Synopses & Reviews
Set in the reign of the Emperor Domitian in first-century Ancient Rome, Master and God is Lindsey Daviss meticulously researched epic novel of the life and times surrounding the last of the Flavian dynasty of emperors.
In A.D. 81, Domitian seizes power upon the death of his older brother Titus and begins his reign as the Emperor of Rome. Afflicted by classic paranoia, the self-styled Master and God sees enemies everywhere—and he is right. The Senate loathes him, his advisers are terrified, his wife cant be trusted and barbarians menace the frontiers. As he vents his suspicions, no one is safe...
Gaius Vinius Clodianus is a reluctant Praetorian Guard—the Emperors personal bodyguards—who has survived physical and mental scars to rise to a high rank. Lucilla tends the privileged women at court; when Domitian's once talented rule unravels into madness and cruelty, she loses her patron. In the haven of their shared apartment, Gaius and Lucilla find solace together, yearning for normality while living in a reign of terror.
Moves against Domitian are begun by his own household. Lucilla has to watch Gaius choose between love for her and the risk of death; between his sworn duty to protect the Emperor and conspiring to kill him for the good of Rome.
Master and God is a compelling novel of the Roman Empire—from the height of power to the depths of madness—told from the perspective of two courtiers, unlikely friends who together are the witnesses to history.
Review
"Detailed and witty recounting of ancient Roman life, public and private, from the sure-handed Davis."
--Kirkus Reviews "Davis layers modern dialog and sensibilities on a lavishly described historical setting, creating a novel that is detailed and well paced."
--Library Journal "As weve come to expect, Daviss descriptions of Rome are vivid and lively ... a great yarn."
--The Daily Mail
Synopsis
From
New York Times bestselling novelist Lindsey Davis comes an epic novel of first-century Rome and the Emperor Domitian, known to all of the Roman world as
Master and God Set in the reign of the Emperor Domitian in first-century Rome, Master and God is Lindsey Daviss meticulously researched epic novel of the life and times surrounding the last of the Flavian dynasty of emperors. Gaius Vinius is a reluctant Praetorian Guard—the Emperors personal guard—and a man with a disastrous marriage history. Flavia Lucilla is also in the imperial court and she is responsible not only for having created the ridiculous hairstyle worn by the imperial ladies but for also making toupees for the balding and increasingly paranoid emperor. The two of them are brought together in an unlikely manner—a devastating fire in Rome—which then leads to a lifelong friendship.Together they watch Domitians once talented rule unravel into madness and cruelty, until the people closest to him conspire to delete him from history. As an imperial bodyguard, Vinius then faces a tough decision. Master and God is a compelling novel of the Roman Empire—from the height of power to the depths of madness—told from the perspective of two courtiers and unlikely friends who together are the witnesses to history.
About the Author
Lindsey Davis was born and raised in Birmingham, England. After taking an English degree at Oxford and working for the civil service for thirteen years, she “ran away to be a writer.” Her internationally bestselling novels featuring ancient Roman detective Marcus Didius Falco include Venus in Copper, The Iron Hand of Mars, Nemesis and Alexandria. She is also the author of Rebels and Traitors, set during the English Civil War. Davis is the recipient of the Crime Writers Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award, the highest accolade for crime writers, as well as the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger Award and the Authors' Club Best First Novel award.