Roman Britain
Ancient Rome’s legions — approximately 5,500 men each — were rightly famed for their fighting skills. Overlooked is that they were more than warriors. Incomparable engineers, they built fortresses that still stand, and constructed roads and aqueducts.
Conquering lands, they guarded against uprisings. Administering them under Roman laws didn’t enhance their popularity. Barbarians were forever attacking them across the wild frontiers. Captured legionaries were subjected to horrendous deaths. Nevertheless, it was an honour to be in a legion.
A number of modern-day historians have an obsessive interest in happenings millennia past. A good many documents from those times survived and are being pursued. Those analysing them now don’t necessarily agree in their interpretations of events.
One of the most respected historians of ancient history today is Brit Simon Scarrow. His historical novels, well-researched, are like time machines bringing the reader back to the days of yore. His best known literary creations are legionaries Marco, Cato and Figulus.
Figulus is the protagonist of Invader, Marco and Cato omitted. The setting is Roman Britain of 44AD, fewer than 100 years after Julius Caesar crossed the Channel. The tribes are on the warpath and the Second Legion, in which Figulus is a minor officer, has its hands full.
Our hero is a Celt, loyal to Rome, who learned the Druid language and customs while growing up. It so happens that the Druids, among the tribes, are the occupation army’s most implacable foes. A decisive battle between them is inevitable — indeed, imminent.
When it comes, Figulus yet again proves his prowess with a sword. In appreciation, he is promoted to Centurion.
Scarrow makes the point that Rome wisely appointed puppet kings from the tribes to head them, with Rome propping them up. The populace thus became Romanised without revolting. And the Second Legion wouldn’t lose lives putting them down. For the most part, the ploy worked.
FYI: Scarrow has also written a series of historical novels on the Napoleonic Wars.