It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
Hammer of Rome

Hammer of Rome

(Gaius Valerius Verrens 9): A thrilling and dramatic historical adventure that conjures up Roman Britain perfectly

Summary

Perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Ben Kane, this formidable and compelling historical thriller from bestselling author Douglas Jackson will have you absolutely gripped...

"Spectacular and satisfying...thrilling and dramatic...Roman historical fiction at its very best" -- SUNDAY EXPRESS

"Douglas Jackson is one of the finest writers about today...this series is a glorious achievement" -- FOR WINTER NIGHTS
"Rightly hailed as one of the best historical novelists writing today" -- DAILY EXPRESS
"I was devastated to finish this novel and look forward to many more from the pen of Douglas Jackson" -- ***** Reader review
"Superb in every way" -- ***** Reader review

*****


IN THE FAR NORTH, GAIUS VALERIUS VERRENS' DESTINY AWAITS...


AD 80
: Gaius Valerius Verrens is back where he belongs, at the head of a legion. But this is no ordinary legion. His command is the 'unlucky' Ninth, tainted by four decades of ill fortune and poor leadership. A unit regarded as expendable by his superior, Gnaeus Julius Agricola...

Yet all that can be swept aside by a single moment of glory, and the invasion of the north of the province provides the perfect opportunity. Valerius leads his men to a devastating victory against the Brigantes, infuriating Agricola... Soon, even greater honours beckon with the death of Emperor Vespasian and the succession of Valerius's friend, Titus.

All Valerius can do is forget the great prizes on offer, concentrate on defeating the savage tribes who lie in the path of the Ninth, and ignore Agricola's intrigues.

But watching his every move is another enemy - and this one is the most formidable enemy he has ever faced...

Hammer of Rome is the last of the Gaius Valerius Verrens novels. Have you read the other eight?

Reviews

  • Spectacular and satisfying . . . thrilling and dramatic . . . Roman historical fiction at its very best.
    SUNDAY EXPRESS

About the author

Douglas Jackson

A journalist by profession, Douglas Jackson transformed a lifelong fascination for Rome and the Romans in to his first two highly-praised novels, Caligula and Claudius. His third, Hero of Rome, introduced readers to a new series hero, Gaius Valerius Verrens. Eight further acclaimed 'Rome' novels followed, confirming Doug as one of the UK's foremost historical novelists. His latest novel, The Wall, was published to coincide with the 1900th anniversary of the construction of Hadrian's Wall. A member of the Historical Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society, Douglas Jackson lives near Stirling in Scotland.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more