The Song of the Gladiator

Name: The Song of the Gladiator
Rating: 4.4 (468 reviews)

by Paul Doherty Book 3 in the Political Intrigue in Ancient Rome series.

First published 2004

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4.3(468)

Rome, 313 CE. Constantine and his mother Helena are trying to manage a Christian movement divided by bitter theological disputes over the nature of Christ. Delegates from rival factions are summoned to debate, but the attempt at religious settlement is disrupted when participants begin to die in carefully staged murders.

A sacred sword is stolen and the imperial villa itself comes under attack. Helena calls on Claudia to investigate, forcing her to move through a dangerous mixture of theology, court politics and personal rivalry. The case unfolds at a moment when imperial favour is changing Christianity’s place within the Roman world but has done nothing to end conflict within the church.