SPQR II: The Catiline Conspiracy [Paperback]

In this second novel, the protagonist Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger continues his rise through the Roman political system as the yearly quaestor in charge of the treasury-a low ranking, thankless and mundane job. Caius Julius Caesar is the pontifex maximus, Pompey is wielding his imperium in the near east, and Cicero is one of the consuls-the supreme magistrates of the Republic. In this post-Sulla era, Rome is fairly quiet but marred by the unexplained murders of several equites-the upper middle class businessmen/citizens that don't have the prestige of being patricians, but but the true holders of much of Rome's financial wealth.

In his usual sideways manner, Decius Caecilius gets himself involved and appointed to investigate. What follows is a rather well told tale of intrigue and desire based upon the historical conspiracy of Lucius Sergius Catilina against the Republic. Steven Saylor covered some of the same material in his equally excellent novel 'Catilina's Riddle'-but from a slightly different perspective. This key moment in Roman history was truly a political turning point that presaged the end of the Republic and the coming of the Imperators.

Crassus, Pompey, Caesar and Catilina are brought to life in a way that history books can't do, and J.M. Roberts has created a most likable character in his Decius Caecilius. The extensive use of Roman titles and terminology is offset by the short glossary explaining key Latin terms as they were used in this era. A smart and fascinating novel with not so much mystery as history. Highly Recommended.

The basic plot of the story is that Decius Caecilius Metellus, young scion of a patrician line, in the course of his duties as quaestor (a temporary public office), discovers a number of signs that lead him to believe that some serious trouble is afoot-- caches of weapons hidden away in unused rooms at the temple of Saturn being only the first of them.

Eventually, he discovers the existence of an organized plot, led by the young noble Cataline, to overthrow the government of Rome. The only way to stop this plot, however, is to learn more of it-- which means pretending to join the conspiracy. But the price of admission is that he must kill one of his most trusted friends!

All in all, this is a rollicking good, high-action historical mystery. Like the mysteries of Steven Saylor, it's strongly rooted in actual history-- there was, after all, a real Cataline, who did indeed lead a plot to overthrow the Republic. He, his co-conspirators-- and many of the other characters with whom Decius interacts-- are real. In terms of its 'historicity', it's worth noting that Roberts' take on Cataline is very traditional in that he basically presents him as a spoiled, rotten, corrupt, brattish nobleman. This is, of course, how Cataline was portrayed by his enemies (e.g. Cicero), who-- due to the fact that history is written by the winners-- have tended to be well-represented in surviving documents. This is quite a different presentation of Catalina than Steven Saylor gives in his own mystery novel on the same subject, _Catalina's Riddle_, which presents Catalina more as a well-meaning, attractive, if somewhat naive populist. It's quite interesting to see the contrast, and those who enjoyed one book should also read the other-- just to see a different take on things.

In terms of the writing itself-- Maddox is quite fluid and engaging... and occasionally quite witty. His style is very different from Steven Saylor's, as is his detective (Decius is an up-and-coming young patrician actively involved in politics, as opposed to a philosophically-oriented plebian)-- but I'd say Saylor fans would still enjoy this book a lot, as would anyone who enjoys really good historical fiction-- particularly intrigues and mysteries-- set in or about ancient Rome.