Arminius: The Limits of Empire

by Robert Fabbri, Arminius

One man's greatest victory.Rome's greatest defeat.A.D. 9: In the depths of the Teutoburg Wald, in a landscape riven by ravines, darkened by ancient oak and bisected by fast-flowing streams, Arminius of the Cherusci led a confederation of six Germanic tribes in the annihilation of three Roman legions. Deep in the forest almost twenty thousand men were massacred without mercy; fewer than two hundred of them ever made it back across the Rhine. To Rome's shame, three sacred Eagles were lost that day.But Arminius wasn't brought up in Germania Magna - he had been raised as a Roman. This is the story of how Arminius came to turn his back on the people who raised him and went on to commit a betrayal so great and so deep, it echoed through the ages.______________________________________________Don't miss Robert Fabbri's epic new series Alexander's Legacy

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Roman, War, Ancient History, Ancient

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2017

About the author

Robert Fabbri read Drama and Theatre at London University and has worked in film and TV for 25 years. He is an assistant director and has worked on productions such as Hornblower, Hellraiser, Patriot Games and Billy Elliot. Now, his life-long passion for ancient history, especially for that of the Roman Empire, has drawn him to write his first novel. He lives in London and Berlin.

Reviews

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction at it's finest. The factual history basis, the battle of the Teutobuger Wald. The the combining of six Germanic tribes to defeat 3 Roman legions: at the height of Rome's power. Lead by a prince of one of the tribes pulling the others together and strategising against Rome.
As a hostage in Rome he had learnt Roman battle strategies and weaponry. More significantly he brought together Germanic tribes who were fiercely independent.
Superb writing, characters and plotting. The author created such vibrant scenes to create a masterpiece of mental visualisation.
Unputdownable.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating alternative treatment of the Teutoberg Disaster and its aftermath. It's mostly told in flashback from the viewpoint of Arminius, the Romanized German, given his voice in his memoirs. We see him as hostage. As he is being taken away to his new life in Rome, his father first gives him the idea to overthrow Romans in Germania and expel them for good. Varying life experiences nurture this idea and finally bring it to bloody and horrific fruition. Now equestrian rank he leads Cheruscian auxiliaries, which become the backbone of Rome's defeat, along with a confederation of different tribes. His charisma, his knowledge of the Roman way of fighting, and the fact he is not a king of any tribe bring them together. The battle per se doesn't begin till half-way through and is pretty detailed, following the account of ancient writer, Cassius Dio. The novel incorporates the latest research on where Day 4 of the last standoff was fought--Kalk Riese or Teutoberg Pass. The four Romans who have come to Arminius's son to ask his help in retrieving the last stolen Eagle, chip in with their comments on their participation in Germanicus's subsequent campaign. The "street-fighter" aka "the ugly little legionary" was my favorite character; the author got his lower-class [i.e.. Suburan slum?] speech to a Tee. Instead of seeing merely an inept [although not stupid] Varus out of his depth, we find his motivations here: trust, loyalty, and friendship--all misplaced as it turns out.

Very highly recommended.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the GoodReads title, this isn't Vespasian 8. Robert Fabbri takes a step sideways from the series to present this standalone novel, a harrowing, brutal, compelling account of Rome's greatest defeat.

[Robin Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

When i picked this book up i struggled to see where it fitted in the whole Vespasian world, Arminius and the Teutoburg Wald happened about 25 years before book 1, But slowly the author draws you into a brilliantly simple and yet complex story, told from Multi perspectives. The long dead voice of Arminius echoing from beyond the grave, ironically, only because he has adopted the roman way of chronicling his life. The voice of his Son, the voices of Romans past and present, all impacting on the stage that was one of Romes greatest defeats.

FULL Review Link: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...

[Christoph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immer etwas los
Erzählmodus etwas umständlich
Nicht alle Details punkto Schlachten und zwischenmenschlichen Aktivitäten unbedingt notwendig gewesen

Weitere Bücher von Fabbri möglicherweise lesenswert

[Premanand Velu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. No interesting details of the social structure / landscape nor fast moving. Very slow and shallow narration.


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Revising my opinion. A slow starter. Let me give it one more push

[Nikkidee]

i don't know, it took me an entire year to finally finish this book which ends up happening to all fat books I possess. It was interesting enough I guess to make me finish reading it, and I'm glad I learnt a little bit more about Roman history but at the same time I really didn't like Arminius and his Germanic tribes lol. So yeah, it was alright but I definitely don't have to read another book from the same author.

[Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a book does something that breaks your concentration, snapping you out of the story and engagement, it's usually the author's fault. This one was definitely mine - it was the historical name that did it. Thumelicatz. Thumeli...Thumeli...Thumelicatz Ho!

Yes it's childish, but amused me greatly - just what would Lion-O and his team do if they were here? Yeah, it degenerated when casting Panthera (and wondering what the hell you could do for Cheetara in a traditional swords and sandals book? She'd just keep beating the bad guys anyway).

So for me, the less of Thumelicatz the easier - the time slip narrative generally worked, with Lion-O reciting his father's diaries and providing narration to a team of strangely familiar un-named Romans (hint, read the Vespasian series), who in turn fill in the gaps in narration from the other side. And this is the one where the Empire gets its arse handed to it by the Germans and why the Roman Empire never went into Germany. It's a good story, and it's pretty much all true - Arminius really was the hostage who grew up Roman and turned against them. And Lion-O really was a gladiator (though no-one knows what happened to him).

It's fine in the genre - moves along fast, does the battle scenes - characters aren't massively deep, but it's a good read - and a change to have the Romans the losing side. What I did enjoy particularly was the stand alone nature of the book - nice for something not to be a series .

[Hendrik Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Auch wenn "Arminius" als Band 10 der Vespasian Reihe verkauft wird, würde ich es eher als einen Anhang erwähnen. Es gibt Parallelen zu "￲Vespasian - Der gefallene Adler" und wir treffen unseren Helden Vespasian mit seinem Bruder und Magnus wieder. Diesmal aus der Sicht des Thumelicaz, dem Sohn Arminius. Thumelicaz erzählt seinen Gästen die Geschichte seines Vaters und lässt dessen Memoiren verlesen (ist natürlich Fiktion, dass es solche Aufzeichnungen gibt, aber ist mal eine andere und kreative Art und Weise). Wir erfahren über das Leben des Armimius und wie es zur bekannten Varusschlacht und dem Verrat kam. Aus Magnus Mund erfahren wir, was sich danach aus römischer Sicht abgespielt hat, unter dem Versuch Germanicus, Germanien erneut dem römischen Reich zu unterwerfen.
Dieser Wechsel zwischen römischer Sicht und germanischer Sicht macht dieses Buch ganz besonders. Die Geschichte ist gut und dennoch kurz dargelegt und spannend im das Vespasian Geschehen eingewoben. Die Reihe selbst muss man dazu aber nicht gelesen haben, sollte aber am Ende dazu gehören. Wer sich für die Historie der Varusschlacht interessiert, für den ist dieses Werk empfehlenswert, es gibt jedoch bessere und spezifischere Literatur. Die Varusschlacht ist hier schließlich auch nur ein Aspekt...

[Pieter Op · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book of Fabbri but not from the view of Romans or Vespasian, but from Romans’ enemies - the Germans.

A smart move to tell the story in the time of Vespasian IV, connecting the 2 books. Interesting plot to understand why the son of Arminius decides to help the Roman group and in the end has to pay for ‘German peace’ with his life connecting Arminius and him to the same purpose of life. The book also describes the life of Arminius and could have simply filled 1 or 2 more books to extend on his early life in Rome and leading the Cheruskian auxiliary forces. The could also describe a bit more the life of Germans; it was interesting to see the Roman slaves, customs, rivalries between tribes, and the reaction of the aristocratic Romans.

The battle is well-written and extensively described, it feels like you are in the dark rainy and muddy forrest, scared and fighting for your life.

[QueenInTheNorth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es war nicht schlecht, mich hat jedoch irritiert, dass Arminius zur Zeit der Handlung gar nicht mehr lebte, sondern quasi nur seine Memoiren vorgelesen wurden. Hätte es, glaub ich, besser gefunden, wenn das anders gewesen wäre, zumal der Klappentext einen glauben macht, die Handlung spiele im Jahr 9 n. Chr., obwohl man bereits 37. n. Chr. schreibt.

[Gusta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voor geïnteresseerden net zo leuk als de Vespasianus serie

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arminius: The Limits of Empire is a fascinating, well-written historical fiction novel by Robert Fabbri, recounting the legendary treachery of Arminius, whom we see develop from a Roman rascal to the famous Germanic warrior we remember him as today. Through the eyes of his son, reading the writings of his father, we see the story unfold. A natural intimate bond forms, as you read together, so when the protagonist is forced to aid Romans to rid his lands of them, you root for him. Irony-ridden, this novel is certainly promising, rich with symbolism only classicists could discern.

The story is intriguing and somewhat unique, which is commendable as it's based on real events. The strong opening with a gladiator fight definitely sets the tone, as the victor, our protagonist, murders his opponent and then a Roman citizen, in cold blood. His motivation, saving his family.

From that opening, the story unfolds. The rebellious main character returns to his homeland, amongst the barbarians, where he has a Roman slave of his read the writings of his father, the legendary Arminius, so that he can aid Romans find a lost eagle, its whereabouts contained in the traitor's writings, and avenge his ancestors by finally keeping the Romans at bay. It is through Arminius' writings that we learn his story, which neatly relates to his son's, showing how the dead can help us in what they have left behind.

My main problem with the novel is that the battle scenes, albeit visceral, certainly dragged and were excessive. This came at the expense of key plotpoints, which were rushed over, leaving you confused, as a great battle unfolded. The novel was less immersive at parts, the balance between showing and telling off. I certainly had to flick back a few pages and reread.

Overall, this novel is fantastic. With a great story and characters that suit the setting, I can recommend it to all fans of historical fiction, especially those who love Ancient Rome. Unlike his eponymous hero, Fabbri doesn't betray you with this one!

[Alnaaze Nathoo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Normally, I love historical fiction. Can’t get enough of it. Especially anything to do with the Romans. I’ve read every single one of Robert Fabbri’s books in the Vespasian series. I love them and am always very excited when a new one comes out.  When I bought this book, I thought it was Vespasian 8. Reading the reviews, I realised quite a few people thought so. But I actually didn’t mind when I realised my mistake, since I enjoyed the other books so much.

The story is actually told through the eyes of Arminius’ son, Thumelicatz, who tells the story to a group of romans that he meets that are looking for the last of the lost legionary eagles. So, the entire book is basically one guy telling a group of guys a story about his dad. I may be oversimplifying ... or am I? I actually don't think so.

One of the main rules of writing is “show, not tell” and while I think you can play with that in a novel, this entire book is simply telling the readers what happened, in what really isn’t a very believable fashion (and I love fantasy fiction so if I don’t find it believable that’s saying something). This method, at least in my case, makes the book extremely difficult to read. The reader gets lost too easily. I don’t know if this book is a publisher letting the author go off on a tangent to write about his passion with what seems to be little editorial input because the other books were so successful, or if it’s just a blatant cash in on the series’ success, but it was a sad disappointment. For those who enjoy the Vespasian series, this book isn’t a necessary part of it, so if you skip it, you’re not missing anything.

[Mike Waller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one I found very interesting. The author openly admits he has used some poetic license to pad the historical facts into an interesting, human story. The story line is heavily based on actual events, the destruction of three Roman legions by a coalition of Germanic tribes under the leadership of Arminius. I already had some knowledge of this event in history and so was able to see the basic truth in the story line whilst enjoying the extra human interest aspects added by the author. I will be reading more of his work.

[Gary B Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlimited.

As a fan of historical fiction I got this as it was very cheap and I had enjoyed Vespasian I. I have all others but hadn't got round to reading them yet. I thought I'd try this and soon got hooked into it. I knew the basic story having read Ben Kane's books. I did enjoy the layout of this one and the characterisation. I never felt bored or in need of a break and read it in 3 days. I now intend to read all others on Vespasian again to maintain my interest.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Arminius, the German who defeated the Roman Empire! One of the great military disasters/triumphs of history. Still, the question, did Germany lose more than Rome?

Fabbri tells this tale as a flashback, skilfully, emotionally, and convincingly. A great read.

[Michael Heath-Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Fabri investigates the major Roman military loss of a whole army in the German jungles and swamps and creates a hypothesis of what happened to create such a blunder. Well written account and story line.

[Mike Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant read. After reading many versions of Arminius’s battles after Tony Clun this was a cracker. Very clever use of different stories and versions being narrated. My first book by Fabbri. I will read more

[Robert Tostevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intruguing take on one Rome's biggest defeats and links nicely into Robert Fabbri's later novel Rome's Fallen Eagle (Vespasian Series Book 4)

A very enjoyable read.

[Michal · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid 4 stars

[Geoff Sproston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Just brilliant.... Absolutely enjoyed this one and a great concept to "meld" into yet stand alone from previous book :)

[Gareth Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arminius, the man who beat Rome and lost everything for it. A tale of the loss of the Eagles of Rome and the folly of overconfidence.

[Simon Binning · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anyone with an interest in Roman history is probably aware of the disaster that befell three legions under Publius Quinctilius Varus in the forests of the Teutoburg Wald. It was one of Rome's biggest military defeats, and ultimately helped to shape the empire's policy towards Germania. The architect of that defeat was Arminius, a German prince, who grew up in Rome as a hostage for the good behaviour of his father, and his tribe. He spent his formative years learning the Roman methods of warfare, and was perfectly placed to turn the tables when the time was right.
This book is a fictionalised account of the story, fitting alongside the author's Vespasian series, and interlocking with it. I have enjoyed Fabbri's account of the life of Vespasian. It is well told, with a great balance of artistic license around solid history, painting a picture of one of the more intriguing emperors.
This volume is told through the eyes of Arminius's son - Thumelicatz - about whom virtually nothing is known. He recounts a life as a gladiator, who eventually wins his freedom, and returns to his homeland. Here, he is visited many years later by a small group of Romans - Vespasian and his comrades - who are looking for the last of the lost legionary eagles. This fits in with one of the books in the main series. So far, so neat.
But the style of the book is completely different to that series, and for me, doesn't work well at all.
We are told that Arminius saved a couple of the Roman victims of the battle as personal slaves, solely to write down his life story. This document Thumelicatz uses to tell the tale to his visitors. But this means that the story is almost third hand by the time we hear it; dictated by Arminius, read to Vespasian, and heard by us. The result is that there is no immediacy, no involvement, no tension. The majority of the book involves those same two slaves - still alive thirty five years later - reading out vast tracts from the scrolls, while Thumelicatz tops and tales each chapter with some extra memory or connection to the present. Occasionally, the Roman visitors are able to add a detail, or a memory, as a way of keeping them involved, and retaining our interest.
Although the story is a competent and believable version of events, it feels distant, impersonal. I'm not sure why the author felt the need to handle it the way he does. There is a mantra that many authors repeat when writing: 'show, don't tell'. Although I don't always agree wholeheartedly with that rule, for me, this whole book was telling me the story, not showing. I never felt involved with any of the characters, and found myself skipping pages later in the book, which is very unusual for me.
Unfortunately, this book has the whiff of a publisher cashing in on success, and persuading the author to write an extra work alongside a main series. I look forward to reading the next volume of Vespasian's story, but if you are enjoying those books, you can safely leave this one unread. It adds nothing to the main series, and makes little sense as a standalone novel.

[Vladimiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECENSIONE:https://narraredistoria.wordpress.com...
Voto 4,5/5
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Arminio, principe della popolazione germanica dei Cherusci e organizzatore della disastrosa imboscata della Selva di Teutoburgo, è stato senza dubbio uno dei più grandi nemici della storia di Roma. La disastrosa sconfitta del 9 d.C., in cui perirono tre legioni e con esse le forze ausiliarie e i civili aggregati, infatti, arrestò la romanizzazione della provincia della Germania Magna. Roma non tentò più di conquistare in modo stabili le terre al di là del Reno. Per centinaia di anni il grande fiume rappresentò il limes, l'estremo confine (a volte "aperto" a volte "chiuso") del mondo civilizzato.

Quest'ultima fatica di Robert Fabbri, uscita lo scorso 21 gennaio e che ho potuto leggere in anteprima grazie alla mia collaborazione con la Newton Compton Editori, ha il grande pregio di non limitarsi al racconto dell'episodio bellico di Teutoburgo. Il titolo originale dell'opera è Arminius. Il romanzo è infatti un biografia del più fiero avversario di Roma e del di lui figlio Tumelico sullo sfondo dei regni di Ottaviano Augusto e del suo successore Tiberio.

Ho detto "biografia di Arminio" ma non bisogna assolutamente pensare ad un'opera che si sviluppi in modo lineare con nascita, vita, opere e infine morte del grande condottiero (come si fa nelle biografie "pigre"). Il maggior pregio dell'opera di Fabbri, infatti, è la rielaborazione del genere biografico-storico, rielaborazione che coinvolge sia il modo della narrazione sia lo stile. Andiamo per ordine.

Il romanzo si apre nel 37 d.C. con Tumelico (latinizzazione dell'originale Thumelicatz), catturato dai Romani quand'era ancora nel ventre della madre Thusnelda per colpa del tradimento dello zio Chlodochar, fratello di Arminio e ormai pienamente integrato nella società romana con il nome di Flavo. Tumelico è stata avviato alla carriera di gladiatore ma, dopo molti scontri, ottiene finalmente la libertà. Cresciuto nell'odio e nel rancore, userà questa libertà per vendicarsi e per tornare in Germania presso il suo popolo.

Da questo prologo prende avvio il romanzo. Le vicende di Arminio e della sconfitta di Teutoburgo, quindi, non costituiscono il tempo "presente" del romanzo, ma il "passato". Questo artificio da modo all'autore di rievocare la vita del condottiero germano usando diversi registri, cosa che depone decisamente a suo merito. Buon parte del romanzo è costituita infatti dalle memorie di Arminio. Si tratta quindi di lunghi brani in prima persona, in cui emerge la forte personalità del condottiero cherusco, descritto come un patriota spinto dal desiderio di libertà e indipendenza per la propria gente e pronto a tutto per questo fine, anche all'instaurazione di una falsa amicizia con il legato Publio Quintilio Varo. Tali parti, pur essendo preponderanti, non soffocano mai la cornice (e la trama) del presente rappresentata dalle vicende di Tumelico, in cui invece la narrazione è in terza persona.

Nel corso del romanzo, gli eventi del passato, rievocati dalle già citate memorie di Arminio e dalla testimonianza di altri personaggi (cosa che permette all'autore di variare ulteriormente sul registro linguistico), si intrecciano continuamente con il presente, costituendo un interessante gioco di rimandi. 

Per quanto riguarda la ricostruzione storica, l'autore ha fatto un ottimo lavoro. Il complicato rapporto tra Roma e la Germania viene rievocato in tutte le sue fasi: dalle prime conquiste al tempo di Druso Maggiore (tra il 15 e il 6 a.C.) fino alle spedizioni di Tiberio e Germanico nel post- Teutoburgo (intorno al 15-16 d.C.).  Oltre a questo, l'autore illustra con dovizia di particolare il modus operandi dell'imperialismo romano: l'integrazione delle elité nemiche tramite l'educazione e quella delle masse tramite l'arruolamento nelle coorti ausiliarie; l'urbanizzazione come via per rendere un territorio "conquistabile"; la strategia del divide et impera per separare le tribù germaniche; le tattiche legionarie e molto altro. Mi ha fatto molto piacere che l'autore abbia curato anche il lato germanico. I costumi, la religione e soprattutto la mentalità dei popoli d'oltre Reno è stata pienamente restituita senza edulcorazioni: la violenza "barbarica" dei Germani è presente e ben mostrata.

Ho apprezzato la nota a fine libro, in cui l'autore ci dice esplicitamente le fonti antiche a cui si è ispirato e gli eventi, invece, che ha dovuto ricostruire o inventare per colmare le lacune delle fonti, in alcuni casi molto rilevanti. Ad esempio di Tumelico, protagonista del romanzo, conosciamo le sfortunate vicende dell'infanzia, ma non quelle della maturità, perché esse erano contenuto nella parte mancante degli Annales di Tacito.

Ci sono alcuni difetti, ma sono decisamente minoritari rispetto alle qualità appena elencate. La traduzione non mi è sembrata eccelsa. Non ho letto l'originale inglese né tanto meno ho le competenze per giudicare tale aspetto, ma qualche passaggio qua e là mi è sembrato un po' zoppicante (oltre ad un paio di refusi). Alcuni risvolti finali della trama non mi hanno molto convinto. Senza fare spoiler, dico soltanto che ho trovato alcuni ragionamenti di prospettiva storica fatti da alcuni personaggi, in particolare di Tumelico, troppo al di là delle possibilità di uomini di quell'epoca e di quel contesto. Devo anche segnalare un'eccessivo indulgere dell'autore, durante le scene d'azione, in particolare violenti e raccapriccianti. Personalmente non ho nulla in contrario (se la violenza messa in mostra è motivata), ma qualcuno potrebbe ritenere eccessivo il livello di violenza.

Per concludere la recensione, Le tre legioni è un romanzo che consiglio a tutti gli appassionati di questo periodo storico. Il tema della sconfitta di Teutoburgo è stato largamente affrontato (solo rimanendo in Italia mi vengono in mente i romanzi di Guido Cervo e Valerio Massimo Manfredi) ma, come detto, Fabbri lo ha fatto in modo decisamente esaustivo, narrativamente accattivante e offrendo una completa ricostruzione dell'espansione romana in Germania e le motivazioni del suo fallimento.
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[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book.

I've read this book as a standalone so without the knowledge about anything that happens in the Vespasian series. Maybe if I had read the Vespasian Books beforehand my reading experience would have been different, or I would have liked this book more but I honestly doubt that.

The subject of the book is one of the most interesting historical events to me. Up until now I have liked Arminius and his story has fascinated me for many years, but this book kind of ruined him for me as a real historical character.

Firstly, the story itself: Thumelicaz, Arminius' son, grew up in Roman captivity and served as a gladiator. After winning his freedom, he freed his mother and returned with her to Germania, where he took over the leadership of the Cherusci. Many years later, Roman emissaries turn up at his house to persuade him to help them get back the last of the eagles lost in the Varus Battle. Thumelicaz arranges for a slave to read them the memoirs of his father, who captured the eagles in 9 AD. The whole situation is not really historically accurate, but I didn't really let that put me off reading on.

First of all: it's a strange setting, the way the parties have to sit there and listen to this story being told for hours on end. That's why I didn't get a really immersive reading experience. The plot and Arminius' narrative seemed distant and didn't allow any perspectives from other characters. Many scenes were told at excessive length, even if they were rather insignificant in the big event of the battle.
Although it is Arminius' memoirs that are read aloud and he therefore of course wrote them himself, he is portrayed as an insanely unsympathetic character. Which for me does not fit the historical description of Arminius, who was often portrayed as a charming and eloquent leader.

The description of the actual battle was so unexciting for me that I can't even remember how it was described at all, even though it wasn't that long ago that I read the book.
The real reason why I banned this book from my bookshelf is actually the ending. So either Thumelicaz's companion lied to him when he said there was no trap in the trees (but why would he have done that?), or the skewers that killed him just appeared out of nowhere. Makes no sense and was probably just meant to create a shock factor. In short, if the ending of a book doesn't make sense to me, it just ruins the whole book for me.

I've also realised that I'm simply more critical of historical novels compared to other books, especially if it's about an event I know a lot about or I'm just particularly passionate about. Maybe that's simply why I couldn't get into this book.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an interesting treatment of the Teutoberg massacre from the German point of view as well as an explanation of the Roman failure to conquer Germania permanently and the rescue of the captured Eagles. The author uses the memoirs of Arminius, a German brought up within a Roman household with Roman habits and education, as the basis of the story interpolated with comments from his son, widow and Roman captives. The battle per se begins half-way through and follows the account of the Roman writer, Cassius Dio so may be considered reasonably authentic.

The opening concerning Arminius’s son acting as gladiator and cold-bloodedly murdering civilians sets the tone for the rest of the book. The whole is extremely bloody and really paints a portrait of brave but uncivilised Germanic tribesmen (complete with wickerman sacrifices) versus disciplined Roman troops which are defeated because Arminius has learned to think like a Roman strategist. I thought the portrayal of the Germans was thin, giving them no real redeeming features in respect of culture but I have to assume the author had done his research. On the other hand, the Romans were mainly historical characters and were easier to place into context.

I did not warm to the characters and felt they did not have much depth to them. Yes, there were various types (the traitor, the wise old chief, the pragmatic/cowardly chief) but they all seemed flat to me. Also I felt that plot was less important at times than the battle scenes which are extremely gory but at the same time detailed legion tactics minutely. The iteration of Donar causing the thunder and lightning grew irritating.

While I thought this book was only fair, it did make me think I would enjoy other books by Robert Fabbri as they concern such characters as Vespasian and are more rooted in Roman history.

[Anna Hargett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been intrigued by the story of Arminius - the Enemy of Rome from within. Born in the Germanic Cherusci tribe of the Rhine valley, Arminius was taken into the Roman Army as part of a deal in which some Germanic tribes settled with Rome in order to keep the peace. Arminius' brother, Flavus, also was sent to fight on Rome's behalf. While Arminius' hate for Rome only grew, Flavus began to love Rome and all it had to offer eventually turning his back on his Cherusci roots.

Arminius, having knowledge of the the tactics of Roman warfare, he was able to set into motion the demise of 1/3 of the Imperial Roman Army in the Teutoburg Forest at the height of its power. It was an event in which Rome never recovered and left Germania untouched from Rome's dominance.

This book goes back and forth between the present with Arminius' son, Thumelicatz, and one of the captured slaves reading back the memoirs of Arminius leading up to that fateful day and beyond. I enjoyed the most of the book, but towards the end I started to lose a little bit of interest. Not exactly sure why since the writing was well done and articulate. I guess somewhere the story line began to meld together, started to lose my interest, and then I got a little bored.

[Yuri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Il romanzo racconta una storia molto bella, interessante ed avvincente, che va a completare un fatto di storia Romana molto importante. I personaggi hanno caratteri definiti e belli, anche quelli antipatici, ma antipatici fatti bene. Vengono illustrati entrambi i mondi, Romano e Germanico, con le loro parti migliori e quelle peggiori.
Secondo mio gusto personale però alcune cose mi hanno convinto meno. Alcuni concetti dell'ideologia, della cultura e della politica Romana sono esposti in modo troppo manualistico, fatto ovviamente per chi non conosce quei fatti della storia Romana ed è giusto così, ma per come sono detti smorzano non poco l'immedesimazione nel racconto; è giusto dire però che questa cosa l'ho ritrovata pochissime volte, quattro al massimo cinque in tutto il libro. Altra cosa che mi è saltata all'occhio è che, senza fare spoiler, le morti di alcuni personaggi quasi passano in sordina, sono descritte in pochissime righe, quando ritengo avrebbero meritato molta più attenzione. In compenso però le descrizioni di paesaggi e soprattutto battaglie non lasciano spazio al dubbio, ma si proiettano limpide e dirette nella mente.

[Thirza Meta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoewel ik de Romeinse tijd altijd heel fascinerend heb gevonden, en ik dus best hoge verwachtingen had van dit boek, was ik toch wat teleurgesteld, al had dat meer te maken met de schrijfstijl dan met de geschiedkundige waarde van het verhaal.

De dialogen zijn (net als bij de Vespasianus -serie, overigens) behoorlijk stijf en onnatuurlijk, de karakters blijven door hoogdravend woordgebruik aan de oppervlakte, en hoewel de opzet van het verhaal (via de mondelinge overlevering van de memoires van Arminius aan de Romeinen die hun Adelaar komen terughalen) best wel ingenieus is, grenst het ook aan het ongeloofwaardige. Zo'n overlevering duurt immers heel lang, er is geen pauze voor eten o.i.d., en geen van de aanwezigen lijkt ook maar een beetje vermoeid te worden.
Wat deze opzet natuurlijk wel doet, is de auteur de vrijheid geven om het verhaal als proza te vertellen, met formele en statige taal.

Of dit nu echt een "boek voor mannen" is, laat ik in het midden. Persoonlijk had ik wel graag wat meer diepgang, als in: beleving, gezien. Van alle karakters vond ik zelfs Lucius het best uitgewerkt.