- Paperback: 256 pages
- Publisher: Phoenix; New Ed edition (4 Jan 2007)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753818256
- ISBN-13: 978-0753818251
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 14 x 2.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 440,398 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This is the story of Elagabalus, named after the Syrian Sun god and sky-stone. At thirteen years he led his army victoriously against the might of the Emperor of Rome. He was a god-like young man: strong, beautiful, charming, and beloved of his soldiers. Once established as Emperor though, his family sought to influence him, but he rejected them, and they, like the Senate, became his deadly enemies. Through the story of this unusual and outrageous man we see the background of third century AD Roman Empire - the power of family and dynastic ties, and the struggle between autocratic ruler and his advisers.
About the Author
Alfred Duggan was born in Argentina in 1903. He was educated at Eton College and Oxford. He worked for the British Natural History Museum collecting specimens and travelled extensively pursuing his job for the museum. From 1938-1941, when he was discharged as medically unfit, he served in the London Irish Rifles and saw active service in Norway. His first book was published in 1950.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Plot: A world-wise Centurion accidentally becomes the confidant to the new Emperor of Rome - who happens to be a homosexual child priest.
Ludicrous? Well, it would be if it hadn't happened. Alfred Duggan is noted for his unusual subjects and tendency to tell the story through someone close to a historical person rather than through the person themselves. These quirky choices, combined with thorough historical research, make for very readable novels, although his prose is sometimes a little dull. Not so here! This is a fabulous story, well told.
During one of Rome's interminable civil wars the Army, bored of respectable middle-aged generals, picks Elgabalus, a beautiful 13 year old princeling and high priest of a Syrian sun-god. He's almost never left his temple, is pretty darn close to being monotheistic and simply refuses to provide an heir. To give you an example of the insanity, when confronted with a picked bevy of beautiful women for his pleasure (the work of his dynastic-minded mum) he decides to harness them to chariots instead and use them as his personal transport in his palace.
Duratius, a former Praetorian centurion, is our guide in all these wild events, and his jaded tones give the book the "disciplined hilarity" for which it was praised by the Sunday Times. In contrast to all these marvels he is something of a plodder, happy with his lot in life. He successfully grounds the book, allowing the oddities of the Emperor to stand out the better. This is a small tale on a minor and almost wholly forgotten part of history that is thoroughly enjoyable and deeply well-read. Do read it.
Ludicrous? Well, it would be if it hadn't happened. Alfred Duggan is noted for his unusual subjects and tendency to tell the story through someone close to a historical person rather than through the person themselves. These quirky choices, combined with thorough historical research, make for very readable novels, although his prose is sometimes a little dull. Not so here! This is a fabulous story, well told.
During one of Rome's interminable civil wars the Army, bored of respectable middle-aged generals, picks Elgabalus, a beautiful 13 year old princeling and high priest of a Syrian sun-god. He's almost never left his temple, is pretty darn close to being monotheistic and simply refuses to provide an heir. To give you an example of the insanity, when confronted with a picked bevy of beautiful women for his pleasure (the work of his dynastic-minded mum) he decides to harness them to chariots instead and use them as his personal transport in his palace.
Duratius, a former Praetorian centurion, is our guide in all these wild events, and his jaded tones give the book the "disciplined hilarity" for which it was praised by the Sunday Times. In contrast to all these marvels he is something of a plodder, happy with his lot in life. He successfully grounds the book, allowing the oddities of the Emperor to stand out the better. This is a small tale on a minor and almost wholly forgotten part of history that is thoroughly enjoyable and deeply well-read. Do read it.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
What a pleasure this is back in print
29 Jun 2007
Format:Paperback
I'm delighted that the books of Alfred Duggan are back in print after so many years and I'm particularly happy that Family Favourites is once again available. This was my first introduction to Duggan's wonderful, cynical style. I originally found this book in a used book store in Guadalajara, Mexico of all places and it's falling apart due to so many re-readings, so it's time to buy a new copy.
Briefly, this book tells the story of the truly bizarre teenage Roman emperor Elagabalus, told from the viewpoint of a Roman soldier named Duratius who happens to find himself as the emperor's bodyguard. Duratius' story itself is very interesting. He's a minor Gallic nobleman who's family is destroyed in one of Rome's many civil wars. He joins the army because it's the only option for his survival and only wants to keep a low profile but through a single, out-of-character moment of leadership finds himself elevated to the new emperor's inner circle. From this vantage he watches the goings on in court.
And what a court it is. The young emperor is truly a rare bird. He's the high priest of an eastern cult, a flamboyant homosexual (scandalizing proper Roman society) and wholly unsuited for his job. His only claim to the throne is the dubious assertion that he is the illegitimate son of the murdered (and monstrous) emperor Caracalla. His beauty and charm get him through his first couple of years but he eventually wears out his welcome. This is a problem for the powerful women of his family, his mother, aunt and especially his formidable grandmother. They must find a way to keep power (and their lives) as Elagabalus' authority dissipates.
Through it all Duggan's wit and cynical view of human nature entertains the reader. His characters are sharply drawn and his dialogue crisp. Any lover of historical fiction will love this book.
Briefly, this book tells the story of the truly bizarre teenage Roman emperor Elagabalus, told from the viewpoint of a Roman soldier named Duratius who happens to find himself as the emperor's bodyguard. Duratius' story itself is very interesting. He's a minor Gallic nobleman who's family is destroyed in one of Rome's many civil wars. He joins the army because it's the only option for his survival and only wants to keep a low profile but through a single, out-of-character moment of leadership finds himself elevated to the new emperor's inner circle. From this vantage he watches the goings on in court.
And what a court it is. The young emperor is truly a rare bird. He's the high priest of an eastern cult, a flamboyant homosexual (scandalizing proper Roman society) and wholly unsuited for his job. His only claim to the throne is the dubious assertion that he is the illegitimate son of the murdered (and monstrous) emperor Caracalla. His beauty and charm get him through his first couple of years but he eventually wears out his welcome. This is a problem for the powerful women of his family, his mother, aunt and especially his formidable grandmother. They must find a way to keep power (and their lives) as Elagabalus' authority dissipates.
Through it all Duggan's wit and cynical view of human nature entertains the reader. His characters are sharply drawn and his dialogue crisp. Any lover of historical fiction will love this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Smooth exotic Roman fiction
11 Mar 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a fan of Roman history, I was curious to find 'Family Favorites' consistantly popping up as a purchase suggestion on Amazon.com. I finally purchased it and was treated to an account of the Syrian Roman Emperor Elgabalus (218-222 AD). The Roman troops declared for him during a civil war on the eastern front and this 15 year old then became emperor of all Rome and took his entire household back to an Italy which he had never seen. And by household, Duggan means the Eastern phallus cult, the homosexual boyfriends, the painted faces, eunichs,and the conspiring females in his life.
Upon entering Rome, Elagabalus manages, of course, to horrify the Roman senate. There are historically accurate descriptions of this culture clash thoroughout the book. This events include the obligatory orgies, exotic feasts, wierd religious practices, even women who are employed as 'horses' to pull the emperor's chariot while nude, with a bit in their mouths.
The story is told by an experienced legionaire whom the emperor has chosen to advise him both as a man and as a Roman. Duggan wrote this book in 1960 and seems to relish the chance to describe these events. He is never overly graphic. I took this opportunity to cross-check his historical facts against Michael Grant's "The Roman Emperors" and came away impressed by Duggan's ability to kinda-sorta stick to the facts while telling an engrossing story from a mostly forgotten time. A fun read.
Upon entering Rome, Elagabalus manages, of course, to horrify the Roman senate. There are historically accurate descriptions of this culture clash thoroughout the book. This events include the obligatory orgies, exotic feasts, wierd religious practices, even women who are employed as 'horses' to pull the emperor's chariot while nude, with a bit in their mouths.
The story is told by an experienced legionaire whom the emperor has chosen to advise him both as a man and as a Roman. Duggan wrote this book in 1960 and seems to relish the chance to describe these events. He is never overly graphic. I took this opportunity to cross-check his historical facts against Michael Grant's "The Roman Emperors" and came away impressed by Duggan's ability to kinda-sorta stick to the facts while telling an engrossing story from a mostly forgotten time. A fun read.
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