A Struggle for Rome (Vol. 1-3)

Book excerpt: A Struggle for Rome is a historical novel written by Felix Dahn. It tells about the events that follow the death of Theodoric the Great. His successors tried to maintain his legacy: an independent Ostrogothic Kingdom. However, they are opposed by the Eastern Roman Empire, ruled by emperor Justinian I. The lack of a strong heir pushed the network of alliances that surrounded the Ostrogothic state to disintegrate. Further, the Visigoth kingdom regained its autonomy under Amalaric. The relations with the Vandals turned increasingly hostile. The Franks embarked again on expansion, subduing the Thuringians and the Burgundians and almost all evicting the Visigoths from their last holdings in southern Gaul. The whole story is full of intrigues, stories of love, dignity, loyalty, and friendship. Although most characters are fictitious, the novel gives a great picture of the epoch