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 22
... – finally! — of what he considers to be a subversive group, is no longer unclouded. There has been a subtle shift. This affair no longer holds the prospect of a careful savoring of victory, of pleasure 22 THRESHOLD OF FIRE.
... – finally! — of what he considers to be a subversive group, is no longer unclouded. There has been a subtle shift. This affair no longer holds the prospect of a careful savoring of victory, of pleasure 22 THRESHOLD OF FIRE.
Pagina 31
... holds stubbornly to pagan practices, to an obsolete mode of life... You refuse to admit that times have changed. We remember your words and actions at critical moments in the Senate. You've never been able to hide your displeasure with ...
... holds stubbornly to pagan practices, to an obsolete mode of life... You refuse to admit that times have changed. We remember your words and actions at critical moments in the Senate. You've never been able to hide your displeasure with ...
Pagina 46
... holds before him is inscribed wordfor-word in his memory. The blood drains from his face. While Mallius dreams in daylight and darkness The Egyptian steals everything; nothing is sacred to him. People of Rome, cry with one voice ...
... holds before him is inscribed wordfor-word in his memory. The blood drains from his face. While Mallius dreams in daylight and darkness The Egyptian steals everything; nothing is sacred to him. People of Rome, cry with one voice ...
Pagina 47
... hold an echo? Aren't the coldest phrases charged with passion, and doesn't that passion remain even after the words themselves have died away forever? Then — ten years ago — Hadrian had scarcely been able to control the trembling of his ...
... hold an echo? Aren't the coldest phrases charged with passion, and doesn't that passion remain even after the words themselves have died away forever? Then — ten years ago — Hadrian had scarcely been able to control the trembling of his ...
Pagina 51
... holds that one thrust out in this way can be stabbed with impunity as soon as he sets foot in the forbidden territory. At the time, the Prefect had taken certain steps, given certain commands. There is a blind spot in his memory. Had no ...
... holds that one thrust out in this way can be stabbed with impunity as soon as he sets foot in the forbidden territory. At the time, the Prefect had taken certain steps, given certain commands. There is a blind spot in his memory. Had no ...
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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