The Lock

Ancient Rome #2

by Benita Kane Jaro

Benita Kane Jaro presents the major characters and events in the waning Roman Republic from the point of view of Cicero, the greatest orator and finest statesman of ancient Rome. She also depicts the conflict that led to the collapse of the Republic and Cicero's single-handed struggle which staved off its collapse for 15 years. In The Lock, the principal figures of the Julius Caesar, Cicero, Pompey the Great make their appearance and play out their fateful struggle. The novel has a deep rethinking of the character of Marcus Tullius Cicero and a reassessment of his life and work. His warmth and wit, his intelligence, his integrity and his courage make him a hero for our time as well as his own. Built around the letters and speeches of Cicero, many of which appear in the novel in new and lively translations by the author, The Lock is historically accurate and carefully researched. It may be read independently as a single novel, or as the second volume of the trilogy The Key, The Lock, and The Door in the Wall. It features maps of Rome and the Empire, specially drawn for the novel, and includes a reader-friendly list of Principal Characters and a Chronology of Events in the novel. No other novel so deeply examines Cicero and his times. Special Features -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Built around the letters and speeches of Cicero, many of which appear in the novel in new and lively translations by the author Historically accurate and carefully researched May be read independently as a single novel, or as the second volume of the trilogy THE KEY, THE LOCK, THE DOOR IN THE WALL Features maps of Rome and the Empire, specially drawn for the novel Includes reader-friendly list of Principal Characters and a Chronology of Events in the novel Also The Key - ISBN 0865165343
The Door in the Wall - ISBN 0865165335 For over 30 years Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers has produced the highest quality Latin and ancient Greek books. From Dr. Seuss books in Latin to Plato's Apology , Bolchazy-Carducci's titles help readers learn about ancient Rome and Greece; the Latin and ancient Greek languages are alive and well with titles like Cicero's De Amicitia and Kaegi's Greek Grammar . We also feature a line of contemporary eastern European and WWII books. Some of the areas we publish in Selections From The Aeneid
Latin Grammar & Pronunciation
Greek Grammar & Pronunciation
Texts Supporting Wheelock's Latin
Classical author Vergil, Ovid, Horace, Catullus, Cicero
Vocabulary Cards For AP Vergil, Ovid, Catullus, Horace
Greek Mythology
Greek Lexicon
Slovak Culture And History

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4, mainly because of style. Novel about Cicero and other famous names through the waning of the Roman Republic. Cicero comes from a small town. He makes his mark in Rome and wins fame as a successful lawyer, defending the underdog. The novel carries us through his career from his first case, exile and return, and finally, unsuccessful defense of Milo. For many years he tries to fend off the end of the Republic.
There was nothing that would save the city now....The lock -- [Cicero] -- was broken; the wall had failed to hold. Milo was an exile; Caelius a hunted man, he himself had been caught, bound, muzzled, forced to dance to someone else's tune....


I enjoyed the novel but not as much as others of this author's works -- The Key and Betray the Night or Harris's Cicero trilogy. Marcus Caelius Rufus, who also appears in other works of hers, is a major character herein, and appears here as Cicero's student and apprentice, then a successful attorney in his own right. The author's style in all her works has captivated me.

[William Herbst · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the series due to the fascinating character of Cicero who plays a key role in this novel.