Decius Cecilius Metellus is Roman, but is not stoic enough to think that he should «better die than leave Rome». John Maddox Roberts’s hero is making himself this statement. As in 62 BC, he is obliged to move away from « the City » in order to avoid getting bumped off by the seids of his best enemy, Clodius, who, having obtained his adoption as plebeian, is running for the tribunate of the plebs.

This fourth volume follows Sacrilege (see Quirinus Jan. 2007), in which Decius was already coming back from Gaul. This time, at the beginning of this year 60 BC (692 a.u.c.), he is coming along with his elder, Quintus Cecilius Metellus Creticus, the conqueror of Creta, from a «dull mission». For, even as young senator now he is, our Decius does not feel the events that will soon upset Rome.

On board in Massilia (Marseille, France), both Metelli stepped down in Alexandria the Greek, the Aegyptian, the toady and languorous. Soon Fausta, Sylla’s daughter and Julia, Caesar’s niece and Decius’s beloved, get ashore and come spicing the young senator’s stay, learning to him that his uncle, Metellus Celer, is now consul.

Happily for Decius and for us, a murder occurs in the temple of the Muses, in the famous Museum’s area, where live and work the most famous minds of the time. Metellus, conquered by the divine charm of the place, decides to unveil the truth, even if the victim was not that sympathetic.

Maddox Roberts has carried on, in this third volume, to light up his pen, as well as Decius’s pace, who effectively runs during a big part of his Alexandrian time. We see that the hero enjoys the flexibility of the habits of shady underworlds, and does not refuse a cup of wine, even a small one. His slave Hermes stays, in this volume, in the background, which betters the rythmn of the plot.

In Gaul, nothing has changed : Decius still «hates» it. But anyway, reader, do enjoy this book, sweet as the caresse of the sea brise, in the evening, on Mareotis lake shore !

The temple of the Muses - John Maddox Roberts - available on Amazon.com for 11.86 $.

Publius Memmius Albucius