Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth-Century RomeChicago Review Press, 1 aug 2005 - 255 pagina's In this vivid, dynamic novel, Hella Haasse has once more brought the past to life. This time she has chosen to illuminate a crucial, yet relatively obscure period of history: it is 414 A.D. and the once-powerful Roman Empire is in its death throes—split between East and West, menaced by barbarian hordes almost literally at its gates. The Emperor Honorius, an incompetent weakling, cowers in the marsh-bound city of Ravenna, where he has moved the government; he rarely "makes entry" into Rome. This is the brilliant canvas against which the characters in this drama interact. There is the Prefect Hadrian, a powerful official and fanatical Christian convert; there is Marcus Anicius, the pagan aristocrat who is clinging to a dying past, and there is the Jew Eliezar be Elijah, hemmed in by his own traditions and burdened by his dark vision of the future. There is the intrigue and uncertainty of life at Honorius's court, and there are the streets and tenements of Rome, pulsating with life and with corruption. |
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Pagina 25
... the edge of the platform. Because of these arrests, he was awakened earlier than usual, before sunrise. He had been impatiently awaiting the news that Marcus Anicius Rufus and his friends had been brought to The Prefect 25.
... the edge of the platform. Because of these arrests, he was awakened earlier than usual, before sunrise. He had been impatiently awaiting the news that Marcus Anicius Rufus and his friends had been brought to The Prefect 25.
Pagina 26
... friends had been brought to the prefecture for immediate trial, but even this welcome information could not erase the memory of his strange, early morning dream . . . He had found himself on a barren, desolate coast. A rocky precipice ...
... friends had been brought to the prefecture for immediate trial, but even this welcome information could not erase the memory of his strange, early morning dream . . . He had found himself on a barren, desolate coast. A rocky precipice ...
Pagina 27
... friends to dinner and to an artistic performance. I don't see anything unusual about that — much less incriminating.” “This performance had the character of a pagan ritual. The dancers were at the point of committing the act of love in ...
... friends to dinner and to an artistic performance. I don't see anything unusual about that — much less incriminating.” “This performance had the character of a pagan ritual. The dancers were at the point of committing the act of love in ...
Pagina 32
... friends—with criminal sacrifice and prophesying camouflaged as the buf. foonery of supposed artists." “You have no proof of that.” “In my opinion, both the nature and the intention of the performance in your house are indisputable ...
... friends—with criminal sacrifice and prophesying camouflaged as the buf. foonery of supposed artists." “You have no proof of that.” “In my opinion, both the nature and the intention of the performance in your house are indisputable ...
Pagina 33
... friends. Now I understand why the commander of the guard thought he had the right to force his way into my house. That raid was premeditated.” “I'm only an instrument of justice. I feel personally concerned about what is happening to ...
... friends. Now I understand why the commander of the guard thought he had the right to force his way into my house. That raid was premeditated.” “I'm only an instrument of justice. I feel personally concerned about what is happening to ...
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Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth-Century Rome Hella S. Haasse,Anita Miller,Nini Blinstrub Gedeeltelijke weergave - 2005 |
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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 Muneral never Nile officials Olybrius Olympiodorus once pagan palanquin perhaps person poet praetorian guard Prefect prefecture prisoner Pylades realize recognized 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