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Decius Caecilius Metellus is happy. The weather is beautiful and he is standing for office (literally; standing, in the Roman Forum soliciting votes) with a sure chance of winning. And Caesar's ongoing dreary war is far off in Gaul. Decius is confident that another war looming over Rome, instigated by one Crassus against the Parthians (for no reason but possible worldly gain); will be voted down in the Senate. But the vote does not stop Crassus. On the day he and his troops set out from show more Rome, the Tribune Ateius Capitus, leader of the opposition, shrieks an ancient and terrible curse over the huge crowd assembled -- a curse that frightens not only the man in the street but the highest Romans. When Ateius is murdered soon after, Decius, solver of past mysteries, has the ugly task of finding the killer. Fascinating details of Rome's mixed attitudes about the power of magic and the practice of rational politics illuminate this latest of Roberts's strong historical mysteries. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Book seven in the SPQR series by John Maddox Roberts (The Tribune’s Curse) changes the pace for Decius and Hermes but refuses to slow down. Roberts is a master of giving us a bird’s eye view of late Republic Rome. From warfare, lifestyle, politics and in the case of this book: Religion and Superstition. In the Tribune’s curse Decius is forced to investigate a curse placed upon the city of Rome by a disgruntled Tribune. But if it were only that easy. We come across some old Egyptian friends to move the story along. Roberts knows how to weave together the dynamics that brought so many beliefs to the table at such a volatile time in world history. The dawn of Monotheism was about to crack over the horizon and the old gods would soon show more be held accountable. History knows the panic, frustration and bloodshed which were soon to follow. The story is good, if not a tad predictable. show less
A tribune calls down a curse on Crassus as he leaves on his expedition to conquer Parthia. Decius is tasked with finding out who put the tribune up to it and taught him the secret rituals he was not supposed to know.
Nice twisty investigation based on a real incident and very atmospheric with the creepy stuff. Shame about the death of a recurring character.
Nice twisty investigation based on a real incident and very atmospheric with the creepy stuff. Shame about the death of a recurring character.
An amusing little mystery that Roman history buffs may get a kick out of.
Another fascinating view of ancient Rome and Roman life, though this time the novelistic underpinning seemed a little lax to me. Decius, however, is always good company, and the book is well worth reading.
Plot: It's the kind of slightly convoluted mix of ancient Roman politics, ancient Roman gossip, and a crime story that's usual for this series. Good overall pacing, although the crime story itself suffers somewhat by the main character's occasional confusion and tendency to get sidetracked.
Characters: Great characterizations for the historical figures as well as the fictional central character. It builds up over the series, but he has a very distinctive voice here and is easily recognizable, as are most of the recurring minor characters.
Style: The story is set in Rome, which makes for the most entertaining installments in the series. A lot of attention to details of city life, with plenty of daily life scenes. Enough background info show more to make the setting come alive.
Plus: Plenty of attention for the historical minor characters.
Minus: For a crime story, the essential hints come quite late.
Summary: Excellent entertainment, but better approached as a novel rather than a detective story. show less
Characters: Great characterizations for the historical figures as well as the fictional central character. It builds up over the series, but he has a very distinctive voice here and is easily recognizable, as are most of the recurring minor characters.
Style: The story is set in Rome, which makes for the most entertaining installments in the series. A lot of attention to details of city life, with plenty of daily life scenes. Enough background info show more to make the setting come alive.
Plus: Plenty of attention for the historical minor characters.
Minus: For a crime story, the essential hints come quite late.
Summary: Excellent entertainment, but better approached as a novel rather than a detective story. show less
an arcane curse put all Rome at risk
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64+ Works 6,064 Members
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Goldmann (43190)
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Tribune's Curse
- Original title
- The Tribune's Curse
- Original publication date
- 2003-04-05
- People/Characters
- Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger; Julia Minor (daughter of Lucius Julius Caesar); Lisas; Marcus Licinius Crassus; Hermes (Decius Caecilius Metellus Hermes's slave); Asklepiodes (show all 15); Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus; Titus Annius Milo Papianus; Fausta; Gaius Ateius Capito; Cato (a Metellii slave); Cassandra (a Metellii slave); Decius Caecilius Metellus the Elder; Caecilia the Vestal; Marcus Porcius Cato the Younger
- Important places
- Rome, Italy
- Dedication
- For Susan Shortt
For years of friendship and good conversation - First words
- I was happier than any mere mortal has the right to be, and I should have known better.
- Quotations
- Great as was my abhorrence for philosophy and its practitioners, most of whom, in my opinion, might be better employed doing something useful, like herding geese, I found myself trying to break down my problem by categories a... (show all)nd subcategories, as philosophers are so fond of doing while feeling very clever about it all, too. [p.157]
When you assume someone to be mad, there is always a tendency to look no further for motive or intention, still less for signs of future plans. [p.207] - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)These things happened in the year 699 of the City of Rome, in the second consulship of Cnaeus Pompeius Magnus and Marcus Licinius Crassus Dives.
- Original language*
- Amerikanisch
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- 234
- Popularity
- 138,708
- Reviews
- 6
- Rating
- (3.97)
- Languages
- English, French, German, Greek
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 7
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 3
