Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth Century RomeAcademy Chicago Publishers, 1993 - 255 pagina's Initially published in The Netherlands in 1964, Haasse's ( In the Dark Wood Wandering ) pensive novel of the clash between Christian and pagan cultures in A.D. 414 is a far cry from the likes of Lloyd C. Douglas or Lew Wallace. For one thing, it's the pagan Romans following the faith of their forefathers who are persecuted in accordance with the edicts of Theodosius, while Christians exploit their new authority. There are despicable and admirable representatives of both cults; the only two truly honorable characters are an Egyptian Jew and his illegitimate half-slave grandson. After an Alexandrian education, this grandson returns to Rome, from where he had been exiled after one of the political shifts of the late Empire, to become the poet Claudian, an historical figure often considered the last classical Roman writer. His unlawful presence in Rome brings him into conflict with the Christian Prefect Hadrian. Although the real Claudian is sometimes claimed by Christians, Haasse's creation eschews established religion in favor of humanism. It is Claudian's character and his "faith" that forms the core of a book both less dogmatic and wiser than many which concern this period. -- Publisher's Weekly |
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Pagina 39
... thought had been dispelled ; they smart like old wounds . He suspects that all the officials behind him have been reminded now of what they have always known : that Hadrian , born and raised in Alexandria , in Egypt , is an imported ...
... thought had been dispelled ; they smart like old wounds . He suspects that all the officials behind him have been reminded now of what they have always known : that Hadrian , born and raised in Alexandria , in Egypt , is an imported ...
Pagina 119
... thought I knew - everything in those days . - While the rose petals rained upon Honorius's procession - and thus upon me - I thought about how I could honor Stilicho in words without offend- ing the Emperor , or how I could flatter the ...
... thought I knew - everything in those days . - While the rose petals rained upon Honorius's procession - and thus upon me - I thought about how I could honor Stilicho in words without offend- ing the Emperor , or how I could flatter the ...
Pagina 166
... thought to ensure their future by paying this Imperial homage to the class of Sena- tors . I praised their virtues ... thoughts and actions which in- spired my pen and later strengthened my voice at the ceremonial reading before the ...
... thought to ensure their future by paying this Imperial homage to the class of Sena- tors . I praised their virtues ... thoughts and actions which in- spired my pen and later strengthened my voice at the ceremonial reading before the ...
Overige edities - Alles bekijken
Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth-Century Rome Hella S. Haasse,Anita Miller,Nini Blinstrub Gedeeltelijke weergave - 2005 |
Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth-Century Rome Hella S. Haasse,Anita Miller,Nini Blinstrub Gedeeltelijke weergave - 2005 |
Veelvoorkomende woorden en zinsdelen
able accused Alexandria Arcadius asked Aulus Fronto Balcho barbarians become believe bishops blood calls himself Niliacus Christian City Claudius Claudianus cock corner court crowd darkness death dream dwarf Egyptian Eliezar Emperor Honorius Emperor Theodosius Empire entry everything eyes face feeling Flavius Stilicho Forum of Trajan friends galleries gesture goddess gods Goths Hadrian hand head hold honor Honorius's interrogation justice hall Klafthi knew later light living longer look Magister Militum magistrate Mallius marble Marcus Anicius Rufus memory Milan mime move Munera never Nile officials Olybrius Olympiodorus once pagan palanquin perhaps person poet praetorian guard Prefect prefecture prisoner Pylades retinue Roman Rome Rufinus sacrifice secret Serena shoulder silent slave someone standing statue stink stood Subura tablinum temple Theodosius things thought tion turn Urbanilla villa voice waiting wall words