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Sacrifice
Through the flames of rebellion, heroes are forged.
In the heart of a fractured Rome, as Pompey the Great triumphs in Hispania against a sea of rebellion, a fire stirs on the slopes of Vesuvius. Here, in the shadow of the mighty volcano, an unprecedented alliance of slaves and gladiators dares to challenge the very foundations of power. Their thirst for freedom is ignited by a shared dream - an insatiable hunger for a life beyond chains.
For Tesserarius Lucius Porcianus, the tides of rebellion offer a glimmer of hope. Recently promoted and eager to reunite with his family, Lucius has long been estranged from his son, who has grown up in the shadow of his absence. Yet, as he journeys back home, the reality of a crumbling empire unfolds before him. The elite leaders of Rome -drunk with arrogance and avarice- underestimate the fury of those they sought to subjugate. With chaos on the horizon, Lucius finds himself thrust into a pivotal role, grappling with the weight of leadership and the moral dilemmas that accompany it.
As loyalties are tested and sacrifices made, Lucius must navigate a world where fate hangs by a thread. Each choice he makes could tip the scales towards freedom or doom, as the rebellion gathers momentum, threatening to engulf everything he holds dear. Will Lucius rise to the occasion, inspiring courage in those around him, or will the sacrifice of his comrades be in vain?
Sacrifice is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the struggle for self-determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Join Lucius Porcianus on a journey of rediscovery, as he learns that the true power of courage lies not merely in battle, but in the bonds of family, honour, and the unyielding quest for justice.
The second book in the enthralling Roman Rebellion series by Griff Hosker. Perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell.
“Another stellar work from Mr Hosker. Ancient Rome? Legionary adventures? Character-driven narratives? "Sacrifice" has it all in spades! The author's passion oozes from the page, and the balance between entertainment and education is well-struck. Lucius is a memorable hero, and quite relatable as he tries to juggle his soldier duties and keeping rival generals happy, all while the threat of battle looms. Really enjoyed this 5/5*.” - Gordon Doherty, bestselling author of the Legionary series
In the heart of a fractured Rome, as Pompey the Great triumphs in Hispania against a sea of rebellion, a fire stirs on the slopes of Vesuvius. Here, in the shadow of the mighty volcano, an unprecedented alliance of slaves and gladiators dares to challenge the very foundations of power. Their thirst for freedom is ignited by a shared dream - an insatiable hunger for a life beyond chains.
For Tesserarius Lucius Porcianus, the tides of rebellion offer a glimmer of hope. Recently promoted and eager to reunite with his family, Lucius has long been estranged from his son, who has grown up in the shadow of his absence. Yet, as he journeys back home, the reality of a crumbling empire unfolds before him. The elite leaders of Rome -drunk with arrogance and avarice- underestimate the fury of those they sought to subjugate. With chaos on the horizon, Lucius finds himself thrust into a pivotal role, grappling with the weight of leadership and the moral dilemmas that accompany it.
As loyalties are tested and sacrifices made, Lucius must navigate a world where fate hangs by a thread. Each choice he makes could tip the scales towards freedom or doom, as the rebellion gathers momentum, threatening to engulf everything he holds dear. Will Lucius rise to the occasion, inspiring courage in those around him, or will the sacrifice of his comrades be in vain?
Sacrifice is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the struggle for self-determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Join Lucius Porcianus on a journey of rediscovery, as he learns that the true power of courage lies not merely in battle, but in the bonds of family, honour, and the unyielding quest for justice.
The second book in the enthralling Roman Rebellion series by Griff Hosker. Perfect for fans of Ben Kane, Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell.
“Another stellar work from Mr Hosker. Ancient Rome? Legionary adventures? Character-driven narratives? "Sacrifice" has it all in spades! The author's passion oozes from the page, and the balance between entertainment and education is well-struck. Lucius is a memorable hero, and quite relatable as he tries to juggle his soldier duties and keeping rival generals happy, all while the threat of battle looms. Really enjoyed this 5/5*.” - Gordon Doherty, bestselling author of the Legionary series
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2025
About the author
Griff Hosker
310 books442 followersI was born in 1950 in Lancashire and attended a boy’s grammar school. After qualifying as an English and Drama teacher in 1972, I worked in the North East of England for the next 35 years. During that time I did write, mainly plays, pantos and musicals for the students at the three schools in which I worked.
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
When I stopped teaching I set up my own consultancy firm and worked as an adviser in schools and colleges in the North East of England. The new Conservative Government ended that avenue of work and in 2010 I found that I had time on my hands; having started work at the age of 15 I found the lack of work not to my liking and used the time to research the Roman invasion of Britain and begin to create a novel. The result was The Sword of Cartimandua.
My decision to begin writing was one of the best I have ever taken.
griff-signature-360x57
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 18, 2025
My Favorite Hosker Story (so far)
A very good telling of Pompey’s early career and the Spartacus-lead Slave Rebellion. I thoroughly enjoyed the first person perspective of a “grunt”. Most stories are from the point of view of a “noble” or other famous historical figure, so it’s especially refreshing to experience the history from a peasant’s perspective. Bravo!
A very good telling of Pompey’s early career and the Spartacus-lead Slave Rebellion. I thoroughly enjoyed the first person perspective of a “grunt”. Most stories are from the point of view of a “noble” or other famous historical figure, so it’s especially refreshing to experience the history from a peasant’s perspective. Bravo!
January 12, 2026
Interesting take on slavery and rural life in ancient Italy.
This is not your Hollywood story of Spartacus and the slave rebellion! Wealthy slave owners were butchered. Whole towns were overrun with property destroyed! Animals were taken and buildings burned
This is not your Hollywood story of Spartacus and the slave rebellion! Wealthy slave owners were butchered. Whole towns were overrun with property destroyed! Animals were taken and buildings burned
October 28, 2025
An OK book. Not Mr.riff's best by a long ballista shot. Usual historical slavish attention to accuracy some how leaves the narrative with a lack of sparkle. So OK but not great.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews