Amazon.com Book Description (ISBN 0765306530, Hardcover)

ermogenes is a young Greek from Alexandria; heir to a noble society. While the citizens of Rome may ape Greek ways, his people-the Greeks themselves-are viewed as less than human. But a man may win the coveted Roman citizenship by more ways than birth on Roman soil, and when Hermo-genes's father is granted such a boon, it appears as if his family has found favor with the gods. Then a business deal goes sour and Hermogenes's father dies at sea. It is left to Hermogenes to reclaim all monies owed to the family . . . including a debt from a very well connected Roman consul who has reneged and refuses to deal with Greek trash. Making his way to Rome, Hermogenes will encounter base desire, power struggles, plots within plots . . . and a beautiful woman gladiator who is more than she seems. Ultimately Hermogenes is left with the question: can the conferring of a title make one truly Roman? And if not, how far will a man go to satisfy honor?