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The Thrice Named Man #3
Sasanian
The year is 225 AD and the Roman Empire is on the brink of a precipice.
It will take a man with iron in his veins to set things right and accomplish the impossible.
From a humble upbringing, a boy emerges who is destined to change history.
This is the story of Lucius Domitius Aurelianus.
Part III: Sasanian
Returning to Sirmium as the unsung hero of Aquileia, Lucius settles down on the farm, at peace with his life as a civilian.
Soon the boy Emperor Gordian III calls him back into service when the barbarian hordes raid deep into Roman lands.
His reputation precedes him and with the help of unlikely allies, Rome carries the day.
In the east, Ardashir the Unifier, shahansha of the newfound Sasanian Empire is consolidating his power. His son, prince Shapur, desires to see the glory of the Old Persian Empire restored and expands his territory into Roman Syria.
The competent guardian of Gordian III, Gaius Timesitheus, sends Lucius on a mission to scout the lay of the land, while Rome prepares for war.
Unaware of the conflicts in the barbarian lands to the east, our hero and his friends soon find themselves embroiled in a war between the Sasanians and the power hungry Kushan Empire.
Helped by his barbarian allies and his friends, he returns home to prepare his legion for the coming onslaught.
Gordian III opens the gates of the temple of Janus in Rome and marches to war.
But the Empire is not only beset from outside. Unscrupulous men covet the purple. Powerful enemies, more dangerous than the Sasanians lurk within. Will Lucius be able to navigate the mire that Rome has become?
It will take a man with iron in his veins to set things right and accomplish the impossible.
From a humble upbringing, a boy emerges who is destined to change history.
This is the story of Lucius Domitius Aurelianus.
Part III: Sasanian
Returning to Sirmium as the unsung hero of Aquileia, Lucius settles down on the farm, at peace with his life as a civilian.
Soon the boy Emperor Gordian III calls him back into service when the barbarian hordes raid deep into Roman lands.
His reputation precedes him and with the help of unlikely allies, Rome carries the day.
In the east, Ardashir the Unifier, shahansha of the newfound Sasanian Empire is consolidating his power. His son, prince Shapur, desires to see the glory of the Old Persian Empire restored and expands his territory into Roman Syria.
The competent guardian of Gordian III, Gaius Timesitheus, sends Lucius on a mission to scout the lay of the land, while Rome prepares for war.
Unaware of the conflicts in the barbarian lands to the east, our hero and his friends soon find themselves embroiled in a war between the Sasanians and the power hungry Kushan Empire.
Helped by his barbarian allies and his friends, he returns home to prepare his legion for the coming onslaught.
Gordian III opens the gates of the temple of Janus in Rome and marches to war.
But the Empire is not only beset from outside. Unscrupulous men covet the purple. Powerful enemies, more dangerous than the Sasanians lurk within. Will Lucius be able to navigate the mire that Rome has become?
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 29, 2018
About the author
Hector Miller
19 books82 followersHector is a freedman. In 2016 he managed to escape from the corporate world, in which he played the part of a detribalised Chartered Accountant.
Nowadays he hides away in the Garden Route of South Africa with his wife and two daughters.
He is addicted to reading historical novels and his hobbies include hiking, wine and sustaining niggling injuries on the tennis court.
Nowadays he hides away in the Garden Route of South Africa with his wife and two daughters.
He is addicted to reading historical novels and his hobbies include hiking, wine and sustaining niggling injuries on the tennis court.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
February 13, 2019
Am I a blood thirsty reader? Perhaps. Really excellent battle strategies and scenes in this third book. I hope I shall see the fourth book soon. The pacing is such that one cannot put these books down.
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March 7, 2019
Good bokks
The story line is good, very much so, but Mr. Miller needs to have an editor or reviewer read the finished work for correctness, not accuracy. Improper use of words - devoid rather than devout - would improve the flow and readability. At times it seems the story was written in another language and hastily translated, but I digress. Still looking forward to the prince's revenge.
The story line is good, very much so, but Mr. Miller needs to have an editor or reviewer read the finished work for correctness, not accuracy. Improper use of words - devoid rather than devout - would improve the flow and readability. At times it seems the story was written in another language and hastily translated, but I digress. Still looking forward to the prince's revenge.
December 28, 2023
Läsning 2: inga kommentarer.
Läsning 1: Denna kändes forcerad, framförallt i slutet. Den första halvan är mer välskriven, även om det är ganska möpigt skrivet.
Läsning 1: Denna kändes forcerad, framförallt i slutet. Den första halvan är mer välskriven, även om det är ganska möpigt skrivet.
November 28, 2023
Disappointing
The author claims to try to stick as much as possible to historical reality.
These are some glaring errors:
The Persians, Parthians, Scythians,Saka and Sarmatians we’re all Iranic tribes originating in the steppes . The Parthians in particular were of Scythian extraction. They would’ve spoken language quite well, and there is significant historical evidence of mutual understanding, linguistically among these groups.
The author makes it sound as if the Persian/Parthians would have looked down upon or not understood the Steppe Iranians.
In effect, he also makes the victory of the Persians over the Romans, due to the presence of a traitor or traitors, among the Romans, instead of the skill and valor of the Persians themselves. If this is not historical revisionism, I’m not sure what is.
Also, telling, is the fact that he makes Phillip the Arab the traitor. Yet another example of vilification of the Arabs.
The Parthian and Sassanid empires had half the landmass and 1/3 of the population of the Roman empire. Their ability to hold off and defeat Roman armies is even more exceptional given these facts.
Also, the Sassanids were able to defeat/repel the Huns, which is some thing that the Romans were not able to do.
The author claims to try to stick as much as possible to historical reality.
These are some glaring errors:
The Persians, Parthians, Scythians,Saka and Sarmatians we’re all Iranic tribes originating in the steppes . The Parthians in particular were of Scythian extraction. They would’ve spoken language quite well, and there is significant historical evidence of mutual understanding, linguistically among these groups.
The author makes it sound as if the Persian/Parthians would have looked down upon or not understood the Steppe Iranians.
In effect, he also makes the victory of the Persians over the Romans, due to the presence of a traitor or traitors, among the Romans, instead of the skill and valor of the Persians themselves. If this is not historical revisionism, I’m not sure what is.
Also, telling, is the fact that he makes Phillip the Arab the traitor. Yet another example of vilification of the Arabs.
The Parthian and Sassanid empires had half the landmass and 1/3 of the population of the Roman empire. Their ability to hold off and defeat Roman armies is even more exceptional given these facts.
Also, the Sassanids were able to defeat/repel the Huns, which is some thing that the Romans were not able to do.
May 23, 2021
Ugh!
This is a novel that had great possibilities but was riddled with problems to the Max.
1. There were great characters that had very good qualities but were wasted. Every single one turned out to be mere fodder for an under-performing protagonist.
2. He was handled very clumsily by the author. He had a strong tendency to make understated thoughts the pro-tag has scattered throughout the entire book. And the reader is supposed to like this style of clumsy foreshadowing.
3. Some characters are treated as demigods without a good reason. Such as Cai, the Chinese character and the gawdawful trait of saying nonsense treated as wisdom. Double Ugh!!
The end chapter was rushed, inconclusive and felt like you bit into a chocolate eclair and found the chef forgot the crepe in the middle.
This is a novel that had great possibilities but was riddled with problems to the Max.
1. There were great characters that had very good qualities but were wasted. Every single one turned out to be mere fodder for an under-performing protagonist.
2. He was handled very clumsily by the author. He had a strong tendency to make understated thoughts the pro-tag has scattered throughout the entire book. And the reader is supposed to like this style of clumsy foreshadowing.
3. Some characters are treated as demigods without a good reason. Such as Cai, the Chinese character and the gawdawful trait of saying nonsense treated as wisdom. Double Ugh!!
The end chapter was rushed, inconclusive and felt like you bit into a chocolate eclair and found the chef forgot the crepe in the middle.
March 8, 2019
It was very hard to get through the beginning of this book. The main character is still flawless and is never any any real peril because he is so strong and smart and blah blah blah.
In this book however the War God possesses the main character which is new to the series and I didn't think he needed another freaking power especially one as supernatural as this.
Then I got to the last third of the book. I thought this book was going to be trilogy and the battle scene we our hero was currently taking part in was as epic as a trilogy conclusion deserves. I started to enjoy myself a lot more. The battle was not about about how the strong the main character was but actual military tactics. Then the battle ends and it sets it up for another book in the series and I will admit I will definitely be reading it because the set up is pretty great and a brand new direction.
In this book however the War God possesses the main character which is new to the series and I didn't think he needed another freaking power especially one as supernatural as this.
Then I got to the last third of the book. I thought this book was going to be trilogy and the battle scene we our hero was currently taking part in was as epic as a trilogy conclusion deserves. I started to enjoy myself a lot more. The battle was not about about how the strong the main character was but actual military tactics. Then the battle ends and it sets it up for another book in the series and I will admit I will definitely be reading it because the set up is pretty great and a brand new direction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2019
A little weaker than the first two.
This has the same formula as the first two, Lucius is still wandering from war to war coming up with the tactics to save the day. This book has more betrayal than previous ones, the betrayal is clear from the start and the question is some when it will happen.
The weakness here is that Cai's ability to see the future is becoming more and more central to the plot and that makes it feel a bit silly at times. It is an obvious plot device to get out of awkward situations but it was more forgivable in the previous books because it was used less.
Still a decent read but a bit disappointing.
This has the same formula as the first two, Lucius is still wandering from war to war coming up with the tactics to save the day. This book has more betrayal than previous ones, the betrayal is clear from the start and the question is some when it will happen.
The weakness here is that Cai's ability to see the future is becoming more and more central to the plot and that makes it feel a bit silly at times. It is an obvious plot device to get out of awkward situations but it was more forgivable in the previous books because it was used less.
Still a decent read but a bit disappointing.
March 27, 2019
Excellent
Usually one reads about books and stories that was "too difficult too put down" and "could not stop reading." For once in my life I can honestly and without stretching the truth one bit say that this third book in the series was truly such a story. It had everything that makes a great story. Love, laugh, war, lots of tears, deceit and the promise of vengeance to come. Buy this book and enjoy it.
Usually one reads about books and stories that was "too difficult too put down" and "could not stop reading." For once in my life I can honestly and without stretching the truth one bit say that this third book in the series was truly such a story. It had everything that makes a great story. Love, laugh, war, lots of tears, deceit and the promise of vengeance to come. Buy this book and enjoy it.
July 27, 2024
Ah, The Travails Of Traitorous Serpents!
Blood, Battles, Gold, and all the facets of ancient tribal warfare mixed in with the might that was the legions in the conflicts with the middle-east of the time.
There’s intrigue aplenty in these super tales of men who lived in violent times with their violent and well honed skills. These books are a great read and filled with action as well as intelligent planning & scheming.
Buy it, now!
Blood, Battles, Gold, and all the facets of ancient tribal warfare mixed in with the might that was the legions in the conflicts with the middle-east of the time.
There’s intrigue aplenty in these super tales of men who lived in violent times with their violent and well honed skills. These books are a great read and filled with action as well as intelligent planning & scheming.
Buy it, now!
December 11, 2018
"In any event" - mentioned 33x in this book, 62x total in first 3 books
"allow me to digress" - mentioned 3x in this book, 14x total in first 3 books.
4 star book but repeating these two phrases extremely repeatedly through not just this book but all 3 books in the series so far was extremely distracting so 3 stars.
"allow me to digress" - mentioned 3x in this book, 14x total in first 3 books.
4 star book but repeating these two phrases extremely repeatedly through not just this book but all 3 books in the series so far was extremely distracting so 3 stars.
December 25, 2019
Third book in a series
This book deals with the main characters trying to save Rome from itself. I have enjoyed the first thee books and suggest strongly if you have not read Book One Or Two before reading Book Three. I am looking forward to book four and the continued adventures of our heroes.
This book deals with the main characters trying to save Rome from itself. I have enjoyed the first thee books and suggest strongly if you have not read Book One Or Two before reading Book Three. I am looking forward to book four and the continued adventures of our heroes.
December 8, 2018
Great 3rd novel in the series
This 3rd installment in the series continues the adventures at a fast pace. I highly recommend these books as they get better with each one. Can’t wait for the 4th. Keep up the great work.
This 3rd installment in the series continues the adventures at a fast pace. I highly recommend these books as they get better with each one. Can’t wait for the 4th. Keep up the great work.
December 11, 2018
Outstanding
This series is excellent. I find the character's somewhat far fetched. The main story is realistic and believable. I will continue to read the books as soon as they are written.
This series is excellent. I find the character's somewhat far fetched. The main story is realistic and believable. I will continue to read the books as soon as they are written.
December 12, 2018
An excellent adventure well worth reading.
The three books in this series will keep you interested from beginning to the end. The main characters intertwine and have you looking forward to the next battle. Interesting use of the Hun as mercenaries.
The three books in this series will keep you interested from beginning to the end. The main characters intertwine and have you looking forward to the next battle. Interesting use of the Hun as mercenaries.
February 11, 2019
Outstanding History
A well-written novel with very developed characters, plots within plots and above a lot of action! Some minor editing flaws that can be disconcerting but I eagerly await the forthcoming addition in this series!
A well-written novel with very developed characters, plots within plots and above a lot of action! Some minor editing flaws that can be disconcerting but I eagerly await the forthcoming addition in this series!
March 30, 2019
Rides hard across the battles of late Roman Empire
Ripping yarn, the heat of battle with friendship and imperial treachery — couldn’t put it down. Builds on the first two in the series. On to the fourth!
Ripping yarn, the heat of battle with friendship and imperial treachery — couldn’t put it down. Builds on the first two in the series. On to the fourth!
July 21, 2019
Interesting story line, but...
The saga of our hero continues, and so does the dreadful grammar. Lucius helps to save the Roman army yet again, and is rewarded by an attempt on the lives of his whole family.
The saga of our hero continues, and so does the dreadful grammar. Lucius helps to save the Roman army yet again, and is rewarded by an attempt on the lives of his whole family.
October 12, 2019
Growing on me
Each of the three books has progressed well, as has my appreciation for Miller's style. And the third book was certainly the best of the three. I find that my timing is good as the fourth book is now available and I shall eagerly plunge into it.
Each of the three books has progressed well, as has my appreciation for Miller's style. And the third book was certainly the best of the three. I find that my timing is good as the fourth book is now available and I shall eagerly plunge into it.
October 31, 2019
This was more of a wine tasting guide. That's why it took so long for me to read it. I had to force myself to finish it. I started the series because I like Roman history. I won't be continuing with it
December 1, 2019
Excellent series
I thoroughly enjoyed this author ,this is the third book in the series that I have read,action packed ,well developed story and excellent characters.I highly recommend this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this author ,this is the third book in the series that I have read,action packed ,well developed story and excellent characters.I highly recommend this author.
January 19, 2020
Another Page Turner
Despite the poor editing of this author’s books they are above average and I am enjoying the saga. The clever hero and his trusty band of followers continue to entertain.
Despite the poor editing of this author’s books they are above average and I am enjoying the saga. The clever hero and his trusty band of followers continue to entertain.
July 23, 2022
Interesting and exciting
The books in this series have been enjoyable to me for their imaginative descriptions of events and times of which we have little to no record. The characters are believable. The stories are captivating. I keep reading and look forward to more!
The books in this series have been enjoyable to me for their imaginative descriptions of events and times of which we have little to no record. The characters are believable. The stories are captivating. I keep reading and look forward to more!
August 16, 2022
Riveting story
Skillfully crafted and the story is congruent to the history of this time period in Roman history. I recommend this series, especially to those who are admirers of Aurelian “Restutitor Orbis”.
Skillfully crafted and the story is congruent to the history of this time period in Roman history. I recommend this series, especially to those who are admirers of Aurelian “Restutitor Orbis”.
January 18, 2024
I have so thoroughly enjoyed this series, I have a friend who reads historical fiction, and I am going to buy her the entire set as a gift. I don’t normally do that with books, but this series has been so entertaining, I know that anybody that enjoys well researched historical fiction. Will love it.
December 26, 2018
Hope there's a fourth book
Enjoyed the battle scenes and description of various tribes from German to hun. Hope there will be another book in the series.
Enjoyed the battle scenes and description of various tribes from German to hun. Hope there will be another book in the series.
December 31, 2018
Excellent book!
Great series can’t wait for book 4. Good story and characters. He is one of the best historical fiction writers of the Roman genre.
Great series can’t wait for book 4. Good story and characters. He is one of the best historical fiction writers of the Roman genre.
January 4, 2019
Wow
One of the best books I've ever read on Rome hard to put down in fact impossible to put down what is it it is a man's Adventure book
One of the best books I've ever read on Rome hard to put down in fact impossible to put down what is it it is a man's Adventure book
January 9, 2019
Dashing tale of ancient gallantry. A fast
A fast moving novel of honour and bravery that is a gripping read. Only complaint is that it direction soon.
A fast moving novel of honour and bravery that is a gripping read. Only complaint is that it direction soon.
January 11, 2019
Great book
Could not put down full of new thoughts of possible me join actions with Some a d the bar aria tribes
Could not put down full of new thoughts of possible me join actions with Some a d the bar aria tribes
January 14, 2019
Great read
This series has provided me with much enjoyment. It moves fast and true. I enjoyed the Roman history. I loved all the references to the horses.
This series has provided me with much enjoyment. It moves fast and true. I enjoyed the Roman history. I loved all the references to the horses.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews