The Blood Road

by Gordon Doherty Book 7 in the Legionary series.

First published 2018

Amazon

4.5(1,138)

In 381 CE, the Gothic War has entered its fifth year. The Goths control much of the countryside but cannot capture the remaining imperial cities, and the arrival of Gratian’s western army appears capable of changing the balance.

Pavo and the XI Claudia know that Gratian is not simply their rescuer: the emperor also regards them as dangerous witnesses and opponents. Their march toward the war’s conclusion becomes a struggle through divided Roman loyalties, broken agreements and enemies on both sides of the frontier.

The Gothic War has already exposed the limits of Roman frontier policy after the disaster at Adrianople. Gratian and Theodosius need military recovery but also settlements that can stop displaced Gothic groups from remaining permanent enemies. Pavo’s experience therefore sits inside a transformation of the empire’s relationship with barbarian soldiers, where recruitment and negotiation increasingly accompany conventional campaigning.