No Roads Lead to Rome
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Product Description
Amazon 2011 Breakthrough Novel semi-finalist!
It's AD 123. On the edge of the Roman Empire, a dead governor leaves behind the opportunity of a lifetime.
Mysteriously promoted, a senator’s son finds himself in an ancient world of trouble. Within days of taking office, Hispania’s taxpayers are in open revolt, all legionaries depart to build Hadrian's Wall, and the once-sleepy province is rocked by slave revolts, bread riots, and fad religions.
A quixotic saga steeped in humor and history, "No Roads Lead to Rome" chronicles the clumsy schemes of the new governor and his shadowy adviser, a superstitious centurion's struggle to save his faith in the faded ideals of the Republic, and a young rebel's reluctant vow to change the course of history. All are pitted against the Gods, the Emperor, and the decline and fall of nearly everything.
It's AD 123--a time not unlike the present--and No Roads Lead to Rome.
From Publishers Weekly:
The Roman Empire is at a crossroads, and Emperor Hadrian, realizing that continued expansion will make the empire's borders indefensible, decrees consolidation to a size the legions can better guard. That story is told here in a confusion of the historical, the comical, the metaphorical, and the adventurous that mostly (and surprisingly) holds together fairly well. In the province of Hispania, the governor, Festus Rufius, has just taken over for his murdered predecessor, veteran Centurion Marcus Valerius.
Surviving on graft, plots, kickbacks and bribery, the Empire lurches on while Hispania is beset by slave revolts, food riots, uncollected taxes, and bad wine. And so the province's leadership must resort to a series of desperate illusions to disguise its failings.
All this is recounted swiftly, with verve, panache, and a light tread that makes for a delightful, well told tale.
It's AD 123. On the edge of the Roman Empire, a dead governor leaves behind the opportunity of a lifetime.
Mysteriously promoted, a senator’s son finds himself in an ancient world of trouble. Within days of taking office, Hispania’s taxpayers are in open revolt, all legionaries depart to build Hadrian's Wall, and the once-sleepy province is rocked by slave revolts, bread riots, and fad religions.
A quixotic saga steeped in humor and history, "No Roads Lead to Rome" chronicles the clumsy schemes of the new governor and his shadowy adviser, a superstitious centurion's struggle to save his faith in the faded ideals of the Republic, and a young rebel's reluctant vow to change the course of history. All are pitted against the Gods, the Emperor, and the decline and fall of nearly everything.
It's AD 123--a time not unlike the present--and No Roads Lead to Rome.
From Publishers Weekly:
The Roman Empire is at a crossroads, and Emperor Hadrian, realizing that continued expansion will make the empire's borders indefensible, decrees consolidation to a size the legions can better guard. That story is told here in a confusion of the historical, the comical, the metaphorical, and the adventurous that mostly (and surprisingly) holds together fairly well. In the province of Hispania, the governor, Festus Rufius, has just taken over for his murdered predecessor, veteran Centurion Marcus Valerius.
Surviving on graft, plots, kickbacks and bribery, the Empire lurches on while Hispania is beset by slave revolts, food riots, uncollected taxes, and bad wine. And so the province's leadership must resort to a series of desperate illusions to disguise its failings.
All this is recounted swiftly, with verve, panache, and a light tread that makes for a delightful, well told tale.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
No Roads Lead to Rome is a very entertaining book, both for Classicists and non-Classicists alike. The characters are very well thought out, from the superstitious and gruff old centurion just trying to survive to the slightly-naive and pompous governor of Hispania, they spring right out and are very memorable. The story will appeal to readers that like to laugh and be entertained - there are many genuinely laugh-out-loud moments - while students of the period will appreciate the attention to detail Gompertz has applied. It's easy to imagine one is there with the characters in the time of the Romans.
One minor issue is that there are times when the plot progresses a little too quickly, and I found myself wondering where the story had gone, but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the book. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
One minor issue is that there are times when the plot progresses a little too quickly, and I found myself wondering where the story had gone, but it doesn't overshadow the rest of the book. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I have read many of this type of historical fiction, particularly relating to Rome and the Legions. This book ranks as the worst book of the type I have ever read. the characters are not believable at any level, and the story line is ridiculous. The supposed governor laughable and the other characters including the centurion are ridiculous.
I would class this book as rubbish and worthy of 1 star.
I would class this book as rubbish and worthy of 1 star.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is the book that Robert Graves would have written if he had consulted Spike Milligan before he wrote 'I, Claudius'. Very entertaining and a great story too. Recommended!
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I purchased this book on the strength of the reviews.
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