The Eagle of the Ninth

Marcus Flavius Aquila is a young Centurion with a bright and limitless future in the Roman Army before him, sent to the frontier of Britain to command his first Cohort. Service to Rome and pride in the army is in Marcus's blood, for his father had proudly served with the Ninth Legion. However, a shadow hangs over that legion's reputation, and the honor of every man who served in her ranks - for ten years prior, they marched north and disappeared. When an uprising threatens Marcus's command, he wins glory for his Cohort at the expense of his career - critically wounded in the battle, he's honorably discharged and sent to convalesce at his uncle's estate. Bereft of purpose and with no hope of reclaiming the family honor hrough active military service, Marcus flounders until he witnesses the fear-tinged bravery of a slave forced to fight in the local arena. Marcus purchases the slave, called Esca, for his manservant, and the moment of shared understanding in the arena becomes the basis of a most unorthodox friendship.When rumors of the Ninth's lost Eagle standard begin to circulate, Marcus determines that as the ill-fated commander's son, the Eagle is his to retrieve. Accompanied by Esca, the two venture into the wilds north of Hadrian's Wall, an untamed land haunted by rumors swirling around the ghostly disappearance of the Ninth's four thousand-plus men. With only each other to rely on, Marcus and Esca find the rigors of their quest will test and refine the bonds of their friendship until their trust and reliance on each other transcends their beginnings as master and slave. When Marcus learns the truth of the Ninth's disappearance, will comradeship and honor be enough to withstand the blow to Marcus's hopes to be the instrument of the Ninth's restoration? Or will Marcus choose to relinquish his old dreams for a new future, formed on the foundation of friendships with unlikely allies and a bond of honor and loyalty that surpasses the dictates of Roman life?Rosemary Sutcliff's 1954 novel is an extraordinary tale of bravery, loyalty, friendship, and honor in Roman Britain. Marcus, the privileged son of Rome, was never meant to be friends with Esca, the enslaved son of a clan chieftain. This is an old-fashioned adventure story in the best sense of that term, a jewel in the genre the likes of which I've not come across in years. Sutcliff's inspiration for The Eagle is based on the legend that the Ninth was essentially wiped out in 117 A.D. (this theory has been disputed), and the discovery of a wingless Eagle Standard in a excavation some 1800 years later. While there is no definitive proof connecting one with the other, they formed the genesis of the idea for Marcus and Esca's adventure, and the resulting novel is a well-researched, fascinating thesis rolled in an adventure yarn that posits a plausible solution to one of history's great mysteries.Sutcliff's realization of life in Roman Britain is superbly realized. She possesses a masterful grasp of ancient history, skillfully elucidating the customs, mannerisms, and traditions of the time long since lost to memory. The land itself is perhaps her greatest triumph, as in The Eagle Britain is as much a character as the people who inhabit the settlements and wilderness. When Marcus first arrives, thoughts of assimilating in the frontier are as foreign to him as the people he encounters. But through his friendships with Esca and Cottia, his uncle's neighbor, he soon discovers that this wild land produces people whose love of freedom and honor equal his own passion for Rome. Sutcliff's richly descriptive prose intoxicate the reader with the pull of the land, even as the heavy mists and wild forests prove as much of a factor in Marcus and Esca's quest for the Eagle as the tribes they encounter.The Eagle is a compelling saga, saturated with the noble qualitites of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. But perhaps, more than anything, the appeal of this novel can be summed up in the word "choices." Ultimately, life for Marcus and Esca is not determined by what happens to them, by victories won or wounds endured, but by how they respond. As Marcus admonishes Esca at the conclusion, they each carry pain, and whether physical or psychological, "the only thing we can do about it...is to learn to carry the scars lightly." While The Eagle may not be the type of story modern readers are used to, thanks to Sutcliff's liesurely pacing and minutely descriptive narrative, I cannot recommend it highly enough as a worthwhile journey. Sutcliff's ability to recreate and immerse readers in 2nd century Britain is an unparalleled success. This is one of the finest examples of historical fiction that I've ever read, replete with action, first-class world-crafting, and fascinating, true-to-life characters that leap living and breathing from the page, so fully formed you cannot help but become wholly invested in their lives.

Rosemary Sutcliff's 1954 classic "The Eagle of the Ninth" is an archetypical tale of human connections, self-discovery, redemption and choice. In tone and emotional scope, one is reminded of John Knowles' "A Separate Peace" or J.D. Salinger's "A Catcher in the Rye". The book will resonate with fans of Roman Empire-era fiction; and those that are familiar with the story from their youths, will reconnect warmly and fondly with Marcus Flavius Aquila and his cadre.The book is written for young adults; however, vocabulary and phrasing nod to the book's British origins in the 50's. It's a quick and fun read, and I found myself pausing at different points, tying together the symbolic links between characters. The book will appeal to a broad audience who'll enjoy Sutcliff's adventure and vividly real experience, while connecting to her characters and their growth as the story progresses.Sutcliff explains in her original introduction that "Eagle" is based on the legendary disappearance of the Roman Ninth Legion after marching to Northern Britain in response to a rising among Caledonian tribes. The Eagle of the Ninth is the traditional legionary standard - a bronze eagle sculpture with bolts of lightning clutched tightly in its claws. Sutcliff combined this tale with modern excavations at Silchester that uncovered a wingless Roman eagle, a cast of which is still on display at the Reading Museum.Marcus Flavius Aquila is the son of the Commander of the First Cohort of the infamous IX Legion Hispania. Marcus is Pilus Prior Centurion of the Fourth Gaulish Auxiliary of the Second Legion, based in southern Britain - leading his six hundred troops to relieve a command in Durinum. Marcus' connection to his father runs deeply and the tenor of our character is set early.Marcus is left wounded and unable to continue with his military career after successfully leading the defense of his fort from a local native uprising. He removes himself to the home of his paternal Uncle in nearby Calleva (home to the modern day Reading Museum of Silchester).Enter Esca - a defeated gladiator that Marcus purchases as his personal slave. Their relationship quickly becomes much more than master and slave, and we find that Esca and Marcus are almost mirror reflections of each other. Esca is from the Brigantes tribe from northern Britain - his father, like Marcus', was a commander, a clan chieftan. In a battle against the Legions, Esca was injured, taken prisoner and enslaved to fight as a gladiator. But Esca describes how, ten years earlier, he watched a Legion marching north that never came marching back - "I had never seen such a sight before. Like a shining serpent of men winding across the hills; a grey serpent hackled with the scarlet cloaks and crests of the officers."This memory of Esca's echoes Marcus' own memories of his father's farewell, watching the Ninth march off, never to return.This symbolic tether that binds the characters is but the first of several similarly themed relationships: Pup, the wolf cub rescued by Esca after a hunting trip results in the death of the mother wolf; Cottia, the parentless pretty young thing living with her Aunt and Uncle next door to Marcus; Guern the Hunter, a former Ninth legionary who went native after fighting under the command of Marcus' father."Eagle" is rife with symbols that seep in and throughout the book like the mists so prevalent in Sutcliff's Caledonia and Valentia. Marcus' name - Aquila - in fact, means eagle in Latin.Roman Britain is the uniquely penetrating texture to a story that could, conceivably, take place in the early American West, Colonial Africa or even Exploration-era Central and South America. Sutcliff is passionate in her exposition of Britain. The reader feels the claustrophobia and breathlessness as she writes of the weighty softness of the mists of the North. It's no wonder that "Eagle of the Ninth" is currently in production for the big screen. It's ready-made for the mood-riddled cut-aways of Marcus and Esca riding through Caledonia, and the mist-lined fort skirmishes as they battle their way home.Hadrian's Wall and the northern Roman forts and signal-towers bring to mind the image of ancient ruins and crumbling stones that are strewn across the modern British landscape. These portals are very alive in Marcus' world, representing the wild, a passage from one world to another, the past and future.In addition to the expansive symbolism and vivid realism, "Eagle of the Ninth" is simply a terrific story. Esca and Marcus' escape with the Eagle moves at a lightning pace, leaving the reader with intense anticipation at each phase of their race south to the safety of the Wall.

After seeing the 2011 movie "The Eagle," I picked up this book by Rosemary Sutcliff. I've never read any of her works before, but I expected something like a Bernard Cornwell novel. I didn't get that, but I did get a quick read that was entertaining.The movie was faithful to the book, at least in the beginning, so if you've seen that, you already know that it starts with Roman Cohort Commander Marcus Aquila arriving with his men at his assignment in Britain. After a major battle with the ever-untrustworthy locals, Marcus is wounded too badly to continue in the military. He journeys to his uncle's home, also in Britain, where he is inspired by the story of his father's Ninth Legion, which disappeared into Northern Britain with their standard, an eagle. The fate of the Ninth is shrouded in mystery and shame, and no one knows what really happened. Perhaps one man - with the help of a loyal freeman - can find out and restore his father's honor.The story is exciting, and does differ from the movie from the moment Marcus rides over the edge of Roman influence. What it's not, however, is complex; I wasn't surprised to read that Sutcliffe was primarily a children's author. There is little of the multi-layered dynamics that we see in the movie when Marcus must place his life in Esca's hands. I also didn't have the same feeling, reading the book, for Marcus's awakening toward slavery, but that could be because I saw the movie first.It's still an interesting story and keeps you reading. I should mention that there are some seven other books in a similar vein (not a series, but same concept) by Sutcliff, which follow the fate of the men who inherit the Aquila family dolphin ring.

It is an engaging novel, very well set historically and with thrilling chapters. I enjoyed it. The mystery about the missing Legio IX Hispana and the wingless eagle motivates you to read it. The characters are well rounded and very human, really captivating. The author describes so well the settings that you really feel as if you were there. A great novel.

This is the first of a three book trilogy, like most people I only read the first. It is a classic adventure story set during the Roman occupation of Britain. This should not be muddled with the film that gives a very adult take on the story. Both versions the original/film are available, here on Amazon.This is a children's novel aimed at the 9 to 14 age range, and like H. Potter for older readers. As an ex teacher I would say for 9 year olds it would be for `free-readers' those that the teacher feels have basically learnt to competently read.Sutcliff said her sources for the story were the finding of a Roman eagle in a river, now on show at Reading museum; and the debate over the missing Roman legion, and turned them into an adventure story. Putting my old teacher's hat on again it makes a good object lesson for children aspiring to be writers of the process of formulation of an idea/narrative from source material.The story itself now over looked explores the issues of conquest of a people by an outside force. The Roman imperial ideal, need for resources to maintain an empire. It sets this against those being subjected.It has an astute examination of the role of religion from both perspectives.I like the fact that the ending is not tidy, but rather open. The reader has to think about was the odyssey (as this is at heart an odyssey story) worth it for the main character. As the `politics' of the truth of what happened was known by those in power. The main character asks a question that the powerful (those in charge) did not want asked.The film of course adds the themes of same sex relationships which was done well as an addition I thought to the story, and not just put in to get ratings. Obviously the violence is played up in the film.An old story worth a look, with more in than you might think at first.

I read this about 35 years ago, as a 10 year old boy. I was very much into Rome and archaeology and history, so it was a natural fit. It does contain some details about the roman military and ordinary life in roman Britain and quite a bit on the relations between occupier and occupied. It's also very beautifully written, with a ... flowery language and s great eye for details. You also get a lot of terminilogy with celtic, old Norse and scottish roots - there are dun, tarn and rath and many more. Most importantly, it's a very good, suspenseful adventure story, which kept me hooked.So, I'd say it's not an easy read for anyone below 12, maybe suitable for very strong readers at a younger age, who enjoy adventure novels and are into history.Im certain aspects, archaeological and historical understanding of the roman period has probably moved on a little bit, but I'm not an expert there and think it's still solid in it's historical accuracy. The eagle nowadays is not anymore taken to be a legion's standard and whether the area between Hadrian's and Antonius' wall was really called Valentia also seems doubtful, but these are details. More problematic is maybe the general optimism of Rosemary Sutcliff that we could really accurately portrait the life in roman times, whilst there's still so much we don't know. In a review of the book I read something along the line that we simply don't know what Romans in Britain ate for breakfast. But you probably need the confidence that you know what it was like back then, if you want to write a historical novel about that time.I when rereading it today, around the time of the withdrawal from Afghanistan, I couldn't help but reflect on the similarities between the war in Afghanistan and the roman occupation of the area north of the Hadrian's wall.And whilst I think that Rosemary Sutcliff's portrait of the relationship between roman occupiers and occupied native people is far from perfect (maybe too much Kipling in there?), she at least does tackle it and to me shows a deeper understanding of that relationship and appreciation for the occupied than 90% of the decision-makers regarding the war in Afghanistan.I haven't seen the movie and I dread it.

This is a book my husband has been looking for off and on, for years. It was one of his favourite books. I found a replacement book, this original, of Eagle of The Ninth, on Amazon, and ordered it right away. I've put it aside for Christmas. He will be thrilled to have the book again.

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