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Roman Orgy
Author van Heller is a legend among writers of erotic fiction, so good that his name and craft were often imitated, but never duplicated. Considered by many to be his finest work, Roman Orgy is a retelling of Spartacus. In this case, our hero is a servant, willful but submissive, until one day when Clodia, his master's wife, lures him into the baths, teases him, makes love to him... and then cries rape after the pair are found out. Forced to become a gladiator, Spartacus survives the coliseum, rallies his fellow men, and they rebel, successfully at first, wreaking their erotic vengeance on the townsfolk.
- GenresErotica
112 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
7 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Marcus Van Heller
51 books10 followersJohn "Steve" Stevenson (July 10 1930 - Nov 27 2017) was a British writer who, under the pen name Marcus van Heller, wrote erotic fiction for the Traveller's Companion series of Olympia Press publisher (1955–1961). Later he also wrote under the pen name Stephen John
In 1954, at the age of 23, John Stevenson arrived for a sojourn in Paris, where he socialised with the expatriate community behind the modernist literary magazine Merlin. He soon became the business manager for Merlin. As the magazine was not well known to the public, the job consisted mostly of selling copies on the street.
The main editor of Merlin, Alexander Trocchi, used to write erotic fiction for Olympia Press publisher to supplement his After returning to Britain, John Stevenson became a civil servant, working as press officer for the Central Office of Information. On Trocchi's suggest and due to his meagre income, he start to write erotic novels for Olympia Press.
The first erotic novel written by John Stevenson, Rape (1955), surprised Maurice Girodias (the founder of Olympia Press), who described it as "almost too brutal". The book was published under the pseudonym Marcus van Heller, a pen name which Stevenson continued to use for the subsequent novels, making it one of the most famous brand names published at Olympia Press. The success of the first novel was followed by other books, written in the years 1955–1961, making Stevenson the most prolific writer for the "Traveller's Companion" series of this publisher.
The second novel, The Loins of Amon (1955), was set in Ancient Egypt, marking the beginning of a specialisation in erotica with grand historical settings. The elaboration of the story was based on his schooling in ancient history, supplemented by research at the British Council Library from Paris. Continuing in the same vein, Roman Orgy (1956) presented an intimate account of the private life of the rebel leader Spartacus, and The House of Borgia, parts 1 and 2 (1957, 1958), a fictional biography of the 15th century Italian noble family with an emphasis on their considerable depravity.
The novels The Wantons (1957), Terror (1958) and Nightmare (1960) have a contemporary setting of social discontent, while Cruel Lips (1956), Kidnap (1961) and Adam and Eve (1961) are thrillers.
In a few years, Marcus van Heller became the most prolific and mysterious pen name from the "Traveller's Companion" series. "In the netherworld of erotica, the name Marcus van Heller approaches the stature of legend" (portrayal by John de St. Jorre in his book about the history of Olympia Press).
At one point, John Stevenson and Alexander Trocchi found out that Maurice Girodias reprinted their works under another imprint, Ophelia Press, to avoid giving them more money. This fact and also a negative remark from Girodias regarding the effort he put into writing his most recent novel determined Stevenson to end the collaboration with Olympia Press and return to Britain in 1961. Afterwards, Girodias used the fact that the real identity behind the pen name Marcus van Haller was largely unknown, commissioning other writers to publish new novels under this pen name.
He ghostwrote a biography of Michael X (aka Michael Abdul Malik), From Michael de Freitas to Michael X, published in 1968. In 1969, under the pen name Stephen John, he began publishing new novels at Berkley Books. I Like It That Way (1969) started a series of seven erotic novels, published in the years 1969–1976 and based on a fictional art dealer named Albert Divine.
In 1954, at the age of 23, John Stevenson arrived for a sojourn in Paris, where he socialised with the expatriate community behind the modernist literary magazine Merlin. He soon became the business manager for Merlin. As the magazine was not well known to the public, the job consisted mostly of selling copies on the street.
The main editor of Merlin, Alexander Trocchi, used to write erotic fiction for Olympia Press publisher to supplement his After returning to Britain, John Stevenson became a civil servant, working as press officer for the Central Office of Information. On Trocchi's suggest and due to his meagre income, he start to write erotic novels for Olympia Press.
The first erotic novel written by John Stevenson, Rape (1955), surprised Maurice Girodias (the founder of Olympia Press), who described it as "almost too brutal". The book was published under the pseudonym Marcus van Heller, a pen name which Stevenson continued to use for the subsequent novels, making it one of the most famous brand names published at Olympia Press. The success of the first novel was followed by other books, written in the years 1955–1961, making Stevenson the most prolific writer for the "Traveller's Companion" series of this publisher.
The second novel, The Loins of Amon (1955), was set in Ancient Egypt, marking the beginning of a specialisation in erotica with grand historical settings. The elaboration of the story was based on his schooling in ancient history, supplemented by research at the British Council Library from Paris. Continuing in the same vein, Roman Orgy (1956) presented an intimate account of the private life of the rebel leader Spartacus, and The House of Borgia, parts 1 and 2 (1957, 1958), a fictional biography of the 15th century Italian noble family with an emphasis on their considerable depravity.
The novels The Wantons (1957), Terror (1958) and Nightmare (1960) have a contemporary setting of social discontent, while Cruel Lips (1956), Kidnap (1961) and Adam and Eve (1961) are thrillers.
In a few years, Marcus van Heller became the most prolific and mysterious pen name from the "Traveller's Companion" series. "In the netherworld of erotica, the name Marcus van Heller approaches the stature of legend" (portrayal by John de St. Jorre in his book about the history of Olympia Press).
At one point, John Stevenson and Alexander Trocchi found out that Maurice Girodias reprinted their works under another imprint, Ophelia Press, to avoid giving them more money. This fact and also a negative remark from Girodias regarding the effort he put into writing his most recent novel determined Stevenson to end the collaboration with Olympia Press and return to Britain in 1961. Afterwards, Girodias used the fact that the real identity behind the pen name Marcus van Haller was largely unknown, commissioning other writers to publish new novels under this pen name.
He ghostwrote a biography of Michael X (aka Michael Abdul Malik), From Michael de Freitas to Michael X, published in 1968. In 1969, under the pen name Stephen John, he began publishing new novels at Berkley Books. I Like It That Way (1969) started a series of seven erotic novels, published in the years 1969–1976 and based on a fictional art dealer named Albert Divine.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 2, 2011
I bought this book because I had watched the Spartacus tv show. I thought it would be fun to see what happened at a Roman Orgy. Big mistake.
Roman Orgy is full of rape. Practically every character in this book gets raped. There is a lot of violence, with the slaves getting their revenge on their former masters. People are disemboweled, decapitated, torn apart by animals, forced to fight each other to the death or be killed, and crucified.
This book does NOT have a happy ending. I cannot think of one happy moment in this book. I do NOT recommend it.
Roman Orgy is full of rape. Practically every character in this book gets raped. There is a lot of violence, with the slaves getting their revenge on their former masters. People are disemboweled, decapitated, torn apart by animals, forced to fight each other to the death or be killed, and crucified.
This book does NOT have a happy ending. I cannot think of one happy moment in this book. I do NOT recommend it.
February 6, 2026
Many years ago, long before I was a student, someone left a copy of this in the fly gallery at my college's theatre. Since then, whoever has been on flies during a production has read it over the headsets to the crew. When I was there, the book was worn and held together by tape. A few years ago, I went to a reunion at my college. The book is still there in worn plastic sleeves. It has a special place in the gallery.
I won't say it's great literature, but it sure was a lot of fun to read.
It's about the very sexy adventures of a young Roman lady and her involvement with the Spartacus uprising.
I won't say it's great literature, but it sure was a lot of fun to read.
It's about the very sexy adventures of a young Roman lady and her involvement with the Spartacus uprising.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews