Pontius Aquila: Eagle of the Republic (Ancient Rome Book 1)

Description

Lucius, a vintner’s son from Sicily, rises to power during the waning of the Roman Republic. The book explores the Roman Republic through the eyes of Lucius as he grows in stature and wisdom. The author provides a snapshot into this time period, shows the intrigues and troubles during governmental transitions, and illustrates feats of courage and growth by Lucius along the way.

Starting in Sicily as a young man, Lucius enjoys wrestling with companions in a dangerous game using sharpened stones from a nearby volcano. A person loses when he is cut three times. An early form of baseball’s three strikes and you’re out, perhaps. Only a few of the Greek descendants in Sicily play, but the skill comes in handy later on for Lucius as he enters the military.

An early romance with a girl, Tullia, one night leads to a close relationship with her father, the statesman Cicero. Great benefits accrue to Lucius (later renamed Aquila) as he is able to leave his life of farming to apprentice as an advocate under Cicero.