Centurion

by Peter W. Mitsopoulos

Book Overview

Set in A.D. 9 and based on an actual incident, Centurion moves from the battlefields of Germany to intrigue and danger on the streets of Rome. As he nears retirement, Senior Centurion Glaxus Valtinius... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401027407
• ISBN13: 9781401027407
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Xlibris
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Great Story

Enjoyed this novel very much. In addition to a great plot, there is actually character developement. Very rare in a novel these days. It's clear the author did his homework in terms of research and the historical accuracy is apparent. I highly recomend this novel to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

Action, adventure, plot, insight, emotional depth, character

Not to be missed. Action, adventure, plot, insight, emotional depth, character development; that's all in here and then some. The writer has clearly done his homework on Rome and the Roman army. His attention to detail is both informative and entertaining. Mr. Brozyna, a reviewer from Annapolis, MD has it right, but some reviewers who have posted here can't seem to grasp the book's obvious worth. One reviewer also gets a fact wrong by saying the Greek physician walks from Germany to Rome. That's not accurate. He walks part of the way across the Italian peninsula, and for a good reason which I won't reveal here. And when another reviewer describes the book as being like a comic strip, that's simply not so. It's well-written and packed with depth. The human side of the story rings true on every page. There's also more than one surprise as the plot unfolds.This novel combines mature insights with terrific action scenes. The disastrous attempt to capture a bear for use in the gladiator games is spectacular, as is the calamity that befalls the Roman legions when they are lured into the fatal trap. This tale is based on the massacre of three legions by Germanic tribes in A.D.9. Dr. Durham from Lookout Mountain, GA is on target by saying this is one historical novel you cannot pass up.

A very good novel indeed. It's only flaw is it's too short

The career of a centurion during the reign of Augustus and the disastrous campaign into Germany by Varus.If you enjoy historical novels, this is one you cannot pass up. As is the case with Scarrow's novels, this novel of Ancient Rome doesn't involve christians or christianity at all, a very refreshing fact. It covers the problems of a senior centurion who is faced with following a know-nothing Tribune and a totally inept commander into a disaster in Germany. Arminius is a real historical character and he did just what the book says he did to Varus and his army. The Rhine legions were the pride of the Roman army and Varus lost them all due to his total ineptitude and some organizational genius by Arminius (whose German name was Herman and who headed the Germanic tribe known as the Allemani) Arminius was trained in Roman ways through service in the legions and used this knowledge to pull together the fragmented, feuding Germmanic tribes into a single unit. His army didn't have much discipline, but they didn't require a great deal since he was able to lead the pompous Varus, as if on a leash, into an ambush where discipline was useless. Augustus was actually much more distressed by the loss of his Rhine legions and their eagles than the book indicates, but all in all, it's a very good read indeed. I wish Mistopolous would write a few more like it.

well written intriguing read

Although not a scholar in Roman history, on a lark and looking for a good short read on ancient Roman life, I was delighted and captivated by this well written novel that included all of the sought after components of an intriguing read! The author demonstrates excellent command of the English language and provides a cogent account of an episode set in A.D. 9 and based on actual history. The characters in this novel possessed the spectrum of personalities, values, and ethics found throughout history. Undeniably to craft a historical account with believable characters is worthy of a reader's time.It was difficult to put the novel down because of the care that went into the details that kept this reader intellectually challenged by the authentic period references. Because the author thoroughly researched the topic material, I found myself looking up various terms that are not part of a mainstream vocabulary. For example, there was a strong desire to look up the definitions of terms such as: "sestertius", "aurei" and "denari". Why? If not, you would not learn about ancient Roman currency. The opportunity presented by the author's research will challenge a well-read intellectual to expand their vocabulary. If "spoor", "pommel", "cognomen" and "venal" were part of your mainstream vocabulary, then you would not appreciate this book. Finally, along these lines, the usage of a name such as "Avernus", and terms such as "triremes", "raeda" and "greave" were used very creatively. In summary, I recommend this engaging novel for the reader who seeks a true story without being overwhelmed by a monstrous, overly wordy novel about ancient Roman military life.

Smart and Fun!

For those of you interested in the Roman legions, this novel has all the action and adventure you could want. The story focuses on an atypically moral, yet tough centurion amidst the events surrounding the Varian disaster. Due to the arrogance of an inept general, Varus, 3 entire roman legions, accompanying auxiliary forces and roman colonists were wiped out by german tribes in the Teutoburg forest in 9AD. The story has grand battles with, wild beasts, barbarians, as well as with corrupt romans. The author has defenitely done his research on the subject. He provides a good sense of the metropolitan nature of the roman empire. We meet italians, greeks, gauls, germans, egyptians, etc. He gives an accurate description of the weapons, equipment, politics, prevading beliefs, etc. common to the legions in the 1st century without being forced. These historical facts flow naturally in the course of his characters' actions and conversation, so the story is as much educational as it is entertaining.