Marc Flanagan

In the 1st-century tribal world, justice wasn't settled in a courtroom. It was settled with steel – but even steel had rules. ⚔️ According to historians like Tacitus, tribal custom gave a wronged husband the right to enact swift, brutal vengeance for betrayal. But there was a catch. The 'peace of the hearth' was a sacred concept across Celtic and Germanic tribes. Your hall was a sanctuary. Shedding blood at your own hearth – even to rightfully execute a betrayer – was a massi

On June 23rd AD 79, the Emperor Vespasian died standing. Twenty-three years earlier, in AD 56, the men destined to pave his road to the purple were just trying to survive the mud. Rome believed it could hold the frontier with a river of water. The Twenty-Second Legion learned it takes a river of blood.​ Rhine of Blood, the prequel to A Slave's Vengeance, is officially live. Step back to AD 56 and the mud of Germania Superior. This is the perfect entry point for new readers, a

If you look closely at the cover of my upcoming prequel, you will spot a deliberately broken arm ring. This isn't just a design choice – it is rooted in a fascinating, authentic burial practice from the 1st century. Across tribal burial sites, archaeologists frequently uncover treasures that have been purposefully destroyed before being placed in the earth. Swords are folded in half, and arm rings are snapped in two. Historians call this the 'ritual killing of objects'. To th

Brilliant day boots-on-the-ground in York for the Eboracum Roman Festival, May 23-24 2026. There is an absolute wealth of inspiration here if you know where to look. Spent the day going through the Yorkshire Museum, studying the raw archaeological finds, and watching the reenactors bring the heavy, tactile reality of the Roman military to life. It was also a real pleasure to spend some time talking shop with fellow historical fiction authors Simon Turney and Alex Gough at the

If you love the gritty history and ancient worlds found in my books, you absolutely need to be following My Classics Portal. ​I highly recommend checking it out. Lottie shares fantastic, accessible videos on everything from ancient history and mythology retellings to recent archaeology news. If you are a fan of the ancient world, her page is well worth your time. Go give her a follow! 📜⚔️ ​ If you are on TikTok or Instagram, definitely check out her fantastic video deep-dive

I am thrilled to finally share the cover for RHINE OF BLOOD: The Twin Eagles Origins. If you have been wondering how Artorix first crossed paths with Gaius, this is where it begins. The Empire is built on gold. 🪙 Rebellion is built on hope. 🔥 Both will bleed. 🩸 AD 56, Germania Superior. The Rhine is a knife’s edge between Roman order and tribal chaos. Legate Gaius Antonius Valens brings iron discipline to the Twenty-Second Legion. But discipline cannot fight a ghost. Oppos

We often think of Roman adulthood starting on the battlefield or in the Senate, but the actual transition happened overnight, and it was brutal in its abruptness. Typically around the festival of Liberalia in March, a freeborn Roman boy would take off his bulla (the protective amulet he had worn since infancy) and leave his childhood toys at the family altar. He would then shed his toga praetexta—a white toga with a sacred purple border that legally protected him from harm. W

I’ve officially launched the digital hub for the Twin Eagles saga. It’s more than just a website. It’s a gateway for readers, and a private vault for the Legio II Aquila (my exclusive subscriber community). Locked inside the Inner Sanctum (Legio II Aquila Exclusives): FREE NOVELLA: Download The Prodigium. This is the brutal origin story of the villain, Julius Lupus. It follows his rise from the sands of the arena to the dark heart of Rome, ending at the exact tavern door wher

On this exact day in 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated, changing the course of the Roman Empire forever. It is only fitting that the 15th of March is also the very day the treacherous events of A Slave’s Vengeance begin to unfold. And most importantly... it is officially release day! A Slave's Vengeance is now live. Step into the brutal, thrilling world of Nero's Rome and follow Marcus into the criminal underworld to save his sister. Here is how you can secure your copy t

I took this photo while visiting Pompeii. You are looking at the massive volcanic stone mills used to grind grain. Specifically, you can see the hourglass-shaped top stone (the Catillus) which would rotate over the conical base (the Meta). These were so heavy they had to be turned by mules, often blindfolded so they wouldn't get dizzy walking in endless circles inside the cramped room. Most people know the Great Fire of Rome (AD 64) destroyed the city. But few know where it s