The Enemies of Jupiter
First edition, 2003
|
|
| Author | Caroline Lawrence |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Peter Sutton Fred van Deelan (mosaic) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Roman Mysteries |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Orion Books |
|
Publication date
|
6 November 2003 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 224 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 59305867 |
| Preceded by | The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina |
| Followed by | The Gladiators from Capua |
The Enemies of Jupiter is a children's historical novel by Caroline Lawrence published on 6 November 2003 by Orion Books. It is the seventh book of the Roman Mysteries series.
The novel is set in Ostia and Rome in February AD 80, at a time when Rome was devastated by disease and fire. Jonathan is the primary character in this novel, in which he tries to reconcile his parents, Mordecai and Susannah, and falls foul of the Emperor Titus.
Jonathan is still depressed about his mother's decision to remain in Rome with the Emperor Titus, but has decided it is time to act. Soon an imperial messenger arrives to summon Mordecai, in his capacity as a doctor, to the capital, where the fever which swept through Ostia in December has reached epidemic proportions. Apparently Titus also has a mystery for the four detectives to solve, as Jonathan, Lupus, Flavia and Nubia are included in the imperial request.
As they arrive at Rome they witness some horrible sights: crucified slaves, burning bodies, bloated corpses and Lupercalian wolf-boys capering in the streets sprinkling people with blood.
At the Imperial Palace the Emperor asks the children to look into a prophecy foretelling devastation when "Prometheus opens a Pandora's box". He assigns the astrologer Ascletario to act as a guide for the children (and the reader) to the sights and customs of Rome.
Flavia, Nubia and Lupus all develop theories about the prophecy - one rather spectacularly connected with the Ark of the Covenant which they find in the quarters of Berenice, the exiled mistress of the Emperor. Jonathan, however, is only interested in engineering a meeting between his parents - but when he does so, Titus intervenes and declares his love for Susannah. This upsets everyone, but especially Berenice who returns from exile just in time to hear it.
...
Wikipedia