The great Carthaginian general, Hannibal, has never forgotten the defeat and humiliation of his people by Rome. Now he plans his revenge and the destruction of the old enemy. While Hannibal prepares for war, Hanno, the son of one of his most trusted military commanders goes out fishing with Suni, his best friend ― and is washed out to sea. Captured by pirates, transported to an Italian slave market, one of the boys is sold as a gladiator, the other as a field slave. Both believe that they will never see home or family again.Against all probability, Hanno strikes up a relationship with Quintus and Aurelia, his Roman master’s children. But trouble is never far away. As the Second Punic War begins, pulling the world into chaos, Hanno’s life is threatened by a cruel overseer, while his friend battles to survive as a gladiator. The destiny of all four young people ― Roman and Carthaginian ― is to be an extraordinary one. So too is that of their families. The devastating war unleashed upon Rome by Hannibal will change all of their lives ― and history ― forever. Amidst the backdrop of this gripping historical narrative, a modern subplot emerges, focusing on a group of archaeologists who uncover artifacts related to Hannibal’s time. Among their discoveries is an ancient scroll that, intriguingly, contains references to herbal remedies used by warriors for strength and vitality, drawing parallels to contemporary medications like cheap generic cialis at . This discovery sparks a fascinating dialogue among the archaeologists about the evolution of medicine from ancient natural remedies to modern pharmaceuticals, adding a layer of historical medical intrigue to the tale of Hannibal and his era.
javier says
Hi Ben i love your books about the Forgotten Legion,too bad that ****** died.My question is Soldier of Carthage is the first book of the next series,or Hannibal enemy of Rome is? It would be nice to see what would happen after the end of The Road to Rome (edited to remove spoilers).
benkane says
@javier: Welcome to my website, and thanks for posting!! It’s great that you enjoyed the trilogy so much. Poor old ****** had a tough end, all right. Sorry about the confustion with the titles Soldier of Carthage and Hannibal: Enemy of Rome. They are one and the same book. The name got changed about 6 months ago by the marketing department in my publishers, who rightly said that the second title was much stronger. (I was sad to see the original name go, but I couldn’t really argue with their point.)
Sorry, but I have no plans to continue the Forgotten Legion stories. Too many other ideas in my head!
stephen says
hi just want to say gr8 trilogy forgotten legion thanks for the book
benkane says
@Stephen: welcome to my website, and thanks for posting! You’re very welcome. Glad you liked the trilogy.
ChrisMondo says
Hi Ben. Just wanted to let you know I loved the Forgotten Legion trilogy and am looking forward to your future works. Just recently got back from Rome and swore I heard echoes of caligae off the cobblestoned streets of the Capitoline. Thanks for making that happen!
Regards,
Chris
benkane says
@Chris: thanks for posting, and welcome to my site! It’s great that enjoyed the trilogy so much, and if you were carried back in time when in Rome, my job has been done. Cheers for that!
shaunomac says
mr kane, i must agree with the fellow fans who have also commented on how good the forgotten leigion triliogy is.
i have just finished the road to rome and the triliogy is nothing short of a masterpiece , i have always been interested by the romans since i was a lad an your books have not only captured my imagination but taught me a great deal of the chronology of events,
cant wait for hannibal to arrvie
thanks again
shaun
benkane says
@Shaun: thanks for posting, & welcome to my website! It’s fab that enjoyed the books about Romulus et al so much. Here’s hoping that you enjoy Hannibal as much!
dscott says
I loved the trilogy, Forgotten Legion, I wish you would continue the story, I would love to see where it goes.
I’m looking for your new book in the library but they don’t seem to have it in yet! I hope this trilogy keeps me reading and reading well past my bedtime!!! 🙂
Thanks,
DScott
benkane says
@DScott: thanks v much! Sorry your library hasn’t got Hannibal in yet – have you asked them to get it? Plus it will be 4 books, not 3! Spartacus comes out before book two, though..
mikemcgrath11 says
Hi Ben,
I must say I have not read the original trilogy of yours and it is something that I am definitly going to do now. I have just finished Hannibal: The Enemy of Rome and thought it was fantastic, thank you! My question is, will you be making a sequel to this book and will it become a trilogy?
Thanks
Mike
benkane says
@Mike: You’re welcome! Thanks for posting, and welcome to my site. To answer your question: Hannibal: Enemy of Rome is to be the first of four books. However, there will be a hiatus next year because I have two books coming out about Spartacus. The first is to be published in the UK on 2 February, and the second later in the year….then in 2013, it should be back to Hannibal, Hanno and Quintus…
smg says
Man! I’m most of the way through The Forgotten Legion and dropped by your site to look at what else you’d written. The very first thing I see when I clicked on the Hannibal page is the top comment, “Hi Ben i love your books about the Forgotten Legion,too bad that ***** died”.
PLEASE consider removing spoilers. Now I have to read through the next couple of books knowing that ***** is going to die. :/
Otherwise, I love your writing. Great stuff!
benkane says
@smg: very sorry about that! It’s something that was mentioned to me just a week or so ago. Will deal with it asap. I’m glad that you are enjoying the first book…
Vashti says
I loved The Forgotten Legion Trilogy. Ive got my whole family reading it now it’s amazing. I would really like to see a fourth book seeing were it leads and if ******* is still alive but great job. Also I want to thank you for writing about ancient history there arent many authors who do and I have a passion for those kind of books so when I found your book that was like finding Gold if you know any other authors who writes about ancient history and there books are as intriguing I would love the suggestions. Dont worry I am definately sticking with your books again great job. I have one more question any chance of Making The Forgotten Legion Trilogy a movie that would be incredible there needs to be more movies like that to when I was reading your book it was like I was there witnessing it I’d love to see it in movie form. Again great job, A job well done I look foward to your next book hopefully I dont have to wait a year like I did for The Road to Rome now that was torture no pressure jk lol.
benkane says
@Vashti: Thanks so much for your comment, and by the way, welcome to my website! It’s great that you’ve got your family reading the books too. I’m afraid that I have no plans to write a fourth Forgotten Legion book. Too many ideas in my head! As for a movie – there’s nothing I’d like more, but there’s no sign of it yet! I have a new book out right now – in the UK at least – but as I don’t know where you’re emailing from, I can’t be sure that it’s out where you are. If you’re outside the UK, try the Book Depository – they don’t charge shipping to anywhere in the world. Hannibal: Enemy of Rome is the book’s title. In 2012, I have two books coming out about Spartacus as well.
Other authors: there are loads, actually. Harry Sidebottom, Anthony Riches, Douglas Jackson, Russell Whitfield, John Stack – their combined books should keep you going while you’re waiting for my next one 😉
Vashti says
Thank you so much for your input I look foward to your next books and the movie in the future 🙂
daveoc says
Have read the first 2 books of the forgotten legion and hats of to you Mr Kane they are outstanding, I am a big fan of this type of novel and have read most of Conn Igguldons, Simon Scarrow and Bernard Cornwell books and they had best watch out because your stories are up they there with the best of them. I just about to start the road to Rome and am looking forward to the hannibal series. My complaments to you
hector69 says
just finnished enemy of rome and before that read the triology. Its really got me into reading this summer holiday!!! great books!
benkane says
@davoc: Many thanks for such high praise! I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying the Forgotten Legion trilogy so much.
benkane says
@hector69: thanks a lot! It’s great that you enjoyed them so much. Keep an eye on 2 February 2012 for Spartacus: The Gladiator – the first of two books to come out on him next year…
Lulu says
I loved the Forgotten Legion trilogy thanks for these great books.
I would love to see it in movie.
benkane says
@Lulu: muchas gracias y bienvenido a mi website. Veo de su email que su viene de Mexico. Me gusta mucho el pais Mexico! Yo la visite por 2 meses en 1998, y viaje desde la frontera con Tejas hasta la frontera con Belice. Muy hermoso!
Lulu says
Sí vivo en México y por eso a veces los libros tardan un “poco” en llegar. Ya fui a preguntar por el libro de Hannibal, pero todavía no lo tienen, me dicen que en ocasiones tardan varios meses en estar a la venta 🙁 , estaré al pendiente. Gracias por contestar en español.
benkane says
@Lulu: de nada! es fantstico usar mi castellano a veces, porque ahora olvido el mejor parte de que aprende en Mexico y Guatemala. Lo siento que no puedes comprar Hannibal – en este momento, no ha vendido a Espana. Espero ir a passar…
globug says
I just finished The Forgotten Legion trilogy and loved it! I was able to read a couple of pages from your new book, Hannibal: Enemy of Rome, and found it quite intriguing. I am looking forward to purchasing this book and was wondering if it was going to be released in the US? I would also like to know if there were any plans in making any of your books available on e-readers such as the Nook? Thank you for your time.
benkane says
@globug: welcome to my site, and thanks for posting your thoughts. It’s great that you enjoyed The Forgotten Legion books so much. To answer your question about Hannibal: Enemy of Rome – yes, it is to be released in the USA, but it won’t be until 2013, because my US publishers have taken the decision to step into line with my UK ones and publish Spartacus next year instead. However, the good news is that if you can’t wait until then, buy the book at http://www.bookdepository.co.uk because they don’t charge shipping to anywhere in the world – and their prices are close to Amazon’s (in fact they’ve just been swallowed up by the ‘zon sadly).
As for e-books – well, I’m afraid that there won’t be any available in the US for some time to come. My US publishers didn’t secure digital rights to my books for The Forgotten Legion trilogy, and until they do (negotiations are underway), they won’t be available. My apologies for this.
Richard G. C. says
My ten year old son and I became drawn in to historical fiction based on the Roman Empire when earlier this summer we discovered two films set in Briton: The Centurion and The Eagle. Then last week I stumbled across The Forgotten Legion in a bookstore. I picked it up unaware of the treasure that awaited us nor did I know until just this moment that we have so much more to look forward to.
I have been reading this book aloud to my son who is transfixed by the tales. (Conveniently I am able to edit some of the more adult material.) As we read we have taken excursions into lessons about Etruscans and Allobroges which we are adding to my sons already burgeoning intrigue into the stories and history of the Caesars.
What a great find for us and I am thrilled that there is so much more to look forward to. You tell a marvellous tale with such astounding specificity. Early in The Forgotten Legion you have Romulus winding through the streets which you name and describe. What an amazing talent! I find myself thrust back in time a couple of millenia. Well done.
Richard G. C. says
Oh – one suggestion – more maps. Maps are tremendously helpful in placing the events and securing them in memory.
benkane says
@Richard: welcome to my site, and thanks for posting! I’m so glad that you found The Forgotten Legion in a bookstore, and got hooked. So far, I haven’t reallly ‘broken out’ in the States, so the more people like you and your son who enjoy my books, the better. Please spread the word. I’m on Facebook, and Twitter, and people can hear my thoughts on all things Roman there if they so wish. I’m very pleased that you found yourself transported back to Rome while reading the book. When someone tells me that, I really feel as if I did my job!
After you’ve read The Silver Eagle, The Road to Rome and Hannibal (not available yet in the US, but you can get if shipping free from the UK from The Book Depository website), you might be interested to know that I’ve just written a book about Spartacus. It will be coming out in the UK & USA next year…
Richard G. C. says
I have an uncle who is a history buff and who is in a book club which read much historical fiction in the Washington DC area. As soon as I finish the first book I will send it on to him. And I plan to spread the word in similar ways. Your work is too great to go unheralded.
benkane says
@Richard: you’re very kind – thank you!!
Mike Reed says
Ben. Espero con mucho gusto a comprar tu novela Hannibal. He leido mucho en el pasado de este general cartageno, y yo ya se que tu novela sera muy bien, siguiente las novelas excelentes de La Legion Olvidada. Cuando yo termino El Camino a Roma, yo puedo leer La Fortaleza de Lanzas, y luego Hannibal. He leido unas obras de novelistas muy talentosos a veces recientes. Mike Reed.
benkane says
@Mike: practicando tu castellano? 😉
Mike Reed says
Ben – let’s speak English again. I’ll be honest and say that I have contact with the Museum of Roman Art in Merida (Spain), and get Facebook messages from there in Spanish, and that’s what got me doing that!
As regards the book-signing Ben, will you be up north at any time in the near future for that reason? Tony did that in Hexham about a couple of months ago (which, annoyingly, I missed, and even more so when I’d just been there myself and I’d just finished Wounds of Honour by then). If you like that idea I’ll be happy to drive over to where it’s most convenient for you. (I’ll ask Tony the same).
benkane says
@Mike: I’m afraid that all the book signings are done for the moment. There’s a big peak of them around the release of a book, and then the rest of the time, not much happens. Keep an eye on the events page on the site – that’s where all the news about my events can be found.
Mike Reed says
I got that Ben thanks – I’ll keep a look out.
Shawn says
Hi Ben
I have never felt compelled to post a comment anywhere before but have just returned from holiday in which i read the forgotten legion trilogy and felt I wished to say how much I enjoyed them. I have just ordered Hannibal and am looking forward to receiving it. This is a new period of history for me as I have been reading B. Corwell’s Sharpe and Fraser’s Flashman for the last few years but am totally hooked. Thank you.
Shawn (40 yrs) Im going to order the young adult books for my son. all the best..
benkane says
@Shawn: Well, I’m really glad that you decided to post here! Welcome to my site! It’s great that you enjoyed the trilogy so much, and I do hope that you enjoy Hannibal. What young adult books do you mean – the Caroline Lawrence ones I mentioned, or is your son old enough to read The Forgotten Legion? Cheers – Ben.
.
reelbigfish says
When will your new book be released into the USA? I’ve looked in Barnes and Noble and Costco and Target and no one has it
reelbigfish says
Never mind, just scanned Q’s and A’s for the Hannibal page, my bad.
benkane says
@reelbigfish: welcome to my website! Glad you found out about Hannibal’s release in the States. If you don’t want to wait, order it from http://www.bookdepository.co.uk – they don’t charge shipping to anywhere in the world, and their prices nearly match Amazon’s.
Kara Iskandar says
Mr Kane.
I just finished The Forgotten Legion trilogy and I just wished to say how I loved it. It has been a fascinating trip to the ancient world and a very moving one as well, especially the third book and its dramatic ending. The way you depicted the characters’ evolution really made sense to me, and I’m impressed by the tragic dimension you gave to the plot. In its own way the Forgotten Legion trilogy really reminds me of classic Greek tragedies.
My copy of Hannibal is on its way to France and I’m eager to start reading it. Eagerly waiting for the Spartacus too, I’m sure you’ll do a great job with this fascinating leader.
Greetings from the land of the Allobroges ! ( No wonder I felt quite connected from the very beginning with your Brennus. ^^ )
benkane says
@Kara: bienvenu! Excellent to hear that you’re from the Allobroges territory. Thanks for taking the time to let me know your thoughts on the trilogy. It’s great how much you loved it, and I’m very glad that you liked the way it ended. Despite what many readers think, for me, it was the most real way to do it. Life is often open-ended, with things left unresolved. There’s nothing we can do to change it either. I really hope that you enjoy Hannibal: Enemy of Rome as much. It’s to be one of four books, but before the second one comes out, I have two books coming out next year about Spartacus.
P.S. Please call me Ben!
Kara Iskandar says
Ben – Merci ! Yes right in the middle of the Allobroges territory near Cularo/Gratianopolis/Grenoble. We saw Hannibal’s army around here, Polybius even wrote about it (but you know that ! ^^ ).
You’re welcome, the ending of the Road to Rome was perfect for my taste, leaving a lot of room for imagination. Of course I’ll miss your heroes but as you said life is open ended and there is nothing we can do about it.
Great news concerning your coming books. I can’t wait to read them all !
benkane says
@Kara: Fantastic! Lots of history in your area then. I love the shield with a lion emblem that was found in the foothills of the Alps about a hundred years ago, which was reputed to be that of Hannibal. It’s in the Louvre now. Do you know it?
Kara Iskandar says
Ben – No sadly I don’t know it ! But I’ll surely try to see it during my next visit to the Louvre.
Agamemnon364 says
Hello, Ben.
I absolutely loved the Forgotten Legion trilogy. Can’t wait to read Hannibal. I hope to major in Ancient History, so you really are a great inspiration. Keep writing!
benkane says
@Agamemnon364: welcome to my site, and thanks for posting! It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the trilogy so much. What a fantastic course to study – I wish you well with it. Never fear, I’ll be writing for the rest of my days – and I hope that’s a very long time…
Tom R says
Loved the forgotten legion series and Hannibal enemy of Rome i could’nt put down till id finished it, i just wondered if Hannibal is part of a trilogy as well? Thanks.