Fire and Sword

Throne of the Caesars #3

by Harry Sidebottom

‘Absorbing and brilliant … Game of Thrones without the dragons’ THE TIMES

The third book in Sidebottom’s epic series set in third century Rome; a dramatic era of murder, coup, counter-rebellions and civil war.

Rome AD238. The Year of the Six Emperors.

The empire is in turmoil. With the Gordiani, father and son, dead in Africa, the tyrant Maximinus Thrax vies to reclaim the throne.

The Senate, who supported the revolt of the Gordiani, must act quickly to avoid the vengeance of Maximinus. They elect two Senators to share the imperial purple. But fighting erupts in the streets as ambitious men call for violent revolution.

Can the new Augusti hold the city together as the empire’s farthest territories fight off bloody attacks from the Goths and the Persians in the east?

In the north of Italy, Maximinus descends on Aquileia. Against the odds, Menophilus, an old friend of the younger Gordian, prepares to defend the town. In one of the greatest sieges of the empire, its fate will be decided in a fight for victory, for revenge, for Rome.

Filled with intrigue, betrayal and bloody battle, Fire & Sword creates a magnificent world built on brutality and political games, where no one is safe from retribution – not even those who dare to rule.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, War, Ancient History

464 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2016

About the author

Harry Sidebottom is Lecturer in Ancient History at Merton College, Oxford, and part-time lecturer in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick. He has written for and contributed to many publications, including Classical Review, Journal of Roman Studies, and War and Society in the Roman World.

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a speech in the Senate to rouse its members in April 238: "Make no mistake. Open your eyes. Maximinus is on his way. In battle-order, with camps pitched everywhere, he is coming with fire and sword. He is at Aquileia already. His hired killers are already in this very chamber. They are intent on massacre."

This is an enthralling sweep of the tumultuous events from March-June 238 AD and the third exciting installment of Sidebottoms's tetralogy: Throne of the Caesars. It begins with the deaths of the Gordians [both father and son], election of the senators Pupienus and Balbinus as co-Emperors; their spurious reasoning: one can take care of military matters and the other control the city. The centerpiece and most of the book is taken up with the Siege of Aquileia, from each antagonist's standpoint--both defenders and attackers. Riots ensue in Rome from the start; the sybaritic Balbinus is unable to put them down. There are more minor subplots involving battles against the Persians and encroaching Goths and one involving an abused wife fleeing from her cruel husband, the son of Maximinus. After murders of Maximinus and the two rebels, the youngster Gordian III is proclaimed emperor.

All through I was confused, not by the names per se, but by who identified with each faction. The List of Characters in the back was a big help! This was perhaps our first introduction to Ballista, the young barbarian about whom the author has written a whole different series. In this novel, he violently influences history. I wonder why the author didn't keep his original name, rather than giving him a foolish nickname. Maybe his series explains it. There was not much to admire in any of these venal and ghastly characters. The wily and ambitious Greek Timesithius and his even more ambitious wife, Tranquillina, were especially repulsive. She pushes him to become the power behind the throne. The only ones I had any sympathy for were the prostitute Caenis [no, the name does not mean only "bitch" but is that also of a mythological figure] and the die-cutter [never named] --both denizens of the Subura. Style was often dry, but I could easily picture the scenes and the violence. I liked that sometimes the same scene was told from different viewpoints.

The author mentions "Homages" to three authors: I'd add another, M.N.J. Butler's novel The Fox: another animal metaphor. This time Timesithius's fear is likened to the scrabbling of a rat, whereas in the above-mentioned novel, the protagonist's extreme emotions such as fear or grief are likened to the fox concealed in the tunic of Spartan boy in the legend, gnawing at the boy's innards.
Reread October 2016.

Highly recommended.

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iron and Rust (book 1) was an unexpected hit with me in 2014, though the sequel Blood and Steel while ok, lacked the freshness and vitality of the first volume - and maybe some of the characters and action there were less interesting - so I opened Fire and Sword with a mixed feeling, expecting more to be a "when in the mood for that" read, only to grab me from the dramatic first pages when the last moments of the Gordian rebellion in Africa are narrated, followed immediately by the panic in Rome at the failure of said rebellion and the start of the machinations from the Senate leaders, to the adventures of our favorite schemer, Timesitheus, on the way to a gruesome traitor's death at the hands of the terrible emperor Maximinus now in a war camp just over the Alps from Italy, with only his wits and fast talk to save him before arriving there, to various other threads covering the siege of Acquilea (the gate of Italy), events on the Danube and in the East, the adventures of roman noble lady (and quite unwilling daughter in law of the emperor) Iunia Fadilla, to the camp of the emperor himself, who is both very angry with the rebels and the Senate, but also weary and dreaming of "retiring" after one more success...

And so it goes with non-stop action everywhere, the wheel turns, treachery abounds, valor is to be found here and there but generally greed, fear and schemers prosper while the "regular" people are trampled by the armies or the mob

A great stopping point and the best novel of the series to date, making the next one an asap

[Robert Causley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, actually

Given the difficulties of narrating the complex culmination of the Year of the Six Emperors, this was a pretty good book. The first 3/4 are particularly well done and make for some nice hours of page turning. As well, many of the historical liberties Sidebottom takes with characters like Caenis and Timesitheus really add some depth to a story that is reasonably familiar to lovers of Roman history.
That said, the scene switching often turns into a recounting of the immediately previous events, which takes away some of the dynamism of the story. A secondary issue is that the last part of the book felt like an overly drawn-out denouement. Maximus is the main engine of this series, so the siege of Aquileia and the mutiny is the high point. I'm not sure how one carries on (artistically speaking) after this. I'm thinking of "The Iliad" after Achilles or Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" after the assassination the best examples.

As for the series as a whole, I'm in awe of Sidebottom's depth of knowledge and research. The 3rd Century Crisis is easily one of the most interesting periods in history, yet it's poorly understood. We were treated to a memorable cross-section of the Empire. I mean, no one usually gives a rat's ass what went on in North Africa (excluding Egypt) between Scipio and Aug. of Hippo.
Well done, Sir!

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This very thrilling book by this knowledgeable author and scholar is the 3rd volume of the wonderful "Throne of the Caesars" series.
The historical details within the afterword of this book are very well researched and documented, what else can you expect from this great scholar, yet you can also find a well defined extensive glossary, as well as wonderful informative maps from around the Roman world at that particular time, and not to forget the main, whether real or fictional, characters of this superb Roman tale.
Storytelling is of an excellent quality, and the author has done amazingly well to keep the historical events as much in tact as possible within the story, which is as far as I'm concerned a great feat in itself.
What I find personally a wonderful touch of genius is once again the introduction of Marcus Clodius Ballista, formerly known as Dernhelm, of the "Warrior of Rome" series, and to let him feature once more in one of the most important events of this particular year, the assassination of Emperor Maximinus Thrax.
The book itself is set within the months of April until June of the year AD 238, which is the Year of the Six Emperors, and the story continues with the Empire in turmoil after the deaths of the Gordiani, father and son, and the tyrant Maximinus reclaiming the throne, while at the same time the Senate are electing two Senators to wear the Purple, a very unpopular decision that will eventually lead to violence in Rome.
While Maximinus heads for the North of Italy, Aquileia to be precise, he is stopped there by Menophilus, who was an old friend of the younger (son) Gordian, in one of the greatest sieges in history on Roman soil.
What follows is a marvellous story of intrigue, betrayal and bloody battles within the Roman Empire, one in which you have to fight for your life if you want to reach for that ultimate power, and that is to become the next Roman Emperor.
Highly recommended, for this book is "A Searing Sharp Roman Novel"!

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bloody brilliant. What a way to end the Throne of the Caesars trilogy. All the important and main characters from the first and second books basically fought everything in this third book. I have read all the first and second short story as well and it delighted me that the short story is a fine additional complement to the series. And even though you skip the short stories, you still won’t miss anything.

Every characters in this book are self-serving individuals with their own ambitions though they hide it behind a supposedly noble reason which was for the good of Rome.

Brilliant. A well deserved five stars!

[La Gran Biblioteca de David · Rating 4 out of 5]

El Imperio Romano sigue en crisis, aunque la revuelta de los Gordianos ha fracasado. Cartago fue asediada en el año 238 de nuestra era, África vuelve a ser romana a mando del emperador Maximino y los Gordianos han muerto. El emperador sigue avanzando sobre Italia, pero el Senado seguirá con sus conspiraciones.

Esta tercera parte comienza con la caída de los Gordianos. Además, también seremos testigos de un intenso e interesante debate acerca de si volver a la Roma republicana o no. Al mismo tiempo son nombrados Balbino y Pupieno como coemperadores, quienes estarán al frente de esta rebelión. Una trama llena de traiciones, conspiraciones, asesinatos y mucha acción. Por último, tenemos otras tramas secundarias llenas de batallas con los invasores godos o los persas, entre otros.

Sobre los personajes, aquí van a desfilar muchísimos y casi de golpe. Esto puede confundir mucho al lector, pues llega un momento en que no se sabe bien quién está en qué facción. La novela está muy bien escrita y rica en detalles. Las descripciones de Sidebottom son muy exhaustivas y ricas, transportando al lector al mismo Imperio. El ritmo es pausado para explotar en una batalla épica entre los personajes. Un final muy bueno, lleno de acción.

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[Andrea Gualchierotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quasi d'ufficio, buonissima parte degli autori che ambientano le loro storie nel contesto della romanità, lo fanno all'interno di una cornice cronologica abbastanza ristretta e scontata.
Anzi, diciamo pure che le opzioni principali sono due: l'età dei Giulio - Claudii, quella degli imperatori famosi anche su Marte (chi non conosce vizi e anedotti su Augusto, Caligola o Nerone?), oppure il tardo impero, spesso appiattito in un fosco dramma fatto di barbari alle porte e intrighi capaci di far impallidire Game of Thrones.
Ebbene, Harry Sidebottom, che non per nulla oltre che scrittore è anche docente di Storia e autore di saggi sul mondo antico, ha operato da tempo una scelta in prima battuta meno popolare, ma sulla lunga distanza davvero vincente: quella di scegliere come sfondo per i suoi libri un periodo negletto della storia romana, poco frequentato da storici e narratori, il III secolo.
Questo fiuto di Sidebottom è l'arma vincente della serie "Il trono di Cesare", così come della precedente e ancora in corso "Il guerriero di Roma": utilizzare un periodo della storia romana poco noto, ma costituito da un susseguirsi di battaglie, usurpazioni, tradimenti, rovesciamenti di fronti e imprese epiche assolutamente avvincente, e popolato da figure carismatiche come Massimino il Trace, la famiglia dei Gordiani, e da imperatori sfortunati come Valeriano o energici come Aureliano.
Su questo sfondo, personaggi immaginari e non si muovono lungo percorsi forse già scritti, ma non meno avventurosi, e in questo senso Il fuoco e la spada costituisce il capitolo finale di una trilogia che - caso raro - si vorrebbe prolungata per almeno altri tre volumi.
Lo stile di Sidebottom, scarno e realistico, ben si adatta a descrivere lotte per il potere efferate, ma non scivola mai nel compiacimento del sangue, e si apre in vari casi alla descrizione del mondo antico, colto nei sussulti di un'epoca caotica.
Se cercate una diversione dai clichè usurati del romanzo storico, siete nel posto giusto.

[Speesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just when you were thinking the year of the four emperors was enough...we have six! Those Romans got through more leaders than Donald Trump, eh?

And, fortunately for me, this time, the "Rome was in turmoil" tag is fully justified. Though, that again reminds me of something. I can't get around the good old-fashioned Historical Fiction staple, of the men in power - usually either the subject of the stories, or prominent antagonists - rubbishing, deriding, dismissing, the average person of Rome, the people who had to live in the city because they weren't soldiers or aristocracy. But doing everything in their power to placate them, keep them satisfied, keep them calm. No one with power, from Emperors and down, can seem to make any kind of a decision, without having to consider what the reaction of 'the mob' would be. The Mob. Not the Mafia, but the average Joe-us in the street. The one who is a baker as a trade, and would go up against the Praetorian Guard, armed with a sharpened baguette...You know what I mean. That does bother me sometimes, as perhaps existing more in other Historical Fiction books, than in real life.

So, Harry was saving the best to last. Through a slow build-up to volume three, he is now, I have to concede, reaping the benefits of the earlier background spadework. There is still a lot to cover here, those Romans didn't do anything that will fit in a book without some editing down, but there's never a feeling of Harry spreading himself too thin. Quite the opposite, it's all very tight, often terse, but with a real feeling of depth and solidity - and a few surprises (if you can keep yourself away from Wikipedia whilst you read this. I will admit that throughout the series, maybe against my better judgement, not to mention historical fact, been quietly rooting for Maximinius. I imagine too that I'm not alone. Despite him having been Emperor throughout, just about, the whole series, he always actually seemed like the underdog. The one actually trying to do something for both restoring the idea of 'Rome,' and restoring Rome to its rightful dominance. That's often the trait of outsiders. They often both know and care more about their adopted country, tan those born there. Think the Danish Citizenship Test. People seeking citizenship have to pass (amongst other things) a test, comprising questions about Danish history, culture and current events. In test after on-line test, those seeking citizenship score higher, than home-grown, born here, Danes.

Fire and Sword is, one of Harry's best books. Not just the best in the Throne of the Caesars series, I think. And it really sets me up for some nice anticipation for The Last Hour.

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[Glyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything one expects from Harry Sideebottom.

Strong characterisation, melded with one of the regrettably least covered periods of Roman history matched with his usual searing scholarship. He has a skill that few share that he takes serious history and makes it into rip roaring tales. Comparisons with Bernard Cornwell, who is perhaps the current master of this sort of historical adventure, are valid and do neither writer discredit.

Where Cornwell goes for the the "Boys Own" badass hero be it Sharpe,Uhtred or Derfel behind whom he hides the astonishing amount of research and historical understanding that the novels display Sidebottom is content to stick with Ballista as a nod to his later series (to which this novel acts as a direct link) and for the rest covers historical characters to the best of our historical knowledge and mixes that with narrative necessity and best guesses to round out the missing bits.

In that sense this "Throne of Caesars" trilogy (?) works as a superb mix of Game of Thrones, Colleen McCullough's door stopping Caesar series and one of the "Cornwell esque battle fiction novels. Casual readers will be astonished by the amount of back stabbing, politicking and machiavellian machinations that get fitted seemlessly into a book that only covers some four or five months of one of the most remarkable years in Roman Imperial History.

The trilogy covers the three year reign of Maximinus Thrax a man who is too easily ignored by many British/American Ancient Historian. Maximinus was a giant shepherd turned soldier who through size and military ability got himself promoted to the highest military rank and through a coup d'etat to the Imperial purple. A simple man interested only in winning the wars to secure peace on the frontiers he has no political nous and responds like a soldier to political crisis. This offends the Senate who try to replace him but their two successors are immediately bumped off. This leaves them with an irate Emperor and a veteran army who have been branded traitors and outlaw coming down on them with anger and revenge on their minds. This novel brings this odd period to it'close but leaves plentiful grounds for additions If you have read the first Warrior of Rome book you will know how that part ends

I actually felt a degree of pity for the antagonist Maximinus Thrax. He is well portrayed as a simple man who has lost every single thing that kept him grounded and had unintentionally and unknowingly become a tyrannical monster for the best and most tragic of reasons. His opponents are a mixed bunch but all have clear character and motivations. I

I cannot recommend this book, indeed this trilogy highly enough

[Ian Langham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its rather dammed good.

This book forms the third party to the Throne of The Caesars trilogy. In turn this series could be viewed as a prelude to the Warrior Of Rome Series, as a few characters appear in both. However back to this volume, set like the others in the chaotic era of the 3rd century AD where civil war and revolt roam unchecked. From the sands of the African Desert to the Northern frontier via the Senate in Rome and all parts in between.
Unlike the reviewer who said this was like "Game of Thrones" but without the dragons. I disagree this is far better (have read both). Central to the plot is the Emperor Maximinus Thrax who is despised and rightly feared by the senate house in Rome. In the previous book the senate backed the rebelious (Now dead) Gordian Emperors and lost. So now fearing retribution from Thrax others step now forward to seize the throne or at least control those who sit upon it.
As the good doctor says "men will fight and kill to sit to sit on the throne of the caesars"

[Pete Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amongst the many novels set in the Roman period, Harry Sidebottom's stand out as something special. He tells a gripping tale of battle and politics to match any other historical author out there. However this book, like all his others has depth and richness of character and historical details which makes the story so evocative of the period. A great read.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brutality and greed that divided and defined the Roman Empire during the 3rd century, particularly during the Year of the Six Emperors, is once again brought to life by the master. 4 stars for the first half, 5 for the tremendous second half which I read in one sitting.

[Conrad Kinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion to the Throne of the Caesars trilogy. A good plot deftly handled and engaging characters made me avoid reading anything about the period for a week so that I didn't spoil the story. If you like the grimness of Game of Thrones, but want a leaner, punchier read - this is for you.

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished the trilogy but found it a slog. just too many people to follow, too many places, too many quotes from antiquity, too many philosophies. The author is obviously an expert but just too heavy for a novel.

[Ángel Real · Rating 2 out of 5]

Caos.
No sólo en la gradual caída del Imperio Romano que se relata, sino en la multitud de personajes que sin orden bien concierto desfilan por este tercer y último tomo de la trilogía.
Cierre para olvidar.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

8 The 3rd of the series. I suppose because there is no artificial protagonist to fill in the gaps it reads more as a history book than the others. But is still a great read. Recommended to the normal crew.

[John Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good book and excellent series

[Steve Switzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part 3 and the bloody conclusion to the revolt and Maximus is bent on ending the revolt
Nasty violent and thoroughly realistic portrayal of a roman empire tottering from its internal struggles

[Craydon Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book but it was too short a read

[Dilys Guthrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from Harry Sidebottom. Looking forward to the next

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whelmed.

That's how I feel after coming to the end of this book. Book one had a decent set-up but wasn't truly remarkable, book two fulfilled some of the promise that the first hinted at, and now three has not made the landing.

The Game of Thrones in Rome comparison was very much accurate in the previous book, here though, instead of building up on the impressive work of Blood and Steel, a very lean and mundane fare was the serving when a feast seemed inevitable.

This was supposed to be a book featuring lots of military engagements, indeed we followed a siege for much of it, as well as dangers of invasion in the provinces. Amazingly, there was too little of the actual action on paper. What scant account the author deigned to put down was too unmemorable for me, there was no conscious effort to make something special of them. That was a huge mistake, as some well written action could have elevated this book tremendously.

The politicking also got less interesting the more the books wore on, especially after the end of Maximinus. The entire plotline of the siege of Aquilea was the high point and its end saw all that was intriguing diminish afterwards.

The characters were somewhat deflated, Timesitheus in particular devolved from cunning schemer to a vehicle for executing forced story beats. Other POV characters like the die-cutter, the whore and Iunia Fadilla just seemed like pointless little people who added nothing of substance to the story. There was just this feeling that the best characters were either dead or neutered and the story suffered as a result.

The author did not focus enough on the needed things, too little Fire and Sword and too much time spent on what became overwrought political elements.

This was a series that flattered to deceive in the end.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

"A definite for Roman History lovers!"

[Louise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this entire series just ok. There were some good bits but many times I had difficulty remembering who was who, or caring about who was who.

[Eduard Esteller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any 238 després de Crist i basada en fets reals. Dos personatges lluitaran per aconseguir el tro imperial a Roma. Aventures i historia. Distreta

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok. Not the best but interesting.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable conclusion of the trilogy - a prequel to the author’s Ballista series.