Member-only story

The Novel of the Roman Army Eagle: A Historical and Literary Exploration of the Roman Empire's Symbol of Victory

Billy Foster

·4.7k Followers· Follow

Published in When The Eagle Hunts: A Novel Of The Roman Army (Eagle 3)

5 min read

280 View Claps

32 Respond

Save

Listen

The Roman army eagle was a symbol of victory, power, and the strength of the empire. It was carried into battle by the legionaries, and its loss was a sign of defeat. The eagle was a sacred object, and its loss was seen as a great shame.

When the Eagle Hunts: A Novel of the Roman Army (Eagle 3)

When the Eagle Hunts: A Novel of the Roman Army (Eagle Series Book 3)

by Simon Scarrow

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	596 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	290 pages

The novel 'The Eagle' by Rosemary Sutcliff tells the story of a young Roman centurion who is sent to find a lost eagle, and the journey he takes to find it. The novel is a historical and literary exploration of the Roman Empire, its values, and its people.

The Historical Context

The Roman army eagle was first introduced during the early days of the Roman Republic. The first eagle was captured from the Samnites in 301 BC, and it quickly became a symbol of Roman military prowess. The eagle was carried into battle by the legionaries, and it was a source of great pride and inspiration.

The loss of an eagle was seen as a great shame, and it could lead to the disbandment of the legion that lost it. The Roman army went to great lengths to protect their eagles, and they often fought to the death to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

The Novel 'The Eagle'

Rosemary Sutcliff's novel 'The Eagle' is set in the Roman province of Britain in the year 14 AD. The novel tells the story of Marcus Flavius Aquila, a young Roman centurion who is sent to find a lost eagle that was lost in battle 20 years earlier.

Aquila is a brave and determined young man, but he is also inexperienced. He has never been in battle before, and he knows very little about the people and culture of Britain. Aquila's quest to find the lost eagle takes him on a journey through the heart of Roman Britain. He encounters a variety of people, including druids, barbarians, and Roman soldiers. Aquila learns a great deal about himself and the world around him on his quest. He also comes to understand the importance of the eagle to the Roman people.

The Literary Significance

Rosemary Sutcliff's novel 'The Eagle' is a classic of historical fiction. The novel is well-written and engaging, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the Roman Empire. Sutcliff's characters are well-developed and believable, and her descriptions of Roman life are vivid and accurate.

The novel 'The Eagle' is a valuable resource for students of Roman history. The novel provides a detailed and accurate account of Roman military life, and it offers a unique perspective on the Roman Empire. The novel is also a powerful and moving story about courage, honor, and sacrifice.

The Roman army eagle was a symbol of victory, power, and the strength of the empire. It was a sacred object, and its loss was seen as a great shame. The novel 'The Eagle' by Rosemary Sutcliff tells the story of a young Roman centurion who is sent to find a lost eagle, and the journey he takes to find it. The novel is a historical and literary exploration of the Roman Empire, its values, and its people.

When the Eagle Hunts: A Novel of the Roman Army (Eagle Series Book 3)

by Simon Scarrow

4.6 out of 5