What do you think?
Rate this book
The Centurions #2
Onslaught
A master of the genre - The Times
AD 69: The Rhine frontier has exploded into bloody rebellion, and four centurions who once fought in the same army find themselves on opposite sides of a vicious insurrection.
The rebel leader Kivilaz and his Batavi rebels have humbled the Romans in a battle they should have won. The legions must now defend their northern stronghold, the Old Camp, from the enraged tribes of Germany, knowing that they cannot be relieved until the civil war raging to the south has been resolved.
Can they defend the undermanned fortress against thousands of barbarian warriors intoxicated by a charismatic priestess's vision of victory?
AD 69: The Rhine frontier has exploded into bloody rebellion, and four centurions who once fought in the same army find themselves on opposite sides of a vicious insurrection.
The rebel leader Kivilaz and his Batavi rebels have humbled the Romans in a battle they should have won. The legions must now defend their northern stronghold, the Old Camp, from the enraged tribes of Germany, knowing that they cannot be relieved until the civil war raging to the south has been resolved.
Can they defend the undermanned fortress against thousands of barbarian warriors intoxicated by a charismatic priestess's vision of victory?
416 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2017
63 people are currently reading
199 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Riches
51 books359 followersAnthony Riches began his lifelong interest in war and soldiers when he first heard his father's stories about World War II. This led to a degree in Military Studies at Manchester University. He began writing the story that would become Wounds of Honour after a visit to Housesteads in 1996. He lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and three children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 4, 2018
Progression of the Civilis Batavian Revolt. The Batavians are angered that Rome has broken a treaty with them and has committed outrages against their people. At first the Batavians win; in fact the novel opens with one of their victories and there we meet a strong Roman character, Centurion Aquillius, a ruthless man but a good tactician. The novel follows same format as previous novel, taking us from the different groups involved and we listen in on planning and progress of many battles. Finally, an independent Gallic nation together with an independent German nation is proposed, to squash the Romans in between the two. The novel is set against the background of the Year of the Four Emperors and there are proponents of both Vitellius and Vespasian on the Germania frontier. Decisions are often based on who the tribesmen and the legions want to eventually hold imperial power.
Enjoyable, but pretty gory. The author does have a real flair for writing vivid battle scenes; that seems to be his strong point. Research was well done and fiction filling in gaps was plausible. Outstanding was the Batavian siege on the Old Camp [Vetera]. I still don't like the author's anglicizing military terms and ranks, but, sigh, I guess that's the author's trademark and he has his logic.
Highly recommended.
Enjoyable, but pretty gory. The author does have a real flair for writing vivid battle scenes; that seems to be his strong point. Research was well done and fiction filling in gaps was plausible. Outstanding was the Batavian siege on the Old Camp [Vetera]. I still don't like the author's anglicizing military terms and ranks, but, sigh, I guess that's the author's trademark and he has his logic.
Highly recommended.
January 3, 2018
Loved every page of this - the Batavi Revolt of AD 69 continues....
December 29, 2018
This fascinating book is the 2nd volume of the thrilling "The Centurions" trilogy.
The historical details, which can be found at the end of this book, concerning this story are very well researched and explained by the author, while at the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Romans and Batavi in AD 69, and a second one of the Roman Legions of the German Frontier in AD 69, and its this Batavian area that will once again play the most significant part.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality by the author, for he has the ability to bring his characters vividly to life within this tale of heroism, loyalty, murder and treachery, and also the hostile surroundings in this tale are wonderfully pictured to make whole this book such a joy to read.
This spellbound story is set in the year AD 69, the Year of the Four Emperors, and it takes off where his previous book has left us with, and that's a German Frontier, especially with the Batavi, in turmoil.
The Batavi cohorts under their leader "Prince Kivilaz", the former Prefect Julius Civilis, have won their first victory against the Roman cohorts, and while the Romans retreat to their Old Camp, now an undermanned fortress, it is there where the 5th and 15th Legion prepare to defend themselves against this ferocious Batavi threat.
Four Centurions who once fought together in one Roman army are now facing each other on opposite sides, fighting a vicious and confused civil war, that is mainly brought about due to betrayal and empty promises from the high and mighty in Rome.
And so once again our former allies will fight each other for supremacy and control of this German Frontier, whether it will remain Roman or will become Batavi & Gaul, and in this confrontation everything will come very clear in way of honour, loyalty, bravery and betrayal.
Very much recommended, for this book is truly "A Very Exciting Roman Sequel"!
The historical details, which can be found at the end of this book, concerning this story are very well researched and explained by the author, while at the beginning of the book you'll find two well-drawn maps, one of Romans and Batavi in AD 69, and a second one of the Roman Legions of the German Frontier in AD 69, and its this Batavian area that will once again play the most significant part.
Storytelling is as ever of a superb quality by the author, for he has the ability to bring his characters vividly to life within this tale of heroism, loyalty, murder and treachery, and also the hostile surroundings in this tale are wonderfully pictured to make whole this book such a joy to read.
This spellbound story is set in the year AD 69, the Year of the Four Emperors, and it takes off where his previous book has left us with, and that's a German Frontier, especially with the Batavi, in turmoil.
The Batavi cohorts under their leader "Prince Kivilaz", the former Prefect Julius Civilis, have won their first victory against the Roman cohorts, and while the Romans retreat to their Old Camp, now an undermanned fortress, it is there where the 5th and 15th Legion prepare to defend themselves against this ferocious Batavi threat.
Four Centurions who once fought together in one Roman army are now facing each other on opposite sides, fighting a vicious and confused civil war, that is mainly brought about due to betrayal and empty promises from the high and mighty in Rome.
And so once again our former allies will fight each other for supremacy and control of this German Frontier, whether it will remain Roman or will become Batavi & Gaul, and in this confrontation everything will come very clear in way of honour, loyalty, bravery and betrayal.
Very much recommended, for this book is truly "A Very Exciting Roman Sequel"!
September 25, 2017
Review:
Onslaught is Anthony Riches second book in his new Centurion series, for fans of his work, this series is a diversion from the insanely entertaining exploits of Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians in the Empire series.
Full Review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
Onslaught is Anthony Riches second book in his new Centurion series, for fans of his work, this series is a diversion from the insanely entertaining exploits of Marcus Aquila and the Tungrians in the Empire series.
Full Review: https://parmenionbooks.wordpress.com/...
January 4, 2019
Great book!
For the first time the Batavian rebellion is under pressure after a major battle. The tribes have to regroup and get ready to deal a major blot to Rome’s power in the Germanic area’s of the empire. A great description of intricate battle scenes that I can see in my mind like a book version of The Eagle or the fight scenes of Gladiator.
For the first time the Batavian rebellion is under pressure after a major battle. The tribes have to regroup and get ready to deal a major blot to Rome’s power in the Germanic area’s of the empire. A great description of intricate battle scenes that I can see in my mind like a book version of The Eagle or the fight scenes of Gladiator.
July 16, 2025
Bloody superb! 5⭐️
November 1, 2017
Early this year I had the opportunity to read and review Anthony Riches’ first Centurions book, Betrayal. I have now finished the second volume in this trilogy. It should be something of a clue as to the value I place on Riches’ work that my reading time has dropped by 75% this year due to work commitments, and yet I still made time to read both of these.
I said in my last review that the first book felt like a step into a more serious and deep style for Riches. This pace and style does not let up in the second volume of the series. This is one of the deepest and most complex of all military history series I have read.
You’ve heard the phrase ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’? Well this series does just that. Book 1 was military and political, with many switchbacks. Betrayal formed a core theme to the tale. Book 2 continues that trend. Onslaught. That is precisely what this book is. If you are looking for Machiavellian politics or civic and historical investigation or cunning mystery, this is not the book. If you are seeking war, then boy, this is for you.
Onslaught picks up the story of the Batavian revolt in Germania. There is manoeuvring politically through the contenders in the Year of the Four Emperors, but it is done on a personal and unit level in the provinces, not in noble families on the streets of Rome. Onslaught brings you unrelenting war. But it is not dull or repetitive, despite its martial theme throughout. It is possible to make a book about unrelenting war engaging. Movies do it often. Zulu. The Longest Day. Too Late the Hero. So do not hesitate if you’re a fan of the Roman military. This series is for you.
The greatest beauty of this book comes in two parts. Firstly, Riches is a military historian and knows his Roman warfare to an almost unparalleled level. The result then is a deep exploration and illustration of Roman/Germanic warfare in almost every aspect. It is almost like a lesson in Roman war. Secondly, because half these people are Germanic whether they be fighting for Rome or the native contingent, and the other half are Roman but are of their own split loyalties, this is no simple Roman vs Barbarian romp, but makes the reader appreciate the complexities and shades of grey in real Roman history.
The upshot? Well if you read book 1 you’ll be reading 2 anyway. If you haven’t then you are missing out as this is a whole new step from Riches. If you’re new to Riches’ work anyway then what the hell have you been doing? Pick up a book and get caught up.
Highly recommended as always by this man, one of the top authors in the genre.
I said in my last review that the first book felt like a step into a more serious and deep style for Riches. This pace and style does not let up in the second volume of the series. This is one of the deepest and most complex of all military history series I have read.
You’ve heard the phrase ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’? Well this series does just that. Book 1 was military and political, with many switchbacks. Betrayal formed a core theme to the tale. Book 2 continues that trend. Onslaught. That is precisely what this book is. If you are looking for Machiavellian politics or civic and historical investigation or cunning mystery, this is not the book. If you are seeking war, then boy, this is for you.
Onslaught picks up the story of the Batavian revolt in Germania. There is manoeuvring politically through the contenders in the Year of the Four Emperors, but it is done on a personal and unit level in the provinces, not in noble families on the streets of Rome. Onslaught brings you unrelenting war. But it is not dull or repetitive, despite its martial theme throughout. It is possible to make a book about unrelenting war engaging. Movies do it often. Zulu. The Longest Day. Too Late the Hero. So do not hesitate if you’re a fan of the Roman military. This series is for you.
The greatest beauty of this book comes in two parts. Firstly, Riches is a military historian and knows his Roman warfare to an almost unparalleled level. The result then is a deep exploration and illustration of Roman/Germanic warfare in almost every aspect. It is almost like a lesson in Roman war. Secondly, because half these people are Germanic whether they be fighting for Rome or the native contingent, and the other half are Roman but are of their own split loyalties, this is no simple Roman vs Barbarian romp, but makes the reader appreciate the complexities and shades of grey in real Roman history.
The upshot? Well if you read book 1 you’ll be reading 2 anyway. If you haven’t then you are missing out as this is a whole new step from Riches. If you’re new to Riches’ work anyway then what the hell have you been doing? Pick up a book and get caught up.
Highly recommended as always by this man, one of the top authors in the genre.
July 30, 2018
Toward the end of The Centurions Book 1, "Betrayal", a sizable portion of the Batavian cohorts has been sent south from Germania Inferior to fight the forces of Marcus Salvius Otho, a young Roman aristocrat who has instigated the assassination of the short-lived emperor Servius Sulpicius Galba and now claims the purple for himself. The legions guarding the Rhine frontier, who initially marched south to fight Galba, are unwilling to accept Otho either, since they declared their own commander Aulus Vitellius emperor before hearing of Otho's coup. Now they plan to enforce their will regardless of which man the weak Roman senate ordains.
The forces clash violently at Cremona with Vitellius' forces victorious due in no small part to the ferocity of the Batavians. As a reward, Vitellius orders the Batavians to return to their homeland.
But then word comes Titus Vespasianus, a general who has personally fought beside the Batavians in Britannia and even owes his life to them, has declared his intention to wrest control of the empire from Vitellius' tenuous grasp. So, Vitellius changes his mind about sending the Batavians home to their prince.
This poses quite a dilemma for the Batavians as they have no real personal allegiance to Vitellius and they also know the Rhine legions he commands are determined to eliminate their prince Gaius Julius Civilis for his apparent collusion with Gaius Julius Vindex in an ill-fated revolt to support Galba a year earlier. Then, word leaks out that Vitellius plans to break up the Batavian cohorts and distribute them across his legions to blunt any threat they may present in the future.
Meanwhile, Civilis meets with envoys from Vespasianus including Pliny the Elder, and agrees to begin a rebellion to distract Vitellius and prevent him from ordering the remaining Rhine legions south to meet Vespasian's forces. Historically, this may have occurred, but is not specifically stated in any ancient sources.
Civilis knows it is a dangerous game he plays as Rome has always ruthlessly punished any tribal group who attempt to throw off the Roman yoke. How far can he really trust Vespasian or even his own countrymen knowing he, himself, does not go unchallenged for leadership? Much hinges on arrangements he has made with a long-time tribal opponent, Claudius Labeo. The plan is kept secret from even Civilis' closest kinsmen. Civilis wonders whether he can restrain his warriors from claiming Roman battle trophies and accept the defeat and plunder of Roman auxiliaries and fellow Germans instead. Furthermore, for the plan to succeed, Civilis needs the rest of the Batavian cohorts now poised between returning to Batavia and continuing south with the forces of Vitellius.
His choice apparently made, Civilis sends a secret messenger to the Batavians in the south asking them to ignore Vitellius and continue their march north to join their countrymen and the game of thrones begins in earnest.
The grisly battle scenes, as is always the case with Riches' tales, keep you riveted to the action and guessing as to what Prince Civilis has up his sleeve. The characters are vibrantly drawn and you can't help but feel empathy for them as they desperately battle their former comrades for the continued freedom of their tribe and even life itself.
I found myself still more partial to the Batavians than the defenders of the "Old Camp" and didn't really find a new Roman centurion called Aquilius particularly appealing either due to his brutal nature. But I know such characters really crank up the tension and realism of the narrative.
I am anxious to continue the Centurions' trilogy with "Retribution" and highly recommend this masterful series.
The forces clash violently at Cremona with Vitellius' forces victorious due in no small part to the ferocity of the Batavians. As a reward, Vitellius orders the Batavians to return to their homeland.
But then word comes Titus Vespasianus, a general who has personally fought beside the Batavians in Britannia and even owes his life to them, has declared his intention to wrest control of the empire from Vitellius' tenuous grasp. So, Vitellius changes his mind about sending the Batavians home to their prince.
This poses quite a dilemma for the Batavians as they have no real personal allegiance to Vitellius and they also know the Rhine legions he commands are determined to eliminate their prince Gaius Julius Civilis for his apparent collusion with Gaius Julius Vindex in an ill-fated revolt to support Galba a year earlier. Then, word leaks out that Vitellius plans to break up the Batavian cohorts and distribute them across his legions to blunt any threat they may present in the future.
Meanwhile, Civilis meets with envoys from Vespasianus including Pliny the Elder, and agrees to begin a rebellion to distract Vitellius and prevent him from ordering the remaining Rhine legions south to meet Vespasian's forces. Historically, this may have occurred, but is not specifically stated in any ancient sources.
Civilis knows it is a dangerous game he plays as Rome has always ruthlessly punished any tribal group who attempt to throw off the Roman yoke. How far can he really trust Vespasian or even his own countrymen knowing he, himself, does not go unchallenged for leadership? Much hinges on arrangements he has made with a long-time tribal opponent, Claudius Labeo. The plan is kept secret from even Civilis' closest kinsmen. Civilis wonders whether he can restrain his warriors from claiming Roman battle trophies and accept the defeat and plunder of Roman auxiliaries and fellow Germans instead. Furthermore, for the plan to succeed, Civilis needs the rest of the Batavian cohorts now poised between returning to Batavia and continuing south with the forces of Vitellius.
His choice apparently made, Civilis sends a secret messenger to the Batavians in the south asking them to ignore Vitellius and continue their march north to join their countrymen and the game of thrones begins in earnest.
The grisly battle scenes, as is always the case with Riches' tales, keep you riveted to the action and guessing as to what Prince Civilis has up his sleeve. The characters are vibrantly drawn and you can't help but feel empathy for them as they desperately battle their former comrades for the continued freedom of their tribe and even life itself.
I found myself still more partial to the Batavians than the defenders of the "Old Camp" and didn't really find a new Roman centurion called Aquilius particularly appealing either due to his brutal nature. But I know such characters really crank up the tension and realism of the narrative.
I am anxious to continue the Centurions' trilogy with "Retribution" and highly recommend this masterful series.
December 24, 2018
This is the second book in the trilogy based around the Batavian revolt in AD 69 under the leadership of Julius Civilis, known as Kivilaz in these novels.
(We don't have the 'real' name of Julius Civilis, only the Romanised form of his name is mentioned in Roman texts but Anthony Riches makes a convincing linguistic case for the name Kivilaz as the Batavian equivalent.)
In many ways this feels like the middle of a trilogy and there is a sense of building to a climax which will be in the next book in the series.
Anthony Riches as ever creates a realistic picture of life in the legions and also shows us the thinking and actions of the Batavians as they confront the might of Rome.
The third book is titled Retribution and I think that will sum up the action of the novel as the Romans fight back against the revolt begun in books I and II.
(We don't have the 'real' name of Julius Civilis, only the Romanised form of his name is mentioned in Roman texts but Anthony Riches makes a convincing linguistic case for the name Kivilaz as the Batavian equivalent.)
In many ways this feels like the middle of a trilogy and there is a sense of building to a climax which will be in the next book in the series.
Anthony Riches as ever creates a realistic picture of life in the legions and also shows us the thinking and actions of the Batavians as they confront the might of Rome.
The third book is titled Retribution and I think that will sum up the action of the novel as the Romans fight back against the revolt begun in books I and II.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2018
Fantasic. I loved every page.
Great book about the Batavi revolt. This book is the second in the serie. The final piece of the centurion serie will be released in mid April. Cannot wait to read the final piece. I warmly recomand this Centurion and rhe Empire series to any man intrested in ancient Rome subjects.
Great book about the Batavi revolt. This book is the second in the serie. The final piece of the centurion serie will be released in mid April. Cannot wait to read the final piece. I warmly recomand this Centurion and rhe Empire series to any man intrested in ancient Rome subjects.
September 1, 2024
Not a good read. Interminable dialogues slowed the narrative to a snail's pace. Nothing about the book really caught my attention and imagination. For me, reading historical fiction is normally a labour of love. This book was just a labour.
November 30, 2017
C2017 (14) No doubt that this is an interesting period of Roman history but it is so full of betrayals and twisted loyalties that it becomes an unpleasant read. This is no reflection on the writing style or characterisations, pacing or plot - just a personal dislike. I rather like reading about the Romans winning and being triumphant and it is jarring to read about the in fighting (excuse the pun). Will it stop me from recommending - no. "If I have one weakness, it is my sense of honour. It is the reason why I am here, cowering under a bush with a knife to the throat of a boy young enough to be my son, rather than commanding the men of the Eighth Augustan Legion far from this barbarian Hades."
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews