Titus Artorius Justus joins the Roman legions after his brother dies at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in AD 9. That loss gives him a personal reason to enter the army as Rome begins its campaigns against the Germanic tribes.
James Mace follows Artorius from recruit to centurion through service in Germania, Gaul, and Judea. The novels use historical events as the framework for his military career. The chronology of his career builds across the series. Begin with The Legionary, even though Heir to Rebellion was published earlier, because the listed order puts it second.
Reading Order#
See the complete The Artorian Chronicles reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Artorius in the Soldier of Rome series?
Titus Artorius Justus is the protagonist of James Mace’s Artorian Chronicles. He is a Roman legionary who joins the army to avenge his brother, killed at the Battle of Teutoburger Wald in 9 AD. Over six books, he rises from recruit to master centurion.
What book does Artorius first appear in?
Artorius first appears in Soldier of Rome: The Legionary (2012), though the third book in the series, Heir to Rebellion (2009), was the first book James Mace actually published.
Is The Artorian Dynasty about the same character?
No. The Artorian Dynasty is a sequel series about Artorius’s descendants, including his son Gaius Artorius and grandson Tiberius Artorius Castus.