It’s very difficult for me to say too much about some of the characters – if I do it tends to give the story away, so you’ll have to be content with a brief thumbnail sketch of just a few of them.
Crastus.
The legion commander is my central character. In his mid-fifties he has become the most prominent general in the Empire. He has been with the legions since early adulthood, rising steadily through the ranks to command his own legion the “Fighting Fifth”. He is a master of cavalry tactics as well as fighting on foot, and his men revere him. That loyalty has unfortunately a price, his Emperor, Valerian, regards him with suspicion, paranoid that such loyalty will translate into power capable of taking the throne away from him.
Crastus is loyal to his Emperor, and wants no part of the throne, but since he spends most of his life out in the field he is powerless to deal with the political intrigues of the palace.
Leander.
The young Tribune is Crastus’ aide, and trusted confidant. One day he will command his own legion, indeed maybe even the Fifth itself, but for now he has to learn the art of war. In his mid-twenties he is being given more and more responsibility but his loyalty to Crastus has placed him in a similarly precarious political position. Although brave he is aware of how much he has to learn from his patron and troubled by the political problems engendered by his proximity to Crastus.
Maximus.
Every legion has its ‘Pilus Premus’, the senior centurion who is the most respected fighting man in the legion. He runs the legion on behalf of its commander and although not an officer holds enormous sway. As ‘Pilus Premus’ of the Fifth, which regards itself as the primary legion of the empire Maximus regards himself as the foremost soldier of Rome. Attaining that position has taken its toll on the weather-beaten veteran who is older than Crastus, indeed would have been retired years ago if Crastus had managed to arrange it. He is the consummate professional legionary, and keeps the legion disciplined and ensures the legion is always ready for battle.
Valerian.
The first strong emperor for nearly fifty years has taken it upon himself to reinvigorate the stagnating empire and relive the glory days of Julius Ceasar, Augustus and Aurelian. Although not himself a warrior he has managed to inspire warriors, such as Crastus, to follow him. Now in middle age he has become paranoid and suspicious, culminating in him blaming Crastus for losing Perscara and ordering him to retake it, without giving him the resources he needs to achieve the task.
He has become decadent and surrounds himself with beautiful young slaves, neglecting his family, and indeed spends his time worrying about plots within the palace.
Gaius.
The Emperor’s Chamberlain, who would today function as a Prime Minister, and is the second most powerful man in the Empire. He has used his position to become obscenely rich and although venal and corrupt is loyal to his own friends and family, including his cousin Crastus. He has fingers in every pie but runs the commerce and trade of the Empire for Valerian and his economic policies have paid for Valerian’s civil war, whilst enriching both the Emperor and himself. Nothing happens in the palace without Gaius knowing about it, and he is not above organising the occasional assassination to get his way.