Of all of the Falco novels, this one turned out to be one of my favorites, probably because it included more military adventures than other Falco books and swordplay.This tale of intrigue is set in Germania where Falco, Vespasian's agent, is tasked with attempting to derail a rebellion led by the Batavian leader Civilis and win over a mysterious prophetess. Since most of my study of Rome has concentrated on the late Republican period, I was not familiar with this major insurgency that arose during the reign of Vespasian. So, I did a little research.Gaius Julius Civilis was the leader of the Batavian rebellion against the Romans in 69 AD. Although his name indicates he was Romanized by Augustus or one of the other Julian emperors, Civilis was twice imprisoned on a charge of rebellion, and narrowly escaped execution. During the tumult that followed the death of the emperor, Nero, Civilis took up arms under the pretense of siding with the Flavian emperor, Vespasian, and induced the inhabitants of his native country to rebel.The Batavians, who had rendered valuable aid under the early emperors, had been well treated by subsequent emperors. They were exempt from tribute, but were obliged to supply a large number of men for the army. This conscription and the oppression of provincial governors, however, ultimately led to revolt. The Batavians were immediately joined by several neighboring German tribes, the most important of whom were the Frisii.The Roman garrisons near the Rhine were driven out, and twenty-four ships captured. Two legions under Mummius Lupercus were defeated at Castra Vetera (near modern Xanten) and surrounded. Eight cohorts of Batavian veterans joined their countrymen, and the troops sent by Vespasian to the relief of Vetera threw in their lot with them as well.The result of these accessions to the forces of Civilis was another uprising in Gaul. There, the Roman commander, Hordeonius Flaccus, was murdered by his troops and the remaining Roman forces were induced by two commanders of the Gallic auxiliaries--Julius Classicus and Julius Tutor--to revolt from Rome and join Civilis in a new independent kingdom of Gaul.The prophetess Veleda predicted the complete success of Civilis and the fall of the Roman Empire. Veleda was a virginal holy woman of the Germanic tribe of the Bructeri."The ancient Germanic peoples discerned a divinity of prophecy in women and regarded prophetesses as true and living goddesses. In the latter half of the 1st century CE Veleda was regarded as a deity by most of the tribes in central Germany and enjoyed wide influence. She lived in a tower near the Lippe River, a tributary of the Rhine. The inhabitants of the Roman settlement of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (now Cologne) accepted her arbitration in a conflict with the Tencteri, an unfederated tribe of Germany." - WikipediaLike the pythia of ancient Greece, envoys were not admitted to her presence; an interpreter conveyed their messages to her and reported her pronouncements. So, it is not known whether Veleda just prophesied the victory or actively incited the rebellion.But, ultimately, tribal disputes ended any chance for success and Vespasian was able to put down the rebellion with the arrival of Quintus Potillius Cerealis and a strong force. Civilis, himself, was defeated at Augusta Treverorum (modern Trier) and Vetera, and forced to withdraw to the island of Batavia. It is thought Civilis negotiated an agreement with Cerialis whereby his countrymen obtained certain advantages, and resumed amicable relations with Rome, although Civilis disappears from the historical record at this point, an ominous sign. However, Cerialis, like Julius Caesar, was known for his clementia, so the outcome may not have been dire after all.As for Veleda, she was either captured by Rutillius Gallicus or "offered asylum" in 77 CE. She is thought to have negotiated the acceptance of a pro-Roman king by her tribe, the Bructeri, in 83 or 84 CE. Note: The chief authority for the history of the insurrection is Tacitus, Histories, iv and v, and Josephus, Bellum Judaicum, vii. 4.So, there is quite an opportunity for Falco to strut his stuff on a scale far greater than his usual sleuthing in back alleys. I think that is why I was drawn into this story more than some of his other adventures. Although I knew Falco had once served in the legions, he was far more physical in this tale than the others and his sardonic personality was kept relatively in check because of the heightened danger of his circumstances. I highly recommend it!
The dynamic relationship between Helena Justina and one M. Didius Falco never seems to fail me everytime, and after reading through each book, I always turn to mush whenever these two show some vulnerability. You'd think after four books, the whole romantic side of the novels would lose all novelty. But somehow Davis always adds something new to the table. Of course, the book itself is not heavily a romantic story (though Falco certainly does things out of a romantic interest), so I'll stop gushing about the lovey-dovey couple and talk about the rest of The Iron Hand of Mars!Once again, Davis shows her mastery of Ancient Rome with this book. She's certainly done her research with the people, the politics, and the lifestyles of Vespasian's era (not that I know terribly too much of ancient Rome, mind... but enough to be entertained by it!). Not only that, she's also done research on the foreign state of Rome, breaching the adventure not only to include slivers of the Roman Empire, but of Germania Libera, "free Germany." With the first-person POV (provided in vivid poetic detail by Falco himself), we see the distinct differences between the two cultures. Then again, I'm likely to side with the civilized Roman myself (but that's out of bias for the cad!).New characters were introduced, as was bound to happen with the change of scenery. While I missed the comforting and familiar character of Petronius Longus, Davis made sure not to let me pine too long. In place of the practical best friend with good taste in wine, the reader got three rather entertaining characters: the barber-slash-supposed-assassin whose repertoire includes shaving famous politicians, the centurion trying to escape the trauma of having belonged to a shamed region, and the newly-appointed and overly curious young tribune (who also happens to be the favorite brother of a most esteemed senator's daughter). Put them with an irritable, cranky informer, and there's bound to be just as much adventure as a Roman legion walking straight into a trap---though I suppose with Falco in tow, they were bound to walk into one anyway.I was a little disinterested with all of the new politics and historical information that Davis threw in for most of the beginning. Yes, I understand that learning the history behind certain battles was important in order to grasp the rest of the book, but I have to admit that I glossed through a bunch of it. Keeping all of the names straight in my head was a task in itself (I swear, it took me a while to figure out who Quintellius was as opposed to Quintus).Still, it was great when the action began. Trust the last 100 pages to be the best bits! I was chuckling a few times already in the beginning, but I was downright laughing by the end. The scenes either amused me to no end, or my mind was translating the description into preposterous images (the bit about the auroch was gold).As usual, thoroughly enjoyed it!
What do You think about The Iron Hand Of Mars (1994)?
The fourth in the “Falco” series sees the titular character being sent to the barbarian frontier to deliver a new standard to Legio XIV Germania and to write a report on the state of them and their battle-readiness. The memory of the cataclysmic defeat in Teutoberg Forest is still fresh in the memory and Vespasian does not want a repeat of those events. Falco must also investigate claims of corruption by the legate and attempt to discover what happened to the previous legate who disappeared.On the journey we finally meet Helena Justina’s brother, an amusing ladish character with whom Falco immediately hits it off. What’s more, his repugnant niece is on the scene to torment Falco at every turn and Vespasian’s son Titus has designs on Helena Justina. This is far more amusing book than the three that preceded it, but it doesn’t lose the quality of the typical historical crime fiction that we have come to expect from Davis.The narrative is once again well researched, intricately plotted and fast moving. The great thing about Davis’ Falco novels is that you feel you are learning something about the first century Roman Empire while being entertained. Davis has developed a knack already for a free-flowing style of writing that has you turning page after page. And it is good to see that the overuse of exclamation marks is starting to slow down.See more book reviews at my blog
—M.G. Mason
Falco has reluctantly accepted an imperial mission which takes him deep into the wilds of the Germania Libera. Helena has disappeared, apparently in a fit of pique when Falco misses her birthday. At the same time, Vespasian's son Titus is romantically pursuing her. Helena' s brother Camillus Justinius is introduced in this installment, teaming up to support Falco. I really enjoyed this installment of Falco's adventures even though it was less of a puzzle than usual, and much more of an adventure. There are the usual misunderstandings between Falco and Helena as well as the usual reconciliations! I really appreciate the level of research that the author has done to produce such a detailed picture of the first century Roman world.
—Deb
"The Iron Hand of Mars" is probably the best of initial four books in the series about Marcus Didius Falco. Our protagonist is once again sent out of Rome on a very delicate mission, this time at the border between Gaul and Germany. The mission quickly becomes multi-faceted and dangerous in more ways than one for Falco and his somewhat odd companions. As usual, the characters and enviroments are flawless and there is a lot of humor. But at the same time "The Iron Hand of Mars" is a little different from its predecesors in its tone. It is a little darker and the dangers threatening our heroes are more sinister. Also, the part about resting place of Varrus' lost legions is very haunty and manages to reflect how Romans must have percieved this disaster.All that being said, it's another keeper from Lindsey Davis.
—Marcus
