Customer Reviews

Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania

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I received my copy of this work and within a short time discovered to my immense pleasure, that I actually had two superior works in one volume!
While the title and primary subject of the work is of course the first comprehensive biography written on Drusus The Elder, the bonus contained between its covers is that the author, Lindsay Powell, has also included a very good historical account of not only the subject, but his times, culture and associated events connected to him!
This dual representation makes this work even more valuable for historians or even those with a casual interest in the period.
The author's style is light, comprehensive and immensely readable making both works I have read by him serious "shelf keepers".
This work deserves a five star rating and is highly recommended.
GySgt D.A. "Red" Millis II USMC (ret) Curator, Marine Corps Legacy Museum

There are names from history which always spring readily to mind - even if we may not correctly remember the relevant dates or deeds - Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun and so forth. In all my years of hearing such names in whatever context, I have never previously heard of Drusus the Elder. On reading this book, two thoughts occurred to me. The first is that I really do not understand why his name is not as widely known as any other from ancient history. Certainly his achievements are worthy of such acclaim. My second is that, somehow, I rather fancy I will be hearing his name again and again in coming years now that this important job of research is published.

Drusus the Elder. You heard it first here - in this book!!!

Described as the "... most important Roman who has not been written about - until now", Drusus was stepson of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, through marriage. His exploits included successful, and very daring, military campaigns by land and sea which expanded the Roman Empire as far as the River Elbe in Germany and supervising one of the largest military infrastructure developments of the time. He even married Marc Antony's daughter Antonia with whom he fathered the Emperor Claudius and Germanicus who became Rome's most popular general.

And yet, he somehow remained a footnote to the many historical documents which testified to his achievements and greatness. To me that is something akin to reading a potted history of WW2 where Churchill is only mentioned right at the very end - as an afterthought - you know - "and he was also involved!"

As an historian who spends countless hours immersed in research, I am able to recognise dedicated investigation wherever I see it. This book is an absolute triumph of such hard work and I congratulate the author on his investigative prowess. Having said that, I did find the style rather difficult to get into. The writing is somewhat hard going and lacks relaxation. Nevertheless, that should not prevent anyone from enjoying the exploits of one of the most important and overlooked Romans of all time.

NM

I was drawn to this book because it promised to tell an untold story. And what a story it turned out to be! The Romans considered Nero Claudius Drusus one of their all-time greats, and reading this book you can see why. Lindsay Powell brings evidence from the ancient world and pieces together the story of this little known Roman's life. The book is brim full of information about Drusus' life and times. The author seems to have meticulously researched his topic and it shows because the book is crisply written and easy to read. I especially liked maps that really help to bring the story to life.

It's wonderful to be able to read about a real flesh-and-blood Roman hero, rediscovered and vividly brought back to life. Between the antics of the Roman imperial family, the politics, great building projects, the adventure, two wars, a medical mystery (which he solves) - even a ghost makes an appearance - it's a great non-fiction story and 'must have' book!

Drusus the Elder embodied all the qualities a Roman should possess. Loyal to his family, brave beyond belief, a great warrior, a fine general, a loyal husband, an able governor with authority, a diplomat, a respectable virtuous man. He was a hero, bred and groomed to BE a hero. But for an incredible stroke of bad luck, almost all contemporary sources were lost! And this man, that was so loved and respected in Rome, was all but forgotten by History turning into a footnote of Augustus principate.

In his first book, Powell investigated tirelessly the sources and gives us this very well annotated biography of Drusus the Elder. From the minute references in the sources, archeological record, numismatic, etc, the author reconstructs his life and career including the highlights like the war in Raetia and Noricum; his administration in Gaul (including the creation of the Concillium Gallorum), the invasion of Germany through an impressive amphibian operation (where he reached the Elbe and managed to achieve Spolia Optima...a very rare trophy indeed), his diplomatic skills with the Batavians and other tribes that became friends to Rome, also detailed is his tragic death in Castra Scelerata. Lindsay Powell also hasn't forgotten the dedication of Drusus to his wife Antonia Minor, or his political Republican tendencies.

Drusus was a remarkable man indeed, and now you can read a very good account of his exploits. Some limitations are expected of course; for example, describing the Alpine Celts the author used generic information about the Celts. Powell does this several times, but it is important to those readers who aren't that familiar with ancient history, so they get the basic information about what the author is mentioning (for example the cursus honorum, the roman army, the Germanic tribes, etc.)...I don't consider them "filler", they are useful for many readers.

This work has very good notes, remarkable maps (most by Carlos de la Rocha), excellent gazetteer with details of what we must visit, and foreword by the great Graham Sumner (why didn't you provide plates for this book? Why? Why?).

The only serious shortcoming in this book is the plate references throughout the text. There are too many mistakes. For example in page 26 referring to the passage through the alps, points to Plate 7 (a carving of Drusus in Ara Pacis); on page 31 the text is providing info on the pole legionaries used to carry equipment and points to plate 12, but that pole is illustrated in plate 11! There are numerous mistakes like those. I advise caution in a next edition, but I cannot honestly remove a star to this great work.

Lindsay Powell's biography on Drusus the Elder fills in the gap of one of Rome's most significant parts of it's early Imperial history, the German expansion under Ceasar Augustus. What is so puzzling is how this aspect of the Empire was lost for so long. It is very true when he writes of how it was glossed over down through the ages by so many historians, Mommsen, in particular down played the role of Drusus the Elder. I for one in all my readings seldom saw more than a paragraph devoted to the German campaigns and in several instances, Drusus the Elder's name was not mentioned. Far more has been devoted to defeat of Varus and the loss of three legions in 9 A.D. in the Teutoburg Forest than ever devoted to Drusus. If it had not been for Drusus campaigns, we would have never hear of Verus and his incompetency. But that is another story.

What is so miraculous about Lindsay Powell is that through his tireless research, gleaning from hundreds of resources, he pulled bits and scraps together into a compelling and readible piece that gives modern historians the first comprehensive and detailed work of Drusus and Rome's German campaigns. The fact that Drusus the Elder, stepson of Caesar Augustus and younger brother of future Emperor, Tiberius, was all but forgotten later, seems almost unforgivable. Powell has rightfully resurrected his name, his memory will hopefully once again take its proper place in Roman history among other Roman heros such as Caesar, Pompey and Scipio Africanus. The young general thoroughly planned each campaign season, listened to his senior officers and won the respect of the legionaries by leading and fighting from the front. He was at times reckless but also lucky. He was not only a fighter, but a diplomat. He made treaties and alliances with the Germans whenever possible and they supplied him with troops, supplies and intelligence during his campaigns. He was an able governor, ruling over the Three Gauls with an even hand. Unfortunately, he died an untimely death at age 29 when he was thrown from his horse and landed beneath him. As as horse rider myself, I can almost visualize what happened to him, and the agony he suffered, as my wife was badly injured in a similar accident.

This is a history not only of the man, but the life and times of Rome during Augustus's early reign. Although brief, Powell gives the reader an excellent fingernail sketch of what it was like to live in Rome, Gaul and Germania and the customs of the people.

I highly recommend this book anyone interested in Roman history. It should take its place alongside other must read histories of the Roman period. Lindsay Powell has made a very important contribution to our knowledge of the Roman Empire and resurrected the name of one of its important personalities.