Rob Reviews: Caratacus: Blood of Rome by John Salter

“Legionaries! Form Testudo! Don’t question me soldier, or you’ll be on latrine duties for a month. Why are we here you ask? For the glory of the Emperor of course, do I have to remind you?”

In 43 AD the Roman Legions land on the coast of Britannia. For the Romans Britannia is a dour, forbidding land, cold and rain sodden; its warlike tribes had proved too much for even the legendary Julius Caesar a century before. Only the promise of lands and booty convinces the near mutinous legions to follow their commanders over the treacherous channel between Gaul and Britannia. During late summer the ships of the Claudian invasion set sail.

We first see the invasion through the eyes of Centurion Varro. Varro commands an elite unit of horsemen, who act as scouts for the 2^nd Augusta Legion under the overall command of Legate Vespasian. As soon as possible Varro’s cavalry unit fan out to gauge the lay of the land. It becomes clear that the warriors who had weeks before watched the coast had been dispersed due to reports of the mutiny. The Legion lands unopposed but the landing has been observed by one who will become an implacable enemy: Caratacus of the Catuvellauni tribe.

The Catuvellauni had their seat of power in an area of modern Herefordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. They were warlike and fierce and were one of the dominant tribes in Britannia. It was the Catuvellauni who had formed the nucleus of resistance against Caesar. The tribe was ruled by Caratacus and his brother Togodumnus. A third brother, Adminius, had been previously exiled. It was Adminius who had appealed to Emperor Claudius for help in his restoration as king, helping supplying Rome with intelligence and a “justification” for the invasion.

Avoiding warbands Varro and his squadron rescue a child sacrifice, destined to be burnt alive in a wickerman. They return the boy to his grateful tribe where Varro meets the tribal healer called Brenna and begins a relationship with her. Brenna can see the benefits of Roman civilisation and wants to find a way of avoiding the bloodletting that is sure to come from resisting the invading legions. Her wishes come to nothing, however, with the brutal ambush of a supply train between the landing site and the Legion’s forward fort.

Returning to the Legion, Varro and his comrades bring news of a large force gathering, commanding a crossing of the Medway. Eager for a decisive victory, Vespasian launches an attack. The Britons aren’t lacking in courage, but they are lacking in armour, tactics and discipline. Despite their strong position they are hurled into retreat.

Trailing the defeated column Varro and his comrades are captured. Thirsting for revenge, a bloody retribution is enacted upon some of the captives. Only the timely intervention of Brenna saves Varro from mutilation and death. Brenna and her brother join Varro as members of their scouting unit.

As the story unfolds we begin to see the invasion through the eyes of Caratacus. Caratacus is driven by his hatred of Rome but despairs of the losses he sees his people suffering in set piece battles. The Catuvellauni make good their losses with reinforcements from the neighbouring Dubonni. Learning from their last encounter Caratacus and Togomundus make a stand guarding the fords of the Thames. Despite initial success the superior tactics of the Romans begins to tell. Togomundus makes a desperate chariot charge but his attack is repelled and he is mortally wounded. With their last natural defence lost, the lands and capitol of the Catuvellauni now lie open to the Romans.

Mourning the death of his brother Caratacus, his family and followers flee westward to the lands of his cousin, the king of the warlike Silures, occupying the mountains of present day south Wales. Caratacus realises that courage alone will not prevail and he must force the Romans to fight him on his terms; the Romans will pay dearly when they next meet him on the field of battle.

Caratacus: Blood of Rome is action packed book, chronicling the Claudian invasion of Britain. We get to see the events unfold from the perspective of a matter of fact professional Roman soldier and that of the passionate and driven Caratacus. The two characters mirror each other: both honourable men but with differing incentives.

The author, John Salter, certainly knows his subject, and is himself a keen Roman soldier re-enactor. The structure of the Legions, their equipment, and sheer logistics involved in the amphibious landing are conveyed to the reader without coming across as a historical lecture. This is a self-published book and it has to be said that there are some minor editing issues. A professional edit would sharpen the edge of this Gladius to cut more cleanly but saying that, the issues didn’t impinge on my enjoyment of this novel.

Both sides represented in this novel are brutal and cruel reflecting the harsh realities of war. Without giving too much away, bloody events at the end of this book cause perceived loyalties to be questioned. I’m hopeful that the author intends on a series of books chronicling the conquest of Britannia and I look forward to the next instalment.

Now, where was I? Oh yes. “Testudo will advance!”

Caratacus: Blood of Rome is available from Amazon.

This review was written by Rob Bayliss. Rob is currently working on his Flint and Steel, Fire and Shadow fantasy series. Part one, The Sun Shard is available at Amazon.