What do you think?
Rate this book
Gaius Valerius Verrens #1
Hero of Rome
The Roman grip on Britain is weakening. Emperor Nero has turned his face away from this far-flung outpost. The Druids are on the rise, spreading seeds of rebellion among the British tribes. Roman cruelty and exploitation has angered their British subjects. The warrior queen Boudicca will lead the tribes to war.
Standing against the rising tide of Boudicca's rebellion is Roman Tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens, Commander of the veteran legions at Colonia. Valerius leads the veterans in a last stand against the unstoppable horde of Boudicca's rebel army. Step by step, the bloodied survivors are forced back into the Temple of Claudius. It is here that Valerius wins lifelong fame and the accolade Hero of Rome.
Standing against the rising tide of Boudicca's rebellion is Roman Tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens, Commander of the veteran legions at Colonia. Valerius leads the veterans in a last stand against the unstoppable horde of Boudicca's rebel army. Step by step, the bloodied survivors are forced back into the Temple of Claudius. It is here that Valerius wins lifelong fame and the accolade Hero of Rome.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published June 29, 2010
About the author
Douglas Jackson
25 books226 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Aka James Douglas
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
Aka James Douglas
Douglas Jackson turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans into his first novel, Caligula. He was born in Jedburgh, in the Scottish Borders and now lives in Bridge of Allan. He is an assistant editor at The Scotsman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
December 7, 2015
Having been greatly disappointed in a Roman military group read [2013] for A&M, since this was my very next Roman novel, I approached this story with trepidation, not knowing what to expect. Enjoyable is too weak a word for this novel! At first I groaned when I read the name of Boudicca, but this was a different take on Boudicca's Revolt against the Romans in Roman Britain. The main story is not hers. Even so, I still think her story is overdone.
The protagonist is a young Tribune, Valerius, who leads the resistance of the veterans at Colonia against Boudicca, with their last standoff at Claudius's Temple. The writing was very good; most of the characters, both major and minor, were strongly-etched individuals. Crespo was a villain "you love to hate" and I'm glad he got his just desserts. I had sympathy for both sides in this conflict. I feel Valerius is a welcome addition to the plethora of Roman soldier-protagonists. In the final battle at the Temple of Claudius, Valerius shows himself to be not only a valiant soldier, but also a decisive leader. There were both Romans and Britons who gained my sympathy; I could understand why all thought as they did. I liked the fact that in the love affair, passion ignited slowly. Also, it was not graphic; I prefer using my imagination. I did smile indulgently at Valerius's schoolboy infatuation, though--and he initiated physical intimacy. Swearing was minimal. Some of the tactics were explained. Fighting and battles were well written. Valerius reminded me very much of Centurion Justin, the cohort-commander in one of my favorite books ever, The Legions of the Mist: A Novel of Roman Britain. That endeared Valerius to me; it did take awhile to warm up to him though. The scene in the aftermath of the battle at the Silurian hill fort was my first glimpse of humanity in the man. He revealed himself to be honest and decent, with a large streak of compassion, which he showed as the novel progressed.
This novel is worth rereading, and I hope to follow Valerius on any further adventures.
**August 2014: Just as good a novel the second time around! Metaphorically speaking Maeve and Ciaran's action at their last meeting with Valerius seemed to be
The protagonist is a young Tribune, Valerius, who leads the resistance of the veterans at Colonia against Boudicca, with their last standoff at Claudius's Temple. The writing was very good; most of the characters, both major and minor, were strongly-etched individuals. Crespo was a villain "you love to hate" and I'm glad he got his just desserts. I had sympathy for both sides in this conflict. I feel Valerius is a welcome addition to the plethora of Roman soldier-protagonists. In the final battle at the Temple of Claudius, Valerius shows himself to be not only a valiant soldier, but also a decisive leader. There were both Romans and Britons who gained my sympathy; I could understand why all thought as they did. I liked the fact that in the love affair, passion ignited slowly. Also, it was not graphic; I prefer using my imagination. I did smile indulgently at Valerius's schoolboy infatuation, though--and he initiated physical intimacy. Swearing was minimal. Some of the tactics were explained. Fighting and battles were well written. Valerius reminded me very much of Centurion Justin, the cohort-commander in one of my favorite books ever, The Legions of the Mist: A Novel of Roman Britain. That endeared Valerius to me; it did take awhile to warm up to him though. The scene in the aftermath of the battle at the Silurian hill fort was my first glimpse of humanity in the man. He revealed himself to be honest and decent, with a large streak of compassion, which he showed as the novel progressed.
This novel is worth rereading, and I hope to follow Valerius on any further adventures.
**August 2014: Just as good a novel the second time around! Metaphorically speaking Maeve and Ciaran's action at their last meeting with Valerius seemed to be
November 18, 2021
Read this book in 2010, and its the 1st volume of the amazing "Gaius Valerius Verrens" series, from the author, Douglas Jackson.
In this book we encounter Gaius Valerius Verrens, Commander of the veteran legions at Colonia, and the Romans are preparing against the rising tide of Boudicca's rebellion.
This rebellion is the result of the cruelty and exploitation of the tribes by the Romans, and feeding the seeds of hate towards the Romans are the Druids of Britain, and this army of tribes is lead by the warrior queen, Boudicca.
Gaius Valerius Verrens and his men are unable to stop the unstoppable horde of Boudicca's rebel army, and step for step they must retreat towards the Temple of Claudius, to make a last stand there.
This last desperate and courageous stand at the Temple of Claudius will Gaius Valerius Verrens earn his lifelong fame and his accolade as Hero of Rome.
What is to follow is an amazing and gripping historical Roman adventure, where the people and soldiers are pictured in a very lifelike and humanlike way in their dealings with life and death, and where the atmosphere of this war in Britain, with all its cruelties and gore, is brought to us in a most incredible believable fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific first episode of this great series, and that's why I like to call this marvellous book: "A Glorious Gaius Valerius Verrens Start"!
In this book we encounter Gaius Valerius Verrens, Commander of the veteran legions at Colonia, and the Romans are preparing against the rising tide of Boudicca's rebellion.
This rebellion is the result of the cruelty and exploitation of the tribes by the Romans, and feeding the seeds of hate towards the Romans are the Druids of Britain, and this army of tribes is lead by the warrior queen, Boudicca.
Gaius Valerius Verrens and his men are unable to stop the unstoppable horde of Boudicca's rebel army, and step for step they must retreat towards the Temple of Claudius, to make a last stand there.
This last desperate and courageous stand at the Temple of Claudius will Gaius Valerius Verrens earn his lifelong fame and his accolade as Hero of Rome.
What is to follow is an amazing and gripping historical Roman adventure, where the people and soldiers are pictured in a very lifelike and humanlike way in their dealings with life and death, and where the atmosphere of this war in Britain, with all its cruelties and gore, is brought to us in a most incredible believable fashion by the author.
Highly recommended, for this is a terrific first episode of this great series, and that's why I like to call this marvellous book: "A Glorious Gaius Valerius Verrens Start"!
September 8, 2018
I first read this fantastic book eight years ago and now that the series is complete (with Hammer of Rome, the ninth book), I thought it was time to go back to the beginning for a re-read. It's every bit as wonderful as I remember. Hero of Rome will always be a favourite novel of mine thanks to its extraordinary depiction of Boudicca's Revolt and the destruction of the Temple of Claudius in what is now Colchester. Unforgettable and as powerful as ever. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights
July 31, 2016
There is a lot to like about Jackson’s opening book about young tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens. He knows his Roman and Roman military history. His details about the period of Emperor Nero’s rule in Britannia do credit to him and his plot. He gives special emphasis to the settled but unsettled times in the years just after the great victory of Claudius’ legions over Caratacus; King of the Britons, King of the Catuvellauni.
His military knowledge is well integrated into the story and his details about the relationships within the ranks (and between soldiers and tribunes) makes sense. The map included helps sort through the various locations and tribes. He provides a glossary of Roman military terms. He gives us a nice portrait of nascent Londinium. And a detailed description of a larger Colonia. Maybe best of all, he actually puts some flesh on the tribes, the Britons. He takes time to describe their chafing subservience to Rome and the way the Druids anticipate and respond to Roman initiatives. The book could have been title The Wrath of Andraste.
Gaius Valerius Verrens seems well-suited to the life of a legionnaire. He is a solid leader, and if somewhat innocent in his early twenties, he makes up for it by his willingness to lead by example. Jackson has him assimilating knowledge of the Britannia that Rome has prostrated and the tribes that it taxes and enslaves in an effort to turn a profit on Rome’s investment in the legions it takes to dominate. We like him for his honesty, his willingness to do no less than he demands of his fellows and his recognition that he may be better suited to a military career than the life of a Roman senator that his father may be planning.
Jackson speculates on a last druid-inspired uprising that ties into the actual revolt lead by Boudicca in 60/61 CE. She was a daughter of the Iceni King, Prasutagus, an independent ally of Rome, who divided his estate between his daughters and Rome’s Emperor. When Prasutagus died, however, his lands were taken by Rome and the Iceni lost their status as allies. Rome had the power to change its deals in much the same way as American presidents showed disrespect for prior treaties with Native American tribes.
The greatest strength of the book (for readers of historical fiction) is that Jackson sticks to historical fact and integrates it well into the storyline. Our tribune’s time in Colonia gives Jackson a way of describing both the relationship of the tribes to Rome and the attractions of staying in Britannia for retired legionnaires. A conventional romance with a daughter of an aspiring tribal leader allows Jackson to delve further into the underlying reasons for Boudicca’s revolt. Jackson even takes time to set up the character of pre-Roman Britannia and the Britons druid-led worship. Given this, there should be no surprise that the results are rather predictable both for Gaius Valerius Verrens and the reader. Three stars would be a bit churlish for the effort that went into this. Four stars is a bit generous for a yarn that breaks little new ground. But I am willing to be generous in looking forward to the next in the series.
His military knowledge is well integrated into the story and his details about the relationships within the ranks (and between soldiers and tribunes) makes sense. The map included helps sort through the various locations and tribes. He provides a glossary of Roman military terms. He gives us a nice portrait of nascent Londinium. And a detailed description of a larger Colonia. Maybe best of all, he actually puts some flesh on the tribes, the Britons. He takes time to describe their chafing subservience to Rome and the way the Druids anticipate and respond to Roman initiatives. The book could have been title The Wrath of Andraste.
Gaius Valerius Verrens seems well-suited to the life of a legionnaire. He is a solid leader, and if somewhat innocent in his early twenties, he makes up for it by his willingness to lead by example. Jackson has him assimilating knowledge of the Britannia that Rome has prostrated and the tribes that it taxes and enslaves in an effort to turn a profit on Rome’s investment in the legions it takes to dominate. We like him for his honesty, his willingness to do no less than he demands of his fellows and his recognition that he may be better suited to a military career than the life of a Roman senator that his father may be planning.
Jackson speculates on a last druid-inspired uprising that ties into the actual revolt lead by Boudicca in 60/61 CE. She was a daughter of the Iceni King, Prasutagus, an independent ally of Rome, who divided his estate between his daughters and Rome’s Emperor. When Prasutagus died, however, his lands were taken by Rome and the Iceni lost their status as allies. Rome had the power to change its deals in much the same way as American presidents showed disrespect for prior treaties with Native American tribes.
The greatest strength of the book (for readers of historical fiction) is that Jackson sticks to historical fact and integrates it well into the storyline. Our tribune’s time in Colonia gives Jackson a way of describing both the relationship of the tribes to Rome and the attractions of staying in Britannia for retired legionnaires. A conventional romance with a daughter of an aspiring tribal leader allows Jackson to delve further into the underlying reasons for Boudicca’s revolt. Jackson even takes time to set up the character of pre-Roman Britannia and the Britons druid-led worship. Given this, there should be no surprise that the results are rather predictable both for Gaius Valerius Verrens and the reader. Three stars would be a bit churlish for the effort that went into this. Four stars is a bit generous for a yarn that breaks little new ground. But I am willing to be generous in looking forward to the next in the series.
February 18, 2016
4.5 stars
Really good! Fast paced, historically sound, great characterisation and few stumbles in the plot. The battle scene at Colonia is fabulously written, one of the best depictions of battle I have read, though with an eye to heroes in mind. But then, all soldiers are heroes when they are defending their own, no? Also, the novel gives both sides of the story and, though the tale is with the Romans it does not villainise the Britons.
I have immediately ordered more of the series!
Really good! Fast paced, historically sound, great characterisation and few stumbles in the plot. The battle scene at Colonia is fabulously written, one of the best depictions of battle I have read, though with an eye to heroes in mind. But then, all soldiers are heroes when they are defending their own, no? Also, the novel gives both sides of the story and, though the tale is with the Romans it does not villainise the Britons.
I have immediately ordered more of the series!
January 1, 2014
Hero of Rome starts off in 60 AD shortly before the Boudiccan revolt that resulted in the destruction of a number of settlements in the south of Britannia! :D
The story follows the career of Tribune Gaius Valerius Verrens who at the start of the book is assigned to the 20th legion and given the task of storming a Silurian hill fort! :D The book then continues to follow his career after these events! :D
Hero of Rome had many great characters some of them taken from history and other newly created for the book! :D The character of Maeve also adds a bittersweet tone throughout the book which add the overall feel of the book which has a vast canvas which is most certainly in line with the huge events in which it is set against! :D
The battles are portrayed with brutal and raw efficiency! :D But at the same time they also admirably show the control that a disciplined army of the time could bring to bear in a battle! :D The portrayal of the hostile British tribes is also well handled and in a change their reasoning is also well displayed! :D The tactics employed and they way both sides use them is brilliantly displayed and shows very much what battle at that particular period was like! :D The final battle though does show very much how the British tribes though really though did underestimate their opponents but at the same time clearly show the pressure the Roman command was under to make a clean sweep! :D
The motivations for the Roman presence and justification for their action is also on display! :D This leads to you almost finding yourself routing for both sides in the conflict!:D
Boudicca's portrayal and her motivations are also well shown and the introduction of druid sub plot which leaves the tribes ready to strike and rebel is also incredibly well handled! :D This helps to tie events together into greater whole of what is going in as well! :D Event back in Rome are also shown briefly in the books and give you an insight into those in charge and who is making policy in Britannia! :D This also helps to show the flame that ignites the conflict and how the characters in the book are caught up in the events almost completely against their will! :D
Many of the events that are depicted actually happened but the plot is carefully twisted around these events in fact tying key decisions made by both the British tribes and the Roman in and around the lead characters! :D This has the effect of having the characters feel that they are very pivotal to actual events! :D With historical novels there is always the trap that a character may feel grafted on to actual events as opposed to part of them but there is no hint of that in Hero Of Rome! :D Events move at a breakneck pace moving from crisis to crisis that keeps the pages turning at a frenetic pace! :D
Great characterisation, large scale battles, fates of people based almost on flip of a coin set on an epic scale that will want you glad you have the sequel to hand! :D Hero of Rome is epic! :D Excellent stuff and highly recommended! :D
The story follows the career of Tribune Gaius Valerius Verrens who at the start of the book is assigned to the 20th legion and given the task of storming a Silurian hill fort! :D The book then continues to follow his career after these events! :D
Hero of Rome had many great characters some of them taken from history and other newly created for the book! :D The character of Maeve also adds a bittersweet tone throughout the book which add the overall feel of the book which has a vast canvas which is most certainly in line with the huge events in which it is set against! :D
The battles are portrayed with brutal and raw efficiency! :D But at the same time they also admirably show the control that a disciplined army of the time could bring to bear in a battle! :D The portrayal of the hostile British tribes is also well handled and in a change their reasoning is also well displayed! :D The tactics employed and they way both sides use them is brilliantly displayed and shows very much what battle at that particular period was like! :D The final battle though does show very much how the British tribes though really though did underestimate their opponents but at the same time clearly show the pressure the Roman command was under to make a clean sweep! :D
The motivations for the Roman presence and justification for their action is also on display! :D This leads to you almost finding yourself routing for both sides in the conflict!:D
Boudicca's portrayal and her motivations are also well shown and the introduction of druid sub plot which leaves the tribes ready to strike and rebel is also incredibly well handled! :D This helps to tie events together into greater whole of what is going in as well! :D Event back in Rome are also shown briefly in the books and give you an insight into those in charge and who is making policy in Britannia! :D This also helps to show the flame that ignites the conflict and how the characters in the book are caught up in the events almost completely against their will! :D
Many of the events that are depicted actually happened but the plot is carefully twisted around these events in fact tying key decisions made by both the British tribes and the Roman in and around the lead characters! :D This has the effect of having the characters feel that they are very pivotal to actual events! :D With historical novels there is always the trap that a character may feel grafted on to actual events as opposed to part of them but there is no hint of that in Hero Of Rome! :D Events move at a breakneck pace moving from crisis to crisis that keeps the pages turning at a frenetic pace! :D
Great characterisation, large scale battles, fates of people based almost on flip of a coin set on an epic scale that will want you glad you have the sequel to hand! :D Hero of Rome is epic! :D Excellent stuff and highly recommended! :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2015
A new Roman series for me as wanted a little more substance than the adventures of Macro & Cato of Scarrow fame & this certainly delivered in the opening chapters with our hero being from the privileged class & not a ranker but rather than being stuck-up & manipulative as one destined for politics would be after his army service as a tribune he was a leader of men, got dirty & fought alongside them, endured their hardships..... you get the picture... instantly I was hooked which was a relieve after my last venture with Marious Mules! (less said the better too)
Very good historical content & felt i was learning about Roman Britain through both Roman & the local populace’s stance, was definitely rooting for the wronged Brits come the end! This was the part of the story which took my attention the most.
The battle scenes were maybe a little weak as you cant really picture them & its all over very quickly.
There is a bad guy, yes he gets about a bit too & turns up jus about everywhere where a Roman isn’t wanted!
The coupla of minuses were the love scene(s) – toooo much melodrama & teen angst fumbling for me, it kinda fits in with the story but really i could have done without the melodrama side of it all. Secondly on reflection & at the completion the overall feel was that it was a bit stiff & formal at times & the story could have done with a joker in the pack somewhere to bring some light relieve. Maybe i’m looking for perfection too much as it was a good flowing read.
Overall good with a 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 as cant give it a four really as it really is 3.5 stars
I believe I will continue the series so long as its still with a military theme, ie our hero is still a tribune. We shall see as its a worthy debut.
Very good historical content & felt i was learning about Roman Britain through both Roman & the local populace’s stance, was definitely rooting for the wronged Brits come the end! This was the part of the story which took my attention the most.
The battle scenes were maybe a little weak as you cant really picture them & its all over very quickly.
There is a bad guy, yes he gets about a bit too & turns up jus about everywhere where a Roman isn’t wanted!
The coupla of minuses were the love scene(s) – toooo much melodrama & teen angst fumbling for me, it kinda fits in with the story but really i could have done without the melodrama side of it all. Secondly on reflection & at the completion the overall feel was that it was a bit stiff & formal at times & the story could have done with a joker in the pack somewhere to bring some light relieve. Maybe i’m looking for perfection too much as it was a good flowing read.
Overall good with a 3.5 stars rounded down to 3 as cant give it a four really as it really is 3.5 stars
I believe I will continue the series so long as its still with a military theme, ie our hero is still a tribune. We shall see as its a worthy debut.
November 10, 2014
This was a great book. I got to it as a group reading of A&M historical fiction group, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The main character is very well developed and especially the beginning of the story was frankly awesome. The one star was lost because for some reason towards the end, the story ran through events really fast and quite superficially, which made me disappointed, especially after the promising beginning. The book was not all that long, and perhaps it should have been longer.
February 1, 2016
A really gritty account of the battle between the Romans and Bourdicca. It took me a while to come to peace and settle my mind on this one but once I got there I was hooked.
February 2, 2015
When I first met Gaius Valerius Verrens in the opening chapters of "Hero of Rome" by Scottish author Douglas Jackson, he was leading his cohort into a Silurian hill fort bristling with Celtic spears on a hilltop in Nero's Roman Britain. In this first novel of a new series, Jackson skillfully fleshed out his new protagonist with a backstory that included tutelage by the famous philosopher Seneca, a deep sense of honor instilled by his patrician father and a warrior's courage developed over his course of service with the XXth Legion. It was also quickly apparent that Valerius was respected by his men because he, in turn, respected them - all except a particularly nasty centurion named Crespo, who would eventually create the flashpoint for Boudicca's famous revolt.
I had not read any summaries of the novel before I started listening to this tale (this review is based on an unabridged performance recorded for Audible.com) but I immediately knew what was going to happen to Valerius when he is sent with his cohort to winter in Colonia - Camulodunum - the scene of the first massacre of the Boudiccan Revolt. Knowing this was a first novel in a new series, however, I just wasn't sure how Jackson would extract Valerius so he could fight another day, as the Celtic destruction of Camulodunum was quite complete according to the ancient sources and evidenced by the destruction layer found by archaeologists.
When Valerius arrives in Colonia, he finds the thriving town, then capital of Roman Britain, protected by rather aged and grizzled Roman veterans from the original invasion of the island by the emperor Claudius, equipped with rusty swords and disintegrating armor. Falco, the veteran centurion, quickly demonstrates how tough his men can be, however, when he challenges Valerius' men to a shoving match. Valerius also meets the local Trinovantes chieftain, Lucillus, who is trying so hard to be accepted as an equal to the other Roman residents. Then, Valerius is instantly captivated by the chieftain's auburn-haired daughter, Mave, and begins a subtle campaign to win her heart.
Again, Jackson carefully sculpts these characters to bring them to life for the reader. I especially liked Ciaran, an Iceni nobleman who already realized there was little hope of actually defeating the Romans so was trying his best to develop a peaceful relationship with them.
But these first attempts at reconciliation are thwarted when the greedy Roman procurator, Catus Decianus, attempts to seize all of the Iceni land when the Iceni King, Prasutagus, dies. Leading Romans, including Seneca, had also suddenly recalled loans to the British elite resulting in brutal property seizures, just as portrayed in the novel.
Decianus, the provincial procurator of Roman Britain, is said to have been based in Colonia at the time of the revolt but the ancient sources said he "sent" only 200 men when he received the town's plea for help, so scholars assume he must have been in Londinium at the time. This is reflected in the novel as well. The depth of Douglas' research is obvious from the narrative's detail.
Although Decianus is villified as greedy, both in the novel and in the ancient sources, his failure to recognize any claim by Boudicca was not unusual. Both H. H. Scullard, in his 1982 work "From the Gracchi to Nero", and John Morris, in his 1982 work "Londinium: London in the Roman Empire", point out that it was normal Roman practice to allow allied kingdoms their independence only for the lifetime of their client king, who would then agree to leave his kingdom to Rome in his will. This occured in the eastern provinces of Bithynia and Galatia. Roman law also allowed inheritance only through the male line, so Rome would not normally have allowed the ascension of a client queen. Boudicca may have thought otherwise, however, due to the Roman support of the Brigantes queen, Cartimandua. Of course the flogging of Boudicca and the subsequent alleged rape of her daughters was obviously over the top.
Jackson handles this brutal event with sufficient detail to dismay the reader but does not appall the reader with excessive gore. Likewise, Jackson's battle scenes are absolutely taut with tension. At times I felt as emotionally spent afterwards as Valerius must have been.
By the climax of the battle at Colonia where Valerius struggles shoulder to shoulder with his comrades to prevent the wildly shrieking Britons from storming the temple of Claudius, I felt such a bond with Valerius that I feared the inevitable - after all, I had read the history!
Ultimately, though, Jackson succeeds at believably extracting Valerius from the jaws of death, but at a terrible price, both physically and emotionally, leaving an imprint on his character that will obviously affect his behavior in subsequent novels.
I highly recommend this novel and have become so captivated by Valerius I have already started the second book, "Defender of Rome."
I had not read any summaries of the novel before I started listening to this tale (this review is based on an unabridged performance recorded for Audible.com) but I immediately knew what was going to happen to Valerius when he is sent with his cohort to winter in Colonia - Camulodunum - the scene of the first massacre of the Boudiccan Revolt. Knowing this was a first novel in a new series, however, I just wasn't sure how Jackson would extract Valerius so he could fight another day, as the Celtic destruction of Camulodunum was quite complete according to the ancient sources and evidenced by the destruction layer found by archaeologists.
When Valerius arrives in Colonia, he finds the thriving town, then capital of Roman Britain, protected by rather aged and grizzled Roman veterans from the original invasion of the island by the emperor Claudius, equipped with rusty swords and disintegrating armor. Falco, the veteran centurion, quickly demonstrates how tough his men can be, however, when he challenges Valerius' men to a shoving match. Valerius also meets the local Trinovantes chieftain, Lucillus, who is trying so hard to be accepted as an equal to the other Roman residents. Then, Valerius is instantly captivated by the chieftain's auburn-haired daughter, Mave, and begins a subtle campaign to win her heart.
Again, Jackson carefully sculpts these characters to bring them to life for the reader. I especially liked Ciaran, an Iceni nobleman who already realized there was little hope of actually defeating the Romans so was trying his best to develop a peaceful relationship with them.
But these first attempts at reconciliation are thwarted when the greedy Roman procurator, Catus Decianus, attempts to seize all of the Iceni land when the Iceni King, Prasutagus, dies. Leading Romans, including Seneca, had also suddenly recalled loans to the British elite resulting in brutal property seizures, just as portrayed in the novel.
Decianus, the provincial procurator of Roman Britain, is said to have been based in Colonia at the time of the revolt but the ancient sources said he "sent" only 200 men when he received the town's plea for help, so scholars assume he must have been in Londinium at the time. This is reflected in the novel as well. The depth of Douglas' research is obvious from the narrative's detail.
Although Decianus is villified as greedy, both in the novel and in the ancient sources, his failure to recognize any claim by Boudicca was not unusual. Both H. H. Scullard, in his 1982 work "From the Gracchi to Nero", and John Morris, in his 1982 work "Londinium: London in the Roman Empire", point out that it was normal Roman practice to allow allied kingdoms their independence only for the lifetime of their client king, who would then agree to leave his kingdom to Rome in his will. This occured in the eastern provinces of Bithynia and Galatia. Roman law also allowed inheritance only through the male line, so Rome would not normally have allowed the ascension of a client queen. Boudicca may have thought otherwise, however, due to the Roman support of the Brigantes queen, Cartimandua. Of course the flogging of Boudicca and the subsequent alleged rape of her daughters was obviously over the top.
Jackson handles this brutal event with sufficient detail to dismay the reader but does not appall the reader with excessive gore. Likewise, Jackson's battle scenes are absolutely taut with tension. At times I felt as emotionally spent afterwards as Valerius must have been.
By the climax of the battle at Colonia where Valerius struggles shoulder to shoulder with his comrades to prevent the wildly shrieking Britons from storming the temple of Claudius, I felt such a bond with Valerius that I feared the inevitable - after all, I had read the history!
Ultimately, though, Jackson succeeds at believably extracting Valerius from the jaws of death, but at a terrible price, both physically and emotionally, leaving an imprint on his character that will obviously affect his behavior in subsequent novels.
I highly recommend this novel and have become so captivated by Valerius I have already started the second book, "Defender of Rome."
March 8, 2015
This is the story of the young tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens. As an officer in the Roman legions, he has been posted to Britain to gain experience and begin his political career. After completing his tour of duty, Valerius is awaiting transport back to Rome where his experience is badly needed to defend the newly established Roman colony of Colonia.
I find it interesting how over thousands of years things really haven’t changed. Valerius is from an “old money” senatorial family, he enters the legions as an officer who doesn’t know one end of the sword from another. He is placed in command of men with many years of fighting experience. This is something that is seen reflected even to this day.
The story for me was divided into two parts. The first half was the build-up, we are introduced to the characters and the backdrop for the action is set. For my taste, this part contained far too much “swoon” and not enough action. But at the same time it allowed us to really delve into Valerius’ character. He is a young man trying to figure out who he is and who he will be in this world. We see his hopes, his fears, and his internal struggles with his duty and his desires.
The second half is the hard fighting action that I look for in historical fiction. What was truly different about Hero of Rome is that it gave one of the most realistic depictions of war. It is filled with gruesome death, sacrifice, and betrayal. It is not the typical Roman good guys versus barbarian bad guys. There are people on both sides who want peace, but as always, those who stoke the flames of war prevail.
For a different, more introspective look at Roman Britain, Hero of Rome is a great choice. I am looking forward to further adventures with Gaius Valerius Verrens.
*4 Stars
I find it interesting how over thousands of years things really haven’t changed. Valerius is from an “old money” senatorial family, he enters the legions as an officer who doesn’t know one end of the sword from another. He is placed in command of men with many years of fighting experience. This is something that is seen reflected even to this day.
The story for me was divided into two parts. The first half was the build-up, we are introduced to the characters and the backdrop for the action is set. For my taste, this part contained far too much “swoon” and not enough action. But at the same time it allowed us to really delve into Valerius’ character. He is a young man trying to figure out who he is and who he will be in this world. We see his hopes, his fears, and his internal struggles with his duty and his desires.
The second half is the hard fighting action that I look for in historical fiction. What was truly different about Hero of Rome is that it gave one of the most realistic depictions of war. It is filled with gruesome death, sacrifice, and betrayal. It is not the typical Roman good guys versus barbarian bad guys. There are people on both sides who want peace, but as always, those who stoke the flames of war prevail.
For a different, more introspective look at Roman Britain, Hero of Rome is a great choice. I am looking forward to further adventures with Gaius Valerius Verrens.
*4 Stars
May 2, 2012
As has been noted in other reviews for 'hero', the only thing that I could see that might put a potential reader off is the fact that Boudicca's revolt is far from anew theme or setting for Roman fiction.
The thing that counters it for me is the angle from which the events are seen. This is not the story of the Iceni warrior-queen, or of Cerialis. This is the story of a young officer, talented and bright, but out of place and often out of his depth. The revolt of Boudicca is not the crux of the story, but rather the scene against which the tale is set.
Another thing that I appreciated was that the eponymous hero was ar from the infallible superman that is often the standard portrayal of a Roman officer, but a man who endures fear, doubt, guilt and more. A real 3 dimensional character in whom I could easily believe.
The book is a good read from start to finish but, in my opinion, improves over the second half to a realy satisfying conclusion. The scenes of panic, evacuation, and tense preparation for coming dangers really sprang to life for me and will live on in my imagination.
I've read Jackson's earlier novels (Caligula & Claudius) and they were good enough that I would not hesitate to recommend them, but Hero is a step up from them and one of the best books I've read for a while. I have now added the rest of the series to my reading list.
The thing that counters it for me is the angle from which the events are seen. This is not the story of the Iceni warrior-queen, or of Cerialis. This is the story of a young officer, talented and bright, but out of place and often out of his depth. The revolt of Boudicca is not the crux of the story, but rather the scene against which the tale is set.
Another thing that I appreciated was that the eponymous hero was ar from the infallible superman that is often the standard portrayal of a Roman officer, but a man who endures fear, doubt, guilt and more. A real 3 dimensional character in whom I could easily believe.
The book is a good read from start to finish but, in my opinion, improves over the second half to a realy satisfying conclusion. The scenes of panic, evacuation, and tense preparation for coming dangers really sprang to life for me and will live on in my imagination.
I've read Jackson's earlier novels (Caligula & Claudius) and they were good enough that I would not hesitate to recommend them, but Hero is a step up from them and one of the best books I've read for a while. I have now added the rest of the series to my reading list.
December 8, 2020
Valerius Verrens wordt in 60 AD als tribuun naar Camulodunum gestuurd, om daar de winter door te brengen. Camulodunum is een Romeinse colonia waar enkele Romeinse veteranen (soldaten buiten dienst) hun kolonies hebben gesticht. Hij komt daar in contact met enkele lokale inwoners (Britons) en wordt verliefd op Maeve, de beeldschone dochter van een lokale bestuurder. Maar voordat hij het weet komen de lokale stammen in opstand, onder leiding van Boudicca, de koningin van de Britanniërs.
Het boek kent een rustig tempo, waarin langzaam maar zeker wordt opgebouwd naar de climax, een heroische strijd tegen de opstandelingen. Ik vond het boek niet slecht, maar ook zeker niet goed. Het grootste probleem had ik met de karakters, die nogal zwart-wit aandeden. Nergens, met uitzondering misschien van Crespo, kon ik ook maar enige symapthie met ze opbrengen. Saai.
Laatste noot, met als gevaar om erg negatief over te komen, maar wellicht toch belangrijk voor de vertaler/uitgever: bij de volgende druk graag het woord "Keulen" vervangen door "Camulodunum". Keulen is wel een heel letterkijke vertaling van het Romeinse woord colonia maar er ligt nu eenmaal geen Keulen in Groot-Britannië.
Achterkant boek
Het boek kent een rustig tempo, waarin langzaam maar zeker wordt opgebouwd naar de climax, een heroische strijd tegen de opstandelingen. Ik vond het boek niet slecht, maar ook zeker niet goed. Het grootste probleem had ik met de karakters, die nogal zwart-wit aandeden. Nergens, met uitzondering misschien van Crespo, kon ik ook maar enige symapthie met ze opbrengen. Saai.
Laatste noot, met als gevaar om erg negatief over te komen, maar wellicht toch belangrijk voor de vertaler/uitgever: bij de volgende druk graag het woord "Keulen" vervangen door "Camulodunum". Keulen is wel een heel letterkijke vertaling van het Romeinse woord colonia maar er ligt nu eenmaal geen Keulen in Groot-Britannië.
Achterkant boek
July 7, 2021
Holy crap that was upsetting. I mean really upsetting. The siege at the temple of Claudius was absolutely nerve wracking! That was one helluva section of the book. I could understand and sympathize with both sides of the conflict and their valid grievances with each other. I'm going to start the next, but I hope the main character improves his lot in life!
November 2, 2018
4.5 stars
December 5, 2021
This book delivers a good introduction to Valerius; a variety of characters both Roman and Briton; cultural clashes with inadequate planning for how to manage what became Londinium and leads to Boudicca's reign of terror.
It filled a prequel spot for me after enjoying the Londinium books written by John Drake that I highly recommend.
Kindle Purchase
It filled a prequel spot for me after enjoying the Londinium books written by John Drake that I highly recommend.
Kindle Purchase
May 30, 2024
Ik weet dat het een befaamd boek is, maar ik vond het echt tegenvallen.
Met ongv 20 tot 50 bijvoeglijke naamwoorden per zin werdt het toch wat langdradig.
Op blz 160 was er nog niks gebeurd en toen heb ik het maar opgegeven.
Kortom, niet doorheen te komen.
Excuses jul🫣
En ja ik zet em gwn bij read, omdat ik er zoveel uren van mn leven mee heb vergooid✨
Met ongv 20 tot 50 bijvoeglijke naamwoorden per zin werdt het toch wat langdradig.
Op blz 160 was er nog niks gebeurd en toen heb ik het maar opgegeven.
Kortom, niet doorheen te komen.
Excuses jul🫣
En ja ik zet em gwn bij read, omdat ik er zoveel uren van mn leven mee heb vergooid✨
June 2, 2015
Finally, the Roman army is readying up to take the battle to the ancient place of Mona, destroy the rebels once and for all and shatter the symbol and power of the druids in the process. Little do they know that in the East, a dangerous foe awaits in the shadows to be awaken – Queen Boudicca. Who will stand in her way, serve as bulwark against her wrath? Tribune Gaius Valerius Verrens and the veterans of the city of Colonia, the first Roman colony in Britain, a landmark of the Roman conquest in Britannia – hosting the grand Temple of Claudius. Against impossible odds, surrounded and outnumbered, these men throw themselves into the belly of the beast by making a last stand in defense of their adoptive home, their city and Rome’s glory. To the death!
Hero of Rome is not a novel about Boudicca, her role being insignificant overall. The story itself centers on Gaius Valerius Verrens – son of a lawyer, tutored as a youngster by the famous Senecca – who is set on the Cursus Honorum path with Britain as his first posting. What initially was supposed to be just a tour of experience, it turned out to be much more than that: a tour de force of life. Throughout his adventure young Valerius possesses a nobility of soul in the extreme: a deep sense of honor, thoughtfulness, leniency and is peacemaker at heart. Not bad for an upstart of society, who you would expect to be at least a bit arrogant. Moreover, he learns the meaning of love – great romance, I felt immersed with his teenager feelings; and last but not least what it is to yield command for better or worse “soldiers are mere coins to be spent”.
I have read all the books from this series and the thing I like the most is the author’s brilliancy to create worthwhile characters, especially secondary ones. More so, how well he creates the interdependencies between them with everybody’s role fitting like a glove in the story. I mean, I like the storyline with the overall depictions of the milieu and the battle scenes, but no… the strong-point in his writing is in the cast behind the curtains, their characterization and interdependencies – the level of impact they hold over the story is great. Nothing is left to chance, minutiae details , , who define the thread of the story. Moreover, the stab of pathos I felt for each character…
If I had to describe my feeling of this book, well… imagine a kid who has been given candies, the smug on his face… literally, this was brain candy. I felt ecstatic for my entire experience, being transcended far away in another world. Just me, Valerius, and a bully named Crespo… arghhh. Damn, bugger. I’m glad of his fate, he had it coming thousand-fold over. That being said, I highly recommend this novel whether you are into HF or not, especially that the author’s style and quality in writing improves as you advance in the series.
Once again, my dear Boudicca… check-mate. You really need to learn dearie, you cannot win this battle. Haha.
Hero of Rome is not a novel about Boudicca, her role being insignificant overall. The story itself centers on Gaius Valerius Verrens – son of a lawyer, tutored as a youngster by the famous Senecca – who is set on the Cursus Honorum path with Britain as his first posting. What initially was supposed to be just a tour of experience, it turned out to be much more than that: a tour de force of life. Throughout his adventure young Valerius possesses a nobility of soul in the extreme: a deep sense of honor, thoughtfulness, leniency and is peacemaker at heart. Not bad for an upstart of society, who you would expect to be at least a bit arrogant. Moreover, he learns the meaning of love – great romance, I felt immersed with his teenager feelings; and last but not least what it is to yield command for better or worse “soldiers are mere coins to be spent”.
I have read all the books from this series and the thing I like the most is the author’s brilliancy to create worthwhile characters, especially secondary ones. More so, how well he creates the interdependencies between them with everybody’s role fitting like a glove in the story. I mean, I like the storyline with the overall depictions of the milieu and the battle scenes, but no… the strong-point in his writing is in the cast behind the curtains, their characterization and interdependencies – the level of impact they hold over the story is great. Nothing is left to chance, minutiae details , , who define the thread of the story. Moreover, the stab of pathos I felt for each character…
If I had to describe my feeling of this book, well… imagine a kid who has been given candies, the smug on his face… literally, this was brain candy. I felt ecstatic for my entire experience, being transcended far away in another world. Just me, Valerius, and a bully named Crespo… arghhh. Damn, bugger. I’m glad of his fate, he had it coming thousand-fold over. That being said, I highly recommend this novel whether you are into HF or not, especially that the author’s style and quality in writing improves as you advance in the series.
Once again, my dear Boudicca… check-mate. You really need to learn dearie, you cannot win this battle. Haha.
April 29, 2021
Bravo! One of the best historical novels I've read
I waited until I read the entire series to write a review. All I can tell you is that you will definitely not be disappointed. The period in which this story take s place has been painstakingly researched and the author lets you know where we he took a bit of license with history. The storyline is exciting with writing that let's you visualize the battles, see why the Romans conquered everyone in their path. The main character has depth. He's a warrior, a true hero, a diplomat. The characters are believable. Whether good or evil the author makes them real. I have not been disappointed by this series. Each is as good as the first. I was sorry when the series ended. I look forward to reading his other novels.
I waited until I read the entire series to write a review. All I can tell you is that you will definitely not be disappointed. The period in which this story take s place has been painstakingly researched and the author lets you know where we he took a bit of license with history. The storyline is exciting with writing that let's you visualize the battles, see why the Romans conquered everyone in their path. The main character has depth. He's a warrior, a true hero, a diplomat. The characters are believable. Whether good or evil the author makes them real. I have not been disappointed by this series. Each is as good as the first. I was sorry when the series ended. I look forward to reading his other novels.
June 17, 2013
I am more than a little surprised that this book didn't receive a better overall rating. While I think that Simon Scarrow's series is more fun (without taking away from the drama) this book may be more complete; the characters (Briton as well as Roman) , the historical settings, perspectives (again, you can can see both sides of the coin - motives, atrocities and revenge - Briton and Roman), battles and the emotional impact of these battles. This was as well written a book that I have read.
Maybe it is because I have been reading so many Cornwell books lately, but this novel brings to mind a wonderful mixture of Cornwell and Stephen Pressfield's Gates of Fire; to me there can be no higher praise.
I am eagerly moving on to the next book in the series.
Maybe it is because I have been reading so many Cornwell books lately, but this novel brings to mind a wonderful mixture of Cornwell and Stephen Pressfield's Gates of Fire; to me there can be no higher praise.
I am eagerly moving on to the next book in the series.
February 2, 2015
Just noticed someone else's review and couldn't believe I've never written a review for what is one of my favourite roman adventures.
Great writing, exciting battle scenes and good characters make this a great roman adventure and being set in Britain gives it some added interest.
The final battle in the temple is really special and I think what makes books like this plus those of Simon Scarrow so special, is the way real history is the background to a brilliant adventure and I love learning things about life in those days while also being entertained.
Great writing, exciting battle scenes and good characters make this a great roman adventure and being set in Britain gives it some added interest.
The final battle in the temple is really special and I think what makes books like this plus those of Simon Scarrow so special, is the way real history is the background to a brilliant adventure and I love learning things about life in those days while also being entertained.
June 9, 2017
First Class
Could well be the next Bernard Cornwell or Simon Scarrow.
Really enjoyed every page. I happly killed the hours of a long haul flight.
Could well be the next Bernard Cornwell or Simon Scarrow.
Really enjoyed every page. I happly killed the hours of a long haul flight.
March 8, 2013
It's not often you meet a character in the first few pages of a book you just know you are going to like, care about and want to follow in all future books...which you decide you're going to have to be buying even though you're only 10 pages in to the first one.
'Hero of Rome's Gaius Valerius Verrens, Tribune of the XXth Legion, stationed in first century Britain, is one of those characters.
My paperback version of 'Hero of Rome', looks great, feels great, smells and probably even tastes great as well. It can't be underestimated, whether you realise it or not, how the physical 'presence' of a book can affect your perception of it, both before and during the reading. Many times, you can and should judge a book by its cover. With 'Hero of Rome', the good feeling of quality starts even before I read a word. Just holding the book, feeling and looking at the cover, I knew I was going to enjoy this one.
It is obvious Douglas Jackson has, as the inside cover puts it; 'turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans' into an elegant, engaging and almost effortless style of writing. Easily conveying the story, bringing out the different characters - Roman, Celtic, Briton - and making you care about their stories and their lives. I was so bound up in the story at one point that, even though I knew this is the first in a series of novels involving (at least some) of these characters, at one point during a battle, when I had no idea of the outcome, I said to myself (there was a handball game - I live in Denmark - on in the background); "ok, if he scores a goal in the next 2 minutes, the character survives". I really felt as though they needed the help of an external, 21st Century power. That, for me, is good writing. Couldn't guess where it was going, didn't want to - didn't dare take my eyes off it.
Gaius Valerians Verrens, is a Tribune in the Roman Army stationed in Britain. He is looking forward to going back to Rome and continuing his career in Law and Politics. He's not a reluctant hero in any way, possessed by self-doubts and all the other nonsense authors usually load onto their characters, thinking it gives them depth and, character. But Valerius does have perhaps a more 'mature' and well-rounded view of why he and his countrymen are in Britannia and there's a sense that he actually seems to care about how the Britons feel about the Romans. That and he's a bloody good soldier who doesn't mind 'cleaving someone to the breastbone' as my old hero Robert E. Howard used to put it.
The Britons and Celts can also be said to be looking forward to him - and all the other Romans - returning to Rome. Perhaps more so. Britannia has been under Roman occupation for a number of years now, but that doesn't mean that all the local population is happy with that. Romans are good for trade, whether you're Roman or Briton, as some realise, but others want them gone and the old ways back. The Druids as guardians of the old knowledge are roving the land spreading dissent and bringing the situation to a boil. Valerius begins the story by getting involved with the 22nd Legion in battles against the locals in the south west of Britain, just over the (modern) border in what is now Wales. However, while the Legions have plans to move north west and finish the troublesome Druids once and for all, Valerius is detailed to go east, to 'Colonia', north east of Londinium. Ostensibly a mission to reconnoitre and repair the roads, he finds the local Roman garrison have gone more than a little bit native and are looking a little past their best. Valerius is in for a surprise. In many ways. Especially when 'Rome', as in the Emperor back in Rome, decides that their investment in Britain isn't turning out to be such a good idea after all and the local people suddenly find that they are going to be made to pick up the bill. With interest. Turns out, the Romans have had their eyes on not so much the green and pleasant land, but the gold that they think lies under it. It has cost a lot of Sestertii to invade Britain and now the Romans have decided they want their investment back. The Britons are not in the slightest bit happy about this, as you can imagine. The new Roman ways have steamrollered over the ages-old Celtic beliefs and customs and so, egged on by the Druids, Boudicca becomes a violently eloquent spokeswoman for that unhappiness. While Valerius is buffeted about Britannia by his leaders and the natives, Douglas Jackson subtly builds up the undercurrent of tension and atmosphere that leads to a momentous final battle, with an effective, concise and controlled style.
So, 'Hero of Rome', pretty much has it all. There are goodies. There are baddies. There are baddies who might be goodies and other 'goodies' who are worth not turning your back on. In fact, Valerius finds out very quickly that not all his enemies are the ones outside, spreading dissent. But he also finds he has friends in the most unexpected of places - and at the most unexpected times. All this and the descriptions of Roman life, art and industry, the interaction between the Roman occupiers and their new British subjects and thoughts of both sides on the benefits or otherwise of the arrangement, are especially well done. Most thought provoking, if you ask me. I hate it when reviewers say things like 'an evocative recreation of Roman Britain'. I mean, how do they know? Unless they have a time machine we don't know about, they have no idea about how life really was back then, the - as XTC once so eloquently put it; 'smell, touch, taste.' We can make guesses and I suppose some guesses make more sense than others. And I'm far from being anywhere near an expert on Roman Britain. I just like reading books on the subject and dreaming a little. I like history and history from a long time ago precisely because of the uncertainty of how it really was back then. Because then there is room for me to dream and imagine how it was, using the author's work as a guide. Douglas Jackson is one of the best guides you could hope to come across.
The whole of 'Hero of Rome' has a nice flow to it. There's a confidence and an understated surety running through the whole of this involving story. A trust, it felt like. That Douglas Jackson knows his subject, has absorbed it and is writing a story in a very natural way, without pushing his knowledge and research up in your face. Make sense? I don't know, it's hard trying to grab and tie a nuance down, but that's kind of how it felt. It also felt satisfyingly plotted and logical in its development, the whole full and well rounded, but with masses of promise for the future story developments. You like Valerius and want to join his adventures again. Maybe it's because some of the central themes - most developed out to a conclusion, some not and some maybe for later enjoyment - are strong enough to carry us through a story no matter when it is set, that make it easy for a 21st Century me, relate to and understand fully the motivations of not just a 4th Century Valerius, but also the Britons, Druids, Boudicca - and all those caught in between.
This has been my first encounter with the Roman world of Douglas Jackson. And it won't be the last. 'Hero of Rome' is as good a piece of Historical Fiction as you're likely to come across. And the really good news, for me anyway; it's only the start of our adventures together.
'Hero of Rome's Gaius Valerius Verrens, Tribune of the XXth Legion, stationed in first century Britain, is one of those characters.
My paperback version of 'Hero of Rome', looks great, feels great, smells and probably even tastes great as well. It can't be underestimated, whether you realise it or not, how the physical 'presence' of a book can affect your perception of it, both before and during the reading. Many times, you can and should judge a book by its cover. With 'Hero of Rome', the good feeling of quality starts even before I read a word. Just holding the book, feeling and looking at the cover, I knew I was going to enjoy this one.
It is obvious Douglas Jackson has, as the inside cover puts it; 'turned a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans' into an elegant, engaging and almost effortless style of writing. Easily conveying the story, bringing out the different characters - Roman, Celtic, Briton - and making you care about their stories and their lives. I was so bound up in the story at one point that, even though I knew this is the first in a series of novels involving (at least some) of these characters, at one point during a battle, when I had no idea of the outcome, I said to myself (there was a handball game - I live in Denmark - on in the background); "ok, if he scores a goal in the next 2 minutes, the character survives". I really felt as though they needed the help of an external, 21st Century power. That, for me, is good writing. Couldn't guess where it was going, didn't want to - didn't dare take my eyes off it.
Gaius Valerians Verrens, is a Tribune in the Roman Army stationed in Britain. He is looking forward to going back to Rome and continuing his career in Law and Politics. He's not a reluctant hero in any way, possessed by self-doubts and all the other nonsense authors usually load onto their characters, thinking it gives them depth and, character. But Valerius does have perhaps a more 'mature' and well-rounded view of why he and his countrymen are in Britannia and there's a sense that he actually seems to care about how the Britons feel about the Romans. That and he's a bloody good soldier who doesn't mind 'cleaving someone to the breastbone' as my old hero Robert E. Howard used to put it.
The Britons and Celts can also be said to be looking forward to him - and all the other Romans - returning to Rome. Perhaps more so. Britannia has been under Roman occupation for a number of years now, but that doesn't mean that all the local population is happy with that. Romans are good for trade, whether you're Roman or Briton, as some realise, but others want them gone and the old ways back. The Druids as guardians of the old knowledge are roving the land spreading dissent and bringing the situation to a boil. Valerius begins the story by getting involved with the 22nd Legion in battles against the locals in the south west of Britain, just over the (modern) border in what is now Wales. However, while the Legions have plans to move north west and finish the troublesome Druids once and for all, Valerius is detailed to go east, to 'Colonia', north east of Londinium. Ostensibly a mission to reconnoitre and repair the roads, he finds the local Roman garrison have gone more than a little bit native and are looking a little past their best. Valerius is in for a surprise. In many ways. Especially when 'Rome', as in the Emperor back in Rome, decides that their investment in Britain isn't turning out to be such a good idea after all and the local people suddenly find that they are going to be made to pick up the bill. With interest. Turns out, the Romans have had their eyes on not so much the green and pleasant land, but the gold that they think lies under it. It has cost a lot of Sestertii to invade Britain and now the Romans have decided they want their investment back. The Britons are not in the slightest bit happy about this, as you can imagine. The new Roman ways have steamrollered over the ages-old Celtic beliefs and customs and so, egged on by the Druids, Boudicca becomes a violently eloquent spokeswoman for that unhappiness. While Valerius is buffeted about Britannia by his leaders and the natives, Douglas Jackson subtly builds up the undercurrent of tension and atmosphere that leads to a momentous final battle, with an effective, concise and controlled style.
So, 'Hero of Rome', pretty much has it all. There are goodies. There are baddies. There are baddies who might be goodies and other 'goodies' who are worth not turning your back on. In fact, Valerius finds out very quickly that not all his enemies are the ones outside, spreading dissent. But he also finds he has friends in the most unexpected of places - and at the most unexpected times. All this and the descriptions of Roman life, art and industry, the interaction between the Roman occupiers and their new British subjects and thoughts of both sides on the benefits or otherwise of the arrangement, are especially well done. Most thought provoking, if you ask me. I hate it when reviewers say things like 'an evocative recreation of Roman Britain'. I mean, how do they know? Unless they have a time machine we don't know about, they have no idea about how life really was back then, the - as XTC once so eloquently put it; 'smell, touch, taste.' We can make guesses and I suppose some guesses make more sense than others. And I'm far from being anywhere near an expert on Roman Britain. I just like reading books on the subject and dreaming a little. I like history and history from a long time ago precisely because of the uncertainty of how it really was back then. Because then there is room for me to dream and imagine how it was, using the author's work as a guide. Douglas Jackson is one of the best guides you could hope to come across.
The whole of 'Hero of Rome' has a nice flow to it. There's a confidence and an understated surety running through the whole of this involving story. A trust, it felt like. That Douglas Jackson knows his subject, has absorbed it and is writing a story in a very natural way, without pushing his knowledge and research up in your face. Make sense? I don't know, it's hard trying to grab and tie a nuance down, but that's kind of how it felt. It also felt satisfyingly plotted and logical in its development, the whole full and well rounded, but with masses of promise for the future story developments. You like Valerius and want to join his adventures again. Maybe it's because some of the central themes - most developed out to a conclusion, some not and some maybe for later enjoyment - are strong enough to carry us through a story no matter when it is set, that make it easy for a 21st Century me, relate to and understand fully the motivations of not just a 4th Century Valerius, but also the Britons, Druids, Boudicca - and all those caught in between.
This has been my first encounter with the Roman world of Douglas Jackson. And it won't be the last. 'Hero of Rome' is as good a piece of Historical Fiction as you're likely to come across. And the really good news, for me anyway; it's only the start of our adventures together.
December 29, 2019
Това, което не понасям в исторически книги е морализаторстването на автора колко неприемливи са били голяма част от човешките отношения, практики и мислене на тогавашните хора от гледна точка на днешния светоглед. Да, браво, имаш стотици години морална и нравствена еволюция на своя страна, за да можеш да гледаш отвисоко на хората преди теб, които не са познавали друг живот, получаваш шестица, седни си.
Но ако има нещо, което направо ненавиждам в исторически книги, това е главен герой, който сякаш не е продукт на историческия период, в който живее и на обществото, от което е заобиколен и сред което е израсъл, а сякаш е спуснат с парашут от днешния ден.
Така римският офицер, в който очевидно авторът припознава себе си и иска да получи чрез него шестицата за висок морал, има светоглед на съвременен (от 21 век) човек и цялата интрига и действие в книгата се завъртат около сблъсъка на неговите изключително прогресивни възгледи с консервативното, закостеняло и жестоко общество на римската античност.
Фактът, че хората не растат в епруветка и мисленето им е продукт на времето и обществото в което живеят явно убягва на Дъглас Джаксън, поради което протагонистите му са плоски като хартия и фалшиви като фотошопната снимка.
Но ако има нещо, което направо ненавиждам в исторически книги, това е главен герой, който сякаш не е продукт на историческия период, в който живее и на обществото, от което е заобиколен и сред което е израсъл, а сякаш е спуснат с парашут от днешния ден.
Така римският офицер, в който очевидно авторът припознава себе си и иска да получи чрез него шестицата за висок морал, има светоглед на съвременен (от 21 век) човек и цялата интрига и действие в книгата се завъртат около сблъсъка на неговите изключително прогресивни възгледи с консервативното, закостеняло и жестоко общество на римската античност.
Фактът, че хората не растат в епруветка и мисленето им е продукт на времето и обществото в което живеят явно убягва на Дъглас Джаксън, поради което протагонистите му са плоски като хартия и фалшиви като фотошопната снимка.
June 22, 2022
Angenehmer Schreibstil in passender Geschwindigkeit. Im Großen und Ganzen (gerade in der ersten Hälfte) war es mir zu wenig Römische Legion in Aktion und zu viel Valerius Eskapaden mit und um Maeve. Das letzte Drittel hat es dann jedoch wieder rausgehauen.
August 2, 2018
I've read a lot of Roman fiction/fact, and also the excellent Bernard Cornwell The Last Kingdom novels, but this is my favorite series. The main character and sidekick stride across the empire with a perfect mix of loyalty, sympathy, humour and regret. I've read the first six books and they are must for any Roman reader, Douglas's enjoyable style making you eager to get to the next escapade.
November 29, 2013
This first novel in a historical fiction series has some good stuff in it...
...and a lot of not so good.
The story follows Roman Tribune, Gaius Valerius Verrens who get´s himself (and few good men) between a rock and a hard place during Queen Boudicca´s rebellion in Britain. All in all this could have been a solid historical fiction. Setting is good, Jackson obviously knows his Imperial Rome. BUT, the novels fails in basic storytelling. And it fails hard.
The biggest problem lies with the supporting cast, we have a a arch enemy/comrade in arms dude (who by character and dynamic brings to my mind Obadiah Hakeswill from the Sharpe -series). And this dude likes to rape..a lot!
And of course a hot Briton babe.
With whom Valerius has a hot steaming love affair. No surprises here.
And this how their stories are dealt with in the novel:
So all in all:
.
October 11, 2013
I was in two minds as to whether to give this book four or five stars, shame there's no facility to give 'point marks' because I would have given Hero of Rome 4.5 as it's very very good. However.......
After mulling over a four or five, initially I thought four but then I thought about how many books have gripped me like Hero of Rome did in the last few years; answer, not too many, so in my humble opinion it's worth five!
I found the title slightly deceptive as I had assumed the story would revolve around Rome itself but it didnt, it's about the Roman occupation of Britain centering around AD60 just before the Boudican revolt.
The main character unlike most Roman novels is a Tribune and not a Centurion, who after serving a few months in Britain is due to return to Rome to take up a position as a lawyer.
The Romans in the meantime are planning to wipe out the Druids on Mona (Angelsey) and are moving West in order to carry this out. Tribune Valerus however, is ordered to assist with road building in present day St Albans before setting off for Rome.
Arriving at his new post he finds the area is garrisioned by veterans who were involved in the original invasion of Britain who are now retired. They have old weapons, armour and are not as fit or up todate as current soldiers but they train regularly and are still proud Roman citizens.
Back in Rome the Emperor is looking to raise taxes from places like Britain who he is also considering abandoning as they have not yet found Britains Gold mines, so a clamp down is ordered.
When Boudicas husband dies, the Romans take her land and a Roman Centurion, Crespo and enemy of Valerus, publicly flogs her and rapes her two young daugters, thereby starting the revolt.
Valerus despite falling for a local girl and becoming popular with the Britons, has to choose to fight for Rome as the revolt vastly increases in momentum. Outnumbered by tens of thousands, Valerus attempts to slow Boudica's army by attacking and then retreating to a shrine of Nero.
What follows is the conclusion to an excellent story and a thrilling first instalment to what promising to be a brilliant series of books.
After mulling over a four or five, initially I thought four but then I thought about how many books have gripped me like Hero of Rome did in the last few years; answer, not too many, so in my humble opinion it's worth five!
I found the title slightly deceptive as I had assumed the story would revolve around Rome itself but it didnt, it's about the Roman occupation of Britain centering around AD60 just before the Boudican revolt.
The main character unlike most Roman novels is a Tribune and not a Centurion, who after serving a few months in Britain is due to return to Rome to take up a position as a lawyer.
The Romans in the meantime are planning to wipe out the Druids on Mona (Angelsey) and are moving West in order to carry this out. Tribune Valerus however, is ordered to assist with road building in present day St Albans before setting off for Rome.
Arriving at his new post he finds the area is garrisioned by veterans who were involved in the original invasion of Britain who are now retired. They have old weapons, armour and are not as fit or up todate as current soldiers but they train regularly and are still proud Roman citizens.
Back in Rome the Emperor is looking to raise taxes from places like Britain who he is also considering abandoning as they have not yet found Britains Gold mines, so a clamp down is ordered.
When Boudicas husband dies, the Romans take her land and a Roman Centurion, Crespo and enemy of Valerus, publicly flogs her and rapes her two young daugters, thereby starting the revolt.
Valerus despite falling for a local girl and becoming popular with the Britons, has to choose to fight for Rome as the revolt vastly increases in momentum. Outnumbered by tens of thousands, Valerus attempts to slow Boudica's army by attacking and then retreating to a shrine of Nero.
What follows is the conclusion to an excellent story and a thrilling first instalment to what promising to be a brilliant series of books.
May 7, 2012
This is one of those time when I really should have read the blurb before I bought the book, I often pick up certain authors just because I enjoyed previous books and Douglas is no exception.
The previous books though had been a bit of fun and I have to admit I was getting a little tired of the elephant so I had put off reading this one, every time it got to the top of the reading pile it got jumped by something more appealing until eventually a bit of face book posting guilt got the better of me.
This weekend in hospital Hero of Rome became my best friend helping me through the boredom of a 3 day visit.
Not only was I surprised by the fact that this was not a continuation of the existing series, but also that the writing had changed, it had...grown/ evolved.
The new characters were a revelation and the new story a breath of fresh air. Following the first cohort across country to colonia ( Camulodunum ) where you get a link to the previous stories was great fun. For me the real depth to the story was the everyday camaraderie that was shown between Varrens and his men and the other groups he came into contact with, and also the animosity between him and his enemy Crespo, all this human characterisation is wrapped in and around the build up to the Iceni revolt and the rise of Boudica.
What follows is a well written well researched well thought out story, and for once the cover blurb about there being a new writer on the block etc is not hype, this really is the start of a great new series.
A solid 4/5 because I think there is better to come from Douglas and I for one look forward to it (Parm
The previous books though had been a bit of fun and I have to admit I was getting a little tired of the elephant so I had put off reading this one, every time it got to the top of the reading pile it got jumped by something more appealing until eventually a bit of face book posting guilt got the better of me.
This weekend in hospital Hero of Rome became my best friend helping me through the boredom of a 3 day visit.
Not only was I surprised by the fact that this was not a continuation of the existing series, but also that the writing had changed, it had...grown/ evolved.
The new characters were a revelation and the new story a breath of fresh air. Following the first cohort across country to colonia ( Camulodunum ) where you get a link to the previous stories was great fun. For me the real depth to the story was the everyday camaraderie that was shown between Varrens and his men and the other groups he came into contact with, and also the animosity between him and his enemy Crespo, all this human characterisation is wrapped in and around the build up to the Iceni revolt and the rise of Boudica.
What follows is a well written well researched well thought out story, and for once the cover blurb about there being a new writer on the block etc is not hype, this really is the start of a great new series.
A solid 4/5 because I think there is better to come from Douglas and I for one look forward to it (Parm
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews