Germanicus: The Magnificent Life and Mysterious Death of Rome's Most Popular General

Lindsay Powell

Pen & Sword Military

Germanicus (a.k.a. Germanicus Iulius Caesar) was considered by Romans as one of their greatest military heroes. His untimely death, in suspicious circumstances, ended the possibility of a return to a more open republic and ambitions for the outright conquest of Germania Magna (Germany). This, the first modern biography of Germanicus, is in parts a growing-up story, a history of war, a tale of political intrigue and a murder mystery. It is a natural sequel to the author's first book, Eager for Glory, which discussed the life of Germanicus’ natural father, Nero Claudius Drusus, for the first time. Born in 15 BC, Germanicus grew up to be a skilled diplomat and bold soldier. Married to the granddaughter of Augustus (by whom he fathered the future Emperor Caligula) and responsible for avenging Rome’s humiliating defeat at the Teutoburg Forest through victory at Idistaviso (AD16) and the recovery of one of the lost standards, his reputation and popularity were immense. The Emperor Tiberius, his adoptive father, granted him a triumph, but refused to let him complete the reconquest of Germania, sending him instead to command in the East. Did Tiberius feel jealous and threatened? Germanicus fortunes waned when he fell out with one of Tiberius appointees, Piso. His death in mysterious circumstances, aged 34, brought great outpourings of public grief and anger, with many suspecting murder on the orders of Tiberius. Piso was put on trial but he committed suicide – or was he murdered? – before the senate could reach a verdict.

Biographies & Memoirs

Historical

Pen and Sword Military

Drusus the Elder (Nero Claudius Drusus) was regarded by the Romans as the first conqueror of Germania (western Germany) and a hero in the mold of Alexander the Great. Yet there has never been a full volume dedicated to his remarkable story, achievements and legacy. Eager for Glory brings this heroic figure back to life for a modern audience. Drusus was a stepson of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, through his marriage to Livia. As a commander he led daring campaigns by sea and land that pushed the northern frontiers of Rome's empire to the Elbe River. He oversaw one of the largest developments of military infrastructure of the age. He married Mark Antony's daughter, Antonia, and fathered Germanicus, the Empire's most popular general, and the future emperor Claudius. He died when he was only 29 and was revered in death. Eager for Glory is an objective and thoroughly researched account, written in a lucid narrative style, which reveals the author's passion for the period.

Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus The Elder, Conqueror of Germania

"Drusus the Elder, illuminated at last in this the first biography of an important personality from the beginnings of Rome's empire and for which Lindsay is to be congratulated." -- Graham Sumner, co-author Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus (Drusus the Elder) was regarded by the Romans as the first conqueror of Germania (The Netherlands and Germany) and a hero in the mold of Alexander the Great. Yet there has never been a full volume dedicated to his remarkable story, achievements and legacy. EAGER FOR GLORY brings this heroic figure back to life for a modern audience. Drusus was a stepson of Augustus, through his marriage to Livia. As a military commander he led daring campaigns by sea and land that pushed the northern frontiers of Rome's empire to the Elbe River. He oversaw one of the largest developments of military infrastructure of the age. He married Marc Antony's daughter, Antonia, and fathered Germanicus, Rome's most popular general, and the future emperor Claudius. He was grandfather of Caligula. He died when he was only 29 and was revered in death. Drawing on ancient texts, evidence from inscriptions and coins, the latest findings in archaeology, as well as astronomy and medical science, Lindsay Powell has produced a long overdue and definitive account of this great Roman. Renowned author and illustrator Graham Sumner writes in the foreword to EAGER FOR GLORY, "Lindsay has produced a highly entertaining, thoughtful and readable account of a great Roman, which I am sure will be a treasured work on any Roman enthusiast's bookshelf". This ground-breaking book will appeal to all interested in ancient world history, biography, military history and adventure stories, and will be of particular interest to those studying classics in academia, Roman period re-enactment and numismatics.

Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania

Marcus Agrippa: Right-Hand Man of Caesar Augustus

Marcus Agrippa personified the term 'right-hand man'. As Emperor Augustus' deputy, he waged wars, pacified provinces, beautified Rome, and played a crucial role in laying the foundations of the Pax Romana for the next two hundred years - but he served always in the knowledge he would never rule in his own name. Why he did so, and never grasped power exclusively for himself, has perplexed historians for centuries. In his teens he formed a lifelong friendship with Julius Caesar's great nephew, Caius Octavius, which would change world history. Following Caesar’s assassination on the Ides of March 44 BC, Agrippa was instrumental in asserting his friend’s rights as the dictator's heir. He established a reputation as a bold admiral, defeating Sextus Pompeius at Mylae and Naulochus (36 BC), culminating in the epoch-making Battle of Actium (31 BC), which eliminated Marcus Antonius and Queen Cleopatra as rivals. He proved his genius for military command on land by ending bloody rebellions in the Cimmerian Bosporus, Gaul, Hispania and Illyricum. In Gaul Agrippa established the vital road network that helped turn Julius Caesar’s conquests into viable provinces. As a diplomat, he befriended Herod the Great of Judaea and stabilized the East. As minister of works he overhauled Rome's drains and aqueducts, transformed public bathing in the city, created public parks with great artworks and built the original Pantheon. Agrippa became co-ruler of the Roman Empire with Augustus and married his daughter Julia. His three sons were adopted by his friend as potential heirs to the throne. Agrippa's unexpected death in 12 BC left Augustus bereft, but his bloodline lived on in the imperial family, through Agrippina the Elder to his grandson Caligula and great grandson Nero. MARCUS AGRIPPA is lucidly written by the author of the acclaimed biographies Eager for Glory and Germanicus. Illustrated with color plates, figures and high quality maps, Lindsay Powell presents a penetrating new assessment of the life and achievements of the multifaceted man who put service to friend and country before himself.

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Augusto in guerra. La lotta per la «pax romana»

LEG Edizioni

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Books by Lindsay Powell

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Lindsay Powell. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Germanicus: The Magnificent Life and Mysterious Death of Rome's Most Popular General

Germanicus: The Magnificent Life and Mysterious Death of Rome's Most Popular General

Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus The Elder, Conqueror of Germania

Eager for Glory: The Untold Story of Drusus the Elder, Conqueror of Germania

Marcus Agrippa: Right-Hand Man of Caesar Augustus

Augusto in guerra. La lotta per la «pax romana»