Below is a detailed article about fiction books based on the Roman era in Britain. Authors such as Rosemary Sutcliff and Ruth Downie have contributed to this kind of literature. Let us see some interesting writings below.
Islands of Ghosts by Gillian Bradshaw
Contents
The novel revolves around Ariantes, a barbarian war prince from the Roman era who was forcefully brought into Roman Britain from his barbaric land. He was made distant from his family, customs and culture where he came from. The emperor at the time was Marcus Aurelius. Ariantes came from the land of Sarmatia, where people hated Britain. He and his troops were sent by the Roman British emperor to Hadrian’s Wall on an expedition.
The novel was published in the year 1992.
The Legions of the Mist by Amanda Cockrell
During the beginning of the 2nd century AD, there were legions being sent out by the Roman emperors across lands. One of them was called the ‘Hispana’ and are said to be the ninth legions. There were sent into Roman Britain but are said to have been disappeared forever. The author has put the legend down in the book in a story form which catches your attention from the first page.
It is believed that Rome erased their names completely from the scrolls of the legions. They gave up legionry and took up the native tribe and became one with them. However, they suffered disastrous consequences.
The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis
The book was published in 1989 and is an interesting historical crime set in the Roman British era in the year 70 AD. It is a part of the novel series that stars Marco Didius Falco who is an imperial agent. The book is applauded for its highly detailed information about the surroundings and life in the Roman Britain era. The details are said to be authentic in nature and therefore is an interesting read.
Ruso and the disappearing Dancing girls by RS Downie (Ruth Downie)
The author is highly inspired by Roman Britain and has written many historical novels based in Roman Britain. This one is a historical mystery based in Deva, Romania in the Roman times. The story revolves around an army surgeon who becomes a detective under certain circumstances.
The book is interesting due to its highly perceptive nature. The atmosphere in the book gives many details and insights into Roman life.
The Little Emperors by Alfred Duggan
The book is inspired by the fall of the mighty Roman empire. The story is set in 405 AD and describes the fall of the province of Britannia. The story revolves around Felix, an imperial civil servant in Britannia. The story shows how the Saxon pirates attacked the Roman Britain provinces and how they affected the lives of these people.
From a historical point of view, the book captures details and shows a description of what Britain went through, during the fall of the Roman empire. The author names many provinces of Britain in Roman times like London or Londonium and the other five provinces.
Roman, Go Home! by Adam Fergusson
The book was published in 1969. It is a historical satire that describes the fall of the Roman empire and is set in the 5th century AD. It is the story of a Roman Governor of Britain falling in love with a barbarian chief’s pretty blonde daughter. The story is set between warfares between the two communities that gets bloody toward the end. However, it is rated as quite an entertaining story of Roman Britain times.
The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff
This is a novel set in Roman Britain written for kids to understand the historical beauty of Roman Britain. It was published in 1954. It is a story after Hadrian’s Wall was built. It is about a Roman office, Marcus Flavia Aquila who tries to find out about the disappearance of his fathers legion in Roman Britain. Later, he finds out the annihilation of the tribe by the rising northern tribes. The book was published by the Oxford University Press.
Claudius by Douglas Jackson
The story is set in the first century based on the Roman Emperor Claudius. The novel revolves around the battle of Southern Britain when Caracatus was the chief. The description of how the various Roman legions defeated the different tribes of Britain and the victory of Emperor Claudius is the highlight of the book.
