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Author

Anthony Riches

Anthony Riches writes Roman military fiction with a strong focus on frontier service, unit loyalty and the practical realities of campaigning.

Anthony Riches developed an early interest in military history through the wartime service of his father and grandfather. He studied Military Studies at the University of Manchester before spending many years in business systems and change management. His work as a project manager took him across Britain, Europe, the United States, the Middle East and the Far East, while he continued developing the manuscript that eventually became his first published historical novel.

Wounds of Honour began the long-running Empire series, which follows Marcus Valerius Aquila and the Tungrian auxiliaries through the northern frontiers and wider conflicts of the Roman Empire. The books combine battles and marches with discipline, logistics, rivalry and the close bonds formed within a military unit. Riches has also written the Centurions trilogy, expanding his treatment of Roman warfare through other soldiers and commands, alongside contemporary thrillers. His historical novels are especially useful for readers interested in the Roman army, Hadrian’s Wall, auxiliary troops, frontier provinces and the tension between personal honour and imperial authority.

Periods and events

Ancient Rome Imperial Rome Severan Dynasty Ancient World Nerva–Antonine Dynasty Reign of Commodus Roman Britain Hadrian’s Wall Roman–Parthian Wars Roman Germania and the Rhine Frontier Roman Egypt and Alexandria Roman Danube Frontier Year of the Four Emperors Flavian Dynasty

Series

Series by Anthony Riches (3 series)

Empire in Order

by Anthony Riches 16 books 4.5

The Empire series follows Marcus Valerius Aquila, a Roman aristocrat forced into hiding after his family is destroyed under Commodus. Serving under an assumed name with the Tungrian auxiliaries, he moves from Hadrian’s Wall and the Rhine to Rome, Egypt and the eastern civil wars that follow the…

Wounds of Honour

4.4

Arrows of Fury

4.5

Fortress of Spears

4.5

The Leopard Sword

4.5

The Wolf’s Gold

4.5

The Eagle’s Vengeance

4.5

The Emperor’s Knives

4.5

Thunder of the Gods

4.5

Altar of Blood

4.5

The Scorpion’s Strike

4.6

River of Gold

4.5

Vengeance

4.5

Storm of War

4.6

Clash of Legions

4.6

Empire XV

4.7

Field of Blood

4.7

The Centurions in Order

by Anthony Riches 3 books 4.4

The Centurions trilogy is set during the Year of the Four Emperors and the Batavian Revolt. It follows Roman and Batavian officers whose old comradeship collapses when Galba dismisses Nero’s German bodyguard and Julius Civilis turns a frontier grievance into a major rebellion.

Betrayal

4.3

Onslaught

4.4

Retribution

4.5

Swords of Troy in Order

by Anthony Riches 1 book

Swords of Troy begins a new sequence retelling the Trojan War as historical adventure rather than distant legend. The series uses the politics, raids, alliances and warrior cultures of the Aegean Bronze Age to rework the conflict between Troy, Mycenaean Greece and their allies.