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The Parthian Chronicles #6
Sons of the Citadel
Did you think the gods would leave you alone, Pacorus? Did you truly believe the Romans would forget the humiliation of Carrhae and not rest until they had won back their lost eagles? Pacorus had believed the defeat of Crassus would signal the end of Roman interest in Parthia and for many years his kingdom knew peace and prosperity. But the vindictiveness of Queen Cleopatra of Egypt draws him and the Parthians into a new war, one in which they would be fighting for their very existence when her husband Mark Antony invades the empire at the head of over one hundred thousand men. At first the new high king of the Parthian Empire refuses the assistance of Pacorus and his famed army, but as disaster follows disaster only Dura’s soldiers can save the empire from being swallowed whole by the Romans. An older, wiser Pacorus is forced to take the field against the might of Rome once more in a war that will be a turning point for him, the empire and his family. A map of the Parthian Empire at the time of Pacorus (the 1st Century BC) can be found on the maps page of my www.peterdarman.com
603 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2016
59 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Peter Darman
117 books92 followersI was raised in Grantham, Lincolnshire and attended the King's Grammar School after passing the Eleven Plus exam. In the latter I clearly remember writing an essay on Oliver Cromwell – my first piece of military writing.
Then came a BA in history and international relations at Nottingham followed by a Master of Philosophy course at the University of York. The subject was the generalship and cavalry of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, my boyhood hero, during the English Civil War. The year I spent researching and writing at York, Oxford and at the British Library in London was a truly wonderful time.
I moved to London and eventually joined a small publishing company as an editor. Thus began my writing career.
Then came a BA in history and international relations at Nottingham followed by a Master of Philosophy course at the University of York. The subject was the generalship and cavalry of Prince Rupert of the Rhine, my boyhood hero, during the English Civil War. The year I spent researching and writing at York, Oxford and at the British Library in London was a truly wonderful time.
I moved to London and eventually joined a small publishing company as an editor. Thus began my writing career.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 23, 2023
engrossing
A great tale of historical fiction. Pacorus and his companions and friends remain interesting and engaging. The author does a great job of setting the stage for battles and has a good grasp of geography. He has an excellent grasp of Roman tactics.
The only criticism is that his knowledge of Parthian culture is somewhat limited. While this may be a consequence of a relative dearth of knowledge, the stories of the Shahnameh are well known to be parthian and East Iranian stories, and legends. Also, he makes the Parthians into polytheists, worshiping what are essentially Babylonian gods where as they were definitely within the Zoroastrian realm, albeit with emphasis on figures like Mithra and Anahita.
That being said, it is very refreshing to read an engaging story from the Iranian point of view
A great tale of historical fiction. Pacorus and his companions and friends remain interesting and engaging. The author does a great job of setting the stage for battles and has a good grasp of geography. He has an excellent grasp of Roman tactics.
The only criticism is that his knowledge of Parthian culture is somewhat limited. While this may be a consequence of a relative dearth of knowledge, the stories of the Shahnameh are well known to be parthian and East Iranian stories, and legends. Also, he makes the Parthians into polytheists, worshiping what are essentially Babylonian gods where as they were definitely within the Zoroastrian realm, albeit with emphasis on figures like Mithra and Anahita.
That being said, it is very refreshing to read an engaging story from the Iranian point of view
August 23, 2018
Quick! Get me book 6
This has become one of my favorite series of stories. Peter Darman has written a saga that has grown as my affection for his major players has grown. FromSpartacus in Italy to a long life in Parthia I feel I have walked, and been led, down a wonderful completely entertaining path. Thanks Peter Darman.
This has become one of my favorite series of stories. Peter Darman has written a saga that has grown as my affection for his major players has grown. FromSpartacus in Italy to a long life in Parthia I feel I have walked, and been led, down a wonderful completely entertaining path. Thanks Peter Darman.
November 18, 2017
Good read
Although this book is in retrospect, the characters hold true to the Series. Lots of action and intrigue. Now it will be interesting to see how the plot continues.
Although this book is in retrospect, the characters hold true to the Series. Lots of action and intrigue. Now it will be interesting to see how the plot continues.
December 12, 2016
Pretty much what you expect from a Peter Darman book. I sometimes think that he does suffer from a mild case of OCD! On as many occasions as possible, he lists the number of horseman, camels, riders that accompany the hero. And these numbers are always round numbers - 50, 200, 5000... There is no room for a sick list in Peter Darman's army. I have read most of his books though because despite this little flaw, the books are generally well written and Peter picks uncommon topics. The heroes are likable, the books well written, good topics. You can't ask for much more than that.
December 28, 2016
I loved this book. The excellent plot, relationship to actual historical events, new and familiar favourite characters and pace of the the story was excellent. Although the sixth book in the series it was one of the best. Peter Darman gets better at his craft with every book and I hope he writes more episodes in this series that I have really come to love. King Pacorus and Queen Gallia are joined by their daughter Claudia in this story which takes the reader from Dura Europos all the way to the border with Armenia to battle Marcus Antonius, the husband of Cleopatra. Brilliant.
July 30, 2017
An excellent continuation of the series. My final thoughts is maybe it's not a bad thing to be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews