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Gaius Valerius Verrens #5
I nemici di Roma
«Il miglior scrittore di romanzi storici vivente!» Daily Express
Estate del 69 d.C. Roma e il suo impero sono in fermento, costretti nella morsa di una guerra civile spietata. L’imperatore Otone si è ucciso e il suo rivale, Vitellio, occupa il trono imperiale. Tuttavia, c’è fermento anche in Oriente: le legioni hanno dichiarato imperatore Tito Flavio Vespasiano. Nella calura secca di una mattina di agosto, Gaio Valerio Verre si prepara per il suo ultimo giorno sulla terra. Indebolito, accusato ingiustamente di aver disertato a Bedriacum, sembra destinato a morire da traditore. Ma la mano del boia si ferma. I nemici di Vitellio risparmieranno la vita di colui che fu l’Eroe di Roma, a condizione che giuri fedeltà a Vespasiano e alla sua causa. Valerio, prostrato dalla schiavitù e speranzoso di ritrovare il suo amore perduto, accetta. Dovrà così aprirsi la strada a sud di Roma per persuadere il suo amico Vitellio a farsi indietro per il bene dell’Impero. Ma questa non è una guerra come tutte le altre, e Valerio, con i suoi tormenti interiori, è intrappolato in una spirale di tradimenti, corruzione e sangue.
Un autore tradotto in 12 Paesi
Una scrittura monumentale
Il destino dell’Impero è in pericolo
Ma questa non è una guerra come le altre
«Uno dei migliori scrittori di romanzi storici contemporanei.»
Daily Express
«Non c’è nessuna certezza, ogni amicizia può nascondere insidie, ogni alleanza può rivelarsi fatale. E tutto questo in una rievocazione storica quanto mai riuscita.»
Historia
«Una storia che cattura. I lettori di Simon Scarrow e di Conn Iggulden lo adoreranno.»
Scotland on Sunday
Jackson Douglas
è un ex giornalista e nutre da sempre una grande passione per la storia romana. Vive in Scozia, con la moglie e tre figli. È autore, tra gli altri, dei romanzi Il segreto dell’imperatore, Morte all’imperatore!, L’eroe di Roma, Combatti per Roma, La vendetta di Roma, Nel segno di Roma e I nemici di Roma, pubblicati dalla Newton Compton. I suoi libri sono tradotti in 12 Paesi.
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2014
100 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Jackson
39 books262 followersAka James Douglas
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 19, 2021
Read this book in 2014, and its the 5th marvellous volume of the "Gaius Valerius Verrens" series.
In this tale Valerius is following events after the death of Otho, by his own hands, and now his rival Aulus Vitellius is sitting on the throne as Emperor.
But for Valerius all these events following the battle of Bedriacum will be his last days on earth, for he has been accused of deserting his Legion during this battle, and now he's waiting for his coward's death.
The executioner's hand is stayed when news reaches from the East that if the "Hero of Rome" pledges his allegiance towards the camp of Vespasian and his cause, his life will be saved.
He agrees and travels south to Rome, which is in civil war and Vitellius himself tired of being Emperor, Valerius must try to persuade Vitellius to perform a peaceful stand down in favour of Vespasian and his oncoming Legions.
In a frantic confrontation with Vitellius and his allies, Valerius must somehow seem to survive a hostile and deadly situation within Rome itself, and after a bloody battle where many lives will be lost, the New Emperor is installed as being, Vespasian, and order will be restored in the Roman way.
Highly recommended, for this is another terrific addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Awesome Enemy Of Rome"!
In this tale Valerius is following events after the death of Otho, by his own hands, and now his rival Aulus Vitellius is sitting on the throne as Emperor.
But for Valerius all these events following the battle of Bedriacum will be his last days on earth, for he has been accused of deserting his Legion during this battle, and now he's waiting for his coward's death.
The executioner's hand is stayed when news reaches from the East that if the "Hero of Rome" pledges his allegiance towards the camp of Vespasian and his cause, his life will be saved.
He agrees and travels south to Rome, which is in civil war and Vitellius himself tired of being Emperor, Valerius must try to persuade Vitellius to perform a peaceful stand down in favour of Vespasian and his oncoming Legions.
In a frantic confrontation with Vitellius and his allies, Valerius must somehow seem to survive a hostile and deadly situation within Rome itself, and after a bloody battle where many lives will be lost, the New Emperor is installed as being, Vespasian, and order will be restored in the Roman way.
Highly recommended, for this is another terrific addition to this amazing series, and that's why I like to call this episode: "An Awesome Enemy Of Rome"!
March 5, 2022
What an engrossing read!
It sounds strange, but I'm really glad that I skipped this one accidentally when I binged on the series last year. I kept wondering why Amazon was recommending this to me when I had read it, and then I realized that I hadn't. Duh! So at that point I bought it and immediately felt like it was Christmas on my Kindle :)
This one takes place in 69 AD at the tail-end of the Year of Four Emperors. Nero, Galba, and Otho have gone by the wayside, and Vitellius is now wearing the purple. Vespasian objects most profusely, and Roman is now against Roman in a horrendous civil war.
Without delving into details I will say that this story was riveting. The distress at having to fight fellow Roman soldiers was very evident. I was glad to see that this fact wasn't ignored. It made me think of the American Civil War and friends and relatives thrust into opposing sides. In addition to the feelings of the soldiers, I really liked that Valerius was torn between two separate loyalties to both Vitellius and Vespasian. I think that gave a healthy dose of verisimilitude to the whole shebang, because I would bet money that a lot of people during this period also suffered through such a difficult choice.
As to characters, we had many to root for and others to despise. Valerius and Serpentius- of course!- are my favorites. Following along with these two is like visiting with family. On the despicable end of the spectrum it's kind of hard to choose which character I hated the most. Probably Domitianus. Yes, he was the one. He's got to go!
I'm going to have to re-read this whole series in the near future, without skipping any next time :). It's well worth revisiting.
It sounds strange, but I'm really glad that I skipped this one accidentally when I binged on the series last year. I kept wondering why Amazon was recommending this to me when I had read it, and then I realized that I hadn't. Duh! So at that point I bought it and immediately felt like it was Christmas on my Kindle :)
This one takes place in 69 AD at the tail-end of the Year of Four Emperors. Nero, Galba, and Otho have gone by the wayside, and Vitellius is now wearing the purple. Vespasian objects most profusely, and Roman is now against Roman in a horrendous civil war.
Without delving into details I will say that this story was riveting. The distress at having to fight fellow Roman soldiers was very evident. I was glad to see that this fact wasn't ignored. It made me think of the American Civil War and friends and relatives thrust into opposing sides. In addition to the feelings of the soldiers, I really liked that Valerius was torn between two separate loyalties to both Vitellius and Vespasian. I think that gave a healthy dose of verisimilitude to the whole shebang, because I would bet money that a lot of people during this period also suffered through such a difficult choice.
As to characters, we had many to root for and others to despise. Valerius and Serpentius- of course!- are my favorites. Following along with these two is like visiting with family. On the despicable end of the spectrum it's kind of hard to choose which character I hated the most. Probably Domitianus. Yes, he was the one. He's got to go!
I'm going to have to re-read this whole series in the near future, without skipping any next time :). It's well worth revisiting.
July 18, 2015
This series just keeps getting better and better! The decent and honorable Valerius is torn between his friendship for Vitellius and his feelings of duty to support Vespasian, the latest contender for the purple. Valerius fights for Vespasian, even commanding a legion temporarily, then is tasked by General Primus to go to Rome and to pursuade Vitellius into surrendering his office. To rescue his lady love, Domitia, and to destroy his rival for her affections, Valerius ends up fighting for Vitellius; and when Vespasian's forces win, he is sentenced to exile as a traitor.
There was not much I could fault in this episode. Outstanding and heart-stopping were the night battle [termed by one of the characters as "blindfold combat"]; the Battle of Cremona and during its incendiary aftermath the compassionate rescue of a family from a burning insula. We found out a little more about Serpentius, Valerius's freedman and friend. I am so glad Olivia was a bit more than a minor character in this story. My bête noir, Domitia, was not as loathsome as before; I finally began to see some humanity and some empathy for others in the last part of the story in her but she has a long way to go. There is the same mixture of action, loyalty, treachery, deceit, and love as in the previous volumes. I feel you can read the book as a standalone; the author gives enough backstory. If you've read the volumes in numerical order, the backstory might feel like a bit of overkill. I'd give the novel a 4.5, not enough to round it to a 5, mainly because of Domitia's personality through most of the whole novel.
There was not much I could fault in this episode. Outstanding and heart-stopping were the night battle [termed by one of the characters as "blindfold combat"]; the Battle of Cremona and during its incendiary aftermath the compassionate rescue of a family from a burning insula. We found out a little more about Serpentius, Valerius's freedman and friend. I am so glad Olivia was a bit more than a minor character in this story. My bête noir, Domitia, was not as loathsome as before; I finally began to see some humanity and some empathy for others in the last part of the story in her but she has a long way to go. There is the same mixture of action, loyalty, treachery, deceit, and love as in the previous volumes. I feel you can read the book as a standalone; the author gives enough backstory. If you've read the volumes in numerical order, the backstory might feel like a bit of overkill. I'd give the novel a 4.5, not enough to round it to a 5, mainly because of Domitia's personality through most of the whole novel.
September 25, 2014
Valerius Verrens is back, guys, and back with a bang! Those of you who are following the series will remember that book 4 (Sword of Rome) had ended in something of a cliffhanger, as though the book hadn’t ended but rather hit an advert break. Well ‘Enemy’ picks up seamlessly where ‘Sword’ left off, continuing to tell the story of the Year of the Four Emperors from Verrens’ point of view.
In my review of book 4 I analogised the plot with a pinball machine, Verrens being twanged and shot back and forth betweem protagonists and antagonists almost against his will, necessity and honour requiring that he surrender himself to his fate.
Well I would say that book 5 follows suit, but it wouldn’t be a fair analogy. For unlike the ordered, almost Machiavellian maoeuvering of the previous book, Enemy of Rome picks up the pace and feels more like Verrens is a stick caught in the current of a fast flowing river as it plummets over a fall. He keeps hitting rocks and getting caught in eddies, and all the time moves closer and closer to the precipice.
That’s the feeling. Doug continues to tell the story of one of Rome’s most fateful years with style and vision. Indeed, I found in this book something of the same world-changing prose that created the infamous ‘temple scene’ of book 1 that remains one of my favourite pieces of writing of all time. You see Doug tackles something not many people can write convincingly: a night battle. Oh it’s easy enough to write the mechanical aspect of such an event. But few people can convey the panic, the confusion and the dread involved in it. Doug has done that in spades. The battle scenes in this are masterpieces, and none more so than the night fight.
But enemy of Rome is more than a string of battle scenes. As I noted with my stick and current analogy, Verrens does not often get to play the same role for very long: prisoner, general, negotiator, spy, protector, besieger. Verrens plays his part in the wars that we knew were coming between Vitellius and the rising star of the era: Vespasian. But he will also play his part in the intrigues in Rome, where camps are polarising and the streets are unsafe, while the woman he loves is forced to play a careful game in the house of Vespasian’s brother, for that same house plays host to the vile Domitian.
I think probably the only problem I ever have with these books is that my view of Domitian sits at odds with Doug’s. I see him as a somewhat withdrawn and antisocial character, but an able administrator and a man with sense who was handed the reins of a runaway empire and managed to bring it to a halt. But then every good novel needs antagonists, and Domitian certainly fits the bill with the Verrens series. He is certainly a loathesome character in these books. But praise due in a similar vein for changing my view of another historical figure. My picture of Aulus Vitellius has always been drawn from the views of his opponents and successors, and the picture Doug paints of him is a truly sympathetic one that tugs at the heartstrings. Bravo Doug for your Vitellius.
The story rockets towards the conclusion, which is every bit as exciting and tense as a reader of Doug’s work has come to expect, all the time keeping the flavour and the plot alive, and even leaving time for the characters to grow as it progresses. And what of the end? Well obviously I won’t ruin things for you. No spoilers. But suffice it to say that unlike the cliffhanger of book 4, this book has something of a game-changing ending that might see book 6 when it arrives being something of a departure. I’m certainly looking forward to it, anyway.
In short, then, this novel is a strong component in the continual growth of the Valerius Verrens series and really will not let you down. Full of tension and fury, tortured honour, impossible love and dreadful inevitability, it will keep you riveted til the very end.
Read the book, folks.
In my review of book 4 I analogised the plot with a pinball machine, Verrens being twanged and shot back and forth betweem protagonists and antagonists almost against his will, necessity and honour requiring that he surrender himself to his fate.
Well I would say that book 5 follows suit, but it wouldn’t be a fair analogy. For unlike the ordered, almost Machiavellian maoeuvering of the previous book, Enemy of Rome picks up the pace and feels more like Verrens is a stick caught in the current of a fast flowing river as it plummets over a fall. He keeps hitting rocks and getting caught in eddies, and all the time moves closer and closer to the precipice.
That’s the feeling. Doug continues to tell the story of one of Rome’s most fateful years with style and vision. Indeed, I found in this book something of the same world-changing prose that created the infamous ‘temple scene’ of book 1 that remains one of my favourite pieces of writing of all time. You see Doug tackles something not many people can write convincingly: a night battle. Oh it’s easy enough to write the mechanical aspect of such an event. But few people can convey the panic, the confusion and the dread involved in it. Doug has done that in spades. The battle scenes in this are masterpieces, and none more so than the night fight.
But enemy of Rome is more than a string of battle scenes. As I noted with my stick and current analogy, Verrens does not often get to play the same role for very long: prisoner, general, negotiator, spy, protector, besieger. Verrens plays his part in the wars that we knew were coming between Vitellius and the rising star of the era: Vespasian. But he will also play his part in the intrigues in Rome, where camps are polarising and the streets are unsafe, while the woman he loves is forced to play a careful game in the house of Vespasian’s brother, for that same house plays host to the vile Domitian.
I think probably the only problem I ever have with these books is that my view of Domitian sits at odds with Doug’s. I see him as a somewhat withdrawn and antisocial character, but an able administrator and a man with sense who was handed the reins of a runaway empire and managed to bring it to a halt. But then every good novel needs antagonists, and Domitian certainly fits the bill with the Verrens series. He is certainly a loathesome character in these books. But praise due in a similar vein for changing my view of another historical figure. My picture of Aulus Vitellius has always been drawn from the views of his opponents and successors, and the picture Doug paints of him is a truly sympathetic one that tugs at the heartstrings. Bravo Doug for your Vitellius.
The story rockets towards the conclusion, which is every bit as exciting and tense as a reader of Doug’s work has come to expect, all the time keeping the flavour and the plot alive, and even leaving time for the characters to grow as it progresses. And what of the end? Well obviously I won’t ruin things for you. No spoilers. But suffice it to say that unlike the cliffhanger of book 4, this book has something of a game-changing ending that might see book 6 when it arrives being something of a departure. I’m certainly looking forward to it, anyway.
In short, then, this novel is a strong component in the continual growth of the Valerius Verrens series and really will not let you down. Full of tension and fury, tortured honour, impossible love and dreadful inevitability, it will keep you riveted til the very end.
Read the book, folks.
October 31, 2020
Author Douglas Jackson took on a huge challenge in Enemy of Rome: to write clearly and cogently about Rome’s chaotic Year of Four Emperors. Actually, Nero and Otho are both dead when this episode begins, so there are just two rivals for the throne -- Vitellius and Vespasian. Vitellius has been proclaimed Emperor in Rome; Vespasian, the pretender, lurks in Judea with his troops. Neither man personally leads the legions that mass in northern Italy to battle on their behalf. Both, at various times, use war hero Gaius Valerius Verrens to carry secret messages to the other.
Despite owing his life to Vespasian’s son Titus, Valerius remains loyal to his old friend Vitellius, in whose army he fights a huge and confusing battle near Cremona. Then and later, his bacon is repeatedly saved by his freedman, the resourceful ex-gladiator Serpentius. Valerius then returns to Rome in time to be involved in Vitellius’s last stand when Vespasian’s troops pour in to depose him. (This seems to be a time when every powerful man whose name started with “V” was on the rampage.)
This last part of the book, in which Vitellius tries to negotiate his abdication with Vespasian’s brother Sabinus, the Prefect of the City, is especially well done. The fear, greed, and lust for power of those around him eventually force Vitellius into a corner. Valerius, meanwhile, ends up besieged in the armory of the Praetorian Camp, fighting for his life against soldiers who favor Vespasian. (I’d always rather liked Vespasian before, but it was pretty despicable to send so many thousands of men to die on his behalf without risking his own skin.)
Valerius, of course, could have escaped the fray earlier had he not felt compelled to rescue his beloved, the self-absorbed Domitia Longina Corbulo, from the clutches of Vespasian’s younger son, the odious Domitian. We’re reminded a few more times that Domitia is a soldier's daughter (she apparently has no valid identity of her own). From the ending, which changes Valerius’s circumstances dramatically, it seems likely that series readers haven’t seen the last of Vespasian, Domitian, or (alas) Domitia. Still, this is a very vivid, well-told account of a tumultuous period.
Despite owing his life to Vespasian’s son Titus, Valerius remains loyal to his old friend Vitellius, in whose army he fights a huge and confusing battle near Cremona. Then and later, his bacon is repeatedly saved by his freedman, the resourceful ex-gladiator Serpentius. Valerius then returns to Rome in time to be involved in Vitellius’s last stand when Vespasian’s troops pour in to depose him. (This seems to be a time when every powerful man whose name started with “V” was on the rampage.)
This last part of the book, in which Vitellius tries to negotiate his abdication with Vespasian’s brother Sabinus, the Prefect of the City, is especially well done. The fear, greed, and lust for power of those around him eventually force Vitellius into a corner. Valerius, meanwhile, ends up besieged in the armory of the Praetorian Camp, fighting for his life against soldiers who favor Vespasian. (I’d always rather liked Vespasian before, but it was pretty despicable to send so many thousands of men to die on his behalf without risking his own skin.)
Valerius, of course, could have escaped the fray earlier had he not felt compelled to rescue his beloved, the self-absorbed Domitia Longina Corbulo, from the clutches of Vespasian’s younger son, the odious Domitian. We’re reminded a few more times that Domitia is a soldier's daughter (she apparently has no valid identity of her own). From the ending, which changes Valerius’s circumstances dramatically, it seems likely that series readers haven’t seen the last of Vespasian, Domitian, or (alas) Domitia. Still, this is a very vivid, well-told account of a tumultuous period.
April 2, 2015
good book, but severely overpriced (at least for kindle ebook). Turney's books cost fraction and they are of the same quality (or even better). Something tells me that it's the publisher and not the author to blame...
April 10, 2016
Book Five and not only the series, but the readers are beginning to flag…
not a bit of it!
This is, to quote another blogger, "brilliant!” This could be the exuberant first novel from a fresh new author, this could be the final novel in a long series where everything comes satisfactorily together. This could be the best novel in the series - so far (#5 is as far as I’ve got).
This period of Rome’s history is fairly well populated with authors just now. I’ve come across people like Robert Fabbri (his series is about Vespasian, after all), Henry Venmore-Rowland and even (!) Anthony Riches eyebrow-festooned epics touch on it, if I’m not very much mistaken. I’m not sure if that’s an advantage or disadvantage. In that, you might read about a character in one of them, who is described, or acts, in a different way in another book. For instance with H V-R’s superb The Sword and The Throne, the historical character of Aulus Cecina Severus comes over - to me - as a tragic, flawed character, but one who eventually got my sympathy. Here, he’s handled differently. As is the character of Vespasian’s brother Sabinus, compared to how Robert Fabbri has written him. So, what stops me thinking of other writer’s depictions, when reading them in Douglas Jackson’s book? It could lead to a "well, he wouldn’t have said THAT or done THAT!” while thinking of the wrong version. There is some cross-over, but to be fair, the characters that feature in the other books I’ve mentioned, aren’t too prominent here. The book(s) have more to do with a fictional character in a non-fiction period and Douglas Jackson manages to find a clear path throughout and I didn’t get confused. Much.
I thought a few times, that while the book and series is obviously about Verrens, this one at least, I felt was his Spanish bodyguard and close friend Serpentius’ book. Good as Valerius is, Serpentius is better. If it wasn’t for Serpentius' knack of turning up in Verrens' wrong places at exactly the right times, some of the scrapes would be much too close for comfort. While Serpentius is a wolf in a wolf's clothing, the character of Verrens is maturing very nicely. He’s lost a few more of his idealistic edges along the way and giving more priority to finding what is right for him, than Rome, when even he can see that marrying the two will be a nigh on impossible job. Hence the ‘lost love’ angle in the sleeve blurb. There are a couple of incidents which I felt were dealt with a little too quickly, could have been spread out for tension over more than just a chapter (the spy following Valerius. The letters sent by Domitia). However, the magnificence of the whole, sweeps aside any minor niggles. This is vintage Verrens, vintage Jackson all the way.
It’s got to be difficult keeping up the interest let alone standard when you’re at number five in a series. However, in the safe hand of Gaius Valerius Verrens and the equally safe hands of Douglas Jackson, Enemy of Rome is a really excellent book, with a story full of colour, vitality, action, drama, suspense. And an ending borrowed from Shakespeare in Love? I think so. Equally poignant, not to say heartbreaking. Valerius might have lost a hand while stationed in Britannia, but he clearly came back with a stiff upper lip...
More world-class reviews: Speesh Reads
not a bit of it!
This is, to quote another blogger, "brilliant!” This could be the exuberant first novel from a fresh new author, this could be the final novel in a long series where everything comes satisfactorily together. This could be the best novel in the series - so far (#5 is as far as I’ve got).
This period of Rome’s history is fairly well populated with authors just now. I’ve come across people like Robert Fabbri (his series is about Vespasian, after all), Henry Venmore-Rowland and even (!) Anthony Riches eyebrow-festooned epics touch on it, if I’m not very much mistaken. I’m not sure if that’s an advantage or disadvantage. In that, you might read about a character in one of them, who is described, or acts, in a different way in another book. For instance with H V-R’s superb The Sword and The Throne, the historical character of Aulus Cecina Severus comes over - to me - as a tragic, flawed character, but one who eventually got my sympathy. Here, he’s handled differently. As is the character of Vespasian’s brother Sabinus, compared to how Robert Fabbri has written him. So, what stops me thinking of other writer’s depictions, when reading them in Douglas Jackson’s book? It could lead to a "well, he wouldn’t have said THAT or done THAT!” while thinking of the wrong version. There is some cross-over, but to be fair, the characters that feature in the other books I’ve mentioned, aren’t too prominent here. The book(s) have more to do with a fictional character in a non-fiction period and Douglas Jackson manages to find a clear path throughout and I didn’t get confused. Much.
I thought a few times, that while the book and series is obviously about Verrens, this one at least, I felt was his Spanish bodyguard and close friend Serpentius’ book. Good as Valerius is, Serpentius is better. If it wasn’t for Serpentius' knack of turning up in Verrens' wrong places at exactly the right times, some of the scrapes would be much too close for comfort. While Serpentius is a wolf in a wolf's clothing, the character of Verrens is maturing very nicely. He’s lost a few more of his idealistic edges along the way and giving more priority to finding what is right for him, than Rome, when even he can see that marrying the two will be a nigh on impossible job. Hence the ‘lost love’ angle in the sleeve blurb. There are a couple of incidents which I felt were dealt with a little too quickly, could have been spread out for tension over more than just a chapter (the spy following Valerius. The letters sent by Domitia). However, the magnificence of the whole, sweeps aside any minor niggles. This is vintage Verrens, vintage Jackson all the way.
It’s got to be difficult keeping up the interest let alone standard when you’re at number five in a series. However, in the safe hand of Gaius Valerius Verrens and the equally safe hands of Douglas Jackson, Enemy of Rome is a really excellent book, with a story full of colour, vitality, action, drama, suspense. And an ending borrowed from Shakespeare in Love? I think so. Equally poignant, not to say heartbreaking. Valerius might have lost a hand while stationed in Britannia, but he clearly came back with a stiff upper lip...
More world-class reviews: Speesh Reads
August 22, 2021
BLURB
Summer, AD 69. Rome and its empire are in turmoil, caught in the coils of a desperate and destructive civil war.
The emperor Otho is dead by his own hand and his rival, Aulus Vitellius, occupies the imperial throne. However, a new challenge has arisen in the East - the legions of Titus Flavius Vespasian have declared him their Emperor.
In the dry heat of an August morning, Gaius Valerius Verrens prepares for his last day on earth. Wrongly accused of deserting his legion on the field of Bedriacum, it seems he is destined to die a coward's death.
Then the executioner's hand is stayed. Vitellius' enemies will spare the life of the man who was once Hero of Rome if he pledges allegiance to Vespasian and his cause. Valerius - tired of the endless slaughter and hoping that he might be reunited with his lost love - agrees. And so he must battle his way south to Rome in order to persuade his friend Vitellius to stand down for the greater good of the city, its people and the Empire.
But this is civil war and this is Rome, and Valerius - his loyalties divided and branded an enemy of the people - is trapped in a maze of distrust, corruption, betrayal and blood-letting .
REVIEW
You have to feel for a protagonist who finds himself fighting for, and against every side in a war. Yeah, the author certainly has it in for his creation...of course that's what makes this such an entertaining series. Notch up another winner...next one is already loaded up on me Kindle.😁 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Summer, AD 69. Rome and its empire are in turmoil, caught in the coils of a desperate and destructive civil war.
The emperor Otho is dead by his own hand and his rival, Aulus Vitellius, occupies the imperial throne. However, a new challenge has arisen in the East - the legions of Titus Flavius Vespasian have declared him their Emperor.
In the dry heat of an August morning, Gaius Valerius Verrens prepares for his last day on earth. Wrongly accused of deserting his legion on the field of Bedriacum, it seems he is destined to die a coward's death.
Then the executioner's hand is stayed. Vitellius' enemies will spare the life of the man who was once Hero of Rome if he pledges allegiance to Vespasian and his cause. Valerius - tired of the endless slaughter and hoping that he might be reunited with his lost love - agrees. And so he must battle his way south to Rome in order to persuade his friend Vitellius to stand down for the greater good of the city, its people and the Empire.
But this is civil war and this is Rome, and Valerius - his loyalties divided and branded an enemy of the people - is trapped in a maze of distrust, corruption, betrayal and blood-letting .
REVIEW
You have to feel for a protagonist who finds himself fighting for, and against every side in a war. Yeah, the author certainly has it in for his creation...of course that's what makes this such an entertaining series. Notch up another winner...next one is already loaded up on me Kindle.😁 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 3, 2018
The quality of this superb series never wanes and Enemy of Rome takes it to even higher heights. Valerius is an honourable man. This makes it more difficult than ever for him to survive in these brutal, dangerous times. Superb.
April 27, 2015
Another brilliant book proving that Mr Jackson is right up there with the best of them if not the best.
January 25, 2016
I am hooked on the GVV series. Detailed descriptions of day to day life amd intrigue in imperial Rome make visualizing characters and context easy.
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December 17, 2016Welcome to Rome :)
March 23, 2018
Without doubt another thrilling read about the life, times and tribulations of our hero Valerius Verrens. He's becoming the cat with nine lives, each time escaping death by a whisper. It seems that only the reader can see his honourable intentions and his unconditional loyalty to Rome. This particular book tracks his dichotomy between two rival competitors for the Purple. It contains a lot of warring and fighting, a profound understanding of friendship and even a touch of romance. Douglas Jackson's writing is impossible to fault, he keeps his readers at the centre of the tragic civil war and never allows side issues to drift into sentimentality.
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September 22, 2017Amazing, brilliant! Verrens is now competing with Macro and Cato!
September 3, 2016
Poor. The loyalties of Verrens keeps changing at will. Too much naked sentimentality in this novel. Verrens is awfully naive and impractical for a career soldier. Domitian is portrayed poorly in the mould of the senators of old who had him assassinated. Clearly the author has not been updated on the modern revision of Domitian. Verrens did too much harm to all the sides in the civil war yet is spared the executioner's blade too often to not be convenient.
For me, this is the last Gaius Valerius Verrens novel. Shame, the series was really good when it was good. The author may claim Verrens's swinging loyalties as his noble effort to cease Roman bloodshed, but its just a poor attempt at deflecting the blatant traitorous acts committed by Verrens. The dalliance with Domitia Longina is also absurd. There was no indication in history that Domitian's marriage with her was unwilling. Yet the author manages to demonize Domitian every step of the way.
For me, this is the last Gaius Valerius Verrens novel. Shame, the series was really good when it was good. The author may claim Verrens's swinging loyalties as his noble effort to cease Roman bloodshed, but its just a poor attempt at deflecting the blatant traitorous acts committed by Verrens. The dalliance with Domitia Longina is also absurd. There was no indication in history that Domitian's marriage with her was unwilling. Yet the author manages to demonize Domitian every step of the way.
February 16, 2015
The fifth book in a very entertaining series. This is set amongst the Roman civil war and it is legion against legion, and stuck in the middle is our noble hero Verrens. I say noble because, at a time where everyone is swapping sides and allegiances, Verrens remains focussed on what is good for Rome. A bad time to be an honest man.
So it is in dangerous times that we have Verrens, along with his lethal Spaniard bodyguard, dodging between different factions but also getting stuck in on the battlefield. A number of interesting and varied characters populate the book which deals with an astonishing part of Roman history.
We have come to expect well-written historical action from the author but here he does exceed our expectations with a near perfect blend of action and Roman politics.
So it is in dangerous times that we have Verrens, along with his lethal Spaniard bodyguard, dodging between different factions but also getting stuck in on the battlefield. A number of interesting and varied characters populate the book which deals with an astonishing part of Roman history.
We have come to expect well-written historical action from the author but here he does exceed our expectations with a near perfect blend of action and Roman politics.
October 9, 2014
I have run out of superlatives for Douglas Jackson and the Valerius series,so i just repeat myself,Great,Brilliant,Fantastic.Enemy of rome (No 5 in the series)fellows-on from Sword of Rome with the same pace of the other four books,all of which had me page turning way into the night. As with all Douglas Jackson books you get right into the action from page one and then he adds the ingredients of the period with great research and then tops it off with writing of the highest quality. So once again we have a splendid piece of story telling from one of the best Historical novelist around and as he always does,he has left me wanting more of Valerius,so please Douglas more soon.
September 24, 2020
Year of the Four Emperors
This book continues the year of the four emperors and the Roman civil war. Verrens is caught in between with his loyalty and duty and unfortunately a belief in a Rome that no longer exists.
He is once again paired up with Serpentius whom saves his life on a couple of occasions.
This book is descriptive with its battle scenes and should be read after the previous book to get a better feel for what is happening and I would recommend it for those that have read the previous books.
This book continues the year of the four emperors and the Roman civil war. Verrens is caught in between with his loyalty and duty and unfortunately a belief in a Rome that no longer exists.
He is once again paired up with Serpentius whom saves his life on a couple of occasions.
This book is descriptive with its battle scenes and should be read after the previous book to get a better feel for what is happening and I would recommend it for those that have read the previous books.
August 15, 2020
Eminently readable
Verens seems to be used by every side in this instalment, however he remains true throughout as his character would only allow. This doesn't stop him fighting for all sides and at various times being outed by various people on all sides. It's very enjoyable and very readable and we leave Verens on the threshold of execution and the also vegetarian dynasty
Verens seems to be used by every side in this instalment, however he remains true throughout as his character would only allow. This doesn't stop him fighting for all sides and at various times being outed by various people on all sides. It's very enjoyable and very readable and we leave Verens on the threshold of execution and the also vegetarian dynasty
February 20, 2021
Roman History Comes Alive
Douglas Jackson does a marvelous job weaving the protagonist into the amazing history of Rome. The historical figures come to life with wonderful action and political intrigue. A terrific series.
Douglas Jackson does a marvelous job weaving the protagonist into the amazing history of Rome. The historical figures come to life with wonderful action and political intrigue. A terrific series.
July 25, 2020
Such a great series. DJ really is one of the very best.
December 21, 2020
Great Historical Fiction
A real pager turner set against a great historical back drop. A great series that will keep your interest Read!
A real pager turner set against a great historical back drop. A great series that will keep your interest Read!
February 3, 2020
This was a gamble that didn't pay off for me.
Although the book was written well enough and lead me to DNF at a later stage than I thought I might, it failed to really grab my interest. I went into this knowing this was about civil war however that was literally all the book was about- no other interesting story- just battle after battle and it just fell short and became a bit repetitive and boring for me.
Not for me.
Although the book was written well enough and lead me to DNF at a later stage than I thought I might, it failed to really grab my interest. I went into this knowing this was about civil war however that was literally all the book was about- no other interesting story- just battle after battle and it just fell short and became a bit repetitive and boring for me.
Not for me.
November 13, 2025
"Are you not entertained? This series has been a blast to read! Even though it's a novel, it feels like you're getting a firsthand look at Roman life without it dragging down the story. The plot is fantastic, and the main character is super likable, keeping me hooked the whole way through. I'm diving straight into GVV #6, eagerly waiting for the next chapter in this adventure."
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February 16, 2020Numero ong
April 3, 2021
I already bought the next book in the series.
June 6, 2022
Excellent read
Enthralling from start to finish. So graffic made you feel you were actually in the thick of the battle scenes
Enthralling from start to finish. So graffic made you feel you were actually in the thick of the battle scenes
March 25, 2017
This character and his side kick certainly grow on you.
November 25, 2015
La lucha por el poder en Roma continúa. Vitellius ha llegado a la capital del imperio, pero Vespasiano ha sido aclamado como César por sus legiones. En medio de esas traiciones, Valerius intenta reunirse con su amor Domitia, con la muerte en los talones.
December 4, 2015
Good book, clear storyline.
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