Rise of Germanicus: Marching With Caesar

Marching With Caesar #13

by R.W. Peake

Titus Porcinianus Pullus has settled into life as a Centurion of the 1st Legion, stationed on the Rhine, but a revolt in his home province of Pannonia changes everything, both for him and for Rome. When the aging Augustus sends the young, untested Germanicus Julius Caesar to Pannonia at the head of a hastily assembled force, Tiberius summons Titus to return to his home province. Ostensibly sent to both advise and protect the youngster in whom the Princeps has placed so much hope, Titus quickly learns that Tiberius' motives are, at best, suspect, when the Germanicus Legion is sent against the Maezei, the tribe that murdered Titus' brother Sextus, the first in a series of events that required Titus' transfer from his original Legion after he avenged Sextus' death. Consequently, once more, a member of the Pullus family finds himself embroiled in the machinations and maneuvering of the second most powerful man in Rome, as Tiberius tries to ensure that his position as likely heir to the aging Augustus is not challenged by a talented, charismatic young Roman, in the form of Germanicus. Ultimately, Titus will be faced with a choice--following his heart and helping Germanicus achieve fame and glory or heeding the implicit but clear orders from the man who controls his fate in Tiberius, who is threatened by the talented youngster clearly on the rise in the eyes of Augustus.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Roman

532 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2016

About the author

The first adult author with whom RW Peake developed a long-term relationship
was Louis L’Amour, whose body of work shaped his life philosophy.
After retiring from the Marines, RW proceeded to earn a BA in History from
the Honors College at the University of Houston.

Although RW wrote a novel as a kid, he didn't publish his first novel until
age 50.
In addition to is time in the Marines, and before the tech bubble burst in 2000, he was
a paper millionaire in the software industry.

A native Houstonian, RW recently relocated to the Olympic Peninsula of
Washington, where he lives with his yellow Lab, Sadie.

Reviews

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The saga of the Pullus clan continues with the Rise of Germanicus. Titus Pullus, the grandson of the original Titus Pullus, finds himself assigned temporarily to a new legion being led by a very young Legate by the name of Germanicus. The fact that he is untried in battle bothers Titus, who has been temporarily promoted to Primus Pilus. He was placed in the Legion to obtain information to use against the upstart Germanicus (Roman politics never takes a holiday, it seems) but becomes an invaluable right-hand man as the new Legion is sent to put down rebellions in Pannonia, particulary the Maezei. What the Legion hopes to be a fairly short campaign turns into a series of months-long sieges as the rebels entrench themselves inside the towns they have captured.
The author goes into often gruesome detail in his descriptions of siege warfare in the Roman Empire. Suffice it to say that it would not have been a pleasant experience for either side. Hand to hand combat is replaced by the use of siege weapons, arrows and javelins. The reader can feel the frustration felt by the Roman Legion as it slowly breaks down the walls and other defenses in order to gain entry to the towns.
This series just never seems to run out of gas. There is always another rebellion to quash and more political turmoil to deal with, so the plots are constantly thickening. These books provide an excellent view of Roman life. Highly recommended.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t read anymore – I’m halfway through and that’s it. I’ve read the first 12 books in this series and I can’t go on. The last book was a struggle and now I’ve had enough of all the doom and gloom that surrounds the main character. He’s always in a foul mood and there’s never anything to cheer or celebrate. What a shame!

[Alan Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forward

Great read with an excellent balance between character development and action sequences. Read it and March with Caesar. Forward march and keep your pace steady and your eyes forward.

[Michael Cabral · Rating 4 out of 5]

For not as good as previous books in series

This just didn’t grab me as much as the previous books had. Disappointed with the story just not much there other that a set up for what comes next. Didn’t enjoy the battles. For me to far outside the history as I understand it. I have issues reading and the Alexa app is good but not like an audible reading. Not into alternate history’s so I’ll skip over the next few. I have read so many stories about what’s coming I may be done with this series. I enjoyed all before this one very much.

[Ed Hathaway]

Solid Addition to Series

If you are reading this series, this book is another of good writing and action for the Titus Pulls family. My only gripe is the author's propensity for too much written about the main characters "thoughts" which tend to move to convoluted explorations going for pages and pages. When he gets back to the story I have sometimes forgotten where I am in the story. Sometimes I have to put the book down and return later to plow through the verbiage. But still love the story lines and battle/action.

[John Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

big germanicus fan really enjoyed this book cant wait for the next one

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story

The mark of a good book is the sadness of coming to the end, but also the happiness of looking forward to the next story.

[David Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as any of the preceding books in the series.

Fantastic!