Mindful of his friendship and a sense of duty, Victorius, also known as Verota, made this monument.
Afterword
The inscription is historical, all the rest is fiction. Neither Phillyrio nor Verota is otherwise known. Aban is no more than the name of a barbarian deserter on an ostraca: JRS 84 (1994), p.97. But Capelianus plays the role given him here – defeating the Gordiani, persecuting their followers – in ancient texts. Herodian says ‘if anything were to take a wrong turn in Maximinus’ fortunes, Capelianus intended to make a bid for power himself’ (VII.9.11). Neither Herodian nor any other ancient historian tells us if that happened, but perhaps fiction will …
The topography of the suburbs of Carthage is drawn from the martyrdom of St Cyprian.
For the tribal thought world of Faraxen I used M. Brett, and E. Fentress, The Berbers (Oxford, 1996).
In all my fiction there are deliberate homages to other novels. Here the nickname of the speculatores is taken from Frontier Wolf by Rosemary Sutcliff; and a phrase is adapted from The March by E.L. Doctorow.
‘Shadow & Dust’ starts from the same place as Fire & Sword, but takes a different path. As such, it is the ideal trailer for the novel.
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About the Author
Dr Harry Sidebottom teaches classical history at the University of Oxford, where he is a lecturer at Lincoln College.
He has an international reputation as a scholar, having published widely on ancient warfare, classical art and the cultural history of the Roman Empire. He divides his time between Oxford and Newmarket in Suffolk, where he lives with his wife and two sons.
Also by Harry Sidebottom
FICTION
The Warrior of Rome Series
Fire in the East
King of Kings
Lion of the Sun
The Caspian Gates
The Wolves of the North
The Amber Road
The Throne of the Caesars Series
Iron & Rust
Blood & Steel
NON-FICTION
Ancient Warfare
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