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Judge Marcus Flavius Severus Mystery #3
Marcus Aurelius Betrayed
Judge Severus returns in "Marcus Aurelius Betrayed", the third of the highly acclaimed and best selling historical mysteries set at the height of the Roman Empire. The year is now 163 CE, 2 years after the events in "The Cyclops Case" and 5 years after the events in "Mars the Avenger". It is the third year of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. In "Marcus Aurelius Betrayed", Marcus Flavius Severus, Judge in the Court of the Urban Prefect in the City of Rome, is appointed by Emperor Marcus Aurelius as his special judge to travel to Alexandria to investigate an attempt to murder the Prefect of Egypt. Poison has been put in the Prefect’s drinking cup at an orgy, but the poison was drunk by the guest of honor, an official of the Imperial Post, who was on the couch next to the Prefect. Judge Severus, with the assistance of his wife Artemisia, his private secretary Alexander and his court and police aides track down clues and witnesses in Alexandria in quest of a solution. On the way they encounter thefts of rare books from the Great Library of Alexandria, the production of fake antiquities and judicial murder. Eventually, through a number of plot twists and turns, the case is referred to the Emperor in Rome and the investigation continues in the capital of the Empire. As in "Mars the Avenger" and "The Cyclops Case", Marcus Aurelius Betrayed is both a mystery and daily life of Ancient Rome, a sojourn into the world of the Roman Empire and its courts, police and criminal law. The investigation takes Severus and his aides to the wonders in the Roman province of Egypt -- the Great Library, the Museum, the Pharos Lighthouse, the Pyramids -- as well as to the streets of Alexandria, a house of high class courtesans and army maneuvers in the field. There are also scenes in the city of Rome and in Roman courts. The book is accurate as to the criminal laws and procedures of the time. All laws, rescripts and legal procedures come from Roman law sources, which are extensive for the 2nd Century CE. A culminating trial is held in Rome before the Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself where Judge Severus unravels the mystery through a series of shrewd deductions.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 17, 2023
Sent to Alexandria to identify a poisoner.
Judge Severus is approached by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius with a commission. It seems someone has attempted to poison his prefect in Egypt, the poison was drunk by the wrong man who picked up the wrong cup during an orgy. The Judge is pleased to go, he has always dreamed of visiting Egypt and now he gets to do it paid for by the Emperor. He takes with him all his regular staff as well as his wife Artemisia. On arriving in Alexandria and meeting the prefect Judge Severus is told he's had a wasted journey that the poisoner has been found already, and has been tried and executed. The Judge looks into the case ........... Just to satisfy his curiosity......... And is not happy with what he finds so sets out to do what he was sent there for and investigate the poisoning. This proves more difficult than he expected with missing and hostile witnesses and the potential victim (the prefect) wanting him to stop and just play the tourist. But Judge Severous believes in Roman law even when in one of the.provinces so he is determined to get to the.bottom of the mystery. It's a good job he brought his.own people with him...................
Judge Severus is approached by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius with a commission. It seems someone has attempted to poison his prefect in Egypt, the poison was drunk by the wrong man who picked up the wrong cup during an orgy. The Judge is pleased to go, he has always dreamed of visiting Egypt and now he gets to do it paid for by the Emperor. He takes with him all his regular staff as well as his wife Artemisia. On arriving in Alexandria and meeting the prefect Judge Severus is told he's had a wasted journey that the poisoner has been found already, and has been tried and executed. The Judge looks into the case ........... Just to satisfy his curiosity......... And is not happy with what he finds so sets out to do what he was sent there for and investigate the poisoning. This proves more difficult than he expected with missing and hostile witnesses and the potential victim (the prefect) wanting him to stop and just play the tourist. But Judge Severous believes in Roman law even when in one of the.provinces so he is determined to get to the.bottom of the mystery. It's a good job he brought his.own people with him...................
June 19, 2019
Politics, poison and treason in ancient Rome.
Marcus Flavius Severus is Judge in the Court of the Urban Prefect of Rome. As the special Imperial emissary he is sent to Egypt to investigate the near poisoning of the Prefect of Egypt.
You must obey the Emperor when he sends you to Egypt
“I have always wanted to travel to Alexandria and to Egypt,” he managed to reply. “The Great Library, the Museum, the Pyramids, the Sphinx.”
“So now you will have the opportunity. Carpe diem, as we say -- seize the day.”
Who dun it?
“Someone has tried to assassinate Marcus Annius Calvus, the Prefect of Egypt. Someone put poison into his personal drinking cup. Fortunately for the Prefect, and unfortunately for another person, that other person drank from the cup by mistake and died.”
“How did that happen?”
“I understand there was a drunken orgy going on and a lot of confusion. It was in the confusion that the victim took the Prefect’s cup by mistake and drank from it. But the poison was intended for the Prefect.”
By fast ship to Alexandria
And at his command, the ship slipped its moorings, and to the rhythm of a drummer began its fast two-week voyage from the port of Rome to Alexandria ad Aegyptum, Alexandria at Egypt. The oars were now projected fully outward and moved in their two banks in drilled unison to take the warship out to sea. In short order, Severus felt the up and down and forward motion of the moving vessel, heard and saw the spray shoot up around the sides and felt it vaporize in the air about him. Half the passengers were already seasick.
Land Ho!
There was a commotion on deck and shouts could be heard. Vulso shot up and went out. He came back a few moments later. “We’ve sighted the lighthouse,” he announced.
Everyone, sailors and passengers alike, rushed toward the prow. 25 miles away, on the dark horizon, was what looked like a bright star. The fire from the great Pharos lighthouse, kindled almost 500 feet above ground and beamed far out to sea by a huge reflecting mirror, blazed brightly, a beacon in the night.
An innocent man is killed accidentally or on purpose
“There is one other thing,” said Severus, “that I was wondering about. It’s about Pudens, the unfortunate victim in all this. I noted from the diagram of the seating arrangements that he was placed on the couch on your right, the guest of honor’s post. Was the party that night in his honor?”
“Not exactly. You see, Judge Severus, Pudens was an inspector in the Imperial Post. He had accompanied me from my office to my apartment as I was going home for the party. He was giving me some report or other about a matter he was handling. I don’t even remember what it was about.
“But during his report, I was informed by messenger that one of the guests, the sub-Prefect, couldn’t make it. An important matter had come up, requiring him to leave Alexandria. So on the spur of the moment I conceived the idea of inviting Pudens as a replacement. He was right there and an invitation would be an honor and reward for his capable service. He had been sent out from Rome years ago and served under three Prefects. Pudens, you may not be aware, was a total public servant; scrupulous and completely honest. A rare mixture in government, as I’m sure you know.
He protested politely, but I made him the guest-of-honor. He couldn’t refuse.”
Severus’ face fell. “You mean that his attendance at the party was the result of a random series of chances? If he had waited until the next day to make his report, or if your guest had not cancelled out, or if you hadn’t made that spur of the moment decision, or if there hadn’t been a mix-up in the wine cups, Pudens would still be alive?”
Calvus nodded silently.
“It proves,” concluded Severus with a wan smile, “the part the goddess Fortuna plays in our lives.”
Marcus Flavius Severus is similar to Perry Mason, the famous lawyer/detective. Severus takes charge of the investigation and directs his staff to gather witnesses and evidence to create a water tight case against the Emperor's enemies. While we readers are still wondering "who dun it" he already knows the why and the how.
A carefully planned murder/mystery.
Enjoy!
Marcus Flavius Severus is Judge in the Court of the Urban Prefect of Rome. As the special Imperial emissary he is sent to Egypt to investigate the near poisoning of the Prefect of Egypt.
You must obey the Emperor when he sends you to Egypt
“I have always wanted to travel to Alexandria and to Egypt,” he managed to reply. “The Great Library, the Museum, the Pyramids, the Sphinx.”
“So now you will have the opportunity. Carpe diem, as we say -- seize the day.”
Who dun it?
“Someone has tried to assassinate Marcus Annius Calvus, the Prefect of Egypt. Someone put poison into his personal drinking cup. Fortunately for the Prefect, and unfortunately for another person, that other person drank from the cup by mistake and died.”
“How did that happen?”
“I understand there was a drunken orgy going on and a lot of confusion. It was in the confusion that the victim took the Prefect’s cup by mistake and drank from it. But the poison was intended for the Prefect.”
By fast ship to Alexandria
And at his command, the ship slipped its moorings, and to the rhythm of a drummer began its fast two-week voyage from the port of Rome to Alexandria ad Aegyptum, Alexandria at Egypt. The oars were now projected fully outward and moved in their two banks in drilled unison to take the warship out to sea. In short order, Severus felt the up and down and forward motion of the moving vessel, heard and saw the spray shoot up around the sides and felt it vaporize in the air about him. Half the passengers were already seasick.
Land Ho!
There was a commotion on deck and shouts could be heard. Vulso shot up and went out. He came back a few moments later. “We’ve sighted the lighthouse,” he announced.
Everyone, sailors and passengers alike, rushed toward the prow. 25 miles away, on the dark horizon, was what looked like a bright star. The fire from the great Pharos lighthouse, kindled almost 500 feet above ground and beamed far out to sea by a huge reflecting mirror, blazed brightly, a beacon in the night.
An innocent man is killed accidentally or on purpose
“There is one other thing,” said Severus, “that I was wondering about. It’s about Pudens, the unfortunate victim in all this. I noted from the diagram of the seating arrangements that he was placed on the couch on your right, the guest of honor’s post. Was the party that night in his honor?”
“Not exactly. You see, Judge Severus, Pudens was an inspector in the Imperial Post. He had accompanied me from my office to my apartment as I was going home for the party. He was giving me some report or other about a matter he was handling. I don’t even remember what it was about.
“But during his report, I was informed by messenger that one of the guests, the sub-Prefect, couldn’t make it. An important matter had come up, requiring him to leave Alexandria. So on the spur of the moment I conceived the idea of inviting Pudens as a replacement. He was right there and an invitation would be an honor and reward for his capable service. He had been sent out from Rome years ago and served under three Prefects. Pudens, you may not be aware, was a total public servant; scrupulous and completely honest. A rare mixture in government, as I’m sure you know.
He protested politely, but I made him the guest-of-honor. He couldn’t refuse.”
Severus’ face fell. “You mean that his attendance at the party was the result of a random series of chances? If he had waited until the next day to make his report, or if your guest had not cancelled out, or if you hadn’t made that spur of the moment decision, or if there hadn’t been a mix-up in the wine cups, Pudens would still be alive?”
Calvus nodded silently.
“It proves,” concluded Severus with a wan smile, “the part the goddess Fortuna plays in our lives.”
Marcus Flavius Severus is similar to Perry Mason, the famous lawyer/detective. Severus takes charge of the investigation and directs his staff to gather witnesses and evidence to create a water tight case against the Emperor's enemies. While we readers are still wondering "who dun it" he already knows the why and the how.
A carefully planned murder/mystery.
Enjoy!
May 17, 2020
163 CE
Another interesting tale that takes Judge Severus and his company of helpers to Egypt on a mission for the Emperor. A man was poisoned at a "party" and since it was supposedly meant for the Prefect of Egypt, Emperor Marcus Aurelius wants his best man on the job since Egyptian grains were a critical product for Rome. The investigation meets many gnarly roadblocks and is fraught with many dangerous events.
The group does take advantage of touring the landmarks of Alexandria and the descriptions of them are rich in detail. Much is shared about the famous library and museum, the pyramids and the 500-foot Pharos Lighthouse as well as the trip by warship getting them there in 2 weeks time.
Kindle Unlimited
Another interesting tale that takes Judge Severus and his company of helpers to Egypt on a mission for the Emperor. A man was poisoned at a "party" and since it was supposedly meant for the Prefect of Egypt, Emperor Marcus Aurelius wants his best man on the job since Egyptian grains were a critical product for Rome. The investigation meets many gnarly roadblocks and is fraught with many dangerous events.
The group does take advantage of touring the landmarks of Alexandria and the descriptions of them are rich in detail. Much is shared about the famous library and museum, the pyramids and the 500-foot Pharos Lighthouse as well as the trip by warship getting them there in 2 weeks time.
Kindle Unlimited
June 24, 2022
Judge Severus goes to Egypt with family and usual entourage to investigate the accidental[?] poisoning of a high-level postal employee. The poisoning was intended for the prefect. He finds that a person has been convicted of the murder and executed. He finds the man was innocent and the previous judge has acted too hastily, and an innocent man has died. Something doesn't sit right with him, so he digs deeper. So, he looks for the real culprit and discovers a ring of crooks stealing books from the Great Library, and selling them, as well as fake antiquities. He tries the leader but on appeal the story moves to Rome with everyone [alleged crooks and Severus] appear before the emperor. The final reveal and ending were ingenious. Another worthy entry in this series. I enjoyed descriptions of the family's sightseeing before returning to Rome.
October 31, 2018
I have to confess to reading Alan Scribner’s Marcus Flavius Severus mysteries out of sequence, but these tales of ancient Rome are solid enough to stand on their own. “Marcus Aurelius Betrayed,” third in the series, is particularly satisfying, especially “Scroll I,” which describes events in Egypt focusing on what seems like an attempt to assassinate Rome’s Prefect at an orgy in Alexandria. Severus is appointed by Emperor Marcus Aurelius to look into the case, and he does a typically satisfying job. The complicated story slows down a bit in “Scroll II” when all the main characters converge on Rome. But the conclusion of the novel is ingenious and clever—and worth the wait. As always, Scribner paints vivid portraits of what life in ancient times was like, his books drawing on actual events and serious scholarship. Very good read!
July 30, 2017
Good story told with great historical knowledge
This is a story written by someone with an obvious love and respect for the historical accuracy of the period and a great deal of academic knowledge to back it up. The characters fit wonderfully into the landscape and he doesn't try to give them modern day attitudes and beliefs that the Romans would find completely unbelievable. Having said that the story is also like many modern day trial stories with many of the procedures being perfectly recognisable by any John Grisham reader which shows perhaps how much we are still influenced by the Roman empire.
This is a story written by someone with an obvious love and respect for the historical accuracy of the period and a great deal of academic knowledge to back it up. The characters fit wonderfully into the landscape and he doesn't try to give them modern day attitudes and beliefs that the Romans would find completely unbelievable. Having said that the story is also like many modern day trial stories with many of the procedures being perfectly recognisable by any John Grisham reader which shows perhaps how much we are still influenced by the Roman empire.
April 29, 2017
Great read!
If you like mysterious "who done it's", and if you are interested in Roman culture in it's heyday, you will love this book! It is the third in a series of murder mysterys from the point of view of a Roman judge. This is not the usual position in a mystery, usually based upon the defendant.
I really liked the stories within a story, about the judge's family and those of his assistants. I also enjoy the glimpses of what life in early Rome might be like.
If you like mysterious "who done it's", and if you are interested in Roman culture in it's heyday, you will love this book! It is the third in a series of murder mysterys from the point of view of a Roman judge. This is not the usual position in a mystery, usually based upon the defendant.
I really liked the stories within a story, about the judge's family and those of his assistants. I also enjoy the glimpses of what life in early Rome might be like.
January 5, 2015
Here we see Egypt and Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Lots of quick looks at the sights in Egypt and much more development of the characters around Severus. Still what keeps me reading is the mystery. Here Severus goes to find out who tried to kill the Prefect and finds a whole mess of corruption instead. Interesting to see it unfold and unravel before the EMperor
June 21, 2017
Great story
This was an absorbing mystery with criminals everywhere. Read carefully & the murderer is clear. Yes, I finally cracked the case ahead of the Judge!
This was an absorbing mystery with criminals everywhere. Read carefully & the murderer is clear. Yes, I finally cracked the case ahead of the Judge!
June 3, 2018
Delightful historical thriller
Pure learning and fun, with boldly sketched characters, lots of description -- addictive reading!Also, it includes 4th century CE jokes!
Pure learning and fun, with boldly sketched characters, lots of description -- addictive reading!Also, it includes 4th century CE jokes!
February 21, 2024
An entertaining enough mystery set in ancient Rome, but in it Marcus Aurelius is not actually betrayed, and the author follows his pattern of breaking just about every beginner rule of writing. He uses the "as you know Bob" method of narration where the characters narrate things everyone already knows, just to inform the reader. He announces characteristics and traits of people without demonstrating them in the story. He has his Roman characters literally say something in Latin, then translate it into English -- they all speak Latin, what is the character translating for and into what language?? He uses modern terms and phrases that would make no sense to the Romans. He translates en route into "on route" in a boat.
Its still an engaging enough read but cleaning this up would make it a much better read.
Its still an engaging enough read but cleaning this up would make it a much better read.
May 29, 2025
Since we know from the beginning who is not guilty, the real question is who was supposed to die?
This takes some unraveling.
I am only surprised that so many people who were at the orgy remembered as much as they did...
An uphill fight for the Judge. Thank goodness that he has such good helpers!
This takes some unraveling.
I am only surprised that so many people who were at the orgy remembered as much as they did...
An uphill fight for the Judge. Thank goodness that he has such good helpers!
October 4, 2024
Orgy as a crime scene¿
Yep! An orgy as a crime scene makes for a supremely convoluted and interesting crime scene. What a nice mess our hero finds when his old playmate asks him to look into a small matter. But, it keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Yep! An orgy as a crime scene makes for a supremely convoluted and interesting crime scene. What a nice mess our hero finds when his old playmate asks him to look into a small matter. But, it keeps getting bigger and bigger!
December 1, 2016
Not bad
Not a bad read - it has good history as the back bone, but the story and its weaving are rather amateurish.
Not a bad read - it has good history as the back bone, but the story and its weaving are rather amateurish.
September 15, 2021
Good story but EDIT!
Judge Sevèrus travels to Egypt to solve a murder only to find it has been solved…or has it? Riveting story but too many typos. EDIT!
Judge Sevèrus travels to Egypt to solve a murder only to find it has been solved…or has it? Riveting story but too many typos. EDIT!
August 15, 2016
I am upset.
I love mysteries set in ancient times.
Alan Scribner’s series of novels of judge Marcus Flavius Severus of 160AD looked to be another addition to my library of ancient Roman sleuths.
So here’s my beef: Scribner’s novel “Marcus Aurelius Betrayed” had an excellent mystery, with some really good twists ands turns. A+ material.
And he has done extensive research into the Roman legal system and he works this knowledge into the story rather well. It is interesting to me to see how the Roman laws work. That’s a plus.
But then - Scribner is such a poor writer. His dialogue is awful in spots. I mean just awful.
After just meeting - I mean within minutes of meeting - Aurora (the bad guy’s concubine) says, “Electra (actually Artemisia, the wife of the judge who’s gone undercover), I don’t know anyone in Rome and I need a friend. I feel I can trust you.”
“Yes, let’s be friends,” replied Artemisia, “but first we should get to know each other, right Aurora?” ”
Oh come on - really ?
Then you have sections that have absolutely nothing to do with moving the story along. It’s as if the author wants to say, “Hey - look what I found while doing the research. Check it out.”
The bad guys just arrived from Egypt and two of the Judge’s team are waiting for them - they were going to following the suspects. And while they are waiting - are you ready - they get into a joke telling contest. And Scribner points out at the end of the book that these jokes were actually from an ancient joke book. But what does that have to do with the plot?
While in Alexandria the judge and his wife tour the famous Pharos lighthouse and Scribner goes into great detail about the lighthouse. Some might say this section just adds ‘flavor’ to the story; it was a description of what Alexandria was like in 163 AD. But the way the author presented it, it was like you were reading a section of Wikipedia .
I am at a loss. First rate mystery - love it.
But the poor dialogue and gratuitous insertion of historical Wikipedia type facts detract from the over all story - hate it.
BEWARE
I love mysteries set in ancient times.
Alan Scribner’s series of novels of judge Marcus Flavius Severus of 160AD looked to be another addition to my library of ancient Roman sleuths.
So here’s my beef: Scribner’s novel “Marcus Aurelius Betrayed” had an excellent mystery, with some really good twists ands turns. A+ material.
And he has done extensive research into the Roman legal system and he works this knowledge into the story rather well. It is interesting to me to see how the Roman laws work. That’s a plus.
But then - Scribner is such a poor writer. His dialogue is awful in spots. I mean just awful.
After just meeting - I mean within minutes of meeting - Aurora (the bad guy’s concubine) says, “Electra (actually Artemisia, the wife of the judge who’s gone undercover), I don’t know anyone in Rome and I need a friend. I feel I can trust you.”
“Yes, let’s be friends,” replied Artemisia, “but first we should get to know each other, right Aurora?” ”
Oh come on - really ?
Then you have sections that have absolutely nothing to do with moving the story along. It’s as if the author wants to say, “Hey - look what I found while doing the research. Check it out.”
The bad guys just arrived from Egypt and two of the Judge’s team are waiting for them - they were going to following the suspects. And while they are waiting - are you ready - they get into a joke telling contest. And Scribner points out at the end of the book that these jokes were actually from an ancient joke book. But what does that have to do with the plot?
While in Alexandria the judge and his wife tour the famous Pharos lighthouse and Scribner goes into great detail about the lighthouse. Some might say this section just adds ‘flavor’ to the story; it was a description of what Alexandria was like in 163 AD. But the way the author presented it, it was like you were reading a section of Wikipedia .
I am at a loss. First rate mystery - love it.
But the poor dialogue and gratuitous insertion of historical Wikipedia type facts detract from the over all story - hate it.
BEWARE
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