The Tribune's Curse: SPQR VII [Hardcover]

Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus is back in Rome, standing for election, when the always dangerous city is convulsed by a Tribune's curse. The Tribune curses Crassus as he sets out for war against the Parthians (a war that ended with Crassus's death and one of the worst defeats that Rome had ever suffered), invoking a number of secret gods and the secret name of Rome itself. Everyone knows that knowledge of the true name constitutes power, and Rome must take extraordinary measures to purify itself. When the Priestly colleges come to Decius and insist that he bring them the name of the one who betrayed Rome's secret name, Decius is thrust into mystery, danger, and death.

Author John Maddox Roberts makes this turbulent era in Roman history come to life. From details of Decius's candidate toga (whitened with chalk to stand out), to the economics of being a Roman politician, to the scheming of the three men--Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar--who rule Rome, THE TRIBUNE'S CURSE drips with authenticity. Better yet, the history lesson is fully integrated into the story. Roberts delivers information as it is needed, involving the reader in the mystery and the history simultaneously.

Decius, with his fears of poverty, his love of wine, and his loving but greedy wife, makes a sympathetic character--important since the story is told as a first person narative. He is positioned high enough in society to have access to information and contacts, yet low enough to be fair game for anyone who thinks that the truth would be better hidden.

Fans of Roman history, historical mysteries, or fine writing won't go wrong with this compelling mystery.

I must confess I eagerly awaited the publication of John Maddox Roberts latest SPQR, and other than the fact that the hardback leaf jacket would have us believe the events within happen in 80.BC, when they occur (as the author accurate places them) in 56, the seventh installment of Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger leaves me glad he decided to continue the SPQR series after such a long absence.
Decius is back in Rome after his trip to Caesar's Gallic camp in `Nobody Loves A Centurion' and is happily married to Caesar's niece, Julia. Hermes has matured and become an effective personal bodyguard (as evidenced by Silvanius' attempt on Decius life).
The opening finds our erstwhile hero in the Forum canvassing for the post of plebian aedile for the coming year, 54BC.It is also the time where Crassus is pushing hard for his province and Parthian War, Pompey is effectively running Rome as senior consul and both Clodius and Milo have called a truce to their open urban warfare, the latter being praetor.
The first eighty pages of JMR's latest novel is spent building a lengthy picture of the political situation of the time, focusing acutely on Decius status as both patron and client as he builds his political career. In some respects you begin to wonder where the plot will take form, then JMR swiftly launches into it as Decius (and most of Rome) witnesses the tribune Ateius Capito calling down a dreadful curse on Crassus as he leaves Rome, but, more importantly, using the secret name of Rome (apparently known only to a privileged few) during his diatribe. Pompey orders Decius to investigate how such Ateius came about such knowledge. Delving into eastern cults epitomised by Eschmoun, Elagabal and Ariston to find the truth, Decius' search swiftly turns into a murder hunt as the politically inviolable Ateius turns up dead in the Tiber bearing the marks of mauling by wild animals. Pompey's instruction to find the murderer(s) before the funeral and potential riot in Rome, leads Decius delving once more into the highest echelons of Rome's politics and provincial mismanagement to find the culprit(s). With the ever helpful physician, Asklepiodes to eventually point him away from the confusion of suggestion and fact to the simple truth, Decius eventually gets his culprit(s) with not much time to spare.
A lengthy aside on his participation in the purification of Rome as the senators race three times round the Servilian walls bearing a huge platform together with his dry wit make this latest adventure for Decius an absolute delight to read. JMR combines mystery with accurate historical fact admirably. As a forerunner of this subgenre he is also peerless in his ability to deliver a fast-paced, gripping page turner.
Highly recommended. I eagerly await the next one.

After fighting the Gauls for a year under Julius Caesar, Decius Cecilius Metellus, the black sheep of the powerful and wealthy Metellus clan, is glad to be home again in his beloved Rome. Married to Caesar's niece Julia and running for political office that could lead to bigger and more powerful positions, Decius is a very happy man. The populace is not in favor of Tribune Marcus Licinus Craessus going to war against the Parthians.

On the day he is to depart, the fanatical opposition leader, the tribune of the people Caius Ateius Capito delivers a curse on Marcus, daring to speak the secret name of Rome. Decius is ordered to find out how he learned such a sacred name but before he gets very far in his investigation, the mauled body of Ateius is found. Decius must get answers and soon otherwise the frightened populace will start rioting.

John Maddox Roberts, through the use of the first person narration of his protagonist, gives the reader a glimpse into the mindset of the citizens of the Roman Empire on the subject of slavery, magic, politics, and war. The story line is colorful allowing readers to feel as if they have gone back in time to Ancient Rome. THE TRIBUNE'S CURSE is an exciting, well-researched historical mystery.

Harriet Klausner