The new novel from the internatinal bestselling author of Roma, is set against the background of Caesar’s stupendous quadruple triumphs in Rome in 46 BC, full of colour and spectacle.
Having obliterated the opposition, Caesar is now dictator for life. In the upcoming celebrations, Vercingetorix the Gaul is scheduled to be executed, as is Arsinoë, the sister of Cleopatra…and Cleopatra herself is in Rome on a state visit, trying to convince Caesar to acknowledge their son as his heir.
Marc Antony and Caesar are at odds; Cicero is making a fool of himself with a new teenage bride; and Caesar’s wife Calpurnia, having fallen under the spell of an Etruscan soothsayer, is convinced of a plot on her husband’s life.
Murder and intrigue again draw Gordianus into the vortex of history.
Praise for Stephen Saylor
‘Saylor is on top form with the latest in his extraordinarily vivid series of crime novels set in ancient Rome.’ Sunday Times
‘Saylor’s gifts include authentic historical and topographical backgrounds and… sombre themes set off the brilliant scenery and clever plotting.’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Saylor’s scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals.’ Ruth Rendell
‘Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researched… this is entertainment of the first order.’ Washington Post
‘Saylor has acquired the information of a historian but he enjoys the gifts of a born novelist.’ Boston Globe
Having obliterated the opposition, Caesar is now dictator for life. In the upcoming celebrations, Vercingetorix the Gaul is scheduled to be executed, as is Arsinoë, the sister of Cleopatra…and Cleopatra herself is in Rome on a state visit, trying to convince Caesar to acknowledge their son as his heir.
Marc Antony and Caesar are at odds; Cicero is making a fool of himself with a new teenage bride; and Caesar’s wife Calpurnia, having fallen under the spell of an Etruscan soothsayer, is convinced of a plot on her husband’s life.
Murder and intrigue again draw Gordianus into the vortex of history.
Praise for Stephen Saylor
‘Saylor is on top form with the latest in his extraordinarily vivid series of crime novels set in ancient Rome.’ Sunday Times
‘Saylor’s gifts include authentic historical and topographical backgrounds and… sombre themes set off the brilliant scenery and clever plotting.’ Times Literary Supplement
‘Saylor’s scholarship is breathtaking and his writing enthrals.’ Ruth Rendell
‘Readers will find his work wonderfully (and gracefully) researched… this is entertainment of the first order.’ Washington Post
‘Saylor has acquired the information of a historian but he enjoys the gifts of a born novelist.’ Boston Globe
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Reviews
A breathtaking epic ... scholarly and engrossing ...Compelling and evocative, this dramatic saga does full justice to the fascinating role that ancient Rome has played in world history.
How wonderful to have a scholar write about ancient Rome; how comforting to feel instant confidence in the historical accuracy of the novel
Saylor is on top form with the latest in his extraordinarily vivid series of crime novels set in ancient Rome.
Saylor expertly weaves the true history of Rome with the lives and loves of its fictional citizens.
... with the scalpel-like deftness of a Hollywood director, Saylor puts his finger on the very essence of Roman History
