Copyright
HarperCollinsPublishers
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Published by HarperCollinsPublishers 2016
Copyright © Harry Sidebottom 2016
Maps © John Gilkes 2016
Jacket design Claire Ward, © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2016 Jacket photographs © Stephen Mulcahey /Arcangel Images (army, sword); Shutterstock.com (all other images)
Harry Sidebottom asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
While some of the events and characters are based on historical incidents and figures, this novel is entirely a work of fiction.
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Source ISBN 9780007499922
Ebook Edition © MAY 2016 ISBN: 9780007499946
Version: 2017-01-19
Dedication
To Richard Marshall
An empty pageant; a stage play; flocks of sheep, herds of cattle; a tussle of spearmen; a bone flung among a pack of curs; a crumb tossed into a pond of fish; ants, loaded and labouring; mice, scampering and scared; puppets jerking on their strings that is life.
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS VII.3
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Maps
Cast of Main Characters
Prologue: Africa
Part I: Italy
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Part II: Italy
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Sword, Part III: The Provinces
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Part IV: Italy
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Part V: Rome
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Part VI: The Provinces
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Part VII: Ravenna and Aquileia
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Part VIII: Aquileia and Rome
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Part IX: The Provinces
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Part X: Rome
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Epilogue
Historical Afterword
Thanks
Fire & Sword Glossary
About the Author
Also by Harry Sidebottom
About the Publisher
CAST OF MAIN CHARACTERS
IN ROME
Pupienus: Prefect of the City
Pupienus Maximus: His elder son
Pupienus Africanus: His younger son
Balbinus: A patrician of dissolute ways
Gallicanus: A Senator of Cynic views
Maecenas: His intimate friend
Tranquillina: Ambitious wife of Timesitheus
Maecia Faustina: Daughter of the late Emperor Gordian the Elder, and sister of the late Emperor Gordian the Younger
Marcus Junius Balbus: Her young son
Caenis: A prostitute in the Subura
The Die-cutter: Her neighbour and client, a workman in the Mint
IN AQUILEIA
Menophilus: A Senator of Stoic persuasion, co-commander of the defence
Crispinus: Another Senator with a philosophical demeanour, the other commander of the town
IN THE NORTH
Maximinus Thrax: The Emperor
Caecilia Paulina: His deceased wife
Verus Maximus: His son and heir
Apsines of Gadara: Secretary to Maximinus
Flavius Vopiscus: A general
Anullinus: Praetorian Prefect
Volo: Commander of the frumentarii
Julius Capitolinus: Equestrian commander of the 2nd Legion Parthica
Dernhelm: A young barbarian hostage, beginning to be called Ballista
Timesitheus: Equestrian official, a prisoner on his way to Maximinus
Honoratus: Senatorial governor of Moesia Inferior on the Danube
Iunia Fadilla: Wife of Verus Maximus, on the run
IN THE EAST
Priscus: Equestrian governor of Mesopotamia
Philip: His brother
Catius Clemens: Governor of Cappadocia, long-term supporter of Maximinus
Ardashir: Sassanid King of Kings
PROLOGUE: AFRICA
Africa
The City of Carthage, Eight Days before the Kalends of April, AD238
Lay down your arms!
As he spoke, Capelianus turned in the saddle, took in the enemy. On both flanks their levies were running, back under the aqueduct, pelting through the tombs towards the illusory safety of the walls of Carthage. His own auxiliaries, all discipline gone, were chasing them, hacking at their defenceless backs. Here in the centre, half of their regulars had put down their standards and weapons, and stretched out empty hands in supplication. Only a thousand still stood against him; the Urban Cohort, and the young men formed into the sham Praetorian Guard of the two usurpers. Win them over, disarm them, and victory was complete. Africa would be won back for Maximinus, the revolt of the Gordiani crushed. Not a battle, but a massacre.
Lay down your arms, fellow-soldiers. Your fight is done and over.
Frightened eyes stared at him over the wall of shields a few paces ahead. They were outnumbered two to one. These locally raised Praetorians were not real soldiers. There was no sign of the younger Gordian.
Your pretend Emperor has fled. Those who led you astray have fled. No mounted officers remain under your standards.
Still the enemy did not move.
Return to your military oath. You were misled. The clemency of your true Emperor Maximinus is boundless. I am merciful. There will be no retribution.
A stirring in the ranks opposite. A tall, heavy man, pushing his way to the front. He was bareheaded.