The Eyes and Ears of Rome in Spain — John Mancini

The novel, The Eyes and Ears of Rome in Spain is the first in a series of novels which follow the adventures of the young spy master Antonus Paullus during the Second Punic War when Rome fought Carthage and Hannibal. This is a critical period for Rome when the city began the transformation from a regional to ancient world power. Actual events and characters from the Second Punic War are used as the framework for these fast moving, action packed, fictional stories.

The Paullus family is in charge of all Roman spying activities. At the beginning of the war Antonus becomes head of family operations in Spain. He replaces his father who has been captured and killed. His assignments are, to avoid capture by Carthaginian counterintelligence, to find who; and why his father was betrayed, to determine the operational strategy of the Carthaginians, and to drive a wedge between the Spanish Tribes and Carthage. Antonus works to complete each of the assignments, over coming obstacles, finding love, and growing to maturity in his new position.