps into the shoes of Demetrius, but Hippothous is a dark character with an agenda of his own. This, it has to be said is only hinted at and doesn’t materialize in this book; maybe in the sixth? Like Demetrius, Hippothous is gay, but openly so, and much humor is wrung from his constant verbal battles with foul-mouthed Maximus over the subject, as well as many others, domestic and cultural; but unlike Demetrius, he’s a stout fighter and fits in well with the others in the shield wall.

An uneasy truce exists between Rome and the Sassanians, and the frontier states of the Caucasus vie with both sides for advantage. Gallienus must bring them to heel or look even weaker than he is, which offers him an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. He has a problem with several of his senior statesmen and soldiers, most particularly with Ballista who, for a few days at the end of Lion of the Sun, was actually proclaimed emperor by his eastern troops. Should he have his friend executed or exiled? Instead he dispatches him with the other suspects on missions to the Caucasus states to bolster Roman influence over the Persians. While they are doing something useful, they might as well be on the other side of the world, safely out of the way.

Ballista’s two particular tasks will be to mediate in the dynastic struggle for the throne of Suania and to repair the ruined Caspian Gates (the Dariel Pass), which guard the pass into Suania from the north. And just in time—on the other side the barbarian tribe of Alans is pressing for passage into Asia Minor. The Alans aren’t an isolated problem. The seafaring Goths pose an even greater threat, raiding and pillaging from across the Black Sea and even into the Aegean. Ballista’s split-cultural mind is an advantage when it comes to dealing with fellow barbarians. The first part of the story opens with a Goth raid on Asia’s capital, Ephesus, in the wake of a destructive earthquake. Abandoning the city, Ballista and his familia go to the aid of threatened Miletus, where Sidebottom gives us a riveting extended siege-battle sequence as Greeks and Goths clash.

With Miletus saved, the imperial command to head for the Caucasus arrives. The route is by war galley from Byzantium along the southern shore of the Black Sea to Trapezus, and thence inland. The locals call it the Kindly Sea, but it’s far from gentle. The author knows his Roman shipping and gives an intimate portrait of what it must have been like to sail in a trireme. He also waxes lyrical with an appalling storm and then a gauntlet run through massed Gothic ships in thick fog. The two very different kinds of tension generated by first the hectic tempest and then the silent-running are an impressive feat of writing without, as usual in a Sidebottom book, any resort to purple prose.

The last half of the novel deals with the complex relations between the Caucasus and Caspian states and the Persians, who become unlikely allies in the climactic battle against the rampaging Alans at the Caspian Gates. And always at the back of Ballista’s mind is the burning question: will Gallienus allow him to return to his home in Sicily when it’s all done?

Harry Sidebottom’s press claims that, “What [he] doesn’t know about the Romans, frankly isn’t worth knowing,” but it isn’t so much what he does know as how he effortlessly fuses that knowledge into an exciting, action-packed adventure story—history with guts (sometimes quite a lot…), adroitly packaged to entertain while at the same time elegantly imparting facts without pain.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Sidebottom's "warrior of Rome", Marcus Claudius Ballista, has become one of my favorite literary characters as I have worked my way through his series of novels. So I was thrilled to see that an audio version of "The Caspian Gates" showed up in my recommended list of Audible selections.

I wasn't sure where Dr. Sidebottom would take Ballista this time since the historical Ballista pretty much disappears from the historical record (according to the Historia Augusta) after he beat back the Persians and wound up as emperor himself briefly as portrayed in the last novel I had read "Lion of the Sun".

Of course Ballista voluntarily laid down the honor after the imminent danger was dealt with, knowing full well the empire in the third century CE would never fully embrace an Angle from Germania. The problem with that, however, lies in facing the existing emperor after such an act. Emperors were notoriously paranoid and, although the emperor Gallienus was far from the worst of the lot and, in the novel, a former friend of Ballista, the novel opens with Ballista awaiting exile or execution in Ephesus.

Ballista's first temporary reprieve comes in the form of an attack by Gothic pirates. As the most battle experienced commander available, Ballista leads first the defense of Ephesus, then beats back the Goths again at the shrine of Apollo in Didyma. Dr. Sidebottom treats us to a marvelous description of the sanctuary and the ritualistic community there and, of course, the battle scenes are gritty and intense.

Ballista finally receives a mandata from Gallienus and he discovers his old friend has spared him but asks him to undertake a perilous mission to the Caspian Gates where he is to convince the indigenous tribes there to remain loyal to Rome despite the lucrative overtures they have been receiving from Sassanid Persia.

Note: I noticed the Wikipedia article on Gallienus claims he ordered the execution of Ballista in November 261. This is not considered fact and the historical sources are very unclear about Ballista's ultimate fate. So, it's a reasonable plot device to have Ballista reassigned in such a way that puts him so far up in the Roman frontier and no longer in command of troops as to pose little threat to the emperor.

Ballista, with his usual companions in tow, finds himself in a converted Roman warship retracing the steps of the mythical Jason and the Argonauts. Dr. Sidebottom gives us the mythological background of each of Ballista's ports of call. Then he treats us to an exciting sea battle as Ballista's little convoy is attacked by the pirates that had attacked him earlier at Ephesus and Didyma. Ballista is a personal target now as his tactics, particularly his deception at Didyma, has engendered a blood feud with these particular Goths. But Ballista's keen eye for an experienced and courageous captain pays off.

The little troop eventually reaches their destination, but finds the tribe currently in control of the territory around the Caspian Gates suspicious, wary and outright duplicitous. To add to the tension, two members of the ruling family have been treacherously murdered by their own kinsmen and the three remaining siblings are jostling for ultimate control. The only female in the struggle takes a fancy to Ballista even though Ballista had killed her husband years before, when her husband fought with the Persians in Syria.

Ballista must eventually seek help from his former enemies headed by the son of the King of Kings himself. But will the Persians see the advantage to an alliance with the notorious "demon of death" who slaughtered so many of their brethern in past battles? Viewing Ballista from the Persian perspective was particularly interesting.

All in all, I found "The Caspian Gates" well written and, as always, chock full of historical detail that really brought the story to life for me. I always enjoy the little extra bits of history that Dr. Sidebottom injects into the narrative that always prompts me to research a particular topic more deeply. In this book, one of Ballista's household, a Greek pirate turned secretary named Hippothous, was a serious adherent to physiognomy. Each time a new character is introduced, Hippothous would share his thoughts on the new arrival's worth based on his perceived physiognomy.

Physiognomy is the assessment of a person's character or personality based upon the contours of his outer appearance. Physiognomic theory first appear in 5th century BCE Athens, with the works of Zopyrus , who was said to be an expert in the art. By the 4th century BCE, Aristotle makes frequent reference to physiognomic in his works including his Prior Analytics:

It is possible to infer character from features, if it is granted that the body and the soul are changed together by the natural affections: I say "natural", for though perhaps by learning music a man has made some change in his soul, this is not one of those affections natural to us; rather I refer to passions and desires when I speak of natural emotions. If then this were granted and also that for each change there is a corresponding sign, and we could state the affection and sign proper to each kind of animal, we shall be able to infer character from features.—Prior Analytics 2.27 (Trans. A. J. Jenkinson)

The first systematic physiognomic treatise to survive to the present day is a slim volume, Physiognomonica ascribed to Aristotle (but probably of his "school" rather than created by the philosopher himself). The volume is divided into two parts, conjectured to have been originally two separate works. The first section discusses arguments drawn from nature or other races, and concentrates on the concept of human behavior. The second section focuses on animal behavior, dividing the animal kingdom into male and female types. From these are deduced correspondences between human form and character. - Wikipedia

By Ballista's time, physiognomists could also study the writings of Polemo of Laodicea, de Physiognomonia.

Like the science of astrology, though, modern academics have rejected physiognomy as not having much worth.

"Although we may now bracket physiognomy with Mesmerism as discredited or even laughable belief, many eighteenth-century writers referred to it in all seriousness as a useful science with a long history(...) Although many modern historians belittle physiognomy as a pseudoscience, at the end of the eighteenth century it was not merely a popular fad but also the subject of intense academic debate about the promises it held for future progress." - The Cambridge History of Science: Eighteenth-century science.

Anyway, it was funny to read what Hippothous deduced about someone based on how they looked to him.

I did find The Caspian Gates less compelling storywise, however, than Ballista's exploits in earlier novels. I think this was a result of Ballista no longer being in a command position throughout much of this novel. Previous novels have firmly established Ballista the innate ability to galvanize men to achieve victory, whatever the endeavor. But, without a leadership role, Ballista is left to languish without a defined direction to his life. I also simply could not imagine this quintessential man of action lounging around the quarters of a nomadic princess for days on end either.

Hopefully, he'll assume a command position again in the next installment "Wolves of the North".

[Ozymandias · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series should have ended on book three. That would have left the series with a clear overarching narrative: the story of Valerian's disastrous Persian war and its aftermath. Book one would cover the background and defense of the region prior to Valerian's arrival, book two would have covered the restoration of control over the empire and the humiliating campaign itself, and book three would cover the recovery of the Roman forces and Ballista's rise to great power and death. As it occurred in the sources. But instead, Ballista survives. Leaving aside the implausibility of a man who assumed the purple being allowed to keep his head at this time (and he could have avoided that problem entirely by simply never having it happen. the story of his coronation comes from a very bad source that's notorious for inventing usurpers to make the chaos seem greater) it leaves Ballista with nowhere to go. The overarching plot for the first three books is as I described. The overarching plot for books 3-6 is nonexistent.

It didn't have to be. Ballista's return home in book 6 seems like it could be the climax of a new series since it seems to bring his life full circle. In that way we could see Ballista getting involved in a blood feud in book 4, his continued efforts to drive the Goths out in book 5, and his return to the north through the Gothic tribes in book 6. But that's not what we get. What we have is three standalone novels. A few themes do run through them. A theme of disaster, of curses, of blood feuds, of the gradual approach of fate, but these themes are never made into a coherent whole. In fact, each book tells a quest that consists of Ballista being sent to an entirely knew region with no connection to where he's been before. A big part of the problem is that his earlier issue with overexploring unusual and unknown events and cultures in an almost scholarly way is allowed for the first time to interfere with the plot. So we go to the Caucasus, then we go to the Heruli, then we go to the Saxons. In each place but the last, Ballista has no clear goal. In all three most of the time is taken up simply with getting there. Any plot developments happen in the last third of the book.

And that's what happens here. We get to see Ballista defend the port cities of Asia Minor from Gothic attacks. Then we get to see him travel to the Caspian Gates. We get to see him defend them against hordes of enemies. But at no point do we really feel like there's a beginning and an end. We get a lot of cultural explorations. We get a feel for what it meant to live in the Caucasus during this period. But we don't get a real story. And that's what's missing here. The books are still well-written, the characters involving, and the action strong. But it needs a stronger narrative and sense of structure in order to really hold up. Just thinking "hey, where would I want to explore if I could go back in time" isn't enough to prop a whole novel up.

[Peter Moyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up in a Charity shop which is why I come in at Nr 4 in the series, and now I have to go looking for the prior books in order to discover more about the protagonist Ballista as my appetite has been, as they say, whetted.
You can tell this is written by an academic, Hellenic and Latin words are sprinkled about liberally, and whereas I am ok with the like of Polis, and Plebs Urbana, having to stop and look up Pentekontarchos or Sebastos was a tad irritating. The breadth of the storytelling is akin to an Opera and so I will put my irritations to one side and soldier on. Much as Ballista seems to do.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent addition to this wonderful, rich and detailed series of historical fiction. Harry Sidebottom has fully honed his talent for mixing academic authority with exciting adventure and drama. Ballista is a complex, intriguing hero, who often fails to live up to his own standards, making himself far more interesting for us. Highly recommended!

[Charlie CHENSEE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cost me several hours of sleep ,!!

Long into the night , The Caspian Gates held me , reading reading, reading .
Well worth the hours spent !!!
Thank you Harry SIDEBOTTOM .

[Warren Cann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoying this series! The author's historical expertise makes this feel really authentic, but the story line rollicks along unimpeded!

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many times i have read reviews for Harry that say..."too detailed".."Too much like a text book" etc...
I have no idea what book it is these people are reading!

While Harry Sidebottom is not your typical swords and sandals writer, his books are full of action pace, great characters and a plot that leaves the reader begging for more.

I struggled to put the book down, had to force it closed at 2am etc.. that for me is the sign of an excellent book.

Ballisata could have been used as a character and kept in the confines of the empire for some more of what we have seen from others, but Harry sidebottom has taken the risk to take him away from the confines of the empire,a nd its life on the fringe of the empire that gives this series its power and energy.

Not only did this book thrill and entertain, but at the end it sets the reader up for the next book, and I'm looking forward to Book 5 so much more than any of the previous 4, for me that shows the improvements this series and this author have shown with each book.

Roll on Book 5 (2 a year Harry???)

Highly recommended

(Parm)

Product Description: (From Back of Book)

Product Description
AD262 - the Imperium is in turmoil after the struggle for the throne. Furthermore, Ephesus, Asia's metropolis, lies in ruins, shattered by a mighty earthquake. Its citizens live in fear as the mob overwhelms the city, baying for blood to avenge the gods who have punished them.

Yet an even greater threat to the Empire advances from the North. The barbaric Goth tribes sail towards Ephesus, determined to pillage the city. Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome, knows the ways of the barbarians, and only he can defeat them.

The Goths' appetite for brutality and destruction is limitless and before long Ballista is locked into a deadly bloodfeud, with an enemy that has sworn to destroy him - and the Imperium - at all costs.

[Paul Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

BLURB

AD 262 --the Roman Imperium is in turmoil after the struggle for the throne that brought Gallienus to power. And Ephesus, the metropolis of the Eastern Empire, lies in ruins, shattered by a mighty earthquake. Its citizens live in fear as the mob overwhelms the city, baying for blood to avenge the gods who have punished them. Yet an even greater threat to the Empire advances from the North: the barbaric Goth tribes, determined to pillage the city. Only Ballista, Warrior of Rome, knows the ways of the barbarians, and only he can defeat them. In a relentlessly gripping and richly authentic tale of ancient warfare, The Caspian Gates is an adventure for Rome enthusiasts and scholars alike.

REVIEW

Well, the rereading of the first 4 volumes of the Warrior of Rome series is complete, and I am looking forward to the next installment, The Wolves of the North. I have sort of glossed over much of what I usually cover in my book reviews during this reacquainting period, but I will say this. The author has unknowingly had me hearkening back to the early 70's when I was an Ancient History student at Wayne State University. The inclusion of philosophical and mythological discussions spread throughout the narrative sparked some familiar memories. I find it to be a definite plus when the tale being told also has the possibility to enlighten, educate, edify...something that happens quite often in this series. 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Caspian Gates moves this excellent historical adventure series, set in the 3rd century AD, into new and unexplored territory. Beginning on the highly civilized but barbarian beset Asia Minor coast, the action moves to the frontier kingdoms of the Caucasus Mountains, where the empires of Rome and Persia vie for influence. Great characters, plenty of action, and a fascinating setting combine to propel this series into the top ranks of historical adventure fiction.

[Lindsay Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Caspian Gates is the fourth book in Harry Sidebottom's Warrior of Rome series. As with the first three, it is really well written, beautifully researched – and I just loved it. I can’t wait for number five. Many thanks for the wonderful books Mr Sidebottom – you’re a star!

[Ming Wei · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one think that you notice within the first couple of chapter, is how rich in detail the story line is, allot of effort as been spent to produce this book. Every thing that you would want from a book from this period, lots of action and drama embedded throughout the story, the story line maintains a good pace throughout the book, at a pace that enables the reader to absorb the story without losing their way or feeling over saturated, The story takes place in a time were the Roman Empire is becoming more and more vulnerable towards them that oppose their rule. The story focuses upon the city of Ephesus , which is under threat from barbaric Goth tribes, and is in desperate need of a hero to help defend the city. Does the City survive? Read the book to find out the answer, I will not spoil the story. The chapters throughout the book are numbered using Roman Numerics which adds a bit of class to the book. The story is 366 pages long, which makes it a good read, and not a book to read in a day.
I really enjoyed it, the book cover was nice and attractive and the reason I bought the book. Well worth reading for people interesting the Roman Empire. No editorial errors that I discovered. Very good book

[Mark Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Rattles along covering places I visited (in Asia Minor or Turkey plus the Caspian Sea) to those I wish to visit. Covers an era of Roman History I'm not so read up on. Cracking read.

[Speesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I read a Harry Sidebottom Roman novel. The last was this one's predecessor; 'Lion of the Sun.' So, I was quite looking forward to getting stuck into 'The Caspian Gates.'

However, while it is good, it's not great. Of course, better than a lot of others, but definitely not vintage Harry Sidebottom. Not close. I can only presume the glowing praise printed on the paperback jacket, was for others in the Warrior of Rome series.

It's way too bitty in my opinion. It just seems to wander fairly aimlessly around the eastern Aegean and up into the Caucasus in search of a plot. Finds one, then ends. 'Well, that's that, here's your next mission, off you go.' Reading the paperback, as I did, it actually felt like there was still a good 50+ pages to go, but it was just the Appendix, Historical Afterword, Thanks, Glossary, List of Emperors, List of Characters, the prologue from 'The Wolves of the North' and pretty much unnecessary. You surely know something's gone wrong when you have to include a list explaining who your characters are, don't you? Who are we trying to impress here? Me, or your professor mates? More likely it's to cover over a flimsy plot. That's why I would include all the 'this is based on real history, this' stuff anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I like the 'Warrior of Rome' books and I like Ballista. He's a likeable man. Normal even - for Roman times. Almost as if he could function perfectly well in the 21st Century. He's a well-drawn, sympathetic character, one you could imagine yourself getting on well with. Certainly, his language (and that of his Army colleagues) wouldn't be out of place nowadays. But that's ok, they're tough, barbarian, army - and normal. That's the way these characters in this case would be. Though it may be Ballista seems normal when set against some of the more eccentric characters Harry Sidebottom has put together here. Though only the Emperor Gallienus really seems mad, or devious, enough to be likely to consider sleeping with his horse, maybe.

One interesting thing is, as the narrative flows, the source of the focus shifts. If I can put it that way. It's not just a first person narrative. It feels like it though, like it's coming from the same person. Until i realised that there are, at times, two first persons. Sometimes it is Ballista we're with, hearing his thoughts, seeing the action from his view. Then his companion Hippothous. His thoughts are much more urbane and esoteric. And irritating, if you ask me. I'd have dispatched him off elsewhere at the earliest opportunity, even if he is a good fighter. However, using him to drive the narrative on occasions, is a good way of looking at the character of Ballista, who is and has been the main focus, the 'hero' of the Warrior of Rome series. We see him inside, from his view and outside, as other people see him and the situations he leads the story into.

But it seems as though Ballista just goes with the flow on this one. He's on autopilot. As is Harry Sidebottom. There's an earthquake, so he moves. The new place gets attacked by Goths who are then unfortunately underdeveloped as a plot line, at the expense of frankly less interesting 'barbarians', whom the possibly mad Emperor dispatches Ballista off to negotiate with, instead of exiling him. It maybe that they'll feature in the next one - waiting on the shelf up there *points* 'The Wolves of the North' And this does in the end, feel like a transitional novel, moving Ballista from one place to another, physically and psychologically, ready for the really interesting one (hopefully) next.

Oh yeah, and the really irritating thing with 'The Caspian Gates' - apart from that it does nothing - is Harry Sidebottom's habit of dropping Latin words into the story. Fine, even interesting, once in a while, but not three times every sentence. This, for example: In Chapter 10 (Chapter X, here of course); "The Emperor was in bed with his cineadus when the rain came." No explanation given, no IDEA what the Emperor may or may not have been in bed with. His wife? His supper? His breakfast? His boyfriend? His horse? His boyfriend's horse? What on earth is a 'cineadus'? Maybe i missed it first time round, i don't think so, but it ain't my fault if i did, is it? Fine that that is how Romans would have described certain events or positions or ideas, but meaningless unless you're going to explain the concept in English, and therefore show how the Latin perhaps sums up the concept better, or with a nuance English hasn't got covered. I know this, from having learnt - and using every day - Danish. Some concepts are impossible to translate or explain in the same number of words as English. So don't bother, unless you're going to explain, it's just meaningless, just a random collection of letters, a bad Scrabble hand - and increasingly irritating.

Otherwise, here's hoping the 'Wolves of the North' is better. If it has a plot, it will be.

[Centurion Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Caspian Gates is book four in the warrior Of Rome series.

It continues with our hero ballista finding himself in the middle of a natural disaster a gothic invasion and political intrigue as well as an unlikely alliance.

Filled with the genius of the autors story telling and historical accuracy, The Cappian Gates is filled with battle, blood and an abundance of on the edge of your seat scenarios that leave the reader engrossed and unable to put the book down.

[Sasa Borjanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ballista`s epic journey continues in this sequel, at Caucasus region stopping "savages" from infesting Empire. Old enemies may prove friends while Emperors grace towards barbarian is fading. Exciting, poetical and unbelievable adventures of Ballista, Calgacus, Maximus and others continue at the far end of the world.

[Mark Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry into the series. Plenty of action scenes and intense moments

[David Campton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of this series that I have read as it was bought as a gift and neither I nor the purchaser realised that there were 3 books that preceded it... but that didn't spoil my enjoyment as it can easily be read as a story in it's own right without knowing more of the back-story than is revealed in the narrative itself... It is set in a period of history I'm not so familiar with, so it was an interesting and informative read, especially since, as many other reviewers have stated, Sidebottom is strong on his historic details and Latin terminology. I didn't find this too burdensome, occasionally I thought it was unnecessary, but equally I frequently learned something. I appreciate accuracy in historical fiction, hence infinitely prefer Sidebottom's almost pedantic style, over the slap-dash semi-fantasy of writers like Iggulden. There is no doubt that his narrative style is not as compelling as that of Scarrow or Cornwell, and the plot, at least in this outing, is more straightforward than theirs tend to be, indeed this reads more like two semi-independent novellas than a fully integrated story. But he conjures up a very strong sense of place in his writing, although that perhaps may have been a side-effect of me having visited Didyma and Ephesus days before I started (serendipitously) to read this. This may have been my first encounter with Marcus Clodius Ballista but, time permitting, I will backtrack to read the previous episodes of his life story before joining him on his onward journey...

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

In which, among other things, our hero Marcus Clodius Ballista muses on the nature of Rome's willingness to adopt foreign ways, and opens up his mind while rejecting the notion of cultural relativism:

"A Roman might have been a little different. They always boasted of their willingness to adopt the best of foreign things. But, apart from Greek culture, that really boiled down to weapons and military practices -- a Spanish sword, a German war cry, the Punic word for 'tent.' Ballista would follow them in that. He actually relished the chance to ride with the Sassanid clibanarii and see what war was like with them. And he had the dangerous opportunity to fight the nomadic Alani and see how they waged war.
But Ballista wanted to go further. He wanted to find out how the other peoples he was thrust among did things, how they regarded the world and the things in it. He was not going to fall into the trap of considering the customs of every people as good as each other. The Suani were too murderous; the Persians too god-haunted. But by looking at their attitudes, his own values might come more clearly into focus..."

Sidebottom writes some of the best historical fiction going. If you don't care for a military focus, you probably won't care for his books. But if you like it, or can deal with it, he's a huge nerd and his books are classical candy -- and they don't just taste like swords. Sexual practices, religion, death and the afterlife, language, migration, race and ethnicity, trade, travel, seafaring, food, family. It's all in here.

[happy · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion this is the weakest book of the series. Sidebottom really doesn't have anything for Ballista to do until half way thru the book. The first half while he is waitig for the Emperor to decide what to do with him, Ballista is a self appointed guardian for several Roman Cities facing raiding Goths, while the battle scenes are well written, they don't really dont propel the plot anywhere.

Sidebottom has a couple of annoying tendencies. The first is to introduce fairly major characters and have them disappear (ie Sen Felix in this novel). The other is his use of Latin and Greek terms. He almost seems to be showing off. Fortunately he does include a good glossary.

A couple of good point is there are fairly good maps included that show both various city layouts and general ones of the Asia Minor/Black Sea region. He also includes a very good actual afterward citing his sources and actual history.

All the that said, it was an entertaining read.

[Harry Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like novels about the Roman Empire and there are plenty of good ones out there. But I think I like Harry Sidebottom and his several novels the best. They all are meticulously researched. He knows his stuff and has done his homework. But he is also great at the craft of novel writing. This combination is hard to beat. I plan to search out and read every one of the "Warrior of Rome" series. I have not read them all, but "The Caspian Gates" I have read and thoroughly enjoyed.
If this is your cup of tea, you certainly will not be disappointed.

[Damon]

I approached this book with a little trepidation. With a main character named Ballista, it sounded more like a fantasy novel. But the history seems good, and the action was satisfying. I was a little dismayed to find out this was part of a series of books, but it turns out this was pretty stand alone, and you didn't need to read the previous volumes. Given the dates of the books, hoping future volumes will put the characters in the thick of the Palmyrene Revolt...

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Harry Sidebottom's writing. With him, you know the historical research is good, the details accurate as can be and characters are interesting. I love the sense of place and time I get in this series. The maps, the details of movement; class structure and war in the Roman world at the time are fascinating. I have reviewed him more extensively in some of the previous books, suffice it to say here: I can't wait to read the next installment!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best opening couple of pages I've read in a long time it really drew me straight in. Another good book from Dr Sidebottom. At times I did feel a little like I was being hit over the head with a history lesson, but still worth getting into the series and if there is another book to come then I will be buying it.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

c2011. Ballista has to be one of the best protagonists and with Magnus as a side kick - you just can't go wrong. Lots of action, lots of information, humour to even out the brutality and poor old Ballista's travails continue. And another rather restrained romance - but, oh, the curse! Definitely recommended to the normal crew.

[Peter Aguiar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than average writing style for historical fiction, real and edgy characters, but a bit more layered than the first books: the action streches from goth pirates to persians then to the gates.....even so, it´s a easy and fastpaced read.

[Margareth8537 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preferred the others in the series, but still enjoy all the books. It can read very much like an undergraduate text at times, but then it gets more interesting again, so you keep going. Do want to find out how it is going to work out and look forward to the next book

[Tess Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had such a good pace and so much going on right from the start. Ballista has been pulled in so many different directions in this novel. The random romance was a surprise. Can’t wait to see the storyline and characters develop in the next one.