Book number 18 in [a:Simon Scarrow|60636|Simon Scarrow|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1240832197p2/60636.jpg]'s long-running Macro and Cato series, which means he's catching up on [a:Bernard Cornwell|12542|Bernard Cornwell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504578807p2/12542.jpg] Sharpe for sheer proliferation of books with the same central character(s) (and that's a good thing).

Following on from the previous novel ([b:The Blood of Rome|39342757|The Blood of Rome (Eagle #17)|Simon Scarrow|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550983831l/39342757._SY75_.jpg|60987190]), Macro and Cato are still in charge of the Praetorians, and still on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire (Syria), with Cato then tasked with making a dangerous journey into Parthia to deliver Rome's demands to the ruler of that nation while the recently-married (at the start of the novel) Macro, under General Corbulo, lays siege to the small kingdom of Thapsis in the mountains which has risen in revolt against Rome.

I have to say, with a title like 'Traitors of Rome' and with the extremely mercenary (historical) nature of the Praetorian Guard, I first thought - when I saw the title - that the Traitors of Rome would themselves prove to be the Praetorians themselves!

That's not the case, however, read the novel to finds out what is ...

If you've followed this series then you'll be familiar with Macro & Cato. This book is one of the best with each character facing things in personal life against the backdrop of life in the Roman army.

Good twisty tale