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The Catiline Conspiracy SPQR II John Maddox Roberts 9780312277062 Books

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The Catiline Conspiracy SPQR II John Maddox Roberts 9780312277062 Books

I almost didn't read this book because Saylor also wrote historical fiction based on the Cataline conspiracy. However, I like the way they did it in SPQR. Saylor's Cataline was a sympathetic character who was prosecuted for having sex with a vestal virgin (he won), pretended to be a man of the people, didn't murder any innocent people, and only did his rebellion because he was sick of the corrupt patricians who didn't allow him to become a consul.

This Catiline is a lot darker, but most importantly, the way our patrician detective discovers the conspiracy is fascinating.


Tags : The Catiline Conspiracy (SPQR II) [John Maddox Roberts] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. It was a summer of glorious triumph for the mighty Roman Republic. Her invincible legions had brought all foreign enemies to their knees. But in Rome there was no peace. The streets were flooded with the blood of murdered citizens,John Maddox Roberts,The Catiline Conspiracy (SPQR II),Minotaur Books,0312277067,Mystery & Detective - General,Historical fiction,Metellus, Decius Caecilius (Fictitious character),Mystery fiction,Mystery fiction.,Private investigators - Rome,Rome - History - Republic, 265-30 B.C,Fiction,Fiction - Mystery Detective,Fiction Mystery & Detective General,Fiction Mystery & Detective Historical,Historical mysteries,Mystery & Detective - Historical,MysterySuspense,historical mysteries; historical mystery novels; historical mystery books; historical mystery; mystery series; mystery series books; mystery thriller suspense; mystery books; mysteries and thrillers; mystery authors; mystery writers; history mysteries; detective novels; mystery detective; books mystery; mystery and thrillers; detective stories; mystery novels,Historical mysteries

The Catiline Conspiracy SPQR II John Maddox Roberts 9780312277062 Books Reviews

I again enjoyed this read from the SPQR series. His main character, Decius , is a no nonsense type. And, while I feel JMR does a good job connecting the reader to the time period, I feel him to be a bit lacking when it comes to really connecting the reader compellingly ... emotionally to any of the characters. The conclusion of the book is symptomatic of that as it just abruptly ends. Some kind of inclusion of what happened between Decius and his love interest, Aurelia, would have been fitting. But then again, maybe that will occur in Book 3.
The Catiline Conspiracy is based upon actual events that occurred in Rome after 70 B.C. Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger, serving as Quaestor (a minor Roman official), accidently uncovers a plot to take control of the Roman government. Decius, a Roman noble, although of plebeian, not of patrician stock, is a patriotic citizen of the Roman republic. The Caecilius Metellus family is prominent in history, but Decius is fictional.

Lucius Sergius Catilina, a member of one of the oldest patrician families in Rome, is very upset after being denied election to Consul. He feels wronged and wants to regain his former prominence by any means necessary. Decius wonders whether Catilina or some of his friends are connected to the plot.

Decius reports his initial findings to his uncle, currently serving as Praetor (the second highest Roman judicial office). His uncle Quintus Caecilius Metellius Celer advises him to quietly observe Catilina, discover as many details of the plot as he can and report back to him.

In the Catiline Conspiracy, I learned some interesting information about the culture of ancient Rome. First, I learned how people were named. Many Romans have three or more names, for example Decius Caecilius Metellus the younger Decius is his personal "name", Caecilius is the cognomen (genus, or family), and Metellus is the stripps (sub-family of the genus Caeciius). Using this method, other Roman citizens could easily identify a persons relatives. On the other hand, identifying the specific person could be tricky. In the year that Decius was Quaestor, five members of his family in public office were named Quintus (Quintus Caecilius Metellius Creticus, a general in the legions; Quintus Caecilius Metellius Celer (the Praetor); Quintus Caecilius Metellius Pius (the Pontifex Maximus); Quintus Caecilius Metellius Pius Scipio Nasica (adopted son of the Pontifex Maximus - hence the double name) and Quintus Caecilius Metellius Nepos (elected to be Tribune). To distinguish among the many Quintus's people simply called them Creticus, Celer, Pius, Scipio and Nepos.

Some of the titles of Roman officials remain today. Pontifex Maximus, in ancient times was a man elected as the chief (Maximus) of Roman priests. Today that title is held by the Bishop of Rome, called the Pope.

The author clearly demonstrates the richness of the Roman upper class in his description of a banquet hosted by Lucullus, a Roman general, celebrating his victory over an enemy people. Roberts describes the site, the guests and the food in great detail. The servants of the general present exotic dishes on priceless vessels and dishes. During a break between courses, guest are invited into a bath house, where in the center of the steam room was a large basin in which pitchers of wine were packed in snow transported from the Alps. The price of that treat alone could support a peasant family for a year.

The Catiline Conspiracy is a fine mystery and an excellent story, I recommend this novel.
As historical fiction set in the late Roman republic, this detailed story is embellished with intrigue, conspiracy and sex. Sometimes these elements seem slightly predictable, but not offensive. Characterisation is strong, realistic and not always pretty, with Caesar, Cicero and Crassus rendered as motivated yet flawed agents of history. These characters are viewed through Roberts's central character, a dilettante in his own right, so any slurs should not offend the purist history buff. Compared to some historical novels, particularly those set in the Roman republic and empire, this novel is fast-paced and reasonably brief. This may imply a slight criticism, but is balanced by the certainty that these qualities will attract new readers to the genre.
I am hooked on this series set in ancient Rome. I love the historical references and accuracy of the novel. The main character is sometimes lovable, often a rascal, but justified in many of his actions because of the time in which he lives and survives. I think what I like best about these novels is the attention to detail about how ancient Romans lived, for example, how the wealthy resided on the lower floors for access to water and sometimes sewage removal while the upper levels of tenement style buildings housed poorer residents who would have to carry water and sewage up and down stairs (except when thrown out of the window). The opposite today when it comes to who lives in the penthouse and who lives on the first floor. Politics, family and neighborhood intrigue, games in the coliseum, expectations for women, slaves, manumission, ancient foods, and of course the murder mystery make for non-stop reading. I can't put them down and just finished SPQR VII. Will follow up with VIII very soon.
I almost didn't read this book because Saylor also wrote historical fiction based on the Cataline conspiracy. However, I like the way they did it in SPQR. Saylor's Cataline was a sympathetic character who was prosecuted for having sex with a vestal virgin (he won), pretended to be a man of the people, didn't murder any innocent people, and only did his rebellion because he was sick of the corrupt patricians who didn't allow him to become a consul.

This Catiline is a lot darker, but most importantly, the way our patrician detective discovers the conspiracy is fascinating.