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series Reading Order

Cato & Macro Books in Order

23 Books
2000 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start

For the best experience, we recommend starting the Cato & Macro saga in publication order, beginning with the very first novel, Under the Eagle (2000). The main series is written sequentially, meaning the characters grow, the historical timeline moves forward, and key military campaigns unfold chronologically from book to book.

While the prequel novellas can technically be read first, starting with the original novel introduces you to the core dynamic between the studious Quintus Licinius Cato and the battle-hardened Lucius Cornelius Macro in the way the author intended.

Eagles of the Empire Main Series in Publication Order

The main novels trace the characters' careers across the Roman Empire, starting in 42 AD on the frontier of Britannia. Here is the full publication checklist:

  1. Under the Eagle (2000)
  2. The Eagle's Conquest (2001)
  3. When the Eagle Hunts (2001)
  4. The Eagle and the Wolves (2003)
  5. The Eagle's Prey (2004)
  6. The Eagle's Prophecy (2005)
  7. The Eagle in the Sand / The Zealot (2006)
  8. Centurion (2007)
  9. The Gladiator (2009)
  10. The Legion (2009)
  11. Praetorian (2011)
  12. The Blood Crows (2013)
  13. Brothers in Blood (2014)
  14. Britannia (2015)
  15. Invictus (2016)
  16. Day of the Caesars (2017)
  17. The Blood of Rome (2018)
  18. Traitors of Rome (2019)
  19. The Emperor's Exile (2021)
  20. The Honour of Rome (2021)
  21. Death to the Emperor (2022)
  22. Rebellion (2023)
  23. Revenge of Rome (2024)
  24. Tyrant of Rome (2025)
  25. The Sword of Rome (Expected late 2026)

Chronological Order and Caveats

If you prefer to read the series strictly by the timeline of historical events, there are two key novella collections co-authored with T.J. Andrews that shift the order:

  • Arena (Prequel, Set in 41 AD): Originally released as five separate ebook novellas (Barbarian, Challenger, First Sword, Revenge, and Champion) before being compiled into a single book. This collection features Macro in Rome training a young gladiatorial recruit named Marcus Valerius Pavo. Chronologically, this takes place just before the events of Under the Eagle.
  • Invader (Spin-off, Set in Britannia): This five-part novella serial (compiled as the novel Invader) follows Optio Horatius Figulus, a recurring character and ally of Cato and Macro. It is set in Britannia and focuses on Figulus's standalone missions, running parallel to the timeline of the middle books in the main series.

Avoiding Gladiator Confusion

Readers should note a common point of confusion: Simon Scarrow writes a separate Young Adult historical series titled Gladiator (beginning with Fight for Freedom in 2011). This YA series features a young protagonist named Marcus Cornelius Primus and is entirely separate from the Cato & Macro universe. Do not mistake it for The Gladiator (2009), which is the ninth book in the main Cato & Macro adult series.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best way to start reading the Cato & Macro series?

We recommend starting with the first published novel, Under the Eagle (2000). Reading in publication order allows you to follow the natural evolution of Cato and Macro's friendship and military careers.

QWhere does the Arena novella collection fit in the timeline?

Arena (co-authored with T.J. Andrews) serves as a prequel. Set in Rome in 41 AD, it features Macro training a gladiator recruit and takes place chronologically just before the events of the first novel, Under the Eagle.

QIs the Gladiator series connected to Cato & Macro?

No. Simon Scarrow's Gladiator series (starting with Fight for Freedom) is a Young Adult series following Marcus Cornelius Primus. It is separate from the adult Cato & Macro series, though book 9 of the Cato & Macro series is confusingly titled The Gladiator.

QWho is the protagonist of the Invader spin-off series?

The protagonist of the Invader novellas is Horatius Figulus, a Roman officer who previously served under Cato and Macro. The story is a standalone spin-off set in Britannia.

QWhat are the latest books in the Cato & Macro series?

Book 23, Revenge of Rome, was published in 2024. Book 24, Tyrant of Rome, was released in late 2025. Book 25, The Sword of Rome, is scheduled for publication in late 2026.