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Rubicon

Author: Steven Saylor
Publisher: Robinson Publishing
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

8 reviews
Sales Rank: 31135

Media: Paperback
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.5 x 4.3 x 1.1

ISBN: 1845292448
EAN: 9781845292447
ASIN: 1845292448

Publication Date: September 8, 2005
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: New. Fast Dispatch From U.K

Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - Rubicon: A Novel of Ancient Rome
•	Mass Market Paperback - Rubicon
•	Paperback - Rubicon (Roma Sub Rosa)
•	Hardcover - Rubicon (Roma Sub Rosa)

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.co.uk Review
Steven Saylor's seventh instalment in his Roma Sub Rosa series begins with a character saying, "Pompey will be mightily pissed." Scholars might argue that there is no evidence of this particular synonym for anger ever being used in 49 BC, but the author would no doubt respond that poetic license includes doing whatever it takes to bridge the gap for modern audiences. And indeed, the head of the Roman Senate is mightily pissed. Rome is on the verge of another civil war and the forces of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony have crossed the Rubicon River and are marching toward the capital. To top it all off, one of Pompey's favourite cousins has been garrotted to death.

Before Pompey flees the city, he asks Rome's greatest detective, Gordianus the Finder, to solve the murder. But Pompey has reason to distrust Gordianus, who may have an allegiance with Caesar. To force his loyalty, Pompey seizes the detective's son-in-law and makes him join his household army. By doing so, he ensures that Gordianus's involvement in the coming conflict will be a very personal one. Confused and troubled, Gordianus walks through Rome toward the house of his former friend and mentor, the poet Cicero. "All around me, I felt the uneasiness of the city, like a sleeper in the throes of a nightmare." Awakening from the nightmare, surviving the chaos and solving this whodunit will be the Finder's toughest battle yet. --Dick Adler

Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Another Terrific Read May 23, 2007
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began in his childhood. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too.

The armies of Caesar are marching on Rome, an act that is unthinkable in the history of the great City. Pompey and the whole of the senate are preparing to flee the city and leave the people of Rome at the mercy of the advancing legion. The murder of a visitor, a cousin of the great Pompey could not have happened at a worse time . . .

5 out of 5 stars

The Seventh Book in a Great Series January 31, 2007
5 out of 10 found this review helpful

Steven Saylor's fascination with Ancient Rome began in his childhood. A history graduate and former newspaper and magazine editor, he lives in Berkeley, California. His series of books about Ancient Rome and featuring Gordianus the Finder are extremely popular both here in England and also in America. Anyone who is a fan of Lindsey Davis will love these books too.

The armies of Caesar are marching on Rome, an act that is unthinkable in the history of the great City. Pompey and the whole of the senate are preparing to flee the city and leave the people of Rome at the mercy of the advancing legion. The murder of a visitor, a cousin of the great Pompey could not have happened at a worse time . . .

3 out of 5 stars

Good but not his best July 26, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series is one of the best of the current crop of detectives in the ancient world. His mission is to plot the decline and fall of the Roman Republic from around 80BC to 40BC, through the life of one man - Gordianus the Finder - and his family.
Gordianus ages from 30 to 70 during the process -- which is quite a novel step for a whodunnit character (most of them either seem to age not at all, or do so very slowly). So to get the best out of them, you really do need to read them in chronological order.
All his novels are firmly grounded in the historical background of the crumbling political scene, and Rubicon is no exception - the final outbreak of civil war between Caesar and Pompey.
However, unlike earlier books in the series, it is not strictly a whodunnit. Indeed it reads a bit like an expanded short story -- the plot is brief - especially when compared to other works in this series.
I think it's a bold departure by Steven Saylor from the earier books, but for me it did not work quite as well because of this. However I will certainly read subesequent books in the series.

5 out of 5 stars

Opens a window few history books manage October 9, 2001
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

It's like you're meeting an old friend, but this older, mellowed Gordianus still keeps the Sherlock touch from the outset. As before, the everyday detail of ordinary life (often shocking and surprising in itself) and familiar style are what makes these Roman citizens really come to life. The historical figures too are cleverly rounded to show both weaknesses and strengths. By the end of the book you almost feel you want to climb into the pages and beg him for the answer to the problem that he has been dangling in front of us, and you're not let down - it's an explosive ending that will leave you genuinely stunned for days. It's also been a personal inspiration to go on and read original accounts of say, Caesar's own 'Conquest of Gaul' which, thanks to Steven Saylor, reads more like Caesar's European Tour than a translated Latin text. Veni, vedi, I got the T shirt!

2 out of 5 stars

disappointing February 2, 2001
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

i read this on the strength of amazon reviews of his books. this was my first. i think it's also my last. i was very disappointed by a weak plot and lack of character in the writing. it was described as "breathtaking scholarship" and "enthralling". i found it boring and not that knowledgeable. lindsy davis is far better in my humble opinion.