Empire of Dragons

In Valerio Massimo Manfredi's Empire of Dragons, set in Anatolia in AD 260, the beleaguered Roman outpost of Edessa faces a dire situation as Emperor Valerianus falls into a trap during peace negotiations with the Persians. Captured alongside his loyal commander, Marcus Metellus Aquila, and his elite soldiers, they endure captivity in a mine until a daring escape leads them to an oasis and an enigmatic exiled prince. As they embark on an epic journey through diverse landscapes toward the mythical Kingdom of Silk in China, the fate of two great empires hangs in the balance.