A Murder On The Appian Way (1998) - Plot & Excerpts
Fifth in the Roma Sub Rosa historical mystery series set in ancient Rome and revolving around Gordianus the Finder, senior.My TakeI definitely should not have read John Maddox Roberts' King's Gambit, I when I started this series. It's got me all confused with the different Milos! I kept expecting Saylor's Milo to be the same person as Roberts', which is silly, but, well, there ya go…The drama swirls around power. Wanting it, having it, getting it back. Gaining power over another. But the underlying theme is one of anger with a man who takes with no consideration for others. Then there are the side notes of betrayal. One will set off the riots and grief, another will destroy a relationship forever while yet another will lead to a new one. And that should be an interesting one to watch in future stories!I also suspect that the entire series is building toward the end of the Republic. In each story, Saylor is following history and weakening the government and its ability to govern. In this one, Rome can't even get to its elections, and Pomphey is preparing to take over. Well, it is practical. Rome is almost overwhelmed by mob rule. It'll be curious to see where we go in The House of the Vestals, 6.I just how love how well Saylor conveys the feel of ancient Rome, even if it does make my gut clench over some of their behaviors! Gordianus has an interesting take on his world, and he loves and hates it. He adores his family and will do anything to ensure their safety with the women having their own idea of protection. The way Bethesda and Diana, especially Diana!, go at Gordianus, I'm surprised he ever solves any cases.It's so impressive reading of these houses! Skylights, heated floors, the bathing pools---in the house! Makes you wish the Romans had survived long enough that the Dark Ages had been able to enjoy such amenities!The political games these Romans play...makes me wonder how similar our own politicians are. Sure the Romans appear to have been more obvious, and we're certainly somewhat savvy in our own time. Yet, so many people then and now are still taken in by a politican's rhetoric. I have to wonder what the bread and circuses of our time are. I did find Saylor's explanation of the grain dole very interesting; certainly puts a new light on the magnanimous touch of freeing one's slaves.Oh, too funny! Gordianus is trying to explain his need for Roman politics to his daughter, and he uses stereotypes as part of his definition: Athenians addicted to art, Alexandrians live for commerce, and the Parthian love for horses. Almost as funny is the number of citizens who are pulling on Gordianus' toga, each wanting him to investigate Clodius' murder, and Pompey is the scariest of them!The levels of political maneuvering are scary and so convoluted. What makes it worse is the physical brutality that comes along with it. Really makes me appreciate our laws, the police, and even our court system.Oh, man, I wish that Saylor would skip the "temptation" scenes between Gordianus and Clodia. That or rewrite them. They're just not realistic.I would like to know why Fulvia doesn't believe she can trust Marc Antony.Interesting tale of Milo of Croton, and how Milo has fashioned himself on him.Crack me up. It's Davus' first time on a horse AND into the countryside where there's all that nothing, eek. Turns out to have been quite lucky that Davus was so inexperienced on horseback, otherwise he might not have made it when events overtook Gordianus and Eco. And yet another event awaits Diana...oops...Ooh, meow...Caeser makes his displeasure known quite clearly when Gordianus, Eco, and Cicero show up at his camp in Ravenna. Oh, oh, foreshadowing at its most obvious with that short conversation about Marc Antony's attraction to King Ptolemy's young daughter...I suspect we'll be seeing Cleopatra some stories later.It's just appalling to read Cicero's assessment of the "proper" way to run a court proceeding! I'm glad we've changed how this works! Although I do NOT understand what happened to Cicero when he did his summing up??I did enjoy reading the Author's Note at the end, especially the bit about Quintus Asconius Pedianus' study guide which analyzed the Pro Milone in which Saylor explains that it reads "as a sort of precursor to the 'true crime' genre". The StoryRioting in the streets brings Eco to his father's house, and the two walk the streets only to learn that Publius Clodius has been murdered on the Appian Way. His people aren't known for holding back, and they parade the streets of Rome inciting the mob to riot.Of all those who want Gordianus to investigate Clodius' death, it's Pompey who scares him into action. He, Eco, and Davus set off on the Appian Way to explore the route and the scene of the battle. It's a lovely trip back in time for us while it's a most informative trip for our trio.It's betrayal and freedom for many with a form of exile for several in the end.The CharactersGordianus the Finder is fifty-eight and can't resist finding things out. Belbo is more of a doorkeeper these days. His daughter, Gordiana, nicknamed Diana, is seventeen now with her own wicked secrets. Bethesda is as lovely as ever, although with a few gray hairs. Eco is Gordianus' eldest [adopted] son; he's taken over the majority of the Finding and keeps buying bodyguards. He's married to Menenia, and they have seven-year-old twins: Titania and Titus. Meto, the younger [adopted] son, is serving Julius Caeser who is based in Ravenna in this story.Publius Clodius Pulcher is Clodia's younger brother, charming but he takes what he wants. He must believe that he who dies with the most rooms wins. Born a patrician, he disowned his pedigree to become a plebeian. Fulvia is Clodius' wife; she can't stand Clodia, and I'm not too sure what she really thinks of Clodius. Sempronia is Clodius' mother-in-law. Clodia, his sister, is a widow and notorious in Rome for her scandalous dress, affairs, and parties. Metella is her daughter. Appius is their brother's oldest boy. Sextus Cloelius was Clodius' strategist: organizing mobs, staging riots, breaking arms, slitting noses. Whatever is needed. Gaius Sallust is a radical tribune elected last year. Gaius Causinius Schola is one of the men who accompanied Clodius on that fateful trip.Titus Annius Milo is a sometime ally of Pompey and bitterly hates Clodius. For now, he's plotting with Cicero. Seems Milo was born Gaius Papius and common as dirt. The scandalous Fausta Cornelia, the former dictator Sulla's daughter, is his wife. Eudamus and Birria are famous gladiators who now work as Milo's bodyguards. Faustus is her twin brother. Cicero has rebuilt his house and decorated it lavishly and with taste. Tiro is still his secretary, but he's been freed. Marcus Caelius is back in alliance with Cicero.Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus is the presiding judge. Cicero and Marcus Claudius Marcellus are Milo's advocates. Appius Claudius, Publius Valerius Nepos, and Marc Antony are the prosecutors. Quintus Arrius, a colleague of Clodius, testified about an interrogation.At Bovillae...The owner of the inn, Marcus, was killed in the battle, and his wife saw it all. Her sister and her husband have taken over the running of the inn, in trust for Marcus' son. Senator Tedius is a widower with a middle-aged daughter, Tedia. The Virgo Maxima in the original House of the Vestals is furious with the lousy deal into into which they were forced.Felix is the priest for the altar of Jupiter that lies along the Appian Way; his sister, Felicia, is priestess for the Good Goddess. Marcus Aemilius Philemon is part of the group that was hauled off with their hands tied.At Clodius' country house, Mopsus and Androcles, two teen stable slaves appear to be all the guard left. They were young Publius' only friends there, and they protected him. Halicor was Publius' tutor. Hypsaeus and Scipio are running in the election and manage to keep getting it postponed. Marcus Lepidus is the first interrex while Rome awaits election results. His wife, Cornelia, is busy setting up her looms as part of ancient custom for her husband's office.Gaius Julius Caesar leads the army in Gaul, although he's currently based in Ravenna. Meto is still much loved. Marc Antony, who's in love with Fulvia, serves with Caeser and is a friend of Meto's. (His mother, Julia, married "Legs" Lentulus, see Catilina's Riddle, 3.) He's currently married to his cousin, Antonia. Curio was his boyhood lover who may marry the newly widowed Fulvia.Pompey the Great---he actually expects people to refer to him as "the Great One"! Baby Face is the nickname Gordianus gives the guard who comes to fetch him for Pomp...I mean, the Great One. Pompey was once married to Caeser's sister, Julia.Catching upMarcus Crassus is dead. He was killed the previous spring in Parthia while trying to emulate Alexander the Great. The Parthian cavalry killed him, his son, and 40,000 Roman soldiers and used his head as a stage prop.The CoverThe cover is blocked out as was the previous story. This one uses the arched bridge and fire from Roman Blood and a "column" of a Roman statue on the right. A thin black horizontal band provides information while a wider gold band below features the title.The title sums it all up, for it is A Murder on the Appian Way that sets off events.
Four and a half stars. Goodreads if you need help deciding on a New Year's resolution, might I suggest a half star option? I'm not sure if I've brought up my desire for a half star rating lately. Anyway.......Previously I had said The Venus Throw was my favorite novel featuring Gordianus the Finder and crew. I only said that because I had not yet read A Murder on the Appian Way. As Rome is barreling toward the most critical point in the history of the Empire, Saylor does a magnificent job emerging the reader into Roman life. Saylor gives the reader a group of fictional characters and weaves them into the threads of Roman politics so effortlessly, that one has no choice but to wonder if Gordianus wasn't a real citizen. I love Saylor's ability to use conversation as a tool. Several times throughout the novel, Gordianus and his eldest son, Eco, have conversations about the happenings in Rome. Aside from moving the story a long, these conversations serve to help the reader better understand what's actually going on in Rome. Not once did I feel like I was sitting through a history class lecture (I loved history class. In another lifetime, I'd be a history teacher of some sort. I don't mind the lectures from history teachers but I don't like reading lectures. That totally makes sense right?). I am also fond of Gordianus' ever expanding brood. I am looking forward to the (view spoiler)[ the additions of the slave boys, Mopsus and Adrocles. I'm less excited about Diana's upcoming baby. I felt that story line was a little forced and obvious. I would love to see more from Diana outside of turning into her mother. I would like to see her take a larger role in the adventures of Grodianus. She has proven herself more than capable. It just makes me a little sad to think she's being relegated to a minor "housewife" role. (hide spoiler)]
What do You think about A Murder On The Appian Way (1998)?
Wow, love this author. It's not for everyone as not a lot happens but it's gentle pace is half the reason to love it. The tale makes you believe that yo are in Rome (or further afield). Steven Saylor's depth of knowledge is incredible and the small detail really works, like the time Gordianus is leaving Rome and one of the aqueducts has a leak and water drips down his neck. Such a trivial thing but it tells you loads about Rome, the importance of the aqueducts, the slight imperfections on an otherwise stunning achievement. The story line is also very interesting picking on an less well known character and incident and bringing it to life. There is loads of politics and intrigue, all of which Gordianus is trying to leave behind and failing in the attempt. I have read most of his books and the more you read the better the tale, it spans one man's lifetime from young and enthusiastic to old and cynical. It plots the life of key Romans such as Cicero. It describes Pompey's summer residence and it's a sumptuous treat, both in writing and what the "rich" could afford. Amazing tales and well worth getting into.
—David
Like John Maddox Roberts, Steven Saylor often takes real mysteries or murders from Roman history and adds his own twists. The death of Clodius Pulcher takes center stage in this murder mystery, as Gordianus the Finder is hired by both Fulvia (wife of Clodius) and Pompey the Great to find out what exactly happened. This is definitely more of a political thriller rather than a traditional murder mystery - but there are several mysteries (both great and small) that Saylor explores. Who murdered Clodius Pulcher actually comes as somewhat of a surprise, although the explanation seems awfully sudden. However, it's not for the whodunnits that you read Steven Saylor - it's for the incredible attention to historical detail and knowledge. If occasionally it feels like a history lesson, at least its an interesting history lesson full of fascinating characters and a turbulent, interesting time period.
—Shawn Thrasher
These books become even more fascinating as the time line approaches the period of Roman period of history I'm most familiar with. This is a fine mystery, without too much of Cicero's rhetoric to bog down the action, and I admit to experiencing a small thrill when Gordianus first encounters Mark Antony.If you're annoyed when a novelist contrives for his protagonist to interact with famous historical figures then this series isn't for you. In this book alone Gordianus meets with Caesar, Pompey, Mark Antony and Cicero. (I do think the brief mention of Cleopatra was a little over the top.)
—Jamie
