Roma Sub Rosa

Roma Sub Rosa is a series of historical mystery novels by Steven Saylor set in ancient Rome and therefore populated by famous historic roman citizens.[1] The phrase "Roma Sub Rosa" means, in Latin, "Rome under the rose." If a matter was sub rosa, "under the rose," it meant that such matter was confidential.

Roma Sub Rosa
A paperback version of the first book in the series, Roman Blood.
AuthorSteven Saylor
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreDetective, Historical fiction
PublisherSt. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books
Publication date
1991 –
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback) and
audiobook

The detective is known as Gordianus the Finder, and he mixes with non-fictional citizens of the Republic including Sulla, Cicero, Marcus Crassus, Catilina, Catullus , Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Mark Antony.

Characters

For an ancient Roman, Gordianus has an unconventional family:

  • Gordianus the Finder, the titular character. A plebeian hired to investigate on behalf of clients who range from advocates, politicians to patricians. He is 30 years old at the beginning of Roman Blood set in 80 B.C. Marries Bethesda at the end of Arms of Nemesis.
  • Bethesda, his beautiful Egyptian slave purchased from a slave market in Alexandria. Bethesda and Gordianus have a mutually affectionate relationship and are later married after he frees her at the end of Arms of Nemesis.
  • Eco, his oldest adopted son, was a mute boy when he first appeared as a key player in the book Roman Blood. Gordianus adopted him after his mother abandoned him. He recovered his speech in Arms of Nemesis. He followed in his father's (meaning Gordianus) footsteps as an investigator. Married to Menenia.
  • Meto, his second adopted son, was a slave of Crassus until he was freed and adopted by Gordianus at the end of Arms of Nemesis. Eventually became a soldier serving under Julius Caesar.
  • Rupa, his third adopted son, brother to Cassandra; a mute.
  • Diana, his intellectual and headstrong daughter (by Bethesda). Born at the end of Arms of Nemesis on the same day they adopted Meto.
  • Davus, his son-in-law (Diana's husband) who was Gordianus' former slave and bodyguard.
  • Aulus, his grandson (by Diana).
  • Little Bethesda, his granddaughter (by Diana).

Other notable characters:

  • Belbo, Gordianus' slave and bodyguard who later serves Eco.
  • Luscius Claudius, Gordianus' benefactor who later leaves his farm to Gordianus during Catilina's Riddle.
  • Aratus, Gordianus' slave and foreman at his fRm. Inherited from Luscius Claudius

Non-fictional characters:

  • Cicero, first appears in Roman Blood as a young advocate embarking on his first case in defense of Sextus Roscius. Appears throughout the series as a friend and client of Gordianus.
  • Tiro, first appears as Cicero's slave in Roman Blood where he serves as a key player. Later becomes a freedman of Cicero's, working as his scribe.
  • Crassus, the mysterious employer who hires Gordianus to solve his cousin's murder in Arms of Nemesis.
  • Marcus Mummius, originally a legate of Crassus who first appears in Arms of Nemesis. At the end of the book he rescues Meto and gifts him to Gordianus.
  • Catilina, a charismatic patrician who appears in Catilina's Riddle and the short story The House of the Vestals.
  • Marcus Caelius, first appears in Catilina's Riddle as an agent of Cicero's posing as one of Catilina's followers.

Titles

The books are listed below in chronological order. For publication order, see the author's page.

  1. The Seven Wonders (2012) — 92-90 BC: The young Gordianus travels to see the Wonders of the Ancient World.
  2. Raiders of the Nile (2014) — 88 BC: The young Gordianus must travel into the Nile Delta to find a gang of bandits.
  3. Wrath of the Furies (2015) — 88 BC: Gordianus travels to Ephesus during Mithridates' war against Rome
  4. Roman Blood (1991) — 80 BC: Gordianus investigates a murder case for the famous lawyer Cicero.
  5. The House of the Vestals (1997) — 80-72 BC : Short stories.
  6. A Gladiator Dies Only Once (2005) — 77-64 BC: Short stories.
  7. Arms of Nemesis (1992) — 72 BC : Gordianus tries to save the lives of 99 slaves, while Spartacus threatens Rome.
  8. Catilina's Riddle (1993) — 63 BC: Gordianus is embroiled in the Catiline conspiracy.
  9. The Venus Throw (1995) — 56 BC: Gordianus tries to discover who murdered an Egyptian diplomat.
  10. A Murder on the Appian Way (1996) — 52 BC: Gordianus investigates the death of Publius Clodius Pulcher.
  11. Rubicon (1999) — 49 BC: Gordianus investigates a murder close to home as Rome nears civil war.
  12. Last Seen in Massilia (2000) — 49 BC: Gordianus looks for his son Meto in the city of Massilia as it is besieged by the army of Caesar.
  13. A Mist of Prophecies (2002) — 48 BC: Gordianus searches for the killer of a seeress.
  14. The Judgment of Caesar (2004) — 48 BC: Gordianus travels to Egypt in an attempt to find a cure for his wife's illness.
  15. The Triumph of Caesar (2008) — 46 BC: Gordianus investigates a conspiracy to murder Caesar.
  16. The Throne of Caesar (2018) - 44 BC: the Ides of March and the conclusion of the series.

- "Ill Seen in Tyre" (2014), in the cross-genre anthology Rogues, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois, set in 91 BC just before the Epilogue of The Seven Wonders

References
  1. Craine, Debra (March 3, 2018). "Review: The Throne of Caesar by Steven Saylor — it's toga and out for a great Roman sleuth". The Times UK. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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