In the twelfth Empire novel, Marcus Aquila returns to Rome, for his final reckoning with the Emperor Commodus.

After saving the Empire's richest province from a foreign army, Marcus Aquila and the men who protect him have been in hiding. If they are seen in Rome their lives will be forfeit.

But five years later, everything has changed in Rome. Marcus's protector, the patrician legion commander Scaurus, is summoned home by his mentor Pertinax, a powerful senator who has decided he must save the empire from its debauched ruler Commodus's reign of terror.

The city is a hotbed of conspiracy and treachery, and Pertinax is not the only contender for power. The emperor himself plans to destroy those he mistrusts. No-one is safe.

Marcus has his own, unique role in the conspiracy. He will become a gladiator once more. But this time, his opponent will be Commodus himself.

Praise for Empire:
'A damn fine read . . . fast-paced, action-packed.' Ben Kane
'Fast-paced and gripping "read-through-the-night" fiction.' Conn Iggulden

After saving the Empire's richest province from a foreign army, Marcus and the men who protect him have been in hiding. Their lives will be forfeit if they are seen in Rome.

But times have changed. Marcus's protector, the patrician legion commander Scaurus, has been summoned home by his mentor, a powerful senator who has decided he must act to save the empire from its debauched ruler's reign of terror.

Rome is a hotbed of conspiracy and treachery: and the senator is not the only contender for power. The emperor himself plans to destroy those he mistrusts and no-one is safe.

Marcus is assigned his own, unique role in the conspiracy. He will become a gladiator once more. But this time, his only opponent will be Commodus himself . . .