Vindolanda
Chapters (43)
VINDOLANDA
Adrian Goldsworthy
About Vindolanda
AD 98
VINDOLANDA
A FORT ON THE EDGE OF THE ROMAN WORLD
The bustling army base at Vindolanda lies on the northern frontier of Britannia and the entire Roman world.
In just over twenty years time, the Emperor Hadrian will build his famous wall. But for now defences are weak as tribes rebel against Rome, and local druids preach the fiery destruction of the invaders.
It falls to Flavius Ferox, Briton and Roman centurion, to keep the peace. But it will take more than just a soldier’s courage to survive life in Roman Britain.
Vindolanda is the first Roman novel from the bestselling non-fiction author of Caesar.
Contents
Welcome Page
About Vindolanda
Dedication
Place Names
Prologue
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Chapter XIV
Chapter XV
Chapter XVI
Chapter XVII
Chapter XVIII
Chapter XIX
Chapter XX
Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
Chapter XXIII
Chapter XXIV
Chapter XXV
Chapter XXVI
Chapter XXVII
Chapter XXVIII
Chapter XXIX
Chapter XXX
Historical Note
Endpapers
Glossary
About Adrian Goldsworthy
An Invitation from the Publisher
Copyright
Dedication
For Siân
Place Names
Bremenium: High Rochester
Bremesio: Piercebridge
Coria: Corbridge
Corinium: Cirencester
Eboracum: York
Gades: Cadiz in Spain
Londinium: London
Lugdunum: Lyon in France
Luguvallium: Carlisle
Magna: Carvoran
Trimontium: Newstead
PROLOGUE
11 September AD 98
THE RIDERS CAME from the north, black shapes in the darkness, and the few people who saw them kept out of their way and did not dare to call out a challenge. A band of men abroad at this hour were more than likely warriors or thieves or both. These ones moved with purpose, and that could mean many things. They came suddenly into a dell, scattering the dozen sheep that were grazing there, and the shepherd yelled out in anger before fear made him fall silent. The horsemen rode past, ignoring him and his animals. Half an hour later they came to a shallow valley, and the men urged their tired mounts into a canter. It was nearly dawn.