Blood and Steel

The second book in Harry Sidebottom’s Throne of the Caesars series is titled “Blood and Steel.” The story, which takes place in Rome in the turbulent year 238 AD, combines historical authenticity with nail-biting intensity. As the empire loses resources and soldiers in its northern conflicts and uprisings erupt in far-off lands, Emperor Maximinus’s reign is in jeopardy.

The Gordian dynasty descended from the Imperial line and offered the establishment a chance to take back control. When an assassin kills the emperor’s prefect, revealing the Gordians’ succession to the throne, chaos breaks out in Rome. Man of war Maximinus answers with decisive savagery. The fate of the Roman Empire will be decided by blood and sword on arid plains outside of Carthage.