Arms of Nemesis: A Novel of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome) [Kindle Edition]

Steven Saylor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in 72 B.C., during the slave revolt led by Spartacus, Saylor's ( Roman Blood ) second historical mystery follows Roman PI Gordianus the Finder to the resort of Baiae on the Bay of Naples. The cousin and factotum of Marcus Licinius Crassus, the wealthiest man in Rome, has been bludgeoned to death, apparently by two slaves who have run away. An ancient Roman law decrees that when a master is killed by a slave, the remainder of the household's slaves must be slaughtered. Gordianus and his adopted son Eco have three days to find the real murderer and save the villa's other 99 slaves. A convoluted plot reveals fraud, embezzlement and arms smuggling (spears and swords traded for silver and jewels); sensuously written subplots hinge on arcanic poisons and clandestine love affairs among a cast that includes a Crassus's second-rate philosopher-in-residence and a retired actor who doubles as a female impersonator. Richly detailed bacchanalian feasts and mesmerizing visits to the Sybil at Cumae lead to the spellbinding conclusion, reached during fierce gladiatorial combat. 35,000 first printing; BOMC alternate; paperback rights to Fawcett; author tour.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Saylor impeccably recreates life in Imperial Rome…and intriguing mix of historical accuracy and tense drama.” – St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Arms of Nemesis

“Gordinaus has wisdom and prudence; Saylor has intelligence, wit, and insight.  Saylor has aquired the information of a historian but he enjoys the gifts of a born novelist.” – The Boston Globe on A Murder on the Appian Way

“A compulsively entertaining whodunnit.” – New York Times Book Review on Arms of Nemesis

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 2602 KB
• Print Length: 307 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1 edition (May 13, 2008)
• Sold by: Macmillan
• Language: English
• ASIN: B001C31L3E
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,485 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Steven Saylor is the author of EMPIRE: THE NOVEL OF IMPERIAL ROME, a follow-up to the international bestseller ROMA: THE NOVEL OF ANCIENT ROME. These two epic novels comprise a multi-generational saga that spans the first 1200 years of the city, from Iron Age trading post to the height of empire under Hadrian.

Steven is also the author of the ROMA SUB ROSA series of historical mysteries featuring Gordianus the Finder, set in the ancient Rome of Cicero, Caesar, and Cleopatra. To read the series in chronological order, begin with ROMAN BLOOD, then THE HOUSE OF THE VESTALS (short stories), A GLADIATOR DIES ONLY ONCE (short stories), ARMS OF NEMESIS , CATILINA'S RIDDLE, THE VENUS THROW, A MURDER ON THE APPIAN WAY, RUBICON, LAST SEEN IN MASSILIA, A MIST OF PROPHECIES, THE JUDGMENT OF CAESAR, and THE TRIUMPH OF CAESAR.

Steven is currently at work on the next volume in the Roma Sub Rosa series, a prequel that follows the 18-year-old Gordianus on his journey to the Seven Wonders of the World; publication is scheduled for summer 2012.

Outside the Roman books are two novels set in Steven's native Texas. A TWIST AT THE END is based on America's first recorded serial murders, which terrorized Austin, Texas in 1885. The chief protagonist is young Will Porter, who later became famous as O. Henry. HAVE YOU SEEN DAWN? is a contemporary thriller set in a small Texas town not unlike the one where Steven grew up.

Steven's books have been published in 21 languages, and book tours have taken him across the United States, England, and Europe. He has appeared as an expert on Roman life on The History Channel, and has spoken at numerous college campuses, The Getty Villa, and the International Conference on the Ancient Novel.

Steven was born in Texas in 1956 and graduated with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and Classics. He divides his time between homes in Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas. When not using his brain, he likes to keep in shape running, swimming, and lifting weights.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not Roman Blood, but still a great read, August 2, 2003

By 

Nathan Crabtree "singer" (Hickory, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Arms of Nemesis: A Novel of Ancient Rome (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

The only reason why I gave this one 4 stars is because I didn't like it as much as I liked Roman Blood, the first book in the series. But this book is a great read. Saylor keeps you guessing right up until the end. The addition of a sidekick(although he is much more than that) for Gordianus in his adopted son Eco is welcome. This relationship is special and has a sweet turn at the end. I love how Saylor titillates the reader with the stories of Mummius and Olympias and their surprise love interests. The author's exhaustive research is apparent in the intriguing details of classical food, potions, funerals, and other aspects of daily life of different classes of ancient people. The plight of slaves was conveyed with profound sympathy. Having experienced two suspenseful and beautifully written books so far, I will be sure to finish the Roman Sub Rosa series with enthusiam.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gordianus visits the seashore, February 14, 2006

By 

Jeanne Tassotto (Trapped in the Midwest) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Arms of Nemesis: A Novel of Ancient Rome (St. Martin's Minotaur Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

This second entry in the ROMA SUB ROSA series opens as Gordianus is woken in the middle of the night by a mysterious summons to an undisclosed location to solve a crime and save scores of innocent people. Despite the apprehensions of his slave (and lover) Bethesda, Gordianus and his adopted son Eco, are soon on their way. Gordianus of course quickly surmises their destination as Baiae, a wealthy town on the present day Bay of Naples.

Once he arrives he discovers that the crime is, as he had surmised, murder and murder of a wealthy man. The chief suspects are two missing slaves which is why scores of lives are in danger. According to ancient Roman law if a master is killed by a slave all the slaves in the household, in this case 99, are deemed dangerous and sentenced to death. This law is not often enforced but in the present day (72 BC), there is a slave revolt, led by Spartacus, in progress that is threatening the Empire. Is it just fear of the slaves joining the rebellion that is causing this harsh measure to be used or is it something else?

Gordianus and Eco are quickly immersed in the victim's household and find that there are many things that are not quite what they seem. The trail to solve the crime leads the two to the Sybil, into the sea and to the very Gates of Hades. Old scandals and illicit love affairs are uncovered. Ultimately Gordianus of course triumphs but not without many interesting twists and turns along the way.

As with ROMAN BLOOD, Saylor immerses the reader into the world of ancient Rome. The reader is made to see how uncertain live in the ancient world was, for example, Gordianus travels just a short way from his home but to his family he may as well have fallen off the face of the earth. We also see into the lives of the slaves, from the quasi equal status of Bethesda to the brutal existence of the galley slaves. Even among the upper classes live is very much a matter of chance and must be conducted within very proscribed limits. This series of novels breaths live into Roman life in a more effective manner than a score of serious scholarly works could.

The mystery is compeling, well plotted with the clues fairly laid out for the reader to follow. The only problem I had with this one is that some of the characters were rather sketchily drawn and there were so many characters and subplots that it was challenging to keep everything straight.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong Second Outing, December 4, 2001

By 

C. F Higgins (Warrenville, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Arms of Nemesis (Mass Market Paperback)

Steven Saylor succeeds where many writers of historical fiction fail, largely because of strong character development and the ability to make ancient society seem natural -not just a picturesque backdrop. While the murder mystery is entertaining and keeps your attention, it is the little details; political intrigues, conflicting philosophies, and secondary events such as the Spartacan slave revolt, which bring this novel to life. Gordianus is a true Roman, with the sensibilities of a Roman citizen. He does not come accross as a 21st century sleuth transported into a different age.
I was delighted that many actual figures from Roman history are featured in Saylor's novels; Cicero, Marcus Crassus, Pompey, etc.
Highly recommended -and certainly consider Saylor's other Roman novels as well.