John Stack

John Stack is an Irish author of historical fiction who was born and lives in County Cork. He is best known for the bestselling Masters of the Sea trilogy, which begins with Ship of Rome and continues with Captain of Rome and Master of Rome. Set during the First Punic War, the novels follow the struggle between Rome and Carthage for control of the Mediterranean, combining naval warfare, political rivalry and the experiences of officers and sailors serving aboard the newly created Roman fleet.

Stack’s fiction is distinguished by its concentration on ancient seamanship, military organisation and the practical difficulties of fighting at sea. Alongside the Masters of the Sea books, he has written the Mercenary of Rome novels Mutiny and Retribution, as well as Armada and Treachery. His action-led stories are particularly suited to readers interested in Republican Rome, Carthage, Mediterranean naval warfare and protagonists whose loyalties are tested by military ambition and political conflict.

Periods and events

Western Front World War I Air War Spanish Armada

Series

Series by John Stack (2 series)

Masters of the Sea in Order

by John Stack 3 books 4.1

The Masters of the Sea trilogy follows Atticus Perennis, a Greek-born captain whose seamanship becomes essential when the Roman Republic attempts to challenge Carthage during the First Punic War. Paired with the Roman centurion Septimus, Atticus must turn soldiers into fighting sailors while navigating a command system in…

Ship of Rome

4.0

Captain of Rome

4.2

Master of Rome

4.3

Mercenary of Rome in Order

by John Stack 3 books 4.1

The Mercenary of Rome trilogy returns to Atticus Perennis and Septimus after the First Punic War has left Carthage defeated, indebted and unable to pay the multinational army that fought for it. The resulting Mercenary War draws the Roman sailors into a conflict of mutiny, piracy, hostage-taking and…