In this novel, the author turns his attention towards Alexandria, and the crisis facing the Ptolemaic dynasty. I've read almost all of Saylor's Roman mysteries (save for Myst of Prophecies), and I think this one is the best. This is historical detective fiction at its best.more The puzzle is difficult, well presented and sensibly thought out.
#Roma sub rosa series#
The sense that the reader has of being involved in events is one of the strongest of any historical novel I have ever read.The characters, the new ones in this novel (especially Clodia and the brilliant, disillusioned Catullus) as well as the established series ones, are vivid and believeable. The background, always one of Saylor's strengths, is particularly well drawn in The Venus Throw the characterisation of Catullus is one reason for this. But the difficulties are to prove this, and to work out which of the various Roman political factions are involved. Dio was in Rome as part of a delegation from Egypt trying to influence Rome's interference in that country's affairs, but the members of this party have gradually been killed off, presumably at the instigation of exiled Egyptian king Ptolemy, now living in Rome. Investigating what happened to Dio at Clodia's instigation leads Gordianus in all kinds of directions, including wondering what Clodia's interest is. occurred on a night when Gordianus was leaving Rome to visit his son Meto, on the staff of Julius Caesar in Illyria Gordianus feels personally involved not just because Dio was an old friend whom he had met in Alexandria in his youth, but because the philosopher had come to visit him that evening in fear for his life.
#Roma sub rosa trial#
Gordianus is involved because part of the trial is connected with the murder of the Egyptian philosopher Dio. The devotion and disgust Clodia in particular could inspire is one of the major inspirations in the greatest of Catullus' poems. The pair were famous for their licentiousness as well as for their beauty, and were rumoured to be incestuous lovers. Coming from a distinguished patrician family, the Claudii, they had changed the spelling of their name so that Clodius could sound more plebian, mark working class, and attract the popular vote in elections. The particular trial in The Venus Throw involves some of the most colourful characters of the time, Clodia and her brother Clodius, immortalised as Lesbia and Lesbius in the poems of Catullus. It is a good illustration of the Chinese curse about interesting times it was a supremely dangerous place to be, as unscrupulous men and women played political games for really high stakes.
#Roma sub rosa full#
Rome in the first century BC was a fascinating place, full of interesting people and tumultuous events leading to the formation of the Empire. Once again, its subject is one of the famous cases for which Cicero was an advocate at the trial. The Venus Throw is probably the best of Saylor's series of novels featuring Roman private detective Gordianus the Finder. It is a good illustration of the Chinese curse about interesting times it was a su Originally published on my blog here in November 2000. Originally published on my blog here in November 2000. There Gordianus will learn nothing is as it seems-not the damning evidence he uncovers, not the suspect he sends to trial, not even the real truth behind Dio's death which lies in secrets-not of state, but of the heart.more Hired to investigate Dio's death by a beautiful woman with a scandalous reputation, he will follow a trail of political intrigue into the highest circles of power and the city's most hidden arenas of debauchery.
Now Gordianus begins his most dangerous case. Before the night is out, he will be murdered.
Now Gordianus begins his most dan On a chill January evening in 56 B.C., two strange visitors to Rome-an Egyptian ambassador and a eunuch priest-seek out Gordianus the Finder whose specialty is solving murders, but the ambassador, a philosopher named Dio, has come to ask for something Gordianus cannot give-help in staying alive. On a chill January evening in 56 B.C., two strange visitors to Rome-an Egyptian ambassador and a eunuch priest-seek out Gordianus the Finder whose specialty is solving murders, but the ambassador, a philosopher named Dio, has come to ask for something Gordianus cannot give-help in staying alive.
0 kommentar(er)
