171 AD. Rome is at war with the northern tribes - and is yet to win a
significant battle. The Germanic armies have crossed the Danube and have
attacked the Empire, slaughtering thousands. The Emperor, Marcus
Aurelius, is losing the support of the people and the Senate. Yet he has
formed a plan he believes will change the balance of power in the
region. Aurelius has dispatched an officer in the Praetorian Guard, the
centurion Gaius Maximus, to escort the son and daughter of a powerful
German tribal chief back to their village through enemy territory - in
hope of arranging an alliance with Rome. But Maximus, to complete his
mission, must contest with enemies at home, as well as abroad. One man
will change the fate of an Empire, or die trying.
From the backstreets of Rome, to the forests of Germany, and onto the
Battle of Pannonia, Sword of Empire: Praetorian is the first book in a
new series from the best-selling author of the novel Augustus: Son of
Rome - and the Sword of Rome collection of novellas about the campaigns
of Julius Caesar. For fans of Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane, and Conn
Iggulden. Richard Foreman's books have been widely praised.