Simon Scarrow (born 3 October 1962) is a British author. Scarrow completed a master's degree at the

University of East Anglia The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a public research university in Norwich, England. Established in 1963 on a campus west of the city centre, the university has four faculties and 26 schools of study. The annual income of the institution f ...

after working at the

Inland Revenue The Inland Revenue was, until April 2005, a department of the British Government responsible for the collection of direct taxation, including income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation ...

, and then went into

teaching Teaching is the practice implemented by a ''teacher'' aimed at transmitting skills (knowledge, know-how, and interpersonal skills) to a learner, a student, or any other audience in the context of an educational institution. Teaching is closely ...

as a lecturer, firstly at

East Norfolk Sixth Form College East Norfolk Sixth Form College (commonly abbreviated to EN) is a sixth form college in the Gorleston-on-Sea area of Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Opened in 1982 it uses the building of the former Alderman Leach Secondary Modern school to ...

, then at City College Norwich. He is best known for his '' Eagles of the Empire'' series of Roman military fiction set in the territories of the Roman Empire, covering the second invasion of Britain and the subsequent prolonged campaign undertaken by the rump of the

Julio-Claudian dynasty , native_name_lang= Latin, coat of arms=Great_Cameo_of_France-removebg.png, image_size=260px, caption= The Great Cameo of France depicting emperors Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius and Nero, type=Ancient Roman dynasty, country= Roman Empire, estat ...

. As of December 2019, there are 18 books in the series; the latest, "Traitors of Rome", was published in 2019. He has also written another series, ''

Revolution In political science, a revolution (Latin: ''revolutio'', "a turn around") is a fundamental and relatively sudden change in political power and political organization which occurs when the population revolts against the government, typically due ...

'', focusing on

Wellington Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by m ...

and Napoleon, whose first title, '' Young Bloods'', was published in 2006. The second volume, '' The Generals'', was released on 31 May 2007 and the third volume ''

Fire and Sword ''Fire and Sword'' (german: Feuer und Schwert: Die Legende von Tristan und Isolde, links=no) is a 1981 romantic drama film directed by . It is based on the legend of Tristan and Isolde, played by Christoph Waltz and Antonia Preser. Leigh Laws ...

'' was released in January 2009. The fourth and final novel of the series was released in Jun 2010 and is called ''

The Fields of Death The Fields of Death is the fourth and final book in Simon Scarrow's ''Wellington and Napoleon Quartet'', which tells the story of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars from the point of view of Sir Arthur Wellesley (the future Duke of W ...

''. He began publishing a new series in 2011 titled ''Gladiator''.

Books

The last fifteen of Scarrow's novels have been Sunday Times bestsellers. His works have been translated into over twenty languages and have sold several million copies. He has been awarded two prizes for his fiction and counts the King of Jordan as one of his fans. At present his Roman series has been optioned by a Hollywood studio to be produced as a TV series. Asked by the ''Edinburgh Book Review'' about the inspiration behind his interest in the Roman era, Scarrow said, "Firstly, great

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

teachers – Gordon Rodway and then Reg Nash, who inspired a love of the language and more enduringly a fascination with Roman history and culture. Secondly, when I was growing up in the seventies swords and sandals epics seemed to be on the TV regularly. Not to mention the brilliant ''

I, Claudius ''I, Claudius'' is a historical novel by English writer Robert Graves, published in 1934. Written in the form of an autobiography of the Roman Emperor Claudius, it tells the history of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and the early years of the R ...

''". Scarrow cites the inspiration for his 'earthy' characters as being from his time in the Officer Training Corps.

''Eagles of the Empire'' series

The '' Eagles of the Empire'' series centres upon two main protagonists, Quintus Licinius Cato and

Lucius Cornelius Macro ''Eagles of the Empire'' is a series of historical military fiction novels written by Simon Scarrow. The series began in July 2000 with the publication of ''Under the Eagle'', and as of March 2022 there have been 20 novels released in the series ...

, who are both Roman soldiers. Macro, a veteran with nearly 15 years' service (at the start of the first novel) in the Roman Army, has recently been appointed to the Centurionate. Cato is in his teen years, grew up in the Imperial Palace as a slave, and at the start of the series joins the Eagles as Macro's Optio. The first book starts in 42 AD. The books cover the experiences of the two soldiers, initially as experienced centurion and new optio, in battles in Germania and the invasion of Britain by Claudius as part of the

Legio II Augusta Legio II Augusta ( Second Legion "Augustus'") was a legion of the Imperial Roman army that was founded during the late Roman republic. Its emblems were the Capricornus, Pegasus, and Mars. It may have taken the name "''Augusta''" from a victory ...

. The 6th book ''

The Eagle's Prophecy ''The Eagle's Prophecy'' is an historical novel by Simon Scarrow, published in 2005 and set in Ancient Rome. Summary During the 1st century AD, a pirate squadron under the command of Telemachus captures a Roman ship carrying a high-ranking Roman ...

'' has them serving as part of the Imperial Navy east of Italy. The 7th and 8th put them in Rome's eastern provinces as agents of the Emperor's secretary

Tiberius Claudius Narcissus Tiberius Claudius Narcissus (died ) was one of the freedmen who formed the core of the imperial court under the Roman emperor Claudius. He is described as ''praepositus ab epistulis'' (in charge of correspondence). Life He reportedly had gr ...

. The 9th sees them shipwrecked on the island of

Crete Crete ( el, Κρήτη, translit=, Modern: , Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cypru ...

, fighting against a full-scale uprising. The 11th is set in Rome with the leads hoping to save the emperor from the shady Liberators. ''The Blood Crows'' is set once again in Britannia. The two protagonists are faced with defeating tribal rebels. The two characters Cato and Macro were additionally used in one book of the ''

TimeRiders TimeRiders is a series of teen science fiction novels written by Alex Scarrow. The series has nine books and is currently published by Puffin Books. Summary The novels revolve around three teens who are recruited by an agency known as ...

'' series: ''Gates of Rome''. They served as supporting characters when the three protagonists travel back to ancient Rome. Scarrow allowed his brother Alex to make use of the characters in his novel. In 2007 the publisher announced the intention to cease using the word "Eagle" in the title of books in this series, starting with ''Centurion''. The change was apparently because the publisher wanted to attract more new readers to the series. #'' Under the Eagle'' (2000) #''

The Eagle's Conquest ''The Eagle's Conquest '' is a 2001 novel by Simon Scarrow, about the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD. It is the second book in the ''Eagles of the Empire'' series. Plot summary The book opens immediately after the events of ''Under the Ea ...

'' (2001) #''

When the Eagle Hunts ''When the Eagle Hunts'' is a 2002 novel by Simon Scarrow, set in 44 AD during the Roman invasion of Britain. It is the third book in the ''Eagles of the Empire'' series. Plot summary Winter, AD 44: After a series of bloody battles, Camulodunum ...

'' (2002) #''

The Eagle and the Wolves ''The Eagle and The Wolves'' is a 2003 novel by Simon Scarrow, the fourth book in the ''Eagles of the Empire'' series where main characters Macro and Cato command two cohorts of soldiers made up of warriors and nobles from the Atrebatan kingdom. T ...

'' (2003) #''

The Eagle's Prey ''The Eagle's Prey'' is the fifth book in the ''Eagles of the Empire'' series, by Simon Scarrow. Synopsis This novel is set in AD 44 during the Roman invasion of Britain. During the second year of their campaign against the British tribes, th ...

'' (2004) #''

'' (2005) #''

The Eagle in the Sand ''The Eagle in the Sand'' is a novel written by Simon Scarrow, published by Headline Book Publishing in 2006 (and published in the US as ''The Zealot'' in 2014). It is the seventh book in the ''Eagles of the Empire ''Eagles of the Empire'' is ...

'' (2006) #'' Centurion'' (2007) #'' The Gladiator'' (2009) #'' The Legion'' (2010) #*''Blood Debt'' (2009, short story) #'' Praetorian'' (2011) #''

The Blood Crows ''The Blood Crows'', published in 2013 is the twelfth volume of the ''Eagles of the Empire'' series by Simon Scarrow. It features the return of his main characters, Macro and Cato to Brittania, after an absence of almost ten years. Cover des ...

'' (2013) #''

Brothers in Blood Brothers in Blood is a Bulgarian Dutch hardcore punk band. Inspired by groups such as 25 ta Life, to which the band owes its name, Brothers in Blood was formed in 1998 by former members of recently disbanded hardcore outfit Pool Punishers. Aft ...

'' (2014) #''

Britannia Britannia () is the national personification of Britain as a helmeted female warrior holding a trident and shield. An image first used in classical antiquity, the Latin ''Britannia'' was the name variously applied to the British Isles, Gr ...

'' (2015) #'' Invictus'' (2016) #''

Day of the Caesars A day is the time period of a full rotation of the Earth with respect to the Sun. On average, this is 24 hours, 1440 minutes, or 86,400 seconds. In everyday life, the word "day" often refers to a solar day, which is the length between two s ...

'' (2017) #''

The Blood of Rome ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' (2018) #'' Traitors of Rome'' (2019) #''

The Emperor's Exile ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' (2020) #''

The Honour of Rome ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' (2021) #'' Death to the Emperor'' (2022)

''Revolution'' series

The Revolution Quartet The ''Wellington and Napoleon Quartet'' is a historical fiction series of novels by Simon Scarrow set in primarily the time of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. The series tells the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte and Arthur Wellesley ...

'' centres upon the lives of

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

and Arthur Wellesley, later the

Duke of Wellington Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was an Anglo-Irish soldier and Tory statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures of 19th-century Britain, serving twice as prime minister o ...

. The first book in the quartet starts in 1769, and follows the two young men through their youth and on to their military careers. #'' Young Bloods'' (2006) #'' The Generals'' (2007) #''

'' (2009) #''

'' (2010)

''Gladiator'' series

The ''

Gladiator A gladiator ( la, gladiator, "swordsman", from , "sword") was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gla ...

'' series is aimed at the

young adult A young adult is generally a person in the years following adolescence. Definitions and opinions on what qualifies as a young adult vary, with works such as Erik Erikson's stages of human development significantly influencing the definition of ...

audience, unlike his ''Eagle'' series. # '' Gladiator: Fight for Freedom'' (2011) # '' Gladiator: Street Fighter'' (2012) # '' Gladiator: Son of Spartacus'' (2013) # '' Gladiator: Vengeance'' (2014)

''Roman Arena'' series (with T. J. Andrews)

:Also acts as something of a prequel to the ''Eagle series'' as it features an earlier appearance of both characters Macro and Narcissus. #''Arena'' (2013) ## ''Barbarian'' (2012) ## ''Challenger'' (2012) ## ''First Sword'' (2013) ## ''Revenge'' (2013) ## ''Champion'' (2013) :::n.b. these novellas were available as e-books prior to publication of the full title.

''Invader'' series (with T. J. Andrews)

#''Invader'' (2016) ##''Death Beach'' (2014) ##''Blood Enemy'' (2014) ##''Dark Blade'' (2014) ##''Imperial Agent'' (2015) ##''Sacrifice'' (2015) :::n.b. these novellas were available as e-books prior to publication of the full title.

''Pirata'' series (with T. J. Andrews)

#''Pirata'' (2019) ##''The Black Flag'' (2019) ##''The Gates of Stone'' (2019) ##''Hunters of the Sea'' (2019) ##''Sea of Blood'' (2019) ##''The Pirate Chief'' (2019) :::n.b. these novellas were available as e-books prior to publication of the full title.

''Roman Caratacus'' series (with T. J. Andrews)

#''Warrior'' (forthcoming 2023) ##''The King in Rome'' (2022) ##''The Druids' Lair'' (2022) ##''Brothers of the Sword'' (forthcoming 2023) ##''The War Prince'' (forthcoming 2023) ##''Lord of War'' (forthcoming 2023) :::n.b. these novellas were available as e-books prior to publication of the full title.

Stand-alone novels

The following are books which are either stand-alone novels or have yet to be confirmed as parts of a series. #''

The Sword and the Scimitar ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' (2012) -- covers the

Great Siege of Malta The Great Siege of Malta (Maltese: ''L-Assedju l-Kbir'') occurred in 1565 when the Ottoman Empire attempted to conquer the island of Malta, then held by the Knights Hospitaller. The siege lasted nearly four months, from 18 May to 13 Septembe ...

#'' Hearts of Stone'' (2015) -- covers WWII period Greek island of Lefkas #''

Playing With Death Play is a range of intrinsically motivated activities done for recreational pleasure and enjoyment. Play is commonly associated with children and juvenile-level activities, but may be engaged in at any life stage, and among other higher-functio ...

'' with Lee Francis (2018) -- Crime story #'' Blackout'' -- covers WWII period Germany

Writer in Residence

In November 2006, Simon Scarrow was accepted to fill the post of Writer in Residence at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys, a position he said he was "honoured to accept".

Personal life

Simon lives in Norfolk with his wife Louise and their dog ‘BB’ (named after BB Glazer, the ferocious agent in the TV series Frasier). Besides writing, Simon gives talks on history and writing at festivals. His leisure interests include skiing and scuba diving.

References

External links

* (Scarrow brothers Alex and Simon)
Simon Scarrow at Facebook
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Scarrow, Simon 1962 births English historical novelists Writers of historical mysteries Writers of historical fiction set in antiquity Alumni of the University of East Anglia People educated at Kent College Living people Place of birth missing (living people)