Rome
Ben Kane’s writing career has ranged over a number of historical periods and figures: Hannibal, Spartacus, Napoleon, Richard the Lionheart. In his latest novel, he turns his attention to a woman, Galla Placidia, daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I, and mother and regent to the later emperor, Valentinian III. In between, Galla’s life is recreated in all its fascinating detail, Kane transporting readers to a less well-known period of Roman history in the fifth century AD.
Galla lives a relatively quiet life in Rome while her half-brother, Honorius, holds sway over the imperial court in Ravenna. When Rome is besieged by Alaric the Visigoth, Galla is taken as a valuable hostage to aid Alaric’s negotiations with Honorius. And so Galla’s path to power starts to unfold.
The narrative perspective moves between Galla and the fictional Vadomar, a Goth soldier who fights for the Romans. At first, Galla and Vadomar lead separate lives until their paths cross and Vadomar becomes Galla’s most loyal ally and protector. Kane manages this admirably, and I was impressed with the way he captures a female perspective, albeit through an unusually ambitious woman. Kane also negotiates some complicated historical events: shifting allegiances, betrayals, vengeance and surprise assassinations, but never losing the reader – the sign of a master storyteller. The sense of the Roman Empire poised on the precipice of its demise is fascinating, and I was interested to learn how many of the Germanic tribes served Rome as well as attacked it.
This is a totally immersive and enjoyable read. My only small criticism is that, after the events with Athaulf later in the novel, the story seemed to race towards its conclusion. Many of the loose ends are tied up in an epilogue, but I, for one, would very much welcome a sequel! Highly recommended.
