Ratings5
Average rating3.2
Steven Saylor's Roma Sub Rosa series of novels, set in the late Roman Republic and featuring Gordianus the Finder, has garnered unusual acclaim from readers and reviewers alike, establishing him as one of the pre-eminent historical crime writers. In A Gladiator Dies Only Once, the second collection of his award-winning stories featuring Gordianus, Saylor more than meets his own high standards. Set during period between the events of his novels Roman Blood and Catalina's Riddle, these previously untold adventures range from twisted search for truth behind a threatening blind item in the Acta Diurna ("The Consul's Wife") and a kidnapping and murder during the revolt of Sertorius ("The White Fawn") to the story behind Cicero's discovery of Archimedes's tomb ("Archimedes Tomb") and a perplexing domestic situation in Gordianus's own home ("If a Cyclops Could Vanish in a Glimpse of an Eye.") These tales from the early career of Gordianus - when his adopted son Eco was still a mute boy and his wife Bethesda was but his slave - will delight Saylor's many fans while illuminating the details of the ancient world like no other writer can.
Reviews with the most likes.
A fine collection of short stories, I didn't like it more than the previous collection but none of them were bad. I just like this series more when in full novel form, I guess. The narrator for this series (first time trying audio) was also awful. I have the next book on audio as well, but after that I'm switching back to paper.
Series
16 primary booksGordianus the Finder - Chronological is a 14-book series with 14 primary works first released in 1991 with contributions by Steven Saylor, Pedro Carvalho e Guerra, and Rita Carvalho e Guerra.
Series
13 primary booksRoma Sub Rosa is a 13-book series with 13 primary works first released in 1991 with contributions by Steven Saylor.