Lunga vita all'impero

Eagles of the Empire #17

by Simon Scarrow

È giunta l’ora, per gli eroi dell’esercito romano, di incontrare il più mortale dei nemici
54 D.C. A causa dei tumulti che provengono dalle frange orientali dell’impero romano, il prefetto Catone e il centurione Macrone si trovano a far fronte a una nuova minaccia. L’impero partico ha invaso l’Armenia, che gode della protezione di Roma, e il sovrano è stato deposto. Il re Radamisto è ambizioso e privo di scrupoli, ma è leale nei confronti di Roma. Per questo il generale Corbulone è stato incaricato di rimetterlo sul trono e di prepararsi alla guerra contro i parti. L’arrivo di Catone e Macrone, soldati di grande esperienza, rappresenta l’unica speranza che Corbulone ha per tenere alto il morale delle truppe e organizzare l’offensiva. Ma riusciranno a tenere a bada il narcisismo del re Radamisto? Il sovrano, infatti, è intenzionato a ottenere la sua vendetta ed è solo questione di tempo prima che compia un passo falso che potrebbe mettere a repentaglio le sorti della guerra, l’invincibilità di Roma e, soprattutto, migliaia di vite…
Un autore da 5 milioni di copie
Tradotto in 10 Paesi
Hanno scritto dei suoi libri:
«L’invenzione e la storia si accostano e confluiscono come due fiumi, difficile imbrigliarli.»
Corriere della Sera
«Simon Scarrow è riuscito a costruirsi una discreta fama. Merito del modo in cui costruisce i suoi personaggi, ma anche del fatto che ha saputo cogliere e raccontare il fascino di certi momenti storici. Quelli in cui il corso degli eventi determina per sempre il futuro.»
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«Simon Scarrow spopola.»
Il Venerdì di Repubblica

Simon Scarrow

è nato in Nigeria. Dopo aver vissuto in molti Paesi si è stabilito in Inghilterra. Per anni si è diviso tra la scrittura, sua vera e irrinunciabile passione, e l’insegnamento. È un grande esperto di storia romana. Il centurione, il primo dei suoi romanzi storici pubblicato in Italia, è stato per mesi ai primi posti nelle classifiche inglesi. Scarrow è autore delle serie Le aquile dell'impero (Il centurione, Sotto l’aquila di Roma, Il gladiatore, La spada di Roma, Roma alla conquista del mondo, Roma o morte, Il pretoriano, La legione, L'aquila dell'impero, La battaglia finale, Il sangue dell’impero, La profezia dell’aquila, Sotto un unico impero, Per la gloria dell'impero, L'armata invincibile, La spada dell'impero), Roma arena saga (La conquista, La sfida, La spada del gladiatore, La rivincita, Il campione), I conquistatori (La battaglia della morte, Il sangue del nemico, Il richiamo della spada, L'erede al trono, Muori per Roma) e Revolution saga (La battaglia dei due regni, Il generale, A ferro e fuoco, L'ultimo campo di battaglia). Ha firmato anche i romanzi I conquistatori (con T.J. Andrews), L'ultimo testimone (con Lee Francis) e Eroi in battaglia. Le sue opere hanno venduto oltre 5 milioni di copie nel mondo.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Audiobook, Roman, War, Military Fiction

376 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2018

About the author

Simon Scarrow is a UK-based author, born in Nigeria, and now living in Norfolk. He completed a master's degree at the University of East Anglia, and, after working at the Inland Revenue, went into teaching as a lecturer at City College, Norwich.

He is best known for his "Eagle" series. This is Roman empire military fiction, starting with the second invasion of Britain, and continuing with subsequent adventures in every corner of the empire. The stories are told through the eyes of two centurions, Macro and Cato. To date there are eighteen books in the series.

Scarrow has also written a series of four novels on the Napoleonic wars, focusing on the lives of Wellington and Napoleon.

Reviews

[Phillip Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The US government during the Cold War supported many brutal dictators who were against the USSR and this made them look the other way when they murdered their citizens. The Roman empire is in a similar situation as Macro and Cato are on a mission to put a psychopathic Iberian prince on the throne of Armenia and depose a king that is part of the royal family of the rival Parthian empire. The king that Rome wants on the throne is a cruel psychopath named Rhadamistus and he is not popular with the Armenians. Cato is sickened by the actions of this man but remains true to his assignment to defend a ruler that would be a reliable ally against the Parthians. The lives of civilians and soldiers were disregarded in favor of political expediency. Cato is a character in a story that will be repeated over and over in history as countries seek influence in world affairs.

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This thrilling adventure is already, how time flies, the 17th volume of the excellent "Eagles of the Empire" series, featuring Cato & Macro, from the author Simon Scarrow.
At first I like to mention that at the beginning of the book you'll find a well-drawn map of the Frontier between Rome and Parthia in the 1st Century, as well as a map of the Praetorian Guard Chain of Command, and not to forget a Cast List of great characters, real historical and wonderful fictional, who are featuring in this exciting historical tale.
Secondly you'll notice a very well documented and explained Author's Note concerning this amazing story at the end of the book.
It's another book that contains top-notch story-telling by the author, with great interaction between the characters, who come all splendidly to life in this wonderful action-packed story, and that all in a human and lifelike fashion, whether in peace-time or/and war-time situations.
The story is set in the year AD 55, and Cato & Macro, our main fictional characters, find themselves now on the Eastern Frontier of the Roman Empire, under the leadership of General Corbulo.
The reason for the troubles in the East is the Parthian Empire, who has invaded Armenia and has put Tiridates on the throne and has ousted the devious and scheming King Rhadamistus, and because Armenia is vital to Rome's strategic interests, General Corbulo wants to restore Rhadamistus back to power and orders Cato & Macro and their Praetorians to carry out that difficult and dangerous task.
What follows is a dangerous mission into unmapped and unfamiliar terrain in which our heroes must seem to succeed, and try to restore an unpopular King while enemies lurk on all sides, and so the Roman army, under Cato's leadership, has to prevail and show it's strength if they want to survive.
Highly recommended, for this is in my opinion a fantastic series and: "Our Roman Heroes, Cato & Macro, Will Gloriously March On"!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series and have done for many years but, unfortunately, this is my least favourite and I found parts of it so hard to read. Cato is suffering here, and the portrayal of his pain is insightful and thought-provoking (hence 3 not 2 stars), but his behaviour is difficult to stomach, for this reader anyway. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights. 2.5 stars rounded up.

[Darek Zawisko · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Rosa Chacón García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este no es el mejor libro de la saga pero también lo he disfrutado muchísimo

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favourite book of the series so far. I think the author was trying something a bit different in this one but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It felt a bit all over the place and I found it quite dull and boring.

The villain wasn’t interesting and was exhausting to read. As for Cato, I liked that SS was trying to give him some dark depth but it wasn’t executed very well and a lot of Cato’s actions seemed completely out of character and forced as well as making it very difficult to root for him as he turned into a butcherer of innocents.

I liked that this book was trying to explore a philosophical avenue by looking into good vs evil and that in war there’s no “good” side. It also explores the psychological effects of war on soldiers as well as ruling through fear vs loyalty.

The dialogue still has the cringe factor that it has kept going since book one but every now and then there are some great comical moments with Macro’s one liners.

The action is good as usual but definitely lacking in this book. As always there’s a good map and an interesting note at the end from the author on the history.

I’m hoping the next instalment will be a better read.

[Simon Brading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cato and Macro get back to what they do best

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Escapist sword and sandals fun, with a side dash of history.

[Cornapecha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A estas alturas de la saga ya poco se puede añadir que no suene a reseña repetida. Ya van diecisiete entregas, así que Cato y Macro son como de la familia, con sus virtudes y sus defectos. Aquí (afortunadamente para mi) nos olvidamos de las intrigas palaciegas y de la labor de espionaje y regresamos a la vertiente militar, con las legiones y sus batallas por el mundo adelante. Si te gustaron las dieciséis anteriores, te gustará ésta. Y si no lo hicieron, dudo que llegues hasta aquí.

[Franz Mäding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sehr gutes Buch. Das Ende war mir aber ein wenig zu hastig und hätte etwas mehr ausgeführt werden können

[Björn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spännande hela tiden. Läst hela serien. Jag tycker de är bra och i min smak.

[Mathias · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for Christmas because there is a sword on the cover and therefore it has to be a fantasy novel. And everyone knows that I like fantasy.

Well, this led to me reading my very first historical fiction. And I liked it.

The plot and its twists are solid (I saw one coming but was surprised by another one).

I learned a few new things about this period of history. However, I was still able to read the book very fluently without having to google something every two minutes.

I realize that the dialogues are not authentic but that's another thing helping the story to be a fluent read - that's why I see it as a positive thing.
After all, it's intent is to be entertaining with a little history lesson and not a historical accurate essay with little entertainment.

All in all it is a good book and it may become one of those series that I pick up between books or between another series.

Three stars for me means a novel that I will remember as having a good plot but I will not remember plot details.
Four stars means that it's a great book and I will remember plot details (probably).
Five stars means that I loved it and will most likely re-read it sometimes (because I want to make sure that I remember plot details).

[Jordan Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been reading a book and not wanted it to end? Gaining an anxious feeling when you see the last page of turbulent emotion is nigh? This is how I felt with The Blood of Rome. I simply could not stop reading, dreading the cliffhanger Simon would leave me on.

It is fair to say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, taking me through a range of motions that I have rarely experienced from reading: Happy, sad, angry, excited, disgust and betrayal. This book was a gift from my sister in the form of a mystery book from a local market, and I have to say I was sceptical having not read any of the other books within the Eagles of the Empire series before. However, the feeling I got from this book makes me crave more, so I will indeed be picking up others from this series.

I may be bias due to only delving into reading properly quite recently, and thus a good book may seem like an amazing book. To that I say, Simon Scarrow is a best-selling author for a reason.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarrow's Masterchef Moment

All I can say here is Bravo Simon Scarrow! This is where I want Macro and Cato, out on campaign, battling the odds, solving problems and Simon taking the time to introduce me to new snippets of his excellent historical knowledge. Call me a child but the frequent descriptions of men putting their rocks into thongs before waving them around and letting go was definitely a new audiobook experience for me! Add to that the delicious moment when Macro demonstrated how lucky Greg Wallace is that our Roman centurion isn't around now to take his place as a judge on Masterchef! Bravura stuff indeed.

More seriously this series maintains its freshness because of the continuing development of the chemistry between Macro and Cato. I've asked before in reviews how much Cato could take and in this one we come close to finding out. This takes the intrepid two into darker places than even they have been before. It also delivers a lot of action and considerable intrigue as the pair try to deal with a particularly difficult companion on their travels.

Of course, it would be remiss to comment on these books without talking about the brilliance of Jonathan Keeble. He is spectacularly good, switching with ease from the gruff Macro to the refinement of royalty and from the gravitas of Roman generals to the whining obsequiousness of a bullied royal chamberlain.

What it all adds up to is a series that even after 17 books leaves me wanting more, and certainly the ending of this one promises just that! I can hear Macro now yelling "Come on Scarrow you dog, get a move on!"

[Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

To write a gripping 17th in the series is a feat in itself. How will this new campaign in the East (will it actually be with Parthia?) fare for our heroes in the next episode?

As usual the writing is sharp and lean, the conflict is well built and twists and turns enough. This type of series has to pull the punches somewhat, but given that, everything else is put together well.

On to the next book.

[Claas Kämpf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich war schon immer großer Fan von historischen Geschichten. Dazu gehören natürlich auch Spielfilme, neue zu finden wird nach einiger Zeit natürlich schwerer. Dieses Buch ist dahingehend perfekt. Es gibt die volle Ladung an Schlachten, Intrigen und allem, was das historische Herz begehrt. Dass dieses nur ein Teil von 17 Büchern ist, erfreut mich sehr.
Allgemein erlebt man die Geschehen hautnah mit. Cato und Macro, die Hauptpersonen, werden wie eigene Mitkämpfer, man fühlt sich als wäre man in der Armee!
Ein tolles Buch, ich freue mich die vorherigen Teile zu lesen.

[Carlo Aleo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ennesima avventura vissuta tra le corti e centurie , come sempre la lettura è scorrevole e coinvolgente riesce magicamente a trasportarti li al fianco degli inseparabili Catone e Macrone spingendosi fino a farti "vivere" quasi in prima persona ogni attimo del viaggio , riesci a sentire il rumore delle spade e il sibilo delle frecce la tensione prima della battaglia diventa tua e pagina dopo pagina è sempre più un crescendo di emozioni che ti rapisce per tutto il tempo della lettura

[Jorge Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent instalment in the Cato/Macro ongoing series with a surprising inclusion of Cato suffering from the sort of mental breakdown common in soldiers who have seen and perpetrated so much bloodshed and violence.

[Alan Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars

I've followed Macro and Cato since the first book. The Blood of Rome is brilliant

as always, a!ready looking forward to the next instalment. The invasion of Armenia.

[Shane Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving the series. Not really loving Cato that much anymore though. Kind of cunty. 5⭐️

[Joel Håland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good story, a but frustrating at times but overall a great ride

[Michael Fuller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cato in his war crimes arc

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again a great read. I wish the author could write faster! My favourite series and this is another excellent adventure for Cato and Macro. If you like Roman history you have to read this author.

[Jack Neighbour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon scarrow is second to none in character building while also teaching you history. I can’t believe I’m still enjoying these as much as I am on book 17. Amazing read. This book was the first time I felt he covered the darker aspect of war and it was done in an unflinching way.

[Jakub Spilka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cato se mění, moudří…

[Christine Jago · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale of warmongers and idiots

This story is well written and researched, as is usually the case for Simon Scarrow. The main protagonist is a self serving idiot who causes suffering and destruction before he gets what he deserves in the end.

[Nathan Trachta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blood of Rome is Mr. Scarrow’s latest Macro and Cato romp and have to say Mr. Scarrow doesn’t disappoint. In this case Macro and Cato have deployed to Syria with the mission to install a new King in Armenia (which the Parthans aren’t interested in). Rather than being a “big operation” (a legion or more), Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo as decided to send Cato and Macro, their praetorian cohort, an auxiliary cohort, and the Kings loyal troops to take Artaxata so the King can assume his thrown.
As with all Macro and Cato stories half of the story is The relationship between our two heroes. Something that’s raised its head over the past few books is the slight distancing Cato has been enforcing due to his being in command and Macro being the senior Centurion. Personally I think Cato is over doing it and it shows during one critical piece when we see him suffer from “shell-shock/ptsd”. By separating himself from Macro he fails to trust two things he shouldn’t; his best friend who’s seen situations with him and is level headed and a leader failing to use his executive officer to the fullest. I’m hoping that this is something Mr. Scarrow fixes in his next book because it’s a limitation that’s been there since Brittania and something I consider almost demeaning to Cato.
Rating wise a solid 4.5 book. Better than many but not as good as the best. Two items I’ll call Mr. Scarrow out on are the abrupt ending and tomatoes. The ending itself causes this to settle to 4 stars, please!! One minute we’re in a part of Turkey, the next it’s Syria and Macro and Cato are together, please!! Tomatoes, yes, tomatoes. While tomatoes are a popular food used by many cultures across the world, in 62 CE it was a New World food, not something in Syria or other parts of the Middle East. While this is a minor thing, historical inaccuracies standout to readers and make you look deeper into the story and question the “history” a writer of historical fiction writes.

[Undergrad11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series and I’ve read them all asides for Britannica, not available on iBooks Canada. I prefer the travel and banter on the way to the destination. There weren’t any surprises. I was easily able to predict who was traitor. The battle was lack lustre. Cost of the book was to much for half of a story, there is no ending. If u feel this book was 5 stars then u should read the campaign in Britain, or the campaign against the pirates, slave revolts etc. Those had me on edge from start to finish, even the book where they are stationed in Rome after Britain was amazing. Expecting much more, I’m interested but don’t want to loose interest.

[Jonathon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one brings all the usual banter and action that the pair are always involved in . It also hit a few notes that are close to home with the ....BLOOD...BLOOD...BLOOD... as this is chanted during bayonet training in the British army .

I'm sad that I'm nearing the end of Cato and Macro's journey but what a journey it has been . It would be a miss for me not to mention the awesome voices of Jonathan Keeble, who brings the words alive and gives each character their own personality.

[Anthony Price Radford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t think it was as good as his previous books but pretty good none the less. There were some great moments between Cato and Macro and some nice twists. It just wasn’t fantastic. Scarrow lacks some of the military detail of say Peake but his strength is his development of the relationship between Cato and Macro and their lives together.