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Caesar Ascending #4
Pandya
Caesar Ascending-Pandya, the fourth volume of the bestselling alternate history Caesar Ascending series, continues the story of a world where Caesar has survived the Ides of March, conducted the invasion and conquest of Parthia, and is now determined to surpass the accomplishments of Alexander the Great by conquering the vast expanse of India all the way to the Ganges, something that the men of his Legions have finally recognized, driving them to revolt.
Consequently, before he can resume his campaign, he must appease his rebelling Legions in the Greco-Indian city of Bharuch, but not only that, he now must quell an uprising fomented by one of his own Legates, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, in far-off Merv, the most remote city in the new Roman province of Parthia Superior. To do this, he departs the newly conquered city to return to Parthia, taking most of the fleet with him and effectively stranding the men of his army in India.
In Caesar's absence, Primus Pilus Titus Pullus of Caesar's famed 10th Legion, and the other Centurions of Caesar's army stranded in Bharuch must both maintain discipline and keep their disgruntled men from taking out their frustrations on the civilian populace. It falls on Pullus' shoulders to be the Roman liaison to Bharuch’s Queen Hyppolita, and over time, Roman Centurion and foreign Queen form an unlikely bond. Her husband, King Abhiraka, humiliated and vengeful because he was forced to flee from Bharuch to avoid capture, has prevailed on the most powerful domain to the south, Pandya, to provide him with an even larger army to retake his kingdom, and they are marching back north to the city.
Caesar returns from Parthia before their arrival, but only after tragedy has already struck his army in India, thereby spurring him to make a huge gamble, one in which, just as when he crossed the Rubicon, he risks all. Through it all, there are other trials; the Legions of Rome are encountering a harsh and foreign environment, filled with all manner of strange animals and challenges that will test Caesar and his Legions as they move out of the sphere of Greek influence into the southern part of this vast land and the nascent Pandyan Kingdom, the next obstacle in his path to everlasting fame.
Consequently, before he can resume his campaign, he must appease his rebelling Legions in the Greco-Indian city of Bharuch, but not only that, he now must quell an uprising fomented by one of his own Legates, Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, in far-off Merv, the most remote city in the new Roman province of Parthia Superior. To do this, he departs the newly conquered city to return to Parthia, taking most of the fleet with him and effectively stranding the men of his army in India.
In Caesar's absence, Primus Pilus Titus Pullus of Caesar's famed 10th Legion, and the other Centurions of Caesar's army stranded in Bharuch must both maintain discipline and keep their disgruntled men from taking out their frustrations on the civilian populace. It falls on Pullus' shoulders to be the Roman liaison to Bharuch’s Queen Hyppolita, and over time, Roman Centurion and foreign Queen form an unlikely bond. Her husband, King Abhiraka, humiliated and vengeful because he was forced to flee from Bharuch to avoid capture, has prevailed on the most powerful domain to the south, Pandya, to provide him with an even larger army to retake his kingdom, and they are marching back north to the city.
Caesar returns from Parthia before their arrival, but only after tragedy has already struck his army in India, thereby spurring him to make a huge gamble, one in which, just as when he crossed the Rubicon, he risks all. Through it all, there are other trials; the Legions of Rome are encountering a harsh and foreign environment, filled with all manner of strange animals and challenges that will test Caesar and his Legions as they move out of the sphere of Greek influence into the southern part of this vast land and the nascent Pandyan Kingdom, the next obstacle in his path to everlasting fame.
573 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2019
18 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
R.W. Peake
51 books107 followersThe first adult author with whom RW Peake developed a long-term relationship
was Louis L’Amour, whose body of work shaped his life philosophy.
After retiring from the Marines, RW proceeded to earn a BA in History from
the Honors College at the University of Houston.
Although RW wrote a novel as a kid, he didn't publish his first novel until
age 50.
In addition to is time in the Marines, and before the tech bubble burst in 2000, he was
a paper millionaire in the software industry.
A native Houstonian, RW recently relocated to the Olympic Peninsula of
Washington, where he lives with his yellow Lab, Sadie.
was Louis L’Amour, whose body of work shaped his life philosophy.
After retiring from the Marines, RW proceeded to earn a BA in History from
the Honors College at the University of Houston.
Although RW wrote a novel as a kid, he didn't publish his first novel until
age 50.
In addition to is time in the Marines, and before the tech bubble burst in 2000, he was
a paper millionaire in the software industry.
A native Houstonian, RW recently relocated to the Olympic Peninsula of
Washington, where he lives with his yellow Lab, Sadie.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 26, 2020
Excellent tale
This alternative history is made believable by the detail which only comes from countless hours of research and a love of the subject of it. Again this novel is packed with action and intrigue, which makes a page turning epic tale. It ends rather abruptly and one can only hope that there are going to be a further book or books in the offing
This alternative history is made believable by the detail which only comes from countless hours of research and a love of the subject of it. Again this novel is packed with action and intrigue, which makes a page turning epic tale. It ends rather abruptly and one can only hope that there are going to be a further book or books in the offing
January 21, 2020
Excellent theory on what Caesar would have done had he lived!
A well developed story and how Rome would have grown and waged its manifest destiny. Great plots and sub plots. A fun read!
A well developed story and how Rome would have grown and waged its manifest destiny. Great plots and sub plots. A fun read!
July 28, 2022
Another great telling of Caesar's and his legionnaries' adventures in unknown lands.
January 2, 2020
Lots More.
These books are amazing,a continuing saga of What-if. So good ! War,hummer lust,Elephant's Burning ,men killed.everything a good read needs.Thank you M'r Peake, more please lots more.
These books are amazing,a continuing saga of What-if. So good ! War,hummer lust,Elephant's Burning ,men killed.everything a good read needs.Thank you M'r Peake, more please lots more.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews