The Tale of Krispos Series by Harry Turtledove

Videssos was beset by enemies abroad and had fallen into decadence at home. But on his first night in the imperial capital, The Empire's health mattered less to Krispos than finding a dry place to sleep.Driven by crushing taxes from the farm where his family had lived--and died--Krispos had come to the. city seeking what fortune a good mind and a strong back could earn. He had a single goldpiece to his name--the gift, years past, of a nomad chieftain to a ragged peasant boy... moreVidessos was beset by enemies abroad and had fallen into decadence at home. But on his first night in the imperial capital, The Empire's health mattered less to Krispos than finding a dry place to sleep.Driven by crushing taxes from the farm where his family had lived--and died--Krispos had come to the. city seeking what fortune a good mind and a strong back could earn. He had a single goldpiece to his name--the gift, years past, of a nomad chieftain to a ragged peasant boy. Now, though the night was raw and the inn was warm, he was loath to spend that coin, for the barbarian had claimed it carried magic.Keep his lucky goldpiece or trade it for a warm, dry bed? Krispos tucked the coin away and stepped back into the wet streets--all unaware that so simple a choice would lead to a world of peril and possibility. . . . less

Against all expectations, Krispos had won the crown of Videssos. But how long could he hope to keep head and crown together? Civil war erupted under Petronas, who had a very personal score to settle with Krispos. And even as rebel troops took the field against the untried Emperor, outland raiders swept down from the north, their power that of the foulest sorcery. Krispos' reign showed every sign of being brief -- and very bloody . . . .

Krispos had held the throne of Videssos since he was scarcely more than a peasant youth. But now a strange heresy has taken root in the land, a hidden dissent that is flaring into open revolt. As Krispos leads his legions with his three sons, against the rebels, one son disappears into the rebel ranks. Then the renegades seize the day, and Krispos wages an ever more desperate war against an implacable foe that would not scruple to set brother against brother, father against son....

The dazzling story of a boy who rises from poverty and hardship to become the greatest leader his world has ever knownKRISPOS RISINGBorn a ragged peasant, Krispos lives on the family farm until crushing taxes drove him from the land he calls home. With only a single gold piece to his name–a gift from a nomad chieftain who claimed it carried magic–Krispos heads for the imperial capital, Videssos, and into a world of peril and possibility... moreThe dazzling story of a boy who rises from poverty and hardship to become the greatest leader his world has ever knownKRISPOS RISINGBorn a ragged peasant, Krispos lives on the family farm until crushing taxes drove him from the land he calls home. With only a single gold piece to his name–a gift from a nomad chieftain who claimed it carried magic–Krispos heads for the imperial capital, Videssos, and into a world of peril and possibility. KRISPOS OF VIDESSOSKrispos’ reign as emperor of Videssos shows every sign of being brief and very bloody–for trouble is brewing. Civil war has erupted, and as rebel troops take the field against the untried emperor, outland raiders are sweeping down from the northlands in a tide of carnage. How long can Krispos hope to keep head and crown together?KRISPOS THE EMPERORA strange heresy has taken root in the land and soon dissent flares into open revolt as Krispos faces his greatest challenge: To save his empire from tearing itself apart, he wages an evermore desperate war against an implacable foe, setting brother against brother and father against son. less