Why a Booktrail?
AD 53: The fallen emperor’s name is Nero. But this isn’t his story.
AD 53: The fallen emperor’s name is Nero. But this isn’t his story.
In a darkened cell, a brutally deposed dictator lies crippled – deprived of his power, his freedom – and his eyes.
On the edge of utter despair, his only companion is the young boy who brings him his meagre rations, a mere child who fears his own shadow. But to one who has held and lost the highest power, one thing alone is crystal clear: even emperors were mere children once.
Ten years later, the new ruler’s son watches uneasily over his father’s empire. Wherever he looks rebellion is festering, and those closest to him have turned traitor once before.
To this city in crisis comes a hugely wealthy senator from the very edge of the empire, a young and angry ward at his heels. He is witty but inscrutable, generous with his time and money to a leader in desperate need of a friend – and he wears a bandage over his blinded eyes.
AD 68 Nero is imprisoned and blinded in his cell.
AD 79 Emperor Vespasian’s son Titus who is obsessed uncovering murderous plots against his father.
What if Nero had lived?
This is the story of how he survives with the help of a young slave named Marcus and a few other loyal supporters.
Rome of that time is a snakepit of treachery and murder.
Nero and his allies pursue those who betrayed him, they discover deadly and dangerous conspiracies against Vespasian.
Ancient Rome was not unlike a bear pit : the side story about the “dark arts” is disturbing to say the least. Human sacrifices to the pagan god? Disturbing but authentic to the time and setting.
Destination : Ancient Rome Author/Guide: David Barbaree Departure Time: AD 68, AD 79
Back to Results