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Throne of the Caesars #2
Krev a ocel
Druhý díl trilogie anglického historika Harryho Sidebottoma nás vrací zpět do období krize římského císařství. V jediném roce vznese svůj nárok na trůn hned šest uchazečů a vláda toho prvního se právě chýlí ke konci. Píše se rok 238 n. l. a v Římě je zavražděn prefekt císaře Maximina, císař sám je prohlášen za mrtvého a vlády se s podporou senátu ujímají Gordianus Starší a Gordianus Mladší. Senát doufá, že oba příslušníci starobylého rodu vrátí zemi klid a zbaví ji hrozby občanské války.
Zpráva o zradě se rychle donese Maximinovi a ten jedná tvrdě a nemilosrdně, tak, jak je za celý svůj vojenský život zvyklý. Na prašných pláních před hradbami Kartága se schyluje k nelítostné bitvě, kde ocel a krev rozhodnou o dalším osudu impéria.
Zpráva o zradě se rychle donese Maximinovi a ten jedná tvrdě a nemilosrdně, tak, jak je za celý svůj vojenský život zvyklý. Na prašných pláních před hradbami Kartága se schyluje k nelítostné bitvě, kde ocel a krev rozhodnou o dalším osudu impéria.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2015
41 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
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 35 reviews
June 17, 2025
This well-written volume picks up where Iron and Rust left off. Maximinus has become a tyrant, concerned only with his Northern army. The main themes are the Gordian Revolt against Maximinus Thrax along with the fight against Sassanid Persians, andthe whole action takes place during three weeks in March 238 A.D. The Gordianii, father and son, are acclaimed joint emperors, although Maximinus still lives. First blood is drawn: the Praetorian Prefect, Vitalianus, is stabbed to death by Menophilus, envoy of the Gordianii, whom he supports. Father and son are declared co-emperors by the Senate; Maximinus is hated for his policies, cruelty, and uncouthness. The book consisted of several subplots like Book 1 in the series, with many of the same characters, now aligned either for or against Maximinus and for or against the Gordianii. Conspiracies, treachery, and betrayal run heavily through the book. We also see the seamy side of life in that period as represented by a die-cutter--never named-- who has a secret life, a knife-boy, and a prostitute. The Machiavellian action switches between Gordian supporters and Maximinus supporters, with side trips to the slums of the Subura and to battle with Sassanid Persians, now a rising power.
Outstanding moments for me: an exciting wild animal hunt in Africa, also an ambush of brigands in Spain. Maximus's winter battle against the Iazyges Sarmations had my blood pumping, as well as the Battle of Carrhae against the Sassanids and final face-off between the Gordianii and Capelius, Governor of Numidia in Africa, at Carthage. The elder Gordian and Capelius had hated each other for years and both fought hard.
The stories of several characters still left alive at novel's end lack closure; maybe that will come further along.
Some of the sex depicted was too graphic for me but I suppose it fits in with the stories of Iunia Fadilla, the abused wife of Maximinus's dissolute son, Maximus, and of the prostitute, Caenis, forced into that life by necessity. She dreams of escaping and finding a decent husband. That would remove the stigma of infamia from her. I wish the author would have softened the sex aspect. I saw no point to the whole chapter on the mime performance for instance; the author could have left that out and nothing would have been lost unless it was to show Roman sexual depravity. I could sympathize with Maximinus as far as he saw himself, not because of his actions and the way he presented himself to the outside world, that didn't know his motivations. Most characters were reprehensible.
The author followed the same format of maps, lists of characters--one short with only the most important, the other with everyone as they first appeared in the novel, and other supplementary material.
Highly recommended. I urge people to read a little on the Year of the Six Emperors beforehand, and on the six individuals. This novel covers the first three emperors of that year and ends with Gordian I's suicide.
Outstanding moments for me: an exciting wild animal hunt in Africa, also an ambush of brigands in Spain. Maximus's winter battle against the Iazyges Sarmations had my blood pumping, as well as the Battle of Carrhae against the Sassanids and final face-off between the Gordianii and Capelius, Governor of Numidia in Africa, at Carthage. The elder Gordian and Capelius had hated each other for years and both fought hard.
The stories of several characters still left alive at novel's end lack closure; maybe that will come further along.
Some of the sex depicted was too graphic for me but I suppose it fits in with the stories of Iunia Fadilla, the abused wife of Maximinus's dissolute son, Maximus, and of the prostitute, Caenis, forced into that life by necessity. She dreams of escaping and finding a decent husband. That would remove the stigma of infamia from her. I wish the author would have softened the sex aspect. I saw no point to the whole chapter on the mime performance for instance; the author could have left that out and nothing would have been lost unless it was to show Roman sexual depravity. I could sympathize with Maximinus as far as he saw himself, not because of his actions and the way he presented himself to the outside world, that didn't know his motivations. Most characters were reprehensible.
The author followed the same format of maps, lists of characters--one short with only the most important, the other with everyone as they first appeared in the novel, and other supplementary material.
Highly recommended. I urge people to read a little on the Year of the Six Emperors beforehand, and on the six individuals. This novel covers the first three emperors of that year and ends with Gordian I's suicide.
January 3, 2022
El reinado del emperador Maximino se está tambaleando. El imperio está muy débil defendiendo las fronteras en el norte, a la vez que las rebeliones comienzan a estallar por todo el territorio. En la misma Roma, el prefecto de Maximino es asesinado y los Gordianos, de linaje noble, comienzan a conspirar para hacerse con el poder. El Senado, que no quiere al emperador, apoya la rebelión y proclama como emperador a los Gordianos. Pero Maximino contraatacará con mano férrea.
Continua esta trilogía que comenzó con Hierro y poder. Esta novela está ambientada en el siglo III en el Imperio Romano. Este siglo es bastante convulso y se ve claramente la decadencia del Imperio: las invasiones de los pueblos bárbaros, epidemias, crisis económicas, levantamientos militares, luchas de poderes, etc. Una larga lista de emperadores que fueron asesinados. Esta segunda entrega comienza exactamente en el año 238 de nuestra era, donde los Gordianos se alzan como emperadores autoproclamados desde Cartago y marchan hacia Roma a derrocar a Maximino.
El protagonista es Máximo el Tracio, cuyo origen es bárbaro y de la clase más baja. Es un hombre férreo, con principios, que no se dedica a exaltar en halagos a los más poderosos, por lo que sus apoyos dentro del Senado es escaso o nulo. Es un personaje bien construido y con mucho trasfondo. Junto a él irán desfilando una serie de personajes secundarios, todos ellos igualmente bien creados, los cuales irán contando la historia desde sus puntos de vista. Todo esto ayuda a tener una imagen de la situación de forma bastante completa.
La novela está muy bien escrita y rica en detalles. Las descripciones de Sidebottom son muy exhaustivas y ricas, transportando al lector al mismo Imperio. No solo conoceremos el entramado político y sus problemas, sino también aspectos sociales, como la religión y las distintas corrientes filosóficas del momento. El ritmo es, en esencia, bueno aunque tiene algunos momentos más lentos. También tengo que decir que es una novela histórica pero con parte de ficción, pues no son muchos los documentos originales conservados de estos años.
https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
Continua esta trilogía que comenzó con Hierro y poder. Esta novela está ambientada en el siglo III en el Imperio Romano. Este siglo es bastante convulso y se ve claramente la decadencia del Imperio: las invasiones de los pueblos bárbaros, epidemias, crisis económicas, levantamientos militares, luchas de poderes, etc. Una larga lista de emperadores que fueron asesinados. Esta segunda entrega comienza exactamente en el año 238 de nuestra era, donde los Gordianos se alzan como emperadores autoproclamados desde Cartago y marchan hacia Roma a derrocar a Maximino.
El protagonista es Máximo el Tracio, cuyo origen es bárbaro y de la clase más baja. Es un hombre férreo, con principios, que no se dedica a exaltar en halagos a los más poderosos, por lo que sus apoyos dentro del Senado es escaso o nulo. Es un personaje bien construido y con mucho trasfondo. Junto a él irán desfilando una serie de personajes secundarios, todos ellos igualmente bien creados, los cuales irán contando la historia desde sus puntos de vista. Todo esto ayuda a tener una imagen de la situación de forma bastante completa.
La novela está muy bien escrita y rica en detalles. Las descripciones de Sidebottom son muy exhaustivas y ricas, transportando al lector al mismo Imperio. No solo conoceremos el entramado político y sus problemas, sino también aspectos sociales, como la religión y las distintas corrientes filosóficas del momento. El ritmo es, en esencia, bueno aunque tiene algunos momentos más lentos. También tengo que decir que es una novela histórica pero con parte de ficción, pues no son muchos los documentos originales conservados de estos años.
https://lagranbibliotecadedavid.blogs...
February 18, 2018
Well, in a very Giles Kristian-like way, Harry has really turned it around in book two. This is much, much more like it. I'm not saying that all Historical Fiction has to be filled with battles and action, action, action, but when you set it up as such in the blurb, you better deliver. Book One didn't, book two does.
Of course, writing about the Roman period in history, is a fail-safe for intrigue, backstabbing, plots, battles galore, civil wars every five minutes, wait a decade for a new Emperor and then four come along at once. Not to mention brothers shagging sisters, marrying mothers and generally in Rome, anything goes for a writer. Harry Sidebottom, even if I didn't know anything about his background, is clearly a cut above, when delivering rock-solid Roman well-researched fiction. Anything goes, obviously, but with Harry, you know it's going to be fact-filled. But academic-types don't always deliver riveting books - the Paul Cartledge book I read on the Spartans managed to kill that subject stone-dead for me, as an example. Harry has always been above that, no matter what my gripes as a grumpy old man might be.
Here, he develops three strands. One covering the prospective rebellion in Africa, where the Gordians are based. One in Rome, where any Emperor's power base has to be, where he has to be sure of support, both amongst the Senate and the plebs. And the one, for me the most interesting one, up north, where Maximinus is trying to make sure that the Empire's northern borders are secure and even pushed forward, to possibly give new revenue streams to pay for it all. That the Senators and the hoi-polloi back in Rome don't see this, but just see that Maximinus has killed their friends, is partly the problem that Maximinus has to overcome. But, subtle he ain't, and you just know what kind of solution he would have in mind for dealing with this insurrection. It's not going to be pretty. I'm with him (I know how to keep my head attached to my neck!), and I was very satisfied, even allowing a "Yes!" escape my lips once or twice when Maximinus finally found out and got down to business.
As (very) good as this one is, as involving it is, compared to the first volume especially, it's still not quite all it could be. There is still way too much ruminating on this and that by the characters, masquerading as teaching us about all things Rome. Clearly you can take the lad out of the classroom, but you cant take...well, you know.
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Of course, writing about the Roman period in history, is a fail-safe for intrigue, backstabbing, plots, battles galore, civil wars every five minutes, wait a decade for a new Emperor and then four come along at once. Not to mention brothers shagging sisters, marrying mothers and generally in Rome, anything goes for a writer. Harry Sidebottom, even if I didn't know anything about his background, is clearly a cut above, when delivering rock-solid Roman well-researched fiction. Anything goes, obviously, but with Harry, you know it's going to be fact-filled. But academic-types don't always deliver riveting books - the Paul Cartledge book I read on the Spartans managed to kill that subject stone-dead for me, as an example. Harry has always been above that, no matter what my gripes as a grumpy old man might be.
Here, he develops three strands. One covering the prospective rebellion in Africa, where the Gordians are based. One in Rome, where any Emperor's power base has to be, where he has to be sure of support, both amongst the Senate and the plebs. And the one, for me the most interesting one, up north, where Maximinus is trying to make sure that the Empire's northern borders are secure and even pushed forward, to possibly give new revenue streams to pay for it all. That the Senators and the hoi-polloi back in Rome don't see this, but just see that Maximinus has killed their friends, is partly the problem that Maximinus has to overcome. But, subtle he ain't, and you just know what kind of solution he would have in mind for dealing with this insurrection. It's not going to be pretty. I'm with him (I know how to keep my head attached to my neck!), and I was very satisfied, even allowing a "Yes!" escape my lips once or twice when Maximinus finally found out and got down to business.
As (very) good as this one is, as involving it is, compared to the first volume especially, it's still not quite all it could be. There is still way too much ruminating on this and that by the characters, masquerading as teaching us about all things Rome. Clearly you can take the lad out of the classroom, but you cant take...well, you know.
Read all about it: Speesh Reads
Or, on Facebook: Speesh Reads
April 14, 2020
2nd book of a trilogy set in a dark period of the Roman empire, the year of the six emperors. AS usual Sidebottom gives us with vivid details a narration of a little=known period of Rome history. It is difficult to understand how the Empire continued to exist and flourish after such political instability. Good pace, well delineated characters, fascinating story mostly based on historical facts. Sidebottom at his usual very good level. I immediately bought the third book
December 5, 2017
Plot: 10 (tightly focused and clear narrative)
Characters: 9 (generally unlikable but memorable)
Accuracy: 10 (thoroughly researched and reliable)
This book seems to have solved the problems plaguing the last one. There is a lot more action (we're seeing an actual revolt instead of merely the suppression of ones) and it all forms a coherent narrative over the course of about three weeks. Even though we actually hear from more POV characters (thirteen this time, three more than last) they are all responding to the same or similar situations and thus advance the plot rather than distracting from it.
This time the book follows the Gordians as the instigator of events rather than Maximinus. Spreading out from Africa their revolt stirs the Senators of Rome into action, including Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian's allies Menophilus and Valerian. All the scattered characters who had nothing much to do with regards to the plot in the last book are now brought together into an uneasy alliance. Here the book finds the focus the last one was lacking. Chapters are still describing events that take place over no more than a few hours (slivers of experience basically) but having so many characters involved in the same narrative means that the constant switching between POVs doesn't interfere with our ability to follow the plot. We get here a great deal more in terms of conflict (both military and political) and plotting. Betrayals and questionable allegiances abound. And as ever actions have consequences.
As with the last one this book's strongest features are its ability to capture the mood of the time and to express clear and distinct characterizations. They all fit somewhere on the gruff and ruthless spectrum (except only the Gordians and their closest allies) but they all come at it from widely differing backgrounds and viewpoints. The tone is one of dread and potential disaster where any wrong move is likely to result in death. The odds do not look good for our heroes (and really, while Maximinus is treated somewhat nobly there can be no doubt our main sympathies lie with the Gordians and senators) and as such there is much to be done in preparation for Maximinus' anticipated invasion. Staying neutral is not an option, yet both sides have weaknesses that can come back to bite them. And whoever wins may well face a rebellion in the East that capitalizes on their disorder to take over the Empire. It's hard to say much more about the plot without drifting into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say that there is a natural beginning for all plot lines and a natural end for some of them. The remainder will be tied up in book three. As it should be.
Like his other books this one is full of easter eggs for history buffs. The most amusing of which for me is having Julius Capitolinus as one of Maximinus' chief generals. Capitolinus is the name given for one of the authors of the Historia Augusta, a largely imaginary set of biographies written in the late fourth century by a single author but pretending to be multiple authors from about one hundred years earlier. Julius Capitolinus was the name this forger used for the author of the Lives of Maximinus and the Gordians both. Another amusing nugget is that young Balbus finds it difficult to pronounce Timesitheus' name and instead calls him Misitheus. Misitheus was the name used for him in the Historia Augusta (Greek sources which might be expected to know better call him Timesicles or Timethicles). We only know his real name from an inscription found in Lyons, which is also our main source for his early career.
One niggling complaint. I don't know who's editing these but this book was rife with spelling errors. I realize that words like Iazyges and bucellarius aren't found in your standard dictionary, but that's why you add them to your dictionary or hit ignore all. Leaving spelling and grammatical mistakes in a professionally published novel is very sloppy.
Characters: 9 (generally unlikable but memorable)
Accuracy: 10 (thoroughly researched and reliable)
This book seems to have solved the problems plaguing the last one. There is a lot more action (we're seeing an actual revolt instead of merely the suppression of ones) and it all forms a coherent narrative over the course of about three weeks. Even though we actually hear from more POV characters (thirteen this time, three more than last) they are all responding to the same or similar situations and thus advance the plot rather than distracting from it.
This time the book follows the Gordians as the instigator of events rather than Maximinus. Spreading out from Africa their revolt stirs the Senators of Rome into action, including Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian's allies Menophilus and Valerian. All the scattered characters who had nothing much to do with regards to the plot in the last book are now brought together into an uneasy alliance. Here the book finds the focus the last one was lacking. Chapters are still describing events that take place over no more than a few hours (slivers of experience basically) but having so many characters involved in the same narrative means that the constant switching between POVs doesn't interfere with our ability to follow the plot. We get here a great deal more in terms of conflict (both military and political) and plotting. Betrayals and questionable allegiances abound. And as ever actions have consequences.
As with the last one this book's strongest features are its ability to capture the mood of the time and to express clear and distinct characterizations. They all fit somewhere on the gruff and ruthless spectrum (except only the Gordians and their closest allies) but they all come at it from widely differing backgrounds and viewpoints. The tone is one of dread and potential disaster where any wrong move is likely to result in death. The odds do not look good for our heroes (and really, while Maximinus is treated somewhat nobly there can be no doubt our main sympathies lie with the Gordians and senators) and as such there is much to be done in preparation for Maximinus' anticipated invasion. Staying neutral is not an option, yet both sides have weaknesses that can come back to bite them. And whoever wins may well face a rebellion in the East that capitalizes on their disorder to take over the Empire. It's hard to say much more about the plot without drifting into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say that there is a natural beginning for all plot lines and a natural end for some of them. The remainder will be tied up in book three. As it should be.
Like his other books this one is full of easter eggs for history buffs. The most amusing of which for me is having Julius Capitolinus as one of Maximinus' chief generals. Capitolinus is the name given for one of the authors of the Historia Augusta, a largely imaginary set of biographies written in the late fourth century by a single author but pretending to be multiple authors from about one hundred years earlier. Julius Capitolinus was the name this forger used for the author of the Lives of Maximinus and the Gordians both. Another amusing nugget is that young Balbus finds it difficult to pronounce Timesitheus' name and instead calls him Misitheus. Misitheus was the name used for him in the Historia Augusta (Greek sources which might be expected to know better call him Timesicles or Timethicles). We only know his real name from an inscription found in Lyons, which is also our main source for his early career.
One niggling complaint. I don't know who's editing these but this book was rife with spelling errors. I realize that words like Iazyges and bucellarius aren't found in your standard dictionary, but that's why you add them to your dictionary or hit ignore all. Leaving spelling and grammatical mistakes in a professionally published novel is very sloppy.
January 8, 2016
This historical novel, the second of a series, is set in AD 238, when the Roman Empire is in deep trouble. Maximinus was emperor, and his policy was simple: double the pay of his soldiers. That, of course, needed more taxes, which contributes to the economic collapse in progress. Meanwhile there are continual wars on the borders, and threats of civil war at home. The Senate disapproves of the Thracian, and in North Africa the two Gordians are made Augusti. The major problem for the Gordians is they have no legions, and the only legion nearby turns against them. That is essentially the history this book tries to cover.
The historical background is a little unclear, due to a lack of reliable knowledge. One major source is the "Historia Augusta" which is generally regarded as unreliable, but Sidebottom had to make do. In one sense, this helps the author, but unfortunately, no twisting and turning can make real sense of the two Gordians. As Sidebottom shows, Gordian II was no military genius, and even when he was in deep trouble, he made an absolutely fatal mistake that no real commander would make. What Sidebottom has given is at least a plausible account of what happened and why. There will be inaccuracies, but that is because now nobody knows what really happened in enough detail. In my opinion, this is an excellent account of what was a rather miserable period in Roman history, when Rome almost imploded. The book is well-written, and makes for fascinating reading. An excellent account of how governance can decay.
The historical background is a little unclear, due to a lack of reliable knowledge. One major source is the "Historia Augusta" which is generally regarded as unreliable, but Sidebottom had to make do. In one sense, this helps the author, but unfortunately, no twisting and turning can make real sense of the two Gordians. As Sidebottom shows, Gordian II was no military genius, and even when he was in deep trouble, he made an absolutely fatal mistake that no real commander would make. What Sidebottom has given is at least a plausible account of what happened and why. There will be inaccuracies, but that is because now nobody knows what really happened in enough detail. In my opinion, this is an excellent account of what was a rather miserable period in Roman history, when Rome almost imploded. The book is well-written, and makes for fascinating reading. An excellent account of how governance can decay.
November 28, 2019
Hard going and a surplus of characters.
The history was fascinating, but the author's note was almost the best part of the book. There were a small number of marvellous characters who I wanted to see more of, but the sheer number of characters made this particular book quite hard going.
There's no doubt the author is an expert on his subject matter, but I didn't get any great enjoyment from reading this piece of historical fiction.
The history was fascinating, but the author's note was almost the best part of the book. There were a small number of marvellous characters who I wanted to see more of, but the sheer number of characters made this particular book quite hard going.
There's no doubt the author is an expert on his subject matter, but I didn't get any great enjoyment from reading this piece of historical fiction.
July 22, 2015
fast moving but less enthralling than Iron and Rust as the action is more compressed in time and there is some "middle volume" feel here
May 26, 2020
The second in the "Throne of the Caesars" trilogy and once more Harry Sidebottom is on a winner.
This is where the remarkable reign of Maximinus Thrax,the giant peasant soldier turned perhaps the most improbable Emperor Rome would have is coming to it's astonishing conclusion. Other reviewers have highlighted that we have reached "The Year of Six Emperors" and so it is not much of a spoiler to mention it here. You always know what you are getting from Harry Sidebottom; strong narrative, interesting if not often particularly likeable characters, superb academic knowledge underpinning the tale and pulse pounding battle scenes.
This follows three seperate stories as we approach the lunacy of 238 AD. Maximinus is up in the North, he is a soldier tasked with protecting and reviving the Empire. His sole interest is the army that will achieve those goals. Despite his tyranny, political naivete and blatant paranoia, I have always thought Maximinus is one of the more pathos filled characters, not just in these novels but in history too. He was nobody's idea of machiavellian, had no time for politics just concentrated on what he knew and what he realised he could do well. He never visited Rome to be fawned over ( or laughed at) by the Senate as it served no purpose to his mind. All he wanted from them was loyalty and money. He like every Emperor visited torture and death on those who betrayed him.
The second strand is the Senate. Disgusted by Maximinus ignoring them and never seeking their authority. They have increasingly turned against him. Their fabled (and long since illusory) power has been revealed as a facade. They are hurt in their pride, as well as in the pocket by the ever growing demands for money to fight the external enemies. Every ill conceived plot crushed by the Frumentarii (this is Harry) and the Praetorians ends in death and builds their hatred of the upstart. A momentum builds which leads to a bloody, inevitable (and farcical) ending of this book.
The final thread is the noble and well meaning Gordiani in Africa. Sound chaps both, the very Roman ideal, everyone's idea of what proper Roman Emperors should be, wise, virile, proven on campaign, respected by and respectors of the Senate. This father and son are a ready made dynasty there is even a grandson floating arouond in his extreme yourh. The anti Maximinus pariies rapidly coalesce around them. They face enormous difficulties though. They are based in Africa and that province does not have much by way of heavy duty military units to lead their claim against a man who is beloved by the Army ,if nobody else. The nearest Legion is III Augsta in neighbouring Numidia. A province governed by the very pro-Maximinus, Capelius. A man who the Gordiani have a long standing and bitter feud with.
This like every middle book suffers slightly from not resolving too many issues, If you don't know what happens you can get the third book or do the historical resaearch. It is a fascinating tale very well told.
This is where the remarkable reign of Maximinus Thrax,the giant peasant soldier turned perhaps the most improbable Emperor Rome would have is coming to it's astonishing conclusion. Other reviewers have highlighted that we have reached "The Year of Six Emperors" and so it is not much of a spoiler to mention it here. You always know what you are getting from Harry Sidebottom; strong narrative, interesting if not often particularly likeable characters, superb academic knowledge underpinning the tale and pulse pounding battle scenes.
This follows three seperate stories as we approach the lunacy of 238 AD. Maximinus is up in the North, he is a soldier tasked with protecting and reviving the Empire. His sole interest is the army that will achieve those goals. Despite his tyranny, political naivete and blatant paranoia, I have always thought Maximinus is one of the more pathos filled characters, not just in these novels but in history too. He was nobody's idea of machiavellian, had no time for politics just concentrated on what he knew and what he realised he could do well. He never visited Rome to be fawned over ( or laughed at) by the Senate as it served no purpose to his mind. All he wanted from them was loyalty and money. He like every Emperor visited torture and death on those who betrayed him.
The second strand is the Senate. Disgusted by Maximinus ignoring them and never seeking their authority. They have increasingly turned against him. Their fabled (and long since illusory) power has been revealed as a facade. They are hurt in their pride, as well as in the pocket by the ever growing demands for money to fight the external enemies. Every ill conceived plot crushed by the Frumentarii (this is Harry) and the Praetorians ends in death and builds their hatred of the upstart. A momentum builds which leads to a bloody, inevitable (and farcical) ending of this book.
The final thread is the noble and well meaning Gordiani in Africa. Sound chaps both, the very Roman ideal, everyone's idea of what proper Roman Emperors should be, wise, virile, proven on campaign, respected by and respectors of the Senate. This father and son are a ready made dynasty there is even a grandson floating arouond in his extreme yourh. The anti Maximinus pariies rapidly coalesce around them. They face enormous difficulties though. They are based in Africa and that province does not have much by way of heavy duty military units to lead their claim against a man who is beloved by the Army ,if nobody else. The nearest Legion is III Augsta in neighbouring Numidia. A province governed by the very pro-Maximinus, Capelius. A man who the Gordiani have a long standing and bitter feud with.
This like every middle book suffers slightly from not resolving too many issues, If you don't know what happens you can get the third book or do the historical resaearch. It is a fascinating tale very well told.
September 21, 2021
Cuando por fin Maximino llega al trono, su reinado se ve amenazado, los conflictos comienzan a crecer y su ejército no está en el mejor momento, y sus enemigos, cada día, están más cerca de lograr su objetivo, hacerse con el poder y conseguir que Roma sea lo que fue en su mejor momento.
Cuando muere el hombre de confianza de Maximino, y el Senado le da la espalda, incluso acepta a los Gordianos, Maximino se tomará la venganza de su mano, y luchará contra todo el que ose a arrebatarle el trono.
Una gran batalla donde el único objetivo común que tienen, es llegar a vestir el purpura imperial, y conseguir reinar sobre Roma.
❣️Opinión personal❣️
Me gusta bastante la novela histórica, y en este caso, la tratarse de la historia de Roma, no podía dejar pasar este libro.
Me ha gustado mucho la pluma del autor, ya que a parte de estar muy bien documentada, y basarse en hechos reales, te cuenta la historia de Roma desde una perspectiva que no se suele ver normalmente.
Sin duda, si os gusta la novela histórica, donde la lucha y el poder van de la mano, esta es vuestra novela.
Como bien os he contado, es la segunda parte y dentro de poquito tiempo, en Noviembre, saldrá la tercera parte, donde se resolverán muchas incógnitas y sin duda, estaré esperando para poder leerla.
Cuando muere el hombre de confianza de Maximino, y el Senado le da la espalda, incluso acepta a los Gordianos, Maximino se tomará la venganza de su mano, y luchará contra todo el que ose a arrebatarle el trono.
Una gran batalla donde el único objetivo común que tienen, es llegar a vestir el purpura imperial, y conseguir reinar sobre Roma.
❣️Opinión personal❣️
Me gusta bastante la novela histórica, y en este caso, la tratarse de la historia de Roma, no podía dejar pasar este libro.
Me ha gustado mucho la pluma del autor, ya que a parte de estar muy bien documentada, y basarse en hechos reales, te cuenta la historia de Roma desde una perspectiva que no se suele ver normalmente.
Sin duda, si os gusta la novela histórica, donde la lucha y el poder van de la mano, esta es vuestra novela.
Como bien os he contado, es la segunda parte y dentro de poquito tiempo, en Noviembre, saldrá la tercera parte, donde se resolverán muchas incógnitas y sin duda, estaré esperando para poder leerla.
August 24, 2021
Absolutely brilliant. Blood & Steel is even better than Iron & Rust. Every conspiracy scheme and political intrigue were unfolding in this second book. Quoting from Mamaea’s chilling curse from the first book (Iron & Rust) : “…The throne of the Caesars is polluted. Those who ascends it will discover for themselves that they cannot evade punishment.” And it seems her last words will be fulfilled. Treacherous characters are everywhere in Blood & Steel. I will definitely pick up the third book!
January 3, 2018
Gritty, intense and bloody recreation of the martial and political events of one month in AD 238 when rival emperors took on Maximinus and divided the empire in civil war.
August 4, 2021
Pues baja el nivel.
Ritmo rápido pero desordenado.
Cientos de personajes hacer perder perspectiva.
Le salva que la época es poco conocida, menos aún tratada y es realmente un campo nuevo para la novela histórica.
Veremos el tercer tomo...
Ritmo rápido pero desordenado.
Cientos de personajes hacer perder perspectiva.
Le salva que la época es poco conocida, menos aún tratada y es realmente un campo nuevo para la novela histórica.
Veremos el tercer tomo...
November 16, 2020
Para ser novela histórica ha estado bien, esperaba algo más rápido o con más energía. Podría decir eso de la primera mitad porque el final me ha enganchado como hacía tiempo que no me enganchaba. Genial segunda parte
December 1, 2021
interesting look at an important look at an
time in Roman history
time in Roman history
December 29, 2018
This eventful and thrilling book by Harry Sidebottom is the 2nd volume of the Throne of the Caesars series.
As always the historical details are very well researched and explained by the author, the book contains also a great deal of wonderful maps about this period of history, as well as a very informative glossary and a great list of characters.
The storytelling is absolutely wonderful, for the author has managed amazingly well in telling this astounding story while keeping the real historical events intact that took place in this month of the year.
The tale is set in the year AD 238, between 6-25 March, during the Reign of the Six Emperors.
The story itself is about Emperor Maximinus Thrax who's fighting his wars in the north while at the same time in North Africa the Gordians see a chance to proclaim themselves as the new Augusti.
So when Maximinus' prefect is murdered, and he himself is falsely declared dead in Rome, and the Gordians have taken the throne with the approval of the senate in Rome, it is then that Maximinus sets off towards Rome to avenge himself, while at the same time in Carthage a bloody battle decides the fate of the Gordians and the Roman empire.
Fully recommended, for this is a stunning tale of heroics and treachery within the Roman Empire and so in my opinion this is a "Bloody Great Book"!
As always the historical details are very well researched and explained by the author, the book contains also a great deal of wonderful maps about this period of history, as well as a very informative glossary and a great list of characters.
The storytelling is absolutely wonderful, for the author has managed amazingly well in telling this astounding story while keeping the real historical events intact that took place in this month of the year.
The tale is set in the year AD 238, between 6-25 March, during the Reign of the Six Emperors.
The story itself is about Emperor Maximinus Thrax who's fighting his wars in the north while at the same time in North Africa the Gordians see a chance to proclaim themselves as the new Augusti.
So when Maximinus' prefect is murdered, and he himself is falsely declared dead in Rome, and the Gordians have taken the throne with the approval of the senate in Rome, it is then that Maximinus sets off towards Rome to avenge himself, while at the same time in Carthage a bloody battle decides the fate of the Gordians and the Roman empire.
Fully recommended, for this is a stunning tale of heroics and treachery within the Roman Empire and so in my opinion this is a "Bloody Great Book"!
May 16, 2016
Wow. Goodreads finds four other books with this title. Sidebottom returns to his engaging form with this second in the series. The first book in this series was too scattered: too many characters, too many subplots. This book suffers from that also, but less so. The emperor is fighting the northern barbarians, the Gordians have revolted in Africa, the Persians are overrunning the east, and the Roman Senators are trying to figure out how to have a successful revolution without getting their hands dirty or their heads cut off if it fails. I think as I read more in this series I will see more of the big picture. A flaw in his storytelling, if you choose to see it that way, is that he sticks to known history. The Gordians did revolt, they did fail. Sticking to the truth lessens the opportunity for surprise. This book read well, even if it had five equal subplots and the twenty-five characters all have impenetrable Roman names.
May 21, 2024
Breathless pacing of this work! It's like a "10 Days that Shook the Word" in terms of its detail and sweeping historic gravitas. The scene-switching is managed pretty well--I appreciate the short chapters that let you keep everything in your working memory.
It's refreshing to see get to know the Gordianii a bit. They're such a historical footnote that it's a treat to have them jump off the coin faces with all their foibles and nobility.
I get the sense that Sidebottom subscribes to that trope of Rome being pretty much just a pit of vipers. Most of the characters there, we can hardly stomach.... whereas out on the periphery, flawed but sympathetic men follow their moral codes as best they can.
Overall, the second installment of a trilogy is often a corridor between the beginning and end, but Sidebottom does well to humanize the events so that we care enough to keep engaged even though we feel the inevitable defeat of Maximus ticking on that timeline.
It's refreshing to see get to know the Gordianii a bit. They're such a historical footnote that it's a treat to have them jump off the coin faces with all their foibles and nobility.
I get the sense that Sidebottom subscribes to that trope of Rome being pretty much just a pit of vipers. Most of the characters there, we can hardly stomach.... whereas out on the periphery, flawed but sympathetic men follow their moral codes as best they can.
Overall, the second installment of a trilogy is often a corridor between the beginning and end, but Sidebottom does well to humanize the events so that we care enough to keep engaged even though we feel the inevitable defeat of Maximus ticking on that timeline.
September 17, 2015
Review
Blood and Steel is a direct continuation of book 1 Iron and Rust, and like its predecessor it’s a cracking read. Harry Sidebottom is at his core an educator but having met the man a few times he is also a bit of an entertainer. In his books he teaches every reader something new, not surprising really for a man who lectures at Oxford. The surprising thing is the gripping and engaging way he tells the tale, his passion for the subject bleeding into every chapter. As ever his chosen period is riddled with upheaval, powerful moments and just as powerful characters, ones that he plays like a maestro.
read the rest here: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
Blood and Steel is a direct continuation of book 1 Iron and Rust, and like its predecessor it’s a cracking read. Harry Sidebottom is at his core an educator but having met the man a few times he is also a bit of an entertainer. In his books he teaches every reader something new, not surprising really for a man who lectures at Oxford. The surprising thing is the gripping and engaging way he tells the tale, his passion for the subject bleeding into every chapter. As ever his chosen period is riddled with upheaval, powerful moments and just as powerful characters, ones that he plays like a maestro.
read the rest here: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
January 25, 2017
Part 2 in this historical fiction series based in the murky world of the anarchy of 3rd century imperial rome.
Maximus Thrax faces the revolt and advances against his challengers with fury in his heart and vengeance on his mind
Maximus Thrax faces the revolt and advances against his challengers with fury in his heart and vengeance on his mind
February 5, 2025
Me encanta esta saga.
Primer saga que leo sobre la antigua roma que no es de Santiago posteguillo y me encanta esta nueva trilogía, me falta el último libro pero los 2 primeros son geniales.
Si te gusta las guerras antiguas, política e historia lo recomiendo!
Primer saga que leo sobre la antigua roma que no es de Santiago posteguillo y me encanta esta nueva trilogía, me falta el último libro pero los 2 primeros son geniales.
Si te gusta las guerras antiguas, política e historia lo recomiendo!
August 5, 2015
I really wanted to like this, but there was way too much exposition and explanation. The author obviously knows his stuff, but there was simply not enough action for my taste.
July 23, 2025
When I finished book one of this series, Iron and Rust, I described it as detailed but unengaging. At the end of book two, I have to say things have been much improved.
The pitch for this series which arrested my interest in the first place was, Game of Thrones in the Roman Empire. Admittedly, the political element was present in the first book but not to an exciting degree.
In Blood and Steel, there was an explosion of better writing. The archaic and sometimes barbaric air of the ancient world permeated the writing, the characters had more weight to them, the plot and pacing was expertly rendered and although I still yearn for more action, this time the battles where shown in near masterful details that sucked the reader in.
What I particularly like about this author's style is the absence of casual modernity, a flaw I have found in a majority of the historical fiction I have read, especially from Simon Scarrow's recent works. There was just this almost palpable gravitas I felt while reading this book, it really does transport you to a previous era.
Going forward, I think viewing these books from a political and character study lens rather than military as I was previously doing, would increase my appreciation of it. The various factions and loyalties and maneuverings across continents, just had this epic feel about it. Having said that, if Sidebottom manages to include some truly stellar military engagements in the next book, this series would rise to S-tier in my view.
So final verdict, a surprising and welcome elevation in all the elements I found faulty in book one, resulting in a great story. It's been a while since I looked forward to continuing a series, I'm glad to get that feeling back.
The pitch for this series which arrested my interest in the first place was, Game of Thrones in the Roman Empire. Admittedly, the political element was present in the first book but not to an exciting degree.
In Blood and Steel, there was an explosion of better writing. The archaic and sometimes barbaric air of the ancient world permeated the writing, the characters had more weight to them, the plot and pacing was expertly rendered and although I still yearn for more action, this time the battles where shown in near masterful details that sucked the reader in.
What I particularly like about this author's style is the absence of casual modernity, a flaw I have found in a majority of the historical fiction I have read, especially from Simon Scarrow's recent works. There was just this almost palpable gravitas I felt while reading this book, it really does transport you to a previous era.
Going forward, I think viewing these books from a political and character study lens rather than military as I was previously doing, would increase my appreciation of it. The various factions and loyalties and maneuverings across continents, just had this epic feel about it. Having said that, if Sidebottom manages to include some truly stellar military engagements in the next book, this series would rise to S-tier in my view.
So final verdict, a surprising and welcome elevation in all the elements I found faulty in book one, resulting in a great story. It's been a while since I looked forward to continuing a series, I'm glad to get that feeling back.
March 6, 2020
Second in this series focussing exclusively on the month of March, AD 238. The Emperor Maximinus is challenged for the imperial throne by Gordian the Elder and Gordian the Younger, father and son, who declared themselves joint emperors.
Harry Sidebottom's work is rich in historical detail with a gritty realism that I have always greatly admired and enjoyed. All that remains in place here, but my criticism of this series is above: there is not enough time spent on a single protagonist. This story does do a little better with character development, but it began to feel like I was reading a text book rather than a novel at times. Not his best work, sadly.
I would thoroughly recommend Sidebottom's "Warrior of Rome" series, but perhaps give this series a miss.
Book three of this series is available but I am not sure that I will be getting it.
Harry Sidebottom's work is rich in historical detail with a gritty realism that I have always greatly admired and enjoyed. All that remains in place here, but my criticism of this series is above: there is not enough time spent on a single protagonist. This story does do a little better with character development, but it began to feel like I was reading a text book rather than a novel at times. Not his best work, sadly.
I would thoroughly recommend Sidebottom's "Warrior of Rome" series, but perhaps give this series a miss.
Book three of this series is available but I am not sure that I will be getting it.
April 2, 2018
I enjoyed Blood and Steel more than the first book in this series, the author spent more time in the actual narrative. I think sometimes Mr. Sidebottom forgets he is writing a novel so the experience can occasionally feel like you are reading a textbook with dialogue, but the story he is telling is too good for me too let that get in the way.
June 27, 2020
As with the first book in series, too heavy a read for me. It feels like a university history textbook at times as the author feels he has to pass on all the information he has acquired from his in depth studies.
October 14, 2017
If you liked Volume One this is more of the same. Part historical novel, part political thriller and part Mafia saga - this is Roman history red in tooth and claw. Recommended.
August 9, 2018
I enjoy this series, but it does lack some intensity in battles and reads more like a timeline explanation than some epic story of the Caesars.
June 17, 2025
Again, an excellent insight into the political machinations of Rome. Not as easy a read as previous works and a little disjointed but still worth a read.
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