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Rome #4
Rome: The Art of War
Rome: AD69, The Year of the Four Emperors.
Three Emperors have ruled in Rome this year and a fourth, Vespasian, has been named in the East. As the legions march toward civil war, Sebastos Pantera, the spy whose name means leopard, returns to Rome intent on bribery, blackmail and persuasion: whatever it takes to bring the commanders and their men to Vespasian's side. But in Rome, as he uses every skill he has ever learned of subterfuge, codes and camouflage, it becomes clear that one of those closest to him is a traitor, who will let Rome fall to destroy him. Together the two spies spin a web of deceit with Rome as the prize and death the only escape.
Three Emperors have ruled in Rome this year and a fourth, Vespasian, has been named in the East. As the legions march toward civil war, Sebastos Pantera, the spy whose name means leopard, returns to Rome intent on bribery, blackmail and persuasion: whatever it takes to bring the commanders and their men to Vespasian's side. But in Rome, as he uses every skill he has ever learned of subterfuge, codes and camouflage, it becomes clear that one of those closest to him is a traitor, who will let Rome fall to destroy him. Together the two spies spin a web of deceit with Rome as the prize and death the only escape.
552 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2013
24 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
M.C. Scott
15 books112 followersaka Manda Scott
ABOUT M.C. SCOTT
MC Scott.... qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow University and spent fifteen years in Newmarket and Cambridge specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care, before turning to writing as an alternative, less sleep-deprived, profession. Of the ten novels so far published, the first four were contemporary crime thrillers. The first, 'Hen's Teeth' was short listed for the Orange prize in 1997; the third, 'Stronger than Death' was awarded an Arts Council of England prize for Literature and the fourth, 'No Good Deed', was nominated in the 'Best Crime Novel' category of the prestigious US Edgar Awards in 2003.
In 2001, the first of the internationally bestselling 'Boudica: Dreaming' series was published: 'Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle'. The last, 'Boudica: Dreaming the Serpent Spear' was published in 2006. Together, these four novels explore the life and times of Boudica, the war-leader of the Eceni who lead the revolt against Rome in 61 AD.
In 2007, 'The Crystal Skull' was published –a stand-alone contemporary thriller with a Tudor thread, which visited the Mayan end-of-world concepts (which suggest the world will end on 21/12/2012) and the myths and legends surrounding the thirteen crystal skulls which, when brought together, will either transcend the end of this age – or bring it about.It has been translated into 23 different languages, from Slovenian and Slovakian to Chinese.
The latest novel, 'Rome: The Emperor's Spy', was published on 1st January 2010.
This is a historical spy thriller set in the same universe as the Boudica cycle – three of the surviving characters from the Boudica: Dreaming books are key to the plot. A faster, sharper, harder text which examines the early decades of Christianity, it concludes that the fire was lit by the man we have come to know as St Paul, who, as a Roman agent had been sent to bring the Hebrews into the Imperial fold, but who went native, and began to believe his own fiction.
The Emperor's Spy is first in a series of at least four novels following the life of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, the spy known as the Leopard, and those who endeavour to help him.
The sequel, Rome: The Spy's Revenge, will be published in March 2011. The paperback of The Emperor's Spy will be released in January 2011
M.C. Scott runs shamanic dreaming workshops which teach the basis of the dreaming described in the Boudica series.
ABOUT M.C. SCOTT
MC Scott.... qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Glasgow University and spent fifteen years in Newmarket and Cambridge specialising in anaesthesia and intensive care, before turning to writing as an alternative, less sleep-deprived, profession. Of the ten novels so far published, the first four were contemporary crime thrillers. The first, 'Hen's Teeth' was short listed for the Orange prize in 1997; the third, 'Stronger than Death' was awarded an Arts Council of England prize for Literature and the fourth, 'No Good Deed', was nominated in the 'Best Crime Novel' category of the prestigious US Edgar Awards in 2003.
In 2001, the first of the internationally bestselling 'Boudica: Dreaming' series was published: 'Boudica: Dreaming the Eagle'. The last, 'Boudica: Dreaming the Serpent Spear' was published in 2006. Together, these four novels explore the life and times of Boudica, the war-leader of the Eceni who lead the revolt against Rome in 61 AD.
In 2007, 'The Crystal Skull' was published –a stand-alone contemporary thriller with a Tudor thread, which visited the Mayan end-of-world concepts (which suggest the world will end on 21/12/2012) and the myths and legends surrounding the thirteen crystal skulls which, when brought together, will either transcend the end of this age – or bring it about.It has been translated into 23 different languages, from Slovenian and Slovakian to Chinese.
The latest novel, 'Rome: The Emperor's Spy', was published on 1st January 2010.
This is a historical spy thriller set in the same universe as the Boudica cycle – three of the surviving characters from the Boudica: Dreaming books are key to the plot. A faster, sharper, harder text which examines the early decades of Christianity, it concludes that the fire was lit by the man we have come to know as St Paul, who, as a Roman agent had been sent to bring the Hebrews into the Imperial fold, but who went native, and began to believe his own fiction.
The Emperor's Spy is first in a series of at least four novels following the life of Sebastos Abdes Pantera, the spy known as the Leopard, and those who endeavour to help him.
The sequel, Rome: The Spy's Revenge, will be published in March 2011. The paperback of The Emperor's Spy will be released in January 2011
M.C. Scott runs shamanic dreaming workshops which teach the basis of the dreaming described in the Boudica series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 10, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 4th and final volume of the amazing "Rome" quartet of books.
The year is AD 69, the year of the Four Emperors, and already three Emperors have ruled in Rome, the fourth is waiting in the East, and his name is Vespasian.
With Vespasian's Legions marching towards Rome, Sebastos Pantera, the spy whose name means leopard, returns to Rome to persuade, blackmail and bribe as many people as possible, in an effort the pave the way for Vespasian when he enters Rome.
Working in Rome and using every skill Pantera has learned about subterfuge, codes and camouflage, it will soon becomes clear to him that one of his closest to him is a traitor, who'll do anything to Rome fall and destroy Pantera.
What is to follow is a deadly game of two spies, with Rome as its prize and death the only escape to eternity, and in the end Pantera will all his skills as a hunter and killer of men he will succeed to eliminate this threat and make the way free for Vespasian to become Emperor of Rome, and all this is brought to us by the author in her own remarkable and inventive fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is an amazing addition to this tremendous 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this final episode: "A Fabulous Roman Art Of War"!
The year is AD 69, the year of the Four Emperors, and already three Emperors have ruled in Rome, the fourth is waiting in the East, and his name is Vespasian.
With Vespasian's Legions marching towards Rome, Sebastos Pantera, the spy whose name means leopard, returns to Rome to persuade, blackmail and bribe as many people as possible, in an effort the pave the way for Vespasian when he enters Rome.
Working in Rome and using every skill Pantera has learned about subterfuge, codes and camouflage, it will soon becomes clear to him that one of his closest to him is a traitor, who'll do anything to Rome fall and destroy Pantera.
What is to follow is a deadly game of two spies, with Rome as its prize and death the only escape to eternity, and in the end Pantera will all his skills as a hunter and killer of men he will succeed to eliminate this threat and make the way free for Vespasian to become Emperor of Rome, and all this is brought to us by the author in her own remarkable and inventive fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is an amazing addition to this tremendous 4 part series, and that's why I like to call this final episode: "A Fabulous Roman Art Of War"!
April 1, 2013
Left absolutely breathless. A profound work in scope, scale and detail. Manda Scott never disappoints.
Nero is dead and the battle for Emperor begins. Vitellius is in Rome claiming the throne for himself and Vespasian exiled on the East but really the Emperor everyone wishes for. It falls to Pantera to oversee the fall of Vitellius and pave the way for the rise of Vespasian by using his spy network to protect Vespasian's family in Rome while gathering support for his cause at the same time.
This is a book of spies. A book full of twists, turns and surprises. The Art of War is a very apt title, not so much about epic battle scenes but more about the strategies, plans and subterfuge that takes place before and behind the fighting. The dialogues are delightful, words carefully spoken with a lot of information but subtle in their hidden meanings which only a spy can defer its true meaning by reading between the lines. The book builds in suspense and intrigue until the final battle for Rome and Vespasian is put on the throne.
I loved the way how the author continues her break in style from the previous book by continuing to use 1st person singular expanding on the idea by using the views of many different characters "spies"'letting you really read their thoughts and intrigues. Each character gets their own chance to tell the tale from their perspective. However, the main character, Pantera, is never given such a chapter or chance therefore still remaining aloof and distant, adding to his overall mystery. I found this a great idea to make a complicated spy network involving so many characters easy to keep track of.
All in all another superb work from the master of historical novels.
Nero is dead and the battle for Emperor begins. Vitellius is in Rome claiming the throne for himself and Vespasian exiled on the East but really the Emperor everyone wishes for. It falls to Pantera to oversee the fall of Vitellius and pave the way for the rise of Vespasian by using his spy network to protect Vespasian's family in Rome while gathering support for his cause at the same time.
This is a book of spies. A book full of twists, turns and surprises. The Art of War is a very apt title, not so much about epic battle scenes but more about the strategies, plans and subterfuge that takes place before and behind the fighting. The dialogues are delightful, words carefully spoken with a lot of information but subtle in their hidden meanings which only a spy can defer its true meaning by reading between the lines. The book builds in suspense and intrigue until the final battle for Rome and Vespasian is put on the throne.
I loved the way how the author continues her break in style from the previous book by continuing to use 1st person singular expanding on the idea by using the views of many different characters "spies"'letting you really read their thoughts and intrigues. Each character gets their own chance to tell the tale from their perspective. However, the main character, Pantera, is never given such a chapter or chance therefore still remaining aloof and distant, adding to his overall mystery. I found this a great idea to make a complicated spy network involving so many characters easy to keep track of.
All in all another superb work from the master of historical novels.
January 5, 2018
There isn't another writer of historical fiction quite like MC Scott. Roman history breathes on her pages, largely due to the people with which she populate them. The focus is very much on the forces that drive the characters on to change history, whether it be ambition, deceit, lust, fear or love.
The Art of War might be the fourth in this astonishingly superb series but it is as wholly original and seductive as the rest. Written as a series of personal eyewitness accounts by those caught in the tumultuous empire-changing days of AD 69, including Pantera the Leopard, one of the most memorable creations of Roman historical fiction, we see Vespasian's rise to power from every angle, from every corner, often from behind the curtain. The art of war is indeed the subject and it has far less to do with the sword than one would expect. It does, though, have an awful lot to do with courage. A superb novel.
The Art of War might be the fourth in this astonishingly superb series but it is as wholly original and seductive as the rest. Written as a series of personal eyewitness accounts by those caught in the tumultuous empire-changing days of AD 69, including Pantera the Leopard, one of the most memorable creations of Roman historical fiction, we see Vespasian's rise to power from every angle, from every corner, often from behind the curtain. The art of war is indeed the subject and it has far less to do with the sword than one would expect. It does, though, have an awful lot to do with courage. A superb novel.
March 28, 2013
There's only one way in which I could say Manda Scott's work is predictable: every time I pick up a new Scott book, I can guarantee it will be new, refreshing, fascinating and totally different from anything that's gone before.
I've loved the Rome series from the first book and it's natural for a series to improve as the reader gets used to the characters, the milieu and the writer's style. Scott's series is different, though. The first and second books followed a style, being third-person tales revolving around a small group of characters based on a central protagonist. The third though, Eagle of the Twelfth, was a wonderful departure, continuing the series while yet taking it out on a wide swing, choosing a new viewpoint and treating the series' main character in an almost peripheral fashion. I'd wondered after that how Scott was going to tackle a fourth book in the series. And the answer is that she's thrown the reader another astounding curve-ball. Rome: The Art of War is a stunning tale written in the most unusual, fresh and astounding way that it will have authors crying out 'Why did I never think of that?'
So what is this astounding style? Well the entire story (which takes place over a surprisingly short space of time) is told in the form of the affidavits or sworn statements of almost all the characters that had a role in it. Each chapter is told from the point of view of another character, in the first-person, and yet each picks up the tale where the previous teller left off, giving the reader a view of the entire story through the eyes of those that were instrumental in it. Once again, as in the previous book, the central protagonist of the series is not the teller - he is the subject of the story instead, and it is interesting to see him being assessed by each teller, often with different views of him. I cannot think of an adequate comparison for the method of storytelling, which in itself is a suggestion of how fresh the style is.
This is, of the entire series, the book most rooted in espionage. Though the main character throughout all four (Pantera) is a spy, this is the first time we've had a chance to see him in his element, doing what he does best rather than in the field, in the provinces. The result is a twisting, turning, often surprising trip into the seedy underbelly of Rome. A comparison struck me at one point that I can only see as favourable. One of my favourite movies of all time is Where Eagles Dare. If you're familiar with it, you'll remember the scene at the dining table with the German officers under the watchful gaze of Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. You'll remember how the story suddenly corkscrews through the revelations of double and triple agents and plans and background set up so long ago that the characters must have live more than one life for a long while. THAT is the direction I found the Art of War going. Magnificent. Another comparison that leapt to mind is the scene of main characters besieged upon the capitol, which put me in mind of the stunning scene of Colchester's temple siege in Doug Jackson's Hero of Rome (to my mind one of the most tense and nail biting scenes ever written.)
Characterisation is, as always, perfect, especially given that a number of important characters or ones that will wind up dead cannot have a say in the tale and are only seen through the eyes of others. I'll largely gloss over this because if you've read books 1-3 you'll know what you're in for, but I will state for the record that I've long had a hidden soft spot for the Emperor Domitian. He may have been damnatio and condemned by history, but we all know who writes the histories and the fact remains that Domitian had a very academic and studious mind, was very popular in a number of important circles, actually repaired Rome's broken economy and probably only suffered history's hammer because of his relationship with the senate. Well, Scott has painted a sympathetic and believable portrait of this strange and complex man and I found that one of the freshest and most memorable parts of the tale.
In short, this is the conclusion of the Year of the Four Emperors, taking the story from Vespasian initial claim to the purple, through to the death of Vitellius and the way being opened for him. It takes the manoeuvring of troops and men (and mostly spies and agents) that has slipped into being a footnote of Vespasian's story and opens it up in fascinating detail, telling the tale closely and with great care. Mixed in with the documented facts are the interwoven storylines of Scott's spies, from the secret network of Seneca to that of Antonia, the network of street urchins that rule Rome's rooftops, the agents of the emperor Vitellius and his cruel and dangerous brother, and so much more, forcing Pantera to call in all his favours and contacts built up over a lifetime in an attempt to put the right man on the throne for the good of the empire.
Rome: The Art of War is a masterpiece. Read it and agree.
I've loved the Rome series from the first book and it's natural for a series to improve as the reader gets used to the characters, the milieu and the writer's style. Scott's series is different, though. The first and second books followed a style, being third-person tales revolving around a small group of characters based on a central protagonist. The third though, Eagle of the Twelfth, was a wonderful departure, continuing the series while yet taking it out on a wide swing, choosing a new viewpoint and treating the series' main character in an almost peripheral fashion. I'd wondered after that how Scott was going to tackle a fourth book in the series. And the answer is that she's thrown the reader another astounding curve-ball. Rome: The Art of War is a stunning tale written in the most unusual, fresh and astounding way that it will have authors crying out 'Why did I never think of that?'
So what is this astounding style? Well the entire story (which takes place over a surprisingly short space of time) is told in the form of the affidavits or sworn statements of almost all the characters that had a role in it. Each chapter is told from the point of view of another character, in the first-person, and yet each picks up the tale where the previous teller left off, giving the reader a view of the entire story through the eyes of those that were instrumental in it. Once again, as in the previous book, the central protagonist of the series is not the teller - he is the subject of the story instead, and it is interesting to see him being assessed by each teller, often with different views of him. I cannot think of an adequate comparison for the method of storytelling, which in itself is a suggestion of how fresh the style is.
This is, of the entire series, the book most rooted in espionage. Though the main character throughout all four (Pantera) is a spy, this is the first time we've had a chance to see him in his element, doing what he does best rather than in the field, in the provinces. The result is a twisting, turning, often surprising trip into the seedy underbelly of Rome. A comparison struck me at one point that I can only see as favourable. One of my favourite movies of all time is Where Eagles Dare. If you're familiar with it, you'll remember the scene at the dining table with the German officers under the watchful gaze of Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. You'll remember how the story suddenly corkscrews through the revelations of double and triple agents and plans and background set up so long ago that the characters must have live more than one life for a long while. THAT is the direction I found the Art of War going. Magnificent. Another comparison that leapt to mind is the scene of main characters besieged upon the capitol, which put me in mind of the stunning scene of Colchester's temple siege in Doug Jackson's Hero of Rome (to my mind one of the most tense and nail biting scenes ever written.)
Characterisation is, as always, perfect, especially given that a number of important characters or ones that will wind up dead cannot have a say in the tale and are only seen through the eyes of others. I'll largely gloss over this because if you've read books 1-3 you'll know what you're in for, but I will state for the record that I've long had a hidden soft spot for the Emperor Domitian. He may have been damnatio and condemned by history, but we all know who writes the histories and the fact remains that Domitian had a very academic and studious mind, was very popular in a number of important circles, actually repaired Rome's broken economy and probably only suffered history's hammer because of his relationship with the senate. Well, Scott has painted a sympathetic and believable portrait of this strange and complex man and I found that one of the freshest and most memorable parts of the tale.
In short, this is the conclusion of the Year of the Four Emperors, taking the story from Vespasian initial claim to the purple, through to the death of Vitellius and the way being opened for him. It takes the manoeuvring of troops and men (and mostly spies and agents) that has slipped into being a footnote of Vespasian's story and opens it up in fascinating detail, telling the tale closely and with great care. Mixed in with the documented facts are the interwoven storylines of Scott's spies, from the secret network of Seneca to that of Antonia, the network of street urchins that rule Rome's rooftops, the agents of the emperor Vitellius and his cruel and dangerous brother, and so much more, forcing Pantera to call in all his favours and contacts built up over a lifetime in an attempt to put the right man on the throne for the good of the empire.
Rome: The Art of War is a masterpiece. Read it and agree.
December 2, 2016
So, finished at last, the emperor's spy series of novels; when I read the first about seven years ago, I was unsure if I would bother to stay with the adventures and exploits of Pantera, but here I am, more than 2000 pages later and all four completed. Was it worth it? The first was ok, had potential as they say; the second I did not like at all; the third I read on a recommendation - it turned out to be a sort of homage to Rosemary Sutcliff's Eagle of the Ninth, and it was ok. This one, Rome: The Art of War, is, I think, the best of the bunch.
Pantera's allegiances and motives in the first three novels were always obscure and mysterious (whose side, if any, is he on?) - but in this one he is resolutely supporting general Vespasian in the conflict for power in the Year of the Four Emperors. This does not mean that his uncertain past is not used against him as he schemes, plots and manipulates in the Rome of emperor Vitellius in favour of Vespasian. Who can he trust among the armies of spies, soldiers, priests, citizens and slaves? As it happens, almost no-one. At times, the reader wonders - can Pantera himself be trusted? There is huge cast of characters here, all schemers, most with their own agenda; this is a lot of fun, but it does seem too over-wrought, like a series of over-complex dance movements drawn out to excessive length.
Hmmm... I think the best part of the novel is the narrative of the final twenty four hours of Vitellius' rule, of the real and present dangers to the family and supporters of Vespasian - I found this part the most convincing and exciting - but despite much implausibility elsewhere, I was never bored!
Pantera's allegiances and motives in the first three novels were always obscure and mysterious (whose side, if any, is he on?) - but in this one he is resolutely supporting general Vespasian in the conflict for power in the Year of the Four Emperors. This does not mean that his uncertain past is not used against him as he schemes, plots and manipulates in the Rome of emperor Vitellius in favour of Vespasian. Who can he trust among the armies of spies, soldiers, priests, citizens and slaves? As it happens, almost no-one. At times, the reader wonders - can Pantera himself be trusted? There is huge cast of characters here, all schemers, most with their own agenda; this is a lot of fun, but it does seem too over-wrought, like a series of over-complex dance movements drawn out to excessive length.
Hmmm... I think the best part of the novel is the narrative of the final twenty four hours of Vitellius' rule, of the real and present dangers to the family and supporters of Vespasian - I found this part the most convincing and exciting - but despite much implausibility elsewhere, I was never bored!
May 9, 2013
I love the way we discover the characters. I love the different viewpoints for each chapter and I was thrilled by the plot twists. I have only read one other book about the year of the four emperors and that was from a very different viewpoint, so the actual story was still fresh & I wasn't entirely certain of the outcome. The charactes are written so strongly, that I found myself rooting for both sides a few times through the course of events!
I don't think that you need to already have read the earlier Rome books for this book to make sense... but on the grounds that they are excellent, I recommend that you do!
I don't think that you need to already have read the earlier Rome books for this book to make sense... but on the grounds that they are excellent, I recommend that you do!
December 15, 2025
Rome 69 CE. The Year of the Four Emperors, treachery and intrigue around every street corner.
Vespasian, our first narrator, is in his tent in Judaea. The spy Pantera has just foiled a would-be assassin sent by Vitellius’ brother Lucius. Vitellius had been ‘everyone’s second choice’ for emperor. Vespasian’s legions hail him Imperator. He sends Pantera to Rome to protect his son and his mistress.
Centurion under Vitellius, Sextus Geminus, our next narrator, is promoted to the Praetorian Guards. He is ordered to kill Pantera, his friend Juvens ordered to kill Trabo.
Trabo is the third narrator, like Pantera now an outlaw, a man loyal to the memory of Otho.
Jocasta, ‘the Poet’, fourth narrator, summons Pantera to the house of Seneca’s widow. Both had been students of Seneca’s spycraft.
Seven more narrators follow, each allied to one side or another. All these forces are intriguing against, spying on and double-crossing each other. All this is complicated, as Jocasta puts it: ‘Lucius thought he owned Trabo and Pantera thought that Lucius thought it while Pantera was the true owner. And I knew that Pantera thought so and was wrong.’
There is a traitor close to Vespasian’s cause, and two different armies are marching toward Rome. There’s a price of eight sestertii on Pantera’s head as he plots sedition and subterfuge to bring Vespasian to power.
The climax of the story, when Vespasian’s forces win him the throne, taking place, to add excitement, during the Saturnalia, is nail-biting.
Central to the plot is the idea that there are organised ‘messenger networks’—of course, there must have been, and Scott recreates them in juicy detail. Complete with lists of undercover agents, hired assassins, under the table bribes, gutter boys all named Marcus whistling warnings from rooftops, passwords and call signs, secret letters in code, assassinated men’s heads in sacks.
The head-hopping between narrators from chapter to chapter is confusing, but it does make the story seem immediate. We see the same scenes from multiple viewpoints.
The five parts of this book are the five classes of spies as defined in Sun Tzu’s Art of War: local spies, internal spies, double agents, doomed spies and surviving spies.
I was impressed that each of Scott’s four books in the series have slightly different structures. Some are third-person omniscient, some narrated. One is mostly soldiers and battles; another is mostly spies and secret messages. All are characterised by beautiful writing.
Vespasian, our first narrator, is in his tent in Judaea. The spy Pantera has just foiled a would-be assassin sent by Vitellius’ brother Lucius. Vitellius had been ‘everyone’s second choice’ for emperor. Vespasian’s legions hail him Imperator. He sends Pantera to Rome to protect his son and his mistress.
Centurion under Vitellius, Sextus Geminus, our next narrator, is promoted to the Praetorian Guards. He is ordered to kill Pantera, his friend Juvens ordered to kill Trabo.
Trabo is the third narrator, like Pantera now an outlaw, a man loyal to the memory of Otho.
Jocasta, ‘the Poet’, fourth narrator, summons Pantera to the house of Seneca’s widow. Both had been students of Seneca’s spycraft.
Seven more narrators follow, each allied to one side or another. All these forces are intriguing against, spying on and double-crossing each other. All this is complicated, as Jocasta puts it: ‘Lucius thought he owned Trabo and Pantera thought that Lucius thought it while Pantera was the true owner. And I knew that Pantera thought so and was wrong.’
There is a traitor close to Vespasian’s cause, and two different armies are marching toward Rome. There’s a price of eight sestertii on Pantera’s head as he plots sedition and subterfuge to bring Vespasian to power.
The climax of the story, when Vespasian’s forces win him the throne, taking place, to add excitement, during the Saturnalia, is nail-biting.
Central to the plot is the idea that there are organised ‘messenger networks’—of course, there must have been, and Scott recreates them in juicy detail. Complete with lists of undercover agents, hired assassins, under the table bribes, gutter boys all named Marcus whistling warnings from rooftops, passwords and call signs, secret letters in code, assassinated men’s heads in sacks.
The head-hopping between narrators from chapter to chapter is confusing, but it does make the story seem immediate. We see the same scenes from multiple viewpoints.
The five parts of this book are the five classes of spies as defined in Sun Tzu’s Art of War: local spies, internal spies, double agents, doomed spies and surviving spies.
I was impressed that each of Scott’s four books in the series have slightly different structures. Some are third-person omniscient, some narrated. One is mostly soldiers and battles; another is mostly spies and secret messages. All are characterised by beautiful writing.
March 5, 2013
After Eagle of the Twelfth i thought Manda had hit the peak of her writing, the story was one of the finest books of 2012 http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
That book had it all, every facet of a great story existed, a truly action packed emotional ride from start to finish.
Rome Art of War manages to go one better, combining all the aspect of the last book but wrapping it with a level of skill and intrigue that is just dazzling. The key protagonist Pantera is amazingly viewed from all the other key perspectives in the book, giving a highly interesting and engaging view of the over all story. When that is coupled with Manda’s impeccable historical research, knowledge and (not widely known) background in crime thriller fiction a whole new edge is opened to your Historical Fiction reading. I don’t read many complex crime/ spy fiction books set in the past, if they were all written this well it’s all I would read.
I’m going to stop saying “this is the best book this year” because there are now officially too many fantastic books out already this year. What I will say is that you MUST buy this book. If you love crime, historical fiction, books full of action and intrigue and if you want to learn how to write a book that is the pinnacle in multi faceted writing style, then this is the book you must have.
My Highest recommendation
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
That book had it all, every facet of a great story existed, a truly action packed emotional ride from start to finish.
Rome Art of War manages to go one better, combining all the aspect of the last book but wrapping it with a level of skill and intrigue that is just dazzling. The key protagonist Pantera is amazingly viewed from all the other key perspectives in the book, giving a highly interesting and engaging view of the over all story. When that is coupled with Manda’s impeccable historical research, knowledge and (not widely known) background in crime thriller fiction a whole new edge is opened to your Historical Fiction reading. I don’t read many complex crime/ spy fiction books set in the past, if they were all written this well it’s all I would read.
I’m going to stop saying “this is the best book this year” because there are now officially too many fantastic books out already this year. What I will say is that you MUST buy this book. If you love crime, historical fiction, books full of action and intrigue and if you want to learn how to write a book that is the pinnacle in multi faceted writing style, then this is the book you must have.
My Highest recommendation
(Parm)
http://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/2...
April 29, 2013
Moving from the superb Boudicca quartet, M. C. Scott's The Emperor's Spy seemed to have slipped pace, despite the convoluted story of the eponymous Pantera, but the following two, The Coming of the King and The Eagle of the Twelfth were back in top-notch form. Now the fourth tops them all. Unusually, this one is written in the form of records of evidence as taken down by Hypatia of Alexandria from many voices. Most august is that of Vespasian, the man who is persuaded by his soldiers to seize the throne from Vitellius, who in turns has usurped it from Otho, and he from Galba after the death of Nero.
More evidence is supplied by Vespaian's mistress, Caenis, soldiers and centurions from both sides of the civil war divide, spies working for Pantera or the "Poet," spymaster Jocasta—who has taken the place of suicided Seneca—and various of Pantera's sidekicks, brothel-keepers, and handy vagrants. It helps weave a torturous path of deceit, double and triple cross which keep a grip on the reader to the last page.
More evidence is supplied by Vespaian's mistress, Caenis, soldiers and centurions from both sides of the civil war divide, spies working for Pantera or the "Poet," spymaster Jocasta—who has taken the place of suicided Seneca—and various of Pantera's sidekicks, brothel-keepers, and handy vagrants. It helps weave a torturous path of deceit, double and triple cross which keep a grip on the reader to the last page.
August 24, 2015
6 stars
As predicted, I am bereft. What a fascinating way to write this last book of the series! I couldn't at all imagine how it could work - but it did! Pantera remains an enigma but a little more of him was revealed and the witness statements rose to a fever pitch of urgency towards the end and actually allowed more scope to an insight on the action than a more prosaic approach would have done!
I still wish I could know more of the characters whose stories Manda Scott says are done.
As predicted, I am bereft. What a fascinating way to write this last book of the series! I couldn't at all imagine how it could work - but it did! Pantera remains an enigma but a little more of him was revealed and the witness statements rose to a fever pitch of urgency towards the end and actually allowed more scope to an insight on the action than a more prosaic approach would have done!
I still wish I could know more of the characters whose stories Manda Scott says are done.
April 15, 2013
Fantastic book, couldn't put it down. I particularly liked the way it was written, all the characters coming into play by describing what happened to them and others in the story as it all unfolded. So sorry that this set of books is now finished as each one has been excellent. I shall miss Pantera, his adventures and cunning ways very much.
July 4, 2013
This is a terrific account of a short period in the Roman Empire but it is told from an unusual perspective. The narrative races along and is compulsive reading. Different in style from its predecessors which makes it even more compelling. Recommend the whole series which I shall now read again.
October 26, 2013
Excellent!!! Magnificent story, brilliantly told. I enjoyed the first book in M.C. Scott's Rome series and each subsequent book just got better. It really doesn't get better than this.
December 1, 2018
A stunning book. The telling of how the Year of the Four Emperors ended with civil war between the 3dr of the four, Vitellius and the ultimate winner, Vespasian. The story unfolds in a number of first hand accounts, supposedly as told to Hypatia, the high priestess of the Temple of Isis. The narratives are from people on both sides of the conflict. This can get a little confusing, initially on making out who is who and then remember in the middle of a chapter whose narration it is. A quick check to the beginning of the chapter assists, however. Some of these characters are historical, most are fictional. Most of the story take place in the city of Rome and the author catches the ambience brilliantly. I would just say that I do have my doubts as to whether the insulae or apartment blocks in which the majority of the common people, or plebs, lived ever reached 18 stories high! The pictorial reconstructions I have seen show an average or four or five. I'm not sure that a street existed with cottages for widows of generals actually existes, but it's nice to imagine these Roman almshouses were real. This is the first book by this author that I have read, it won't be the last.
Oh yes, The title. This is because the author builds her plot using the scaffolding of the five types of spies identified by Sun Tzu in The Art of War.
Oh yes, The title. This is because the author builds her plot using the scaffolding of the five types of spies identified by Sun Tzu in The Art of War.
August 15, 2017
3.5 stars.
You certainly can’t accuse Manda Scott of doing the same thing over and over again. The first two novels of this series were written in the third-person; the third was in the first person; and this book is knitted together from an interweaving series of first-person testimonies from a dizzying number of characters. Nor do we remain in Judea, where I was just getting settled in. Instead, we’re whisked back to Rome for the final showdown in the Year of the Four Emperors, as the anxious Vitellius clings to power on the Palatine, and Pantera attempts to smooth the ground for his chosen candidate Vespasian to take the throne. But forces are at work against Pantera, led by an enemy as cunning and ruthless as himself. More to the point, someone in his inner circle is betraying him…
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/08/15/r...
You certainly can’t accuse Manda Scott of doing the same thing over and over again. The first two novels of this series were written in the third-person; the third was in the first person; and this book is knitted together from an interweaving series of first-person testimonies from a dizzying number of characters. Nor do we remain in Judea, where I was just getting settled in. Instead, we’re whisked back to Rome for the final showdown in the Year of the Four Emperors, as the anxious Vitellius clings to power on the Palatine, and Pantera attempts to smooth the ground for his chosen candidate Vespasian to take the throne. But forces are at work against Pantera, led by an enemy as cunning and ruthless as himself. More to the point, someone in his inner circle is betraying him…
For the full review, please see my blog:
https://theidlewoman.net/2017/08/15/r...
October 21, 2021
I liked that this book gives us several different perspectives on the events it chronicles, among the chaos of the Year of Four Emperors. That allows us to see the views and actions of people on the different sides, all of whom believe themselves to be supporting the right side.
Pantera is in the thick of it, as we have come to expect, but this time he is in Rome and the danger is greater than ever.
The novel also brings home the brutal reality of being emperor, namely that as soon as you took the purple, it was likely that pretty much everyone would be plotting against you. You can understand why most of them were paranoid.
I'm halfway through reading another series about Vespasian and it will be interesting to see how that one treats the same period. This novel certainly gives a dramatic account from a range of differing perspectives.
Pantera is in the thick of it, as we have come to expect, but this time he is in Rome and the danger is greater than ever.
The novel also brings home the brutal reality of being emperor, namely that as soon as you took the purple, it was likely that pretty much everyone would be plotting against you. You can understand why most of them were paranoid.
I'm halfway through reading another series about Vespasian and it will be interesting to see how that one treats the same period. This novel certainly gives a dramatic account from a range of differing perspectives.
November 30, 2018
Read this book as a stand-alone, although it is part of a series. I read it, primarily, because Vespasian and his lady mistress, Antonia Caenis, feature as (somewhat main characters) and the fact that it is set during the Year of the Four Emperors. As historical fiction goes, the book was satisfactory. The author clearly has a wonderful grasp of historical details and did a tremendous job weaving a credible plot. I did not have great affection for the spy Pantera, which is why I will not be reading the remainder of the series, but it is a perfectly serviceable book and I would recommend it.
January 6, 2020
Everything this author writes is gold!!!! This book is no difference. I only hope that this series does not end with this book. I believe there is alot more , to be written about Pantera, along with the other characters. I only wish I would of read her "Bouddica" series first.
July 30, 2020
Ended up loving this series so much. I adore Rome in Antiquity and I'm going to miss reading about it. The mesh of fact and fiction in this series was fascinating, and I loved so many characters, namely Caenis and Geminus in this book.
May 9, 2021
Another great read
Pantera continues his quest to see a worthy emperor. Who can he trust? Who is a double agent? Almost has echoes of Le Carre at times. Hard to put down once started.
Pantera continues his quest to see a worthy emperor. Who can he trust? Who is a double agent? Almost has echoes of Le Carre at times. Hard to put down once started.
July 14, 2021
The dramatic events of 69AD.
T he best book of the series with Pantera back as the main character. A masterly foray into the world of spying in first century Rome. Vividly drawn characters and a dramatic finale. Only removed a star because of two uses of an avoidable profanity.
T he best book of the series with Pantera back as the main character. A masterly foray into the world of spying in first century Rome. Vividly drawn characters and a dramatic finale. Only removed a star because of two uses of an avoidable profanity.
December 1, 2021
Dear heaven, this woman can write.
Wonderful! A sheet delight, watching a master storyteller lead one astray in so many skilful ways. I have enjoyed the whole series, but this is the pinnacle.
Wonderful! A sheet delight, watching a master storyteller lead one astray in so many skilful ways. I have enjoyed the whole series, but this is the pinnacle.
May 3, 2019
The story itself is ok , my problem was the way it was written , first hand witness accounts , none of the previous books were done like this , so why change on the final one
December 11, 2025
involved and engaging
March 27, 2013
It is AD69 and the year of the three emperors but Vitellius sits uneasily on his throne. Disliked by the people of Rome, it is only his army and the ruthlessness of his brother, Lucius that is keeping him on it.
Out in the East, General Vespasian is resisting all attempts by his army and advisers to declare him emperor but when an assassination attempt is narrowly foiled he knows he must send his army west and face Vitellius face on. With the love of his life and his youngest son both in Rome, Vespasian know they will both be in danger the moment he declares his intentions.
With this in mind he dispatches the spy Pantera to Rome with two tasks, ensure the safety of Vespasian’s loved one and to do everything in his power to secure the throne for him.
So Pantera must enter the murky world of Roman politics, desperately trying to avoid Lucius’s men as they use torture and fear to try and hunt him down but this is what Pantera lives for and finding him won’t be easy.
Aided by disparate group, none of whom he can entirely trust Pantera faces his toughest challenge as he tries to deliver to his master the greatest prize of them all: The Throne of the Roman Empire.
Rome: Eagle of the XII was my favourite books of 2012 so it wasn’t with a little trepidation that I started reading The Art of War and wondering how M.C. Scott was going to improve on the brilliance of that book.
Did I need to worry?…….Of course I didn’t!
As with every book in the Rome series each book has got better and better. What is so refreshing about these books is that each one if entirely different from its predecessor.
Characters who you love in one book, will only have a cameo in the next, one book will be about the Legions, the next about spying and politics. This approach keeps every book fresh and exciting and Art of War is no different.
Written from the viewpoint of multiple characters, each chapter is narrated by a different character (main characters have multiple chapters but spread over the book). This gives the story such a depth that it leaves you breathless as you follow Pantera for one chapter then rush back in the opposite direction with another character then jump across to the enemy as they hunt them both.
With this approach it means you invest a lot of time with each character and develop a real bond with them, it also means when I read of the enemy approaching or treachery I found myself shouting at Pantera to watch out!
It makes for fantastic reading and takes real skill to mesh the individual stories together into a coherent narrative but if any author can pull it off then it is M.C Scott.
If you have never read any of Rome Series then I command you to start with Rome: The Emperor’s Spy and read each book in turn and watch a series develop and grow into some of the best books I have ever read.
Book of the year in March? It will take some beating!
I can not recommend M.C. Scott’s books anymore highly and I can not wait for her take of Joan of Arc.
Out in the East, General Vespasian is resisting all attempts by his army and advisers to declare him emperor but when an assassination attempt is narrowly foiled he knows he must send his army west and face Vitellius face on. With the love of his life and his youngest son both in Rome, Vespasian know they will both be in danger the moment he declares his intentions.
With this in mind he dispatches the spy Pantera to Rome with two tasks, ensure the safety of Vespasian’s loved one and to do everything in his power to secure the throne for him.
So Pantera must enter the murky world of Roman politics, desperately trying to avoid Lucius’s men as they use torture and fear to try and hunt him down but this is what Pantera lives for and finding him won’t be easy.
Aided by disparate group, none of whom he can entirely trust Pantera faces his toughest challenge as he tries to deliver to his master the greatest prize of them all: The Throne of the Roman Empire.
Rome: Eagle of the XII was my favourite books of 2012 so it wasn’t with a little trepidation that I started reading The Art of War and wondering how M.C. Scott was going to improve on the brilliance of that book.
Did I need to worry?…….Of course I didn’t!
As with every book in the Rome series each book has got better and better. What is so refreshing about these books is that each one if entirely different from its predecessor.
Characters who you love in one book, will only have a cameo in the next, one book will be about the Legions, the next about spying and politics. This approach keeps every book fresh and exciting and Art of War is no different.
Written from the viewpoint of multiple characters, each chapter is narrated by a different character (main characters have multiple chapters but spread over the book). This gives the story such a depth that it leaves you breathless as you follow Pantera for one chapter then rush back in the opposite direction with another character then jump across to the enemy as they hunt them both.
With this approach it means you invest a lot of time with each character and develop a real bond with them, it also means when I read of the enemy approaching or treachery I found myself shouting at Pantera to watch out!
It makes for fantastic reading and takes real skill to mesh the individual stories together into a coherent narrative but if any author can pull it off then it is M.C Scott.
If you have never read any of Rome Series then I command you to start with Rome: The Emperor’s Spy and read each book in turn and watch a series develop and grow into some of the best books I have ever read.
Book of the year in March? It will take some beating!
I can not recommend M.C. Scott’s books anymore highly and I can not wait for her take of Joan of Arc.
August 11, 2014
Time has passed and Nero is dead. It is the year of the four emperors, and the third, Vitellius rules the Roman Empire. In Judea, however, Vespasian is told that the remnants of Seneca's spy network have decided that he is the only acceptable choice to replace the current emperor.
Manda Scott's final segment of her Rome books is written as a series of first person reports concerning how master spy Sebastos Pantera manages to secure the throne for Vespasian. Pantera himself does not provide a commentary, leaving us with an uneasy feeling concerning his outcome in the novel. Where the previous volume, 'The Eagle Of The Twelfth', was non-stop battles and army manoeuvers, the final book is one of spies and plots, double-crossing and trickery, more reminiscent of the first book, 'The Emperor's Spy'.
We recently co-hosted an evening with Manda Scott, Ben Kane and Ruth Downie, discussing their Roman books, and if you ever get a chance to attend such an event with her I would advise to take it. She is very knowledgeable about her subject and entertaining too!
Manda Scott's final segment of her Rome books is written as a series of first person reports concerning how master spy Sebastos Pantera manages to secure the throne for Vespasian. Pantera himself does not provide a commentary, leaving us with an uneasy feeling concerning his outcome in the novel. Where the previous volume, 'The Eagle Of The Twelfth', was non-stop battles and army manoeuvers, the final book is one of spies and plots, double-crossing and trickery, more reminiscent of the first book, 'The Emperor's Spy'.
We recently co-hosted an evening with Manda Scott, Ben Kane and Ruth Downie, discussing their Roman books, and if you ever get a chance to attend such an event with her I would advise to take it. She is very knowledgeable about her subject and entertaining too!
July 6, 2016
What a yawn.
Written your Rome book yet ?
Everybody else has !
Yet another tedious drone through the ancient Roman world of emperor's spies. This one's set in the 'Year of the 4 Emperors', centering on Vespecian's rise to power in the 1st century.
What's wrong with that ?
Well, apart from the fact that the subject has been done to death ?
Oh sure, there's some action in here, plenty of runnin' throughs and heads being chopped off, but the charcters are as limp as last weeks lettuce and each chapter is written from the standpoint of one of the characters. We spend hours it seems watching people's houses and sitting in taverns with silly names.
It all so samey.
Sorry Mrs Scott, I know you are highly respected in theis field and every detail is authentic (no stirrups in this book!) but this is as dull as ditchwater, only rivalling our old friend Ken Folet for sheer tedium.
Read, if you like Romans and Spies. If you're expecting Cornwell, Scarrow or Napier you'll be disappointed.
Written your Rome book yet ?
Everybody else has !
Yet another tedious drone through the ancient Roman world of emperor's spies. This one's set in the 'Year of the 4 Emperors', centering on Vespecian's rise to power in the 1st century.
What's wrong with that ?
Well, apart from the fact that the subject has been done to death ?
Oh sure, there's some action in here, plenty of runnin' throughs and heads being chopped off, but the charcters are as limp as last weeks lettuce and each chapter is written from the standpoint of one of the characters. We spend hours it seems watching people's houses and sitting in taverns with silly names.
It all so samey.
Sorry Mrs Scott, I know you are highly respected in theis field and every detail is authentic (no stirrups in this book!) but this is as dull as ditchwater, only rivalling our old friend Ken Folet for sheer tedium.
Read, if you like Romans and Spies. If you're expecting Cornwell, Scarrow or Napier you'll be disappointed.
May 10, 2013
This is the first book of Scott's I have read (I seem to be making a habit of reading series out of order). Thankfully it worked as a stand alone.
It's certainly not a deep read - but it is fun, and for the most part well paced - though perhaps a little long. I was squirming with suspense by the end. The shifting POV worked well creating mystery and humour, and the characters, although not really complex, were believable.
I liked it enough to hunt out the first of her Boadicea books - looking forward to many 1000s of pages of fun ahead.
It's certainly not a deep read - but it is fun, and for the most part well paced - though perhaps a little long. I was squirming with suspense by the end. The shifting POV worked well creating mystery and humour, and the characters, although not really complex, were believable.
I liked it enough to hunt out the first of her Boadicea books - looking forward to many 1000s of pages of fun ahead.
September 29, 2013
Just my cup of tea, this. Politics, intrigue, spies, war. In Rome. Couldn't have asked for more. It's meticulously researched, beautifully written, and, after the the research the most important thing in historical fiction, it brings the time and place to life.
The only problem that I can see is that I started with the 4th book in the series, and now I have to go back and read them out of order. Oh well. 1st book, Rome: The Emperor's Spy, was bought today.
The only problem that I can see is that I started with the 4th book in the series, and now I have to go back and read them out of order. Oh well. 1st book, Rome: The Emperor's Spy, was bought today.
August 8, 2013
ROME “THE ART OF WAR” by M.C. Scott is every bit I hoped it to be. The story is told is through multiple first person accounts. Each person tells the story of past events dealing with the spy Pantera and his quest to bring a new emperor to power in Rome. Scott’s words transport you into another world or time period. I have read the whole ROME series and I am a bit sad that it has ended. If you have not picked up one of her books yet, I suggest you do so.
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