"The only way to meet Numidians was to fight fire with fire. Charge, move, retreat... anything to avoid that lethal blizzard of javelins. To stand still was to die, and simply raising a shield was no protection from the lethal accuracy of Numidian javelins."
"Stirred by Hannibal's rousing speech, together they'd chanted "Death to Rome" from the highest mountaintop. They'd ridden a thousand miles to challenge Rome. Now it was their time, their page of history. And it would be written by Numidians."
The Winter of Winters is the second book in the Histories of Sphax series, a remarkable historical saga by Robert M. Kidd.
I have read and enjoyed the first book in the series earlier this year (see my review of The Walls of Rome). The second book might be read as a standalone, but I would still suggest reading the books in order so that you can get acquainted with all the main characters, the dynamics between them, and understand the historical events better.
Book Blurb:
218 BC. Hannibal’s exhausted army staggers down from the last Alpine pass like a rabble of half-starved savages, the remnants of a once magnificent army that had set out from the Rhodanus with such hope. Now there is no way back.
With the legions of Consul Publius Scipio closing fast, Carthage needs its Gaulish allies like never before. But where are the Insubres? Where are the Boii? Where are the thousands of warriors pledged by solemn oath?
In the maelstrom of battle, Sphax, nephew of Hannibal, forges a reputation as the scourge of Rome. But will his ingrained recklessness and quest for honour set him at odds with the forbidding genius of his uncle?
Only one thing is certain in this winter of winters, a great battle is coming that will decide the fates of Rome and Carthage.
Set in 218BC, the story moves along with Hannibal's exhausted army as they've crossed the Alps. Hannibal's men are cold and half-starved. "This flat watery land in winter's grip seemed to be waiting, watching, holding its breath. Who was stronger: Rome or Carthage?... More than half their (Carthage) number had been slain... Scattered over the high places and bleak alleys of those accursed mountains were the shallow graves of their fallen... Hannibal called them the bravest of the brave... the strongest of the strong! But in truth, Sphax knew they were just the survivors, the lucky few".
Like the first book, The Winter of Winters tracks real historical events as seen through the eyes of Sphax, Hannibal's nephew. He hates Rome with passion. "After legionaries had butchered his parents, he'd been taken into slavery and spent the next ten years of his boyhood in misery. He would always carry the fugitus sign that had been branded into his right forearm; a punishment for trying to run away when he was fourteen."
We learn more about Hannibal's military strategy and tactics. He teaches Sphax, "In war, nephew, always demonstrate weakness in front of your enemies before you reveal your true strength in the final, decisive moment. "
We get to know Hannibal not just as a military leader but as a person. "From the age of nine, when he'd begged his father Hamilcar to take him on campaign, his uncle had known only war. His nature and character, down to the last furrow etched on his brow had been forged not by childish pastimes and idle pleasures, but on the battlefield".
Sphax observes and learns. He is still impulsive and easily provoked, but he is also critical of some of his uncle's decisions, showing maturity and insight.
In one episode Hannibal gives a rousing speech to his army that they are alone in a foreign land, surrounded by enemies, and that they "either conquer by the sword or meet death on the battlefield". To illustrate his speech, he forces the Tricorii warriors, prisoners of the Numidians, to fight to deatn among themselves.
Sphax muses, "There was no need to force those wretched prisoners to fight each other to the death to illustrate his argument. When Sosylos writes the history of this war they will be remembered as an insignificant footnote. Men's lives should not be reduced to a footnote!". This observation shows that Sphax is growing up, and becoming wiser and more sensible.
In this book we are introduced to a new character - Corinna is the daughter of Queen Teuta of Illyria and a hostage of Rome. Since her childhood, she has been trained and educated in the arts of war. "She was to be moulded in the image of her mother, where skill with lance, sword and bow were prized above all things. She was destined to become a warrior princess, who would conquer and bring territory and glory to Illyria".
Robert M Kidd's passion for the historical period he writes about is palpable. He vividly evokes the privations of the army in the enemy territory, violence and fragility of life, without a trace of glorification of war. Highly recommended. I'm already itching to return to the Histories of Sphax.
Purchase Links
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B093TD86FM/
US - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093TD86FM/
Author Bio – Robert M. Kidd
When Cato the Censor demanded that ‘Carthage must be destroyed,’ Rome did just that. In 146 BC, after a three year siege, Carthage was raised to the ground, its surviving citizens sold into slavery and the fields where this once magnificent city had stood, ploughed by oxen. Carthage was erased from history.
That’s why I’m a novelist on a mission! I want to set the historical record straight. Our entire history of Hannibal’s wars with Rome is nothing short of propaganda, written by Greeks and Romans for their Roman clients. It intrigues me that Hannibal took two Greek scholars and historians with him on campaign, yet their histories of Rome’s deadliest war have never seen the light of day.
My hero, Sphax the Numidian, tells a different story!
When I’m not waging war with my pen, I like to indulge my passion for travel and hill walking, and like my hero, I too love horses. I live in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
https://twitter.com/RobertMKidd1
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064169594911
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