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Warrior of Rome #6
The Amber Road
In the sixth novel in Harry Sidebottom’s acclaimed and bestselling Warrior of Rome historical fiction series, Ballista returns to undertake yet another epic mission—while the Roman Empire reels in chaos around him.
In AD 264, the Roman Empire has been torn in two. The western provinces—Gaul, Spain and Britain—have been seized by Postumus, the pretender to the throne. To the east, on the plains of northern Italy, the armies of the emperor Gallienus muster and he is keen to take his rightful place of power. A war between two emperors is coming and everyone must choose a side.
On a mission shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, Ballista is sent by Gallienus back to his original home of Hyperborea, the place of the people of his birth to raise an army against Postumus. This means that Ballista must journey along The Amber Road to the far north. Along the way Ballista meets a fearsome, masked warlord who attacks, bringing fire and sword against Ballista and his men. And in his home of Hyperborea not all welcome Ballista’s return. In the battle between Postumus and Gallienus only one can survive and be emperor.
Renowned for their skilled blending of action and historical accuracy, Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome novels take the reader from the shouts of the battlefield to the whisperings of the emperor’s inner circle. Rich in detail and punctuated by harrowing action, there’s no better way to transport yourself back to the days of the Roman Empire.
In AD 264, the Roman Empire has been torn in two. The western provinces—Gaul, Spain and Britain—have been seized by Postumus, the pretender to the throne. To the east, on the plains of northern Italy, the armies of the emperor Gallienus muster and he is keen to take his rightful place of power. A war between two emperors is coming and everyone must choose a side.
On a mission shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, Ballista is sent by Gallienus back to his original home of Hyperborea, the place of the people of his birth to raise an army against Postumus. This means that Ballista must journey along The Amber Road to the far north. Along the way Ballista meets a fearsome, masked warlord who attacks, bringing fire and sword against Ballista and his men. And in his home of Hyperborea not all welcome Ballista’s return. In the battle between Postumus and Gallienus only one can survive and be emperor.
Renowned for their skilled blending of action and historical accuracy, Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome novels take the reader from the shouts of the battlefield to the whisperings of the emperor’s inner circle. Rich in detail and punctuated by harrowing action, there’s no better way to transport yourself back to the days of the Roman Empire.
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First published July 18, 2013
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About the author
Harry Sidebottom
40 books517 followersHarry 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
January 15, 2022
Read this book in 2013, and its the 6th volume of the wonderful "Warrior of Rome" series.
Once more the historical details has been very well researched by the author, and thse are superbly implemented within this Roman adventure of power, Imperium and death.
The year is AD 264, and the Roman Empire divided in two, with the West, Gaul, Spain and Britain, seized by the pretender, Postumus, while to the East, on the plains of northern Italy the armies of Emperor Gallienus muster, and everyone must now choose wich side he's on for war is coming.
Ballista himself is sent on a secret mission to Hyperborea, and thus travel the Amber Road, and thus to his original home and the people of his birth.
What he will discover is much hostility, and especially and most of all from a masked warlord who attacks the Angles, bringing fire and sword to Ballista and the rest of his family.
Is there treachery from within or are some other dark forces working against him and his fellow Angles.
What is to follow is an amazing Roman adventure, in which will excel in dealing with enemies from close by, and all this to save himself, his people, the Angles, and the Roman Empire from insurrection and treason from the far North, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own formidable fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this wonderful series, and that's why i like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Amber Road"!
Once more the historical details has been very well researched by the author, and thse are superbly implemented within this Roman adventure of power, Imperium and death.
The year is AD 264, and the Roman Empire divided in two, with the West, Gaul, Spain and Britain, seized by the pretender, Postumus, while to the East, on the plains of northern Italy the armies of Emperor Gallienus muster, and everyone must now choose wich side he's on for war is coming.
Ballista himself is sent on a secret mission to Hyperborea, and thus travel the Amber Road, and thus to his original home and the people of his birth.
What he will discover is much hostility, and especially and most of all from a masked warlord who attacks the Angles, bringing fire and sword to Ballista and the rest of his family.
Is there treachery from within or are some other dark forces working against him and his fellow Angles.
What is to follow is an amazing Roman adventure, in which will excel in dealing with enemies from close by, and all this to save himself, his people, the Angles, and the Roman Empire from insurrection and treason from the far North, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own formidable fashion.
Highly recommended, for this is another tremendous addition to this wonderful series, and that's why i like to call this episode: "A Fabulous Amber Road"!
July 20, 2014
I read about four books a week, but few stay with me. This writer has really captured me.
Gore galore - and a lot more.
Perfect if you love history, blood and guts, a goodly dollop of rape and pillage, a heroic hero - plus lots of detail about ancient war.
This was the last in this writer's Warrior of Rome series. The covers - and one of the reviews - suggest they are for people who like "Gladiator", but they are infinitely more sophisticated.
The period and places he has carefully chosen are ones few people know much about - or knew about at the time. Utter chaos.
I have now read all the author's novels. They get better and better.
I doubt if any writer of fiction knows more about what a Roman army and late Roman politics were really like - treachery, suspicion, lies and downright lunacy abound. He is a real scholar with a gift for narrative.
I was constantly referring to the internet to learn about places and people featured (many if not most of the lesser characters were real people).
I also found myself comparing the story with what I have been reading in Gibbon's Decline and Fall - which is far easier to read and often funnier than you might think.
Really recommend; I have become an addict; a bit like discovering Tolkien.
Gore galore - and a lot more.
Perfect if you love history, blood and guts, a goodly dollop of rape and pillage, a heroic hero - plus lots of detail about ancient war.
This was the last in this writer's Warrior of Rome series. The covers - and one of the reviews - suggest they are for people who like "Gladiator", but they are infinitely more sophisticated.
The period and places he has carefully chosen are ones few people know much about - or knew about at the time. Utter chaos.
I have now read all the author's novels. They get better and better.
I doubt if any writer of fiction knows more about what a Roman army and late Roman politics were really like - treachery, suspicion, lies and downright lunacy abound. He is a real scholar with a gift for narrative.
I was constantly referring to the internet to learn about places and people featured (many if not most of the lesser characters were real people).
I also found myself comparing the story with what I have been reading in Gibbon's Decline and Fall - which is far easier to read and often funnier than you might think.
Really recommend; I have become an addict; a bit like discovering Tolkien.
May 4, 2014
In this sixth entry into Prof Sidebottom’s Warrior of Rome series, Ballista is again on a journey outside the borders of the Empire. This time he is going home. Set against the reconquest of the breakaway Gallic Empire, Ballista is being sent to what is now Denmark to separate his native tribe, the Angles, from the Gallic Empire and arrange an alliance with the rightful emperor, Gallienus.
For those familiar with the previous books of the series – this is more of the same, excellent battle scenes, political intrigue, vivid descriptions of the trek outside the borders of the Empire – this time to the Barbarian lands bordering the Baltic Sea, and a bit of a love triangle. As always Prof Sidebottom’s story is strongly based in what is known and extremely well researched. What he has invented is seems entirely plausible. In telling the story of the Angles, Prof Sidebottom makes there culture very similar to the later (by 600 yrs) culture of the Vikings.
He opens the novel in a scene reminiscent of the first novel in the series. Ballista takes on the hopeless defense of a city. This time the city is on the Black Sea outside the borders of the Empire. It is being attacked by raiding proto-Vikings in long ships. The sequence is well done and for me one of the highlight of the novel
In writing the main story of the novel, the author not only follows Ballista and company, but also tells the story of the two emperors – the rebel Posthumus and Gallienus and there preparations for war. In some ways I thought this distracted from the main story line, but it also put in context.
While I found the story well told, the ending seemed rather abrupt to me. This series begs for at least one more novel, but it seems that the good professor is taking some time off and starting another series. I really hope this is not the end of the series and he comes back to it in the future.
Because of the ending, I would rate this 3.75 stars rounded up for good reads
For those familiar with the previous books of the series – this is more of the same, excellent battle scenes, political intrigue, vivid descriptions of the trek outside the borders of the Empire – this time to the Barbarian lands bordering the Baltic Sea, and a bit of a love triangle. As always Prof Sidebottom’s story is strongly based in what is known and extremely well researched. What he has invented is seems entirely plausible. In telling the story of the Angles, Prof Sidebottom makes there culture very similar to the later (by 600 yrs) culture of the Vikings.
He opens the novel in a scene reminiscent of the first novel in the series. Ballista takes on the hopeless defense of a city. This time the city is on the Black Sea outside the borders of the Empire. It is being attacked by raiding proto-Vikings in long ships. The sequence is well done and for me one of the highlight of the novel
In writing the main story of the novel, the author not only follows Ballista and company, but also tells the story of the two emperors – the rebel Posthumus and Gallienus and there preparations for war. In some ways I thought this distracted from the main story line, but it also put in context.
While I found the story well told, the ending seemed rather abrupt to me. This series begs for at least one more novel, but it seems that the good professor is taking some time off and starting another series. I really hope this is not the end of the series and he comes back to it in the future.
Because of the ending, I would rate this 3.75 stars rounded up for good reads
June 27, 2020
After two disappointing books, Amber Road is in many ways a return to form for Harry Sidebottom, similar to Ballista return to his homeland.
While I am not a big fan of the beginning of the book (I think the two prologues appear nearly off-topic until you're quite far into the book, by which time you've pretty much forgotten half of them), but it becomes increasingly better and is probably as good as the earlier books in the series in the second half.
Although I wasn't convinced of Sidebottom describing events from multiple angles initially, it actually is a very good literary mechanism and works quite well. Whether it is Zeno's own belief of bravery (blatantly untrue) or Maximus' blunt assessment of a situation, it is quite entertaining.
In particularly, the rowing scene is great: "Reach, stroke, pause and twist the blade free" shows the rhythm of Maximus' rowing very well, followed by his annoyance about Ballista not rowing (but talking to the guide).
On the other hand, Sidebottom is starting to run into a fragmentation of characters - following Gallienus and Postumus (the two emperors at war) in their own chapters feels unnecessary, as they should not be elevated to main characters. This very much reminds me of George R R Martin's storytelling demise...
But all of this is forgotten in the send half of the book, when we follow Ballista to the Angles, on a mission to his father Isangrim. We get treated to a back story about his youthful love Kadlin, her current husband (and his brother) Oslac and the rather devious brother Morcar.
Compared to the last two books, the stories feel deeper and richer, drawing us in...and combined with a well-paced war against the Amber Lord (Unferth) that has Ballista and his familia conducting heroics once again.
Overall, this is worth 4 stars - though I would give the second half 5 stars!
While I am not a big fan of the beginning of the book (I think the two prologues appear nearly off-topic until you're quite far into the book, by which time you've pretty much forgotten half of them), but it becomes increasingly better and is probably as good as the earlier books in the series in the second half.
Although I wasn't convinced of Sidebottom describing events from multiple angles initially, it actually is a very good literary mechanism and works quite well. Whether it is Zeno's own belief of bravery (blatantly untrue) or Maximus' blunt assessment of a situation, it is quite entertaining.
In particularly, the rowing scene is great: "Reach, stroke, pause and twist the blade free" shows the rhythm of Maximus' rowing very well, followed by his annoyance about Ballista not rowing (but talking to the guide).
On the other hand, Sidebottom is starting to run into a fragmentation of characters - following Gallienus and Postumus (the two emperors at war) in their own chapters feels unnecessary, as they should not be elevated to main characters. This very much reminds me of George R R Martin's storytelling demise...
But all of this is forgotten in the send half of the book, when we follow Ballista to the Angles, on a mission to his father Isangrim. We get treated to a back story about his youthful love Kadlin, her current husband (and his brother) Oslac and the rather devious brother Morcar.
Compared to the last two books, the stories feel deeper and richer, drawing us in...and combined with a well-paced war against the Amber Lord (Unferth) that has Ballista and his familia conducting heroics once again.
Overall, this is worth 4 stars - though I would give the second half 5 stars!
November 14, 2021
Part six in Harry Sidebottom's warrior or Rome series see's ballista return to his home land on an imperial mission to bring his birth people over to the legitimate emperor's employment as allies against the pretender postumus.
Travelling through dangerous terrain with enemy's hot at his heels, ballista and his entourage must fight of old blood fueds with the tribes he has done wrong by in previous books.
With the usual masterery of story telling and action, Harry delivers yet another fantastic book which I was unable to put down and with the detailed historical after notes to boot, gives the book and its author a beautiful Polish to a fantastic story.
Travelling through dangerous terrain with enemy's hot at his heels, ballista and his entourage must fight of old blood fueds with the tribes he has done wrong by in previous books.
With the usual masterery of story telling and action, Harry delivers yet another fantastic book which I was unable to put down and with the detailed historical after notes to boot, gives the book and its author a beautiful Polish to a fantastic story.
September 3, 2020
BLURB
AD 264 - The Roman Empire is torn in two.
The western provinces - Gaul, Spain and Britain - have been seized by the pretender Postumus. To the east, on the plains of northern Italy, the armies of the emperor Gallienus muster.
War is coming.
Everyone must choose a side.
On a mission shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, Ballista must journey The Amber Road to the far north to Hyperborea, back to his original home and the people of his birth.
A fearsome, masked warlord attacks, bringing fire and sword against the Angles. Yet not all welcome Ballista`s return.
Does treachery pose the greatest danger?
REVIEW
All of the curses endured, all of the enemies made, all of the oaths reneged on, all of his failures, all of his fears for his family, all of the brooding sadness over the loss of Calgacus - all of these things have left their mark on Ballista/Dernhelm. All of that makes for another page turning episode in this remarkable series. It seems fitting that the last episode finds Ballista in his homeland...though his homecoming is not a joyous one...an impossible mission, but a damn fine bit of storytelling. 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
AD 264 - The Roman Empire is torn in two.
The western provinces - Gaul, Spain and Britain - have been seized by the pretender Postumus. To the east, on the plains of northern Italy, the armies of the emperor Gallienus muster.
War is coming.
Everyone must choose a side.
On a mission shrouded in secrecy and suspicion, Ballista must journey The Amber Road to the far north to Hyperborea, back to his original home and the people of his birth.
A fearsome, masked warlord attacks, bringing fire and sword against the Angles. Yet not all welcome Ballista`s return.
Does treachery pose the greatest danger?
REVIEW
All of the curses endured, all of the enemies made, all of the oaths reneged on, all of his failures, all of his fears for his family, all of the brooding sadness over the loss of Calgacus - all of these things have left their mark on Ballista/Dernhelm. All of that makes for another page turning episode in this remarkable series. It seems fitting that the last episode finds Ballista in his homeland...though his homecoming is not a joyous one...an impossible mission, but a damn fine bit of storytelling. 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 8, 2018
I just love Ballista, although he lives in a terrible time for Rome. 6th book of the series, long journey up to Scandinavia, where he meets again his family. Well paced, based on accurate historical research, interesting characters accompany our general. Battle are always described vividly. This book is up to the previous of the series. I was very happy to read that a new chapter is coming
May 28, 2021
Another in this mid-3rd century saga, with Ballista/Dernhelm returning home on an embassy, but all is not well in the predecessor of the state of Denmark.As the author states the social structures and military tactics of pre-Viking Scandinavia and pre-English settlement Angles is unknown, but he weaves a colourful picture and a compelling story with a central character who is not a superman but a believable, fallible human being.
September 30, 2014
Ballista returns home (after a long and adventurous journey) to Angle-Land where as Prince Dernhelm he becomes involved in the nefarious plots of his wicked half-brother, Morcar, and his minions. There is also a mysterious masked warlord who is attempting to destroy the empire of Ballista's father, Isangrim.
This is probably my favourite of the Ballista series, although I'm not entirely sure why, as it does not differ very much from any of the others. There are lots of battles, individual fights, sieges, tense chases in rowing boats on rivers and on the sea, and lots and lots of curses and cursing.
Perhaps the plot held together better than some of the others; perhaps there actually was a plot. Perhaps it was the slightly more concise length of the novel or its more compressed, even terse, writing style, especially in the scenes involving emperor Gallienus and his Gallic rival, Postumus. It might even have been the occasional good joke, such as the centurion Diocles considering how best the empire might be governed and being offered the system he later implemented as emperor Diocletian; or it may have been Diocles' fondness for cabbages (a nice clue!).
Or it may simply have been the ending, involving the odious Greek courtier Zeno and the wonderful fate that is worked out for him in the court of Ballista's half-brother, Oslac. Read to the end: it's worth it.
This is probably my favourite of the Ballista series, although I'm not entirely sure why, as it does not differ very much from any of the others. There are lots of battles, individual fights, sieges, tense chases in rowing boats on rivers and on the sea, and lots and lots of curses and cursing.
Perhaps the plot held together better than some of the others; perhaps there actually was a plot. Perhaps it was the slightly more concise length of the novel or its more compressed, even terse, writing style, especially in the scenes involving emperor Gallienus and his Gallic rival, Postumus. It might even have been the occasional good joke, such as the centurion Diocles considering how best the empire might be governed and being offered the system he later implemented as emperor Diocletian; or it may have been Diocles' fondness for cabbages (a nice clue!).
Or it may simply have been the ending, involving the odious Greek courtier Zeno and the wonderful fate that is worked out for him in the court of Ballista's half-brother, Oslac. Read to the end: it's worth it.
May 2, 2014
Couldn't finish it as no matter how much I tried. I am interested in the content but wasn't drawn in by the text. Eventually gave up.
June 20, 2014
Please don't let this be the last one!!!!!! Way too much left unresolved, plus, I just love Ballista. He needs to defeat that curse and get his life back. Pretty please!!!!!
July 16, 2015
Last summer when I reviewed "The Wolves of the North", I expressed my fear that death stalked one of my favorite literary characters (who was also a real historical figure), Marcus Claudius Ballista, and I was afraid to read Book 6 in Sidebottom's "Warrior of Rome" series because I would find it hard to say goodbye to Ballista after accompanying him on so many adventures in Persia and beyond. However, a friend on Facebook assured me that, even though trusty old Calgicus died as a result of his wounds from the traitorous Greek in Ballista's familia in Book Five, Ballista would not die in book six, "The Amber Road".
So, I once more got to accompany Ballista on yet another action-filled adventure, this time to his homeland on the shores of the Suebian Sea now commonly known as the Baltic Sea. Along the way I met such fierce warriors as the Brondings (thought to originate from the Swedish island of Brännö), the Dauciones (from Scandinavia), the Geats (from Götaland in modern Sweden), the Greuthungi (possibly the Ostrogoths in later years), the Harii (who, according to Tacitus, painted themselves and their shield black and preferred to attack at night bringing terror to their opponents), and a lone Vandal who joins Ballista's hearth troupe and regales the familia with impromptu epics exalting Ballista's exploits.
This time the Emperor Gallienus has commissioned Ballista to bring the northern tribes back into the Imperial fold after they have been coerced into the service of the western pretender, Postumus.
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was a Roman commander of possibly Batavian origin (some of his coinage honors Hercules Duesoniensis, with the suffix said to refer to the Batavian town of Deuso). Postumus rose through the ranks and may have been promoted to imperial legate of Lower Germany by the emperor Valerian. When news of Valerian's capture by the Persians reach the army in Gaul, who were battling an invasion of Alemanni and Franks, the army revolts and proclaims Postumus emperor even though Valerian's son, heir and emperor of the west, Gallienus, is still very much alive.
Note: This revolt in 260 CE resulted in the Roman Empire's loss of control over Brtiain, Spain, parts of Germania and a large part of Gaul and these lands would later become known as the Gallic Empire. The exact date of the revolt was uncertain for some time until an inscription was discovered in Augsburg in 1992 stating that Postumus was proclaimed Emperor in September of 260 CE. The Gallic Empire remained independent until 274 CE.
But Gallienus has his hands full putting down insurrections along the Danubian frontier and trying to re-exert control in the east. (The loss of Valerian and the disposition of the succession of usurpers that followed are the foundation of the narrative in Lion of the Sun, Warrior of Rome 3.)
However, when Postumus and Marcus Simplicinius Genialis crush the Juthungi and Gallienus' 18-year-old son, Saloninus, demands the spoils for his father instead of their distribution to the troops (probably at the behest of his praetorian prefect Silvanus), the troops are enraged. So, Postumus ignores the junior caesar and distributes the spoils anyway.
Aware they have stirred up a hornet's nest, Saloninus and Silvanus flee to Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) with a small group of loyal supporters. Postumus' Gauls then besiege Cologne and upon breaching the walls of the city capture and behead Silvanus and Saloninus. (In the novel, Sidebottom has Postumus regretfully thinking back on his order to have young Saloninus beheaded as he has heard rumors he is now considered a child killer. There seems to be some disagreement among scholars on this point as some of the ancient sources appear to blame the Gauls for the murder and do not attribute it to a direct order from Postumus.)
Needless to say, this immediately gets Gallienus' attention and he begins to gather forces to confront Postumus. As only parts of Germania fell under the sway of Postumus, it would have been logical for Gallienus to send an embassy like the one led by Ballista to try to bolster imperial support in the northern provinces. Remember, however, that the historical Ballista disappeared from the records after defeating the Persians, overthrowing Quietus and being acclaimed emperor himself in the east. So Ballista's adventures detailed in this installment are fictional.
As Ballista's troupe make their way to the northern coast of the Euxine (Black) Sea, they are constantly threatened, first by Goths who have sworn a blood oath to revenge the death of one of their leaders killed by Ballista and his men through trickery while defending Miletus (in an earlier book). The troupe fights its way to the ancient Greek colony of Olbia just in time for Ballista to command the defense of the city against the Goths.
Olbia, like the crumbling Roman Empire in the third century CE, was a shadow of its former self. It was initially founded in the 7th century BCE by Greek colonists from Miletus who constructed a harbor for the export of cereals, fish and slaves to Greece and the import of Attic goods to Scythia. It was even visited by Herodotus in the 5th century BCE and was important commercially for centuries until it was sacked by the Getae under Burebista in the 1st century CE.
I can't read about Olbia without thinking about the magnificent golden jewlery, dubbed the Olbia Treasure, I photographed at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. It was actually discovered by peasants in a female burial tomb at Parutino near Olbia in 1891.
Anyway, Ballista successfully defends the citadel once again through courage and shrewd strategy. Sidebottom once more displays his extensive scholar's grasp of siege warfare and tactics originally showcased in his first book of the series "Fire In The East, Warrior of Rome Book 1".
Although Ballista was successful in the novel, sadly Olbia was eventually abandoned in the 4th century CE after it was burned at least twice in the Gothic wars.
Supplied with additional men, Ballista continues north up the Hypanis River where the embassy is eventually attacked by the Brondings, originating from the area of modern day Sweden. In the novel, a mysterious warrior named Unferth has killed the Brondings king and taken over the tribe. Together with his son, Unferth, commanding huge longships, has pillaged many of the surrounding villages.
When I was researching this review, I checked to see if Unferth was an historical figure and I discovered he was a Danish lord in the ancient German epic Beowulf. Unferth taunts Beowulf, claiming he could not have possibly done some of the epic deeds he claims. Beowulf replies that Unferth is known for nothing except killing his kin. The Unferth in Sidebottom's novel is definitely doing that so I thought it was an appropriate character for the antagonist in the story.
Of course, there is actually more than one antagonist in this story as Ballista discovers his half brother Morcar (I hope I've spelled the names right because I listen to the unabridged audio version of the novel while I exercise) is engaged in a number of intrigues to ensure he will become the "sinning" (leader of the Angles) upon his father's death. Ballista's childhood sweetheart also has a secret of her own that will probably feature in a future installment of the series if Dr. Sidebottom chooses to continue the series (He's now pretty wrapped up in a new series "Throne of the Caesars" sort of a prequel to the "Warrior of Rome" series.)
Once again Sidebottom has delivered a gritty, action-packed tale founded in carefully researched history of the third century CE. Best of all, from my perspective, Ballista, an admirable literary hero I have enjoyed reading about through six novels, lives to fight yet another day!
So, I once more got to accompany Ballista on yet another action-filled adventure, this time to his homeland on the shores of the Suebian Sea now commonly known as the Baltic Sea. Along the way I met such fierce warriors as the Brondings (thought to originate from the Swedish island of Brännö), the Dauciones (from Scandinavia), the Geats (from Götaland in modern Sweden), the Greuthungi (possibly the Ostrogoths in later years), the Harii (who, according to Tacitus, painted themselves and their shield black and preferred to attack at night bringing terror to their opponents), and a lone Vandal who joins Ballista's hearth troupe and regales the familia with impromptu epics exalting Ballista's exploits.
This time the Emperor Gallienus has commissioned Ballista to bring the northern tribes back into the Imperial fold after they have been coerced into the service of the western pretender, Postumus.
Marcus Cassianius Latinius Postumus was a Roman commander of possibly Batavian origin (some of his coinage honors Hercules Duesoniensis, with the suffix said to refer to the Batavian town of Deuso). Postumus rose through the ranks and may have been promoted to imperial legate of Lower Germany by the emperor Valerian. When news of Valerian's capture by the Persians reach the army in Gaul, who were battling an invasion of Alemanni and Franks, the army revolts and proclaims Postumus emperor even though Valerian's son, heir and emperor of the west, Gallienus, is still very much alive.
Note: This revolt in 260 CE resulted in the Roman Empire's loss of control over Brtiain, Spain, parts of Germania and a large part of Gaul and these lands would later become known as the Gallic Empire. The exact date of the revolt was uncertain for some time until an inscription was discovered in Augsburg in 1992 stating that Postumus was proclaimed Emperor in September of 260 CE. The Gallic Empire remained independent until 274 CE.
But Gallienus has his hands full putting down insurrections along the Danubian frontier and trying to re-exert control in the east. (The loss of Valerian and the disposition of the succession of usurpers that followed are the foundation of the narrative in Lion of the Sun, Warrior of Rome 3.)
However, when Postumus and Marcus Simplicinius Genialis crush the Juthungi and Gallienus' 18-year-old son, Saloninus, demands the spoils for his father instead of their distribution to the troops (probably at the behest of his praetorian prefect Silvanus), the troops are enraged. So, Postumus ignores the junior caesar and distributes the spoils anyway.
Aware they have stirred up a hornet's nest, Saloninus and Silvanus flee to Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) with a small group of loyal supporters. Postumus' Gauls then besiege Cologne and upon breaching the walls of the city capture and behead Silvanus and Saloninus. (In the novel, Sidebottom has Postumus regretfully thinking back on his order to have young Saloninus beheaded as he has heard rumors he is now considered a child killer. There seems to be some disagreement among scholars on this point as some of the ancient sources appear to blame the Gauls for the murder and do not attribute it to a direct order from Postumus.)
Needless to say, this immediately gets Gallienus' attention and he begins to gather forces to confront Postumus. As only parts of Germania fell under the sway of Postumus, it would have been logical for Gallienus to send an embassy like the one led by Ballista to try to bolster imperial support in the northern provinces. Remember, however, that the historical Ballista disappeared from the records after defeating the Persians, overthrowing Quietus and being acclaimed emperor himself in the east. So Ballista's adventures detailed in this installment are fictional.
As Ballista's troupe make their way to the northern coast of the Euxine (Black) Sea, they are constantly threatened, first by Goths who have sworn a blood oath to revenge the death of one of their leaders killed by Ballista and his men through trickery while defending Miletus (in an earlier book). The troupe fights its way to the ancient Greek colony of Olbia just in time for Ballista to command the defense of the city against the Goths.
Olbia, like the crumbling Roman Empire in the third century CE, was a shadow of its former self. It was initially founded in the 7th century BCE by Greek colonists from Miletus who constructed a harbor for the export of cereals, fish and slaves to Greece and the import of Attic goods to Scythia. It was even visited by Herodotus in the 5th century BCE and was important commercially for centuries until it was sacked by the Getae under Burebista in the 1st century CE.
I can't read about Olbia without thinking about the magnificent golden jewlery, dubbed the Olbia Treasure, I photographed at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore. It was actually discovered by peasants in a female burial tomb at Parutino near Olbia in 1891.
Anyway, Ballista successfully defends the citadel once again through courage and shrewd strategy. Sidebottom once more displays his extensive scholar's grasp of siege warfare and tactics originally showcased in his first book of the series "Fire In The East, Warrior of Rome Book 1".
Although Ballista was successful in the novel, sadly Olbia was eventually abandoned in the 4th century CE after it was burned at least twice in the Gothic wars.
Supplied with additional men, Ballista continues north up the Hypanis River where the embassy is eventually attacked by the Brondings, originating from the area of modern day Sweden. In the novel, a mysterious warrior named Unferth has killed the Brondings king and taken over the tribe. Together with his son, Unferth, commanding huge longships, has pillaged many of the surrounding villages.
When I was researching this review, I checked to see if Unferth was an historical figure and I discovered he was a Danish lord in the ancient German epic Beowulf. Unferth taunts Beowulf, claiming he could not have possibly done some of the epic deeds he claims. Beowulf replies that Unferth is known for nothing except killing his kin. The Unferth in Sidebottom's novel is definitely doing that so I thought it was an appropriate character for the antagonist in the story.
Of course, there is actually more than one antagonist in this story as Ballista discovers his half brother Morcar (I hope I've spelled the names right because I listen to the unabridged audio version of the novel while I exercise) is engaged in a number of intrigues to ensure he will become the "sinning" (leader of the Angles) upon his father's death. Ballista's childhood sweetheart also has a secret of her own that will probably feature in a future installment of the series if Dr. Sidebottom chooses to continue the series (He's now pretty wrapped up in a new series "Throne of the Caesars" sort of a prequel to the "Warrior of Rome" series.)
Once again Sidebottom has delivered a gritty, action-packed tale founded in carefully researched history of the third century CE. Best of all, from my perspective, Ballista, an admirable literary hero I have enjoyed reading about through six novels, lives to fight yet another day!
July 7, 2019
I am enjoying the Warrior of Rome series but I found this one less satisfying than the others. The opening half - leading up to the Baltic - I found irritatingly bitty with the constant chapters involving Gallienus and Postumus. I know they set context but they also disrupt the narrative. I assume that it becomes more relevant in subsequent volumes.
Once Ballista gets to the Baltic the book picks up the pacy excitement of the previous books.
Very much a book in two halves - 2 stars for the first half and five for the second.
Once Ballista gets to the Baltic the book picks up the pacy excitement of the previous books.
Very much a book in two halves - 2 stars for the first half and five for the second.
December 26, 2021
Warrior of Rome series are like a clash of Carmina Burana and Mad Max. If we are to learn something from past it is that men are still the same, nothing much changed, just the means and tools of killing. Marvelously told saga... and this book is natural crescendo.... I love it!
April 24, 2022
Literary escapism at its finest. Sidebottom, an academic, is an excellent writer and his elevated pulpy historical fiction is fun to read.
May 20, 2022
Good read lots of action scenes nice to see ballista go home and see his mum and dad even though it leads to turmoil
December 4, 2017
Plot: 7 (full of incident and often emotional investment)
Characters: 9 (clear motivations and strongly differentiated)
Accuracy: 10? (little known area but incidental details are accurate)
For the first time we get a Warrior of Rome novel with a standalone story that genuinely works. Unlike the previous two unfocused books, Ballista is given an actual reason to care here. He's returning home and dealing with the longings and demons that he left behind. This means we get to see a lot of the North and the tribes that live there. Our sources being what they are, this tale is largely imaginary, but it does make for an interesting and plausible adventure novel. As ever, there's also some history thrown in here. We get to see a real Roman battle between Gallienus and rival emperor Postumus' governor Simplicinius Genialis. I say real, there's no record of it, but something like it must have happened. Such pitched battles are surprisingly rare in this series. The battle of Edessa gets reduced to a brief failed negotiation and that's about it. Everything else is either a raid, a siege, or a small-scale battle amongst barbarians. This battle is rather a distraction as none of the main characters are anywheres nearby, yet it's a fun distraction and one that reminds us of the big picture. I wish the series was better at combining the two, but there you are. Namedropped are a large number of later emperors, all of whom were leaders of various ranks in Gallienus' army. Even Diocletian gets an appearance and he's only a spotty teenager. He actually gets one of the funnier in-jokes for those of us who are historically minded: specifically his praise of the healthy powers of cabbages. Since the man ended his life happily retired and farming cabbages that's pretty funny. It's immediately followed by a piss poor example of an in-joke, unfortunately, specifically a conversation where Ballista lays out the entire premise of the tetrarchy (four unrelated emperors splitting the empire between them) for the moldable child. Ugh.
The book isn't perfect. It spends far too long simply traveling to his destination and not enough actually dealing with the family matters there. While the journey is superbly told and he manages to drag a lot more excitement out of a bunch of guys sailing around the Baltic than should be possible, that still occupies 3/4 of the book. The finale, featuring a war with a rival tribe and some family feuding, is not given the time needed to seem consequential. Even leaving that aside, the conclusion was too abrupt. It needed to be longer, not least because he manages to make the Angle kingdom seem very interesting. Still, when your worst complaint about a book is that there's not more of it, it's clearly been doing something right.
Characters: 9 (clear motivations and strongly differentiated)
Accuracy: 10? (little known area but incidental details are accurate)
For the first time we get a Warrior of Rome novel with a standalone story that genuinely works. Unlike the previous two unfocused books, Ballista is given an actual reason to care here. He's returning home and dealing with the longings and demons that he left behind. This means we get to see a lot of the North and the tribes that live there. Our sources being what they are, this tale is largely imaginary, but it does make for an interesting and plausible adventure novel. As ever, there's also some history thrown in here. We get to see a real Roman battle between Gallienus and rival emperor Postumus' governor Simplicinius Genialis. I say real, there's no record of it, but something like it must have happened. Such pitched battles are surprisingly rare in this series. The battle of Edessa gets reduced to a brief failed negotiation and that's about it. Everything else is either a raid, a siege, or a small-scale battle amongst barbarians. This battle is rather a distraction as none of the main characters are anywheres nearby, yet it's a fun distraction and one that reminds us of the big picture. I wish the series was better at combining the two, but there you are. Namedropped are a large number of later emperors, all of whom were leaders of various ranks in Gallienus' army. Even Diocletian gets an appearance and he's only a spotty teenager. He actually gets one of the funnier in-jokes for those of us who are historically minded: specifically his praise of the healthy powers of cabbages. Since the man ended his life happily retired and farming cabbages that's pretty funny. It's immediately followed by a piss poor example of an in-joke, unfortunately, specifically a conversation where Ballista lays out the entire premise of the tetrarchy (four unrelated emperors splitting the empire between them) for the moldable child. Ugh.
The book isn't perfect. It spends far too long simply traveling to his destination and not enough actually dealing with the family matters there. While the journey is superbly told and he manages to drag a lot more excitement out of a bunch of guys sailing around the Baltic than should be possible, that still occupies 3/4 of the book. The finale, featuring a war with a rival tribe and some family feuding, is not given the time needed to seem consequential. Even leaving that aside, the conclusion was too abrupt. It needed to be longer, not least because he manages to make the Angle kingdom seem very interesting. Still, when your worst complaint about a book is that there's not more of it, it's clearly been doing something right.
September 11, 2021
Another ripping story. Nick Boulton's reading is superb.
August 12, 2015
Bez Beowulfa prawdopodobnie nie byłoby Władcy Pierścieni. Gdyby Profesor nie inspirował się staroangielską epiką bohaterską, nie byłoby Aragorna, dzielnych krasnoludów, smoka do ubicia i Wielkiego Zła Na Wschodzie. Nie, wróć! Dzięki Stalinowi Tolkien może by i wpadł na pomysł Wielkiego Zła na Wschodzie, ale na tym tyle.
I nieco podobna sytuacja ma się z szóstym, ostatnim tomem cyklu Sidebottoma Wojownik Rzymu. Jak wykładowca historii w Lincoln College i jeden z ciekawszych twórców współczesnej prozy historycznej ukoronował historię barbarzyńskiego żołnierza w służbie Rzymu? Po przeczytaniu powieści miałem mieszane odczucia. Wydawało się, że Bursztynowy szlak nie dorównuje Wilkom Północy, jednak po kilku dniach emocje się uporządkowały a wnioski, które się pojawiły były dużo bardziej pozytywne. Przede wszystkim to bardzo przemyślana powieść i konsekwentne, zgodne z konwencją serii zakończenie opowieści.
Cd. recenzji: https://foxboox.wordpress.com/2015/08...
I nieco podobna sytuacja ma się z szóstym, ostatnim tomem cyklu Sidebottoma Wojownik Rzymu. Jak wykładowca historii w Lincoln College i jeden z ciekawszych twórców współczesnej prozy historycznej ukoronował historię barbarzyńskiego żołnierza w służbie Rzymu? Po przeczytaniu powieści miałem mieszane odczucia. Wydawało się, że Bursztynowy szlak nie dorównuje Wilkom Północy, jednak po kilku dniach emocje się uporządkowały a wnioski, które się pojawiły były dużo bardziej pozytywne. Przede wszystkim to bardzo przemyślana powieść i konsekwentne, zgodne z konwencją serii zakończenie opowieści.
Cd. recenzji: https://foxboox.wordpress.com/2015/08...
June 8, 2017
My review gives 5 stars for the series (so far)..Doctor Sidebottom brings the chaotic period of the 3rd century to life with the stroke of a pen. Over the six books the main characters battle siege, betrayal, slavery, murder and everything else a barbarian general in Rome's 3rd century armies can expect and more.
As the Author is a scholar of the time. It is laced with people who existed from the great and good to the not so great or good. Looking forward to book 7 and the Throne Of The Ceasers is another great series by this writer. That is set just before this one and could be viewed as forerunner of the Warrior Of Rome series.This series concentrates on the above mentioned General and his immediate family group or familia. Given missions over the series to hold cites against rampaging barbarian hordes, blood feuds, given the choice to become emperor and other such minor concerns.
But only complaint I have is that book 6 does finish rather vaguely, as too many loose ends left untied. Or is that the greater plan for book 7?
As the Author is a scholar of the time. It is laced with people who existed from the great and good to the not so great or good. Looking forward to book 7 and the Throne Of The Ceasers is another great series by this writer. That is set just before this one and could be viewed as forerunner of the Warrior Of Rome series.This series concentrates on the above mentioned General and his immediate family group or familia. Given missions over the series to hold cites against rampaging barbarian hordes, blood feuds, given the choice to become emperor and other such minor concerns.
But only complaint I have is that book 6 does finish rather vaguely, as too many loose ends left untied. Or is that the greater plan for book 7?
December 12, 2019
Exciting and Historically Accurate
I liked nearly everything about the book. The writing is superb. The characters seemed to be real people. The plot moved quickly, albeit a bit too predictably. My main complaint is that the book simply ended, without really setting many of the plot threads. So the ending was a fizzle. Otherwise, I liked the book very much.
I liked nearly everything about the book. The writing is superb. The characters seemed to be real people. The plot moved quickly, albeit a bit too predictably. My main complaint is that the book simply ended, without really setting many of the plot threads. So the ending was a fizzle. Otherwise, I liked the book very much.
August 24, 2015
Couldn't decide whether to give it 3 or 4, and decided in the end to give it 3. I did enjoy it - and it's a huge improvement on "Wolves of the North". But there were still things that niggled somewhat. Could have done with Ballista getting to his homeland more quickly, and then having more story development once he was there. There were conflicts that could have been much more developed. On the other hand, it's all part of a meta-narrative, which is one of the things I like about these books - you do really have to visualise the wider context and see Ballista's story as being but a part of it.
July 27, 2023
Really looked forward to this read, had trouble getting hold of it. Really exciting to see Ballista going home and seeing the reception of his return. As always full of action and great scenes of battle on land and sea! Enjoying the maritime theme entwined within these novels and the terminology. Great plot and political twists and turns. Genuinely can’t help but root for the protagonist and his familia. Loving the battle strategies too. Constantly learning new definitions great contextual grounding in the different societies and spaces we are exploring along the adventures. Can’t wait to see where we go next.
January 11, 2023
I really got into this book and it was interesting to see the main character Ballista reunited with his tribe and family. The first half of the book covers Ballista's journey to his native land and reminded me of some of the Viking historical fiction books I have read recently. I thought this differed from Harry's previous books in the series due to the locations and it being more similar to a Viking book than a Roman one. This was however an interesting contrast to the earlier novels. I am looking forward to reading more of Ballista's stories in the future.
January 30, 2024
Solid outing. Once again, Sidebottom does an excellent job of bringing us into the customs of groups that lived at the periphery of the Empire and whose names are just vaguely familiar (yet ominous in the case of many, such as the Longobardi) to those of us whose knowledge stays within the boundaries of Rome.
Great action sequences as well--but one way in which I think the book falls a bit short is the pacing of the climax, when Ballista's embassy lands in his homeland. It felt a little rushed compared to the arduous and detailed journey through the dark forests of Eastern Europe.
Great action sequences as well--but one way in which I think the book falls a bit short is the pacing of the climax, when Ballista's embassy lands in his homeland. It felt a little rushed compared to the arduous and detailed journey through the dark forests of Eastern Europe.
October 29, 2013
c2013: FWFTB: Gaul, war, Hyperborea, treachery, Ballista. For some strange reason, I was not as enamoured with this book as I was with my first Ballista read. Perhaps, it was so similar in plot and form that it all became a bit samey. Recommended for those of the crew that enjoy the Romans!
July 2, 2014
And so it comes to and end - the sixth and 'final' book of Ballista, warrior of Rome.
SPOILER ALERT - the author does say he has another trilogy in the works but its a few years off.
Great character development - believable plots - a wonderful tip through 3rd century northern Europe.
SPOILER ALERT - the author does say he has another trilogy in the works but its a few years off.
Great character development - believable plots - a wonderful tip through 3rd century northern Europe.
July 7, 2014
One of the best on the series so far.
I was looking forwards to Dernhelm returning home and wasn't disappointed.
I was looking forwards to Dernhelm returning home and wasn't disappointed.
March 7, 2014
Only up to page 47 but not at all captured or interested in going on with it.
May 26, 2016
Slow start in this one as the POV shifts from one protagonist to the other but gets underway nicely by the middle of the book. Can't wait for the next installment (I hope).
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