Barbarian Princess (book)
Encyclopedia
Barbarian Princess is the second in a historical fiction trilogy about the 1st-century Roman Empire. Set primarily in Roman Britain circa AD 76-79, it follows the adventures of a pair of Roman brothers - one free-born and one slave-born - as they serve in the Roman legions.
to the Legio II Augusta
in Western Britain under the command of provincial governor Sextus Julius Frontinus
. The novel opens with Correus returning from a spying expedition to some of the local British tribes, one of which, the Silures, will provide the main antagonist in the person of their king Bendigeid.
Upon returning to his legion, Correus loses his German mistress Freita to the knife of a Briton trying to kill the governor. He is subsequently involved in a battle against the tribe that killed his Freita and must also find time to rescue his half-brother Flavius Appius Julianus, his father's heir with whom he has an uneasy and somewhat adversarial relationship, from the Silures' allies. And Correus also must come to grips with his increasing interest in the governor's hostage - a young British princess named Ygerna who has been given into his care to Romanize. In the meantime, the tribes of western Britain try to survive the governor's attempt to tie them up into the Roman Empire.
writing under the pseudonym Damion Hunter. In her own name, Ms. Cockrell also has written a separate non-fiction book called Legions of the Mist about the Legio IX Hispana
which was stationed in the modern-day city of York
during this period and whose actions play a large, albeit off-stage role, in the events covered in Barbarian Princess. The other two books in the series are the eponymous The Centurions
which begin the tale of the two brothers and their extended family and The Emperor's Games
, which is the final book in the unfinished series. It is unknown why the series never continued past the third book as it was clearly intended to be a much lengthier tale on the order of the , though the most probable reasons are a lack of consumer interest or a change of direction from either the publisher or the author.
Plot summary
Correus Appius Julianus is the slave born son of retired Roman general Flavius Appius Julianus who is currently posted as a centurionCenturion
A centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army .Centurion may also refer to:-Military:* Centurion tank, British battle tank* HMS Centurion, name of several ships and a shore base of the British Royal Navy...
to the Legio II Augusta
Legio II Augusta
Legio secunda Augusta , was a Roman legion, levied by Gaius Vibius Pansa Caetronianus in 43 BC, and still operative in Britannia in the 4th century...
in Western Britain under the command of provincial governor Sextus Julius Frontinus
Sextus Julius Frontinus
Sextus Julius Frontinus was one of the most distinguished Roman aristocrats of the late 1st century AD, but is best known to the post-Classical world as an author of technical treatises, especially one dealing with the aqueducts of Rome....
. The novel opens with Correus returning from a spying expedition to some of the local British tribes, one of which, the Silures, will provide the main antagonist in the person of their king Bendigeid.
Upon returning to his legion, Correus loses his German mistress Freita to the knife of a Briton trying to kill the governor. He is subsequently involved in a battle against the tribe that killed his Freita and must also find time to rescue his half-brother Flavius Appius Julianus, his father's heir with whom he has an uneasy and somewhat adversarial relationship, from the Silures' allies. And Correus also must come to grips with his increasing interest in the governor's hostage - a young British princess named Ygerna who has been given into his care to Romanize. In the meantime, the tribes of western Britain try to survive the governor's attempt to tie them up into the Roman Empire.
Analysis
The novels are marked by their author's obvious love of the topic and the clearly intensive research she did to write them - the depictions of 1st-century Roman life have the ring of authenticity. The trilogy is also remarkable in that both sides are portrayed sympathetically, though the Romans - Correus in particular - are clearly the heroes of the story. However, there is enough ambiguity on both sides that the reader can't help being drawn into the lives of the characters.Trivia
The Centurions trilogy was written by Amanda CockrellAmanda Cockrell
Amanda Cockrell is a professor of English at Hollins University, specializing in children's literature and creative writing. She is also the author of a number of works, writing both under her own name and a variety of pseudonyms.-Selected bibliography:...
writing under the pseudonym Damion Hunter. In her own name, Ms. Cockrell also has written a separate non-fiction book called Legions of the Mist about the Legio IX Hispana
Legio IX Hispana
Legio Nona Hispana was a Roman legion, which operated from the first century BCE until mid 2nd century CE. The Spanish Legion's disappearance has raised speculations over its fate, largely of its alleged destruction in Scotland in about 117 CE, though some scholars believe it was destroyed in the...
which was stationed in the modern-day city of York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
during this period and whose actions play a large, albeit off-stage role, in the events covered in Barbarian Princess. The other two books in the series are the eponymous The Centurions
The Centurions
The Centurions were an American surf rock band from Newport Beach, California, active in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In recent times, they are best known for their recording "Bullwinkle Part II", a dark and saxy surf tune from their eponymous album. This tune was featured in Quentin...
which begin the tale of the two brothers and their extended family and The Emperor's Games
The Emperor's Games
The Emperor's Games is the third and last book in a historical fiction trilogy about the 1st-century Roman Empire. Set primarily in Rome and Lower Germany circa AD 81-83, it follows the adventures of a pair of Roman brothers - one free-born and one slave-born - as they serve in the Roman...
, which is the final book in the unfinished series. It is unknown why the series never continued past the third book as it was clearly intended to be a much lengthier tale on the order of the , though the most probable reasons are a lack of consumer interest or a change of direction from either the publisher or the author.