'A master of the genre' The Times

Britannia has been subdued - and an epic new chapter in Marcus Valerius Aquila's life begins.

The murderous Roman agents who nearly captured Marcus have been defeated by his friends. But in order to protect those very friends from the wrath of the emperor, he must leave the province which has been giving him shelter. As Marcus Tribulus Corvus, centurion of the second Tungrian auxiliary cohort, he leads his men from Hadrian's Wall to the Tungrians' original home in Germania Inferior.

There he finds a very different world from the turbulent British frontier - but one with its own dangers. Tungrorum, the center of a once-prosperous farming province, a city already broght low by the ravages of the eastern plague that has swept through the empire, is now threatened by an outbreak of brutally violent robbery. A bandit chieftain called Obduro, his identity always hidden behind an iron cavalry helmet, is robbing and killing with impunity.

His sword - sharper, stronger and more deadly than any known to the Roman army - is the lethal symbol of his unstoppable power. And now he has moved beyond mere theft and threatens to destabilize the whole northern frontier of the empire . . .

'Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both.' Conn Iggulden

The fourth book in the Empire sequence (following Fortress of Spears) takes centurion Marcus to Germania Inferior - and to Tungrorum, home of his auxiliary legion. Praised by authors as varied as Conn Igguleden, Ben Kane and Manda Scott, Empire is set in the 180s against the background of the Roman Empire in a time of unrest.

About the Author
Anthony Riches holds a degree in Military Studies from Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become the first novel in the Empire series, Wounds of Honour, after visiting Housesteads Roman fort in 1996. Married with three grown up children, he now lives in Suffolk. He is also the writer of the 'Protector' thriller series. www.anthonyriches.com www.twitter.com/AnthonyRiches

Reviews
This is fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction, with marvellous characters and occasional moments of dark humour. Some authors are better historians than they are storytellers. Anthony Riches is brilliant at both. * Conn Iggulden *
A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed. * Ben Kane *
Stands head and shoulders above a crowded field . . . . real, live characters act out their battles on the northern borders with an accuracy of detail and depth of raw emotion that is a rare combination. * Manda Scott *
'Muscular in prose and approach, the novel is riveting and direct.' * History Today on THE LEOPARD SWORD *
'This is a fast-paced, action-packed read. Anthony Riches brings alive the harsh reality of the Roman world - the period, people, and culture - in a frenetic and exciting novel which is well researched and tinged with humour. The battle scenes are vivid and expertly told . . . Difficult to put down, this is a welcome addition to the genre . . . Recommended' * Historical Novels Review on THE LEOPARD SWORD *



Book Information
ISBN 9781444711844
Author Anthony Riches
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 28mm