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series Reading Order

Empire Books in Order

14 Books
2009 – 2024 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for the Empire Series

The Empire series by Anthony Riches is a highly serialized saga. Unlike some historical fiction series where each book acts as a completely self-contained mystery or battle, Marcus Valerius Aquila’s journey is a continuous narrative. Reading the books out of order will spoil major plot points, character deaths, and the ongoing political conspiracy that drives the entire plot. Therefore, the absolute best way to experience the series is in publication order.

While the publication sequence largely matches the chronological progression of Marcus’s life, there is one common point of confusion involving Books 6 and 7. Official listings and library catalogs sometimes list The Emperor's Knives before The Eagle's Vengeance due to minor publication scheduling differences across territories. However, narratively and chronologically, The Eagle's Vengeance is Book 6 and should be read before Book 7, The Emperor's Knives. Reading them in the correct narrative order ensures that Marcus's battles on the northern frontier resolve naturally before his journey takes him to the heart of Rome.

The Main Empire Series in Order

  • Wounds of Honour (2009) – The adventure begins. Marcus Valerius Aquila arrives at Hadrian’s Wall under the alias Marcus Tribulus Corvus, fleeing the murderous paranoia of Emperor Commodus. He must learn to survive as an auxiliary soldier in the Tungrian cohort.
  • Arrows of Fury (2010) – Stationed at a bleak outpost on Hadrian's Wall, Marcus and his comrades face a massive barbarian alliance. Marcus is tasked with training a raw cohort of Syrian archers to defend the empire.
  • Fortress of Spears (2011) – The Tungrians are sent north of the Wall into hostile Caledonian territory. Marcus must navigate betrayal from within the Roman ranks while fighting for survival in a brutal guerrilla war.
  • The Leopard Sword (2012) – The Tungrian cohort is deployed to the south of Britain to combat a ruthless band of rebels and plunderers. Marcus must lead his men in high-stakes skirmishes while hiding his true identity from imperial spies.
  • The Wolf's Gold (2012) – Marcus is sent to the province of Dacia (modern-day Romania) to protect a vital gold mine from Sarmatian raiders. The combat is fierce, and the political stakes are higher than ever.
  • The Eagle's Vengeance (2013) – Returning to the northern frontier of Britain, Marcus and the Tungrians must reclaim a lost legionary eagle. This book serves as the narrative climax to Marcus's early frontier career.
  • The Emperor's Knives (2014) – Fleeing the reach of Commodus, Marcus travels to Rome itself. Undercover in the capital, he seeks to destroy the imperial agents who slaughtered his family.
  • Thunder of the Gods (2015) – Marcus finds himself on the eastern frontier in Germany, caught in a desperate struggle against Germanic tribes. The pressure of maintaining his secret identity while leading men in battle begins to take a heavy toll.
  • Altar of Blood (2016) – The German campaign continues. Marcus must lead his cohort through a landscape of dense forests and swampy bogs, facing both barbarian forces and political rivals who want him dead.
  • The Scorpion's Strike (2019) – Sent to the scorching deserts of the Roman East, Marcus must navigate the treacherous sands and even more dangerous local politics to protect the empire's borders.
  • River of Gold (2020) – The action shifts to the Nile. Marcus is tasked with securing Egypt's grain supply and investigating a mysterious rebellion that threatens to starve Rome.
  • Vengeance (2022) – Marcus's personal war with his enemies reaches a boiling point. The domestic and political conflicts that have chased him since Britain culminate in a bloody struggle for survival.
  • Storm of War (2023) – The Empire is thrown into chaos as the reign of Commodus fractures. Marcus is swept up in the opening moves of a massive civil war that will determine the next Emperor of Rome.
  • Clash of Legions (2024) – Legion fights legion as the civil war intensifies. Marcus must use all his tactical brilliance to survive battles where his enemies are fellow Romans.
  • Field of Blood (2026) – The latest release. Following the chaotic "Year of the Five Emperors," Septimius Severus marches to crush his rival Percennius Niger. Marcus Valerius Aquila and Gaius Rutilius Scaurus are dragged into the conflict, executing dangerous raids to delay the enemy before a final, bloody showdown at Antioch.

The Centurions Trilogy: A Companion Series

In addition to the main Empire series, Anthony Riches has written a self-contained companion trilogy called The Centurions. This trilogy consists of three books: Betrayal (2016), Onslaught (2017), and Retribution (2018).

Unlike the main series, which is set in the late 2nd century AD during the reign of Emperor Commodus, The Centurions is set in AD 69, the famous "Year of the Four Emperors" following the death of Nero. The story focuses on four centurions—two Romans and two Batavians—caught on opposite sides of a massive rebellion along the Rhine. While the trilogy occupies the same fictional universe and features Riches' trademark focus on gritty, historically accurate military tactics, it does not feature Marcus Valerius Aquila. You do not need to read The Centurions to understand the main Empire series, but it is highly recommended for fans of Roman military history.

What to Know Before You Start

Riches' military background and extensive hands-on research—including walking Hadrian’s Wall in replica Roman military gear—give the Empire series a level of physical authenticity that sets it apart from other historical fiction. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of the series:

  • Focus on the Auxiliaries: Unlike many Roman novels that focus on the citizen legions, the Empire series focuses heavily on auxiliary cohorts (non-citizen soldiers recruited from the provinces). This gives readers a unique look at the multicultural, gritty reality of the frontier forces.
  • A Continuous Arc: Marcus's struggle to keep his true identity hidden from the Emperor's agents is the spine of the first seven books. Do not try to jump in midway through this arc; starting with Wounds of Honour is essential.
  • No Standalones: Each book leads directly into the next, often resolving the immediate military threat while advancing the overarching political conflict. Keep the next volume close at hand!

Frequently Asked

QCan the Empire books be read as standalone novels?

No. The Empire series is a highly serialized narrative following the life and struggles of Marcus Valerius Aquila. Reading them out of order will result in major spoilers regarding characters, military campaigns, and political conspiracies.

QWhich book should I read first in the Empire series?

You should start with the first novel, Wounds of Honour (2009), which introduces Marcus, his alias Marcus Tribulus Corvus, and the initial conflict on Hadrian’s Wall.

QDo I need to read The Centurions trilogy to understand the Empire series?

No. The Centurions is a standalone historical fiction trilogy set more than a century before the events of the Empire series. It features different characters and a separate conflict, though it sharing the same gritty style and attention to Roman military detail.

QWhat is the correct order for The Eagle's Vengeance and The Emperor's Knives?

Chronologically and narratively, The Eagle's Vengeance (Book 6) should be read before The Emperor's Knives (Book 7), despite occasional publication swaps in local retail listings.

QWhat is the latest book in the Empire series?

The latest book in the series is Field of Blood, which was published in February 2026 and continues Marcus's journey during the Roman civil wars of the late 2nd century.