With barbarians at the gate and enemies within, two men must
fight for the soul of the Republic and the greatest empire in the world.
A cave hacked out by rock, lit by flickering torches two young boys
appeal to the famed Roman oracle for a glimpse into their future.
The Sybil draws a blood-red shape of an eagle with wings
outstretched: an omen of death. As they flee from the cave in fear,
Aulus and Lucius make an oath of loyalty until death. An oath that
will be tested in years to come.
Thirty years on and Aulus, now Rome's most successful general,
faces his toughest battle. Barbarian rebels have captured his wife
and demanding the withdrawal of Roman legions from their land in
return for her life. It is unthinkable for Aulus to agree, and he
fears her life must be forfeit to Rome. Meanwhile Lucius has risen
to a high rank in the Senate; a position he uses and abuses. But
when Lucius is suspected of arranging a murder, the very foundations
of the Republic are threatened. Lucius and Aulus soon find
themselves on very different sides of the conflict- perhaps the
prophecy of the eagle will come true after all.
History and adventure, brutality and courage combine to powerful
effect, making The Pillars of Rome an outstanding opening to
the Republic series.
Jack Ludlow is the pen-name of writer David Donachie, who was born
in Edinburgh in 1944. He has always had an abiding interest in the
Roman Republic as well as the naval history of the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries, which he drew on for the many historical
adventure novels he has set in that period. David lives in Deal with
his partner, the novelist Sarah Grazebrook.
