Ben Kane Books in Order

Where to Start Reading Ben Kane

For readers looking to dive into Ben Kane's gritty, highly researched worlds, the best place to start is his debut trilogy, The Forgotten Legion Chronicles. Beginning with The Forgotten Legion (2008), this series immediately introduces you to Kane's signature style: detailed military history combined with the raw, personal perspectives of everyday people—slaves, gladiators, and low-ranking soldiers—caught in the gears of the Roman Republic.

If you prefer a hyper-focused military campaign, another excellent entry point is the Eagles of Rome series, which centers on the devastating Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and its aftermath. For those who want a break from ancient Rome, his medieval Richard the Lionheart trilogy offers an equally compelling starting point set during the Third Crusade.

The Forgotten Legion Chronicles

This is the series that established Ben Kane as a powerhouse of historical fiction. Set in the final decades of the Roman Republic, it follows a diverse cast of characters, including the twins Romulus and Fabiola, a Gladiator named Brennus, and Tarquinius, an Etruscan soothsayer. The story builds toward the disastrous Battle of Carrhae, where a Roman army was decimated by the Parthians.

While the core story is a trilogy, Kane later published a companion short story called The March to expand on the universe. The recommended reading order is by publication, which mirrors the chronological flow of the main characters' lives:

• The Forgotten Legion (2008)
• The Silver Eagle (2009)
• The Road to Rome (2010)
• The March (2018) – A companion short story set within the same era.

Eagles of Rome Series

The Eagles of Rome series is highly acclaimed for its gritty depiction of the Roman legions fighting in the dense, hostile forests of Germania. The narrative revolves around the famous betrayal by Arminius and the Roman efforts to reclaim their lost legionary eagle standards. While the main books should be read in order, there are a few short stories and novellas that flesh out the world.

To read the series in its entirety, including the side stories, use this chronological path:

1. The Shrine (2015) – A short prequel story that introduces the brutal frontier setting.
2. Eagles at War (2015) – The core novel detailing the ambush at Teutoburg Forest.
3. The Arena (2016) – A short story set in the bloody arenas of Rome.
4. Hunting the Eagles (2016) – The second full-length novel focusing on the campaigns of Germanicus.
5. Eagles in the Storm (2017) – The third novel detailing the ongoing struggle for vengeance.
6. Eagles in the Wilderness (2019) – The fourth installment, pushing the campaign into new, harsh territories.
7. Eagles in the East (2020) – The fifth novel, shifting focus to the eastern frontiers of the empire.
8. Io Saturnalia! (2023) – A festive short story set during the Roman winter solstice.

The Hannibal Series: Publication vs. Chronological Order

The Hannibal series covers the Second Punic War, focusing on the bitter rivalry between Carthage's genius general, Hannibal Barca, and the rising Roman Republic. Kane tells this story through the eyes of two young soldiers on opposite sides of the conflict.

Readers face a choice when tackling this series because Kane wrote a prequel short story, The Patrol, after the first novel was published. The two options for reading this series are outlined below:

The Publication Order

This is the order in which the books were released, and it is the way early fans experienced the saga:

• Enemy of Rome (2011)
• Fields of Blood (2013)
• The Patrol (2013) – A short story focusing on a young Roman centurion.
• Clouds of War (2014)

The Chronological Order

For a seamless timeline of the Second Punic War, read the prequel short story first:

1. The Patrol (2013) – Prequel short story.
2. Enemy of Rome (2011) – The start of the main conflict.
3. Fields of Blood (2013) – Details the horrific Battle of Cannae.
4. Clouds of War (2014) – Focuses on the brutal siege of Syracuse.

Note: Some readers may encounter reference to a book titled 'A Land Aflame' in relation to the Hannibal series. This is the alternative/U.S. title under which 'Fields of Blood' was marketed, rather than a separate, fifth entry in the series.

Richard the Lionheart Series

Stepping away from classical antiquity, this trilogy plunges readers into the late 12th century. The story follows Ferdia, an Irish nobleman's son captured and forced to serve Richard the Lionheart during the Third Crusade. It offers the same gritty combat realism and intense character dynamics as Kane’s Roman novels but set against the backdrop of medieval castles and desert warfare.

• Lionheart (2020)
• Crusader (2021)
• King (2022)

Other Roman Series: Spartacus and Clash of Empires

Kane has written two shorter series that focus on crucial turning points in Roman military history:

The Spartacus Duology

This duology reimagines the famous gladiator rebellion led by Spartacus, capturing the desperation and violence of the third Servile War from the perspective of both the rebels and the Roman soldiers sent to crush them.

• The Gladiator (2012)
• Rebellion (2012)

The Clash of Empires Duology

Set during the Second Macedonian War, this duology depicts the dramatic clash between the traditional Greek phalanx of Macedonia and the flexible legions of the Roman Republic.

• Clash of Empires (2018)
• The Falling Sword (2019)

Standalone Novels, Collections, and Collaborative Anthologies

In addition to his famous series, Kane has written several standalone works and shorter pieces. His standalone novels allow him to explore other eras of military history:

• Sands of the Arena and Other Stories (2022) – A collection of Kane's short fiction, perfect for quick visits to his various settings.
• Napoleon's Spy (2023) – A standalone historical thriller set during Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812.
• Centurion of the First (2023) – A standalone short story set in the Roman army.
• Stormcrow (2024) – His standalone historical novel exploring the brutal era of Viking raids in Ireland.

Kane has also contributed to historical fiction anthologies alongside other prominent authors in the genre, such as Kate Quinn and Conn Iggulden. These collections focus on specific historical events from multiple perspectives:

• A Day of Fire (2014) – A collection of connected stories set during the destruction of Pompeii.
• A Year of Ravens (2015) – A collaborative novel tracking the rebellion of Boudica against Rome.

What to Know Before You Start

Ben Kane is celebrated for his intense dedication to historical accuracy. Rather than writing from the comfortable seats of emperors and senators, he focuses heavily on the common soldier, the slave, and the dispossessed. His writing does not shy away from the brutality, disease, and hardships of ancient life and campaign warfare.

To truly understand the environments he writes about, Kane has famously undertaken charity walks in full, historically accurate Roman military gear—including trekking Hadrian's Wall and walking across Italy in the footsteps of Hannibal. This hands-on research shines through in his descriptions of the weight of the armor, the blisters from the sandals, and the sheer physical exhaustion of ancient soldiers.