Lion of the Sun

Book excerpt: The empire is at the brink of destruction as a loyal general vows revenge in this thrilling, impeccably researched epic of third-century Rome. When Emperor Valerian is defeated in Mesopotamia, the entire Roman Empire is at risk of crumbling. The shame of the vanquished beats down mercilessly as the frail old emperor prostrates himself before the Persian leader Shapur, King of Kings. General Ballista looks on helplessly, but vows under his breath to punish those who have brought the empire so low with their treachery. Before he can take his revenge, Ballista must decide what price he will pay for his own freedom. Only the fearless and only those whom the gods will spare from hell can now save the empire from a catastrophic ending. Ballista, the Warrior of Rome, faces his greatest challenge yet. Renowned for their skilled blending of action and historical accuracy, Sidebottom's Warrior of Rome novels take the reader from the shouts of the battlefield to the whisperings of the emperor's inner circle. Endnotes and an extensive bibliography reveal the fascinating research and scholarship brought to life in this exciting tale.