In the international bestseller Roma, Steven Saylor narrated the story of the first thousand years of Rome, following the descendants of a single family. Now, in Empire, Saylor traces the fortunes of five more generations of the Pinarius family, from the reign of the first emperor, Augustus, to the glorious era of the Roman Empire under Hadrian. Through the eyes of the Pinarii, we witness the intrigues of Tiberius, the madness of Caligula, the harsh raids of Nero, and the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors in 69 AD. This is followed by Domitian's deadly insanity and the Golden Age of Trajan and Hadrian - yet even the brightest emperors have the power to cause death and destruction at will.
Empire is filled with spectacular scenes, such as the Great Fire of 64 AD that destroyed the city, Nero's terrifying persecution of the Christians, and the astonishing inaugural games of the Colosseum. At the heart of the novel are the difficult choices and alluring temptations faced by each new generation of Pinarii. One becomes an unwilling sexual toy of the notorious Messalina. Another enters into a secret relationship with a Vestal Virgin. One is drawn by Nero's charismatic charm, while another is attracted to the new strange cult of those who deny the gods and call themselves Christians. Yet, despite their varied fates and desires, all the Pinarii are linked by one thing: the mysterious golden amulet called fascinum, which is passed down from an era before Rome's existence. As it passes from generation to generation, the fascinum seems to wield power not only over those who wear it but also over the fate of the empire.
Praise for Steven Saylor: "Saylor superbly combines the true history of Rome with the lives and loves of its fictional citizens." - Daily Express
"Saylor's research is chilling and his writing impressive." - Ruth Rendell
"With the precision of a Hollywood director, Saylor underscores the essence of Roman history." - Times Literary Supplement
"Readers will find his work wonderfully (and elegantly) researched... this is first-class entertainment." - Washington Post
Pages: 720, Dimensions: 13x13cm
