Traitors of Rome

Tribune Cato and His senior centurion, Marcus are in Tarsus with the Second Cohort of the Praetorian Guard, training the auxiliaries in preparation for the upcoming war with Parthia.  It isn’t an easy task.

Marcus is about to be married to Petronella.  The day after the wedding, General Corbulo summons Cato.  He tells Cato that he needs time to whip his army into shape, so he plans on sending Cato as head of an embassy to the king of the Parthians in hopes that Vologases will hold off fighting the Romans and focus on his eastern frontier instead.

Accompanying Cato will be an adviser of Corbulo, Apollonius of Perga.  They will have ten men to accompany them into Parthia.  Cato is not overly impressed with the prospects.  He decides to leave newlywed Macro behind to train the new troops.  He also decides to take his new slave, Flaminius, with him.

On the way east, Cato hears of an outlaw known as the Desert Hawk.  Apollonius also learns about the outlaw.  He wonders exactly what his role is, aid to King Volgases or the exact opposite?

Meanwhile, back in Tarsus, Macro and the Praetorian Guard are ordered to be part of an army Corbulo is taking to the north to put down a rebellion.

How safe can it be for Cato and Apollonius to go deep into enemy territory?  Will Macro survive the winter in the mountains?  Author Simon Scarrow has plenty of adventures and treachery awaiting the men in this historical novel.  A thrilling read for fans of historical fiction.