The Eagle of the Twelfth

Demalion, Centurion Cadus, and Pantera are returning from a mission in Parthia.  The former two are speculating on how to handle a war with Parthia; how could legionnaires stand up to thousands of heavy cavalry?  Once back in Roman held territory, Pantera reveals to the other two a message that he had received enroute.  Pantera is to go to Britain, while the other two are to join the Twelfth Legion.  Cade's is to be centurion of the sixth cohort while Demalion is to be a clerk and scribe in the second cohort.

The Twelfth is not a respected legion, but their commander intends to right that.  He sends them into the mountains for training with another legion.  The legions are to test one another.  From that, comes the theft of an eagle from another legion by Demalion's  cohort.  They take the nickname The Bloody First after that escapade.

Four years on, the Twelfth is a well trained legion, however they have a new commander.  Paetus is a former consul of Rome, and aspires for glory.  He breaks an agreement between Nero and the Parthian king by entering Parthian territory.  He also thinks that he can relax during the winter.  The Parthian King has other ideas.

Due to the inaction of Paetus, Demalion and Cadus are taken prisoner.  Demalion is told to take a message of surrender to Paetus.  Fortunately the Parthian king releases the prisoners.  They retreat, humiliated.  They are are ordered back to Syria to reform.  To rebuild the Twelfth, Demalion is tasked with being a centurion.  It took another four years to re-create the Twelfth, but there was plenty of resentment from all who were conscripted to join a legion, which had surrendered.

Will their new legion be able to meld together enough to be able to put down a rebellion of the Hebrews in Jerusalem?  The initial battle with the Hebrews indicates that they have learned Roman tactics.  However, the second battle is a bad one for the Romans, as the Twelfth loses its eagle in the battle.  Can Demalion and his comrades get it back, or will Vespasian, the new governor of Syria have to write the Twelfth off the list of legions?

Author M. C. Scott has written an intriguing novel about the Twelfth legion based on true events.  A good read for fans of historical fiction.