What do you think?
Rate this book
Contention
"Then I noticed what felt like warm raindrops and looked up to see a gang of rowdies perched on the gutter four storeys up and relieving themselves over the edge... The empire had come to a pretty pass, I thought, when an emperor had to grin and bear it while the scum of the vicus pissed on his head and laughed."
The year is A.D. 69 and the Roman empire is being pulled apart. Four rivals for the throne have replaced politics with assassination and civil war, and no one is untouched; from the Rhine army to the Eastern legions; from the scum of the vicus to the emperor himself. This is the year that was, in the words of Tacitus, very nearly the last for the commonwealth of Rome – and the year that a shower from the rooftops was very far from being the worst fate an emperor could meet with in the streets.
The year is A.D. 69 and the Roman empire is being pulled apart. Four rivals for the throne have replaced politics with assassination and civil war, and no one is untouched; from the Rhine army to the Eastern legions; from the scum of the vicus to the emperor himself. This is the year that was, in the words of Tacitus, very nearly the last for the commonwealth of Rome – and the year that a shower from the rooftops was very far from being the worst fate an emperor could meet with in the streets.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
348 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2014
2 people are currently reading
340 people want to read
About the author
Paul Cunningham
1 book5 followersPaul Cunningham is a rock guitarist. He lives in South Korea with his wife and teaches as much as he can at a university.
Paul's next book will be about an 18th century hanging judge who is blessed in parts and mettle, and yet remains an irredeemably rotten dastard. But don't hold your breath.
Paul would love to hear from you. Email him at paul_cunningham_@hotmail.com, or visit his blog; wolbongreview.wordpress.com
http://theharbottlereview.com/
Paul's next book will be about an 18th century hanging judge who is blessed in parts and mettle, and yet remains an irredeemably rotten dastard. But don't hold your breath.
Paul would love to hear from you. Email him at paul_cunningham_@hotmail.com, or visit his blog; wolbongreview.wordpress.com
http://theharbottlereview.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 9, 2015
What happens when an emperor dies without an heir? Who takes his place? Who decides who the new ruler should be? Contention takes a look at one of the bloodiest civil wars that Rome had ever seen, 69 A.D., the year of four emperors.
Tacitus was a Roman senator and is famous for his histories of the early Roman emperors. Contention is the work of his slave, Actis. While researching for his master, Actis decides to write his own history, a much more condensed version than his master. Actis met with slaves, whores and soldiers (people that Tacitus could not be seen with), he gives us their first-hand accounts from the death of Nero to the Vespasian’s consolidation of power.
Contention works like a collection of short stories, all tied around this crucial year in Roman history and neatly worked together in chronological order. These stories are pulled together through Actis’ narration and his discussions with Tacitus.
Paul Cunningham stayed true to his goal in telling this story as first-hand accounts of these events. Each section is from a different perspective and gives us insight into what the common person would have seen during these turbulent times. Yes, there were times when the story may have dragged a bit, I prefer the battles and the action over the back room deals and lounging on dining couches. But all of this is a part of what makes history so colorful.
I truly enjoyed Contention, it was an innovative way of bringing to life this piece of our past; different points of view and drawing our attention to some fascinating characters who only had fifteen minutes of fame to make their mark. These men are so easily over shadowed by rulers who benefited from the stability that followed the year of the four emperors.
4 Stars
Tacitus was a Roman senator and is famous for his histories of the early Roman emperors. Contention is the work of his slave, Actis. While researching for his master, Actis decides to write his own history, a much more condensed version than his master. Actis met with slaves, whores and soldiers (people that Tacitus could not be seen with), he gives us their first-hand accounts from the death of Nero to the Vespasian’s consolidation of power.
Contention works like a collection of short stories, all tied around this crucial year in Roman history and neatly worked together in chronological order. These stories are pulled together through Actis’ narration and his discussions with Tacitus.
Paul Cunningham stayed true to his goal in telling this story as first-hand accounts of these events. Each section is from a different perspective and gives us insight into what the common person would have seen during these turbulent times. Yes, there were times when the story may have dragged a bit, I prefer the battles and the action over the back room deals and lounging on dining couches. But all of this is a part of what makes history so colorful.
I truly enjoyed Contention, it was an innovative way of bringing to life this piece of our past; different points of view and drawing our attention to some fascinating characters who only had fifteen minutes of fame to make their mark. These men are so easily over shadowed by rulers who benefited from the stability that followed the year of the four emperors.
4 Stars
January 16, 2025
An excellent book, brilliantly written and a must for any history buff.
February 12, 2015
I won this in the giveaways in exchange for an honest review.
A slave is tasked by his master to assist in the collecting of oral histories in order to put together the story of the year of the four emperors. This was very detailed, sometimes overly so in parts as some of the people's stories read more like a history book. I did find it interesting though and it felt like a very relaxed way of learning about that era.
A slave is tasked by his master to assist in the collecting of oral histories in order to put together the story of the year of the four emperors. This was very detailed, sometimes overly so in parts as some of the people's stories read more like a history book. I did find it interesting though and it felt like a very relaxed way of learning about that era.
April 9, 2016
CONTENTION by Paul Cunningham explores what happens when Nero has died. Based on his research and conversations with slaves, citizens and soldiers, Actis puts together the jigsaw puzzle of the events during the “Year if Four Emperors”.
History buffs will enjoy the narrative and others will learn more !
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
History buffs will enjoy the narrative and others will learn more !
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews