Spring 115 AD. On Rome's Parthian frontier the war rages on between Emperor Trajan's legions and the ineffective, distracted Parthian forces.In the city of Rome, Marcus, father, senator, ex-soldier and veteran of Rome has become a government politician responsible for the supply of grain to the hungry, needy masses. But as he soon discovers there is a huge difference between soldiering and politics. Faced with a major crisis and a mysterious plot to humiliate and topple him from his position Marcus will learn that ambition has a price and that, in Rome, men of true honour and loyalty have become a rare quality.At Antioch in Syria, Fergus, son of Marcus and in the employ of the Legate Hadrian is sent on a mission to negotiate the release of Adalwolf, Hadrian's close friend and adviser, who has fallen into Parthian hands.Journeying far beyond Rome's northern and eastern frontiers Fergus strives to achieve his dream of one day becoming a legionary legate. And opportunity soon beckons when emperor Trajan, conscious of his failing health decides the time has come for the legions to march on Ctesiphon, the Parthian capital. In an ambitious quest to match the glory of Alexander the Great, Trajan gambles that all of Mesopotamia is ready for the taking.