Septimius Severus dreams of escaping the prosperous North African city of Lepcis Magna and making his mark on the greatest empire the ancient world has ever known. But ambition is a dangerous companion in a world shaped by war, political intrigue and shifting loyalties. When violence engulfs his homeland, Severus is forced to choose between the people he loves and the empire he has always struggled to understand. Every decision carries a cost, and every sacrifice brings him one step closer to a destiny he never imagined. Guided by the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, tested by friendship and betrayal, and driven by an unrelenting determination to survive, Severus begins the extraordinary journey that will one day make him master of Rome itself. Inspired by the remarkable life of the African-born Roman emperor Septimius Severus, Blood Under the Sun is the opening novel in The African Emperor, an epic seven-part historical fiction series blending political intrigue, military adventure, family drama and dry humour with immersive storytelling and unforgettable characters.