Casca (series)

Historical fantasy novel series by Barry Sadler

Casca is a series of historical fantasy novels created by author Barry Sadler in 1979. The stories revolve around the exploits of Casca Rufio Longinus, the Roman legionary who drove the Holy Lance into the side of Jesus Christ on Golgotha. As a result of this action, Casca is cursed with immortality, and he is to wander the Earth aimlessly, always as a soldier, until the Second Coming. The character is loosely based on the Longinus legend of Christianity. Sadler wrote some of the early novels in the series while the others were assigned to ghostwriters. When Sadler died in 1989, the series was handed off to other writers. Two subsequent novels, The Liberator and The Defiant, were written by Paul Dengelegi. The current author, Tony Roberts, has written every new entry in the series since 2006, excluding Immortal Dragon and The Outlaw, which were written by Michael B. Goodwin. Immortal Dragon and The Outlaw were removed from the series in 2013 over allegations of plagiarism. An unauthorized audiobook, Casca: The Outcast, was written by Paul Dengelegi in 2004.

Casca Rufio Longinus grew up in Etruria in the village of Falerno. After his family dies of plague, he enlists in the 7th Legion at either Messilia or Livorno. He is sent to the Jerusalem garrison where eventually he is assigned to the execution detail for three prisoners, one of whom is Jesus. At Golgotha, Casca stabs Jesus with his spear in an attempt to relieve Jesus of his pain and suffering. Jesus condemns Casca by saying, "Soldier, you are content with what you are. Then that you shall remain until we meet again. As I go now to My Father, you must one day come to Me." As He dies, blood from his wound trickles down Casca's spear and onto his hand, and when Casca unthinkingly wipes his mouth, he tastes the blood. His body begins to convulse in pain but he recovers. Some time later, in an altercation with his superior officer over the affections of a dancing girl, Casca is stabbed in the stomach. Thinking himself mortally wounded, Casca kills the officer, and is promptly arrested and imprisoned. The next morning, when he appears to be merely scratched, he is sentenced to be caned, then thrown out of the legion, and sentenced to slavery as a miner. Years pass, and Casca realizes he does not age. He feels all the pain of the many beatings he endures, and is soon covered with scars, but his internal damage heals, often overnight. After many years in the mine, he is then sold to be a gladiator. Concealing his ability to heal miraculously, Casca rises through the gladitorial ranks, eventually gaining his freedom from Emperor Nero himself. However, after insulting Nero's effigy during a drunken rant, he is sold as a galley slave. Eventually he is put on a war galley, and during a sea battle, his vessel begins taking on water. Desperate to escape lest he be chained to a sunken ship for eternity, Casca breaks free, and in the confusion, manages to escape. With no marketable skills but those of battle, Casca is doomed to remain a soldier until the Second Coming. He finds himself joining one armed force after another, always moving on before his immortality is discovered. For the rest of the series, Casca is seen fighting in numerous wars and famous engagements, including Cortez's conquest of Mexico and the battle of Điện Biên Phủ. He fights most often as a mercenary; for ideals, rather than nationalism, having joined the Wehrmacht, the Confederate States Army, the French Foreign Legion, the Byzantine Empire, the Red Army, and more, as the years go by. A secret cult of zealots, the Brotherhood of the Lamb, plague him throughout history. Having witnessed the Crucifixion and managing to acquire Casca's spear, which they worship, they are devoted to two things: keeping track of Casca, so they can be present to meet Jesus when He returns, and torturing Casca whenever they can, for killing Jesus in the first place. Over the course of the series, Casca meets numerous famous historical figures, such as Niccolò Machiavelli, Adolf Hitler, Attila the Hun, Blackbeard, Genghis Khan, Marco Polo, Robert E. Lee, George Washington, and Muhammad, among others.

Julius Goldman was a surgeon in the United States Army with the rank of Major, stationed at the 8th Field Hospital in Nha Trang during the Vietnam War. He first meets Casca in The Eternal Mercenary when the latter was brought into the hospital with multiple fatal injuries he should not have survived. Dr. Goldman discovered Casca's immortality and decided to become his biographer and chronicler. He is often visited by Casca for updates on his life and experiences throughout the ages. Dr. Goldman later leaves the Army and establishes his own practice. As Goldman ages, he introduces Casca to Danny Landries, the son of one of his former army comrades. Danny first meets Casca in Devil's Horseman and takes over from Goldman as his biographer.

The Brotherhood of the Lamb is a fanatical militant religious sect and the main antagonists of the series. It is run by the Inner Circle, the sect's hierarchy, composed of an elder and twelve "brothers". They preach force and power over traditional virtues of piety and compassion. The Brotherhood worships the Holy Lance, which forms the central focus at prayers. On holy days, the Brotherhood recreates the crucifixion in a reenactment involving the killing of one of the brothers, who has been selected to act the part of Jesus, using the Holy Lance. The Brotherhood was founded by Izram, a man who proclaimed himself the thirteenth Disciple in the wake of Jesus's death, supposedly as a result of Casca stabbing him with the Holy Lance. Izram purchased the Holy Lance from some of Casca's comrades as a relic and symbol for the events on Golgotha. Izram then went into the wilderness for forty days before a revelation came to him that when Jesus returned at the Second Coming, he would meet Casca. The Brotherhood keeps Casca in their sights until the Second Coming; though they may hate Casca for his actions at Golgotha, they must not prevent him from meeting Jesus. They occasionally inflict severe pain on Casca, such as an elder cutting Casca's hand off or an acolyte arranging to burn Casca at the stake. In The Sentinel, Elder Gregory murders Casca's adopted son, Demos, and his wife, Ireina, for which Casca crucifies Gregory to death. Casca was also a prisoner of the Brotherhood in The Cursed and Panzer Soldier. Notable real life historical figures depicted as elders of the Brotherhood of the Lamb include Heinrich Himmler and Hassan al Sabah.

Casca is not written in chronological order, with many later novels being sequels or prequels to earlier ones. Immortal Dragon and The Outlaw are not considered canon entries in the series. A similar popular historical fiction parallel may be found in the Harry Flashman series in which a skilled man at arms and rascal raconteur of the 19th Century finds himself in parlous combat in distant lands but always manages to survive to reappear in another novel. Unlike Casca, Harry Flashman ages normally. +Publication history of CascaTitleBook No. SummaryAuthorRelease yearNotesThe Eternal Mercenary1During the Vietnam War, U. S. Army Major Dr. Julius Goldman discovers that wounded soldier "Casey Romain" is actually Casca Rufio Longinus, a 2,000 year old Roman legionnaire cursed with immortality by Jesus Christ. Barry Sadler1979~33 ADGod of Death2In 3rd century Mexico, Casca is declared a god by the Teotec Indians, and he defends them from an attack by the Olmecs. Barry Sadler1979~252 ADThe War Lord3Casca travels to 3rd century Byzantium and China, where he is buried alive by a jealous empress. Barry Sadler1980~268 ADPanzer Soldier4Casca fights for the Germans at the Battle of Kursk, and later meets Adolf Hitler. Barry Sadler1980~1943 ADThe Barbarian5Casca deserts the Roman legion in the 2nd century and joins a Germanic tribe. Barry Sadler1981~165 ADThe Persian6Casca becomes a commander in the army of Persian king Shapur II, but is burned at the stake when he is branded a heretic. Barry Sadler1982~328 ADThe Damned7Casca returns to the Roman Empire in time to see Rome fall to the Visigoths, then joins the fight against Atilla the Hun at the Battle of the Catalunian Plains in 451. Barry Sadler1982~400 ADSoldier of Fortune8Casca serves as a Cambodian mercenary in 1976. Barry Sadler1983~1973 ADThe Sentinel9After sleeping in an ice cave for more than a century, Casca travels to the Eastern Roman Empire to fight against the Vandals in 534. Barry Sadler1983~453 ADThe Conquistador10Casca escapes from a 16th century Spanish prison and travels to the New World with Hernán Cortés. Barry Sadler1984~1485 ADThe Legionnaire11At the end of World War II, Casca is captured by the French and drafted into the French Foreign Legion. He is eventually sent to French Indochina, where he fights in the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. Barry Sadler1984~1945 ADAfrican Mercenary12In 1977, Casca is sent on a mission to kill an African dictator, but is betrayed by his allies. Barry Sadler1984~1977 ADThe Assassin13In the 11th century, Casca is captured by Arabic slave traders, and is inducted into the secret sect of the Hashshashin. Barry Sadler1985~1090 ADThe Phoenix14Casca is captured by the People's Army of Vietnam while on a mission to stop a Viet Cong assassination squad. He escapes, but is mortally wounded while doing so, and is rushed to a U. S. Army field hospital. Prequel to The Eternal Mercenary, and thus the series as a whole. Barry Sadler1985~1967 ADThe Pirate15In 1718, Casca sails to the Caribbean to escape arrest. There, he becomes involved with pirates, including the infamous Blackbeard. Barry Sadler1985~1718 ADDesert Mercenary16Casca and his friend Gus work as mercenaries during the Algerian War. Barry Sadler1986~1956 ADThe Warrior17In the late 1860s, Casca sails the South Pacific, where he saves a small island village from a local warlord. Barry Sadler1987~1866 ADThe Cursed18Casca joins the British Army in 1899, but deserts to the Chinese side and joins the Boxer Rebellion. Barry Sadler1987~1899 ADThe Samurai19Casca is rescued off the coast of Japan in 1184, and later fights in the Battle of Dan no ura. Barry Sadler1988~1184 ADSoldier of Gideon20Casca joins the Israel Defense Forces and fights in the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War. Barry Sadler1988~1967 ADThe Trench Soldier21Casca fights with the British Army during the early days of World War I. Barry Sadler1989~1914 AD Last to be released by Barry Sadler before his death in 1989The Mongol22Casca is rescued by a young Mongol warrior named Temujin. Casca teaches the young man the art of war, which allows him to conquer and unite the local tribes into a mighty army. Now calling himself Genghis Khan, Temujin sets his sights on the West. Barry Sadler1990~1189 AD Written by Barry Sadler, released posthumouslyThe Liberator23When the ship carrying Casca is sunk, he spends six years at the bottom of the ocean until he is rescued by African fishermen. They worship him as a god, and ask him to free their people from the rule of an overlord who believes he is the Son of God. Paul Dengelegi1999~1434 AD First to be written by Paul DengelegiThe Defiant24Casca saves the life of a young Marco Polo and joins him on his journey to the court of Kublai Khan. Paul Dengelegi2001~1270 AD Last to be written by Paul DengelegiHalls of Montezuma25Casca arrives in the United States in the 1840s. He joins the U. S. Army during the Mexican–American War and takes part in the Battle of Chapultepec. Tony Roberts2006~1846 AD First to be written by Tony RobertsJohnny Reb26Casca fights for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Tony Roberts2007~1861 AD The Confederate27During the American Civil War, Casca must face threats both from the North and the Brotherhood. Tony Roberts2008~1863 ADThe Avenger28Casca returns to the Eastern Roman Empire in the 6th century to get revenge against the Brotherhood, and takes part in the Battle of Taginae. Tony Roberts2008~535 ADImmortal Dragon29UnknownMichael B. Goodwin2008Removed from the series over allegations of plagiarizing the novelization of Rambo IIINapoleon's Soldier30Casca joins Napoleon's Grande Armée and participates in the 1812 French invasion of Russia. Tony Roberts2009~1812 ADThe Conqueror31Casca enlists in the army of William I and takes part in the Battle of Hastings. Tony Roberts2009~1066 ADThe Anzac32On the run from British authorities after two British soldiers are accidentally killed (having discovered Casca's immortality while he was in a hospital), Casca fights for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in the Gallipoli campaign of World War I. Tony Roberts2010~1915 ADThe Outlaw33Casca returns to Mexico to lead a group of mercenaries, including Billy the Kid, in a search for a hidden cache of Confederate gold. Michael B. Goodwin2010Removed from the series over allegations of plagiarismDevil's Horseman34During the Mongol invasion of Europe, Casca is dragged into factional struggles, and takes part in the Battle of Mohi. Tony Roberts2010~1236 ADSword of the Brotherhood35Casca is blackmailed into helping the Brotherhood retrieve the Holy Lance from the Sasanian Empire during the Byzantine–Sasanian War of 602–628. Tony Roberts2011~622 ADThe Minuteman36During the American Revolutionary War, Casca finds a tough adversary in British Major Sir Richard Eley as he fights at the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of White Plains, the Battle of Trenton, and Battle of Princeton. Tony Roberts2011~1775 ADRoman Mercenary37Casca and a team of six mercenaries set out to rescue a rich man's daughter from Rome, which is being occupied by the Visigoths. Tony Roberts2012~410 ADThe Continental38Casca is captured during the Philadelphia campaign and is held on a British prison hulk off the coast of New York City. He eventually escapes and fights Major Sir Richard Eley one last time at the Battle of Guilford Court House. Tony Roberts2012~1777 ADThe Crusader39Casca works for Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos during the First Crusade and helps a Frankish noblewoman on her journey towards Jerusalem. Tony Roberts2013~1096 ADBlitzkreig40During World War II, Casca joins the Wehrmacht's panzer corps and fights in Poland, Belgium, and France, while trying to avoid a police hunt after a murder in a Berlin hotel that Casca was involved in. Tony Roberts2013~1939 ADThe Longbowman41Casca joins the army of Henry V and takes part in the Battle of Agincourt. Tony Roberts2014~1415 ADBarbarossa42Casca continues to fight for the Wehrmacht panzer corps as they invade the Soviet Union, covering the Eastern Front campaigns of 1941 and 1942. Tony Roberts2015~1941 ADScourge of Asia43Casca is recruited by the Byzantine emperor to find a warlord to destroy the Ottomans. Casca's travels take him to Transoxiana, where he meets the rising Timur. Tony Roberts2015~1363 ADBalkan Mercenary44During the Croatian War of Independence, Casca is hired by Croatia to assemble a team of mercenaries to infiltrate Serbian territory and take out an ethnic cleansing warlord. Tony Roberts2016~1991 ADEmperor's Mercenary45Casca and a colleague are sent into war torn Gaul to save a valuable artifact from being destroyed before the fall of the besieged city of Arelate. Tony Roberts2016~411 ADThe Cavalryman46Casca hunts down a man who attacked a prostitute, leading him to join the 7th Cavalry Regiment immediately prior to the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Tony Roberts2017~1870 ADThe Viking47Casca heads to Scandinavia to get away from the growing might of Charlemagne and becomes involved in Viking politics and war. Tony Roberts2018~797 ADThe Austrian48Casca, intent on settling a score with the Ottomans, defends the Imperial Austrian city of Vienna against the Ottoman Empire during the Battle of Vienna. Tony Roberts2018~1683 ADThe Lombard49Casca joins a tribe of Lombards and lives amongst them for years until news of Narses, his former enemy, arrives. Casca decides Narses must finally be brought to justice. Tony Roberts2018~552 ADThe Commissar50Casca joins the Red Army during the Soviet–Ukrainian War, but soon turns on them after learning of their brutality. Tony Roberts2019~1917 ADThe Saracen51Casca returns to the Holy Land and, after falling foul of Raynald of Châtillon, joins the army of Saladin and takes part in the decisive Battle of Hattin. Tony Roberts2019~1187 ADThe Rough Rider52When the Spanish–American War breaks out in 1898, Casca joins the U. S. Army and is sent to Cuba to fight in Theodore Roosevelt's unit, the "Rough Riders", in the Battle of San Juan Hill. Tony Roberts2020~1898 ADThe Last Defender53Casca fights the Ottomans to defend the city of Constantinople, the last vestige of his native Roman Empire. Tony Roberts2020~1453 ADThe Killer54Casca returns from the horrors of Indo China in 1954 to Algeria with the French Foreign Legion, and takes part in the Algerian War of Independence. Tony Roberts2021~1954 ADThe Moor55Uncovered by a sandstorm, Casca wanders the Sahara until he ends up in Tangier and joins the army of the Moors to invade Spain in the 8th century, taking part in the Battle of Guadalete. Later he falls foul of the Arabs and ends up in the Frankish Kingdom where Charles Martel leads his forces against the Arabs in the Battle of Tours. Tony Roberts2021~711 ADThe Iron Duke's Man56Casca fights against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. Tony Roberts2022~1815 AD

In 2004, former Casca author Paul Dengelegi wrote an unauthorized non canon story titled Casca: The Outcast. The story follows Casca as a prizefighter in Victorian era England with acquaintances Ike and Ulysses. After an encounter with police and a slave trader selling a female slave to a wealthy man, Casca is shot, impaled on a bayonet, and placed on a prison hulk where fights are staged between prisoners (including Ike and Ulysses, led by Scottish prisoner Simon) for the vessel's captain. Eventually, Ulysses kills the captain and orders the female slave to be freed. The prison hulk arrives in Tasmania, where Casca becomes famous as Australia's champion prizefighter. While on a ship to the United States, the ship Casca and his acquaintances are on is attacked by Royal Marines who mistake their ship for pirates, and Ike is killed while Casca is mortally wounded. The story ends with Ulysses substituting Casca's coffin for one full of rocks and hiding Casca's body from the burial party. Dengelegi contracted with Americana Audio to have it published as a three disc audiobook CD. This was subsequently withdrawn in 2006 following the closure of Americana Audio.

From January 2014, the series was put into e book format, and all existing books in the series up to 2014 (with the exception of The Liberator, The Defiant, Immortal Dragon and The Outlaw) were available in Kindle format by June 2014.