In 48 BC the Roman generals Caesar and Pompey are engaged in a battle to rule the world. As Pompey plots a reckless stand on the banks of the Nile, Gordianus the Finder-who has brought his dying wife, Bethesda, to the Nile seeking a cure from its sacred waters-finds himself suddenly at the heart of a series of treacherous and history-altering events.
While Caesar and Cleopatra embark on a legendary romance, Egypt remains ravaged by the brutal contest between the queen and her brother, King Ptolemy. Worst of all for Gordianus, Meto, his once-disowned son and Caesar's right-hand man, stands falsely accused of murder.
Caesar's judgment will decide his son's fate, and it is up to Gordianus to somehow overcome malevolent forces to reveal the carefully obscured truth in order to save his son's life. Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
"[A] confident re-creation of Alexandria at this
crucial moment in both Egyptian and Roman history. As always in Saylor's
historical fiction, the interaction between powerful and ordinary people is a
great strength…His Caesar is completely believable, as are his circuitous
dealings with the Egyptian queen. Gordianus is as fascinating as he was as a
young man, and the novel provides all the customary pleasures of serial
fiction. But it also stands in its own right. Saylor evokes the ancient world
more convincingly than any other writer of his generation."
"Superb. From the exceptional attention to
historical detail to the development of character and plot, which is based on
real history, it's a treat to read. All the action takes place in a time of
great upheaval both in Rome and Egypt, and Saylor, an excellent scholar, makes
the most of it. This is a great getaway novel."
"[A] superb historical novel…The reader is
engaged throughout…This is a compelling testament to Saylor's growth as a
writer and to his seemingly effortless ability to imagine characters who feel
real. Longtime fans will find the evolution of Gordianus' personal relationships
fascinating, but the backstory is not so complex as to bar new readers from
entering Saylor's world."
"Saylor is certainly among the best
history-mystery writers going…He not only draws the reader into the fully
realized, intrigue-filled era of Caesar and Pompey, he does so with grace, wit,
and full-throttle suspense…The tenth Sub Rosa is a political thriller of the
first order…Wonderful reading."
"Expert mystery-mongering closely woven into a
pageant featuring the most star-studded cast imaginable. Fans of the historical
mystery couldn't do better."
"A solid series addition."
