![]() ![]() But they make for very entertaining reading. In fact, Bethesda solves one of them as soon as Gordianus tells her what happened. The mysteries themselves are not terribly difficult to solve. Several of the stories are based on actual cases that Cicero defended in court. In the last story, which is the title story, readers learn about the Vestal Virgins and the punishment they faced if they broke their vows. Characters from the entire spectrum of Roman society, from aristocrats to slaves, are featured. In reading the stories, you learn a lot about the customs of ancient Rome, including the theater, the belief in ghosts, and the traditions of Saturnalia, the Romans’ winter solstice holiday. Historical figures such as Cicero and his future enemy Catilina make appearances, and one story was inspired by an incident where the young Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates. We also learn how Gordianus met some of the regular characters in the series, including his aristocratic friend Lucius Claudius and his bodyguard Belbo. Gordianus’ Jewish-Egyptian slave and mistress, Bethesda, also plays a prominent role. In this collection, you see Gordianus’ adopted son, a mute boy named Eco, grow up and help him solve some of the cases. The stories take place between 80 and 72 BCE and fill in the gap between the first two novels in the series, Roman Blood and Arms of Nemesis. The House of the Vestals is a collection of nine short stories by Steven Saylor, featuring his ancient Roman detective, Gordianus the Finder. ![]()
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