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Iron and Rust

by Harry Sidebottom Book 1 in the Throne of the Caesars series.

First published 2014

Amazon
3.7(998)

In AD 235 the emperor Severus Alexander and his mother, Julia Mamaea, are murdered by soldiers on the Rhine. The army raises Maximinus Thrax in their place, giving the empire a ruler whose authority rests on military success rather than senatorial acceptance or dynastic legitimacy.

The novel follows emperors, officers, senators and provincial families as the new regime demands money and obedience while fear spreads through Rome and the frontier provinces. Private rivalries and political calculation reveal the beginnings of the Crisis of the Third Century, when an emperor could rise through the army and fall just as quickly.

Historical Periods

Severan Dynasty193–235 CE Crisis of the Third Century235–284 CE

Genres

Biographical Fiction Court & Political Fiction War Fiction

Historical people

Severus Alexander208–235 Julia Mamaea180–235 Maximinus Thrax173–238

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