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Ancient World #3
A Ira das Fúrias
No ano de 88 b.C., o mundo inteiro parece estar em guerra. No ocidente, os estados italianos rebelam-se contra Roma; para oriente, Mithridates está a marchar e a conquistar as províncias asiáticas romanas. Até mesmo em Alexandria, que continua relativamente calma, um golpe de estado levou ao poder um novo faraó, instalando o caos nas ruas. O jovem Gordiano tem estado à espera com Bethesda do fim do caos em Alexandria, mas é então que recebe uma mensagem cifrada do seu antigo tutor e amigo, Antipater. Agora em Éfeso, como membro da comitiva de Mithridates, Antipater está convicto de que a sua vida se encontra em perigo iminente.
Para o salvar, Gordiano concebe um esquema ousado e astuto para se pôr «atrás das fileiras dos inimigos» e deixar Antipater em segurança. Mas há ali ponderosas forças mortais, que têm os seus próprios planos para Gordiano. Este não sabe bem se ele próprio é um decisor ou um peão, mas terá de desvendar o mistério oculto na mensagem para se poder salvar a si e à pessoa que lhe é mais querida.
Para o salvar, Gordiano concebe um esquema ousado e astuto para se pôr «atrás das fileiras dos inimigos» e deixar Antipater em segurança. Mas há ali ponderosas forças mortais, que têm os seus próprios planos para Gordiano. Este não sabe bem se ele próprio é um decisor ou um peão, mas terá de desvendar o mistério oculto na mensagem para se poder salvar a si e à pessoa que lhe é mais querida.
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
93 people are currently reading
698 people want to read
About the author
Steven Saylor
95 books1,080 followersSteven Saylor is the author of the long running
Roma Sub Rosa
series featuring Gordianus the Finder, as well as the New York Times bestselling novel, Roma and its follow-up, Empire. He has appeared as an on-air expert on Roman history and life on The History Channel.
Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.
Saylor was born in Texas and graduated with high honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied history and classics. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
June 14, 2022
**Should Read as 4.5 Stars!**
This very exciting Roman adventure/mystery is the 3rd volume (chronologically) of the "Gordianus the Finder" series.
The historical details, which you can find at the back of the book, about the general genocide of the Roman and Italian settlers in Asia Minor by King Mithridates, also known as the Asiatic Vespers and which took place in 88 BC, are wonderfully interwoven within this story of power, brutality, deception and death.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two epigraphs, as well as a well-drawn map of the Eastern Mediterranean around 88 BC.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all characters, real historical and wonderful fictional, come vividly to life in this engaging Gordianus tale, and the descriptions of the cruelties and actions against the Romans, personally and generally, are masterly interwoven in this captivating historical Roman adventure/mystery.
This tale is set in the year 88 BC, and Gordianus and Bethesda are finding themselves in good company just outside Alexandria, but when at the bank in Alexandria, where Gordianus has stored his money and receives his mail, a small piece of the secret diary of Antipater of Sidon, his former tutor and friend and now known as Zoticus of Zeugma, is handed over to him.
This piece of paper will set him in motion, and taking Bethesda with him, they head out to Ephesus where the life of Antipater is in danger, but before they reach their destination they will have to stop at Rhodes, and its there that Gordianus will be recruited by Gaius Cassius of the Roman Republic, also the fled Governor of Asia Minor, to act as the eyes and ears for Rome, and in this endeavour his will be accompanied by the Jew, Samson, who has also an agenda of his own.
What is to follow is an intriguing and captivating historical adventure/mystery, in which Gordianus and Bethesda must somehow seem to survive their difficult predicaments, and for Gordianus especially in completing his own mission by locating and trying to free his old tutor, Antipater, while all around them the world is in uproar and turmoil with a lot of destruction and death caused by King Mithridates and Queen Monime and which are directed especially to the Roman and Italian settlers, before they will be able to escape the clutches of that hateful King Mithridates, and so reaching freedom.
Highly recommended, for this is another very educational and thrilling Gordianus Roman adventure/mystery, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mighty Entertaining Wrath"!
This very exciting Roman adventure/mystery is the 3rd volume (chronologically) of the "Gordianus the Finder" series.
The historical details, which you can find at the back of the book, about the general genocide of the Roman and Italian settlers in Asia Minor by King Mithridates, also known as the Asiatic Vespers and which took place in 88 BC, are wonderfully interwoven within this story of power, brutality, deception and death.
At the beginning of the book you'll find two epigraphs, as well as a well-drawn map of the Eastern Mediterranean around 88 BC.
Storytelling is of a superb quality, all characters, real historical and wonderful fictional, come vividly to life in this engaging Gordianus tale, and the descriptions of the cruelties and actions against the Romans, personally and generally, are masterly interwoven in this captivating historical Roman adventure/mystery.
This tale is set in the year 88 BC, and Gordianus and Bethesda are finding themselves in good company just outside Alexandria, but when at the bank in Alexandria, where Gordianus has stored his money and receives his mail, a small piece of the secret diary of Antipater of Sidon, his former tutor and friend and now known as Zoticus of Zeugma, is handed over to him.
This piece of paper will set him in motion, and taking Bethesda with him, they head out to Ephesus where the life of Antipater is in danger, but before they reach their destination they will have to stop at Rhodes, and its there that Gordianus will be recruited by Gaius Cassius of the Roman Republic, also the fled Governor of Asia Minor, to act as the eyes and ears for Rome, and in this endeavour his will be accompanied by the Jew, Samson, who has also an agenda of his own.
What is to follow is an intriguing and captivating historical adventure/mystery, in which Gordianus and Bethesda must somehow seem to survive their difficult predicaments, and for Gordianus especially in completing his own mission by locating and trying to free his old tutor, Antipater, while all around them the world is in uproar and turmoil with a lot of destruction and death caused by King Mithridates and Queen Monime and which are directed especially to the Roman and Italian settlers, before they will be able to escape the clutches of that hateful King Mithridates, and so reaching freedom.
Highly recommended, for this is another very educational and thrilling Gordianus Roman adventure/mystery, and that's why I like to call this episode: "A Mighty Entertaining Wrath"!
April 10, 2016
My biggest concern reading this book was that it would be hard to get into the story since this is the third book in a series, but I needed not worry. Yes, there are events mentioned in this book that has happened in the previous books, but that didn't bother me at all. Instead, it made me quite eager to get the two previous books in the series.
Steven Saylor first wrote about Gordianus the Finder in the Roma Sub Rosa series. This series is called Ancient World and takes place when Gordianus is younger and living in Alexandria. Gordianus gets a cryptic message from his former tutor Antipater who seems to be in danger. He decided to travel together with his slave Bethesda to Ephesus to rescue him. But this little rescue plot soon becomes part of a much bigger plot, one that could save thousands of lives.
I was really impressed with this story, Saylor has really captured the atmosphere of the time. I have mostly read non-fictional books about this time frame and I'm really stunned how genuine everything feels. This combination of genuine feeling and interesting story makes this book really enthralling to read. This mix of fictional characters with real characters like Mithridates is executed so well. And, the story surprised me, especially towards the end.
Wrath of the Furies is a great book and will definitely appeal to readers of historical fiction. It's well-written and compelling. There are some brutal scenes in the book. This is not a cozy mystery book, it's a historical fiction that deals with historical events that are awful to read about, but it was a time of war and unrest. And, even though I hoped for a different ending, well sometimes not everything can be fixed.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
Steven Saylor first wrote about Gordianus the Finder in the Roma Sub Rosa series. This series is called Ancient World and takes place when Gordianus is younger and living in Alexandria. Gordianus gets a cryptic message from his former tutor Antipater who seems to be in danger. He decided to travel together with his slave Bethesda to Ephesus to rescue him. But this little rescue plot soon becomes part of a much bigger plot, one that could save thousands of lives.
I was really impressed with this story, Saylor has really captured the atmosphere of the time. I have mostly read non-fictional books about this time frame and I'm really stunned how genuine everything feels. This combination of genuine feeling and interesting story makes this book really enthralling to read. This mix of fictional characters with real characters like Mithridates is executed so well. And, the story surprised me, especially towards the end.
Wrath of the Furies is a great book and will definitely appeal to readers of historical fiction. It's well-written and compelling. There are some brutal scenes in the book. This is not a cozy mystery book, it's a historical fiction that deals with historical events that are awful to read about, but it was a time of war and unrest. And, even though I hoped for a different ending, well sometimes not everything can be fixed.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
Read this review and others on A Bookaholic Swede
April 17, 2023
Releitura 2023: 5 Estrelas
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
Leitura 2016: 4 Estrelas
A Ira das Fúrias é então o terceiro livro da prequela da série Roma Sub-Rosa onde vamos descobrindo a juventude de Gordiano e apesar de não ter lido ainda os dois livros anteriores, não tive quaisquer problemas em acompanhar os acontecimentos, visto Steven Saylor abordar sucintamente alguns dos eventos anteriores que são importantes para o desenvolvimento da narrativa.
Estamos então em 88 a.C e Gordiano é um jovem de 22 anos que se encontra em Alexandria depois de se ter separado, de forma um pouco menos amigável, do seu amigo mestre e amigo, Antípatro. Antípatro tornou-se um espião ao serviço de Mitrídates, vivendo em Éfeso com outro nome e que se sente em perigo. Em Alexandria, Gordiano recebe uma estranha "carta", que percebe que é uma parte do diário de Antípatro e que este sente a sua vida ameaçada. Gordiano elaborada um plano para tentar salvar o seu amigo mas rapidamente vê-se envolvido num plano muito maior e que pode afectar milhares de vidas.
Uma vez mais, Steven Saylor conseguiu retratar o ambiente de época, fazendo-nos sentir que somos Gordiano, e com um equilibro brilhante entre acontecimentos e personagens reais com personagens ficcionados.
A escrita do autor é sempre magnífica, que nos deixa logo presos à história, e retratando um período um pouco mais "negro", podem encontrar algumas cenas mais "duras" e sangrentas ao longo do livro. Uma história com algum suspense mas cheio de acção e aventura, com situações complicadas para Gordiano resolver.
Foi uma excelente leitura e gostei bastante de conhecer o jovem Gordiano, ainda sem ser o Descobridor, mas ainda assim muito perspicaz e astuto.
Recomendo!
Vejam a minha opinião em vídeo, AQUI.
Leitura 2016: 4 Estrelas
A Ira das Fúrias é então o terceiro livro da prequela da série Roma Sub-Rosa onde vamos descobrindo a juventude de Gordiano e apesar de não ter lido ainda os dois livros anteriores, não tive quaisquer problemas em acompanhar os acontecimentos, visto Steven Saylor abordar sucintamente alguns dos eventos anteriores que são importantes para o desenvolvimento da narrativa.
Estamos então em 88 a.C e Gordiano é um jovem de 22 anos que se encontra em Alexandria depois de se ter separado, de forma um pouco menos amigável, do seu amigo mestre e amigo, Antípatro. Antípatro tornou-se um espião ao serviço de Mitrídates, vivendo em Éfeso com outro nome e que se sente em perigo. Em Alexandria, Gordiano recebe uma estranha "carta", que percebe que é uma parte do diário de Antípatro e que este sente a sua vida ameaçada. Gordiano elaborada um plano para tentar salvar o seu amigo mas rapidamente vê-se envolvido num plano muito maior e que pode afectar milhares de vidas.
Uma vez mais, Steven Saylor conseguiu retratar o ambiente de época, fazendo-nos sentir que somos Gordiano, e com um equilibro brilhante entre acontecimentos e personagens reais com personagens ficcionados.
A escrita do autor é sempre magnífica, que nos deixa logo presos à história, e retratando um período um pouco mais "negro", podem encontrar algumas cenas mais "duras" e sangrentas ao longo do livro. Uma história com algum suspense mas cheio de acção e aventura, com situações complicadas para Gordiano resolver.
Foi uma excelente leitura e gostei bastante de conhecer o jovem Gordiano, ainda sem ser o Descobridor, mas ainda assim muito perspicaz e astuto.
Recomendo!
May 29, 2018
This recent episode of the Gordianus series takes us back to his youth, when Bethesda was nothing more than his beautiful, sexy slave—with irresistible charm—and when his father was known as The Finder, not himself. So we have a slightly insecure, fairly inexperienced sleuth-in-training caught up in the horrifying plot of Rome’s most formidable enemy, Mithridates, king of Pontus. Lured to Ephesus in a half-baked scheme to rescue his tutor from an unnamed danger, he takes on the guise of a mute Alexandrian to escape detection (his accent would give him away as a Roman). Bethesda accompanies him as his interpreter and slave. As a reader we learn much about the power and ruthlessness of the famed King Mithridates, who plotted to massacre each and every Roman settler in the Province. Gordianus’s very disguise gets him an unwelcome invitation to the queen, who needs a mute to witness their pacification of the Furies—climaxing with the sacrifice of a dear friend’s sister. Although the plot drags and bit and Gordianus spends a lot of time trying to stay out of trouble, the ending is quite satisfying as usual—except for the unfortunate Roman victims whose fate triggers a relentless war with Rome. But that’s for another story.
August 5, 2018
Este é um dos livros que relata as aventuras de Gordiano antes de se tornar o famoso detetive em Roma.
Nesta obra, ele é um jovem que vive em Alexandria e é conhecido por ter visitado as 7 maravilhas do mundo antigo. Bestusa é sua escrava, serve-se dela como cuncubina mas ainda não compreendeu o grande papel que ele tem na sua vida.
Neste volume somos levados para Éfeso, testemunhamos um ritual grego que pretende apasiguar a ira das fúrias. O objectivo de Gordiano é ser o espião de Roma e trazer de volta os romanos valiosos que se encontram no Palácio do rei dos reis.
Mas ele acabará por desempenhar um papel muito superior com a ajuda de um judeu e do seu antigo mestre.
É interessante verificar a evolução do Gordiano, e o modo como este episódio o transformou no Descobridor
Nesta obra, ele é um jovem que vive em Alexandria e é conhecido por ter visitado as 7 maravilhas do mundo antigo. Bestusa é sua escrava, serve-se dela como cuncubina mas ainda não compreendeu o grande papel que ele tem na sua vida.
Neste volume somos levados para Éfeso, testemunhamos um ritual grego que pretende apasiguar a ira das fúrias. O objectivo de Gordiano é ser o espião de Roma e trazer de volta os romanos valiosos que se encontram no Palácio do rei dos reis.
Mas ele acabará por desempenhar um papel muito superior com a ajuda de um judeu e do seu antigo mestre.
É interessante verificar a evolução do Gordiano, e o modo como este episódio o transformou no Descobridor
December 12, 2017
A neat little adventure of Gordianus, detailing a particularly gruesome event in the Mithridatic Wars.
Saylor as usual places Gordianus at the edges, observing and participating unwillingly in real historical events. All this with the usual charming writing and amazing research and attention to detail.
It's a novel fans of ancient Rome will not want to miss.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
Saylor as usual places Gordianus at the edges, observing and participating unwillingly in real historical events. All this with the usual charming writing and amazing research and attention to detail.
It's a novel fans of ancient Rome will not want to miss.
--
Assaph Mehr, author of Murder In Absentia: A story of Togas, Daggers, and Magic - for lovers of Ancient Rome, Murder Mysteries, and Urban Fantasy.
October 20, 2015
Originally posted at UNRV.com
Steven Saylor has built his authorial reputation on modern historical fiction, particularly in the genre of historical mysteries. His “Roma Sub Rosa” series has seen 14 books published beginning in 1991 and continuing through 2015 with his 15th entrant in the series, “Wrath of the Furies: A Novel of the Ancient World”. This story is written primarily from the perspective of a young Gordianus, who grows up to become Gordianus the Finder, the Roman sleuth whose mysteries are set across the Roman Empire in Saylor’s Roma series. "Wrath of the Furies" is the third book of a trio of prequels to the Roma Sub Rosa series, this one set in Alexandria and Ephesus.
And who are these Furies and why do they have wrath? Antipater explains to Mithridates:
" The winged sisters are three in number: Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone. They are older than Zeus and the other Olympian gods, having been born from the blood of Uranus when his son Kronos castrated him. They dwell among the dead in Tartarus, but are sometimes drawn to eat and to punish certain kinds of wickedness. Once they find the mortal culprit, they hound him relentlessly, circling him and shrieking, sting him with brass-studded scourges…They have snouts like dogs, bulging, bloodshot eyes, and snakes for hair. Their bodies are as black as coal, and they flit through the air on batlike wings."
Mithridates has the Roman Empire shuddering due to the destructive force of his moving army. He has vowed to kill every Roman he can, but needs to ensure that he has raised the support, rather than ire, of the Furies. All good ancient commanders must heed their mighty gods. Gordianus has accidentally found himself smack in the middle of this Mithridates plot to pay obeisance to the Furies through human sacrifice.
Saylor's narrative style is clean and straightforward. Like his character Antipater, he's not poetic, but the story is entertaining and, I suspect, will be of greatest interest to readers familiar with his characters and the Roma Sub Rosa storylines. Saylor continuously updates the reader as to the Roma Sub Rosa context of returning characters and plot elements. You can absolutely read “Wrath” independently from the rest of the series, but the experience will not be as satisfying. “Wrath of the Furies” is an enjoyable historical mystery and contains 320 pages.
A second narrative perspective comes from Gordianus’ mentor, Antipater of Sidon, Greek poet of great renown who has been acting (mostly) as unwitting undercover spy working for Mithridates, scourge of the Roman empire and hero of Greeks across the Mediterranean. Antipater’s contribution to the story comes in the form of fragments from his diary. He reflects on his current status, and provides a view into the goings on of Mithridates who’s systematically bulldozing his way across the Empire destroying towns and cities and claiming the role of eastern avenger against the Roman Empire.
The story circles a number of mysteries, plots and subplots that run concurrently throughout the narrative:
1) A portion of the aforementioned diary arrives mysteriously at the home where Gordianus is staying in Alexandria. Gordianus travels east, into the thicket of Mithridates violence and hatred, to find his old mentor Antipater who seems to be in a desperate and dire situation in Ephesus.
2) Gordianus is cooling his heels in Alexandria which, for the moment, is not a target for Mithridates and so is a relative safe haven for Romans in the outskirts of the Empire. Gordianus must uncover, and perhaps eliminate, the plot of the great Mithradites to destroy all Romans residing in the outer territories of the Empire.
3) Pushed into a role of spy himself, Gordianus must also determine the fate and location of several secondary characters of varying levels of interest.
Antipater provides the more interesting elements of the plot as he writes in his diary from within Mithridates coterie. At times, he’s relegated to dining tables with the jugglers and entertainers who are available at the King’s beck and call, and sometimes called into consultation with the great king.
Antipater describes in great detail the environment of life from the edges of the King’s court, including the horrifically grim death of a Roman general bound with his mouth forced open and fed molten gold. And yes, this is all too familiar for fans of “Game of Thrones” who read (or saw) Khal Drogo kill the despicable Viserys Targaryen in a very similar manner, however Saylor’s retelling is completely based in fact.
What’s less factual is the storytelling tone and language. Everyone speaks in a fairly modern manner, replete with terms that were clearly originated well after the time frame in which this story is placed. Antipater describes himself acting like an ‘automaton’, using a term that wasn’t first spoken until the early 17th century (so sayeth Websters, at least). Considering Saylor’s reputation for historical authenticity, I was disappointed in the contemporary stylings of dialogue and narration; though do acknowledge that it may be purposeful as he targets his appropriate reading audience.
Considering that Antipater reminds us (every few pages) that he’s a poet of only the highest caliber, his diary fragments are rather less than poetic. They move the story well, and provide the most interesting elements of the narrative, but the language used is merely descriptive and mundane. I would’ve preferred to see Antipater's character and personality developed through the language within the diary. His profession is certainly not apparent outside of his own braggadocio.
Steven Saylor has built his authorial reputation on modern historical fiction, particularly in the genre of historical mysteries. His “Roma Sub Rosa” series has seen 14 books published beginning in 1991 and continuing through 2015 with his 15th entrant in the series, “Wrath of the Furies: A Novel of the Ancient World”. This story is written primarily from the perspective of a young Gordianus, who grows up to become Gordianus the Finder, the Roman sleuth whose mysteries are set across the Roman Empire in Saylor’s Roma series. "Wrath of the Furies" is the third book of a trio of prequels to the Roma Sub Rosa series, this one set in Alexandria and Ephesus.
And who are these Furies and why do they have wrath? Antipater explains to Mithridates:
" The winged sisters are three in number: Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone. They are older than Zeus and the other Olympian gods, having been born from the blood of Uranus when his son Kronos castrated him. They dwell among the dead in Tartarus, but are sometimes drawn to eat and to punish certain kinds of wickedness. Once they find the mortal culprit, they hound him relentlessly, circling him and shrieking, sting him with brass-studded scourges…They have snouts like dogs, bulging, bloodshot eyes, and snakes for hair. Their bodies are as black as coal, and they flit through the air on batlike wings."
Mithridates has the Roman Empire shuddering due to the destructive force of his moving army. He has vowed to kill every Roman he can, but needs to ensure that he has raised the support, rather than ire, of the Furies. All good ancient commanders must heed their mighty gods. Gordianus has accidentally found himself smack in the middle of this Mithridates plot to pay obeisance to the Furies through human sacrifice.
Saylor's narrative style is clean and straightforward. Like his character Antipater, he's not poetic, but the story is entertaining and, I suspect, will be of greatest interest to readers familiar with his characters and the Roma Sub Rosa storylines. Saylor continuously updates the reader as to the Roma Sub Rosa context of returning characters and plot elements. You can absolutely read “Wrath” independently from the rest of the series, but the experience will not be as satisfying. “Wrath of the Furies” is an enjoyable historical mystery and contains 320 pages.
A second narrative perspective comes from Gordianus’ mentor, Antipater of Sidon, Greek poet of great renown who has been acting (mostly) as unwitting undercover spy working for Mithridates, scourge of the Roman empire and hero of Greeks across the Mediterranean. Antipater’s contribution to the story comes in the form of fragments from his diary. He reflects on his current status, and provides a view into the goings on of Mithridates who’s systematically bulldozing his way across the Empire destroying towns and cities and claiming the role of eastern avenger against the Roman Empire.
The story circles a number of mysteries, plots and subplots that run concurrently throughout the narrative:
1) A portion of the aforementioned diary arrives mysteriously at the home where Gordianus is staying in Alexandria. Gordianus travels east, into the thicket of Mithridates violence and hatred, to find his old mentor Antipater who seems to be in a desperate and dire situation in Ephesus.
2) Gordianus is cooling his heels in Alexandria which, for the moment, is not a target for Mithridates and so is a relative safe haven for Romans in the outskirts of the Empire. Gordianus must uncover, and perhaps eliminate, the plot of the great Mithradites to destroy all Romans residing in the outer territories of the Empire.
3) Pushed into a role of spy himself, Gordianus must also determine the fate and location of several secondary characters of varying levels of interest.
Antipater provides the more interesting elements of the plot as he writes in his diary from within Mithridates coterie. At times, he’s relegated to dining tables with the jugglers and entertainers who are available at the King’s beck and call, and sometimes called into consultation with the great king.
Antipater describes in great detail the environment of life from the edges of the King’s court, including the horrifically grim death of a Roman general bound with his mouth forced open and fed molten gold. And yes, this is all too familiar for fans of “Game of Thrones” who read (or saw) Khal Drogo kill the despicable Viserys Targaryen in a very similar manner, however Saylor’s retelling is completely based in fact.
What’s less factual is the storytelling tone and language. Everyone speaks in a fairly modern manner, replete with terms that were clearly originated well after the time frame in which this story is placed. Antipater describes himself acting like an ‘automaton’, using a term that wasn’t first spoken until the early 17th century (so sayeth Websters, at least). Considering Saylor’s reputation for historical authenticity, I was disappointed in the contemporary stylings of dialogue and narration; though do acknowledge that it may be purposeful as he targets his appropriate reading audience.
Considering that Antipater reminds us (every few pages) that he’s a poet of only the highest caliber, his diary fragments are rather less than poetic. They move the story well, and provide the most interesting elements of the narrative, but the language used is merely descriptive and mundane. I would’ve preferred to see Antipater's character and personality developed through the language within the diary. His profession is certainly not apparent outside of his own braggadocio.
October 30, 2015
I love Steven Saylor's books featuring Gordianus the Finder and I was happy to see he was doing a prequel series of the early life of Gordianus. The first two books in this Roma sub Rosa series. It's 88 BC and Gordianus is 22 year old and living in Alexandria with two friends and with his slave woman Bethesda. He is trying to wait out the unrest while civil war rages in Egypt when he receives a very strange message which says that his old tutor and mentor Antipater is in serious trouble. He and Bethesda leave for Ephesus where the Greek conqueror Mithridates has taken up residence after his stunning victories in Asia where he has taken power of a number of cities which he won from the Romans. Times are very unsettled and dangerous and Gordianus and Bethesda face many unknown perils. This book, like all Steven Saylor's Roman historicals are based on true historical facts. But I just didn't find the plot was very exciting, and the true historical happenings are quite horrific and they are graphically portrayed. This took away from my enjoyment of the book I'm afraid.
April 10, 2024
Gordianus rushes to the aid.of.his old tutor.
Antipater and Gordianus parted ways in Alexandria under bad terms after Antipater confessed to being a spy. In the years since then the two men have not stayed in touch so it's with a great deal of shock that Gordianus receives a letter from his old tutor and mentor. Antipater is now a member of King Mithridates but the King has not rewarded his service as he expected. Forced to live under an assumed name still and not able to produce his poetry Antipater feels his life may be in danger. Gordianus resolves to.go to Eupheseius and see if he can help his old tutor, anyway he can, he takes Bethesda with him. It's a dangerous journey as anti Roman sentiment is extremely high all over Greece and everywhere King Mithridates has "liberated" from Roman "tyranny" has forced a mass exodus, with thousands of Romans (including women and children) being forced to.take sanctuary in temples ......................... This may be one adventure Gordianus cannot survive and he has also risked his greatest treasure Bethesda...............
Antipater and Gordianus parted ways in Alexandria under bad terms after Antipater confessed to being a spy. In the years since then the two men have not stayed in touch so it's with a great deal of shock that Gordianus receives a letter from his old tutor and mentor. Antipater is now a member of King Mithridates but the King has not rewarded his service as he expected. Forced to live under an assumed name still and not able to produce his poetry Antipater feels his life may be in danger. Gordianus resolves to.go to Eupheseius and see if he can help his old tutor, anyway he can, he takes Bethesda with him. It's a dangerous journey as anti Roman sentiment is extremely high all over Greece and everywhere King Mithridates has "liberated" from Roman "tyranny" has forced a mass exodus, with thousands of Romans (including women and children) being forced to.take sanctuary in temples ......................... This may be one adventure Gordianus cannot survive and he has also risked his greatest treasure Bethesda...............
April 5, 2023
5 estrelas!!
Uau, uau e uau😍😍
Esta trilogia abre com chave de outro o nosso projeto "Descobrindo Roma Sub-Rosa" ❤️
Para mim, este está muito equiparado ao "Sete Maravilhas do Mundo" a nível de qualidade/gosto pessoal.
Gostei mesmo muito. Opinião em breve no YouTube 💎
Uau, uau e uau😍😍
Esta trilogia abre com chave de outro o nosso projeto "Descobrindo Roma Sub-Rosa" ❤️
Para mim, este está muito equiparado ao "Sete Maravilhas do Mundo" a nível de qualidade/gosto pessoal.
Gostei mesmo muito. Opinião em breve no YouTube 💎
October 5, 2015
***ARC from San Francisco Book Review in exchange for honest review***
I love historical fiction that makes me what to learn more about history. Steven Saylor has brought the ancient world to life in a way history books never can. History is more than just names and dates of battles; it’s the people, the emotions, the absolute brutality of that time. Meticulously detailed, Saylor effortlessly interweaves historical and fictional characters with true historical events. It is easy to envision the opulence of the nobility and the squalor of the Roman refugees through the intense narrative. By focusing on such a tumultuous time period in ancient history, the author piques the reader's interest to find out more about the events and historical figures (at least this reader’s interest). Some of the passages, the descriptions of the torture inflicted on Roman prisoners, are difficult to get through simply because they are so vividly (and accurately) described.
Through the inclusion of diary segments from Anitpater, Gordianus’ mentor and tutor, the author also manages to add personal narrative and reflection to the time period. One passage more than any stuck out to me, drawing parallels to more recent history.
History is bound to repeat itself.
I was initially horrified to learn that this was book 14 written by Steven Saylor with Gordianus the Finder as the main character. However, Wrath of the Furies is the third book in Steven Saylor’s Novels of Ancient Rome series, a prequel series to his Roma sub Rosa series, and is easily read as a stand-alone book. Any references the author makes to previous situations do not leave the reader confused or left in the dark, but rather leaves the reader wanting to find out exactly what happened. A superb read for anyone with a modicum of interest in history.
I love historical fiction that makes me what to learn more about history. Steven Saylor has brought the ancient world to life in a way history books never can. History is more than just names and dates of battles; it’s the people, the emotions, the absolute brutality of that time. Meticulously detailed, Saylor effortlessly interweaves historical and fictional characters with true historical events. It is easy to envision the opulence of the nobility and the squalor of the Roman refugees through the intense narrative. By focusing on such a tumultuous time period in ancient history, the author piques the reader's interest to find out more about the events and historical figures (at least this reader’s interest). Some of the passages, the descriptions of the torture inflicted on Roman prisoners, are difficult to get through simply because they are so vividly (and accurately) described.
Through the inclusion of diary segments from Anitpater, Gordianus’ mentor and tutor, the author also manages to add personal narrative and reflection to the time period. One passage more than any stuck out to me, drawing parallels to more recent history.
“A deliberate campaign of deriding and belittling the Romans has been going on, making them not only objects of fear and loathing, but also of ridicule. They have been set apart, not only by having been driven from their homes and forced to seek sanctuary, but by such measures as the degree that they must wear the toga – ostensibly so that decent folk can see these thieves and rapists coming and protect themselves.”
History is bound to repeat itself.
I was initially horrified to learn that this was book 14 written by Steven Saylor with Gordianus the Finder as the main character. However, Wrath of the Furies is the third book in Steven Saylor’s Novels of Ancient Rome series, a prequel series to his Roma sub Rosa series, and is easily read as a stand-alone book. Any references the author makes to previous situations do not leave the reader confused or left in the dark, but rather leaves the reader wanting to find out exactly what happened. A superb read for anyone with a modicum of interest in history.
April 15, 2017
I'm not sure what to think or feel about this book. Did the author implicitly promise something drastically different than what he provided? Or did he deal with historical events in an appropriately daring manner?
I've marked this review as containing spoilers, but in fact it is history that does so. Yet I would wager that most readers will be unaware of the key historical events, as I was.
Saylor tells us early on that Mithridates plans a coordinated simultaneous massacre of every Roman in Asia Minor. Then he so arranges matters that Gordianus will appear on the scene in just the right way to become an indispensable player in the preparations for this massacre. Gradually, the conspirators assemble to thwart Mithridates' plans. In an apparently climactic sequence, their schemes come to fruition. And then . . . it is all in vain, and almost no one is saved. The would-be saviors were unrealistic, overly optimistic. And tens of thousands of men, women, and children are dead.
Are the raised and thwarted expectations a clever way to shock the reader into a greater appreciation of the horror? Or is this disingenuous storytelling? I don't know when, if ever, I'll decide.
I've marked this review as containing spoilers, but in fact it is history that does so. Yet I would wager that most readers will be unaware of the key historical events, as I was.
Saylor tells us early on that Mithridates plans a coordinated simultaneous massacre of every Roman in Asia Minor. Then he so arranges matters that Gordianus will appear on the scene in just the right way to become an indispensable player in the preparations for this massacre. Gradually, the conspirators assemble to thwart Mithridates' plans. In an apparently climactic sequence, their schemes come to fruition. And then . . . it is all in vain, and almost no one is saved. The would-be saviors were unrealistic, overly optimistic. And tens of thousands of men, women, and children are dead.
Are the raised and thwarted expectations a clever way to shock the reader into a greater appreciation of the horror? Or is this disingenuous storytelling? I don't know when, if ever, I'll decide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2016
I've read every one of Saylor's Gordianus novels, as well as his Roma series, and will continue to do so. This entry, like the other prequels and the short stories, is a relatively light and breezy adventure tale, with the young Gordianus pulling off impossible feats, meeting amazing people, suffering divine prophecies all with a charming, self-deprecating wit and amusing naivete. Which is not to say there is nothing heavy - the graphically described torture and massacre scenes in this book spare no modern sensibility and seem to be Saylor wanting very much to emphasise the brutality of this part of history.
But while it has gore, and pain and terror, the whole book, like the other prequels, lacks the gravitas of the rest of the Gordianus series: a man who seemed real, who wrestled with right and wrong, and the role of an individual, and what it was like to be in history. A series which used Rome to examine what it felt like to be human and to care. A series remarkably like the best of the West Wing. Instead, this feels like Biggles-goes-to-ancient-Egypt. I can enjoy this series for what it is, but oh my god, I miss what it once was.
But while it has gore, and pain and terror, the whole book, like the other prequels, lacks the gravitas of the rest of the Gordianus series: a man who seemed real, who wrestled with right and wrong, and the role of an individual, and what it was like to be in history. A series which used Rome to examine what it felt like to be human and to care. A series remarkably like the best of the West Wing. Instead, this feels like Biggles-goes-to-ancient-Egypt. I can enjoy this series for what it is, but oh my god, I miss what it once was.
October 11, 2015
one of the least successful Gordianus books, though entertaining enough to keep turning pages; read a little bit off - hard to say why, maybe knowing how things will turn out, maybe the thriller elements are a bit over the top here (Gordianus disguised himself as a mute to spy for Rome under Mithridates' nose so to speak)...
highly expected novel that was somewhat disappointing
highly expected novel that was somewhat disappointing
May 24, 2021
How did private investigators hone their observational skills in Ancient Rome? If they were anything like fictional sleuth Gordianus the Finder in The Wrath of the Furies, they wouldn’t have passed up the chance to cut their teeth on a death-defying, search-and-rescue mission.
In this prequel to the long-running Gordianus mystery series, we are introduced to the titular character as a fresh-faced 22-year-old enjoying a charmed life on the sandy shores of Alexandria. He soon swings into action after receiving an unexpected call for help from an old mentor in faraway Ephesus, a strategic city ripped from Roman control by the rival King Mithridates. Just infiltrating the hostile city requires a mix of cunning and guile from the toga-wearing, Latin-speaking Gordianus. His mission grows ever more complex once he learns that it is not just his mentor’s life which hangs in the balance.
This story is brimming with unique characters (retired Egyptian court eunuchs, high priests and a king who could speak a dozen languages, to name just a few). As he always does so well, writer Steven Saylor also sprinkles in countless tid-bits about everyday life in ancient Rome (Ever wondered how an ordinary citizen received mail? Or whether they took hot or cold-water baths?).
The suspense factor did fall a bit flat for me though compared with Saylor’s other books, especially during the second half of the story. As other reviewers note, the very end of this book is a tough read and not for the feint of heart. Still, I think this is a worthy addition to the Gordianus canon for regular readers and those making the acquaintance of the Finder for the very first time.
In this prequel to the long-running Gordianus mystery series, we are introduced to the titular character as a fresh-faced 22-year-old enjoying a charmed life on the sandy shores of Alexandria. He soon swings into action after receiving an unexpected call for help from an old mentor in faraway Ephesus, a strategic city ripped from Roman control by the rival King Mithridates. Just infiltrating the hostile city requires a mix of cunning and guile from the toga-wearing, Latin-speaking Gordianus. His mission grows ever more complex once he learns that it is not just his mentor’s life which hangs in the balance.
This story is brimming with unique characters (retired Egyptian court eunuchs, high priests and a king who could speak a dozen languages, to name just a few). As he always does so well, writer Steven Saylor also sprinkles in countless tid-bits about everyday life in ancient Rome (Ever wondered how an ordinary citizen received mail? Or whether they took hot or cold-water baths?).
The suspense factor did fall a bit flat for me though compared with Saylor’s other books, especially during the second half of the story. As other reviewers note, the very end of this book is a tough read and not for the feint of heart. Still, I think this is a worthy addition to the Gordianus canon for regular readers and those making the acquaintance of the Finder for the very first time.
April 4, 2023
Neste 3º volume em que Steven Saylor aborda a juventude de Gordiano, conhecemos a sua aventura em Éfeso, onde se dirige depois de lhe ser enviada uma parte do diário do seu mestre Antípatro em que este parece estar em dificuldades.
Estes livros são repletos de aventuras. Steven Saylor tem uma escrita vivida, muito agradável que consegue de certa forma tornar a nossa leitura compulsiva. No entanto o que mais gosto é da forma como consegue contar-nos factos históricos da antiguidade. Neste livro o que mais me impressionou foi mesmo o massacre dos romanos acontecido em 88 ac, um genocídio que Steven Saylor descreveu de forma magistral.
Estes livros são repletos de aventuras. Steven Saylor tem uma escrita vivida, muito agradável que consegue de certa forma tornar a nossa leitura compulsiva. No entanto o que mais gosto é da forma como consegue contar-nos factos históricos da antiguidade. Neste livro o que mais me impressionou foi mesmo o massacre dos romanos acontecido em 88 ac, um genocídio que Steven Saylor descreveu de forma magistral.
December 9, 2018
While I would always read a Gordianus mystery, this is not the best in the series by a long way. It is set in Egypt and Asia Minor during Gordianus' youthful years and centres on the massacre of tens of thousands of Roman citizens by Mithridates, king of Pontus. Gordianus finds himself in the thick of the trouble and there are some interesting parallels drawn with the Nazi demonization of the Jews, but the story and its denouement while entertaining enough are nowhere near as good as the early tales written so many years ago.
March 25, 2023
Mais uma vez Gordiano surpreende e apesar do final sangrento foi um livro que pela envolvente história foi fantástico de ler
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2015
Since 1991, Steven Saylor has produced twelve novels about Gordianus the Finder – a private detective operating in Rome during the century before the birth of Christ. These start with Roman Blood and have so far reached The Triumph of Caesar.
They probably make Saylor our greatest living historical novelist. What I particularly like about them is that Saylor writes crime and political thrillers which just happen to be set in the distant past. There is meticulous scholarship in the books, if you go looking for it. But they succeed largely on the merits of their plotting and character development.
Nearly always with a long-running series, though, is that the author will run out of hero long before he runs out of ideas. Gordianus was born in 110BC. That puts him in his prime for the tyranny of Sulla or the Spartacus slave rebellion, or the prosecution of Gaius Verres. But it puts him in his seventies for the civil war between Pompey and Caesar. He will be gone eighty before Augustus gets his feet under the table. People could live to a ripe old age in ancient times. But Saylor’s world is one where most people were dead before they reached fifty, and where those who lived on did so without spectacles or proper dentures. Sooner or later, he will have to start straining credulity.
His answer – go back to the beginning. In the first novel of the series, Roman Blood, Gordianus is already thirty. That gives another twelve years of youthful action. The Wrath of the Furies takes full advantage of the extra time. Set in 88BC, Gordianus is still in his early twenties, and we have a story set against the real events of the war between Rome and Mithridates.
This was the greatest war of the age. Rome, after a long run of successes, was now the main power in the Mediterranean world. Though Egypt and Syria remained formally independent kingdoms, much of Asia Minor was under direct rule. But Rome was not loved by the Greeks. The Roman administrators were harsh and greedy. They were foreign arrivals in a world where the Greeks still saw themselves as the dominant nationality. When Mithridates, the semi-Greek King of Pontus, suddenly attacked, the Greeks of Asia Minor rose in his support. Roman power trembled in the balance, and the Empire seemed ready to fall even before it was fully built.
To say more would involve me in unpardonable plot-spoilers. So I will only add that Saylor has made all this the background to a tightly-constructed espionage thriller. There is not a spare page, and hardly a spare word. If you liked Roman Blood and its many sequels, you will find The Wrath of the Furies a more than worthy new instalment.
They probably make Saylor our greatest living historical novelist. What I particularly like about them is that Saylor writes crime and political thrillers which just happen to be set in the distant past. There is meticulous scholarship in the books, if you go looking for it. But they succeed largely on the merits of their plotting and character development.
Nearly always with a long-running series, though, is that the author will run out of hero long before he runs out of ideas. Gordianus was born in 110BC. That puts him in his prime for the tyranny of Sulla or the Spartacus slave rebellion, or the prosecution of Gaius Verres. But it puts him in his seventies for the civil war between Pompey and Caesar. He will be gone eighty before Augustus gets his feet under the table. People could live to a ripe old age in ancient times. But Saylor’s world is one where most people were dead before they reached fifty, and where those who lived on did so without spectacles or proper dentures. Sooner or later, he will have to start straining credulity.
His answer – go back to the beginning. In the first novel of the series, Roman Blood, Gordianus is already thirty. That gives another twelve years of youthful action. The Wrath of the Furies takes full advantage of the extra time. Set in 88BC, Gordianus is still in his early twenties, and we have a story set against the real events of the war between Rome and Mithridates.
This was the greatest war of the age. Rome, after a long run of successes, was now the main power in the Mediterranean world. Though Egypt and Syria remained formally independent kingdoms, much of Asia Minor was under direct rule. But Rome was not loved by the Greeks. The Roman administrators were harsh and greedy. They were foreign arrivals in a world where the Greeks still saw themselves as the dominant nationality. When Mithridates, the semi-Greek King of Pontus, suddenly attacked, the Greeks of Asia Minor rose in his support. Roman power trembled in the balance, and the Empire seemed ready to fall even before it was fully built.
To say more would involve me in unpardonable plot-spoilers. So I will only add that Saylor has made all this the background to a tightly-constructed espionage thriller. There is not a spare page, and hardly a spare word. If you liked Roman Blood and its many sequels, you will find The Wrath of the Furies a more than worthy new instalment.
February 24, 2018
Pretty solid effort here. I was expecting a murder mystery, but got an interesting story of the rise of Mithridates, with a young Gordainius. Would be worth reading the previous book in the series, the raiders of the nile and the seven wonders novels. I didn't, and feel like missed out on some story context.
August 11, 2017
I never considered myself interested in ancient Rome or the mystery genre—until I read Steven Saylor’s
The Seven Wonders
(click link for book review), the first prequel to Saylor’s Sub Rosa series. Wrath of the Furies is the third prequel, and it’s a bit rougher than the first two, as befits the title. War is hell, and ancient power struggles were not pretty. Yet, while he does describe some historical war atrocities, Saylor’s plot also focuses on his fictional protagonist, Gordianus the Finder. Young Gordianus has received information about his former tutor, the poet Antipater, who appears to be held in warrior leader Mithridates’ court against his will. The young Roman devises a ruse to get into Mithridates’ hostile-to-Romans port of Ephesus where Antipater is held and rescue him. It seems unlikely that he can succeed. And then, more questionable characters and spy-like tasks render Gordianus’ mission even more impossible. Is there a chance that Gordianus can find his tutor and stop the slaughter of tens of thousands of Romans?
My favorite thing about Saylor’s writing is how his characters speak in modern vernacular. There is no attempt to quote/translate literally from the Latin and ancient Greek in which the characters speak. This keeps the banter lively and moves the plot along. My second favorite thing about Saylor’s writing is the ease with which he tells a fictional story that is consistent with historical fact, and how he makes the history interesting. Saylor is a well-known Roman history scholar who has been featured on the History Channel.
Readers who like the idea of historical fiction combined with light mystery and colorful characters ought to give Steven Saylor a try. Roman history buffs will be especially interested. Since this book is really a follow-up and conclusion to The Seven Wonders , I recommend reading both books, with Wrath of the Furies second. The delightful Raiders of the Nile (click link for review), the second prequel, is also an entertaining Alexandrian interlude between the two Mithridates-related volumes.
My favorite thing about Saylor’s writing is how his characters speak in modern vernacular. There is no attempt to quote/translate literally from the Latin and ancient Greek in which the characters speak. This keeps the banter lively and moves the plot along. My second favorite thing about Saylor’s writing is the ease with which he tells a fictional story that is consistent with historical fact, and how he makes the history interesting. Saylor is a well-known Roman history scholar who has been featured on the History Channel.
Readers who like the idea of historical fiction combined with light mystery and colorful characters ought to give Steven Saylor a try. Roman history buffs will be especially interested. Since this book is really a follow-up and conclusion to The Seven Wonders , I recommend reading both books, with Wrath of the Furies second. The delightful Raiders of the Nile (click link for review), the second prequel, is also an entertaining Alexandrian interlude between the two Mithridates-related volumes.
December 4, 2019
I didn't realize Dr. Saylor had started another series with the Seven Wonders novel. We are dealing with a very young Gordianus who has completed his tour of the world's wonders and settled temporarily in Alexandria, where he has acquired Bethesda and had an adventure with pirates on the Nile (!) He's staying with a pair of retired royal functionaries when he receives a letter which turns out to be, not from his father as Gordianus hopes, but from his former tutor and guide Antipater. It isn't a letter, however, but what appears to be pages from Antipater's diary. Gordianus determines that, even though he parted ill friends with Antipater who was travelling under a pseudonym and had falsified his own death, he can't imagine leaving him in danger as he appears to be.
King Mithridates has just started a rampage across Asia Minor (our terminology) where he is stomping through Roman forces. Gordianus doesn't know about the spying and messaging that is going on since he's just interested in rescuing Antipater, but he heads straight into the lion's mouth when he goes to Ephesus where Mithridates has set up his court and is planning to kill every Roman in his new empire. The author's note at the end assures the reader that the death of a Roman general he describes at the beginning did happen as described and the plan to slaughter Romans was as described. The thought processes of the characters seem a little strange at times but are put into the context of the time and are comprehensible as such. We can suffer horror in our own time and place if we must.
I'm becoming less and less fond of the Romans in general.
King Mithridates has just started a rampage across Asia Minor (our terminology) where he is stomping through Roman forces. Gordianus doesn't know about the spying and messaging that is going on since he's just interested in rescuing Antipater, but he heads straight into the lion's mouth when he goes to Ephesus where Mithridates has set up his court and is planning to kill every Roman in his new empire. The author's note at the end assures the reader that the death of a Roman general he describes at the beginning did happen as described and the plan to slaughter Romans was as described. The thought processes of the characters seem a little strange at times but are put into the context of the time and are comprehensible as such. We can suffer horror in our own time and place if we must.
I'm becoming less and less fond of the Romans in general.
January 26, 2024
Third book I read in the series. Like in the other twi, the mystery plot’s believability is stretched to the breaking point and barely helps to propel the story.
The main attraction of these books is really the novelized history and the way it is enmeshed in the quest of our hero Giordanus. In this case we are dumped in the middle of Mithriades re-conquests of Asia Minor against its Roman invaders. A process full of ambivalence as the king purported to restore Greek culture to gain the goodwill of the formerly Greek cities while at the same time conducted a campaign far more similar to that of former Persian invaders. More specifically we are right at the moment when the King of Kings is ready to anihilate the beleaguered masses of Romans still stranded around Ephesus and other cities. This is the precise moment when Gordianus feels he needs to leave Alexandria to come to the rescue of an old tutor who he suspects has sent him a message with a cryptic message.
So with his beloved slave Bethesda he takes a ship and takes on a disguise to pass as a mute pilgrim to the temple of Artemis. He hopes to help his former friend despite the fact that he might have turned against Rome. A series of adventures ensues. They involve the temple, the royal court and its tangled net of chamberlains, spies, jesters and , more ominously, a childish and evil queen….
A fun read despite the flimsy plot and a vivid portrayal of a terrible episode in Roman history.
The main attraction of these books is really the novelized history and the way it is enmeshed in the quest of our hero Giordanus. In this case we are dumped in the middle of Mithriades re-conquests of Asia Minor against its Roman invaders. A process full of ambivalence as the king purported to restore Greek culture to gain the goodwill of the formerly Greek cities while at the same time conducted a campaign far more similar to that of former Persian invaders. More specifically we are right at the moment when the King of Kings is ready to anihilate the beleaguered masses of Romans still stranded around Ephesus and other cities. This is the precise moment when Gordianus feels he needs to leave Alexandria to come to the rescue of an old tutor who he suspects has sent him a message with a cryptic message.
So with his beloved slave Bethesda he takes a ship and takes on a disguise to pass as a mute pilgrim to the temple of Artemis. He hopes to help his former friend despite the fact that he might have turned against Rome. A series of adventures ensues. They involve the temple, the royal court and its tangled net of chamberlains, spies, jesters and , more ominously, a childish and evil queen….
A fun read despite the flimsy plot and a vivid portrayal of a terrible episode in Roman history.
May 20, 2023
After receiving a mysterious missive from his old friend and tutor, Gordianus starts an extremely dangerous mission to rescue Zotico of Zeugma. But nothing is truly clear in this mission, and our young hero must go to the most dangerous place in the world for a Roman citizen.
Saylor nails it again, with another wonderful mystery in the ancient world. In the midst of powerful politicians he will have to face several challenges, including attempting to rescue a loyal ally, to free an untrustworthy friend, to save a sacrificial lamb, to disturb a placating ritual and the lives of a multitude placating the wrath of the furies - will our hero manage to complete all those Herculean tasks? You will have to read this fascinating novel to find out if Gordianus manages to complete them.
There are some weak spots and a deus ex machina situation which is so in your face that I believe that the author's done it on purpose (to simulate that typical ploy of ancient plays). But that should have been addressed in the final notes.
It’s incredible that after so many years I still want to know everything about Gordianus. I will keep faithful to this series.
Saylor nails it again, with another wonderful mystery in the ancient world. In the midst of powerful politicians he will have to face several challenges, including attempting to rescue a loyal ally, to free an untrustworthy friend, to save a sacrificial lamb, to disturb a placating ritual and the lives of a multitude placating the wrath of the furies - will our hero manage to complete all those Herculean tasks? You will have to read this fascinating novel to find out if Gordianus manages to complete them.
There are some weak spots and a deus ex machina situation which is so in your face that I believe that the author's done it on purpose (to simulate that typical ploy of ancient plays). But that should have been addressed in the final notes.
It’s incredible that after so many years I still want to know everything about Gordianus. I will keep faithful to this series.
August 6, 2017
Compared with Lindsey Davis and Gary Corby Steven Saylor is less of a hoot. Instead he puts more emphasis on realism.
Worrying about his old tutor, Antipater the traitor, Gordianus goes deep into enemy territory to find him, going undercover as a mute (to hide his Roman accent) and what do you know! Mithridates the tyrannical king is in desperate need of a mute (and a blind and deaf man) so once in Ephesus our hero is immediately whisked away to the royal palace, where lo and behold he runs into Antipater just like that, because they are both to be involved in a violent religious ritual, which in turn leads to the need to rescue a young beautiful virgin from being sacrificed, and surprise, surprise she turns out to be the younger sister of the young woman who robbed Gordianus of his virginity when he visited Ephesus the last time, and...
No. No, you're right. Realistic might not be the operative word. Colossal coincidences and unlikely developments are mixed with historical facts - and why not? This brings a humour of its own and it's quite exciting at times while the backdrop of the Roman "holocaust" in the east leaves you somber, that particular bloodshed being factual and true.
Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, closer to 3 because you've got used to a higher standard from Saylor in the Roma Sub Rosa series. But look at it from the bright side. This is the best of the Ancient World installments so far.
Worrying about his old tutor, Antipater the traitor, Gordianus goes deep into enemy territory to find him, going undercover as a mute (to hide his Roman accent) and what do you know! Mithridates the tyrannical king is in desperate need of a mute (and a blind and deaf man) so once in Ephesus our hero is immediately whisked away to the royal palace, where lo and behold he runs into Antipater just like that, because they are both to be involved in a violent religious ritual, which in turn leads to the need to rescue a young beautiful virgin from being sacrificed, and surprise, surprise she turns out to be the younger sister of the young woman who robbed Gordianus of his virginity when he visited Ephesus the last time, and...
No. No, you're right. Realistic might not be the operative word. Colossal coincidences and unlikely developments are mixed with historical facts - and why not? This brings a humour of its own and it's quite exciting at times while the backdrop of the Roman "holocaust" in the east leaves you somber, that particular bloodshed being factual and true.
Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, closer to 3 because you've got used to a higher standard from Saylor in the Roma Sub Rosa series. But look at it from the bright side. This is the best of the Ancient World installments so far.
June 6, 2020
Ok, the first 75% was 3 stars, while the last 25% was like... 4.5 stars. This was maybe the darkest Gordianus book (although I haven't read The Throne of Caesar yet), far outstripping Arms of Nemesis in terms of lives at stake and outdoing Rubicon when it comes to tension throughout the book. I don't really have an explanation for why the first part didn't really do it for me the same way most of the previous books have, but the sheer fear and despair I felt throughout the final quarter really made up for it, and will form my lasting impression of the book.
May 24, 2017
I always enjoy Steven Saylor's Gordianus books. Of the early Gordianus prequel series, this was my least favorite. I found there to be too much detail about the historical context at times, which tended to drag down the plot. Saylor used Antipater's diary as his device to do this. I also found the ending to be somewhat of a let down - I felt that something much more was being built up. A minor thing which bugged me was how, towards the end, two minor characters who had been featured in The Seven Wonders acted in a way that was a complete disconnect from what they had been in the first book. I don't think it was necessary for the plot and seemed to be more of an attempt by Saylor to make some sort of cultural/social point. So that's what I didn't like. What I love about the Gordianus series is the rich historical context which Saylor usually combines with fascinating adventures and mystery. Saylor can tell a really good story.
September 5, 2018
I enjoyed this more than the other two books of the Ancient World trilogy (Roma Sub Rosa prequels); this novel included more historical details integral to the plot than the others. But, like Seven Wonders and Raiders of the Nile, Wrath of the Furies is still more about the adventure and intrigue than mystery. While still loaded with coincidences, they were at least not as mind-bogglingly improbable as the ending of Raiders of the Nile. It's been a while since I've read the Roma Sub Rosa books, but I seem to recall that there was much less prophecy (both in dreams and from fortune tellers) than in the AW series, although perhaps we can chalk those up to Gordianus being a (relatively) callow youth, rather than the cynical older man in Roman Blood (RSR#1). I'll give this a solid 3 (as opposed to the "barely a 3" that I gave Raiders and Seven Wonders. However, still not Saylor's best stuff.
September 4, 2022
Wrath of the Furies is the third book in Saylor's Ancient World series. It continues the story of the tutor and pupil even though the two characters are in different parts of the world. One is in Egypt and the other is in Greece at Ephesus. A cryptic letter comes to Egypt which is part of a journal by the tutor. Ephesus is not a good place to visit at this time in history, because the new King has conquered the Roman forces and hates all Romans. Our hero has to disguise his voice and reason for the trip by claiming he is mute and wants to visit the temple in Ephesus so he can be cured. He is reluctantly recruited as a spy. So when he is escorted to the palace when he arrives you can see how things become even more dangerous. Lots of intrigue and many tricks are played to get out of the city, but it doesn't go well for everyone. If you enjoyed this series, I think you will enjoy this one as well.
September 6, 2025
Leerse como un 3.5.
Este libro marca el cierre de las aventuras de Gordiano en su juventud, situándonos en el tiempo previo a la masacre de los romanos a manos de Mitrídates.
Uno de los puntos más disfrutables es el recorrido por los espacios arquitectónicos y naturales de la época. Aunque no sabemos con certeza cómo eran en realidad, el autor construye una versión lo suficientemente verosímil como para sumergirnos en su universo y caminar, por así decirlo, por las calles de aquellas ciudades.
El problema surge en el desarrollo narrativo: si bien supongo que el autor evita caer en la comedia involuntaria del volumen anterior, el punto álgido de la historia termina transmitiendo justamente eso, una escena risible. Este desliz afecta la tensión de la novela, que decae después de ese punto. Aun con altibajos, la obra consigue entretener y deja un cierre medianamente decente para esta trilogía.
Este libro marca el cierre de las aventuras de Gordiano en su juventud, situándonos en el tiempo previo a la masacre de los romanos a manos de Mitrídates.
Uno de los puntos más disfrutables es el recorrido por los espacios arquitectónicos y naturales de la época. Aunque no sabemos con certeza cómo eran en realidad, el autor construye una versión lo suficientemente verosímil como para sumergirnos en su universo y caminar, por así decirlo, por las calles de aquellas ciudades.
El problema surge en el desarrollo narrativo: si bien supongo que el autor evita caer en la comedia involuntaria del volumen anterior, el punto álgido de la historia termina transmitiendo justamente eso, una escena risible. Este desliz afecta la tensión de la novela, que decae después de ese punto. Aun con altibajos, la obra consigue entretener y deja un cierre medianamente decente para esta trilogía.
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