Iron and Rust
The rise and fall of empires in ancient Rome
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:26th Feb '15
Should be back in stock very soon
In Iron and Rust, the struggle for power in 3rd century Rome unfolds amid chaos, betrayal, and the rise of a new emperor, Maximinus Thrax.
Set in the tumultuous 3rd century, Iron and Rust immerses readers in a Rome that is rife with chaos and conflict. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of murder, coups, and civil war, painting a vivid picture of a society on the brink of collapse. As the streets echo with the sounds of terror, the struggle for power intensifies, leading to a dramatic year in which six different emperors vie for the esteemed Throne of the Caesars.
The story begins in the spring of AD 235, when the assassination of Emperor Alexander marks the end of the Severan dynasty. This pivotal moment paves the way for a new ruler, Maximinus Thrax, a formidable figure forged in the fires of battle. However, his ascent to power is fraught with challenges, as he must secure the Senate's approval to solidify his reign. As Rome grapples with uncertainty and external threats from barbarian forces, Maximinus finds himself navigating a treacherous political landscape filled with personal loss and conspiracy.
Iron and Rust delves deep into the themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the human condition amidst the backdrop of war and intrigue. It explores how far individuals are willing to go for power and the consequences that follow. In this gripping tale, the quest for the Throne of the Caesars becomes a powerful testament to the complexities of leadership and loyalty in a fractured empire.
Praise for Iron & Rust:
‘An amazing story of bloodlust, ruthless ambition and revenge’ The Times
Praise for Harry Sidebottom:
‘Sidebottom’s prose blazes with searing scholarship’ THE TIMES
‘Superior fiction, with depth, authenticity and a sense of place’ TLS
‘A storming triumph…wonderful fight scenes, deft literary touches and salty dialogue’ DAILY TELEGRAPH
‘Explosive action and knuckle-whitening drama’ GUARDIAN
‘Sidebottom knows how to keep readers hooked from first to last’ DAILY EXPRESS
Praise for the Warrior of Rome series:
'The point of the novel, however, is action, heroic deeds, and gore. The qualities a writer of such stories needs – imagination stimulated through the soles of his feet as he walks the scenes of his tale, and a sound knowledge of the period – are abundantly possessed by Sidebottom … a gripping book' TLS
'The latest in this series of novels on Rome’s Persian Wars, Lion of the Sun, is, like the first two, a book to keep you up well past your bedtime. It’s all about war and killing; I loved it’
EVENING STANDARD
'The lionisation of war makes my blood run cold, but Dr Harry Sidebottom’s prose blazes with such searing scholarship that there is enormous enjoyment in this rumbustuous tale of the late Roman Empire … Sidebottom treads in the footsteps of the greatest mimetic historian-storytellers of the 18th and 19th centuries. He makes you feel as though you are there' Bettany Hughes, THE TIMES
'Harry Sidebottom works on Rome’s 3rd-century army the magic that Patrick O’Brian applied to Nelson’s navy. He has the touch of an exceptionally gifted story-teller drawing on prodigious learning'
Tim Severin, author of the Viking Trilogy
ISBN: 9780007499878
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 27mm
Weight: 310g
432 pages