Legionary Books, LLC

Cast of Characters:

Artorius
Full Name: Titus Artorius Justus
Date of Birth: 15 January 2 B.C.
First Appearance: The Legionary

Artorius is the main protagonist in the Soldier of Rome series. Often refered to as my alter-ego, I think of him as what I would like to see myself as ideally. The son of a former Roman soldier, Artorius initially enlists in the legions in order to avenge his brother Metellus who was killed during the Teutoburger Wald disaster. His hatred of the Germans, paticularly the Cherusci, drives him. He lives by the creed taught to him by his brother; with a strong mind and a sound body, one can accomplish anything.

Physically Artorius is of average height, though he is exceptionally strong. His tunics and body armor have to be custom-fitted for him, given the sheer size of his muscular frame. If I were to speculate, I would say that he is around 5'8" to 5'10" tall, and roughly 230 to 240 pounds.

Artorius' physical strength is only matched by his powerful intellect. He learned to read at a very young age, and is a lover of philosophy and history. When not strengthening his body, Artorius is often found strengthening his mind.

Magnus
Full Name: Magnus Flavianus
Date if Birth: circa 2 B.C.
First Appearance: The Legionary

Magnus is the son of the owner of a textile mill, and grandson of Olaf Zennstrom, a Nordic warlord who served as a Roman auxiliary. His grandfather's service as an auxiliary earned his family Roman citizenship, thereby allowing Magnus to enlist in the legions. Though his family adopted the name Flavianus, his father Svend gave his children Nordic first names.

Magnus is slightly taller than Artorius; his mop of blonde hair betraying his less than purely Latin roots; even though his mother was a Roman. Like Artorius, Magnus posesses extreme physical power and mental prowess. His muscular frame is only slightly smaller than that of his friend; his feats of strength a product of his 'viking' roots. Magnus is the end result of two cultures merging together. He is a Roman citizen, and he keeps his hair short and face clean-shaven like most Roman men. He is proud of his service in the legions, and maintains a strong bond with his Nordic ancestors.

Vitruvius
Full Name: Marcus Vitruvius
Date of Birth: circa 15 B.C.
First Appearance: The Legionary

Vitruvius first appears in "The Legionary" as a Decanus (Sergeant) as well as the Chief Weapons Instructor for the Second Century. He is a legendary soldier, having been decorated for valor more times than even the most battle-hardened Centurions. He is a fearsome close-combat fighter who has never been bested in one-on-one matches, nor has he even been seriously wounded in battle. He is proud to display his physique that is free of scars, even though he has seen more actual combat than most of the Legion's veterans. He became Valeria's "Legion Champion" years before when he defeated the best fighters in the Legion in a massive tournament. He has defended his title so many times that it has fallen into disuse.

Not much is known about Vitruvius' family or past, other than he does have a sister. He is an exceptional leader of men, though he does his best to avoid promotion. He was offered promotion to Optio three times before he was forced to accept it and start his climb up through the ranks. Like his protoge Artorius, he is extremely powerful and well-muscled. He is slightly taller than average, though it is highly disputed as to who is actually bigger muscularly between him and Artorius.

*Vitruvius was the first character that I consciously based on someone I knew. Sergeant Justin Cole, who I served with in Iraq, became the influence for Vitruvius; to the point that I even made Vitruvius bald and extremely muscular so that he and Justin matched in physical appearance. I was first inspired when I was sitting in on a weapons class that Justin was teaching, just before we mobilized for Iraq. We barely knew each other at the time, and yet I was awestruck by his professionalism, as well as his technical and tactical knowledge. Soldier of Rome was just a glob of random thoughts in my brain at the time, and yet I knew that if I needed a weapons instructor, it would be based on him. Justin has since become an integral part of the Soldier of Rome project. A former Marvel Comics artist, he has offered his services to do the cover art of all the series' books, starting with The Sacrovir Revolt.

Praxus
Full Name: Gaius Praxus
Date of Birth: circa 12 B.C.
First Appearance: The Legionary

Praxus is a veteran legionary with numerous campaigns under his belt. As such he is seen as a defacto mentor to a number of the younger legionaries. A one-time lapse in judgment led to his promotion to Decanus being denied for some time. Being a consumate professional, Praxus chalks it up to a lesson learned and never bickers or mentions the fact that he should have been promoted years before.

Praxus befriends Artorius and Magnus soon after the two younger legionaries completed their recruit training. Both come to him for advice on multiple occasions. His tactical expertise is an asset to the entire Century. He is also an expert at working with leather and is therefore an Immune, excused from fatigue duties and details.

*Praxus is a character who over time came to represent another friend of mine. Don LaMott and I had served in Iraq as well; in fact it was on his laptop that I wrote the first drafts of The Legionary. Praxus' lapse in judgment that cost him his promotion had already been written before I started molding the character around Don, and in no way reflects any personal experience Don may have had (at least not that I know of!). Where Praxus resembles Don is in that both are professionals who the younger soldiers-and many of the older ones-look up to. Both are very level-headed in even the worst of situations; their tactical skills carrying them and their companions through adversity. Don has been one of the most significant contributors to the Soldier of Rome project. Not only was I able to write the first book on his laptop, but he also helped front the publishing costs, as well as buying enough copies for us to have on-hand for book signings and to give to friends. For this I am eternally grateful.