This fascinating and carefully researched historical novel, based on actual people and events of the tumultuous first century, is a "must read" for those interested in what it was like to live during the time of Christ, the Herods, and Roman rule. The story also chronicles Roman military tactics, battle formations, siege engines, field artillery pieces, and small arms. In 63 BC the Tenth Roman Fretensis Legion under the command of General Pompey was invited by the Idumean courtier, Herod Antipater, to intervene in warfare between the two sons of Jewish Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus as they battled for succession to their father's throne. Pompey's insertion ended Judah's independence. Twenty years later the Emperor Julius Caesar annexed Judah as a Roman province. Rome imposed taxes that brought Judah to its knees. Although the Legions of Rome ruled with an iron fist, rebellious Zealot bands led by self-proclaimed "warrior messiahs" constantly fought against Rome's occupation forces and their Herodian rulers. These are the conditions that existed during the lives of the Alexander family. In spite of their Jewish heritage and the deplorable conditions that surrounded them, they rose to highly respected Equestrian Knights of Rome. These were real people who lived by their wits and thrived in difficult times. The journeys of the messiah Yeshua, his rabbinical ministry, and his ultimate execution are also followed. In the year 67, Judah erupted in revolt. Six thousands of Rome's finest were hung from the city walls of Jerusalem. Thousands more were butchered in the field. The Jewish rebel armies crushed Rome's rule. The Emperor Nero and the Roman Senate were devastated. In their panic they enlisted the aging general Titus Flavius Vespasianus (Vespasian) to retake Judah by waging a massive military campaign against the Jewish rebels. The story follows numerous commanders who fought on both sides of the conflict. With its legions engaged in Judah, Rome experienced devastating political strife; four emperors took the throne by force in a single year.