Empire in Twilight (Double-Edged Sword Series)

By Robert John Bruton

Book Overview

During the reign of the Emperor Justinian, Belisarius is sent back to Italy, but this time with neither an army nor resources, ensuring his failure. Belisarius manages to reconquer Rome during a five-year stalemate that leaves the peninsula in ruins, then, disillusioned by the Emperor's refusal to provide support, he requests a final recall and retires in disgrace to his villa near Constantinople. The jealous emperor, believing that he has eliminated his primary potential rival, relaxes, loses interest in statecraft, and devotes his time to resolving petty theological disputes. Years later, Bulgarian Huns, who ravage and sack the countryside where Belisarius lives, invade the neglected empire. The Emperor has no generals or troops to spare, so it falls on Belisarius to rally a group of veterans and oust the barbarian hordes. With only a small force of cavalry and clever deception, he drives out the Huns and once again, winning the hearts of the people. However, in doing so, he reawakens the envy of the jealous emperor who arranges for his arrest and trial for conspiracy against the throne. Belisarius is thrown into prison where he reflects on the vainglory of his younger years and ponders the most important things in life. Following a popular revolt over the arrest of their beloved hero, Justinian is compelled to drop the charges against Belisarius and free him.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0D7JWX7SW
• ISBN13: 9798328227353
• Release Date: June 2024
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 510 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.1" x 6.0"