The Twelth Vulture of Romulus: Attila and the Fall of Rome
Set in the mid to late 5th century, this is a sweeping saga of Rome’s decline and eventual fall to barbarian invaders. Author Boris Raymond covers a myriad of clashing cultures and examples of all castes of society. Opening with Attila the Hun’s impending invasion into the Roman Empire’s heart, the reader is carried along with the fast-paced events of political intrigue, ambition, and assassinations and their impact on nations both dying and being born. While the action bounces around and seems somewhat choppy, it is most likely due to the immense scope of time and area being covered. The reading is simple and swift and in no way detracts from giving the reader a good general sense of the chaos and the impact Rome’s fall had on the known world. Almost all the characters are historical, and Twelfth Vulture interweaves the roles of Roman emperors, ambitious politicians, Popes, invading barbarian kings, prostitutes, exiled nobility, and soldiers while positing some very interesting speculations on the causes of death of some of history’s famous — and also what some of Rome’s patriots may have done to try and save Rome in her death throes.
