Product Description

A gripping new novel featuring Roman army officers Macro and Cato on their most dangerous mission yet. In the first century AD the Roman Empire faces a new threat from its long-standing enemy Parthia. Parthia is vying with Rome for control of Palmyra an officially neutral kingdom. Palmyras royal household is on the brink of open revolt, and so a task force under the command of experienced soldiers Macro and Cato is dispatched to defend its king and guard its borders. When Parthia hears of the Roman armys presence, it starts amassing its troops for war. Macro's cohort must march against the enemy, deep into treacherous territory. If Palmyra is not to fall into the clutches of Parthia, they will have to defeat superior numbers in a desperate siege. The quest for a lasting peace has never been more challenging, nor more critical for the future of the empire.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1894349 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
'Simon Scarrow has developed a strong following... a former ancient history lecturer who knows his stuff, and brings the ancient world back to life with verve and plenty of action.' -- Brisbane News

About the Author
Simon Scarrow is a former teacher who now devotes himself to writing full time. He lives outside Norwich with his family.

Customer Reviews

Macro and Cato at Their Best

Simon Scarrow is a teacher at a Sixth Form College. He has run a Roman History programme that takes parties of students to a number of sites and museums across Britain and I assume that while doing this he gleans lots of useful information for his books on the Roman Centurions Macro and Cato.

This is the eighth book in a series started seven years ago and Cato the young boy who left the confines of the Palace in Rome and entered the army as an Optio (second in command to a Centurion) has now matured into a man, moulded in the image of his friend and mentor Macro. Both men are battle hardened Centurions, though Macro has a dozen years on Cato. The have fought together in Britain and other parts of the Roman Empire.

Macro and Cato become embroiled in the fight to stabilise what is to all intents and purposes a neutral
Kingdom, Palmyra. As usual wherever the pair go trouble follows close behind and it is not long before the pair of them are engaged in trying to stop the forces of one of Rome's long standing enemies, Parthia, who having heard of Rome's presence in Palmyra decide it will be in their own best interest if they also send a force into the kingdom.

Macro and Cato are old friends to the readers of Simon Scarrow's books and their adventures are interesting and exciting, particularly for those interested in all things Roman and in particular the workings and make-up of the Roman Legions.

The further adventures of Macro & Cato during the time of Emperor Claudius
This, the 8th novel in the series, begins with the destruction of a Roman cohort by the Parthians, sworn enemies of Rome and a threat to its eastern province Syria. Centurions Macro and Cato are sent by the scheming "real power behind the throne of Emperor Claudius" Narcissus to spy on one of Rome's more ambitious generals, Cassius Longinus, Governor of Syria.

The other reviewers here have written enough about this novel to give anyone curious about it an idea of its plot. I won't add to what has already been said. Suffice it to say, this is another good read about the adventures, battles, and friendship of Roman soldiers Macro and Cato. I admit that I gave this book in the series only 4 stars instead of 5 because I think it wasn't as exciting or as full of the riveting " will they be saved in the nick of time" desperation that was so well-written by Simon Scarrow in the other books...but that's just my opinion. If you are looking for a fast paced book to take along with you to the beach on a summer's day, you can't go wrong with this. I recommend it highly. Newcomers to the "Eagle" series should first read UNDER THE EAGLE...the book that started it all. Enjoy!

Centurion (Roman Legion 8) by Simon Scarrow
This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel that was hard to put down. After reading the whole series, I kind of know what's going to happen. For one thing, the leadership is always lousy, and the heroes have to survive in spite of it all. But you know what? I like the stories anyway because the main characters are so interesting and lovable. I wish the stories were twice as long.