Product Description

The action-packed new novel featuring Roman army officers Macro and Cato from Sunday Times bestselling author Simon Scarrow

While centurions Macro and Cato are returning to Rome from a harrowing campaign against the Parthians, their transport ship is almost capsized by a tidal wave. They barely make it to the port of Matala in Crete where they are stunned to find a devastated town. An earthquake has struck the island, destroying its cities and killing thousands. In the chaotic aftermath, large bands of the island's slaves begin to revolt and local bandits, taking advantage of the slave rebellion, urge the Cretans to overthrow the Roman administration. With many of the island's troops either killed or wounded during the earthquake, the governor of the province calls on Macro and Cato for help. Can they move swiftly enough to counter the rebellion before it sweeps the Romans from the island?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #744 in Books
• Published on: 2009-08-06
• Released on: 2009-08-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

About the Author
Simon Scarrow is the very well-established author of the Roman adventure novels in the Eagle series. He lives outside Norwich.

Customer Reviews

The Series Just Gets Better
Having re-read all the other books of the series through in time for the release of this book, I can comprehensively say that this is as good as any of the previous books. If you haven't read them yet, I'd advise that you do, as both Marco and Cato develop with every book so to get the most out of them, it's good to have the full story.

If you're looking for a new series to pick up, and you have a penchant for big bloody battles then the Eagle series is for you. If you've already read the other books, then the newest addition to the series will definitely not disappoint. I hope we don't have to wait as long for the next instalment!

A gritty novel - moving and finely written.
The Gladiator is the ninth in Scarrow's series following the expolits of Roman officers Macro and Cato. This time, they are on their way home, by sea, from the events that take place in Centurion. All seems set for a relaxing break and then a promising future, until a natural disaster strikes. Narrowly escaping ship-wreck Macro and Cato are forced to land in Crete they find the province in turmoil. Authority has collapsed and the slaves have siezed the chance to rise in rebellion, led by Ajax, a man with a very personal grudge against Macro and Cato.

As with earlier books, this is a pacy read, but what sets Scarrow ahead of most other historical writers is his ability to set the scene so well. All the reader's senses are beautifully catered for in the descriptions of Crete, the sea and tensions that exist between the characters. Macro and Cato are fully rounded and credible in a most engaging way.

One of the impressive things about this series is the way that Scarrow does not avoid tackling contentious themes. He did it in Eagle in the Sand and here we have Cato and Macro fighting slaves. From a modern perspective this might seem iffy, but slave revolts have to be viewed in context. Indeed, many aspects of ancient Roman life would strike a barbaric note to the modern reader. While Cato, the more thoughtful of the duo, might have some misgivings about slavery these are tempered by the credible brutality of the slaves. There is a deplorable tendency to regard past rebellions as somehow heroic, and this book is a useful reminder of the bloody realities of such uprisings, and Scarrow deftly balances the tale so that we understand the motivations of each side in the struggle.

The resolution of the novel is intrigueingly open-ended and I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book. This series is head and shoulders above similar offerings in the genre. Its success has also spawned a number of recent imitations by the likes of Sidebottom and Kane, and while imitation may be a sincere form of flattery, it is certainly no substitute for quality. I expect that Macro and Cato will be remembered long after the competition has faded from memory.

Buy The Gladiator. Simple as that. You'll thank me.

If only Carlsberg wrote books
Having waited what seemed like 2 years I was lucky enough to get a copy and have finished it in a day,

Please dont make me wait this long again as I just want to know what happens next.

In my opinion this is one of the best books in a brilliant series as its very fast paced and employs some clever and very unexpected twists.

Whilst the two main characters come roaring back to life, exciting new characters are emerging that i am sure will (hopefuly) feature in further books.

Whilst i would definately recommend buying thisit is also worthwhile starting at the beginning with Under the Eagle. By starting at the beginning you will grow to love this series of books and their main characters Macro and Cato (pronounced Kay Toe i found out yesterday).