Procurator

This book wasn't written, It was channeled from an alternative reality. Great introduction to greater series. More please?

This is one of the few Roman alternate histories I've read where Rome survives without being assisted by magic or aliens - and the way Mitchell presents it seems like it could have happened. Germanicus is a sympathetic character, and the supporting characters are also fleshed out very well. The changing points -Pilate pardoning Jesus and a victory in the Teutonoberg forest are intriguing. The story itself is great, so good I immediately rushed out and bought the other two books. There are only 3 flaws with it. All the modern technology in the book is never adequately detailed (I assume a sand-galley is a tank but I'm still not totally sure). ALL of the modern tech is invented by two guys - the emperor Fabius and a Greek named Ptolemaeus - which doesn't seem quite believable to me. I guess the new technology can only be endorsed by an emperor. And finally Mitchell says that the Julian line has lasted for 2000 years - meaning that without a German frontier or a messiah in the east that Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero don't kill off all prospective heirs.But these are minor points. If you are interested in Roman history or are in the mood for a very good alternate history I would heartily recommend it to you.

Kirk Mitchell writes a great alternate history book. The Roman Empire is still about, but not armed with lazer guns and hover-craft like in most sci-fi books on the subject. No, the Roman Empire and the rest of the world seems to be trapped in a mixture of 19th and early 20th century technology. The characters are interesting and realistic. The plot keeps flowing and has lots of action. I would also suggest reading the other two books in the series if you liked this one, as in some ways it gets better!

In this fast, easy-to-read tale, Kirk Mitchell tells the story of an exotic- and very different- present day. In 9 BC, the Romans won a smashing victory at Teutoburg Forest, putting an end to the barbarian menace. Some 40 years later, Pilate pardoned Joshua Bar Joseph (Jesus Christ). Without a martyr figure, Christianity never leaves the ground. Without the external menace of Germanic invaders and the internal menace of religious controversy, the Roman Empire continues to grow and prosper.Now, in the present day, Roma presides over an enormous realm, stretching from the rugged land of Anatolia to the Novo Provinces across the Atlantic ocean. Germanicus Agricola rules as Procurator in the Province of Anatolia (Turkey). The job, although glorious, is far from easy. Although Roman subjects in name, the fanatically religious natives remain fiercely independent in spirit. And they are determined to drive the infidels from their country by any means necessary. When physical violence fails, they turn to a deadly magical weapon: massing. Using this deadly psychic power, they are capable of assassinating enemies from a great distance.Even in the face of this deadly menace, Germanicus is determined to stand firm. Backed by the firearms, automobiles, and wireless communications of the Roman military, and by his own diplomatic ability, he moves to prevent a savage holy war. But the stakes are far higher than he could ever imagine. For behind the savage belligerence of the Anatolians lies a far more sinister conspiracy, aimed straight at the heart of the Roman Empire. Before Germanicus knows it, he is over his head in a complex web of unspeakable violence, powerful sorcery, and ancient theological secrets.Mitchell's prose is somewhat inelegant, but his plot is highly compelling. He makes liberal -and successful- use of both the fantastic and the alternate historical, creating a delightfully unique piece of speculative fiction.

What a shame that Mitchell's "Rome Trilogy" ("Procurator," "New Barbarians" and "Cry Republic") is out of print. He brilliantly brings the Roman Empire forward to modern times with likely technological "improvements" and introduces several marvelously memorable characters, most notably Gaius Julius Agricola, the Procurator of this title. If you can find this and the two sequels anywhere, read them. They're a real pleasure. And how sad that the Empire had to decline and fall....