![]() We had left Rhodes in similarly foul weather and hopped among the tedious string of islands, then up the ragged coast of Greece. Of course, as far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a good sailing season. It was an evil time of year to be at sea, months past the good sailing season. The wind blew cold rain in my face as the little naval cutter pulled up under oars to the dock at Tarentum. I SET FOOT IN ITALY ONCE MORE on a filthy day in December. To get to the bottom of the corruption that accompanies the intoxicating allure of this ancient city, Decius must form an uneasy alliance with Clodius, Clodia's brother and his sworn enemy, and be extremely careful not to step on any toes. A trial for Clodia would be most unwelcome, as it could bring to light some well-kept secrets. ![]() Not entirely convinced of Clodia's guilt, Decius delves into the intricacies of Rome's ruling class and discovers that a clandestine, forbidden witches' cult is inextricably intertwined with some very highborn people. Quintus Caecilius Metellus Celer, a relative of Decius and his family and the head of a powerful political clan, has been poisoned, and his infamous wife Clodia is immediately suspected of disposing of her rather inconvenient husband. ![]() Having been banished by his family for sometimes embarrassing activities to a rather leisurely lifestyle on Rhodes, he is puzzled to be suddenly and unexpectedly summoned home to assist in an investigation. Decius has won himself a reputation as both an investigator and, most unfortunately, a bit of a playboy. Saturn was also linked to another ancient Italian deity, Lua.This eagerly awaited fifth book in John Maddox Roberts's Edgar-nominated historical mystery series once again takes the reader back to the Rome of Julius Caesar and the Roman Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. As part of the calendar of Numa, the second king of Rome, the festival immediately preceded the festival of Ops, Saturn's partner or consort and the goddess of the harvest - she became associated with the Greek goddess Rhea. Although Emperor Augustus reduced the length of the festival to three days - Caligula and Claudius later raised it to five - most people ignored the decrees and still celebrated it for the full seven days. (There are some who place the festival in August). His festival, the Saturnalia, was celebrated in December from the 17th to the 23rd and was connected to the winter grain sowing. Falling into disrepair, it would be rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Augustus. His temple, built around 498 BCE, was located at the foot of Capitoline Hill and housed the Roman treasury as well as the records and decrees of the Roman Senate. While historians argue over the origins of Saturn and his role in Roman mythology, his place in Roman history is remembered for two items: his temple and his festival - the latter being one of the most anticipated festivals of the many on the Roman calendar. One of the best and earliest examples of this religious transformation would revolve around an outcast - a god driven out of Greece but finding a home on the hills of Rome. The Republic's (and later Roman Empire's) literature, art, philosophy and foremost, religion would be changed forever. The wealthiest and most powerful families of Rome would even hire Greek tutors for their male children. From the time the Romans first made contact with the Greeks, their society would never be the same, becoming Hellenized, albeit reluctantly. While the names of the gods and goddesses may be different - Zeus morphed into Jupiter while Hades became Pluto - their diverse roles and positions in society are fairly consistent. Greek and Roman mythology are interwoven, and to many, they appear to be one and the same. The Saturnalia festival, named after him, was one of the most important and lively events in the Roman calendar and the god also had a major temple dedicated to him in the Roman Forum of Rome. Often depicted in art wielding a scythe he was considered an agricultural god, especially associated with seed-corn. Saturn (Saturnus) was a Roman god with a similar history to Cronus from Greek mythology.
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