Items related to Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
In 49 B.C., a civil war between the forces loyal to Pompey and Julius Caesar has engulfed the Roman world and no one is allowed to be neutral. With Rome itself in turmoil, Gordianus the Finder receives an anonymous message informing him of the death of his son, Meto, who lately has been acting as a double agent for Caesar. In search of the truth about Meto's fate, Gordianus journeys to the besieged seaport of Massilia, which has sided with Pompey and is now stubbornly holding out against Caesar's troops camped just outside its gates and in ships in the harbor.
Using his wits, Gordianus discovers a way past the siege troops and into Massilia. But once there he finds that famine and slaughter threaten the populace, and intrigue and recriminations have taken over the city that cannot hope to stand up much longer against the troops outside the walls. His only friend is Hieronymus, the doomed scapegoat chosen by the priests of Artemis to bear the sins of the population and save them from annihilation. When Gordianus witnesses the fall of a young woman from a precipice called Sacrifice Rock, he becomes entangled in finding out what exactly happened - did she fall or was she pushed? - and where, in all of this, is the truth about his missing son.
Using his wits, Gordianus discovers a way past the siege troops and into Massilia. But once there he finds that famine and slaughter threaten the populace, and intrigue and recriminations have taken over the city that cannot hope to stand up much longer against the troops outside the walls. His only friend is Hieronymus, the doomed scapegoat chosen by the priests of Artemis to bear the sins of the population and save them from annihilation. When Gordianus witnesses the fall of a young woman from a precipice called Sacrifice Rock, he becomes entangled in finding out what exactly happened - did she fall or was she pushed? - and where, in all of this, is the truth about his missing son.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
In this mystery set in Marseilles in 49 B.C., master detective Gordianus the Finder is on a personal quest to learn the truth about his missing son, Meto. Plunged into the midst of the bloody Roman civil war, the well-connected Gordianus and his son-in-law Davus survive adventure after adventure as they penetrate the Gaulic city Massilia, which is walled against Roman invasion. From the first pages, author Steven Saylor is on sure ground with his distinguished protagonist. Gordianus's careful, thoughtful musings are infused with real pathos as he seeks out information about the lost adoptive son whom, he has been informed, is dead. There is some speculation that Meto betrayed Caesar and that death was his punishment. Lacking a corpse, Gordianus cannot bring himself to believe that Meto is really dead.
About the Author:
Indeed, bonds between fathers and children--their betrayals, promises, and legacies--play a key role in the twisting plot of Last Seen in Massilia. Literally the title refers to Meto, but the motif extends to other key characters as well. Apollonides, the imperious ruler of Massilia, has a peculiar bond with his horribly deformed daughter. And the city's "scapegoat" Hieronymus lives out the legacy of his parents' illegal double suicide by being the human repositor of Massilia's collective sins. He is expected to hurl himself from Sacrifice Rock to appease vengeful gods.
Sacrifice Rock is central to the book, the site of a tussle between man and woman that ends, provocatively, in the woman's death. Was it suicide or murder? The three witnesses--Gordianus, Davus, and Hieronymus--are sharply divided on exactly what they saw. Gordianus pursues the truth of this mystery almost as a diversion from the more compelling mystery of his son's weird disappearance.
Fans of Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series, of which Last Seen in Massilia is the eighth installment, will be pleased by the author's consistent tone. Saylor has proven that he knows how to season a good plot with lively historical details, and this book is perhaps even more gratifying than previous installments. --Kathi Inman Berens
Steven Saylor has had a lifelong fascination with ancient Rome, beginning with the drive-in movies of his boyhood (Cleopatra, Spartacus, Ben Hur), on to his degree in history from the University of Texas, and through his appearances on the History Channel as an expert on Roman politics and life. He is the author of eight volumes in the Roma Sub Rosa series, featuring Gordianus the Finder as well as A Twist at the End, a novel set in 19th century Texas. He splits his time between homes in Austin, Texas and Berkeley, California.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherSt. Martin's Minotaur
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 0312209282
- ISBN 13 9780312209285
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages277
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 9.95
Shipping:
US$ 5.00
Within U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome [Roma Sub Rosa Series #8]
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur, New York
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
First Edition
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. First Edition, First Printing. No Flaws or Blemishes; Gift Quality. First Edition, First Printing. The Roma Sub Rosa series #8. In 49 B.C., a civil war between the forces loyal to Pompey and Julius Caesar has engulfed the Roman world and no one is allowed to be neutral. With Rome itself in turmoil, Gordianus the Finder receives an anonymous message informing him of the death of his son, Meto, who lately has been acting as a double agent for Caesar. In search of the truth about Meto's fate, Gordianus journeys to the besieged seaport of Massilia, which has sided with Pompey and is now stubbornly holding out against Caesar's troops camped just outside its gates and in ships in the harbor. Fine Hardcover in a Fine Dust Jacket. Seller Inventory # 012826
Buy New
US$ 9.95
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome Saylor, Steven
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. In shrink wrap. Seller Inventory # 10-20451
Buy New
US$ 17.04
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Fast Shipping and good customer service. Seller Inventory # Holz_New_0312209282
Buy New
US$ 21.24
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. Buy for Great customer experience. Seller Inventory # GoldenDragon0312209282
Buy New
US$ 23.58
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. Book is in NEW condition. 1.2. Seller Inventory # 0312209282-2-1
Buy New
US$ 29.69
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: New. New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 1.2. Seller Inventory # 353-0312209282-new
Buy New
US$ 29.70
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New. Seller Inventory # Wizard0312209282
Buy New
US$ 26.23
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: new. New Copy. Customer Service Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # think0312209282
Buy New
US$ 28.15
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Published by
St. Martin's Minotaur
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Condition: new. Seller Inventory # FrontCover0312209282
Buy New
US$ 30.36
Convert currency
Stock Image
Last Seen in Massilia
Published by
St.Martin's Press., New York
(2000)
ISBN 10: 0312209282
ISBN 13: 9780312209285
New
Hardcover
Quantity: 1
Seller:
Rating
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: New. Dust Jacket Condition: New. 1st.US Ed. "In 49 B.C., a bloody civil war between the forces loyal to Pompey and Julius Caesar has engulfed the Roman world and no one is allowed to be neutral. With Rome itself in turmoil, Gordianus the Finder receives an anonymous message informing him of the death of his son, Meto, who lately has been acting as a double agent for Caesar. In search of the truth about Meto's fate, Gordianus journeys to the besieged seaport of Massilia (modern-day Marseille), which has sided with Pompey and is now stubbornly holding out against Caesar"s troops camped just outside its gates and in ships in the harbor. Using his wits, Gordianus discovers away past the siege troops and into Massilia. But once there he finds that famine and slaughter threaten the populace, and intrigue and recriminations have taken over a city that cannot hope to stand up much longer against the troops outside its walls. His only friend is Hieronymus, the doomed scapegoat chosen by the priests of Artemis to bear the sins of the population and save them from annihilation. When Gordianus witnesses the fall of a young woman from a precipice called Sacrifice Rock, he becomes entangled in finding out what exactly i happened-did she fall or was she pushed?and where, in all of this, is the truth about his missing son.". Book. Seller Inventory # 043908
Buy New
US$ 35.00
Convert currency