Ship of Rome (Masters of the Sea)

Atticus, captain of one of the ships of Rome's small, coastal fleet, is from a Greek fishing family. Septimus, legionary commander, reluctantly ordered aboard ship, is from Rome, born into a traditionally army family. It could never be an easy alliance. But the arrival of a hostile fleet, larger, far more skillful, and more powerful than any Atticus has encountered before, forces them to act together. So Atticus, one of Rome's few experienced sailors, finds himself propelled into the middle of a political struggle that is completely foreign to him. Rome needs to build a navy quickly but the obstacles are many; political animosities, legions adamant that they will only use their traditional methods; and Roman prejudice even from friends, that all those not born in Rome are inferior citizens. The enemy are first class, experienced, and determined to control the seas. Can Atticus, and the fledgling Roman navy, staffed with inexperienced sailors and unwilling legionaries, outwit and outfight his opponents?

"Seriously entertaining . . . stirring descriptions of ancient warfare. You can almost taste the salt, see the blood and hear the shouts and screams . . . John Stack is to be welcomed into the ranks of first-rate historical writers."  —Tuam Herald

"Crank up the testosterone, this one's a fighter!"  —U Magazine Ireland

"A fascinating and evocative insight into the high politics and military life of the times."  —Daily Mail

1st published in hardcover by HarperCollins in 2009.