Her Frankish mother dead, 17-year-old Aemilia arrives at Soissons in Roman Gaul in search of her Roman father whom she has never met. She knows only that his name is Tarunculus and that he is a former centurion. She finds an old man fixed on the past, attempting in vain to kindle a spark of patriotism in his countrymen. Soon, Aemilia is caught up in her father’s schemes to save the Empire and the intrigues of the Roman nobility in Soissons. In the war between Franks and Romans to decide the fate of the last imperial province, Providence will lead her down a path she could never have imagined. Written and illustrated by master storyteller Justin Swanton, Centurion’s Daughter is a thoughtful and compelling journey to a little-known period of history when an empire fell and the foundations of Christendom were laid.”

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“A great new resource for those of you ‘reading your way through history.’...What I really like about this telling of the story is that it is not a white-washed version of the times, or of Belisarius. His virtue is portrayed sensibly without making him appear overly perfect. He is an appealing character, one the reader sympathizes with and roots for. He is often put in situations that appear impossible; many obstacles—from incompetent fellow commanders to conspiring politicians—frustrate his purpose. But, while he is not always victorious, he acquits himself well and his honor increases. The author weaves in a great view of the historical time period in Byzantium: the state of the cities, “the factions,” the movement and assimilation of the barbarians, and the politics of the Empire. The descriptions of the battle scenes are not dry and incomprehensible, but very readable and interesting.”

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His tremendous victory over the Persians at the Battle of Daras wins Belisarius the adulation of a victory-starved empire but also the envy of his peers in Constantinople. The emperor Justinian now tasks his gifted young general with an even more difficult assignment: a campaign against the powerful Vandal kingdom in North Africa. But before Belisarius can set out on this seemingly impossible mission, he must prove his loyalty amid the ruins of a capital shattered by rebellion. Glory of the Romans continues the epic tale of Belisarius, the last great general of the Roman Empire. Aided by his resourceful wife, Antonina, and his stalwart band of 'biscuit-eaters', Belisarius strives to build the most formidable army fielded by the Roman Empire in over a century. But his drive and determination breed only suspicion in the empress Theodora and jealousy in the palace chamberlain, Narses.  From the desert wastes of Mesopotamia, to the riot-torn streets of Constantinople, to the crumbling walls of ancient Carthage, Glory of the Romans follows the daring exploits of Belisarius as his fame increases and his virtues are put to the test.

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The Roman Empire in the West has fallen and Italy is under the government of the Gothic king, Theoderich. But the Romans who make up the majority of the population are chaffing under the barbarian yoke. The Young Lions in the Roman senate talk quietly of freedom, but the elders among them urge caution. When a young Roman boy, Peter, makes a clumsy assassination attempt against Theoderich, he is injured in body and spirit, nursing a grudge against the Goths. He is subsequently entrusted to the gifted young teacher, Benedictus, to see to his moral education. Thus begins Citadel of God, a wonderful book by Louis de Wohl. Originally written in 1959, the work is a gripping journey through the history of the early 6th century AD. St. Benedict is portrayed as a humble wonder-worker inspired by God and driven to do great things for His greater honor and glory alone. But surrounding the Benedict story is the entire panoply of late Roman history--the triumphs and tragedies of the Justinianic era.

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St. Benedict in
The Dialogues of
St. Gregory the Great

In his vigorous and inimitable style, Louis de Wohl tells the story of St. Augustine's transformation from a vain, sensual youth to the brilliant, devout writer and theologian -- the man who conquered himself as completely as he did the adversaries of the Church -- whose literary and philosophical masterpieces were to dominate Western thought for a thousand years. He has carefully re-created the exciting historical background of the time -- the turbulent atmosphere of the Roman Empire in the last days of decadence -- skillfully weaving together the personalities whose lives closely affected Augustine: Monica, his saintly and heroic mother; majestic Ambrose, Bishop of Milan; and many others whom lend richness and depth to the life story of this great Doctor of the Church.

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St. Augustine in
Possidius's Life
of Saint Augustine

Told from the perspective of Aurelius Gratian, a Priest of the holy Church of God, The Exiles of the Cebenna is a moving account of the community of Christians in the Church of Arles during the Decian persecution (AD 249–251). Written in lively 19th century English by John Mason Neale and annotated for contemporary readers, the tale weaves together the tribulations of the Christians who remained in Arles for the persecution with the experiences of those who, led by Father Gratian, dared an escape from the city. The Exiles of the Cebenna is at once a suspenseful adventure story and an inspiring tale of the Christian Faith.

"The Laviniad is a truly unique work; the story is unique and the book itself is unique....The author successfully writes in the style of the ancient epic in modern English. Lovers of classic tales will really appreciate the poetry and the plot. The poem reads easily and naturally with the flow and flavor of the ancient epics. A complete glossary in the back will help anyone who has not read the Aeneid or the Iliad to understand the relationship of the characters and the various names of the Greeks, Trojans, and Latins."

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Hylas is a young Greek slave in the household of Caius Pomponius, a Roman senator involved in dangerous political schemes. When the senator is found mysteriously murdered, the household slaves fall under suspicion. Hylas escapes capture long enough to enlist the aid of a young tribune, Camillus Rufus. Attempting to unravel the threads of intrigue before the summary execution of the slaves, Camillus is brought before Nero himself and Hylas discovers the new secret sect known as the Christians.

The sequel to The Ides of April, Beyond the Desert Gate is set in first century Palestine. The Jews have revolted against Roman occupation and the ten Greek cities of Palestine are caught in the middle. Conan, Nicanor, and Philo are left almost penniless after the death of murder of their father. Philo is befriended by Xenos, a man the brothers had saved from the desert who had lost his memory. Together they try to find their identity, one from the past, the other for the future.