The main problem with the Roman army was its command structure. He still follows his orders, and excuses them, but he sees the weaknesses: he sees the cracks.
His characterisation has been built upon he is a typical legionary and has the mind of a solider, but unlike most Romans, he is aware of the flaws of his empire. It’s the brutal reality of colonial rule, and the author portrayed it here very honestly. There’s something terribly dangerous about that mind-set, and although it was uncomfortable to read, it is one many Romans possessed. Centurion Tulus considers his enemies, the German tribesman, savages because they slaughtered an army of Rome, but the actions of the mighty Romans- the slaughtering of women and children- is just an acceptable means of war. The best part of the writing is how the ignorance, and supposed superiority, of the Romans was channelled.
It lacked the energy and bloodbath its predecessor drove to. I do enjoy a good military style book about ancient Rome, though this one didn’t quite carry the intensity of the first one in the series.
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