title: Roman Blood:  A Mystery
author:  Steven Saylor 
description: From the arrival of an articulate slave on the doorstep of sleuth Gordianus to the riveting re-creation of an actual oration by Cicero, Saylor's remarkable first novel takes the reader deep into the political, legal and family arenas of ancient Rome, providing a stirring blend of history and mystery, well seasoned with conspiracy, passion and intrigue. In the steamy spring of 80 B.C. fledgling orator Cicero is preparing the legal defense of Sextus Roscius, a wealthy farmer accused of the murder of his father. Things look grim for Sextus; it is well-known that his father had threatened to disinherit him in favor of his younger half-brother. Cicero engages Gordianus to get at the truth of the matter, and while the orator practices powerful speech-making the investigator proves the aptness of his sobriquet, "the finder." Gordianus soon discovers that truth and mortal danger walk hand-in-hand through the twisting streets and the great forum of Rome. But he is unflinching in his quest for veritas in a story greatly enhanced by its vivid characters, including Cicero's clever slave Tiro; a mute street urchin and his widowed mother; a beautiful, enigmatic whore; Gordianus's spirited slave and lover, Bethesda; the aging dictator Sulla; and a dyspeptic but brilliant Cicero. A classic historical mystery, in every sense. <br />Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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  Spies of Rome: Blood & Honour
  
  
  
  
  
  Richard Foreman
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  © Richard Foreman 2018
  
  
  
  
  
  Richard Foreman has asserted his rights under the Copyright, Design and
  Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work.
  
  
  
  
  
  First published in 2018 by Sharpe Books.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “The greater the difficulty, the greater the glory.”
  
  
  Marcus Tullius Cicero.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Table of Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  [1.](part0000_split_005.html#_Toc517128242)
  
  
  [2.](part0000_split_006.html#_Toc517128243)
  
  
  [3.](part0000_split_007.html#_Toc517128244)
  
  
  [4.](part0000_split_008.html#_Toc517128245)
  
  
  [5.](part0000_split_009.html#_Toc517128246)
  
  
  [6.](part0000_split_010.html#_Toc517128247)
  
  
  [7.](part0000_split_011.html#_Toc517128248)
  
  
  [8.](part0000_split_012.html#_Toc517128249)
  
  
  [9.](part0000_split_013.html#_Toc517128250)
  
  
  [10.](part0000_split_014.html#_Toc517128251)
  
  
  [11.](part0000_split_015.html#_Toc517128252)
  