Nero's Killing Machine
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"Stephen Dando–Collins tracks the history of the 14th Legion...drawing on 30 years of research for the second of his definitive histories of ancient Roman armies. A fitting chronicle." (Military History)
Product Description
The 14th Gemina Martia Victrix Legion was the most celebrated unit of the early Roman Empire–a force that had been wiped out under Julius Caesar, reformed, and almost wiped out again. After participating in the a.d. 43 invasion of Britain, the 14th Legion achieved its greatest glory when it put down the famous rebellion of the Britons under Boudicca. Numbering less than 10,000 men, the disciplined Roman killing machine defeated 230,000 rampaging rebels, slaughtering 80,000 with only 400 Roman losses–an accomplishment that led the emperor Nero to honor the legion with the title "Conqueror of Britain." In this gripping book, second in the author’s definitive histories of the legions of ancient Rome, Stephen Dando–Collins brings the 14th Legion to life, offering military history aficionados a unique soldier’s–eye view of their tactics, campaigns, and battles.
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The retreat was at an end. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The retreat was at an end. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is Stephen Dando-Collins second book covering the history of a Roman legion, this time he deals with the Fourteenth Legion (14th Gemina Martia Vietrix Legion). I thoroughly enjoyed this author's first book, "Caesar's Legion: The Epic Saga of Julius Caesar's Elite Tenth Legion", so I eagerly awaited the publication of this title. Again I must confess that I have no in-depth knowledge of this period, just a keen and general interest.
I found this book as good as the first, in fact, even better. The one criticism I have is the author's usage of modern military titles instead of those used by the Roman Empire. I had little or no knowledge of the 14th Legion but I found the story fascinating, from its decimation in 54 BC while campaign with Julius Caesar through it's campaign in Germany and latter in Britain where it achieved its immortal fame in putting down the rebellion led by Queen Boudicca.
The narrative is full of interesting accounts and information and the story flows along quite smoothly. There are no illustrations within the book and only a few maps which I think could have been of better quality but suffice to follow the story of the 14th legion.
Overall I think this book would be of interest to anyone who enjoys a decent account of the Roman Empire. It's more of a popular history, and not some stuffy dry text of military manoeuvres, tactics and famous commanders of antiquity but an account of the men who did the fighting and dying and who made the Roman Empire what is was.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It's a tribute to Stephen Dando-Collins' narrative powers that he won over such a battle-weary reader as myself. No doubt it helped that the fight at the heart of the story involved a woman wronged: the wild Queen Boudicca of Britain. Nero's Killing Machine is written with a filmic sense of the physicality of battle and the fine line between triumph and disaster. FIONA CAPP, Book Reviewer, 'The Age,' Melbourne, Australia.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Okay, firstly good price and swift delivery from Amazon.
This is the second Dando-Collins read, Caesars X was first.
Very enjoyable, if only history had been taught at school in the interesting way this is written.
I find it amazing what some of these men did in their lives, apart from the wars all the travelling.
Well worth a read, if you like me, want some history but not just facts and figures.
As to the gentleman who mentioned the book was wrong because the XIV was multiple units crossed over...can I say most military units follow a loose attachment to the past, my own can be traced back directly to the unfortunate 7th Cavalry.
Buy it enjoy it and if it is what you like try the legendary X.
This is the second Dando-Collins read, Caesars X was first.
Very enjoyable, if only history had been taught at school in the interesting way this is written.
I find it amazing what some of these men did in their lives, apart from the wars all the travelling.
Well worth a read, if you like me, want some history but not just facts and figures.
As to the gentleman who mentioned the book was wrong because the XIV was multiple units crossed over...can I say most military units follow a loose attachment to the past, my own can be traced back directly to the unfortunate 7th Cavalry.
Buy it enjoy it and if it is what you like try the legendary X.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The 14th Legion
A very informative book on the subject, does not get bogged down with unimportant stats or theory, just the facts as they are known. Read more
Published on 28 May 2009 by Richard Newson
History at it's best
This has got to be one of the best books that I have read in long time. Ignore the pointless one star from one idiot. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2007 by A. Butler
just to add on
Absolutely riveting account. I have both his books on Roman legions and I recommend them both highly. Awe-inspiring.
Published on 19 July 2007 by Thomas P. Utterback
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