Wrath of the Furies: A Novel of the Ancient World (Novels of Ancient Rome)

Wrath of the Furies is a historical fiction novel set in ancient Greece and the Eastern Aegean region. Having weathered a coup in ancient Egypt, young Gordianus receives a message that his tutor and mentor, Antipater of Sidon, is trapped in Ephesus. Placing his life on the line, Gordianus devises an audacious plan to rescue Antipater. He is quickly ensnared in the political machinations of the conquering Mithridates’. Unsure of who he can trust, even possibly his beloved mentor, Gordianus must wade through conspiracy and court intrigue in order to save himself and those close to him.

Steven Saylor has brought the ancient world to life in a way history books never can. He effortlessly interweaves historical and fictional characters with true historical events. It is easy to envision the opulence of the nobility juxtaposed against the squalor of the Roman refugees through the intense narrative. The author easily piques the reader’s interest to find out more about the events and historical figures (at least this reader’s interest).

Wrath of the Furies is the third book in Steven Saylor’s Novels of Ancient Rome series, but is easily read as a stand-alone book. Any references the author makes to previous situations do not leave the reader in the dark, but rather leaves the reader wanting to find out exactly what happened. A superb read for anyone with a modicum of interest in history.