Britain, A.D. 343. The end of Roman rule. The Antonine Wall has fallen and order slowly collapses on the northernmost edge of the empire. The little protection that Rome has from the Dalriad and Caledone tribes comes from a small post of half-wild legionnaires: The Frontier Wolves. During a period of tentative peace in Northern Britain, a young commander is sent to preside over this undisciplined lot at their borderland outpost. Yet Alexios Flavius Aquila knows his assignment to Castellum was not a promotion. After abandoning a fort in the German province during a barbarian attack, the Centurion lost half his men. Were his uncle not the governor of northern Britain, Alexios would not be calling himself a legionnaire at all. Given the circumstances, this exile was humane.
In this quick-moving historical novel, acclaimed author Rosemary Sutcliff realizes Alexios's struggles to contain, govern, and ultimately earn the respect of these Frontier Wolves. His tenure with the pack requires a balance, too, between controlling and honoring the tribes that occupy Roman land. During an overwhelming raid at the book's end, Alexios is faced with the same decision that almost cost him his career. This time, he again orders his men to abandon their fort and leads them on a harrowing trek southward, towards Hadrian's Wall, and safety. With the vicious Northern tribes at his men's heels for the entire journey, it is not until he reaches the fort at Habitancum that he knows he chose correctly.
In this quick-moving historical novel, acclaimed author Rosemary Sutcliff realizes Alexios's struggles to contain, govern, and ultimately earn the respect of these Frontier Wolves. His tenure with the pack requires a balance, too, between controlling and honoring the tribes that occupy Roman land. During an overwhelming raid at the book's end, Alexios is faced with the same decision that almost cost him his career. This time, he again orders his men to abandon their fort and leads them on a harrowing trek southward, towards Hadrian's Wall, and safety. With the vicious Northern tribes at his men's heels for the entire journey, it is not until he reaches the fort at Habitancum that he knows he chose correctly.
