Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107

The Diary Series

by Richard Platt, David Parkins (Illustrator)

Relive the drama of the Roman Empire through the eyes of a young Greek slave in this latest installment in an acclaimed historical series.

Iliona never imagined that her sea voyage from Greece to Egypt would lead her to Rome. But when her ship is boarded by pirates, that’s where she ends up — as a slave. Separated from her brother, Apollo, Iliona is soon at the whim of her owners, and the chance of regaining freedom seems like a distant dream. But unlike her brother’s plight, Iliona’s life as a slave isn’t as bad as she her new family provides clothing, food, and even schooling, and best of all, she is free to explore the wonders of Rome. Step back to AD 107 and take in the luxury of the baths, the splendor of the Senate, the thrill of gladiatorial combat, and the excesses of Roman feasts in a fictional diary full of excitement, humor, and accurate historical detail.
Back matter includes notes for the reader, a glossary, an index, and sources.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ancient History, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Picture Books, Historical

64 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 2009

About the author

(1953–)

Richard Platt is the author of more than sixty informative books for young readers, and he also writes for innovative multimedia projects. Some of his most popular works have been collaborations with illustrator Stephen Biesty on the "Cross-Sections" series. After a failed attempt to forge a career as a photographer, Platt discovered that he had a knack for writing. "I started writing about photography: first magazine articles, then books," he explained on the Walker Books Web site. "I got a job editing children's books, then went on to write them."

In the 1990s, Platt teamed up with popular juvenile illustrator Biesty for several books, beginning with Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections Book, published in 1992. The following year, a second volume in the series, Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Man-of-War, proved equally interesting for late-elementary-age readers, especially those enchanted by seventeenth-century battleships. Alongside Biesty's cutaway illustrations, Platt provides explanatory text that indicates the purpose and activities in each section of the ship. The hardships of life aboard such vessels for their often 800-member crews are not overlooked, either, and the drawings depict food rations crawling with maggots and a doctor's pail containing severed limbs. Ellen Mandel, writing for Booklist, asserted that Platt's "intriguing text" serves to make "this meticulously presented book a treasure of factual content and visual imagery."

For Stephen Biesty's Incredible Everything, Platt provides informative paragraphs to accompany the illustrations for many everyday products, such as athletic shoes and compact discs. Much of the text revolves around the manufacturing process. Stephen Biesty's Incredible Body is a lesson in human anatomy, with sections on each of the body's systems and several major organs; the digestive system alone takes up four pages. Platt has also worked with the illustrator on Stephen Biesty's Cross-Sections Castle and Stephen Biesty's Incredible Explosions.

Working with publisher Dorling Kindersley, Platt has authored several titles in their "Eyewitness" series, some of which have appeared in the United States under the Knopf/Borzoi imprint. Pirate details the world of corsairs, privateers, and crime on the high seas throughout history. A reviewer for Science Books and Films, Richard B. Woodbury, praised the work as "a veritable miniencyclopedia or minimuseum" and "a pleasure to look at." Spy chronicles the history of espionage and the decisive role intelligence-gathering triumphs have played in history. Of particular emphasis are the code-breaking endeavors by Allied intelligence networks during World War II. Shipwreck, also part of the "Eyewitness" series, investigates famous sea disasters and rescues. Like the other books in the popular series, Shipwreck is lavishly illustrated. Chris Stephenson, writing in School Librarian, called it "an excellent source of historical evidence and nautical information."

Platt has also written several books about inventions. His The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions, which appeared in 1994, won praise from reviewers for its comprehensiveness. Platt divides the development of technology throughout the ages into five sections, including agriculture, conquest, and communication. The timeline begins at 600,000 BCE, around the time humans likely began using fire, and includes predictions for innovations that may occur in the near future. Cathryn A. Camper, reviewing The Smithsonian Visual Timeline of Inventions for School Library Journal, praised Platt's skilled use of illustration and text, which the critic felt "teaches a sophisticated form of literacy similar to" that provided with multimedia learning tools—an area in which Platt already had a great deal of writing experience. "Readers will delight in the colorful pictures and the text, which gives just enough information to satisfy curiosity," opined Voice of Youth Advo

Reviews

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Platt’s opening doesn’t sugar coat the reality of the ancient world as right off the bat the parents are murdered by pirates and the children are sold in slavery.

The brother is sent away to a plantation, and the reader learns later on how horrible that life was, but the sister gets it slightly easier as a house slave – the worst parts for her are learning the realities of the larger Roman world as she witnesses public executions, displays of empirical power and the sheer might of the Roman Empire.

The story does a very good job deftly fitting in many aspects of daily life in ancient Rome as Ilionia learns her way around, but the one part I ambivalent about was the unicorns-barfing-rainbows ending.

After doing such a good showing the truth, why back out at the last minute and try and add a layer of sugar to make it more palatable?

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story (although it ended kind of abruptly) and good pictures. An interesting read for a unit study on acient Rome - especially if you want to talk about slaves/children. If you're reading with young children, be advised that the bath scenes show accurate attire for the era, a girl's bottom is pinched by a lout and the word "piss" is included describing latrine duty. FYI.

[Laura (Book Scrounger) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good addition to this series, focusing on ancient Rome through the eyes of a newly enslaved girl. I would say that, of the three I've read (all but the pirate one), this one seems to have slightly more mature content. Iliona is stolen into slavery after her parents are killed, and once in Rome she witnesses an adult play, hears that her brother has been beaten, and is pinched by a soldier (who also tells her he can do whatever he wants). None of this is dwelt on, and most of Iliona's observations have to do with daily life in Rome, but just something to be aware of for children's age/sensitivity levels.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my 5th grade son, who was assigned it as a homeschool co-op book club book. It was a gentle but true telling of what it would have been like to be a Roman slave. I didn't love the illustrations.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book.It didn't hold back on the horrid truths of slavery in the Roman empire although,it softened them up a bit.Iliona was a very engaging character. You could not help but root for her,and hope for the best for her.In truth,she had very kind and reasonable masters,and with the way it ended,she and her brother ,were very fortunate. You are so happy for her and her brother ,but we know only a small number of slaves there had any kind of happy ending.The Roman slave ships alone were so bad and filthy that a lot of captives died en route , which is such an injustice, but probably spared some of them further horrors down the road.Most of the names of these poor souls are lost to history,but not to God.I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a simple but captivating view of what it would have been like to one day be free,the next a slave with your whole world ruined around you.

[Lanny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for my co-op class. There are some parts that are a little unbelievable (such as a Greek girl knowing how to read and write and is allowed to keep a journal even after being captured as a slave) but it does a good job introducing kids to a wide range of ancient Roman things like aqueducts, the senate, baths, etc. There are some darker parts like the girl's parents getting killed right off the bat, slaves being punished, a the main character gets sexually threatened by a man. However, the author does not dwell on any of these items and there is nothing overly descriptive. I think my kids will have a hard time putting it down.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had great fun reading this book. It follows the fictional Greek girl Iliona who is captured by pirates and sold into slavery in Rome in 107 AD. The story talks about various aspects of Roman life and activities and is based on facts of Rome at that time. This book is a children's book, but not a picture book. It is strongly and well illustrated, but is dense with text compared to a traditional picture book. The pictures and captions highlighted a bit more of the story beyond the text, much as a photograph album might.

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. We read it over a number of days and the kids would beg for one more page. Excellent addition to a study of ancient history for kids. This is certainly watered down in a number of respects but it is not without tragedy and death so maybe not for the very young or sensitive.

I LOVED the illustrations.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a realistic peek into the life of a slave girl in Ancient Rome. The drawings are amazing and my kids all enjoy this book. We continue to read it even though Sonlight has removed it from core B.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie and I read this after studying the Romans at school. We liked that the book truly depicted what life was like during this era. There were lots of technical terms throughout and helpfully the book contained information explaininh many of these at the back. My 8 year old daughter rated this 5/5.

[Kate Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

We read this for our homeschool curriculum, 3rd and 2nd grade.

It was fine. I don’t really like this diary series… they all feel a little dull and the kids don’t get drawn in as well as other books we’ve read, but they’re okay.

[Holland Dalman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing view of a roman slave!

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun educational book about ancient Rome.

[Monwara Rahman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read and engaging.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read to give some insight into the roman times!

[♥ Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing amazing...it served its purpose at giving a good representation of life in ancient Rome, but I felt like the characters were all 2D and the plot was very rushed.

[Jillena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute little book, it brings your child right into the real life of Rome and other cultures that were integrated with in the empire.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative story about ancient Rome.

[Jbondandrews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. I think the story of the Greek girl having a nice time as a slave was too unrealistic. It is not something that is ever happy.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fourth or fifth grader, I think I would have been fascinated. The young girl is likable, and this is a short but entertaining introduction to another time and another culture.

[Seth Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this at the library with my son… then I couldn’t put it down. Absolutely fascinating!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to give students insight into life in Rome around 98 AD. The story follows a young girl, Iliona, on her travels from Greece to Egypt. During the trip her ship is taken by pirates. Her parents are killed, and she and her younger brother are sold into slavery in Rome. Iliona becomes a slave in a Senator's house, while her brother becomes a farm hand on his villa outside of Rome. Through Iliona's diary, we learn about various aspects of Roman life: Slavery, Roman baths, aqueducts, politics, food, clothing, families, military, and so on. The illustrations are detailed and vivid, yet very appealing to upper elementary and middle school students. I will be getting Platt's Egyptian Diary for my school library as well.

From School Library Journal, 6/1/2009
Gr 4–7—This oversize volume follows the fictional musings of a girl in second-century Rome. Born into a wealthy Greek family, Iliona and her brother, Apollo, are captured by pirates while on a journey to Egypt and she is sold as a slave to a senator in Rome. The subsequent diary entries detail life, including relaxing at the public baths, doing chores, and watching gladiatorial games at the Coliseum. Elements of diet, religion, social customs, and politics are included in the clear text. The episodic narrative holds readers' attention while presenting characters from various aspects of Roman life, such as a senator, a soldier, field slaves, and entertainers. Parkins's color cartoon illustrations fill half the page, the text weaving round the images, while full-page illustrations occur at select moments in the text. Truthful to history, different-colored garments reflect different social classes: the vivid red of the legionnaire's uniform, the purple stripe of the senatorial toga, and the dry earth tones of the common tunic are all accurately portrayed. Six pages of factual content appear after the text, including information regarding the legion, games, religion, and engineering; black-and-white illustrations aid this material, including architectural cross-sections and details of legionnaire's equipment. This title should appeal to a broad audience.—Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.

[Amrit · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most dramatic hooks I have read in a children’s book, Platt begins with the tragic murder of a young girl, Iliona’s parents on the way to begin a new life in Alexandria, Egypt. Kidnapped by Pirates, Iliona and her brother are sold as slaves and separated. Iliona is valued for her ability to read and write Latin and is a slave of a Roman Senator, whereas her brother is a farm worker outside of Rome. Set during the height of the Roman Empire, the book discusses the norms of slavery in Rome, and other societal issues.
I came across the book in Year 4 to encapsulate the Roman topic they were studying at the time. The diary was a stimulus for the topic, because each entry contains experiences of Roman life from the eyes of a Greek girl. Iliona takes us on a journey into; clothing, food, leisure, politics, architecture, slavery and class. These ideas were furthered illustrated throughout the books, providing opportunities for discussion and provoking their imagination. For Year 4’s the book itself is accessible, the vocabulary is neither simple nor complex, but needs clarification. The protagonist herself is relatable to the children because she is a child who cares about her brother who was taken away from her. This is aided by the descriptive language used throughout, of her surroundings and her feelings. From this the children produced their own narrative using the same style using their own ideas which was great.
I linked a lot of the issues to philosophy for children; importance of family, going into the unknown and slavery. The book does a great job in tastefully including the harsh reality in Roman society without being overly graphic. From my experience, I feel that this book is a great starting point for further research and prompt children’s imagination. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book with my class, and have witnessed some great discussions and work being produced.

[Bruce MacBain · Rating 4 out of 5]

[This review originally appeared in Historical Novels Review:]

The subtitle of this illustrated children’s book is ‘The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini, Who Was Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome, AD 107.” The intended audience is pre-teen and, considering that, the book is rather daring.

Roman slavery was not pretty—in fact, Roman society was not pretty—but the author resists the temptation to entirely gloss over the unpleasant bits. Iliona , a Greek girl of about twelve, and her little brother Apollo are purchased by a Roman senator and separated, Apollo being sent to the country villa to perform grueling farm labor, while Iliona is kept as a girl-of-all-work in the family’s townhouse.

Over the next months she experiences Rome’s delights (the baths, a splendid triumphal procession) and its depravities. Taken to the arena, she is swept up by the excitement of gladiatorial combat, “but when the show ended, I felt ashamed.” Taken to see a pantomime (a kind of Roman burlesque), “When some of the women in the cast took off their clothes, I covered my eyes.” At home she is, momentarily, a victim of sexual abuse. The eldest son, a rough soldier, pinches her bottom and, when she protests, warns her, “…you are just a slave girl and I can do whatever I like.” Strong stuff for a kid’s book. Eventually, due to her pluck and good heart, Iliona wins freedom for herself and her brother—although ‘freedom’ in a Roman context means that they are still bound by duty to their former owner.

Young readers will learn a great deal about Roman daily life both from the text and from Parkins’s superb illustrations. An appendix offers additional information on the Roman army, technology, religion, and other matters.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children and I have enjoyed reading this book aloud together. It is not difficult for an independent reader to do some or all of the reading. A family can easily enjoy a page or more each day, sharing in Iliona's amazing journey in Ancient Rome. It is a large book with beautiful, entertaining illustrations. Adults and children alike will learn many interesting things about Ancient Rome by reading this well done book.

[Steph C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeously illustrated and packed with details, this is a great book for anyone interested in Roman life 'on the ground' at the height of the Empire, rather than the impersonal century-spanning overviews of most histories. Any book about slavery for a juvenile audience must grapple with the challenge of how to present a horrific situation without sanitizing it, and Roman Diary walks this line adroitly.

[Dest · Rating 3 out of 5]

This looks like an unusual book. First of all, it's enormous. Second of all, it manages to be a little gruesome even though it's cartoony. Even though it's a fictional story, it seems like the kind of thing a kid could use for a report on ancient Rome. There's a whole section of historical notes and a bibliography in the back.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gruesome and grisly, this one is not for the squeamish or sensitive soul. It is a detailed picture book of life in Ancient Rome. Those who are interested in ancient history will love it. It would also be a great class read-aloud for elementary and middle school classrooms who are studying this topic.

[Fred Kohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice book. The illustrations matched the story nicely– they were neither too simple nor too complex. Not for younger kids! The story opens with the gruesome murder of the protagonist's parents, and also contains an account of her having to resist the sexual advances of her owner's son, and an illustration of a haruspex examining chicken entrails.

[Amy Berti · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 10 year old was studying Roman history and loved the way this book read like a story but taught her about history. The illustrations are also well done. Great way to learn a bit about life in history.