A.D. 255: The Roman imperium is stretched to the breaking point, its authority and might challenged throughout the territories and along every border. One man is sent to marshal the defenses of a lonely city and to shore up the crumbling walls of a once indomitable symbol of Roman power, a man whose very name means war, a man called Ballista. So unfolds an epic drama--a story of empire, heroes, treachery, courage, and most of all, of brutal, bloody warfare.
The spectacular flair for explosive action, depth of literary and geographic knowledge, and the psychological complexity of the characters makes Fire in the East the most authoritative historical adventure novel this year. Already a best-seller in the United Kingdom, Fire in the East is the first gripping installment in an immense grand narrative: the Warrior of Rome series.
From Publishers Weekly
In this blood and guts tale of ancient warfare, Oxford lecturer Sidebottom introduces readers to Marcus Clodius Bastilla, a third-century warrior who has risen through the ranks of the Roman army to achieve citizenship and the honorific of Dux Ripea. Charged by the emperors Valerian and Gallienus with the responsibility of defending the empire's eastern borders, Bastilla says good-bye to his new wife and sets sail for the East. Once he arrives at the Syrian city of Arete on the banks of the Euphrates, Bastilla organizes his legionaries to defend against the besieging Sassanid Persian army and hold out until reinforcements can arrive. In addition to having his hands full with the invading army, Bastilla must also deal with traitors, saboteurs, assassins and patrician officers who resent obeying the orders of a low-born superior. How the brave and resourceful former barbarian defends himself from forces both within and without the city walls forms the spine of this action-packed and detail-rich narrative. This novel of sharp swords and blunt wit should find an appreciative audience among bloodthirsty battle boys of all ages. (Oct.)
Copyright ยฉ Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Sidebottom's prose blazes with searing scholarship. --Times (London)
Harry Sidebottom works on Rome's third century the magic that Patrick O'Brian applied to Nelson's navy. He has the touch of an exceptionally gifted storyteller, drawing on prodigious learning. --Timothy Severin, author of The Viking Trilogy
The best sort of red-blooded historical fiction. --Andrew Taylor, author of The American Boy