Following the suicide of Cleopatra VII and Mark Antony, their daughter Selene and her surviving brothers are taken from Egypt to Rome as captives. Paraded through the streets in golden chains, they are eventually placed under the guardianship of Octavia, the sister of the emperor Augustus. Selene must navigate the lethal political environment of the Roman court while honing her skills as an architect and preserving her Egyptian heritage. Surrounded by spies and dynastic rivalries, she maneuvers to protect her brothers and secure a future through a strategic marriage.
Historical fiction readers interested in the transition from the Roman Republic to the Empire will find a detailed look at life during the Augustan age. The narrative provides insight into the status of royal hostages and the physical reconstruction of Rome. Instead of a romanticized view of antiquity, the reader gains a specific understanding of how womanhood and political survival intersected in the ancient world, leaving with a clearer picture of Cleopatra’s often-overlooked legacy.
Practical, clear-cut and escapist; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2009
- Language
- EN
