Caesar and his army have crossed the Rubicon and the dark clouds of the approaching Civil War are hanging oppressively over the city of Rome. Oppositional Senators are planning Their flight, a great part of the citizenry is deeply anxious about Their uncertain future while others are awaiting Ceasar's coming eagerly. In this tensed situation, Gordian makes a terrible discovery: Numerius Pompey, a relative of Pompey the Great, read strangeled in the garden of Gordianus' house on the Palatine. Gordian had Discussed business matters with him, and had left alone for a few minutes Numerius, only. How could this hideous crime happen? The garden is not accessible from outside. Is someone of his servants or even his family involved in the murder? Gordianus can not imagine that. When searching the body, he finds some mysterious documents Which somehow seem to be conected with The Murder in Numerius' shoes. Before having the opportunity to read them completely Call, Pompey the Great arrives at Gordianus' house with a troop of soldiers and he is indignant When hearing of the homicide. Although he does not suspect Gordianus of the crime, the Great takes Gordianus' son-in-law with him to Davus Brundisium. He tells Gordianus That he would release Davus only if he brings him the murderer of Numerius. The central historical theme of this volume is the siege of Brundisium where Pompey had barricaded himself. Saylor's great historical accuracy is again evident in the vivid details he gives us of the situation Briefly before the Civil War and of its beginning. The mystery plot is not only well Constructed, but this time so raises interesting moral questions Which add substance to the book and credibility as well as depth to the character of Gordian. On the whole, Rubicon is breastfeeding if not quite as good as the previous novels- well worth reading. Nobody who is interested in Roman history will be disappointed after having read this book. Unfortunatly, there is no German translation of this novel until today.
