So I took a break from reading my next Tudor book and decided to head to my local library. I wanted to read Kate Quinn's 'Mistress of Rome', which was a part of my book list. I do love Ancient Rome. After all, my son's middle name is after a Roman barbarian king.
The book follows three characters: Thea (a Jewish slave girl with a Roman name), Lepida Pollia (Thea's mistress) and Arius the Barbarian (gladiator) during the time of Emperor Domitian (the last of the Flavian dynasty).
The story begins with Thea as a slave girl. She was basically bought to serve Lepida Pollia, who is a beautiful, yet a selfish girl. Her father organizes the events at the Colosseum, which is famous for the gladiators. I came to dislike Lepida's character since she expects everything to fall into her lap. Also her character just makes you want to hate her. During the slave executions (there are other events before the gladiators), a slave from Brigantia decides to kill the Romans in the arena. Thus Arius the Barbarian was born. Kate Quinn brings to life of the gladiator games through the eyes of Arius the Barbarian.
Arius the Barbarian just wants to drown himself in wine but that's the appeal of his character to the Romans. He becomes desirable that even Lepida wants to claim him. She even sends Thea to bring letters to Arius the Barbarian. What she doesn't expect is that Thea and Arius would fall in love. Of course Thea has to keep this silent but during one of Arius's matches, Thea sort of gives herself away.
By this time, Lepida figures this out and is in a jealous rage. After all, she thinks herself to be the most beautiful in Rome and to have the Barbarian want an ordinary slave girl drives her mad. So mad that she sells Thea to become a prostitute in Brundisium. Still, Thea holds a surprise in her womb.
Several years later, Thea is still a slave but this time for a musician. She performs for clients under the name of Athena and has a son. As for Lepida, she is now married to Senator Marcus Norbanus and has a daughter named Vabia Sabina (who is an epileptic). You would think that being a mother would soften her but that's not in her case. Basically she is still so young, she prefers to go out to parties. When Senator Marcus Norbanus is called back to Rome, he leaves his wife and daughter in Brundisium. This displeases Lepida and she is watched/escorted by her step son Paulinus.
Athena and Lepida would meet during one of the parties that Athena was performing. In order to get back at her husband, Lepida seduces Paulinus. She does a very good job that he still goes back for more even though he is so guilty and is no longer interested in Athena. They are finally caught when Senator Marcus Norbanus comes home for a visit and strategically witnesses Lepida with Paulinus. Senator Marcus Norbanus would divorce her but Lepida is very persuasive.
Soon Athena becomes Domitian's mistress, much to Lepida's dislike. She hangs onto this for five years but there's nothing happy about it. He hates Jews but for some reason, he keeps Athena. He is also very abusive towards her. Yet through it all, she never lets on that she is afraid of him. Athena's new found friend is Domitian's niece, Flavia Domitilla, where Vix stays until Athena is able to visit. Arius and Athena will finally meet during one of Athena's visits. By this point, Arius has an alias.
Things suddenly gets worse for Athena when Domitian almost kills Athena publicly when he suspects her of having another lover. Vix tries to save her by striking the Emperor. In the end, Vix becomes Domitian's slave. Thea finds Arius to explain what has happened. Now Thea and Arius must join forces with Empress Domitia Longina (Domitian's cast off wife), Senator Marcus Norbanus and Paulinus to bring down Emperor Domitian. By bringing the Emperor down, then only Thea and Arius and Vix can be finally free.
This has been a great book to read. I wanted to find out what happened to Thea and her little family so I couldn't put the book down. I was actually happy what happened to Lepida in the end. You probably would be surprised in Domitian's behavior throughout the book but Kate Quinn stays true to his character. Hopefully this is enough for you to read it if you already haven't.
If you want to learn more about Kate Quinn and her books, here is her website.
http://www.katequinnauthor.com/index.htm
