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Tribune of Rome

2011 | Fiction & Poetry | History & Politics

26 AD: Sixteen-year-old Vespasian leaves his family farm for Rome, his sights set on finding a patron and following his brother into the army. But he discovers a city in turmoil and an Empire on the brink. The aging emperor Tiberius is in seclusion on Capri, leaving Rome in the iron grip of Sejanus, commander of the Praetorian Guard. Sejanus is ruler of the Empire in all but name, but many fear that isn't enough for him. Sejanus' spies are everywhere—careless words at a dinner party can be as dangerous as a barbarian arrow. Vespasian is totally out of his depth, making dangerous enemies (and even more dangerous friends—like the young Caligula), and soon finds himself ensnared in a conspiracy against Tiberius. With the situation in Rome deteriorating, Vespasian flees the city to take up his position as tribune in an unfashionable legion on the Balkan frontier. But even here there is no escaping the politics of Rome. Unblooded and inexperienced, he must lead his men in savage battle with hostile mountain tribes—dangerous enough without renegade Praetorians and Imperial agents trying to kill him too. Somehow, he must survive long enough to uncover the identity of the traitors behind the growing revolt...

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10837966-tribune-of-rome



Published by Atlantic Books

Edition Unknown
ISBN 9781848879119
Language English

Images And Data Courtesy Of: Atlantic Books.
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Natacha

Added this item on Jan 24, 2019

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Tribune of Rome Reviews & Ratings (2)
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Tom Turner (388 KP) rated

May 6, 2021  
Tribune of Rome
Tribune of Rome
Robert Fabbri | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had never heard of Vespasian below starting this book, and assumed that he was a fictitious character in the same vein as Sharpe or Hornblower, just in the Roman era. Obviously I was wrong, for he in fact became Emporer of Rome after Nero (kinda).

This added a level of intrigue to the story for me, obviously this book is only the beginnings of his story, as there are another 9 books in the series. But it's definitely got me hooked.

At times I got a little exasperated with stone of the tropes and plot conveniences used, but I'm giving Fabbri the benefit of the doubt, after all this was his debut novel.
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David McK (3576 KP) rated

Jan 30, 2019  
Tribune of Rome
Tribune of Rome
Robert Fabbri | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
4
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ever since (roughly) about a decade ago - when the movie 'Gladiator' first came out - I've been noticing more and more Roman-themed books, from Simon Scarrow's 'Macro and Cato' series to Conn Iggulden's 'Emperor' quartet to Ben Kane's 'Forgotten Legion Chronicles' (and now 'Enemy of Rome' series) to John Stack's 'Masters of the Sea' series to Anthony Riches' 'Empire' series to Harry Sidebottom's 'Warrior of Rome' series to ...

... you get the picture.

To that list, we can now also add Robert Fabbri with his planned 'Vespasian' series of books, of which this is the first. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm also going to state that (from the above list of authors) I've read at least one book in their respective series. Of those all - and, including, now, this book - I have to say, I've found Scarrow's novels to be the most entertaining.

As a novel, I found this one could be split into three distinct sections: the beginning was set during Vespasians early years in the Roman country-side and mainly concerning the relationship between him and his brother, before the setting moves to Rome proper when the two brothers get embroiled in Roman politics, and then (in the latter half of the book), following Vespasians early military career. It was probably this latter aspect of the book that is the most enjoyable, even if it does still suffer from seemingly stilted conversations that are used to move the plot along - that, and some 'Oh, come on! As if ...' moments (one in particular!).
 
While I read some more of this series? Possibly, but also I'm not going to be going out of my way to look for them.