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SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy (The SPQR Roman Mysteries) |  |
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SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy (The SPQR Roman Mysteries) | |
It was a summer of glorious triumph for the mighty Roman Republic. Her invincible legions had brought all foreign enemies to their knees. But in Rome there was no peace. The streets were flooded with the blood of murdered citizens, and there were rumors of more atrocities to come. Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger was convinced a conspiracy existed to overthrow the government-a sinister cabal that could only be destroyed from within. But admission into the traitorous society of evil carried a grim price: the life of Decius's closest friend...and maybe his own.
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I am hooked on this series set in ancient Rome. I love the historical references and accuracy of the novel. The main character is sometimes lovable, often a rascal, but justified in many of his actions because of the time in which he lives and survives. I think what I like best about these novels is the attention to detail about how ancient Romans lived, for example, how the wealthy resided on the lower floors for access to water and sometimes sewage removal while the upper levels of tenement style buildings housed poorer residents who would have to carry water and sewage up and down stairs (except when thrown out of the window). The opposite today when it comes to who lives in the penthouse and who lives on the first floor. Politics, family and neighborhood intrigue, games in the coliseum, expectations for women, slaves, manumission, ancient foods, and of course the murder mystery make for non-stop reading. I can't put them down and just finished SPQR VII. Will follow up with VIII very soon.
The Catiline Conspiracy is based upon actual events that occurred in Rome after 70 B.C. Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, serving as Quaestor (a minor Roman official), accidently uncovers a plot to take control of the Roman government. Decius, a Roman noble, although of plebeian, not of patrician stock, is a patriotic citizen of the Roman republic. The Caecilius Metellus family is prominent in history, but Decius is fictional.
Lucius Sergius Catilina, a member of one of the oldest patrician families in Rome, is very upset after being denied election to Consul. He feels wronged and wants to regain his former prominence by any means necessary. Decius wonders whether Catilina or some of his friends are connected to the plot.
Decius reports his initial findings to his uncle, currently serving as Praetor (the second highest Roman judicial office). His uncle Quintus Caecilius Metellius Celer advises him to quietly observe Catilina, discover as many details of the plot as he can and report back to him.
In the Catiline Conspiracy, I learned some interesting information about the culture of ancient Rome. First, I learned how people were named. Many Romans have three or more names, for example Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger: Decius is his personal "name", Caecilius is the cognomen (genus, or family), and Metellus is the stripps (sub-family of the genus Caeciius). Using this method, other Roman citizens could easily identify a persons relatives. On the other hand, identifying the specific person could be tricky. In the year that Decius was Quaestor, five members of his family in public office were named Quintus (Quintus Caecilius Metellius Creticus, a general in the legions; Quintus Caecilius Metellius Celer (the Praetor); Quintus Caecilius Metellius Pius (the Pontifex Maximus); Quintus Caecilius Metellius Pius Scipio Nasica (adopted son of the Pontifex Maximus - hence the double name) and Quintus Caecilius Metellius Nepos (elected to be Tribune). To distinguish among the many Quintus's people simply called them Creticus, Celer, Pius, Scipio and Nepos.
Some of the titles of Roman officials remain today. Pontifex Maximus, in ancient times was a man elected as the chief (Maximus) of Roman priests. Today that title is held by the Bishop of Rome, called the Pope.
The author clearly demonstrates the richness of the Roman upper class in his description of a banquet hosted by Lucullus, a Roman general, celebrating his victory over an enemy people. Roberts describes the site, the guests and the food in great detail. The servants of the general present exotic dishes on priceless vessels and dishes. During a break between courses, guest are invited into a bath house, where in the center of the steam room was a large basin in which pitchers of wine were packed in snow transported from the Alps. The price of that treat alone could support a peasant family for a year.
The Catiline Conspiracy is a fine mystery and an excellent story, I recommend this novel.
Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger, a junior member of the illustrious Caecilius Metellus political family, is a self-professed expert at "snooping." Here we find Decius as a junior Roman official stumbling across evidence of a political conspiracy. It is, of course, the Catiline Conspiracy, which was an insurrection in Roman history which to this day is controversial among historians. (The insurrection failed, and its history was written solely by its enemies.) Decius finds himself caught up in the conspiracy, with possible traitors on every side. In this excellent novel, the author combines a solid mystery, good fun, and authentic history in a very readable novel that will please most readers.
Decius is a man of his time. He sees the problems with late Republican Rome, but he believes Rome to be superior to all other nations. His wry interpretations of events and personalities of the times are one of my favorite parts of this novel, and most of the SPQR series. This one is highly readable and well worth the reader's time. I purchased this series on the Kindle and the adaptation to the e-reader format is excellent. Highly recommended. RJB.
Decius Caecilius Metellus is very likely the least powerful man in Rome. Yet he finds himself noticing little things. Like somebody is stockpiling weapons. And somebody is killing citizens of Rome, almost is seems at random. In the end he may have to join a conspiracy to bring it down from the inside. And to do that he may have to kill somebody.
I really enjoy how the author uses the real history of Rome, its real culture, and the settings such as the Circus Maximus. He uses his knowledge of the chariot races, the stables, and the factions - Go Blues - to give us the feeling of really being there.
If you want to know more about the races, or games in general, I would suggest Cruelty and Civilization: The Roman Games which is a detailed and very serious book on the Roman Games. Or you can try reading Working IX to V: Orgy Planners, Funeral Clowns, and Other Prized Professions of the Ancient World which is not as serious.
As always he has a wonderful glossary that is detailed, helpful and simple. Enjoy!
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