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Marcus Flavius Victor #2
The Barbarian
AD 406. Abandoned by his friends and hounded by his enemies, Roman cavalry commander Marcus Flavius Victor is forced to flee an increasingly fractured Britannia with a small band of loyal warriors.
His journey takes him north through the stormy, pirate-infested seas of the Mare Germanicum to Saxonia, where his son Brenus has languished as a slave for six long years. Marcus is able to rescue him but at a terrible cost. Further disaster threatens when his escape route is blocked, leaving the Britons trapped in a strange land with enemies seemingly at every turn. Their only salvation seems to lie with Marcus's old comrade, General Stilicho, beyond the far Danuvius, still within the sanctuary of the Empire. To get there will mean a journey of many hundreds of miles through the dark heart of barbarism - and, unknown to Marcus, Stilicho has troubles of his own. His influence with the Emperor Honorius is diminished, and a great people are on the march, leaving a sea of bones in their wake. Savage Radagaisus, king of the Ostrogoths, has promised his subjects all the riches of Italia and a new future. As he battles his way towards safety, Marcus stumbles across a secret which could decide the very fate of the Empire. But who can he really trust, and can he reach Stilicho in time, with his every step dogged by a son who wants him dead?
His journey takes him north through the stormy, pirate-infested seas of the Mare Germanicum to Saxonia, where his son Brenus has languished as a slave for six long years. Marcus is able to rescue him but at a terrible cost. Further disaster threatens when his escape route is blocked, leaving the Britons trapped in a strange land with enemies seemingly at every turn. Their only salvation seems to lie with Marcus's old comrade, General Stilicho, beyond the far Danuvius, still within the sanctuary of the Empire. To get there will mean a journey of many hundreds of miles through the dark heart of barbarism - and, unknown to Marcus, Stilicho has troubles of his own. His influence with the Emperor Honorius is diminished, and a great people are on the march, leaving a sea of bones in their wake. Savage Radagaisus, king of the Ostrogoths, has promised his subjects all the riches of Italia and a new future. As he battles his way towards safety, Marcus stumbles across a secret which could decide the very fate of the Empire. But who can he really trust, and can he reach Stilicho in time, with his every step dogged by a son who wants him dead?
400 pages, Hardcover
Published October 17, 2023
125 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Jackson
39 books267 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 12, 2023
There are the usual clichés, coincidences and connections to propel the plot, but this trek of Marcus Flavius Victor from Britannia to the battlefield of Faesule against Radagaisus and his “hordes”, with Alaric and Stilicho playing critical roles, is a totally compelling narrative.
Ostensibly, his journey is to rescue his son, a Saxon slave, but he and his band encounter the dangers of the disintegrating Empire as they journey via the Elbe and the Danube to Ravenna where further hazards and palace intrigue await. It's a stock standard story with familiar character-types but it all comes together nicely. The prose and the dialogue is far better than many in this genre.
Ostensibly, his journey is to rescue his son, a Saxon slave, but he and his band encounter the dangers of the disintegrating Empire as they journey via the Elbe and the Danube to Ravenna where further hazards and palace intrigue await. It's a stock standard story with familiar character-types but it all comes together nicely. The prose and the dialogue is far better than many in this genre.
July 25, 2023
2nd Marcus Flavius Victor book. It details his journey from Britain to Italy, via Saxonia to rescue his son. It culminates with battle of Faesulae versus Radagaisus.
June 24, 2023
Fantastic read can't wait for the next book
October 15, 2023
This eventful Roman historical novel is the 2nd volume of a series featuring the main protagonist, Marcus Flavius Victor.
Storytelling is absolutely amazing, all characters, whether real historical or fictional, come superbly to life in this story about honour, betrayal, political intrigue, and of course life and death, while the treacherous atmosphere and tribulations within the Roman empire of Emperor Honorius are wonderfully pictured and described by the author.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Marcus Flavius Victor's Journey towards Ravenna in AD406, and one of the famous Battle of Faesulae (Fiesole) AD406 between General Stilicho and the barbarian hordes lead by King Radagaisus, followed by a quote by Latinus Pacatus Drepanius made in AD389.
While at the end of the book you'll notice an Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are meticulously documented, followed by a superb explained Glossary.
This book starts off in AD406, when Marcus Flavius Victor is betrayed and hunted by Constantinus in Britannia, and due to this action and the hunger to find his son, Brenus, he will take ship towards Saxonia accompanied by his sister, Valeria, and various followers from his time as Lord of the Wall.
Once Brenus is freed they will head from Saxonia in the North towards the South and the Roman Empire of the West lead by Emperor Honorius and his famous General Flavius Stilicho, and while doing so they will encounter quite some difficulties and skirmishes on their way, and when they reach the court of Emperor Honorius and his vengeful adviser Dulcitius, who's Marcus arch enemy number one and soon enough this Dulcitius will let his presence known, before Marcus is free to join General Stilicho in his struggle against the hordes of King of the Ostrogoths, Radagaisus, at the Battle of Faesulae in AD406, and that will end with a bloody and brutal outcome.
What is to follow is a tremendous historical novel, with a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing at court and on the battlefield, accompanied with great depictions of small skirmishes and a great battle where honour and duplicity go hand in hand, and all these ingredients will make you wonder who really is/are the Barbarian(s) in this remarkable ruthless Roman story.
Highly recommended, for this is a glorious addition to this fabulous series, and that's why I like to call this 2nd episode: "A Brilliant Barbarian"!
Storytelling is absolutely amazing, all characters, whether real historical or fictional, come superbly to life in this story about honour, betrayal, political intrigue, and of course life and death, while the treacherous atmosphere and tribulations within the Roman empire of Emperor Honorius are wonderfully pictured and described by the author.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Marcus Flavius Victor's Journey towards Ravenna in AD406, and one of the famous Battle of Faesulae (Fiesole) AD406 between General Stilicho and the barbarian hordes lead by King Radagaisus, followed by a quote by Latinus Pacatus Drepanius made in AD389.
While at the end of the book you'll notice an Historical Note, where the historical details concerning this period of history are meticulously documented, followed by a superb explained Glossary.
This book starts off in AD406, when Marcus Flavius Victor is betrayed and hunted by Constantinus in Britannia, and due to this action and the hunger to find his son, Brenus, he will take ship towards Saxonia accompanied by his sister, Valeria, and various followers from his time as Lord of the Wall.
Once Brenus is freed they will head from Saxonia in the North towards the South and the Roman Empire of the West lead by Emperor Honorius and his famous General Flavius Stilicho, and while doing so they will encounter quite some difficulties and skirmishes on their way, and when they reach the court of Emperor Honorius and his vengeful adviser Dulcitius, who's Marcus arch enemy number one and soon enough this Dulcitius will let his presence known, before Marcus is free to join General Stilicho in his struggle against the hordes of King of the Ostrogoths, Radagaisus, at the Battle of Faesulae in AD406, and that will end with a bloody and brutal outcome.
What is to follow is a tremendous historical novel, with a lot of political intrigue and backstabbing at court and on the battlefield, accompanied with great depictions of small skirmishes and a great battle where honour and duplicity go hand in hand, and all these ingredients will make you wonder who really is/are the Barbarian(s) in this remarkable ruthless Roman story.
Highly recommended, for this is a glorious addition to this fabulous series, and that's why I like to call this 2nd episode: "A Brilliant Barbarian"!
June 10, 2023
Follow on to The Wall (that I would recommend reading first as it puts much into context).
Roman cavalry commander Marcus Flavius Victor abandons his post in Britain and takes a small band of troops on a mission to rescue his son in Saxonia. His son is, indeed, rescued but their escape is cut off and Marcus finds himself in unfamiliar territory and with a son who seems to hate him. His only option might be to try and find his way to his old friend General Stilicho who is hundreds of miles away and it would be a dangerous journey. Stilicho is, meantime, trying to defend Italy against a vast invasion by Radagaisus, King of the Ostrogoths.
Much to enjoy in this. The era is interesting AD406, Roman power and traditions are diminishing, and the old religions are being replaced. “Barbarian” tribes sense a weakness in the Roman Empire under the feckless Emperor Honorius and the Roman Empire is on the back foot. I very much enjoyed this sense of a changing time and the reminder that most “Roman” troops were from conquered nations, with the conflict of Roman arrogance and disloyalty playing against brotherhood.
Minor quibbles might be that his son stops hating him very quickly indeed and Marcus falling for a female slave felt a bit odd in the circumstances.
There is a lot in this, far more depth and sense of time than most “sword and sandals” adventures and delivered by a talented author who really does know his stuff.
Roman cavalry commander Marcus Flavius Victor abandons his post in Britain and takes a small band of troops on a mission to rescue his son in Saxonia. His son is, indeed, rescued but their escape is cut off and Marcus finds himself in unfamiliar territory and with a son who seems to hate him. His only option might be to try and find his way to his old friend General Stilicho who is hundreds of miles away and it would be a dangerous journey. Stilicho is, meantime, trying to defend Italy against a vast invasion by Radagaisus, King of the Ostrogoths.
Much to enjoy in this. The era is interesting AD406, Roman power and traditions are diminishing, and the old religions are being replaced. “Barbarian” tribes sense a weakness in the Roman Empire under the feckless Emperor Honorius and the Roman Empire is on the back foot. I very much enjoyed this sense of a changing time and the reminder that most “Roman” troops were from conquered nations, with the conflict of Roman arrogance and disloyalty playing against brotherhood.
Minor quibbles might be that his son stops hating him very quickly indeed and Marcus falling for a female slave felt a bit odd in the circumstances.
There is a lot in this, far more depth and sense of time than most “sword and sandals” adventures and delivered by a talented author who really does know his stuff.
August 13, 2025
After the events of the first novel, The Wall, Marcus Flavius Victor leaves Britain in search of his captured son, Brenus and travels across Europe to join with Roman General, Stilicho, who is fighting to keep the Western Roman Empire intact against invading tribes from the East. Eventually arriving at Ravenna, the capital of the Western Empire, Marcus and his companions are drawn into the battle against the invading Goths, with a final battle outside the walls of modern Florence.
These novels are interesting as they are set in the later period of the Roman Empire, around 400AD, as the pressure from various external forces and powers begins to threaten the security and stability of the Roman world.
These novels are interesting as they are set in the later period of the Roman Empire, around 400AD, as the pressure from various external forces and powers begins to threaten the security and stability of the Roman world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
Walls End
Focused more on a tour of Roman Europe, rather than the Wall from the first novel, this novel has many different aspects from army, sea and tribal life.
Jackson continues to excel in his books and I look forward to the next one.
Focused more on a tour of Roman Europe, rather than the Wall from the first novel, this novel has many different aspects from army, sea and tribal life.
Jackson continues to excel in his books and I look forward to the next one.
May 20, 2024
boring
Very long winded, with very little action, there are many better writers out there who portray the Romans in a better way, with lots of action, I read the wall and it was exactly the same, he fills chapters about nothing, unbelievable!
Very long winded, with very little action, there are many better writers out there who portray the Romans in a better way, with lots of action, I read the wall and it was exactly the same, he fills chapters about nothing, unbelievable!
October 12, 2024
A good story. However, I realise I’ve been spoiled for lesser writers who cover historical warfare by the works of Bernard Cornwell and Christian Cameron, who are head and shoulders above the rest. At least those I’ve come across so far. So overall this is probably a 3.5, rather than an actual 4.
March 15, 2025
Brilliant epic historical novel
Excellent character development and a plausible storyline.
The characters, detailed description of events, countryside and animal behaviour woven into an intrecit adventure and page turner
Excellent character development and a plausible storyline.
The characters, detailed description of events, countryside and animal behaviour woven into an intrecit adventure and page turner
April 15, 2024
Could’nt put it down
This is the first book I have read from this author. I shall look forward to my next one. Thank You
This is the first book I have read from this author. I shall look forward to my next one. Thank You
sff-ok-r
February 24, 2025Rokp
June 19, 2025
I'd not read any of Douglas Jackson's books before, but when I saw that it was set in Roman Britain in the reign of the Emperor Honorius, a period of history that I'm particularly interested in I decided to give it a try. I'm glad that I did, as it's one of the best novels I've read set in that era.
I'd not realised that this novel is the sequel to The Wall, the first novel in the Marcus Flavius Victor series, which I've since bought, but reading it before reading The Wall fortunately wasn't a problem for me. However, I'd urge other readers to read them in the right order.
If you like well researched, well written novels with strong characters and an excellent storyline, then this novel is for you. I've read some stuffy, boring novels set in Roman Britain, but this novel held my attention until the very last page. In fact it would make a great film or TV series. I can highly recommend it and hope there will be a third novel in the Marcus Flavius Victor series.
I'd not realised that this novel is the sequel to The Wall, the first novel in the Marcus Flavius Victor series, which I've since bought, but reading it before reading The Wall fortunately wasn't a problem for me. However, I'd urge other readers to read them in the right order.
If you like well researched, well written novels with strong characters and an excellent storyline, then this novel is for you. I've read some stuffy, boring novels set in Roman Britain, but this novel held my attention until the very last page. In fact it would make a great film or TV series. I can highly recommend it and hope there will be a third novel in the Marcus Flavius Victor series.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews