Estimated Time: 10 minutes

This month, we're going to adventure through time, back to the second century AD, with the novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff.

The Eagle of the Ninth is a historical fiction novel that brings the ancient world to life through the eyes of its main character, Marcus Aquila. Marcus is a young Roman officer determined to solve a mystery that has haunted his family for years—the disappearance of the Ninth Legion, along with its precious symbol, a golden eagle standard. This eagle is not just a piece of metal; it represents the honor of Rome and the lost legion's glory. Marcus's quest leads him beyond the edges of the known world into lands filled with danger, mystery, and unexpected friendships.

Read this short article about Rosemary Sutcliff.

This story is special because it combines real historical events with the imagination of Rosemary Sutcliff. The author did extensive research to accurately depict life in Roman Britain, from the foods people ate to the clothes they wore and the gods they worshipped. Be sure to read the note about how Rosemary Sutcliff came up with the idea for this story. It should be on the page before Chapter 1 begins in your book.

To learn more about the Silchester Eagle, read the following article.