THE RISEN is an historical fiction written about Spartacus. I really enjoy historical fictions, the story inserts you into the daily lives of historical characters and those around them. It's always interesting to read an author's perspective on how figures we have learned and read about over the years may have been on a personal level and what their lives we really like.
Spartacus is a fascinating figure. The motivation behind him and his army must have started as a bid for freedom and turned to revenge. Little is known about his life before he became a slave and gladiator and less is known about his death. There were so many bodies on the battlefield that his was never found. Though I do like to think that if he lived he would have done something to stop what became of his army. I can't imagine he would have stopped fighting unless he was dead.
What one man, leader was able to do by bringing together those who never before dreamed of cooperation has lead him to be a figure for the ages. I'm sure the Romans would hate to know he is the man we remember, not those who eventually defeated him.
THE RISEN is well written and draws you straight into the world of ancient Roman and the lives of gladiators. You can see the battles, feel the fear and the strength of those fighting for their lives and freedom. Amazingly well done intertwining true history and fiction filling in gaps we could only know if we had a time machine. THE RISEN should be read by anyone who loves history, fiction, or just a real good story. It doesn't matter if you have read all the books, seen the TV shows and movies you will enjoy THE RISEN by David Anthony Durham.
From the author of the widely praised Pride of
Carthage, the superb fictional rendering of Hannibalβs
epic military campaigns against Carthageβs archenemy Rome,
comes the perfect follow-up: an equally superb novel of the
legendary gladiator Spartacus and the vast slave revolt he
led that came ever so close to bringing Rome, with its
supposedly invincible legions, to its knees.
In this thrilling and panoramic historical novel we see one
of the most storied uprisings of classical times from
multiple points of view: Spartacus, the visionary captive
and gladiator whose toughness and charisma turn a prison
break into a multi-cultural revolt that threatens an empire;
his consort, the oracular Astera, whose connection to the
spirit world and its omens guides the uprisingβs progress;
Nonus, a Roman soldier working both sides of the conflict in
a half-adroit, half-desperate attempt to save his life;
Laelia and Hustus, two shepherd children drawn into the
ranks of the slave rebellion; Kaleb, the slave secretary to
Crassus, the Roman senator and commander saddled with the
unenviable task of quashing an insurrection of mere slaves;
and other players in a vast spectacle of bloodshed, heroism,
and treachery.
In the pages of The Risenβthe term the slaves in
revolt have adopted for themselvesβan entire, teeming world
comes into view with great clarity and titanic drama, with
nothing less than the future of the ancient world at stake.
No one brings more verve, intelligence, and freshness to the
novel of the classical age than David Anthony Durham.
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026