by John Arden
First published 1983
An actor's agent finds himself swept into the violent machinery of Roman expansion during the first century B.C. What begins as routine business becomes a perilous journey across the Mediterranean world as Rome extends its reach into new territories. The agent witnesses firsthand how colonial ambition transforms both conqueror and conquered. From the bustling cities of Asia Minor to the marble halls of Rome itself, he navigates a landscape where traditional allegiances crumble and desperate peoples fight back against their occupiers. The agent must survive in a world where silence can mean survival and speaking out can mean death. His odyssey reveals the human cost of empire building and the fierce determination of those who refuse to surrender their freedom.
Genres: adventure
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, survival
Setting: Asia Minor, Mediterranean, Rome
Period: 1st Century BC
343 pages · Paperback · Methuen
Content warnings: colonialism, violence