title: A History of Rome under the Emperors (Routledge Key Guides)
author:  Theodor Mommsen 
description: "This precious volume will undoubtedly remain a major tool for the historians of Rome!."<br />-The Journal of Indo-European Studies <br />"Those readers wishing detailed examination of Roman struggles for territory or political power will not be disappointed. [Mommsen's] analysis of the response to barbarian incursions in the fourth century is particularly compelling....the publishing of this great historian's views is an invaluable contribution to classical historiography."<br />-"Booklist <br />"A magnificent discovery."<br />-Rolf Hochhuth, "Die Welt <br />..."a new valuable edition far more complete than any past work."<br />-"The Bookwatch <br />
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![Cover](images/n5686.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Destiny's shield
  
  
    
  
  
  ###
  
  
  _( Belisarius - 3 )_
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Eric Flint
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Eric Flint
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Destiny's Shield
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Prologue
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/pic_1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](images/pic_2.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It was the Emperor's first public appearance since he had been acclaimed the
  new sovereign of Rome, and he was nervous. The ambassador from Persia was
  about to be presented to his court.
  
  
  "He's going to be mean to me, Mommy," predicted the Emperor.
  
  
  "Hush," whispered the Empress Regent. "And _don't_ call me 'Mommy.' It's
  undignified."
  
  
  The Emperor stared up at the tall imposing figure of his new mother, seated on
  her own throne next to him. Meeting her cold black eyes, he hastily looked
  away.
  
  
  His new mother made him nervous, too. Even though his old mother said his new
  mother was a good friend, the Emperor wasn't fooled. The Empress Regent
  Theodora was _not_ a nice lady.
  
  
  The Empress Regent le