Intrigue in Ancient Rome - Decius ends up being almost killed again!

Great read. History is well researched but not distracting from the story. Well told and amusing. I liked the characters.

I enjoyed this take on the Bona Dea Sacrilege. Roberts' characterization of Julius Caesar is a total kick. It's wonderful to see such a lively, contemporary-feeling take on times and people most of us are only exposed to in dry, boring history lectures.

This particular book in the series covers the Bona Dea scandal where Publius Clodius Pulcher, arch-nemesis of our fictional protag, sneaks into Julius Caesar's villa (that he held for being Pontifex Maximus) as a woman, both violating the sacred rites, all to (reportedly) seduce Caesar's wife Pompeia.

Now, the book diverges from history (you know, being a fictional piece and all), and goes into some very entertaining conspiracies. Still a pretty decent book to listen to, and is done well (as always) by John Lee

Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger's (what a mouthful) character is getting better and better with each installment of SPQR. I like his verbal sparrings with his insolent slave, Hermes. Very very funny. And I love the way the book makes you feel--like Ancient Rome is your neighborhood (J.M. Roberts' descriptions of Roman life are delightfully vivid).

However, some of the characters seem to be one-dimensional: Publius Clodius Pulcher, for example (and his sister, Clodia). Clodius was (simply) portrayed as a mean, bullheaded (bordering on the stupid), ugly thug, and Clodia a sinister slut. Maybe it's just written from the point of view of Decius, who considers these two his mortal enemies. And so I conclude early on in this series that SPQR is more fiction than history (or a variant/interpretation of it; as opposed to S. Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series).

But those who love Ancient Rome as much as I do will surely have fun reading this. Pretty darn good fun.

Decuis Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back and once more thwarting threats to the state. Like the last book, this one is based on a real event - the Bona Dea Sacrilege. The rite is profaned by Clodius, Decius' old enemy. So he takes great delight in investigating how it was done. We see a lot of Ceasar,, Crassus, Pompey & Milo as well as well as meeting 2 new fictional characters that will become regulars - Decius' slave Hermes and Ceasar's niece Julia.
This is an entertaining tale, well told with wit & humor. Decius is really coming into his stride as an investigator, whatever his family might think of it and we see the grounds being laid for his future interaction with people in later novels. The real question has become - will Decius be able to stay in Rome at the conclusion of this one? Odds are not good.

The third in the adventures of Decius Caecilius Metellus is up to the standards we've learned to expect from Roberts - a fascinating tale well-told that leaves you longing to learn more.

Decuis Caecilius Metellus the Younger is back and once more thwarting threats to the state. Like the last book, this one is based on a real event - the Bona Dea Sacrilege. The rite is profaned by Clodius, Decius' old enemy. So he takes great delight in investigating how it was done. We see a lot of Ceasar,, Crassus, Pompey & Milo as well as well as meeting 2 new fictional characters that will become regulars - Decius' slave Hermes and Ceasar's niece Julia.
This is an entertaining tale, well told with wit & humor. Decius is really coming into his stride as an investigator, whatever his family might think of it and we see the grounds being laid for his future interaction with people in later novels. The real question has become - will Decius be able to stay in Rome at the conclusion of this one? Odds are not good.