Simon Turney

This is a biography of the last man who can truly be considered a ‘Roman’ emperor. Maxentius was the last pagan emperor to rule in Rome itself, the last emperor to reside on the Palatine, the last emperor with a Praetorian Guard. He was a prolific builder, popular with the people and armies of Rome, and surprisingly successful against impressive odds, fighting off two opposing emperors, until felled by disaster at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Simon Turney examines his background (he was the son of Emperor Maximian) and describes the context of the imperial situation of the Tetrarchy leading to his rise. He sifts all the evidence, architectural, numismatic and inscriptive, attempting to identify where Christian (and Constantinian) bias has warped the truth. He narrates Maxentius’ six year reign during a tumultuous time of civil wars, culminating in the dramatic battle of the Milvian Bridge, where he fell. He peels back the later vilification by Christian sources and reveals a capable emperor, a great builder (with a legacy of monuments still visible) and, ironically, a tolerant ruler who ended the Great Persecution of Christians in his territories years before Constantine followed suit.

Renowned warrior Agricola returns to Britannia as the commander of a legion... but with a rebellious Celtic tribe threatening Roman rule, securing the province won''t be easy. The brilliant new Ancient Roman historical adventure from Simon Turney.In the aftermath of Rome''s civil war, Agricola returns to Britannia in command of his own legion.This is not the honour it seems at first. Agricola''s new legion threatens mutiny and the frontier province has suffered under troublesome governors. And the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic tribe in Britannia, are ready to make war against Rome.To stabilise Roman rule and bring peace, Agricola must use all his political and military skills. But when a new commander is posted to Britannia, Agricola''s efforts have counted for nothing.For General Petilius Cerialis wants to completely destroy the Brigantes. With the tribe roused to throw off the Roman yoke for good, Agricola must prepare for the greatest war yet in Britannia... one which few will survive.''You should be reading Simon Turney'' Anthony Riches

PREORDER SIMON TURNEY''S THRILLING NEW ROMAN EMPIRE NOVEL, AGRICOLA: COMMANDER, NOW!An empire on the edge. A scheme for glory. A plan to control the greatest river in the world. 61 AD. Emperor Nero schemes avidly to increase his wealth and slaughter his many enemies, but also seeks glory. He looks south from Rome to Africa. The great River Nile gives life to the Egyptians, the Kushites, and many other kingdoms. No Roman has ever tracked the Nile to its source. If it can be done, mastery of the greatest waterway in the known world may be possible. But the mission will be fraught with risks. There are peoples hostile to Rome, vast swathes of desert, fierce beasts... and for the soldiers chosen, the deadly price of failure hanging over their heads. A gripping historical adventure featuring historical figures from Ancient Rome, perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane. ''A wonderful story, rich in absorbing detail'' The Times

The new thrilling Roman historical adventure in a series based around one of the most renowned and intriguing figures of Ancient Rome.In Nero''s Rome, ambition is a dangerous thing...Agricola has won renown for his military exploits in Britannia. Now returned to Rome with his new family, he seeks to rise further - but life in the greatest city on earth proves more difficult than he expected. Roman politics are on a knife-edge - often literally. The Emperor Nero is unpredictable, the manner of his rule unstable. Agricola soon finds himself posted to the troublesome province of Asia Minor. The local governor is ambitious and dangerous. Falling foul of such a man could mean certain death... and yet a rebellious young warrior like Agricola cannot stay silent for long.When Agricola experiences personal tragedy, he seeks revenge. Rome, meanwhile, burns in a great fire... but further tumult is to come in the wake of Nero''s death. Agricola must tread a careful path to stay alive through the Year of the Four Emperors... a year of blood and ruin throughout the empire.''You should be reading Simon Turney.'' Anthony Riches