The Noise of War
Page 30
The most fundamental piece of history in my research has been my ever-faithful companion, the Nobel-prize-winning History of Rome by Theodor Mommsen. It is usually taboo to refer to a modern source before the primary sources, but Mommsen was able to distill those ancient historians in a way that remains unrivaled. Secondly, I must thank the late historian Philip Spann for his Quintus Sertorius and the legacy of Sulla. No historian has given Quintus Sertorius such a thorough analysis, and without his works, this book would have been impossible.
My copies of Plutarch, Livy, Polybius, and Sallust have been opened and reopened during the several years I worked on this story. I am certain their spines will continue to crack as I dig deeper. Plutarch in particular has been of immeasurable importance to me, especially because his Lives compelled me to begin writing about antiquity in the first place.
I should also mention Caius Marius by P. A. Kildahl, Sulla the Fortunate: Roman General and Dictator by G. P. Baker, Sulla: The Last Republican by Arthur Keaveney, and The Gracchi, Marius, and Sulla by A. H. Beesley. The impact these works have had on my understanding of Ancient Rome and its most powerful men will become increasingly apparent as this story continues.
Other resources I’ve used are T. Robert S. Broughton’s The Magistrates of the Roman Republic, Volume I; A Day in the Life of an Ancient Roman: Daily Life, Mysteries, and Curiosities by Alberto Angela; and Andrew Lintott’s The Constitution of the Roman Republic. Needless to say, there have been numerous others I’ve skimmed over the years. In my glossary, I’ve used the Oxford Classical Dictionary, Second Edition, where applicable.
Finally, I want to thank those closest to me, who have made this journey not only bearable, but enjoyable. I’d like to first acknowledge my mother, Jayme, my father, Vince, my sister, Courtney, and her husband, Myles. I must also mention my grandparents, and all my uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Next, I must thank some of my closest friends, Conor, Perry, Jack, and Izzi. Your loyalty and friendship has been a constant source of joy and strength in my life. I’d like to give a special thank you to Conor, who was (and I’m sure will continue to be) my first line of defense when I write something horrible, and the first person to clap me on the back when I do something well. Perry was also an amazing resource for me on the idea development and implementation, and there are flavors of his suggestions all throughout the text. That being said, all of you have been instrumental to my career and have always listened to me ramble on about Rome and about story ideas. I am deeply grateful for each of you. To anyone else who has stood by me all these years (you know who you are), I love and appreciate you more than words can express.
I should also thank Bynum, Columbia, Bassat, McCann, Leitzke, Gilreath, all the “Joes” of the 489th—in particular, Armetta, Krueger, Wright, Melancon, and Owens. All of these men have been a pleasure to serve with and have shown me what it means to be a “legionary” more than any history book could. I have been blessed to work under some of the best NCOs in the Army, but CPT Porter and SFC Kinamon in particular have both been exemplary leaders. He, and others like him, will continue to be a source of inspiration as I write about grizzled centurions.
I’d like to thank all of my teachers and professors. Mrs. Brading, my high school Latin teacher, added fuel to the fire of my love for antiquity, and her instruction will continue to pay dividends in my work.
I must also thank all those who had a hand in this book. Firstly, I must thank my editors, Michael and Michelle. You must have the patience of saints to work with all of my flaws. I hope that the finished product will make you proud, as this story is as much a result of your work as it is mine. I’d like to also thank my designer, Dane, whose work will certainly bring many of my readers here in the first place.
And finally—finally—I would like to thank you, the reader. As cliché as it may sound, a book is only as good as its readers. Your willingness to take a risk on a new author means more to me than any book deals or royalties ever could. I hope that you’ve enjoyed the story as much as I have and will stick around for the third installment of The Sertorius Scolls, which is set for release in Q4 2019. Thanks again!
Vincent B. Davis II
03/12/2019