Day of the Caesars: Eagles of the Empire, Book 16

This Eagles of the Empire series by Simon Scarrow is the best series I've ever read. Every book has been hard to put down. This most recent book is no exception. I hope there's more to come even after this one! The main characters of Macro and Cato really grow on you and it's exciting to follow them through their adventures. You learn a lot about Rome and the Roman Empire as well as it's military campaigns, strategies and weapons. Mr. Scarrow has done serious research in every region in which his stories are set so there's lots of historical accuracy. He will admit when he has taken literary license to "fill in the blanks" where there's missing information. I love this series!

When I read the last book in this series, I got a bit worried about Cato and Macro. I was beginning to wonder if the next book wouldn't be the last in the series, but Day of the Caesars is a fast-moving tale about the early part of the reign of Nero. Cato gets to be ingenious, Lucius gets to be cute, and it beginning to look as though Macro may get a life. Cato seems to have finally figured out that it's best to stay far away from Rome so the series can continue and will produce some interesting adventures for him and Macro. 5 stars for this because it's a ripping yarn!!

Mr Scarrow has been writing the same book over and over again. He places Cato and Macro in an impossible position and then finds a way out. Lots of chases, lots of close calls, same as it ever was, same as it ever was. The bad guy Narcissus has been replaced by Pallas but the song remains the same. Boring, simply written, truly awful.This series started out extremely well--but once the boys left Britannia it's been downhill. I actually skipped the last few books--gave this a try and regretted it immensely. Waste of time &money--Scarrow is now stealing from his readers

I have read all of the Eagles of the Empire books through and including this one. There is a bit of repetition in the fighting among the books. However, I have found the character development of Cato and Marco through the series to be fascinating. Further Scarrow's attempts to be faithful to history is appreciated, even though I know he takes some license given the paucity of period records. Having visited Rome, which I found interesting but sterile for the lack of historical characters, I much prefer reading about the time. Rome is neat, to be sure, but the parts which are ancient Rome is just stuff (buildings and ruins) without any life, the life of a society being defined mostly by its people and much less by its stuff.

I am an avid fan of Simon Scarrow, especially the Eagles of the Empire series, following Cato and Macro as they take us time traveling through the Roman empire with their military adventures, from Britain to the eastern Mediterranean, never a dull moment. Scarrow keeps it exciting, very detailed descriptions with physical violence, with a sense of suspense as to what could possibly happen next.

Twisting plot lines provide adventurous suspense for the two principles and the historical figure of Nero along with a culpable scenario explaining the burning of Rome, but no mention of a fiddle.

Reading the last book,I started to get the feeling that the series was getting a little tired and that perhaps it might be time to put it to rest,but, Simon has proved me wrong with this novel. The excitement is back with fresh story arcs, fabulous writing and character development. I can't wait for the next installment.

Fantastic historical adventure for our two heros. This time in the Eternal City itself. Loved the intrigue and machinations in the turmoil of Nero's reign.The reason I have it a 4 star was that the very end of the climax was a bit predictable.Still it is a great read.

This is the latest instalment of the adventures of Cato, now a Tribune, and Macro, a centurion, with both serving in the elite Praetorian Guard and both back in Rome from a dangerous mission in Spain (see Invictus, the previous title in the Series). Their return takes place during a very tense period with Emperor Claudius having just died and his adopted son and declared heir Nero having come to power. However, Britannicus, the natural son of Claudius is still alive and well, although only a young teenager. He is a rival for Nero and his mother Aggripina, Claudius’ widow (and his nice and murderess)The first comment that this book inspires is that it is exciting and the factions plot against each other to seize supreme power. Although number seventeen, this is perhaps one of the most gripping of the whole series, with Cato being pressured and blackmailed by both sides to rally their respective causes.My second comment is that the author deserves praise for his portray of young Nero as a cruel, sadistic and thoroughly horrid individual of who even his ruthless mother is afraid. The vivid scene where Britannicus is abused by his adopted brother and which takes place when Nero invites himself at a banquet can – if I remember correctly – be found in the sources and something like this is very likely to have happened. Despite attempts at revisionism and although the “bad press” that Nero has received only surfaced after his death (for very obvious reasons), he does seem to have been rather atrocious, even outmatching Caligula at times.A third point is that the kind of plot to overthrow Nero that is presented in the book I largely part of the author’s license or, to put it slightly differently, there does not seem to be any indication of such a plot in the historical sources. There were however a number of plots – real or imagined – during Nero’s reign and while all senators feared for their lives, some are known to have been openly hostile to him (and generally payed for it with their lives). So the plot presented in this book is quite plausible. It could very well have taken place.A further point is that the crucial role of the Praetorians, and more specifically the vital importance of making sure of the loyalty of their officers, is well shown, well explained by the author in his historical note, and historically perfectly correct. This in itself explains how Macro and Cato (even more so) find themselves embroiled in this struggle and forced to choose a side, with Cato’s circumstances adding a nice personal touch.A last point is about another nice touch from the author and that is his decision to have some of the book’s last scenes take place in and around Capri and Tiberius’ palace. Again, and as mentioned by the author in his endnote, this is a rather marvellous and beautiful place that is well worth visiting, even if you are not “a fan” of everything Roman.Five stars, and I am (with many others, no doubt), waiting impatiently for the next instalment as our two heroes are about to join Corbulo (Nero’s best general) in Armenia as war against the Parthian Empire threatens to break out.

This thrilling Roman historical adventure is the 16th instalment of the wonderful "Eagles of the Empire" series, featuring our two astounding lead characters Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro.At the beginning of the book you'll find four well-drawn maps of Italia, of the Sinus Cumanus in AD 54, of Rome in the Age of Emperor Nero, as well as the Chain of Command of the Praetorian Guard, and not to forget a fantastic Cast List of characters who'll feature within this glorious tale.At the end of the book you'll notice a superb documented Author's Note explaining the important issues concerning this gripping story, while the book itself contains wonderful storytelling by the author, supplemented with a great cast of real lifelike characters.The book is set in Rome in the year AD 54 after the death of Emperor Claudius, and the fight for the throne that will start between the factions of Claudius's natural son, Britannicus, and the son of Claudius's wife, the Empress Agrippina, Nero.In this tale our main characters Prefect Cato and Centurion Macro will be dragged in a world of turmoil and intrigue after the death of Emperor Claudius.Deadly plots are being hatched, betrayal and power games are being played out by powerful and shadowy figures, and all that in order to gain the upper hand for that ultimate goal, that is the throne, power and title of Emperor.What will follow in this stunning eventful book is an action-packed story of cunning and intrigue in the highest echelons of Roman power, where especially Cato, certainly with some great help from his ally and friend Macro, must somehow seem to overcome this treacherous and dangerous deadly world, and where the right decision will mean survival and the wrong one death.Very much recommended, because this marvellous book concerning this series is for certain: "Another Cato & Macro Triumph"!

I must be suffering from Roman Empire fatigue; it was a toss-up between three and four stars, so I've been generous. Sadly, I found myself skipping large chunks, though there were flashed of both political intrigue and ferocious battles. We all enjoy reading about Nero's strange perversions, and there were some of those; the intrigues of his all-powerful Freedmen - one back from the dead - are a nice surprise. Not his best, and probably not one I'll read again.

I was on the verge of giving up on this series after the seventh novel with predictable plots and repetitive combat description. This latest addition provides a more unique mature insight into different characters in the series; those of us who are well versed in the history of Rome are still impressed with how the story develops to remain historically ‘accurate.’

This a cracker of a story. The writer and his heroes are at the top of their game. Occurring nearly all in Rome in the dangerous period when Nero became emperor but Britannicus was still a contender. There are plots and counter plots leading to a nail biting conclusion on Capri before return to Rome and the succession is decided. Along the way I am happy to note my suspicions about the guilt of poor Julia were justified. The poor girl was much maligned though that stupid husband of her's, Cato, allows his faith to be shaken by the dying spite of an enemy. Even better our glorious Macro gets himself a good woman. Hooray! That retirement in Britannia might really be on the cards. Hopefully the next story will have as much plot as hand to hand combat.