Buy used:
$9.52
$3.99 delivery May 21 - 22. Details
Used: Very Good | Details
Sold by awesomebooksusa
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See more of our deals.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Ian Ross
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Mask of Command (Twilight of Empire) Hardcover – January 12, 2017

by Ian Ross (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 405 ratings
See all formats and editions
Six years after the battle for Rome, the truce between the two emperors has failed and Aurelius Castus is again in the frontline.
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 6
    Twilight of Empire
  2. Print length
    416 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Head of Zeus
  5. Publication date
    January 12, 2017
  6. Dimensions
    5.98 x 1.69 x 9.29 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1784975257
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1784975258
  9. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Hugely enjoyable. The author winds up tension into an explosion of fast-paced events." —Conn Iggulden, author, Stormbird

"A thumping good read, well-crafted, atmospheric and thoroughly enjoyable. Where's the next volume, please?" —Ben Kane, author, Fields of Blood

"This is up there with Harry Sidebottom and Ben Kane." —M.C. Scott, author, Into the Fire

About the Author

Ian Ross has been researching and writing about the later Roman world and its army for more than a decade.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Head of Zeus; First Edition (January 12, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1784975257
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1784975258
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.5 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 1.69 x 9.29 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 405 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Ian Ross

Ian Ross

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ian Ross lives in England, and has been researching and writing historical fiction for over a decade.

His 'Twilight of Empire' series, set in the 4th Century AD, followed the rise of the Emperor Constantine and the transformation of the Roman world. His latest novel, 'Battle Song', will be the first of a trilogy set in medieval England, during the dramatic conflicts of the 13th Century Barons War.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
405 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Elaine H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Prompt and great condition
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book came within 2 weeks from Great Britain, much quicker than originally stated. It is in great condition.
Helpful
 Report
Jonni Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Another excellent read from Another turbulent period of Ancient Rome
Helpful
 Report
Clemens A. Schoonderwoert
5.0 out of 5 stars A Commanding Roman Historical Tale!
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2017
This superb and gripping book by this very fine author is the 4th volume of the ever more captivating "Twilight of the Empire" series.
The historical background of this splendid tale is wonderfully researched and explained by the author in his author's note, and once again the real events that took place are superbly outlined within this book.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two beautifully adapted quotes concerning this story, and you'll find two very well-drawn maps of the Roman Empire as well as the Germanic Frontier both in AD 317-318.
Story-telling is once more of a top-notch quality, for the book grips you right from the start and keeps you spellbound till the end, and all the characters, whether real or fictional, come vividly to life within this exciting tale, and the pace of the events within the story are also pictured in a most fantastic fashion.
The time has moved on somewhat, for this tale is set in the years AD 317-318, during the reign of the Emperor of the West, Emperor Constantine, and the book is divided into four parts, where our main character of this series Tribune Aurelius Castus is forced to take Command of the military forces on the Rhine after a treacherous act of murder.
Within this turmoil at the frontier where freedom and slavery, honour and treason have no meaning, Castus has to find a way to protect two vulnerable boys, one is Crispus son of the Emperor Constantine and heir, while the other boy is Sabinus who's Castus's own son, from treachery, conspiracy and attempts of murder.
What will follow is an intriguing and thrilling Roman tale with a lot of great fighting scenes, actions against the barbarians, but most of all Castus has to fight and defend the Roman Empire from enemies within, if they want to survive this ordeal and keep the Roman Empire in tact.
Very much recommended, for this is another compelling story, and one that I like to call as "A Commanding Roman Historical Tale"!
Helpful
 Report
Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars Ian Ross is premier league.
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2020
Mask Of Command is a great literary ride.
Battle scenes are top notch. Writing skill is masterful, and storytelling top tier. Still can't believe I've taken till now to catch up.
Definitely worth reading! On to Imperial Vengeance!
Helpful
 Report
JPS
5.0 out of 5 stars Dux Limitis
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2017
This is book four of Ian Ross’ Twilight of Empire series, with the action taking place during the fourth century, and more precisely during the reign of Constantine. It is yet another five stars read because of the usual ingredients displayed and skilfully used by the author: good characterisation, in particular a believable hero, attention to details underpinned by solid historical research and an exciting and lively plot.

This episode begins rather grippingly in January 317 on the Thracian plain and battlefield in the middle of winter as the forces of the two ex-allies and now very much rival Emperors (Constantine and Licinius) clash. The weather conditions are gruelling. What is essentially a civil war driven by the ambitions of the two contenders (or, more probably, by the ambition of Constantine) is depicted vividly, with Romans fighting similarly equipped and hard to distinguish Romans. Aurelius Castus, the hero of the series, risen from the ranks and now a Tribune in charge of reinforcements, has force marched his troops, the core of which being a detachment of a legion from Brittania, and makes a daring move to outflank the enemy despite nightfall. I will not go on with spoilers, but suffice is to say that Castus’ contribution to what was historically Constantine’s second (indecisive) victory against Licinius earns him yet another promotion, as Dux Limitis in charge of defending the Rhine frontier.

Interestingly, it also allows Ian Ross to introduce the reader to his character, a hard bitten, relentless, brave veteran with more than twenty years fighting in the Roman army across the Empire. However, he is no blue-eyed boy. He is not tall, dark and handsome and he is not some promising and well-educated scion of an old and noble Roman family. It is quite the opposite in fact. He is bulky, muscular and possibly even rather ugly. He is also barely literate. He is in fact one of those numerous Pannonian soldiers of humble origins who formed the backbone of the Empire’s army during the later third and most of the fourth century, rising to through the ranks to achieve high command through merit. This means their fighting and soldierly skills, lots of blood and sweat, relentless and unswerving loyalty and personal feats and exploits - at least in the case of Aurelius Castus – such as saving Constantine’s life during an ambush (in a previous episode), accomplishing successfully almost suicidal missions, and, more generally, demonstrating his staunch loyalty at every turn

Another interesting trait of characterisation relates to the book’s title. Now, and more than ever before, Aurelius Castus must assume the “mask of command”, hiding his fears, doubts and misgivings under an outward blunt, tough and gruff appearance and leading the charge(s) at the head of his troops. He is, however, not only an inspiring leader of men. He also has his own rather sharp mind and is anything but the “knucklehead” that his appearance makes him look like, so that he is often somehow underrated and underestimated by his enemies.

Although Castus is the book’s most fully fledged character, Ian Ross introduces his readers to a number of others as well, some fictitious but representatives of character types at the time (the Roman naval officer, the faithful Salian Frank warlord or the plotting and spying eunuch) while others are the author’s interpretations of historical characters. These are Fausta, Constantine’s wife, and the sister and daughter of her husband’s now deceased rivals which has alredy appeared in previous episodes, and Crispus, Constantine’s young son, Fausta’s stepson and a threat to her power and position at Court.

The second set of great ingredients is the author’s attention to details underpinned by solid historical research, which some elements highlighted in the author’s historical note while others only appear in the narrative. Among the former is the author’s use of the wrecks now restored and displayed in the Mainz museum of Roman fluvial ships – perhaps more adequately seen as patrol boats and swift light galleys – and his descriptions of the important roles and actions played by such boats in controlling the river. These ships interfered with raids and incursions, as shown in the book. They were also used to hunt down water-born piratical Saxons, as also shown, but also Frankish water-born raiders, even if these are presented here as allies for the purpose of the plot. The main reference here is indeed John Haywood’s Dark Age Naval Power: a Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Naval Activity, as indicated in Ian Ross’ historical note.

A second set of features demonstrating the author’s research are those related to the Roman forces in general, and those on the Rhine more particularly. At least some of the units listed can be demonstrated to have stationed on the Rhine frontier at the time, with the presence of the others presumed or very likely. A related element is that while precise numbers for frontier units’ strength are clearly invented, the average numbers showing that they were understrength (in particular for frontier cavalry units) and at half of their nominal effectives only is both plausible and corroborated by historical sources. What is not entirely explained in the book, but then it was not necessary to do so, are the reasons for this, although these can be guessed at. One, which is alluded to, is that part – and often the better part - of frontier units was withdrawn to become part of the field armies. Another is more circumstantial and relates to the Constantine’s civil wars which required concentrating forces against Maxentius’ Italy and then on the Balkan front against Licinius for over a decade from 311 onwards. Finally, the author also shows through the book’s plot that while the frontier troops still represented significant fighting forces that could deter, oppose or repel most incursions, they needed the support of at least part of the nearest mobile field army (here the field army of Gaul) to be able to deal with a wider scale invasion. They were no longer numerous enough although the overall size of the Roman Army had significantly increased since the limes was established.

A third example of the author’s good research is his depiction of unrest and changing social conditions in the regions on either side of the frontier.
In what the Romans called “Barbaricum”, the pressure to cross to the other side and settle the more fertile (and sometimes at least partly depopulated) lands in the Empire was growing for several reasons whose relative importance historians still disagree about. These include flooding of the coastal regions, a reason once believed sufficient to explain the Salian Franks pressure on the most western part of the frontier, demographic pressure within the various tribes making up the very loose Frankish and Alemanic confederations, raked by rivalries and internal conflicts, and pressure from other tribes further back.

On the Roman side, and in addition to the widespread destructions and disruptions evidenced since the 250s, a wide band of territory behind the frontier seems to have progressively become a military war zone. One consequence, clearly shown in the book, was that while agriculture did not disappear, small freeholders in these zones likely did, largely at the hands of large estate owners who could have their own private militias and had sufficient political clout to request and obtain the support of the military from the frontier authorities.

Finally, there is the plot itself, and the book’s pace. I can only disagree with fellow reviewers who seemed to have found that the book was initially a “slow burn”. It opens with a rather graphic battle scene in the Balkans. This is followed shortly afterwards by a massacre and an assassination of a frontier commander on the Rhine. Then there is a rather eventful travel which includes a rather nasty ambush and desperate action from Aurelius Castus as he, the Young Caesar Crispus and the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul with their respective staffs and escorts seek to reach headquarters on the Rhine frontier. Then there is the repulse of a major raid and incursion into Roman territory followed by the tracking down of Saxon pirates where everything does not exactly go according to plan, and this is an understatement is ever there was one. Finally, you get a major invasion climaxing with a full scale battle. While I will stop there and tried to avoid giving away too many spoilers, I can only state is that I did not at all have the impression of a “slow burn”, quite the opposite in fact.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Terry Bryant
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Story
Reviewed in Canada on September 3, 2022
Verified Purchase
A very enjoyable adventure!
Report
K. Mick
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Serie die zu fesseln weiss
Reviewed in Germany on August 28, 2018
Verified Purchase
manchmal ist weniger doch mehr. Ian Ross hat eine faszinierende Figur geschaffen die sehr glaubwürdig rüberkommt. Auch den unsäglichen Konstantin der, warum auch immer der Große genannt wird, kommt so unsympathisch rüber wie er auch zu sehen ist. Ein Opportunist der den Einsäuselungen diverser monotheistischen Ratgebern folgt um seine persönlichen Verfehlungen zu sanktionieren. Mit dem 5. Band ist aber die Geschichte auserzählt und es hätte keine Ankündigung für ein weiteres Abenteuer bedurft um die Serie als einer der großen zu werten. Neben Ken Kane und Robert Fabry wie auch Douglas Jackson und Simon Scarrow vermag Ian Ross seine Leser in die römische Geschichte führen. Ich freue mich schon auf neue Geschichten aus der Antike.
Report
Eddie Ozols
5.0 out of 5 stars Best plot of the series to date
Reviewed in Australia on September 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
I've become addicted to the series. I knew nothing of Roman history until reading the first book of the series. It's interesting to see the emerging Christian faith become dominant and Ross cleverly introduces this through the series. This is the best book so far as plot and military methods indicates.
Report
JPS
5.0 out of 5 stars Dux Limitis
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is book four of Ian Ross’ Twilight of Empire series, with the action taking place during the fourth century, and more precisely during the reign of Constantine. It is yet another five stars read because of the usual ingredients displayed and skilfully used by the author: good characterisation, in particular a believable hero, attention to details underpinned by solid historical research and an exciting and lively plot.

This episode begins rather grippingly in January 317 on the Thracian plain and battlefield in the middle of winter as the forces of the two ex-allies and now very much rival Emperors (Constantine and Licinius) clash. The weather conditions are gruelling. What is essentially a civil war driven by the ambitions of the two contenders (or, more probably, by the ambition of Constantine) is depicted vividly, with Romans fighting similarly equipped and hard to distinguish Romans. Aurelius Castus, the hero of the series, risen from the ranks and now a Tribune in charge of reinforcements, has force marched his troops, the core of which being a detachment of a legion from Brittania, and makes a daring move to outflank the enemy despite nightfall. I will not go on with spoilers, but suffice is to say that Castus’ contribution to what was historically Constantine’s second (indecisive) victory against Licinius earns him yet another promotion, as Dux Limitis in charge of defending the Rhine frontier.

Interestingly, it also allows Ian Ross to introduce the reader to his character, a hard bitten, relentless, brave veteran with more than twenty years fighting in the Roman army across the Empire. However, he is no blue-eyed boy. He is not tall, dark and handsome and he is not some promising and well-educated scion of an old and noble Roman family. It is quite the opposite in fact. He is bulky, muscular and possibly even rather ugly. He is also barely literate. He is in fact one of those numerous Pannonian soldiers of humble origins who formed the backbone of the Empire’s army during the later third and most of the fourth century, rising to through the ranks to achieve high command through merit. This means their fighting and soldierly skills, lots of blood and sweat, relentless and unswerving loyalty and personal feats and exploits - at least in the case of Aurelius Castus – such as saving Constantine’s life during an ambush (in a previous episode), accomplishing successfully almost suicidal missions, and, more generally, demonstrating his staunch loyalty at every turn

Another interesting trait of characterisation relates to the book’s title. Now, and more than ever before, Aurelius Castus must assume the “mask of command”, hiding his fears, doubts and misgivings under an outward blunt, tough and gruff appearance and leading the charge(s) at the head of his troops. He is, however, not only an inspiring leader of men. He also has his own rather sharp mind and is anything but the “knucklehead” that his appearance makes him look like, so that he is often somehow underrated and underestimated by his enemies.

Although Castus is the book’s most fully fledged character, Ian Ross introduces his readers to a number of others as well, some fictitious but representatives of character types at the time (the Roman naval officer, the faithful Salian Frank warlord or the plotting and spying eunuch) while others are the author’s interpretations of historical characters. These are Fausta, Constantine’s wife, and the sister and daughter of her husband’s now deceased rivals which has alredy appeared in previous episodes, and Crispus, Constantine’s young son, Fausta’s stepson and a threat to her power and position at Court.

The second set of great ingredients is the author’s attention to details underpinned by solid historical research, which some elements highlighted in the author’s historical note while others only appear in the narrative. Among the former is the author’s use of the wrecks now restored and displayed in the Mainz museum of Roman fluvial ships – perhaps more adequately seen as patrol boats and swift light galleys – and his descriptions of the important roles and actions played by such boats in controlling the river. These ships interfered with raids and incursions, as shown in the book. They were also used to hunt down water-born piratical Saxons, as also shown, but also Frankish water-born raiders, even if these are presented here as allies for the purpose of the plot. The main reference here is indeed John Haywood’s Dark Age Naval Power: a Reassessment of Frankish and Anglo-Saxon Naval Activity, as indicated in Ian Ross’ historical note.

A second set of features demonstrating the author’s research are those related to the Roman forces in general, and those on the Rhine more particularly. At least some of the units listed can be demonstrated to have stationed on the Rhine frontier at the time, with the presence of the others presumed or very likely. A related element is that while precise numbers for frontier units’ strength are clearly invented, the average numbers showing that they were understrength (in particular for frontier cavalry units) and at half of their nominal effectives only is both plausible and corroborated by historical sources. What is not entirely explained in the book, but then it was not necessary to do so, are the reasons for this, although these can be guessed at. One, which is alluded to, is that part – and often the better part - of frontier units was withdrawn to become part of the field armies. Another is more circumstantial and relates to the Constantine’s civil wars which required concentrating forces against Maxentius’ Italy and then on the Balkan front against Licinius for over a decade from 311 onwards. Finally, the author also shows through the book’s plot that while the frontier troops still represented significant fighting forces that could deter, oppose or repel most incursions, they needed the support of at least part of the nearest mobile field army (here the field army of Gaul) to be able to deal with a wider scale invasion. They were no longer numerous enough although the overall size of the Roman Army had significantly increased since the limes was established.

A third example of the author’s good research is his depiction of unrest and changing social conditions in the regions on either side of the frontier.

In what the Romans called “Barbaricum”, the pressure to cross to the other side and settle the more fertile (and sometimes at least partly depopulated) lands in the Empire was growing for several reasons whose relative importance historians still disagree about. These include flooding of the coastal regions, a reason once believed sufficient to explain the Salian Franks pressure on the most western part of the frontier, demographic pressure within the various tribes making up the very loose Frankish and Alemanic confederations, raked by rivalries and internal conflicts, and pressure from other tribes further back.

On the Roman side, and in addition to the widespread destructions and disruptions evidenced since the 250s, a wide band of territory behind the frontier seems to have progressively become a military war zone. One consequence, clearly shown in the book, was that while agriculture did not disappear, small freeholders in these zones likely did, largely at the hands of large estate owners who could have their own private militias and had sufficient political clout to request and obtain the support of the military from the frontier authorities.

Finally, there is the plot itself, and the book’s pace. I can only disagree with fellow reviewers who seemed to have found that the book was initially a “slow burn”. It opens with a rather graphic battle scene in the Balkans. This is followed shortly afterwards by a massacre and an assassination of a frontier commander on the Rhine. Then there is a rather eventful travel which includes a rather nasty ambush and desperate action from Aurelius Castus as he, the Young Caesar Crispus and the Praetorian Prefect of Gaul with their respective staffs and escorts seek to reach headquarters on the Rhine frontier. Then there is the repulse of a major raid and incursion into Roman territory followed by the tracking down of Saxon pirates where everything does not exactly go according to plan, and this is an understatement is ever there was one. Finally, you get a major invasion climaxing with a full scale battle. While I will stop there and tried to avoid giving away too many spoilers, I can only state is that I did not at all have the impression of a “slow burn”, quite the opposite in fact.
7 people found this helpful
 Report
Tom Fenton
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
Fast action story with sun plots
Report