Description

S.M. Stirling continues the new timeline where Rome never fell into ruin and, indeed, is reaching for the stars!

Rome Never Fell. It united the human race . . .

. . . courtesy of time travellers from the 21st century, just before a nuclear war doomed civilization and possibly the human race itself.

Or the Roman Empire thought it had united the human race.

But when interstellar travel began . . . Rome found that the stars were inhabited.

By aliens, and by humans transplanted by an alien empire long ago, tens of thousands of years ago. That empire had fallen, leaving Rome to unite the planets of other stars. But the ruins of that empire contained technology more advanced than the Roman Empire possessed, and warlords who used it without understanding it.

Eventually, a warlord coalition decided to challenge Rome. A surprise attack seized a few border worlds and hoped to smash down the newcomer's budding empire.

But Rome is infinitely patient, infinitely determined. The Roman space navy and the Roman legions will rally and launch a counter-attack, led by Aquila Amphion. The Roman space navy will deliver legions to two worlds the warlords have attacked, and keep the supply lines open as best they can. Rome's history is of victory, and they do not doubt it will continue . . . whatever the warlords' advantages. Raw courage and discipline oppose piratical bravado. Which will prevail?