SGAG Logo

CAESAR'S SPIES

caesars_spies_bk_cicerodies caesars_spies_bk_theides caesars_spies_bk_phillipi caesars_spies_bk_afterides caesars_spies_bk_roadtowar
 
Full Name: Iacomus Artemidorus
Series Name: Caesar's Spies
Codename: Septem
Nationality: Roman
Organization: Roman Intelligence
Occupation Agent

Creator: Peter Tonkin
Time Span: 2016 - 2020

ABOUT THE SERIES

Iacomus Artemidorus is an agent for the Caesars.

I put that 'employer' in plural because he sort of has multiple bosses though in truth, IMHO, just one. That one is Mark Antony who picks his targets and directs his actions, all on behalf of Antony's benefactor, Julius Caesar, and later Julius's proclaimed heir, Octavius. So Artemidorus works for Antony in service to the Caesars.

Obviously this is all taking place in that tumultuous time of transition for the Roman Republic, the first adventure taking place in 44BC.

Note: in the famous play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, the character named Artemidorus is a minor player in the events but one with tremendously important information to pass on to Caesar in the form of a letter, one that Caesar will to his regret never read. In that epistle, Artemidorus lays out the principal plotters in the assassination. A different take on this interesting fellow is presented here by author Peter Tonkin wherein Artemidorus is not a seer of the future but an intelligence agent who has scoped out the conspiracy and its members and who will strive to alert the military leader to help stop the attempt.

The Artemidorus we will follow is a Greek by birth [Spartan, to be more exact] who would train as a soldier and become a centurion in the VIIth Legion. He would also come to the attention of Mark Antony who recognized talents of many sorts in the man and who would put him to different uses than just skill with the gladius sword.

These adventures will take him - and, luckily us alongside - through those very dark Ides, passed the killing of Caesar, and into the beginning of the Second Roman Civil War, times which will really demand a secret agent, as he is referred to often as, with the skill and tenacity of Artemidorus.

BOOKS

Number of Books:5
First Appearance:2016
Last Appearance:2020

1 The Ides The Ides
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2016

"44BC. Caesar is a dead man…Hundreds of others are aware of the plot, with thousands more hoping for its success. Only a handful of men and women stand against them, led by the infamous Iaconus Artemidorus. He and his associates are working undercover in the households of the main suspects, risking kidnap, torture and death in a desperate race against both time and fate. They are hopelessly outnumbered, battling against the most dangerous men in the city, their servants, slaves and soldiers."
buy from Amazon

2 After The Ides After The Ides
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2017

"44BC. Mark Antony is baying for blood, and for the heads of those of the scheming senators responsible for the murder, to display on spikes in the Forum of Rome. What of Divus Julius’ dying words which implied that one of the attackers was actually his own son and therefore guilty of the worst crime possible… patricide? Once again, Antony calls upon his contubernium of spies, his military intelligence unit, led by Centurion Iacomus Artemidorus, code-named ‘Septem’, to turn his vengeful intent into an unforgiving, carefully planned campaign."
buy from Amazon

3 Cicero Dies! Cicero Dies!
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2018

"43BC. Antony is trapped beyond the Alps with the tattered remains of his starving legions defeated at the battle of Mutina. Cicero has declared him enemy of the state and ordered his death. But no-one moves against him. The most powerful general nearby, Octavian, Caesar’s heir, is feigning sickness because he can see a way to take total political control: both Consuls were killed at Mutina and Octavian is waiting for the chance to replace them himself. Only Cicero stands in his way.
The desperate Antony gives secret orders to daring spy and tribune Artemidorus, the man who almost saved Caesar on The Ides. Who might just save Antony now."
buy from Amazon

4 The Road To War The Road To War
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2019

"42BC. Rome and its empire are in turmoil. Severed heads fill the Forum. Cicero’s remains among them, more than two months after his death. Power lies with Antony and Caesar’s adopted son and heir Octavianus. Brutus and Cassius still oppose them. Their fleets are blockading the Triumvirate's ports as they build their armies in the East. Antony turns to his most trusted secret agent, Artemidorus. He is tasked with delivering a message to the only person with a navy powerful enough to help – Cleopatra."
buy from Amazon

5 Death at Philippi Death at Philippi
Written by Peter Tonkin
Copyright: 2020

"42BC. Mark Antony’s most dangerous and dedicated agent, Iacomus Artemidorus, is swept overboard from Cleopatra’s flagship during a terrible storm. But the near end to the Roman spy is just the beginning. Artemidorus must find a way to travel through enemy-held Thrace and Macedonia until he reaches Antony’s beleaguered generals Saxa and Norbanus in the besieged city of Amphipolis. The agent must then proceed to Philippi, carrying valuable intelligence which could change the fate of Rome and history."
buy from Amazon

MY COMMENTS

I have mentioned in My Comments about another series penned by Peter Tonkin which has already earned membership in this compendium, that I first found out how very, very good this author is with his modern series about shipping magnate, Richard Mariner. He crafted some 30 terrific adventures about that man before giving him a rest and presenting to us the next year the first of these tales about Caesars Spies.

Mr. Tonkin may have changed the century in which his tales are set (or is it millennia) but his storytelling prowess has not diminished a bit.

GRADE

My Grade: A-

YOUR OPINIONS

Be the first to leave your own comments about this series.

Tell us what you think of the series. Give your grade and comments.

Your Grade:
Your Comments:

To give your opinion, you must be logged in.

Sign In

Register
Disclaimer
SpyGuysAndGals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and links with the Buy from Amazon button are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.