Masters of Rome

It is spring, 45 AD, and Vespasian’s brother, Sabinus, has gone missing, either captured by the enemy or killed by them.  However, Vespasian is busy storming a hill fort, so is unable to do anything.  Successfully taking that fort, Vespasian heads on to another hill fort, sure that Caratacus is in it.  He orders a night attack, but as the attack is progressing, he realises that he has made a mistake and the Britons are about to attack his legion in the rear.  Will his efforts meet with success, or will they be destroyed?

Vespasian has been betrayed by a Briton who spent many years in Rome.  Alienus has been going about the battle countermanding Vespasian’s orders, thereby causing chaos.  Only by torturing Alienus is Vespasian able to find out where Sabinus is being held by druids.  He then turns to a man who has only one god.  His name is Yosef and he is in the debt of both Vespasian and Sabinus.

Yosef knows that the druids want Vespasian to come in search of Sabinus.  They hope to have two legates to sacrifice at the spring equinox.  So, how can they safely get Sabinus back?

The strength of Yosef’s god overcomes the druids and Sabinus is freed, however Alienus has escaped custody.

Caratacus is on everyone’s mind.  Governor Plautius has a plan in mind that will draw Caratacus to them.  By attacking Mona, the island, which is sacred to the druids, Caratacus will be forced to come to their aid.  However, things do not go as planned.

Having been unsuccessful in capturing Caratacus, Plautius, Vespasian and Sabinus have been ordered back to Rome where political intrigue is the order of the day.  Can Vespasian play the game and survive?

Author Robert Fabbri has Vespasian play the game of politics in Rome well.  Although he is not a master of Rome, Vespasian has plenty of connections to the true masters.  This is a splendid work of fiction, based upon historical facts.  A thoroughly enjoyable read.