Tribune of Rome

An excellent first book in the series. I'm still having a bit of trouble thinking of Vespasian as a young man, dealing with a teasing older brother, rather than as the Emperor, General, and pater familius. I get the impression that Fabbri REALLY has done his research on Rome, and love the way he's fleshing out the bones of surviving sources. I also like another take on the Vespasian/Caenis story. There's a lot of action, a lot of intrigue, and I can only wish they'd make a movie of this, it would be exciting, but it would be hard to pick out what to leave out, because it's all so important to the story. There are no "dead" bits.

I think I must have read most of the current 'big guns' (or should that be 'big ballistae'?) of modern Roman Historical Fiction. I usually try and read one or two of other genres, or at least periods, inbetween, just because I'm afraid of them all blurring into one if I don’t. Until this book, Robert Fabbri was a new, sometimes difficult to spell correctly, name to me. Afterwards, and I’m really glad I made the effort to get hold of 'Vespasian', as I found it a thoroughly enjoyable, well-written and rewarding read.

We’re back in the first Century AD. This time, in the area of countryside around Rome. Vespasian is 16 and is living on the family farm with his mother and father. His ambitious mother and father. They mean well, I show more suppose, his mum and dad...though they are mainly ambitious that Vespasian and his brother do well, for the sake of the family and the family name. Vespasian’s elder brother Sabinus, has just returned home from his first period away with the army. Vespasian has been running the family estates, and is actually quite good at it. However, Mum and Dad have other plans for Vespasian. He must do his bit for the advancement of the family fortunes and so his next rung on the Roman social ladder, is that he too must join the army. So, the 16-year old Vespasian journeys with his brother to the big city (not many bigger at the time, of course), to the centre of the world, to Rome. Here, Vespasian and his brother are to seek help with their advancement from their uncle. They also get valuable lessons in how to (hopefully) avoid the many pitfalls involved with said advancement in Roman social society. Luckily for me - as endless backstabbing and double-dealing Roman-style talking usually sends me walking…not everything goes according to plan. Vespasian soon finds himself, mostly unknowingly, caught up in someone called Sejanus’ machinations in trying to depose the ageing Emperor Tiberius. Vespasian has to get the hell out of Dodge and past the Praetorian Guards, in something of a hurry. He finds an escape route, by taking up a relatively (hopefully) obscure position as Tribune somewhere out on Rome’s Balkan frontier. But troubles find him even out there. Though they are at least troubles of the sort - attacks from local tribesmen, presumably not too keen on being another Roman frontier province - that can be solved more easily with a sword and a shield. A kind of problem solving Vespasian, (still only 16, I checked) is showing he has both the aptitude - and sometimes surprising for a 16-year old - the strength, for. In the meantime, he has of course, being 16 and a riot of Roman hormones - some things don’t change - has fallen in love. With the ‘wrong’ girl. With a slave girl. Fortunately later on, she might actually be the right girl, when…well, you’ll have to buy the book(s) to find out.

‘Vespasian’ (the book) I found inviting, informative and thrilling. Often all at the same time. Vespasian (the character) I thought was sympathetic, understandable and therefore believable. I also found Robert Fabbris style of writing very accessible, with the relevant nuggets of Roman information needed for full appreciation of the background to Vespasian’s situation, Roman society of the time on the whole, really well handled. Presented in a much more natural, and lighter, way than some writers. Prof H. Sidebottom, is an example that springs naturally to mind. Not as in your face, as H. Sidebottom can often be. Reading his last one, I felt like I hadn’t done my homework properly. Robert Fabbri’s way of writing seems a more flowing, natural style and lets the story work without it stopping and starting and where were we now before I had to try and pronounce/try and understand that/yet another difficult Latin word? I actually found myself enjoying how Robert Fabbri writes about the Roman social scene and the myriad of potential pitfalls they seem to have had waiting for them on their way to the top. I didn’t think I liked that sort of thing, but in Robert Fabbri’s hands, it feels fresh and interesting. As a whole, I thought ‘Vespasian’ was well planned and executed, a nuanced picture of a Roman going places, interestingly informative without ever being over powering and above all, very readable.

‘Vespasian' looks like the start of an engaging, convincing and well worth following all the way, Roman saga. show less

Vespasian has lived his first 16 years in relative obscurity on his parents’ farm, his elder brother Sabenus has served in the army for four years and is now returned to Rome. Both boys are destined to use their family contacts to help them forge careers serving the Empire and the family travels to Rome to seek preferment.

Once reaching Rome it is clear that the Empire is struggling with internal strife and plots are manifest at every turn. Vespasian and Sejanus are taken up by Antonia, sister-in-law of Tiberius and mother of Caligula, serving her leads them into conflict with Sejanus, leader of the Praetorian Guard. Even a military posting the Thracia does not mean safety for Vespasian as he is drawn into a plot to destabilise the show more region, masterminded by Sejanus.

Being completely honest I have to admit that I’ve never been drawn to historical fiction of this era. The ‘swords and sandals’ epics have not appealed. This book is one that could change my mind. The author plays fast and loose with history to a certain extant but there is no doubt that he has researched Roman life and military actions. As a fictionalised biography of the early life of a well-documented character this book is not a piece of high literature. However as piece of historical fiction linked to known individual it is a pacy and exciting read. show less

Thoroughly enjoyable read. Great writing. Easy to follow and picture, the events are described perfectly. Action scenes are immense, blood and guts galore. The realism adds to this novel; fighting in those days was brutal and bestial. I will certainly be reading the rest of this series and have already ordered books 2 and 3.

A very good read this. The author clearly has a genuine love of the historical setting and this shone through in some of the detail. The narrative was smooth and the characters likeable and I found the chemistry between Vespasian and Magnus humorous and memorable.
There were some issues with flat dialogue early on, where a lot of backstory seemed to be conveyed through unrealistic sounding conversations, but overall this was a tiny blip on an enjoyable journey.

Well worth a read for hist fic fans

Generously, I gave this novel four stars. It is good, but not great, but it was good, and I am feeling generous, so 4 stars. The story covers the life of the young Vespasian, as, at age 16, he enters public life in Rome, in the latter reign of the ageing Tiberius, amidst the machinations of Sejanus and others.

Immediately upon his arrival Vespasian, finds himself in a faction, opposed to the nefarious Sejanus, with the Lady Antonia as one of the ring-leaders. Vespasian also finds love, or at least lust, with a beautiful slave girl, a relationship that saves his life later in the novel. His first taste of imperial politics is a daring, night raid to save his beloved slave girl, which results in him having to leave Rome post haste, which show more carries him to Thrace, and one more conspiracy.

Our hero arrives in Thrace, with the rank of junior tribune, just as a rebellion is being crushed. Vespasian proves himself to be an able and brave soldier. He also proves himself to be an equally capable political insider. Evidence of the treason of Sejanus is uncovered. The novel ends with Vespasian stationed for four more years on the frontier. show less

Great book, everything you would want in a Historical novel, accuracy, great character development and characters that you can get interested in and really good plot, non stop action.
Robert Fabbri seems have synthesised some of the best aspects of other Historical/Sword n Sandal authors - definitely now one of my top authors in this genre