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As many of you may know, Mithras and his followers feature heavily in The Silver Eagle. It’s a religion that has fascinated me from the time that I first heard about it. It’s known that it was a secretive sect, with underground temples, arcane rituals and was favoured by Roman soldiers, who, it is thought, first came in contact with it in Asia Minor in the 70s or 60s BC. But the religion was far older than that and from further east as well. The Parthians quite possibly worshipped Mithras, and he may even have been venerated as far east as India.

Mithraic temples are found all over the former Roman Empire. There’s one in the crypt of a church not five minutes from the Colosseum that is well worth a visit, and an amazing mosaic path in Ostia details the seven levels of initiation. There are several temples in Britain, most notably at Carrawburgh on Hadrian’s Wall. But no evidence of devotion to Mithras has ever been found in Scotland before. Until now! Read about this amazing find here.

So, after months and months of waiting, I finally got to see The Eagle (of the Ninth) last night. And, I’m glad to say, it was worth the wait. Of course it was strewn with inaccuracies (a short list of the worst offenders includes bracers on the forearms, leather lorica segmentatas, scythed chariots – in Britain? – and worst of all, the ludicrous Seal People). However, in its favour, there are terrific military scenes, especially in the first half an hour. The battle scene when Marcus’ fort is attacked by Britons is excellent and includes a thrilling charge and the use of a testudo. The cinematography is intelligent and makes full use of the claustrophobic close up for fight scenes, and the panoramic sweeping shot for the majesty of Hadrian’s Wall and in particular the stunning scenery of Scotland.

[Read more…] about Thurs. 31st March: The Eagle

OK, wonderful readers, here it is. I know that a forum is a useful tool to have on any author’s website (and Parmenion keeps reminding me of that ;-)) but I have steered clear of it so far, mainly due to cost. However the site is coming up for an overhaul in the very near future *winces* so I’d like your opinions on this, please.

A simple ‘Yes, I think it’s a great idea’ or ‘No, I’d rather jump into an arena with Spartacus himself’ will do. All comments gratefully received however – and thanks for contributing as much as you do already…

Sorry, I couldn’t resist that one. Apologies to Jack Higgins. Well, today’s the day, folks, when the film version of our dearly beloved book, recently renamed The Eagle, hits cinema screens all over the UK. Directed by Kevin McDonald of The Last King of Scotland, it was filmed in the Scottish Highlands and parts of eastern Europe.  The reviews are flooding in thick and fast on Rosemary Sutcliff’s site, and they mostly seem good. One reader has posted here that it’s really great too. I find my hopes rising… Sadly, I won’t get to see it until next week. I can’t wait! Please feel free to post your comments here, though, if you go to see it this weekend.

Today’s also the day that I hit the nice milestone of 50,000 words in Spartacus. After a brief break from my keyboard, I was relieved this week to hit the ground (or screen) running. The scenes are just flowing one into another now, and I don’t want to stop writing until Monday morning, which is a good sign.

Some really good books coming out in the next few weeks. If they’re not already on your check list, look out for them: Odin’s Wolves by Giles Kristian and The Lion Wakes by Robert Low come out on the same day, April 14th, and Tony Riches’ new book,  Fortress of Spears, comes out not long afterwards, on April 28th. Russell Whitfield’s sequel to Gladiatrix, Roma Victrix is next, early in May. (The Amazon release date on that is incorrect.) Plenty of bedtime reading…

It’s more than a year since it was found, but hey after nearly 2,000 years, who’s countng? An amateur metal detector found – in a field in Suffolk – the only complete Roman lantern known in Britain. It’s now in Ipswich Museum – next time I’m over in the east, I’ll make sure to go and have a look.

What with all the hype and excitement about the film The Eagle, it was exciting to see an article about it in The Independent yesterday, written by no less than Manda Scott. It’s a great read, and not just because I get a mention! Read the article here.

Off down to Dublin in a couple of hours, to watch the boys in green take on the rampaging English. Their firm duty: to deny them the Grand Slam! Despite the fact that Ireland have been victorious six out of the last seven years, I’m not totally sure about the outcome. Something to do with Ireland’s shaky performances against France and Wales… Here’s to a great match, and a beer (one only 🙂 ) afterwards.

Spartacus is in the middle of a fight to the death in the ludus. I thought you might like to read some of it. The characters on scene are: Spartacus, the Thracian he’s just killed (!), Vatia (the lanista), Phortis (his tough right hand man), Marcus Licinius Crassus and Hhhhh (the unnamed Roman politician who’s brought Crassus into the ludus to see the fight). Read on…

Fortunately for Spartacus, the warrior’s good fortune ran out before his own strength failed. His sword sliced into the side of the black-haired fighter’s belly, through the taut muscles there, to emerge red-tipped on the other side. There was a wet, soughing sound as Spartacus ripped the gladius free, and the warrior shrieked with the agony of it. With blood pouring from his wound, he staggered away, his sica nearly falling from his slack fingers. When Spartacus followed, there was little resistance. Two massive overhand blows, and the warrior had dropped his weapon. Spartacus ploughed on, pushing the other away from the curved sword, and any chance of redemption.

[Read more…] about Wed. 9th March: A Spartacus taster…