A Murder on the Appian Way: A Novel of Ancient Rome (The Roma Sub Rosa series Book 5)

Steven Saylor has brought light to the twilight years of the Roman Republic. Gordianus the Finder, i.e., detective, must solve what is arguably the greatest murder mystery in Roman history. Who killed Publius Clodius Pulcher, the hero of the Roman urban masses, on the Appian Way south of the city? With zest and sensuous appreciation for the delights and violence of 1st century B.C.E. Rome, Saylor takes us there without the novel turning into a history lecture...although there is plenty of good history woven into the tale. Prepare to meet Pompey the Great, Julius Caesar, Marcus Tullius Cicero, Titus Milo, and the women who lived and hated them. The incomparably beautiful Clodia, Milo's adulterous wife Fausta, and the Finder's wife the lovely but formidable Bethesda. The steady flow of great secondary characters keeps the story lively. When Saylor is done bathing you in Roman culture you'll look around to see if the servants have brought fresh towels and cups of lightly watered wine. A book you can't put down. (I just finished it at 1:15 AM!) Highly recommend.

I generally read history, not fiction. In fact, until the past year, about 95% of my reading was history. I started reading Colleen McCullough's series of books on Rome, tired of it, and then tried Saylor. I think I've found my author. This book is splendid. Interesting, engaging, never insulting to my intelligence, but never overly dry or expository. The style is elegant and refined, as opposed to the clunky, cliche-ridden style of McCullough. The characters breathe. (For instance, characters can be erotic and alluring, but they're never lurid.) The storytelling is engrossing. I won't comment on the book's value as a murder mystery per se, because I'm not really a fan of the genre. Does it have a sufficient twist? I don't know; I don't care. I enjoyed the book, regardless of its genre.All in all, a novel written for serious, mature readers, but readers who seek a fun, relaxing book. And after you finish the first, you can look forward to the others, because the central character, Gordianus, is warm, witty, vulnerable, imperfect, and thoroughly human. Someone I can identify with.By the time I'd finished this book, I had ordered all of the other books in the series.

I loved the characters some made up others real. It gives a feel of real Ancient Rome. It never drags. And doesn’t end like you think. I can’t wait to read the next

"Murder on the Appian Way" is another installment in Steven Saylor's excellent "Gordianus the Finder" series of stories set in the latter days of Republican Rome. Here, Gordianus is commissioned by Marcus Tullius Cicero, who is acting as defense counsel, to investigate the murder of Clodius, who was killed in his caravan on the Appian Way. As with most of the "Gordianus the Finder" novels, the story proceeds at a leisurely pace, because the real purpose of the novel is to give the reader an understanding of life in ancient Rome. Saylor succeeds brilliantly.Saylor reminds us that Republican Rome had no police force. Thus, if an unruly mob erupted there was no civic force available to control it. So corrupt was Rome that everyone knew that a police force would simply sell out to the highest bidder. Similarly, Roman justice was hopelessly corrupt, with jury verdicts only incidentally concerned with the actual truth of the matter. This makes Gordianus' and Cicero's jobs that much more difficult.In common with the entire Gordianus series of novels, this one is entertaining and also good history. Highly recommended. RJB.

It is historically accurate that Publius Clodius was murdered in 52 BC on the Appian Way, but the how and why are investigated by the fictional sleuth Gordianus and his son, Eco. Clodius was a member of the Populares, a party of the plebeians; Milo, his accused murderer, was a supporter of Pompey and the Conservative party of the Optimates. These two enemies meet on the ancient road, perhaps accidentally, with their slaves and bodyguards; bloody violence ensues resulting in Clodius's death.Gordianus is summoned to Pompey's villa and asked by the "Great One" to look into the murder of Clodius and Milo's involvement. During the course of the finder's search, we are introduced to multiple characters - all with varying interpretations of what they saw. This, for me, was the Rashomon effect as the witnesses's accounts were sometimes contradictory and ambiguous. Gordianus's discovery of the fictional killer did not seem plausible to me in the light of historical facts. Clodius met his violent end, perhaps, by Milo or or by his men. The whole incident may have been sparked by bodyguards resulting in violence and death for both groups.Cicero delivered his famous Pro Milone oration in defense of his friend, Milo, but was continuously interrupted and threatened by the pro-Clodius faction. Finally, Pompey, a harbinger of things to come, took over the procedures and security of the trial by sending in guards to restore order. Milo, however, was found guilty, exiled to Massilia and his properties confiscated. The most unusual historical footnote is that Clodius, who was vilified in life, is considered as "One of the most innovative urban politicians in Western history."Gordianus has found again that truth is elusive and its interpretation is one of political expediency. The Finder, who appears to be a morally upright, straight as an arrow character has a blind spot with respect to his wife. He reveals that he freed his slave, Bethesda, after many years of co-habitation and married her when she became pregnant - he did not want his child to be born a slave. Perhaps, this was the way of things in Ancient Rome. A tough read, but plenty of interesting history here.

Gordianus the finder, he is a character who lives very close to the underbelly of Roman society get simultaneously he walks the balls of the rich and influential, equally at home with both. In modern parlance he would be a private detective working for whoever could afford his fees. In Rome he strives always to in over the truth its almost a compulsion for him, once he starts a job he cannot walk away till he has all.the answers. In this book there are no easy answers. A man has been murdered, he was a very important and influential man among the Roman populace. Public opinion is u tied on who is responsible for the murder and the accused does not deny it, except to say the murder was not an act of murder but of self defence. With riots in the streets of Rome it is left to Gordianus to venture out and try to discover what did actually happen.............he will.see his life and that if his son in danger, his home at risk and his family left helpless and still the truth will elude him.....................but not forever for Gordianus is relentless..

Ich habe den Roman verschlungen. Die Figuren sind hervorragend gezeichnet, und ich habe einiges über die römische Kultur und Politik gelernt.

I love reading these stories about Gordianus and Rome.

I am a great fan of this series from Steven Saylor, and this is a great addition to the oeuvre. Although I do read other books based in the period, for me, Saylor is the best. He gets the feel for the time just right, and the atmosphere is always engaging. Gordianus is a thoroughly believeable character - as are the other regular characters, and the writing is way above most of the other 'sword and sandals' sagas.This book has Gordianus involved in the conflict between Clodius and Milo, and is based heavily on the known facts of the incident of Clodius' death, and the subsequent fate of Milo. Saylor weaves the story around the facts, and involves Gordianus in unravelling the case, along with problems of his own.From beginning to end, the story is gripping, involving people that he has met before, as well as new ones, who, no doubt, he will meet again in subsequent books.If you are looking for gripping writing, based in a world that you can almost smell, then this series is for you, although to get the best from it, start at the beginning of the series!

I don't think he is a great writer but writes an account of a time which interests me and roughly fixes the characters and dates in my aging brain.