What do you think?
Rate this book
Agricola #3
Commander
Renowned warrior Agricola returns to Britannia as the commander of a legion... but with a rebellious Celtic tribe threatening Roman rule, securing the province won't be easy. The brilliant new Ancient Roman historical adventure from Simon Turney.
In the aftermath of Rome's civil war, Agricola returns to Britannia in command of his own legion.
This is not the honour it seems at first. Agricola's new legion threatens mutiny and the frontier province has suffered under troublesome governors. And the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic tribe in Britannia, are ready to make war against Rome.
To stabilise Roman rule and bring peace, Agricola must use all his political and military skills. But when a new commander is posted to Britannia, Agricola's efforts have counted for nothing.
For General Petilius Cerialis wants to completely destroy the Brigantes. With the tribe roused to throw off the Roman yoke for good, Agricola must prepare for the greatest war yet in Britannia... one which few will survive.
'You should be reading Simon Turney' Anthony Riches
In the aftermath of Rome's civil war, Agricola returns to Britannia in command of his own legion.
This is not the honour it seems at first. Agricola's new legion threatens mutiny and the frontier province has suffered under troublesome governors. And the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic tribe in Britannia, are ready to make war against Rome.
To stabilise Roman rule and bring peace, Agricola must use all his political and military skills. But when a new commander is posted to Britannia, Agricola's efforts have counted for nothing.
For General Petilius Cerialis wants to completely destroy the Brigantes. With the tribe roused to throw off the Roman yoke for good, Agricola must prepare for the greatest war yet in Britannia... one which few will survive.
'You should be reading Simon Turney' Anthony Riches
- GenresHistorical Fiction
395 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2025
100 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 24, 2025
Commander is the third in the author’s historical fiction series depicting the exploits of Roman general and statesman, Gnaeus Julius Agricola. As the book opens Agricola has been posted back to Britannia and given command of the Twentieth legion. His first job is to ensure they take the military oath to Emperor Vespasian, something they have failed to do up until now. Agricola achieves this with a combination of acknowledgement of their concerns and persuasive rhetoric, eschewing more coercive methods.
This done, the Twentieth join the other legions commanded by the current Governor of Britannia, Marcus Vettius Bolanus, to put down a revolt by the Brigantes, a warlike tribe headed by Venutius. It involves a march north into enemy territory with the risk of ambush at every turn. Bolanus is eager to secure a victory that will impress the new Emperor meaning he’s prepared to throw caution to the wind. A well-defended fortress? No problem, we’ll just storm it. A seemingly impassible river? No problem, we’ll just build some boats or swim across it.
Agricola, being more of a tactician, tries to rein in Bolanus’s more reckless approach only to find Bolanus replaced by Petilius Cerialis, a general even more determined to put down the revolt, and to ensure the tribes of Britannia never rise up again.
Commander is what you might describe as a ‘military procedural’ with the Twentieth’s progress through Britannia based on meticulous research by the author drawn from available historical sources as well as his own extensive knowledge of the period. (Read the Historical Note to see just what I mean.)
But although the story may be full of authentic historical detail, it doesn’t make it any less of a page-turner. Commander is full of exciting, full-on battle scenes, whether that’s the storming of a hilltop fortress, one-to-one combat, or the sheer chaos of open warfare on the battlefield. ‘The fight was a meat grinder, each side determined simply to kill more of the enemy than the other.’
Agricola is a man who eschews the trappings of his rank, prepared to live – and on occasions, fight – alongside his soldiers. His tendency to want to be in the heart of the action is a constrant frustration to Luci, the Silurian warrior who was once Agricola’s slave but is now his trusted companion. Indeed, Agricola has some close shaves and only the selfless courage of his bodyguard ensures his safety.
Agricola doesn’t have the reckless attitude of either Bolanus or Cerialis, but that still means he has to watch men under his command fall in their hundreds as they seek to overcome the Brigantes who are prepared to fight to the death. What Agricola does have on his side, alongside his well-drilled legionnaries, are the Batavi, a force of exceptionally skilled Germanic horsemen who are ferocious in battle and have a liking for a particularly gruesome form of battle souvenir.
Commander is a story of comradeship, the challenges of leadership – and working with a difficult boss! Posted far from home, Agricola’s domestic life with his wife and son is something that has to be carried out at a distance through infrequent exchange of letters, Agricola himself admitting he is a lax correspondent. That may change in the next – and final book – in the series.
This done, the Twentieth join the other legions commanded by the current Governor of Britannia, Marcus Vettius Bolanus, to put down a revolt by the Brigantes, a warlike tribe headed by Venutius. It involves a march north into enemy territory with the risk of ambush at every turn. Bolanus is eager to secure a victory that will impress the new Emperor meaning he’s prepared to throw caution to the wind. A well-defended fortress? No problem, we’ll just storm it. A seemingly impassible river? No problem, we’ll just build some boats or swim across it.
Agricola, being more of a tactician, tries to rein in Bolanus’s more reckless approach only to find Bolanus replaced by Petilius Cerialis, a general even more determined to put down the revolt, and to ensure the tribes of Britannia never rise up again.
Commander is what you might describe as a ‘military procedural’ with the Twentieth’s progress through Britannia based on meticulous research by the author drawn from available historical sources as well as his own extensive knowledge of the period. (Read the Historical Note to see just what I mean.)
But although the story may be full of authentic historical detail, it doesn’t make it any less of a page-turner. Commander is full of exciting, full-on battle scenes, whether that’s the storming of a hilltop fortress, one-to-one combat, or the sheer chaos of open warfare on the battlefield. ‘The fight was a meat grinder, each side determined simply to kill more of the enemy than the other.’
Agricola is a man who eschews the trappings of his rank, prepared to live – and on occasions, fight – alongside his soldiers. His tendency to want to be in the heart of the action is a constrant frustration to Luci, the Silurian warrior who was once Agricola’s slave but is now his trusted companion. Indeed, Agricola has some close shaves and only the selfless courage of his bodyguard ensures his safety.
Agricola doesn’t have the reckless attitude of either Bolanus or Cerialis, but that still means he has to watch men under his command fall in their hundreds as they seek to overcome the Brigantes who are prepared to fight to the death. What Agricola does have on his side, alongside his well-drilled legionnaries, are the Batavi, a force of exceptionally skilled Germanic horsemen who are ferocious in battle and have a liking for a particularly gruesome form of battle souvenir.
Commander is a story of comradeship, the challenges of leadership – and working with a difficult boss! Posted far from home, Agricola’s domestic life with his wife and son is something that has to be carried out at a distance through infrequent exchange of letters, Agricola himself admitting he is a lax correspondent. That may change in the next – and final book – in the series.
July 23, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read the first two installments back in April, and really enjoyed this Roman military-inspired historical fiction. It was the first time I read anything by Turney and I was pleasantly surprised. Simon's writing skills are up there with the better authors in the genre.
In this 3rd entry, Agricola has risen in the ranks to legionary legate, and has been sent to Britannia to quell a revolt over there. As with the previous books, a strong and precise focus on the historicity of the occurrences, although according to some experts occasionally some small errors pertaining to the color of a toga or certain words that would not have existed in their vocabulary at the time, occur. To be honest, that doesn't bother me. Those details are a bit too minute for me, and as such did not detract from the reading pleasure in the slightest.
More importantly, Simon weaves an exciting story based on the limited historical evidence available, with great action sequences and likeable characters. I found the previous book a bit too dry at times, but that was luckily not a problem here. This was such a fun read, and I simply could not put it away. I cannot wait for the fourth and final installment in this series!
Well-deserved 5*.
Read the first two installments back in April, and really enjoyed this Roman military-inspired historical fiction. It was the first time I read anything by Turney and I was pleasantly surprised. Simon's writing skills are up there with the better authors in the genre.
In this 3rd entry, Agricola has risen in the ranks to legionary legate, and has been sent to Britannia to quell a revolt over there. As with the previous books, a strong and precise focus on the historicity of the occurrences, although according to some experts occasionally some small errors pertaining to the color of a toga or certain words that would not have existed in their vocabulary at the time, occur. To be honest, that doesn't bother me. Those details are a bit too minute for me, and as such did not detract from the reading pleasure in the slightest.
More importantly, Simon weaves an exciting story based on the limited historical evidence available, with great action sequences and likeable characters. I found the previous book a bit too dry at times, but that was luckily not a problem here. This was such a fun read, and I simply could not put it away. I cannot wait for the fourth and final installment in this series!
Well-deserved 5*.
November 24, 2025
Civil war in Rome is over, and Agricola is on his way back to Britannia. A place he knows very well. His first job is to get a mutinous legion to swear an oath to the new emperor, then the second he has to put down a rebellion by a Celtic tribe called the Brigantes.
Serving under General Petilius Cerialis, a man who has ambitions to wipe out the tribe, and do it quickly. This will become one of the most difficult battles in Agricola’s life.
One that will change him and the island of Britannia forever.
This the third book in the series and its masterclass in how to write historical fiction.
From the start it is brimming with action and adventure. It has a real authentic feel throughout, and leaves the reader utterly immersed in its telling.
Simon Turney is a very fine writer and Commander is another excellent addition to what is a very fine body of work. No one does Rome quite like it.
Serving under General Petilius Cerialis, a man who has ambitions to wipe out the tribe, and do it quickly. This will become one of the most difficult battles in Agricola’s life.
One that will change him and the island of Britannia forever.
This the third book in the series and its masterclass in how to write historical fiction.
From the start it is brimming with action and adventure. It has a real authentic feel throughout, and leaves the reader utterly immersed in its telling.
Simon Turney is a very fine writer and Commander is another excellent addition to what is a very fine body of work. No one does Rome quite like it.
December 7, 2025
This third book in the series sees Agricola leave his wife & child behind in Rome as he is posted back to unruly Britannia. He has been made Legate (senior commander) of the Twentieth - a legion which is currently in rebellion & it is Agricola's task to bring them back to the fold. When he reaches Britannia, one of the tribes, the Brigantes, are also in open revolt, having ousted the pro-Roman Queen Cartimandua & backed her ex-husband, Venutius. Diplomacy is now side-lined as new administrator General Petilius Cerialis wants to crush the Brigantes once & for all, & so begins a cat-&-mouse chase!
This was another great instalment in the series. Turney has a way of bringing Roman history to life on the page & his books are always an automatic request for me. I do have a preference for books set in Rome itself but this series has been well worth reading so far. It made me curious as to where the Brigantes were based & it was from the top end of the now East Midlands reaching all the way up to Northumberland & the Scottish border. It also made me wonder - if the different tribes had all stuck together, instead of allowing old grievances to win, whether they would have been able to resist Rome.
There's plenty of military action in this one & both Agricola & his former-slave-turned-bodyguard-&-translator Luci have centre stage as usual. The only issue I kind of have with this was the sheer amount of times it referred to Luci rolling his eyes - it seemed a little excessive & I wonder that he wasn't rebuked more than once by a senior officer. Minor gripe though. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Aria & Aries, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TW - violence, death, injury, strong language, animal death (minor).
This was another great instalment in the series. Turney has a way of bringing Roman history to life on the page & his books are always an automatic request for me. I do have a preference for books set in Rome itself but this series has been well worth reading so far. It made me curious as to where the Brigantes were based & it was from the top end of the now East Midlands reaching all the way up to Northumberland & the Scottish border. It also made me wonder - if the different tribes had all stuck together, instead of allowing old grievances to win, whether they would have been able to resist Rome.
There's plenty of military action in this one & both Agricola & his former-slave-turned-bodyguard-&-translator Luci have centre stage as usual. The only issue I kind of have with this was the sheer amount of times it referred to Luci rolling his eyes - it seemed a little excessive & I wonder that he wasn't rebuked more than once by a senior officer. Minor gripe though. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Aria & Aries, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TW - violence, death, injury, strong language, animal death (minor).
August 17, 2025
Another great instalment in the series, in fact I think this is my favourite yet.
We follow Agricola back to the shores of Britain where he retraces his old steps across the province, only this time as a fully verified big dog. Along with Luci, his steadfast, deadpan humoured sidekick, they form quite a duo and you can’t help but fall in love with their Ying and Yang type relationship.
Compared to my previous comments about the last book being more like a timeline of events rather than a story, this instalment was absolutely fantastic and really drew you in to the plot from start to finish.
All in all an epic read.
We follow Agricola back to the shores of Britain where he retraces his old steps across the province, only this time as a fully verified big dog. Along with Luci, his steadfast, deadpan humoured sidekick, they form quite a duo and you can’t help but fall in love with their Ying and Yang type relationship.
Compared to my previous comments about the last book being more like a timeline of events rather than a story, this instalment was absolutely fantastic and really drew you in to the plot from start to finish.
All in all an epic read.
December 20, 2025
Simon Turney writes in a style that is enjoyable and places the readers in the camps and on the battlefields. His characters are enjoyable and I enjoy the historical context with clarifications on when a bit of writer’s leeway is used. If you enjoy ancient history and enjoyable stories then read his books.
December 9, 2025
Another brilliant story,
Following on from the first Agricola book this brings him back to Britannia and the subjugation of the Briganties, never short of action, the sort flows endlessly to a gripping climax.
Following on from the first Agricola book this brings him back to Britannia and the subjugation of the Briganties, never short of action, the sort flows endlessly to a gripping climax.
December 22, 2025
The way historical novels should be
I appreciate the author's extensive research woven within an engaging plot. Strong characterization adds to the reading enjoyment. He may turn me into an anglophile yet.
I appreciate the author's extensive research woven within an engaging plot. Strong characterization adds to the reading enjoyment. He may turn me into an anglophile yet.
December 23, 2025
Absolutely superb couldn't put it down , didn't want it to Finnish,would recommend all of the books
December 25, 2025
This book takes on a rollercoaster ride, but you never really want to stop! From the first page to the end its an adventure full of fast paced action. And it is written in fluid English and quite true to history also. I highly recommend it especially to Roman era enthusiasts.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews