Usurper
The main focus of historians when it comes to the Parthian Empire has been the clash between Parthia and the Roman world. But this is to ignore what was happening on the eastern frontier of the Parthian Empire where rising powers presented a continuous threat to the autonomous kingdoms of the empire. These included the Kushans, a warlike people who were to become a world power in the ancient world, though few outside India have heard of them. ‘Usurper’ is not only the story of King Pacorus of Dura but also Emperor Kujula, the first leader of the Kushan Empire.
After the defeat of Mark Antony Pacorus has returned to the city of Dura to prepare for a happier campaign: the wedding of his daughter to a prince of a kingdom on the eastern frontier of the Parthian Empire.
Doting father? Man of peace? These things are not you, Pacorus. Have you not heard of the hydra? Cut off one of its heads and two more will replace it. You defeat one enemy and another springs forth to torment you, just as the gods torment you with endless strife.
Pacorus and his family and friends travel to the east to attend the wedding of Princess Isabella, but old scores need to be settled and a new power is rising beyond the Indus that will threaten the empire itself. Can Pacorus and the surviving Companions can save the empire and the reign of the young, duplicitous king of kings from the barbarian hordes in the east?
‘Usurper’ followers on from ‘Sons of the Citadel’. A map of the Parthian Empire can be found on the maps page page of this website.
