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The intrigue of ancient Rome’s political landscape never fails to provide fascinating characters and interesting narratives. This novel, centered on the chaotic reign of Septimus Severus and his sons, is no exception. Caracalla and Geta came of age when Rome had acquired many distant lands. It was stretched thin, struggling to maintain control. When the emperor died, he left the two young boys as co-regents under the Domna’s purview. They inherit an unstable empire steeped in complex challenges to resolve. First on Caracalla’s list is to eliminate his enemies. This includes his brother.
Eckert offers a provocative story using the available history as a scaffolding for skillfully crafted characters and narratives. His attention to detail provides vivid pictures of the settings and brings the diverse cultures to life. The author creatively builds the individual storylines of various characters, then expertly weaves them into the primary plot. This surfaces a wider range of perspectives, further enriching the reader’s experience. The author’s retelling of history is unique in that it does not apply a modern lens to the cultures and customs of antiquity. Instead, Eckert writes about them in the tradition of history's curious observers. He neither glorifies nor vilifies the deeds of Rome. At the same time, the author does not shy away from the reality that violence, slavery, and injustice were the norm.
The author’s book is an engaging, exciting read. It animates history in an exceptional way, and maps and family lineage diagrams add useful visual aids. Eckert will undoubtedly delight fans of historical fiction with this novel.