Igor agafonov. Igor agafonov is the blood of kings. About the book "Legions Go!" Igor Agafonov
In the evening, from the side of the Propontis, it was pleasantly cool. Fresh
the sea breeze rushed freely into the windows of the imperial palace, and the heavy
the purple curtain fluttered slightly. Sniffing the salty air
the emperor resolutely pushed back the curtain and went out onto the balcony. Leaving the luxurious
private chambers, trimmed with expensive marble, mahogany and gold
stucco, Leo the Thracian, lord of the Eastern Roman Empire, leaned on
balustrade and looked west, towards the distant Hippodrome.
Magnificent sunset tinged orange-colored alleys, walkways and pools
a vast park that spreads widely around the palace. Leo knew that in this
hour in the park is quite crowded. Numerous courtiers loved to stroll
there along perfectly flat paths, discussing matters, conducting philosophical disputes, or
just taking a break from day's worries. Some were looking for secluded spots in
far corners of the park, away from the paths and, having found a favorite
a gazebo, entwined with laurel branches, sometimes indulged in amusements there with their
beloved, or even just with beautiful slaves and dancers. a lion
smiled, recalling several similar adventures - in the old years and he did not
shunned such entertainment.
The sun was setting behind the bulk of the Hippodrome, reflecting glares on the marble
Constantinople breathed and tossed and turned, like a giant beast lying
on the banks of the Propontis. Hundreds of thousands of people scurried through its luxurious quarters
and poor streets, busy with their own affairs. Constantinople is the capital of the world
the city that replaced the once great Rome ...
This is where you hide, old bag!
Verina. Who else, besides the lawful spouse, would allow himself to turn to
emperor of the East? And she allowed herself this only when they were
alone. He endured, never finding the strength to openly oppose her.
Verina possessed some strange power over him, from the first day of their
dating in one of the taverns of the great city, when the future emperor was
still an insignificant officer. Twenty-two years have passed since then, but the power
her spell has not diminished. Only now it was not the charm of a beautiful young
girls, but the assertive confidence of a mature woman. Empress.
The emperor longingly turned away from the beautiful sunset and met
the wary look of his wife. Verina has lost her beauty, but in her
still attractive for forty years. And her youthful ardor, that
the ardor that conquered the once harsh Thracian did not disappear anywhere. Leo himself,
who recently changed his eighties, has long given up on love amusements,
Verina constantly changed lovers. With each other, they pretended that
no one has a clue of anything, although Leo knew in every way who she slept with
his loving wife. The palace spies regularly informed him about this, but
usually he did not take any action until someone from
unwary youths did not begin to chat about it. Such a chatterbox immediately
accused of any crime that happened and, without giving a word,
With a shuffling gait, the Lion walked up to an elegant table and pricked on a silver
fork an oyster.
What have you decided? - Verina literally glared at him.
I decided? What are you talking about?
About what, about what! she mimicked. - About what is happening in the west,
that's what!
The Emperor slowly chewed the oyster and took another.
I will send congratulations to Anthem. What else can I do?
And his sons?
Procopius and Romulus will go to Rome, to their father. This is his desire and I cannot see
why should I keep them in Constantinople.
Verina approached him with a leisurely catlike gait, looked directly into
eyes. The Emperor, unable to bear it, stared at the platter of oysters.
You old fool. They are hostages. As long as they're here we can be
we are sure that Anthemius will not harm us. That is, the intentions of
he will be, but he will not be able to act.
We have Marcian left, ”Leo muttered, pouring himself some wine.
Yes, Marcian, - Verina nodded. - Marcian, who so fascinated our
daughter that Leonty not only does not want to inform him, but also became his
most faithful accomplice!
Well what, what are you talking about? What accomplice? In what? They are husband and wife.
Why do you see conspiracies everywhere?
Why? Because everyone around only thinks who will sit on the throne
after you! That's why!
I’m still alive, ”the Thrace muttered, swallowing his wine. - And after me ...
Our grandson will be the emperor. I'm already thinking about proclaiming it
Caesar and his co-ruler.
Leo is still a child! He's only five years old, have you forgotten about that, you foolish head? Who
will be the regent? Who will be behind his throne?
How many times will we come back to this conversation? He has a father.
Zeno commands our army, he will keep power for his son.
Vile, depraved Isaur! I would never have given him Ariadne if
So it was necessary. Otherwise, Aspar would be sitting in my place now.
Yes, this cunning Alan thought that the throne had already fallen into his hands ... Okay,
let it be Zeno. But have you thought about what the victories of Antemia and this
his new military master, Crassus?
What are they threatening us with? There will be peace and quiet in the West. Rome will again become
strong. Perhaps together we can still defeat the vandals ...
What do vandals have to do with it ?! Anthemus sleeps and sees how to unite the Empire. Under
his power of course!
And again I will repeat - where did you get this?
Yes, it's obvious! You did not listen to me when you gave Leonty
his son, he did not listen when he gave him power over Rome, so
listen, though now, when his legions can go to Constantinople,
as soon as he decides that the right moment has come!
I will not listen to silly chatter and slander.
Ah, he won't! No, you will! You will, you old fool! I know why
you favor Anthem. You still worry that you robbed him of his legal
throne. You think that he had more rights than you. That's why you
always showed him patronage!
Verina went out of her way. Her face was flushed, spattered from her mouth
saliva. Now she didn't look attractive at all. The emperor is calm
Igor Agafonov
LEGIONS FORWARD!
Part one
They had been walking in the desert for the third day. Seven legions of Marcus Licinius Crassus, proconsul and triumvir. They went to conquer the rumored rich Parthia. But so far, instead of wealth and easy victory, they saw only one sand. Somewhere ahead there was the Parthian army with its heavy, armored cavalry, but now the main enemy of the legionnaires was not she, but the terrible heat and lack of water.
The quaestor Gaius Cassius Longinus, holding the restive horse, looked at the legionnaires wandering on the sand and wondered how much longer they would endure. Of course, they are soldiers of Great Rome, and not a bunch of barbarians, and iron discipline forces them to obey the orders of the commander, even if these orders seem completely insane. Cassius himself was a soldier, and therefore did not grumble, although in his heart he did not approve of the path taken by Crassus through the desert. Anyway, this whole campaign seemed to him a dubious undertaking.
Less than two years later, they left Rome. The war conceived by Crassus seemed then an easy walk. It seemed that all that was needed was to disperse the crowd of barbarians fleeing from one species of Roman eagles, and all the untold treasures of the East would belong to them - the legionaries of Crassus. But then there were already those who warned the triumvir ... But what is there! The tribune of the people Atey generally wanted to prohibit Crassus from starting an "unjust", as he said, war against the Parthians. When he failed, the tribune cursed the leaving army. Cassius knew that some of the soldiers still remembered this "curse of Atey", and he himself felt some kind of shock when the tribune of the people, putting a brazier at the city gates, began to burn incense and invoke terrible unknown gods, uttering monstrous curses. No, it was not in vain that Atey was known among the people as a sorcerer ...
And how many bad signs have already been! As they crossed Zeugma, a storm destroyed the bridge, and lightning struck directly into their camp. Then, making a cleansing sacrifice to the gods, Crassus dropped the liver of the sacrificial bull from his hands. Then he joked, saying: “Such is old age! But my hands will not drop weapons. " Cassius, being an educated man, did not attach much importance to fortune-telling, but still, nevertheless ... As one of the leaders of the army, he knew that all fortune-telling of the augurs is unfavorable and the priests, on the direct order of Crassus, hide it from the soldiers.
Admiring, quaestor?
Cassius turned around. Publius Licinius Crassus rode up to him on a magnificent Gallic horse. The triumvir's son removed his helmet and smoothed his sweat-damp hair.
What is there to admire ... Just saw the third legion aquilifer. The eagle barely drags along the sand.
Why didn't you ask him for that?
They will manage without me there. Lucius seems distracted by something.
I do not envy the guy!
Both chuckled. The old veteran Lucius Caecilius, primed the third legion, managed to become a legend by his strict adherence to the military regulations.
And yet, friend Publius, the spirit of the legionnaires is undermined. This desert is not for the Romans. Here I completely understand the soldier. And we are vulnerable here. See how the columns are stretched out? If the Parthians attack on the march ...
Abgar says the Parthians are not here. They run east.
Cassius spat angrily.
Do not say that name in front of me, Publius! You know how I hate the Arab dog! Oh, why did Crassus trust him ?! Why didn't you go to Armenia ?! King Artabaz would provide us with everything we needed, would give his heavy cavalry, and we would strike right in the heart of the Parthians! What are we doing here ?!
Publius sighed and touched his shoulder lightly.
Calm down, Guy. You know, I'm on your side and I think the same as you. If you remember, I supported your proposal at the council. But my father did not want to listen to me. The decision was made by him. What is left for us now? Only to fulfill the duty of a Roman and a soldier.
You're right. Right, of course. And yet, a couple more days of such a march, and the Parthians will not have to fight. The sun and lack of water will do all the work for them!
Indeed, the passing legionnaires now and then kissed the bucklags, but the warm water badly quenched their thirst, and how much of it was left there? Many had already finished their last sips and looked longingly at the train.
Tomorrow we will reach the oasis, ”Publius answered uncertainly.
Cassius chuckled.
Sure. This is what Abgar says. Oh, I will one day get to this "friend of the Roman people"!
For a while they silently looked at the passing legions, then Publius put on a helmet, preparing to go to his cavalry, but then he noticed a contubernal hurrying towards them.
The scouts have returned, valiant Publius! They have important news.
With apprehension, Cassius set out with Publius. As it turned out, the commander of the cavalry showed great foresight and two days ago sent forward a turma under the command of Mark Fulcinius. Cassius knew this Fulcinius a little. Coming from the lower ranks of Roman society, he had a dark past, but for ten years he was a confidant with the younger Crassus. According to Publius, Fulcinius distinguished himself even in the Gallic campaign, being an unsurpassed scout and master of special assignments.
Having barely greeted the commanders, Fulcinius got down to business.
We saw the Parthian army, - he said. - There are a lot of them. There was no way to count, but there were at least fifteen thousand of them. And with them the iron cavalry. Not a dozen of Surena's guards, as Abgar assured, but thousands. We also saw the oasis to which the Arab leads us. It is much further away than we thought, but we still won't find water there - the Parthians poisoned the wells.
Cassius involuntarily broke a curse, and Fulcinius fell silent.
I thought so! Go on, Fulcinius.
You are right, quaestor. But I have not yet said the main thing - after leaving the oasis, we stumbled upon a detachment of Parthians that was pursuing the fugitive. His horse was exhausted, and he himself was wounded by an arrow. We dispersed the Parthians, but, unfortunately, we did not save the fugitive, he died in my arms. It was Gaius Cominius, the tribune who had been captured by them last winter. How he managed to escape - I don't know. Before his death, he managed to tell what he had heard in the enemy camp. The Parthians mocked the Romans, said that our army was being led by a traitor, luring us into a trap where Surena would kill us all. And this traitor is a certain Arab leader ...
By Jupiter, Publius! This is Abgar and no one else! I will personally kill this viper!
We must immediately stop the legions and gather a council. I will gallop off to my father, and you will take care of the traitor.
Upon learning of the treason of the Arab, Mark Licinius Crassus fell into a rage. When Cassius returned, unsuccessfully searching for the traitor throughout the camp, the proconsul spat out of annoyance:
The cursed Arab rode off with his fellow tribesmen shortly before Publius came to me with his news. He said that he was going on reconnaissance, and I let him go. He must have seen how our scouts returned, and sensed something was wrong with his hide!
No need to talk about him now, ”Octavius, the legate of the Third Legion, remarked judiciously. “We have been warned of betrayal, and we should think about how to save the army.
Lost in the desert, the Roman army suddenly lost its guides, and it was not clear how to proceed. And somewhere nearby, an insidious enemy was preparing to strike.
The hastily assembled council was attended by all the commanders of the legions. Their faces were gloomy, and some were openly confused.
I have already suggested that the council take a different path, ”began Cassius, trying to speak calmly. “From the very beginning, we should have gone north to join the Armenians. Now that the enemy's plan has been revealed, we must ...
We will not reach Armenia, Cassius, ”Licinius, who commanded the sixth legion, interrupted him. - We have no guides, and the way there lies through the mountains. Who will lead the army? You?
Cassius almost flared up — Licinius often irritated him with his caution — but Publius was ahead of the quaestor.
Remember the Armenian ambassadors that we visited two days ago? When we refused to go north, they noticed that we were walking along a narrow strip of desert, while in the south, in just one passage, a river flows and fertile lands begin.
Yes, they advised us to turn south so that the warriors at least did not suffer from thirst. And they also said something about the hilly area.
Valiant Rusty is absolutely right. In the hills, their cavalry will not be able to turn, and if they attack, we will be in a better position than here.
Cassius smiled imperceptibly when he heard Publius call Rustius "valiant." In his opinion, the legate of the Fifth Legion, known for his sybaritism and love for Aristide's "Milesian Tales", was distinguished by anything but valor. Nevertheless, all the commanders enthusiastically accepted Publius's proposal. Even Coponius and Varguntius, the legates of the fourth and twenty-fifth legions, who most demanded to pursue the Parthians across the desert, now agreed that they were being lured into a trap and that it was necessary to get out of the trap as soon as possible.
Igor Agafonov
Legions Forward!
Part one
They had been walking in the desert for the third day. Seven legions of Marcus Licinius Crassus, proconsul and triumvir. They went to conquer the rumored rich Parthia. But so far, instead of wealth and easy victory, they saw only one sand. Somewhere ahead there was the Parthian army with its heavy, armored cavalry, but now the main enemy of the legionnaires was not she, but the terrible heat and lack of water.
The quaestor Gaius Cassius Longinus, holding the restive horse, looked at the legionnaires wandering on the sand and wondered how much longer they would endure. Of course, they, the soldiers of Great Rome, and not a bunch of barbarians and iron discipline makes them obey the orders of the commander, even if these orders seem completely insane. Cassius himself was a soldier, and therefore did not grumble, although in his heart he did not approve of the path taken by Crassus through the desert. Anyway, this whole campaign seemed to him a dubious undertaking.
Less than two years later, they left Rome. The war conceived by Crassus seemed then an easy walk. It seemed that all that was needed was to disperse the crowd of barbarians fleeing from one species of Roman eagles, and all the untold treasures of the East would belong to them - the legionaries of the Great Crassus. But then there were already those who warned the triumvir ... But what is there! The tribune of the people Atey generally wanted to prohibit Crassus from starting an "unjust", as he said, war against the Parthians. When he failed, he cursed the leaving army. Cassius knew that some of the soldiers still remembered this "curse of Atey", and he himself felt some kind of shock when the tribune of the people, putting a brazier at the city gates, began to burn incense and invoke terrible unknown gods, uttering monstrous curses.
And how many bad signs have already been! As they crossed Zeugma, a storm destroyed the bridge, and lightning struck directly into their camp. Then, making a cleansing sacrifice to the gods, Crassus dropped the liver of the sacrificial bull from his hands. Then he joked, saying: “Such is old age! But my hands will not drop weapons. " Cassius, being an educated man, did not attach much importance to fortune-telling, but still, nevertheless ... As one of the leaders and quaestor of the army, he knew that all fortune-telling of the augurs is unfavorable and the priests, on the direct order of Crassus, hide it from the soldiers.
Admiring, quaestor?
Cassius turned around. Publius Licinius Crassus, on a splendid Gaulish horse, rode up to him. The triumvir's son removed his helmet and smoothed his sweat-damp hair.
What is there to admire ... Just saw the third legion aquilifer. The eagle barely drags along the sand.
Why didn't you ask him for that?
They will manage without me there. Lucius seems distracted by something.
I do not envy the guy!
Both chuckled. The old veteran Lucius Caecilius, primed the Third Legion, managed to become a legend by his strict adherence to the military regulations.
And yet, friend Publius, the spirit of the legionnaires is undermined. This desert is not for the Romans. Here I completely understand the soldier. And we are vulnerable here. See how the columns are stretched out? If the Parthians attack on the march ...
Abgar says the Parthians are not here. They run east.
Cassius spat angrily.
Do not say that name in front of me, Publius! You know how I hate the Arab dog! Oh, why did Crassus trust him ?! Why didn't you go to Armenia ?! King Artabaz would provide us with everything we needed, would give his heavy cavalry, and we would strike right in the heart of the Parthians! What are we doing here ?!
Publius sighed and touched his shoulder lightly.
Calm down, Guy. You know, I'm on your side and I think the same as you. If you remember, I supported your proposal at that council. But my father did not want to listen to me. The decision was made by him. What is left for us now? Only to fulfill the duty of a Roman and a soldier.
You're right. Right, of course. And yet, a couple more days of such a march, and the Parthians will not have to fight. The sun and lack of water will do all the work for them.
Indeed, the passing legionnaires now and then kissed the bucklags, but the warm water badly quenched their thirst, and how much of it was left there? Many had already finished their last sips and looked longingly at the train.
Tomorrow we will reach the oasis, ”Publius answered uncertainly.
Cassius chuckled.
Sure. This is what Abgar says. Oh, I will one day get to this "friend of the Roman people"!
For a while they silently looked at the passing legions, then Publius put on a helmet, preparing to go to his cavalry, but then he noticed a contubernal hurrying towards them.
The scouts have returned, valiant Publius! They have important news.
With apprehension, Cassius set out with Publius. As it turned out, the commander of the cavalry showed great foresight and two days ago sent forward a turma under the command of Mark Fulcinius. Cassius knew this Fulcinius a little. Coming from the lower ranks of Roman society, he had a dark past, but for ten years he was a confidant with the younger Crassus. According to Publius, Fulcinius distinguished himself back in Gaul, being an unsurpassed scout and master of special assignments.
Having barely greeted the commanders, Fulcinius got down to business.
We saw the Parthian army, - he said. - There are a lot of them. There was no way to count, but there were at least fifteen thousand of them. And with them the iron cavalry. Not a dozen of Surena's guards, as Abgar assured, but thousands. We also saw the oasis to which the Arab leads us. It is much further away than we thought, but we still won't find water there - the Parthians poisoned the wells.
Cassius involuntarily broke a curse, and Fulcinius fell silent.
I thought so! Go on, Fulcinius.
You are right, quaestor. But I have not yet said the main thing - after leaving the oasis, we stumbled upon a detachment of Parthians that was pursuing the fugitive. His horse was exhausted, and he himself was wounded by an arrow. We dispersed the Parthians, but, unfortunately, we did not save the fugitive, he died in my arms. It was Gaius Cominius, the tribune who had been captured by them last winter. How he managed to escape - I don't know. Before his death, he managed to tell what he had heard in the enemy camp. The Parthians mocked the Romans, said that our army was being led by a traitor, luring us into a trap where Surena would kill us all. And this traitor is a certain Arab leader ...
By Jupiter, Publius! This is Abgar and no one else! I will personally kill this viper!
We must immediately stop the legions and gather a council. I will gallop off to my father, and you will take care of the traitor.
Legions forward! Igor Agafonov
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Title: Legions-Forward!
About the book "Legions Go!" Igor Agafonov
Book "Legions - Forward!" is part of a series of works of the same name. The second part of the Blood of Kings cycle is not yet complete, but readers have something to expect. Igor Agafonov wrote a unique historical novel about Ancient Rome, decorating it with elements of action and science fiction. The dynamism of the plot, the atmosphere of that era, skillfully conveyed by the author, and interesting historical facts do not leave the reader indifferent.
The author decided on a bold idea: he turned the course of history and moved the army of the Roman commander Mark Licinius Crassus four centuries ahead - to 472. Thus, the great warriors got from the heyday of the Roman Empire to the age of its fall. Pagan culture met Christianity. Apparently, with such a fantastic plot twist, Igor Agafonov entrusted the valiant Romans with an important mission - to save their state.
Book "Legions - Forward!" it is interesting to read, first of all, thanks to the vivid pictures of the then life of decadent Rome. It can be seen that the novel was written by a real professional - there are no historical errors in the text, which is a rarity for works of art of a historical orientation. The author stunningly conveyed the emotional palette of the characters: surprise and fury, the intensity of passions during the battles, the euphoria of the audience in the amphitheater, who have never seen such brutal bloody battles.
One of the main characters of the novel "Legions - Go!" Mark Crassus, finding himself in the future, was shocked by the decline of the once strong power. He sets before his army the task of immediately reviving the empire, even if for this it will be necessary to withstand hundreds of battles. A glorious army of legionnaires sets out to reclaim their legitimate territories. Igor Agafonov amazingly described each battle, providing a detailed picture of the battle between the Romans and their conquerors.
"Legions - forward!" - historically convincing and entertaining book, which will be interesting to read not only for fans of the history of Ancient Rome, but also for fans of action movies. The author's historical experiment was a success - the novel very realistically embodies the idea of \u200b\u200breviving the Roman Empire by “infusing” it with healthy blood from the past.
This piece is fascinating in two ways. First, the reader will have a great time following the dynamic storyline and imagining picturesque battles and vivid images of the inhabitants of Ancient Rome. In addition, the book Legions - Forward! can be safely recommended for acquaintance with some historical events.
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