Three Hidden Roman Empire Novels to Read in 2026
Updated: Aug 28
I have published a fair few books in the last couple of years. Some of you are probably sick of hearing/seeing them (sorry not sorry) but I've also had a raft (well a few) (alright a couple) of new readers discover my work which has been really cool to see. It also made me think about what other books there are out there that fans of Roman fiction may not have uncovered.
With that in mind, I thought I would write a short blog post to highlight three books you may not have read if you're a fan of my work. Most of you would have read Conn Iggulden, Simon Scarrow, Ben Kane etc etc but many of you may not have read these.
I started writing books because of my love of fiction. It was the work of the authors I have named above that got me onto the genre, and it was then I discovered the books below.
Check them out!
Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem
A book set in similar territory to my Shadow of Rome series. It covers the withdrawal of Rome from Britain and then a desperate last stand in a bitter winter on the frozen Rhine. The central character Maximus is very well drawn out, and the story is compelling. He commands a single legion that must hold the line against an overwhelming barbarian force from across the river. Faced with a decision: holding true to his values or giving in to his men's wishes and proclaiming himself emperor, Maximus faces a moral dilemma.
First published in 1970, I re-read the first few pages whilst writing this, and the writing still holds up in 2026. A truly brilliant piece of work.
This is probably the best known of the three books on this post, thankfully still kept in print. It's a fantastic read and I'd urge any fans of Roman fiction to check it out
The Boat of Fate by Keith Roberts
Doesn't look like much, does it? That was my first thought when I picked it up. But it was published a long time ago and has not been given the refresh Eagle and the Snow has.
Again, it is set in the late empire, this one starting in Spain before going to Britain and Africa. It's a real adventure story, with memorable characters and plenty of action. We follow Sergius Paullus, a young man with dreams of glory. He blazes across the dying empire, seeking something I don't think he ever quite finds.
I loved it, and will definitely read again at some point. Would be great if a publisher picked it up once again and gave it a bit of a refresh. It deserves it. Not sure when this was originally published, but the edition on my shelf is 2001 (and looks as though it could be from the 1970's!)
Of Merchants and Heroes by Paul Waters
A book with different tones to the other two. Not a tale of war, not an action adventure novel really. It's emotive, personal, and highly immersive. Set in the Republic, when Rome having an empire was a distant dream.
There are action themes in it. Young Marcus, our central character, seeks revenge on the pirate Dikaiarchos who murders his father when they are caught travelling. To me though it was always secondary in this book. The characters, world building and the real sense of grounding in the Roman Republic I felt throughout the story took hold.
A real coming of age story, a young man figuring out who he is and who he wants to be. I devoured this, and it really opened my eyes to a different way of telling stories, rather than just battle scene after battle scene!
Comments