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Belisarius #1
The First Shall Be Last
The year is AD 504. The all-powerful Roman Empire lies in tatters, its western provinces dismembered into a patchwork of new kingdoms ruled by barbarians.
In Constantinople, the New Rome, the Eastern Roman emperor is beset by problems. New and dangerous barbarian hordes appear on the frontier year after year. The powerful king of Persia demands tribute and threatens Roman Mesopotamia and Syria. Religious controversies spawn catastrophic military uprisings.
But unbeknownst to all, in that same year was born Belisarius, the greatest Roman general of them all. At a time when Roman power was thought to be practically extinct, Belisarius did what no sane Roman thought possible. He went toe-to-toe with the empire's most powerful enemies.
Belisarius: The First Shall Be Last is a historical novel that recreates the early life of this amazing hero. Filled with action and intrigue, the book is replete with historical and religious detail drawn from ancient historians like Procopius, Agathias, John Malalas, and many others. The novel is a fascinating introduction to the Justinianic period-the last gasp of the Roman Empire and the infancy of Christendom in both the East and West.
In Constantinople, the New Rome, the Eastern Roman emperor is beset by problems. New and dangerous barbarian hordes appear on the frontier year after year. The powerful king of Persia demands tribute and threatens Roman Mesopotamia and Syria. Religious controversies spawn catastrophic military uprisings.
But unbeknownst to all, in that same year was born Belisarius, the greatest Roman general of them all. At a time when Roman power was thought to be practically extinct, Belisarius did what no sane Roman thought possible. He went toe-to-toe with the empire's most powerful enemies.
Belisarius: The First Shall Be Last is a historical novel that recreates the early life of this amazing hero. Filled with action and intrigue, the book is replete with historical and religious detail drawn from ancient historians like Procopius, Agathias, John Malalas, and many others. The novel is a fascinating introduction to the Justinianic period-the last gasp of the Roman Empire and the infancy of Christendom in both the East and West.
241 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2000
10 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Paolo Belzoni
5 books4 followersPaolo A. Belzoni is a writer residing in New Jersey. He has published several works of short fiction and his interests include Roman and Byzantine military history, art, architecture, and archaeology, as well as early Church history.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 14, 2019
Enjoyed this quick read story and sequel ... learned from them.
Read it as followup to Harold Lamb ...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
Read it as followup to Harold Lamb ...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
January 25, 2017
An absolutely fascinating look at a relatively unknown period of the Christian Roman Empire. General Belisarius is presented as a devout Christian, a skilled leader, and a brilliant tactician. The story is captivating, the interpersonal tensions are engaging, and the characters are fascinating. A must read for anyone who loves adventure!
August 23, 2010
Very well done historical novel that is very suitable for young adults.
Want to read
May 15, 2021Attitude really is everything. "Belisarius" brought that home to me in a big way. Billed as an action-packed historical novel for readers 12 years old and up, my immediate impression of the book was that it was a ham-handed melodrama full of pretentiously ponderous purple prose, as in:
“But his eye was lost in battle, Great King!” Seoses protested. “Surely such a noble injury should not disqualify him from the kingship. And as long as you are remaking the law to disqualify Coases, why not do so to elevate your worthy Zames? Surely, the people will accept it with rejoicing. Zames is extremely well-loved.” Cabedes smiled benignly. “Now when have you found time to become a partisan of Zames, old friend?” Seoses was vexed by the implication, but the King saw through his
motives like a threadbare garment. He remained silent." (p. 74)
The story of the book’s real-life characters and their place in history clearly is worth telling. Flavius Belisarius (505–565 A.D.) came up through the ranks to become a renowned general of the Byzantine Empire. He was instrumental to Emperor Justinian’s campaign to reconquer most
of the Mediterranean territory of the former Western Roman Empire, areas that had been lost over the previous century. Justinian’s often miserly support of his armies made for one of the defining features of Belisarius’ career: surprising military victories leading to the restoration of the fearsome international reputation of the Roman army.
But, I had to set Belzoni’s book down for a while. I was almost prepared to dismiss it for readers of any age. However, my thoughts over the next couple of weeks went back to those Hollywood Roman epics of the 1950s and early 60s. I remember enjoying them on those Saturdays and Sundays afternoons when broadcasters filled the hours with old movies. And how old was I? Maybe 10 or 12. So with images of Peter O’Toole and Kirk Douglas in my head, I set aside my cynical adult “sophistication” and starting reading again.
WHAT FUN! Huns! Xerxes and the armies of the Persian Immortals! Archers hitting their mark from horseback! Battle strategy and tactics! Perfidious Roman nobles conspiring to betray their own troops in an effort to unseat the Emperor! Gallant Christian comrades-in-arms, fierce fighters who overcome all odds, but who are nonetheless aware of the moral pitfalls of war. And, of course, the
chaste love interest than allows only for blushes, love letters, and a stolen kiss.
Just as the elements of the Hollywood epic created a sense of grandeur and gravitas, so does Belzoni. Belisarius and Justinian once again rise up in all their nobility to engage the intelligent teen-age heart. I just ordered Book Two of this planned trilogy. Can’t wait!
“But his eye was lost in battle, Great King!” Seoses protested. “Surely such a noble injury should not disqualify him from the kingship. And as long as you are remaking the law to disqualify Coases, why not do so to elevate your worthy Zames? Surely, the people will accept it with rejoicing. Zames is extremely well-loved.” Cabedes smiled benignly. “Now when have you found time to become a partisan of Zames, old friend?” Seoses was vexed by the implication, but the King saw through his
motives like a threadbare garment. He remained silent." (p. 74)
The story of the book’s real-life characters and their place in history clearly is worth telling. Flavius Belisarius (505–565 A.D.) came up through the ranks to become a renowned general of the Byzantine Empire. He was instrumental to Emperor Justinian’s campaign to reconquer most
of the Mediterranean territory of the former Western Roman Empire, areas that had been lost over the previous century. Justinian’s often miserly support of his armies made for one of the defining features of Belisarius’ career: surprising military victories leading to the restoration of the fearsome international reputation of the Roman army.
But, I had to set Belzoni’s book down for a while. I was almost prepared to dismiss it for readers of any age. However, my thoughts over the next couple of weeks went back to those Hollywood Roman epics of the 1950s and early 60s. I remember enjoying them on those Saturdays and Sundays afternoons when broadcasters filled the hours with old movies. And how old was I? Maybe 10 or 12. So with images of Peter O’Toole and Kirk Douglas in my head, I set aside my cynical adult “sophistication” and starting reading again.
WHAT FUN! Huns! Xerxes and the armies of the Persian Immortals! Archers hitting their mark from horseback! Battle strategy and tactics! Perfidious Roman nobles conspiring to betray their own troops in an effort to unseat the Emperor! Gallant Christian comrades-in-arms, fierce fighters who overcome all odds, but who are nonetheless aware of the moral pitfalls of war. And, of course, the
chaste love interest than allows only for blushes, love letters, and a stolen kiss.
Just as the elements of the Hollywood epic created a sense of grandeur and gravitas, so does Belzoni. Belisarius and Justinian once again rise up in all their nobility to engage the intelligent teen-age heart. I just ordered Book Two of this planned trilogy. Can’t wait!
May 10, 2023
The year is AD 504. The all-powerful Roman Empire lies in tatters, its western provinces dismembered into a patchwork of new kingdoms ruled by barbarians. In Constantinople, the New Rome, the Eastern Roman emperor is beset by problems. New and dangerous barbarian hordes appear on the frontier year after year. The powerful king of Persia demands tribute and threatens Roman Mesopotamia and Syria. Religious controversies spawn catastrophic military uprisings. But unbeknownst to all, in that same year was born Belisarius, the greatest Roman general of them all. At a time when Roman power was practically extinct, Belisarius did what no sane Roman thought possible. He went toe-to-toe with the empire's most powerful enemies. Recommended for ages 9-14.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews