The Last Soldiers of Rome: Vexillatio 476 AD

Marco Vozzolo

Publisher: Ventus

Summary

In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed. The emperor was deposed in Ravenna, and the military defense fell apart. The only remaining Roman force was a small garrison at Duro Catalaunum, a border outpost. This group, called the Vexillatio, was made up of the last Roman soldiers, from the Liris River region in Italy, and was strongly supported by General Marcellino. They were ready for the imminent attack, as barbarian hordes ravaged nearby villages, and Duro Catalaunum was next in line. The Vexillatio was severely outnumbered, especially after the Legion V Ferrata was destroyed by the Erulian general Rudulfus, whose army was advancing toward them. Centurion Vitinio Aurunco and his fellow legionaries, though outmatched, were battle-hardened and highly trained. Rudulfus, relentless in his pursuit, would not give them respite, forcing the soldiers to endure grueling marches, naval storms, and continuous combat. Their ultimate goal was to return home to the Liris River, hoping for peace, but Rudulfus would chase them across the empire’s borders.

Available since: 06/14/2025.

Print length: 476 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Arachne - A tale from the French...

Marcel Schwob

Mayer André Marcel Schwob was born in Chaville, Hauts-de-Seine, France on 23rd August 1867 into a cultivated Jewish family.

As a child he devoured the works of Poe and Stevenson in French and then again in English. His attachment to the bizarre and dark was already forming.

His education at the Lycée of Nantes earned him the 1st Prize for Excellence. In 1881, he was in Paris with his maternal uncle to study at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand. Schwob quickly developed his multilingual abilities and then studied philology and Sanscrit at the École pratique des hautes études before completing his military service in Vannes with the artillery.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts in 1888 he became a professional journalist and worked for the Phare de la Loire, the Événement and L'Écho de Paris.

The 1890’s marked his establishment as a brilliant writer with the publication of six short story collections.

He fell ill in 1896 with a chronic, incurable intestinal disorder. He also suffered recurring bouts of influenza and pneumonia. Intestinal surgery was given several times, at first with success but, by 1900, after two more surgeries, he was told that nothing more could be done for him. Schwob now existed on kefir and fermented milk.

By the turn of the century, despite failing health, and often too ill to write, he embarked on several long travels, including to Vailima in the South Pacific where his literary hero Stevenson had died.

Schwob was regarded as a symbolist writer and a ‘precursor of Surrealism’. He wrote over a hundred short stories, journalistic articles, essays, biographies, literary reviews and analysis, translations and plays.

Marcel Schwob died on 26th February 1905 of Pneumonia. He was 37.

Show book

Absolution: Book summary & analysis

Margot Langley

This content is an independent and unofficial summary created for informational and educational purposes only. It is not affiliated with, authorized, approved, licensed, or endorsed by the original author or publisher. All rights to the original work belong to its respective copyright holders. This summary is not intended to substitute the original book, but to offer a concise overview and interpretation of its main ideas. 
Immerse yourself in Absolution, a powerful journey of compassion, complexity, and transformation set against the turbulent dawn of 1960s Saigon. Follow Tricia, a young expatriate driven by restless idealism, as she confronts the gap between good intentions and real impact. From bustling markets to crowded orphanages, she partners with a fearless ally to launch daring humanitarian initiatives—only to face missteps that test her resolve and redefine her purpose. Decades later, a reflective correspondence bridges generations, revealing hard-earned wisdom about cultural humility, adaptive leadership, and the true meaning of healing.

Show book

Bridge of Stones - A Spiritual...

Alan Taylor, Charles Fasanaro

In the simmering heat of August 1967, a kaleidoscopic minivan carrying a band of hippies – adorned with long hair, beards, beads, sandals, and granny dresses – pulls up at the gates of Ft. Gordon, Augusta, GA, then the heartland of the Military Police. Their mission is unconventional: to instruct the 25th Infantry Division, 60th Mine Scout Dog Platoon in harnessing the keen senses of dogs to detect landmines, trip wires, and hidden tunnels.

The air crackles with animosity as two worlds collide: the free-spirited and the regimented. Yet amidst the discord, Charlie Fasanaro, a young man with wisdom flowing through his veins, recognizes the crucial necessity of forging a bridge across the chasm of enmity that separates them. Their common cause is as clear as it is noble: saving lives in a theatre of war. Unbeknownst to Charlie, he is on the precipice of a spiritual catharsis that will redefine his very essence.

Volunteering to journey to the harsh landscapes of Vietnam alongside the 60th, Charlie is plunged into the visceral cruelties of war. Amidst the chaos,
he witnesses acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that cast a new light on the soldiers he stands beside; a nobility and honor scarcely seen amidst the peace-loving circles of his civilian life. This revelation propels Charlie into a tumultuous voyage of self-discovery, as he grapples with his identity amidst a whirlwind of contrasting ideologies.

Bridge of Stones navigates through the turbulent waters of a time where ideologies clashed and the essence of humanity was put to the test. As Charlie
endeavors to find his footing on the battlefield of conflicting beliefs, readers are ushered through a rich narrative that explores the profound essence of camaraderie, the unyielding spirit of sacrifice, and the indelible marks etched upon souls in times of war and peace.

Show book

The Junior Officer Bunkroom

J.J. Zerr

US Navy pilot Jon Zachery feels a sense of duty to serve in Vietnam when many are saying, "Hell no. I won't go!" He deploys on an aircraft carrier and rooms with four other pilots and one anti-war oriented officer in the Junior Officer Bunkroom. The JOB, he discovers, operates to its own set of Rules of Engagement. 
His wife Teresa is back home trying to be mother and father to their two children, and all the while worrying constantly over her husband's dangerous occupation.

Show book

Barren Grounds

B. Michael Radburn

In 1960s Sydney, a killer stalks the streets – and one cop will risk everything to stop him. 
 
The calling card of the killer known as ‘The Jeweller’ is as elegant as it is gruesome: a pair of ring fingers, separated from their owners, encircled by a band of wire, and delivered directly to Senior Detective Joe Capello. When the Jeweller taunts Joe and his team into meeting him in the diseased grounds of Barren Park, the consequences of that evening will have permanent repercussions for everyone involved. And for Joe, it gets personal.  
 
Two years later, Joe is off the force, but no less obsessed with the Jeweller and his horrific crimes. When a new parcel arrives at his home, Joe is invited back onto the task force and given the opportunity to redeem himself. But vindication relies on Joe finally capturing The Jeweller and now he has to decide if he’s willing to do what it takes – whatever it takes – to finally bring this case to a close.

Show book

A Thimble for Christmas

Dilly Court

Don’t miss the next utterly romantic historical saga from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court! 
She ran along the snow-covered cobbles, gripping her sewing box – fate in her hands… 
Living hand to mouth ever since her mother’s tragic death, Amelia sells the last of her treasured possessions to avoid being cast out of her home onto London’s streets. 
Her estranged grandfather unexpectedly bequeaths a small, struggling factory making mourning dresses and Amelia dares to dream… Drawing sketches by candlelight, she longs to sew elegant gowns from fine silks and beautiful ribbons for the rich. 
As the cold winter wind begins to bite, Amelia’s future hangs by a thread – can she keep her hopes alive?Readers LOVE A Thimble for Christmas! 
‘Love the author loved the book. Family saga at its best’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘I loved it from cover to cover, and I didn't want it to end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘A wonderful book by my favourite author Dilly Court, I absolutely adore her style of writing and the rich and warm characters that are interwoven into the story’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘I'm a huge Dilly Court fan, and I've yet to read a book of hers that disappoints’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘Really enjoyed it and read it right through on this windy and wet Sunday’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘Heart-warming historical drama, full of ups and downs and full of lively and interesting characters’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘Another great read from Dilly Court, I was unable to put it down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
Dilly’s novel Sunday’s Child hit #1 in the Sunday Times bestselling charts the w/e 25th June 2022 
Set in the Victorian era, this bestseller is a saga of friendship, romance, and a young girl's coming of age. Amelia's dream of sewing elegant gowns for the rich is a captivating journey that has made this a Sunday Times bestselling book. 
For fans of Rosie Goodwin (The Winter Promise), Katie Flynn (First Love, Last Love), Emma Hornby (The Maid’s Disgrace), Margaret Dickinson (Secrets at Bletchley Park), and Sheila Newberry (The Canal Boat Girl). 
HarperCollins 2023

Show book