My intention is to include a historical note in the final book of the series.
Why do I not include a note at the end of each book?
I have given it much thought, coming to the conclusion that
it might be a spoiler for many of my readers.
When you read the books and are momentarily left thinking
“this is a bit far-fetched”, know that most probably, I am being true to the
actual historical record.
I believe that Lucius Domitius Aurelianus was the greatest Roman
who ever walked this earth. One of those
men in history who profoundly changed the course of events.
In time, all will be revealed, but for now I will leave you
with a few quotes from the surviving records.
From the English Translation of the Historia Augusta
Volume III:
“Aurelian, born of humble parents and from his earliest
years very quick of mind and famous for his strength, never let a day go
by, even though a feast-day or a day of leisure, on which he did not
practise with the spear, the bow and arrow, and other exercises in arms.”
“… he was a comely man, good to look upon because
of his manly grace, rather tall in stature, and very strong in his muscles; he
was a little too fond of wine and food, but he indulged his passions rarely; he
exercised the greatest severity and a discipline that had no equal, being
extremely ready to draw his sword.”
“…”Aurelian Sword-in‑hand,” and so he would be
identified.”
“… in the war against the Sarmatians Aurelian with his
own hand slew forty-eight men in a single day and that in the course of several
days he slew over nine hundred and fifty, so that the boys even composed in his
honour the following jingles and dance-ditties, to which they would dance on
holidays in soldier fashion:
“Thousand, thousand, thousand we’ve
beheaded now.
One alone, a thousand we’ve beheaded now.
He shall drink a thousand who a thousand
slew.
So much wine is owned by no one as the blood which he has
shed.”