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Aetius and the Augusta: The Last of the Romans

by Paul V. Store

252 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #06-2093; ISBN 1-4251-0336-7; US$19.98, C$22.98, EUR16.41, £11.49

Aëtius and the Augusta is an historical account of the last hundred years of the Western Roman Empire. It is a true story of battles, religion, drama and intrigue.

About the Book

Aëtius and the Augusta is set in the twilight years of the Roman Empire and charts its last hundred years until the deposition of the last Western Roman Emperor. The Eastern Empire enjoyed periods of stability, whilst the West suffered from ineffective leadership and the influence of strong religious characters whose search for souls did not always help the battle against external pressures.

It was also a time of large population movements of barbarian tribes looking to establish new homelands. The Huns started the process by pushing the Goths into conflict with the Empire. The Goths split into two, with the Visigoths finally settling in Gaul after a generation of wandering and fighting across Europe. The Germanic Vandals also crossed Europe to settle in North Africa.

Religious struggles where also great during this period, with the early Christians gaining an upper hand over the established pagan practices. The Emperors assisted this growth by supporting the outlawing of paganism. The early Christians used not only the law but force to have their God worshipped and used state religion as an excuse for their acts of violence.

Great leaders of this era such as Attila the Hun and Alaric the Visigoth, are covered together with less well known figures such as Gaiseric, King of the Vandals, and Theoderic of the Visigoths who, died fighting for the Romans against the Huns.

However, the two most influential people of this age were Flavius Aëtius, Roman soldier and politician, and the Augusta Galla Placidia, daughter of a Roman Emperor, wife of another, as well as to a barbarian King, and mother to an Emperor. These two people can justifiably be called, 'the last of the Romans'. This book tells their story and those that came before and after them.

About the Author

I was born in London, England and went to school and university there. I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1987. I moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2005 and returned to London a year later. I live in Surrey with my partner Holly and our cat Attila.

Excerpts