Genny S. reviewed on 11/17/2013 + 141 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

I really did enjoy this book and stayed up very late last night to finish reading it. I am a great lover of Roman history and was so glad that I had watched the HBO series, "Rome" a few years ago about 3 times. It really helped me picture and relate to the times and morality of this story. The story helps paint the picture of morality in this early Christian era. The story gives us a picture of a time when almost nothing was considered morally "wrong" except disrespect for the Emperor and his religion. The story is very colorful and well explained even though there is a very large cast of characters in the story. It proves the statement that "absolute power corrupts absolutely" and gives a good insight into the personality of the Emperor Domitian. The savage morality of the women involved is very interesting as they struggle for power and wealth. My only objection to the book is really minor and is a complaint that I make frequently about the historical novels I read. My complaint is this; the writer at the end of the story slips out of the historical context and begins to use written language that is an anachronism to the time of the book. Most of these examples came from the young son of the "Barbarian". For example, he refers to someone else as a "dummy". There are other examples of this....but I am just being grumpy today. It is still a very good book!! The copy I just posted is a brand new book; I am the first to read this copy. Genny

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