Jordan M Poss

Deftly and smoothly written novella: an account of the last few hours of the life of Cicero, as told by his Thracian slave, Leonidas. Having been proscribed, Cicero goes into exile on his estate near Formiae--the only one of his properties left unburnt during a previous exile. His brother and nephew are killed and he is betrayed by his brother's freedman. While attempting to escape, soldiers come to murder him on the orders of Marcus Antonius and do the deed, cutting off head and hands. I feel the love story between Leonidas and the Germanic slave, Clementia, was inserted to show that Leonidas is torn between his duty to Cicero and his love for her.

Highly recommended.… (mais)