Warrior of Rome I: Fire in the East (Warrior of Rome, 1) Paperback – 1 April 2009

This book, which I bought from Amazon in 2008 but failed to review at the time, is, I believe, Harry Sidebottom's best so far. It is certainly the one that established his reputation as a writer of historical fiction. He is, of course, a Lecturer of Ancient History at Oxford, meaning that he can be expected to know his topic. This, however, is neither a prerequisite for writting a good historical book of fiction (Bernard Cornwell is not a historian, unless I am mistaken), neither is it always an asset (see, for instance, Victor David Hanson's painfully embarrassing The End of Sparta, which I started to read almost three months ago and still have not had the courage to pick up again and finish).Essentially, I found Fire in the East excellent because it ticks all of my boxes for what a great historical novel should be, while mostly, if not entirely, avoiding the main pitfalls.To start with the latter, one of the main pitfalls to which historians writting novels may be subject to is a tendancy to display their knowledge. This is often felt as pedantic, at best, or even pretentious, even by those who share a level of knowledge similar to the author's. As some of you will see if you scroll down all of the numerous reviews that this book has attracted, Sidebottom has not been able to entirely avoid this problem. However, such accusations are often quite unfair or even rather pointless. There can be many reasons for an author to display knowledge, apart from showing off. One of the most common reasons among historians is that he may have a passion for his subject and a wish to share what he knows about it with others, including the non-specialized readers. The problem, however, is that these, when confronted with such displays, may feel somewhat patronized (as another reviewer put it), especially when the display of knowledge is accessory rather than essential to the story being told. This has always been a bit of a problem with Mr Sidebottom's books. It is, for me at least, largely cancelled by all of this book's other favorable aspects.One huge advantage this book had when first published in 2008 was the originality of the historical context and this is also very much a consequence of the author's knowledge. This book, the first volume of the Warrior of Rome series, is set during the second half of the third century AD, unlike most of its other competitors, and more precisely during the joint reigns of Valerian (253-260) and his son Gallienus (253-268). This was the most crucial part of what is sometimes called the "crisis of the third century", a period of 40-50 years of disruption and civil wars during which there was over 60 contenders for the imperial throne, and sometimes up to four or five at the same time (roughly from 235 and the murder of Alexander Severus to 284 and the seizing of power and murder of his predecessor by Diocletian). It was also during the joint reigns of Valerianus and Gallienus that the Empire seemed to disintegrate, with separatist states being set up in Gaul and in the East around Palmyra. Other novellists have tended to stear clear of this period, with the exception of stories on Zenobia and Palmyra perhaps, largely because of the complexity of the period and the paucity of its sources.Another originality is it hero, Ballista, a Roman commander based on a historical character but about which very little is known. Sidebottom chose to make him into a (half) romanized Angle, son of an Angle warlord who had been brought up at Rome as a hostage for his father's good behavior, married the daughter of a Roman senator and served in the Roman army, including in Africa and in the Balkans against the Goths where he has developed a speciality in siege warfare. By the time the story begins, he is in his mid-thirties and a "Duke of the Frontier" (my lose translation from latin) and he is posted of to the East to fortify and hold the rich caravan town of Arete against the probable attack of the Persian (Sassanid) King and his army.The third originality of this book is that it is essentially the story of a siege, that of Arete. This fictitious town and its siege are, as the author mentions, proxies for the real fortified town and siege of Doura Europos that rtook place in AD 256 and which Sidebottom has extensively researched. The real Doura has been excavated, showing traces of the siege. The author uses almost all of them to build a very detailed reconstruction of this siege and the techniques used by both besiegers and defenders.The fourth original piece is the picture of the population of a caravan town on the border and of this town's Christian community. This is also based on historical records to a large extent. Although we do not know what the attitudes of Christians were in Doura or even whether there were any, the general attitude of early Chritians, and of some of their leaders in particular towards the Empire and Emperors were ambiguoüs, to put it nicely. As for the description of the town's most powerful men, this could also probably apply to a caravan city like Palmyra to a large extent.Then there is the story of the preliminaries of the siege and of the siege itself, both of which are remarkably told. You get a rather good glimpse at the breakdown of Roman peace throughout the Empire with the naval encounter that Ballista has when sailing to Syria. The state of readiness and morale of Roman frontier troops and of their officers in Arete as Ballista reviews them is particularly well presented. The story telling and the assaults themselves are gripping and extremely realistic. At times, you really get the impression to be standing there, somewhere on the town's walls.So, regardless of whether the author may seem (or even be) pedantic and pretentious at times, this is a "must read" for all those who like historical fiction in general, and the ones on Rome in particular. It is well worth it.A superb read, which, unfortunatly, has not quite been matched by his three next volumes in the series.

I have just discovered this series and on the strength of writing, historical detail and storytelling I am so glad I have many more to read without waiting for their release. Excellent stuff indeed.

Read this book in 2010, and its the 1st volume of the amazing "Warrior of Rome" series, featuring Ballista.The historical details concerning this book has been very well researched and explained by the author, which you can find in the historical afterword and a glossary at the end of the book.At the beginning of the book you'll notice two well-drawn maps, one of the Ballista's voyage of towards to East, and one of the city of Arete, a place that will play a major part in this great tale.The book starts off with a prologue which is set in the year AD 238, and the assassination of Emperor Maximinus Thrax and the hand of our main protagonist Ballista and some others.The main story begins in AD 255, and Emperor Valerian in power in the East, with his son Gallienus appointed as joint Emperor in the West, and the Roman Empire under threat again from the might of Persia.The forces of Sassanid Empire are massing along its border ready to invade Roman territory, with the isolated citadel of Arete there first target.One man is sent to defend this citadel of Arête and that's Ballista, and he must somehow seem to build up this Roman stronghold in an effort to stop the Persian hordes in invading.Together with all the forces he can muster, Ballista, his name means war, must somehow confront and try to defeat the greatest and fiercest enemy the Imperium has seen within their own territory.What is to follow is a tremendous Roman historical adventure, in which Ballista and his men will do heroics to uphold and try to secure this stronghold for the Empire and stop the Persians from gaining this place, and all this is brought to us by the author in his own formidable and knowledgeable fashion.Highly recommended, for this is a fantastic begin to this splendid series, and that's why I like to call this first episode: "A Brilliant Warrior Of Rome Start"!

I bought this after reading various complimentary reviews and, being interested in Roman history thought that it would be a nice piece of historical fiction given Harry's background. It was, but I do not think that the Roman soldier knew Anglo Saxon expletives, I am sure they had their own but why, ( along with some other authors) do we need 21st century language when we are in the 3rd century AD.The descripive pages of the city, its intrigues and heirarchy are very good and give an insight into a middle East city of this time but please, cut out the detailed sex parts, I am no prude and can use my imagination, I do not need a detailed wish list perched on the balcony. it was also a bit slow paced at the beginning but did speed up once arriving at Arete.I have now bought number two in the series and hope it does get better but I fear we will still have the classic Scotsman, Irishman and err Angle or Greek.

I fell in love with the Warrior of Rome series many years ago in the era known as the PBR - or Pre-Book Reviewing era.  However, for some inexplicable reason, I only read the first four books.  Therefore, in order to rectify that situation, I decided to reread them in preparation for reading the rest of the series and thus, reviewing them as I go a long.  I call that a win-win scenario as I get to read them again and you, my peeps and fellow travelers, get to read my penetrating, yet humble reviews.  In the first installment, Fire in the East, we meet Marcus Clodius Ballista, son of a Germanic chieftain but raised as a Roman, and who rises through the ranks of the Roman army to become the Dux Ripae of a force given the seeming impossible task of defending the city of Arete on the banks of the Euphrates.  Their opponent is the Persian King of Kings, Shapur and his far numerically superior  force.  To many in the Roman establishment Ballista is seen as a warrior leader of immense experience and ability.  Others, however, view him as nothing but a barbarian bastard far beneath their social standing.  The tale is at once intriguing, exciting; full of surprises as it progresses through Ballista's arrival, the preparation for the coming battle and siege and finally the battle of wills between this barbarian commander and the staggering, fanatic Persian host driven by the power of the King of Kings and bent on the total destruction of Arete.  It is also a tale populated with wonderful characters, Ballista, his retinue - Maximus, Calgacus and Demetrius to name but a few.  The historic research done is more than evident as you walk the streets of Arete; as you take in the defensive towers and the well placed artillery; the stone throwers and ballistas.  A tension filled atmosphere permeates the pages as Ballista recognizes the near hopeless situation he has been thrust into; not only from Shapur but from assassins and secret agents out to see he doesn't succeed.  A highly entertaining read - glad I decided to give it another go.  5 stars

Ancient Rome was a messy and dangerous place. The people at the top of the political and social strata played fast and loose with the lives of everyone below them. Violence and corruption was everywhere.And that's the world that Harry Sidebottom is able to bring vividly to the pages of this book. To do so takes skill as a writer, and also mastery of the minutia of the period.I think Fire In The East is the first of the Warrior Of Rome series. I will definitely add the next one to my reading list.

O livro conta de forma envolvente a história de Ballista na defesa das fronteiras romanas do leste contra o império Persa, numa época em que os exércitos romanos já não eram predominantemente de patrícios. Por também não ser patrício Ballista precisa não somente pensar no inimigo, mas também em toda sorte de discriminação e falta de lealdade daqueles que o viam como um bárbaro.

Zugegeben, in der Schule war es häufig so; wenn sich Jahreszahlen mit Herrscher Namen und großen Schlachten abwechselten, habe ich mir die Frage gestellt: Wie war das Leben der Menschen. Der Wichtigen, aber auch der kleinen Rädchen, die in ihrer Masse genauso entscheidend waren.Wenn eine Stunde in römischer Geschichte in Form eines spannenden und dennoch fundierten Romans die Zeit lebendig werden lässt, dann ist es nicht langweilig.Nach dem Prolog geht die Hauptfigur auf eine Seereise um einen wichtigen Militärauftrag an der Grenze in Kleinasien zu übernehmen. Die Beschreibung der römischen Trireme und wie sie auf See reagiert, gehört zu den realistischsten Schilderungen in einem Roman, die ich bisher gelesen habe.Überhaupt lebt dieser Roman von den lebendigen und lebensnahen Beschreibungen der Personen und der Umgebung in der sie agieren, dabei ist es dem Autor gelungen keine seitenlangen und langatmigen Schilderungen abzuliefern.Ein besonderes Merkmal sind die eingestreuten lateinischen Begriffe für Ränge, Waffen und Handlungen, diese stehen im jeweiligen Zusammenhang und werden falls nötig erläutert, es artet aber nie in eine Lateinstunde aus.Der Protagonist hat als DUX RIPAE (Führer) die Aufgabe erhalten eine Grenzstadt gegen die erstarkenden Sassaniden solange zu halten bis der römische Kaiser stärkere Kräfte entsenden kann. Im Zuge der Romanhandlung, die über Intrigen, Machtkämpfe und Verrat erzählt, erfährt der Leser so ganz nebenbei vieles über die Strukturen der römischen Armee im 3. Jahrhundert.Ausführlich werden die verschiedenen Vorbereitungen einer Stadt auf eine lange Belagerung dargestellt, einige kleinere auch humorige Episoden lockern das ganze Geschehen auf. Bis es dann zur eigentlichen Belagerung kommt.Man findet Quellen zur Stadt im Internet unter dem Namen „Dura Europos“, der Autor erklärt dies in und anderes in einem ausführlichen Nachwort, gefolgt von einem ebenso ausführlichen Glossar. Man kann die Novelle auch ohne diese Anhänge genießen, aber für am Altertum interessierte Leser werden wertvolle Hinweise zu weiteren Recherchen gegeben.Die Charaktere sind durchweg gut und lebensecht geschildert, vom griechischen Sklaven bis zu den militärischen und zivilen Führern.Fazit: Ausgesprochen lehrreicher Roman, dabei unterhaltsam und nicht ohne Humor. Man sollte sich aber schon etwas ernsthafter für römische Geschichte, Militärwesen und Geografie sowie Kultur der damaligen Zeit interessieren. Satzbau und Wortschatz sind relativ anspruchsvoll, man sollte aber mit etwas besserem Schulenglisch klarkommen.

quasi un trattato di tecnologie e metodi di assedio e contrasto ambientato in un'epoca di cui di solito si studia poco. Dà assolutamente l'idea di una base storica affidabile, Storia godibile.