The Seven Hills

John Maddox Roberts is the pseudonym of Mark Ramsay, author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. He lives in New Mexico with his wife. This book is a sequel to Hannibal's Children, in which the author asked the hypothetic question as to what would have happened to Rome and its empire, if Hannibal had received the reinforcements he needed to drive home his attack. What if Rome had fallen to the might of Carthage and then rose again? Although the question posed is purely speculation and of course nobody will ever know what the consequences might have been, the book does make interesting reading, as long as you remember that the author is a writer of fantasy.

My Opinion: The story here is all fiction ,it is really good though.A must read for any historical fiction or Roman fan.You dont have to read the first novel in this series to have a great read with this one. Plot: The Romans have returned to wage war on their enemy Carthage.The story follows two Roman generals who hate each other and the kingdoms of Egypt,Carthage and the Roman senate. What I liked about it: Roberts includes great detail of the armies and the fights that they wage.His writing style is fast paced,but very good in form.A quick and very entertaining read.When I finished I wished I had the last book to read.

Defeated by Hannibal, Rome retreated over the Alps, creating a new northern republic. But now, with Carthage distracted by an invasion of Egypt, new Roman legions, consisting of Romans of Italian, German, and Gaulish citizens have reconquered Italy and vow to take their fight to the very walls of Carthage. In Egypt, Marcus Cornelius Scipio cultivates Seline (Cleopatra) and discovers the power of applied philosophy, experimenting with steam power, metal warships, and hang gliders. Meanwhile, with four legions, Titus Norbanus sets off on a march from the deserts of Sinai through Israel, Selucia, Thrace, and Greece--finally setting off toward Spain and a collision with Hamilcar who commands Carthage. Author John Maddox Roberts creates a fascinating alternate history with his examination of a world where Hannibal won the second Punic war, but failed to completely destroy the Roman Republic. As with the historical Republic, Roman society is transformed by the huge influx of wealth that comes from conquest and contact with the older civilizations of the Helenic and Punic civilizations. Unlike historical Rome, though, the influx of wealth is sudden, happening in years rather than over generations. The old republican virtues remain strong even as generals look to seize the dictatorship. Roberts uses two Greek philosophers to serve as his 'eyes,' letting them see the recreated Roman Republic with foreign eyes and allowing him to explore the nature of Rome more closely than if he had used only Roman protagonists. And clearly Roberts knows his subject. I think the adoption of Archimedean philosophy is something of a stretch for Roberts, with the attendant development of hang gliders, paddle wheels, steam power, and submarines. Still, perhaps the Romans would have given engineering more attention of Archimedes had defended Syracuse against Carthaginians rather than Romans. Greek philosophy and Roman law form the structure underlying the entire western world. As such, alternate history analyses of the Roman world hold an inherent interest. John Maddox Roberts brings a strong knowledge of Roman history and admiration for Roman achievements into a fascinating alternate history account.

The Seven Hills is the second book in a Roman semi-historical fiction, what-if novel. It is not HISTORY! That being said, it is an excellent work of story telling with a very strong understanding of historical Rome and the Roman military systems. This book is even more fast-paced than the initial volume, and has the color and life that a master storyteller breathes into his creation. With so many realistic and complicated characters, you feel as if you are actually in the alternate universe, witnessing the devious politics, the bloody battles and the naval action. The most disappoint part of this book is when you reach the last page, and realize that you don't have the third volume at hand. Rome against Carthage! Rome against Judea! Rome against Cilician pirates, wily Greeks, and bloodthirsty Celto-Iberians, Illyrians and Spartans! Did I mention that Egypt is a lively nation, where philosophers actually experiment with technology? Perhaps it will be Rome against Egypt and Parthia as well! Roman against Roman is always a given, watch your enemies, and watch your friends closer! Five Stars for an interesting book that will amuse the history buff, give the war gamer ideas for a semi-historical campaign setting, and entertain the action adventure crowd!

On an alternate earth, Hannibal gave the Romans a chance to surrender and go into exile or he would destroy the city. Most chose exile traveling beyond the Alps to create a new empire, Rome Norricum. They conquered the Gaul, Franks, and Germans; and over a century later they took back Rome. The Romans control all of mainland Italy and look forward to regaining Sicily from Shofet Hamilcar, a descendent of Hannibal the Great of Carthage. Marcus Scipio has placed Queen Selene in power and formed an alliance with Egypt. However, Titus Norbanus and his four legions make other alliances, conquers new territories that once belonged to Rome, and has earned the loyalty of his troops. He plans to destroy Carthage and use the victory to become the ruler of the neo Roman Empire. Only Marcus and perhaps Carthage stand in the way of this upstart achieving his ambition. This is a fantastic sequel that returns Rome to the power that she had lost. Readers obtain a lucid picture of what the senators think of the unfolding political and military events and how they regard the two competitors Marcus vs. Titus. John Maddox Roberts, writer of the terrific SPQR Ancient Rome mysteries, with THE SEVEN HILLS and its predecessor (see HANNIBAL'S CHILDREN) is the Harry Turtledove of an alternate Roman Empire. Harriet Klausner