Threshold of Fire: A Novel of Fifth Century RomeAllison & Busby, 1997 - 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 25
... interrogation can begin . The Prefect does not speak immediately . Nor does he look at the accused , but contemplates his own right hand , spread flat against the arm of his chair . He raises one shoulder slightly ; the folds of his ...
... interrogation can begin . The Prefect does not speak immediately . Nor does he look at the accused , but contemplates his own right hand , spread flat against the arm of his chair . He raises one shoulder slightly ; the folds of his ...
Pagina 40
... interrogation continues . More cautiously now , with mounting suspicion — and another feel- ing , too : a disturbing tension . The Prefect gropes for information about this man in the shabby cloak . A freedman , yes , practicing no ...
... interrogation continues . More cautiously now , with mounting suspicion — and another feel- ing , too : a disturbing tension . The Prefect gropes for information about this man in the shabby cloak . A freedman , yes , practicing no ...
Pagina 47
... interrogation . The accused at that time was the poet whose work , adeptly copied by Marcus Anicius Rufus's slave - scribe , now lies exposed on the desk of the prefecture ; the writer of that epigram which passed from mouth to mouth ...
... interrogation . The accused at that time was the poet whose work , adeptly copied by Marcus Anicius Rufus's slave - scribe , now lies exposed on the desk of the prefecture ; the writer of that epigram which passed from mouth to mouth ...
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
accused Alexandria Arcadius asked Aulus Fronto Balcho barbarians become believe bishops blood calls himself Niliacus Christian City Claudius Claudianus cock 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 past perhaps person poet praetorian guard Prefect prefecture prisoner Pylades Roman Rome Rufinus sacrifice secret Serena shoulder silent slave someone standing statue stink stood Subura tablinum temple Theodosius things thought THRESHOLD OF FIRE tion turn Urbanilla villa voice waiting wall words