Last Legion - Softcover

Manfredi, Valerio

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330489755 ISBN 13: 9780330489751

Publisher: Macmillan Pub Ltd, 2003

Synopsis

The story opens on the day that the Western Roman Empire collapses finally in 470AD, with the city itself over-run. In the preceeding months a small group of British Roman soldiers, led by a true hero, have journeyed to the city and have arrived just before the final climax. The task they have set themselves is to save the spirit of the empire by rescuing the young son of the last Emperor, Romulus Augustus. Having found him and taken him away they decide to journey across northern Europe as there are strong rumours that an entire Legion of the Roman Army has remained loyal to Rome and has become an independent unit. They hope by finding the Legion and establishing the boy as the legitmate Emperor a stand can be taken and the Empire revived. However, their search is fruitless and eventually the leader and the child return to the Britain of the Dark Ages, where they re-emerge in legend as Merlin and Arthur Pendragon

About this title

About the Author:

Valerio Massimo Manfredi is Professor of Classical Archaeology at Luigi Bocconi University in Milan. He has published nine works of fiction, including the Alexander trilogy which has been translated into 24 languages in 38 countries, and the film rights for which have been acquired by Universal Pictures/Dreamworks. He has written and hosted documentaries on the ancient world, and has written screenplys for cinema and television. He lives with his family in the countryside near Bologna, Italy.

Review:

Ancient Rome, Roman history, gladiators. This novel has them all. So it comes as no surprise to learn that Dino De Laurentiis, producer of Gladiator, wants to make the film of this historical epic by the author of the bestselling Alexander Trilogy. Set in the twilight years of the Roman Empire, a band of British Roman soldiers try to save the decadent crumbling Empire by rescuing Romulus Augustus, the young son of the last Emperor, and installing him as the figurehead of a rejuvenated Empire. But it all comes to nothing and they return to Britain where further adventures await them. Stirring, atmospheric and factually accurate historical fiction (the author is an archaeologist and historian) that certainly makes the most of the current interest in Roman adventures, Hollywood style.

About this edition

• Publisher: Macmillan Pub Ltd
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0330489755
• ISBN 13: 9780330489751
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448