REVIEWS OF H A CULLEY'S RECENT TRILOGY ABOUT THE EMPEROR CONSTANTINE There are very few novels written for this period. Culley has clearly mastered the genre and at the same time is a good story teller. A great final book to the Constantine series. H A Culley has produced a realistic approach to the building of the Roman Empire and all the problems within and without. The reality that life was not easy for anyone from the elite to the lowest classes shines through quite clearly. I enjoyed the Hammurabi series because, as well as being an easy read, it dealt with a subject that was relatively untouched. And I am happy to report that the author has done it again. Great book. I love to read about the Roman Empire and this book was right up my alley. At times I felt I was there. The author has researched the period very well and the appendix at the end of the book was excellent. . BOOK SYNOPSIS This first novel in the trilogy charts the rise to power of Parmenion, one of history's greatest generals, who was instrumental in helping Philip II to conquer Greece and Alexander the Great to conquer Persia. Parmenion is the second son of a minor noble who sets out as a mercenary to make a name of himself. After a disastrous expedition to Egypt ,Parmenion overcomes assassination plots, treachery and betrayal at home and as well as battling against Macedon's external enemies, who endanger the very survival of the kingdom. Eventually Parmenion helps Philip to secure his throne and to win a stunning victory on the plains of Illyria.