Author's Note

 

Conspiracy of Eagles once more takes some of the focus away from the campaign in Gaul, though only in a supplementary way. Following on from the third book, clearly some further expansion on the political situation in Rome was of value, and Fronto's private life needs to be prised open like an oyster shell in the hope of finding pearls within.

This book sees two of the most famous scenes in the whole of Caesar's Gallic Wars: the landing in Britannia with the signifer leaping into the water, depicted in so many images, and the astounding piece of engineering that was the Rhine bridge. And yet it would be all too easy to see this year as the pinnacle of Roman success and power.

Conversely, I have introduced two elements to counteract that. Firstly the assassinations that form one major thread of the tale, and which illustrate the divisions among the triumvirate at this time and the effect that must have had on the army. They also help me show the most uncaring side of Caesar's nature.

Secondly, the continuing failure of Rome to settle the troubles in the region. The rising at Gesoriacum only goes to show that Gaul was far from conquered in 55bc, a fact that will continue to build as the books move toward the great revolt.

Fronto is starting to show his age. After all, he is now around forty years of age, which is not young for a member of the Roman military. And yet as his physical strengths appear to be on the wane, his social life is becoming all the more vital and active.

Book 4 may be something of a surprise to the reader after the first three, but it is far from the end, despite the events of the epilogue. In fact it informs the entire plot of book 5, which will continue to explore Fronto's personal life particularly in respect of the powerful Caesar and Pompey, the crumbling control of Gaul and the legions' return visit to Britannia in the hands of some of Fronto's old friends.

Fronto is far from done and there is yet a place for him in the final conquest of Gaul. But he has a number of demons to best before he can be the man for that job.

I hope you enjoyed Conspiracy of Eagles.

Thank you for reading.

 

Simon Turney - March 2013