Master of rome : Masters of the sea series, book 3

A stirring adventure novel set amid the tumultuous clashes between the Roman and Carthaginian empires, battling for control of the Mediterranean, north Africa and Rome itself. Atticus, the young Greek captain, is now a commander of the growing Roman navy, blockading a port near Tunis, when the Roman legions suffer terrible defeat by the triumphant Carthaginian army, spearheaded by the elephant charges. He and his ships escape together with the main body of the Roman fleet out manoevred by the more skillful Carthaginians and then caught and almost completely annhilated by a terrible storm. Atticus and his crew are among the handful of survivors and being the messenger of this news to the Senta in Rome brings Atticus into political troubles, almost as stormy as the sea. He begins to feel not onlt that a greek will never be accepted by the Romans but also that the behaviour of many, noth politicians and soldiers, is such that he is not sure that he wants to be a Roman. Full of dramatic battles by land and sea, led by tremendous characters on both sides, MASTER OF ROME is a powerful novel, the third in this bestselling series by a born storyteller. Atticus, the Commander of the Roman fleet, is regarded with suspicion by the legionaries and the Roman establishment. Prejudice and nepotism are rife, and Atticus worries about his desire to succeed in such a world. Yet his immediate concerns involve the Carthaginians - again on the attack. Their superior sailing skills and strength, combined with the Roman admiral's foolhardy attitude towards the seasonal Mediterranean storms, cause appalling losses to the Roman ships. However, when it is Atticus who is blamed, he must return disgraced, to battle the resurgent Carthaginian navy. But he's led by a man determined to complete the annihilation of the Roman ships, and with a personal score to settle with Atticus. The battle that ensues will determine the survival of the whole empire. The young Greek captain Atticus is now a commander of the growing Roman navy, blockading a port near Tunis, when the Roman legions suffer terrible defeat by the the triumphant Carthaginian army, spearheaded by the elephant charges. Atticus and his crew are among the handful of survivors, and being the messenger of this news to the Senta in Rome brings Atticus political troubles. He begins to feel not only that a Greek will never be accepted by the Romans but also that the behavior of many, both politicians and soldiers, is such that he is not sure that he wants to be a Roman