Book Tuesday -05/26/09

Roma

by 

Steven Saylor

(From the authors Website)

The Novel of Ancient Rome

Spanning a thousand years, and following the shifting fortunes of two families though the ages, this is the epic saga of Rome, the city and its people.
Drawing on history, legend, and recent archaeological discoveries, Roma gives new life to the drama of the city’s first thousand years — from the founding of the city by the ill-fated twins Romulus and Remus, through Rome’s astonishing ascent to become the capital of the most powerful empire in history. Roma recounts the tragedy of the hero-traitor Coriolanus, the capture of the city by the Gauls, the invasion of Hannibal, the class struggle between patricians and plebeians, and the death of Rome’s republic with the triumph, and assassination, of Julius Caesar.
Witnessing this history, and playing key roles, are descendants of two of Rome’s first families, the Potitius and Pinarius clans. One is the confidant of Romulus. One is born a slave and tempts a Vestal virgin to break her vows. One becomes a mass murderer. And one becomes the heir of Julius Caesar. Linking the generations is a mysterious talisman more ancient than the city itself.
(I just finished this novel last night and enjoyed it very much.   One of the websites that the author used as a resource can be found here. )