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Of Merchants and Heroes
last drawing to a close, it was already threatened by a new enemy, Philip, the tyrant king of Macedon in the east. Into this turbulent world emerges our Roman hero, Marcus, whose father is brutally murdered by pirates on a journey from Italy to Corfu on a visit to his uncle. Fate takes him to some of the great cities of the Greco-Roman world at a time of major turbulence, where he learns much and finds love unexpectedly. This is a remarkable, beautifully written debut that explores political and philosophical questions that are timeless - democracy and tyranny, war and self-defence, right and duty – as well as questions of love, loyalty and betrayal.
407 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2008
About the author
Paul Waters
24 books23 followersPaul Waters was born and schooled in England, but says his real education did not begin until he was seventeen, when he ran away to sea.
He spent the next two years travelling the world on a tramp steamer. It was during this time, somewhere in the Indian Ocean, that he picked up a copy of Herodotus, and began a love affair with the classical world of Greece and Rome.
Later he returned to England and studied Classics at University College London. Since then he has lived and worked in France, Greece, America and southern Africa. He now lives in Cambridge, England.
He spent the next two years travelling the world on a tramp steamer. It was during this time, somewhere in the Indian Ocean, that he picked up a copy of Herodotus, and began a love affair with the classical world of Greece and Rome.
Later he returned to England and studied Classics at University College London. Since then he has lived and worked in France, Greece, America and southern Africa. He now lives in Cambridge, England.
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April 28, 2019
I’ve read enough historical fiction to be tired of visiting the same old settings. The fall of the Republic, the Julio-Claudians, and the reigns of Vespasian and maybe Marcus Aurelius/Commodus seem to be the only periods available for Roman fiction. Which is why I liked this book from the beginning. It’s set at a very interesting yet unexplored period: the time immediately after the Second Punic War (itself a mildly popular topic) when Rome was starting to flex her muscles in the East.
The main theme of the story is the passing of the old, decent ways and their replacement by the uncaring progress of mercantilism. This is seen from two angles: one, the replacement of Marcus’ father with his wealthy uncle, which leads to the erasure of a paternalistic rural Italian farming community, and two, the Roman conquest of Greece and the ultimate unworthiness of the modern Greek cities. The cost to communities of the heartless drumbeat of progress is obviously a theme that resonates powerfully with the author for he conveys it strongly in his characters.
At the center of the book is a homosexual love story between the Roman Marcus and the Greek Menexenos. This romance is handled very well for the most part and seems very Mary Renaultesque. It ties in with the Greek ideals of male-male love, with the purpose of the affair being a mutual quest for excellence rather than mere lust. And the conflicts between the less understanding Romans and the easygoing Greeks is a constant pressure, at least in the beginning. We’ve also got Titus Quinctus Flamininus (oddly only ever called Titus, never Flamininus as all but his most intimate companions would have called him) who is a young senator out to rescue Greece from the Macedonians.
Marcus is a bit too perfect for me, as is Titus. They invariably do the right thing, even when that should be impossible, such as their sneaking through the entire Macedonian army to rescue a girl they know from a city about to be sacked or saving each other in battle in ways that somehow always seem to benefit the war as a whole. They never once struggle with the moral ramifications of what they do because doing right action always results in a positive outcome. They remind me of the flawlessly virtuous heroes that were de rigueur in ’50s historical fiction. Still, they do have enough character traits that I can forgive them this perfection. It’s just that all of them are clustered round their private lives and none of them impact their public faces.
This ties in with the book’s real problem, which is that it handles the small, personal-scale issues much better than it does the broad scale ones. And as the book goes on, it’s naturally the big picture that increases in importance. Now the book isn’t absolutely wretched at this. The politics is laid out intelligibly and the various factions are admirably clear. It’s just that that it never feels very serious. All the big events seem tangential to the love/coming-of-age/revenge story. If the book had recognized this I think it could have mined a lot of tragedy or drama out of two star-crossed lovers constantly kept apart by a war. Instead, the book seems to get increasingly cold as it goes on and our concerns never quite shift to the new course the plot is taking.
It’s also very simplistic and doesn’t really convey the culture clash that it’s striving to. After the section establishing the romance, the idea of cultural differences basically vanishes. Greeks and Romans seem very much the same. Greece should feel an alien world to young Romans and vice versa. The Romans also seem far too similar to their culture in the late Republic/early Empire, when Romans were firmly intertwined with the Greek East and everybody’s familiar with each other. It’s only about 70 pages before the end that we’re even informed that Roman legions have never faced the Macedonian phalanx in open combat and that army is said to be the strongest in the world. Until that point everyone just seems to assume that Rome can march right over anyone in their way. The Macedonians treat the Romans with frightened kid gloves from the start. But why would they be? Cynoscephalae should be an enormous shock to everyone. But it doesn’t seem particularly important or meaningful when it occurs.
This also ties into the moral simplicity that I alluded to earlier. The big distinction is not between Greek and Roman, but between those striving for excellence and moral purity and those who see only the worst in mankind. This shows up in his author’s note as well as he lambasts anyone base enough to seek negative reasons for Flamininus’ behavior. But I’ve never heard anyone claim he didn’t genuinely want to free Greece from Macedonia. What they point out is the myriad of additional, often contradictory goals he had: to win glory, to safeguard Rome, to gain wealth, to expand Rome’s empire, to make allies. . . And to pursue one goal often means abandoning others.
I wish the author had considered this, because conflicting desires are the basis of all good drama. Seeing that your lover is in danger and that by helping him you can turn the tide of battle is not drama. Seeing your lover in danger but realizing that to help him could doom the battle is drama. But at no point are the characters forced to choose between unpalatable options. Rather, Marcus is blown along with everything that happens and bases his rare decisions solely on what is right. And that’s just too easy, both from a realism standpoint and a dramatic one. Having a mix of base and noble motivations doesn’t make you a wretch, it makes you human. But everyone in the book can be classed either as wholly selfless and striving for excellence or wholly cynical and seeking only self-indulgence. Which is why once the coming-of-age story is done all internal conflict ceases. The love story also flags as soon as they hook up. Where can a relationship go if there can be no conflict between noble persons?
Now if I found all this a nuisance I don’t think it ruins the novel. The personal journey and romance is satisfying enough that I still mark it a success, even if it all ends too soon. The look at a very interesting and unexplored moment in history alone is enough to keep me interested. If it doesn’t quite make the landing, the takeoff was flawless and the flight was comfortable, even if the conversation gradually deteriorated from love affairs to politics. Given the surprising shortage of books on this topic, I’d even recommend it as a good starting point. This is the author’s first book, and given that I’m even more inclined to be forgiving of the book’s weaknesses. If imperfect, it’s got strong moments (especially in the beginning), has generally good word flow and narration, and natural-sounding dialogue.
The main theme of the story is the passing of the old, decent ways and their replacement by the uncaring progress of mercantilism. This is seen from two angles: one, the replacement of Marcus’ father with his wealthy uncle, which leads to the erasure of a paternalistic rural Italian farming community, and two, the Roman conquest of Greece and the ultimate unworthiness of the modern Greek cities. The cost to communities of the heartless drumbeat of progress is obviously a theme that resonates powerfully with the author for he conveys it strongly in his characters.
At the center of the book is a homosexual love story between the Roman Marcus and the Greek Menexenos. This romance is handled very well for the most part and seems very Mary Renaultesque. It ties in with the Greek ideals of male-male love, with the purpose of the affair being a mutual quest for excellence rather than mere lust. And the conflicts between the less understanding Romans and the easygoing Greeks is a constant pressure, at least in the beginning. We’ve also got Titus Quinctus Flamininus (oddly only ever called Titus, never Flamininus as all but his most intimate companions would have called him) who is a young senator out to rescue Greece from the Macedonians.
Marcus is a bit too perfect for me, as is Titus. They invariably do the right thing, even when that should be impossible, such as their sneaking through the entire Macedonian army to rescue a girl they know from a city about to be sacked or saving each other in battle in ways that somehow always seem to benefit the war as a whole. They never once struggle with the moral ramifications of what they do because doing right action always results in a positive outcome. They remind me of the flawlessly virtuous heroes that were de rigueur in ’50s historical fiction. Still, they do have enough character traits that I can forgive them this perfection. It’s just that all of them are clustered round their private lives and none of them impact their public faces.
This ties in with the book’s real problem, which is that it handles the small, personal-scale issues much better than it does the broad scale ones. And as the book goes on, it’s naturally the big picture that increases in importance. Now the book isn’t absolutely wretched at this. The politics is laid out intelligibly and the various factions are admirably clear. It’s just that that it never feels very serious. All the big events seem tangential to the love/coming-of-age/revenge story. If the book had recognized this I think it could have mined a lot of tragedy or drama out of two star-crossed lovers constantly kept apart by a war. Instead, the book seems to get increasingly cold as it goes on and our concerns never quite shift to the new course the plot is taking.
It’s also very simplistic and doesn’t really convey the culture clash that it’s striving to. After the section establishing the romance, the idea of cultural differences basically vanishes. Greeks and Romans seem very much the same. Greece should feel an alien world to young Romans and vice versa. The Romans also seem far too similar to their culture in the late Republic/early Empire, when Romans were firmly intertwined with the Greek East and everybody’s familiar with each other. It’s only about 70 pages before the end that we’re even informed that Roman legions have never faced the Macedonian phalanx in open combat and that army is said to be the strongest in the world. Until that point everyone just seems to assume that Rome can march right over anyone in their way. The Macedonians treat the Romans with frightened kid gloves from the start. But why would they be? Cynoscephalae should be an enormous shock to everyone. But it doesn’t seem particularly important or meaningful when it occurs.
This also ties into the moral simplicity that I alluded to earlier. The big distinction is not between Greek and Roman, but between those striving for excellence and moral purity and those who see only the worst in mankind. This shows up in his author’s note as well as he lambasts anyone base enough to seek negative reasons for Flamininus’ behavior. But I’ve never heard anyone claim he didn’t genuinely want to free Greece from Macedonia. What they point out is the myriad of additional, often contradictory goals he had: to win glory, to safeguard Rome, to gain wealth, to expand Rome’s empire, to make allies. . . And to pursue one goal often means abandoning others.
I wish the author had considered this, because conflicting desires are the basis of all good drama. Seeing that your lover is in danger and that by helping him you can turn the tide of battle is not drama. Seeing your lover in danger but realizing that to help him could doom the battle is drama. But at no point are the characters forced to choose between unpalatable options. Rather, Marcus is blown along with everything that happens and bases his rare decisions solely on what is right. And that’s just too easy, both from a realism standpoint and a dramatic one. Having a mix of base and noble motivations doesn’t make you a wretch, it makes you human. But everyone in the book can be classed either as wholly selfless and striving for excellence or wholly cynical and seeking only self-indulgence. Which is why once the coming-of-age story is done all internal conflict ceases. The love story also flags as soon as they hook up. Where can a relationship go if there can be no conflict between noble persons?
Now if I found all this a nuisance I don’t think it ruins the novel. The personal journey and romance is satisfying enough that I still mark it a success, even if it all ends too soon. The look at a very interesting and unexplored moment in history alone is enough to keep me interested. If it doesn’t quite make the landing, the takeoff was flawless and the flight was comfortable, even if the conversation gradually deteriorated from love affairs to politics. Given the surprising shortage of books on this topic, I’d even recommend it as a good starting point. This is the author’s first book, and given that I’m even more inclined to be forgiving of the book’s weaknesses. If imperfect, it’s got strong moments (especially in the beginning), has generally good word flow and narration, and natural-sounding dialogue.
July 24, 2014
This is one, I thought after I’d finished it, that perhaps would have benefited by having its ‘Historical Note’ at the start. I certainly found it to be a better book looking back at it after having read the Historical Note, than I did while I was actually ploughing through it. Though, I can maybe see why note was placed at the end, not least because some readers may be put off by the information about homosexuality in the ancient Greek and Roman world. Not an easy one to know how to feel about. Because while homosexuality was accepted - hell, even the Spartans encouraged it to build up comradeship - it hasn’t featured at all in any of the Roman epics I’ve read. Ever. Even ones with Greek people in them. The only mention of it I can think of, off the top of my head, is in an Anthony Riches book recently, where a prostitute is described by one of the Centurians as being able to ‘suck cock like a Greek sailor after a week at sea.’ Only a week? And see, it was something the Greeks did. Funny people, the Greeks. Well, never mind…
‘Of Merchants and Heroes’ is set at the end of the Third Century B.C., towards the end of Rome’s war with Hannibal and Carthage. A young lad called Marcus, goes on a trip to Greece with his father. Their boat, them and the other passengers, is captured by pirates. The boy’s father is killed and a young girl on the boat, decides to kill herself before the pirates can think of other ‘treatments' for her. This seems to have a profound effect upon the young boy. Father dying, hatred of the man who caused it, I can understand. The girl, less so, but there you go. He vows to all sorts of gods, to avenge his father’s death. He then finds his way back to Italy and is taken in by his uncle, a minor business man, who proceeds to marry the boy’s mother, becoming of course, his new father. Marcus is not impressed by his uncle in any way and trains as a soldier. They move to Tarentum in the south where he makes friends with the Praetor’s son, Titus. Praetor dies, son largely takes over. Then, he becomes friends - I forget how - with a vision of Greek perfection, called Menexenos.The story thus far, has essentially been a series of small incidents, chance meetings, accidental observations, potential intrigues, dinner parties and nothing of any real substance after the killing of his father in the early pages.
I could go on with all the to-ing and fro-ing between Italy and Greece, mixing business, with pleasure, with being urged to social climb by his father, to training in the gym and walking in the gardens, fields and woods with this Menexenos lad. But I won’t. That’s about all that happens from there on in, until they finally get Philip of Greece (no, not even THAT one) to come out and fight. Let’s face it, what we have here is the long drawn out tale of a love-struck, love-sick, 17-odd-year old, drippy Roman, wandering aimlessly around Italy and Greece mooning after some athletic, god-like Greek boy.
It isn’t what I expected, but it isn’t because of that that I found it dull. It isn’t because of the homosexuality not fitting in with my (ancient) world view either. I know it went on, just as it does today, so what? It is dull, because absolutely nothing at all happens in a very, very, v e r y long time. You start off well meaning enough with “OK, this looks like it could be interesting.” Then, “Right, it’s clearly one that takes its time warming up.” To, ”So, what IS this about then? A gay love story, set in ancient Rome and Greece….why? Why set it back then, why not set it now? Ah, yes, ‘Brideshead Revisited’ has already been written.” Through, “Have I missed something? No, I haven’t. It’ll really have to pull it out of the fire in the last 100 pages…actually, even if it does, it’s wasted my time with the first 300! Oh well, only another 100 pages to go…” Finally you finish it off with a thump down on the coffee table and a “Oh, well, at least I got it cheap.” Nothing more.
Several times, it seems like he tries to put in something to suggest it is, in case you didn’t notice, something more than it actually is. Late on, when setting off after the pirate who has captured his step-father, he says; “it was the dark anger that had fashioned my life and made me different from other men.” Well, no. From having read the whole thing, there’s very little evidence, apart from a couple of chance meetings or sightings of the pirate that had very little effect on him once they were over, that this pirate has had any effect on him whatsoever. Unless, the pirate DID make him ‘different to other men’? Can’t see it. The incident with the pirate, the girl jumping to her death and the killing of his father, apart from neatly, too neatly, book-ending the story, have had little, to no bearing on the story or his character. The addition of this phrase at the end, smacks of desperation to me. Of the writer admitting he has failed to convey this theme through the story and character development during the book and falling back on realising he's going to have to come out and state it. So we add importance to the story, that really isn't found there.
But, wait - let’s now read that ‘Historical Note’…
The Historical Note talks of the book's lofty aims and as though they have been achieved. No. But it does help explain some of the waffle I’ve read. So, say we give it a chance, say we read all the way through thinking “what the f@ck?!” Then read the historical note and think “OK, maybe…”
There is an interesting air of melancholy, as the Historical Note, erm, notes. Let’s say it's a look at the Greek and Roman worlds on the cusp of change. He is, from the title onwards, comparing the new Roman, with the older Greek, civilisations, the ancient world changing to Merchants, from Heroes. And when contrasted with the Greek, the book finds Roman civilisation distinctly lacking. So, maybe it is showing the end of the simple, but noble - and what we would nowadays almost dismissively call ‘lofty’ - ideals of the Greeks, being given the elbow by the Romans. Rome seems on the edge of its aspirations of Empire, Greece and the Greek ideal, is on the wane. That’s where he’s at, fairly and squarely. For him, the Greeks are philosophers and poets, athletes and warrior heroes, educated by, and the latest in a long line of, philosophers, poets, heroes and athletes. Romans are grubby, dull, penny-pinching merchants and career soldiers. Further more, it does seem to suggest that Rome’s empire building began, or rather gained pace, through a desire to keep any possible enemies at as long an arm’s length from Rome as possible. Sensible enough. The Greek influence, or at least its philosophers and poets (if not its athletic homosexuals), were beginning to find their way to the region’s new centre of power and change Rome’s dour brick buildings to something more artistic that the book can live with. What it can’t live with, is the loss of - what seem to be - Greek ideals of, for instance, art for art’s sake, sport for the love of sport and the pursuit of physical perfection that it both needs and develops. But, like it or not, and the prevailing mood of the book is not to like it overly much, Rome is on the rise. Its message is being spread far and wide through its tradesmen, rather than its artisans. Through merchants and merchandise, rather than ideals and heroes. Roman values you can touch and buy, Greek you can’t. All that.
Why the homosexual love story, when a hetrosexual one could well have achieved the above aims just as well? Yeah, he’s in love with this Greek perfection. I get that. Maybe it’s by showing - and it’s most certainly not the ‘bisexuality (that was) ubiquitous in the ancient world,’ our lad Marcus is no way bisexual. He never even looks at a girl after the first few pages. He is full-on gay. Which kind of negates the premise, but never mind - love for love’s sake. That could/does reach across the ‘borders’ subsequently imposed on it at “the end of the classical period.” Maybe that was what he was thinking about while writing all the melancholic meandering.
Looked back on in this light, it is indeed possible it did achieve some of its purpose. It’s a pity that you have to wait until the story’s finished to get it. I’m not gonna say it justifies the previous hundreds of pages of Fotherington-Thomas-like ‘Hello clouds, hello sky,’ drifting aimlessly backwards and forwards across the Aegean, but when you have read the Historical Note, it does at least give a little perspective to all the flannel. Some of it, anyway. You can see perhaps why he wanted to write the book. Though not why he forgot to put a story in it. But, take out the homosexual love story - and you’ve got nothing left.
I’m going to have to differ with Manda Scott quoted on the cover of my copy, here and say that far from being “A masterpiece that deserves to become one of the classics of historical fiction” this is a monumentally dull, very slight tale, that only gains some measure of respectability, by looking at it in the rearview mirror. I came close to giving up many times, kept hanging on in the hope it was going to get better, but it didn’t. I’m still thinking, despite the oft-stated physical stature and presence and the many descriptions of their stamina and ability with all forms of weaponry - they wouldn't have lasted five minutes with Anthony Riches' motley crew of barely house-trained, roughneck, Tungrian assault troops, freezing their knackers off out there on Hadrian's Wall. Not even four minutes if you started referring to your mate's body as 'perfection', 'god-like' or 'beautiful.' No firm handshakes, beers all round here, that’s for sure.
‘Of Merchants and Heroes’ is set at the end of the Third Century B.C., towards the end of Rome’s war with Hannibal and Carthage. A young lad called Marcus, goes on a trip to Greece with his father. Their boat, them and the other passengers, is captured by pirates. The boy’s father is killed and a young girl on the boat, decides to kill herself before the pirates can think of other ‘treatments' for her. This seems to have a profound effect upon the young boy. Father dying, hatred of the man who caused it, I can understand. The girl, less so, but there you go. He vows to all sorts of gods, to avenge his father’s death. He then finds his way back to Italy and is taken in by his uncle, a minor business man, who proceeds to marry the boy’s mother, becoming of course, his new father. Marcus is not impressed by his uncle in any way and trains as a soldier. They move to Tarentum in the south where he makes friends with the Praetor’s son, Titus. Praetor dies, son largely takes over. Then, he becomes friends - I forget how - with a vision of Greek perfection, called Menexenos.The story thus far, has essentially been a series of small incidents, chance meetings, accidental observations, potential intrigues, dinner parties and nothing of any real substance after the killing of his father in the early pages.
I could go on with all the to-ing and fro-ing between Italy and Greece, mixing business, with pleasure, with being urged to social climb by his father, to training in the gym and walking in the gardens, fields and woods with this Menexenos lad. But I won’t. That’s about all that happens from there on in, until they finally get Philip of Greece (no, not even THAT one) to come out and fight. Let’s face it, what we have here is the long drawn out tale of a love-struck, love-sick, 17-odd-year old, drippy Roman, wandering aimlessly around Italy and Greece mooning after some athletic, god-like Greek boy.
It isn’t what I expected, but it isn’t because of that that I found it dull. It isn’t because of the homosexuality not fitting in with my (ancient) world view either. I know it went on, just as it does today, so what? It is dull, because absolutely nothing at all happens in a very, very, v e r y long time. You start off well meaning enough with “OK, this looks like it could be interesting.” Then, “Right, it’s clearly one that takes its time warming up.” To, ”So, what IS this about then? A gay love story, set in ancient Rome and Greece….why? Why set it back then, why not set it now? Ah, yes, ‘Brideshead Revisited’ has already been written.” Through, “Have I missed something? No, I haven’t. It’ll really have to pull it out of the fire in the last 100 pages…actually, even if it does, it’s wasted my time with the first 300! Oh well, only another 100 pages to go…” Finally you finish it off with a thump down on the coffee table and a “Oh, well, at least I got it cheap.” Nothing more.
Several times, it seems like he tries to put in something to suggest it is, in case you didn’t notice, something more than it actually is. Late on, when setting off after the pirate who has captured his step-father, he says; “it was the dark anger that had fashioned my life and made me different from other men.” Well, no. From having read the whole thing, there’s very little evidence, apart from a couple of chance meetings or sightings of the pirate that had very little effect on him once they were over, that this pirate has had any effect on him whatsoever. Unless, the pirate DID make him ‘different to other men’? Can’t see it. The incident with the pirate, the girl jumping to her death and the killing of his father, apart from neatly, too neatly, book-ending the story, have had little, to no bearing on the story or his character. The addition of this phrase at the end, smacks of desperation to me. Of the writer admitting he has failed to convey this theme through the story and character development during the book and falling back on realising he's going to have to come out and state it. So we add importance to the story, that really isn't found there.
But, wait - let’s now read that ‘Historical Note’…
The Historical Note talks of the book's lofty aims and as though they have been achieved. No. But it does help explain some of the waffle I’ve read. So, say we give it a chance, say we read all the way through thinking “what the f@ck?!” Then read the historical note and think “OK, maybe…”
There is an interesting air of melancholy, as the Historical Note, erm, notes. Let’s say it's a look at the Greek and Roman worlds on the cusp of change. He is, from the title onwards, comparing the new Roman, with the older Greek, civilisations, the ancient world changing to Merchants, from Heroes. And when contrasted with the Greek, the book finds Roman civilisation distinctly lacking. So, maybe it is showing the end of the simple, but noble - and what we would nowadays almost dismissively call ‘lofty’ - ideals of the Greeks, being given the elbow by the Romans. Rome seems on the edge of its aspirations of Empire, Greece and the Greek ideal, is on the wane. That’s where he’s at, fairly and squarely. For him, the Greeks are philosophers and poets, athletes and warrior heroes, educated by, and the latest in a long line of, philosophers, poets, heroes and athletes. Romans are grubby, dull, penny-pinching merchants and career soldiers. Further more, it does seem to suggest that Rome’s empire building began, or rather gained pace, through a desire to keep any possible enemies at as long an arm’s length from Rome as possible. Sensible enough. The Greek influence, or at least its philosophers and poets (if not its athletic homosexuals), were beginning to find their way to the region’s new centre of power and change Rome’s dour brick buildings to something more artistic that the book can live with. What it can’t live with, is the loss of - what seem to be - Greek ideals of, for instance, art for art’s sake, sport for the love of sport and the pursuit of physical perfection that it both needs and develops. But, like it or not, and the prevailing mood of the book is not to like it overly much, Rome is on the rise. Its message is being spread far and wide through its tradesmen, rather than its artisans. Through merchants and merchandise, rather than ideals and heroes. Roman values you can touch and buy, Greek you can’t. All that.
Why the homosexual love story, when a hetrosexual one could well have achieved the above aims just as well? Yeah, he’s in love with this Greek perfection. I get that. Maybe it’s by showing - and it’s most certainly not the ‘bisexuality (that was) ubiquitous in the ancient world,’ our lad Marcus is no way bisexual. He never even looks at a girl after the first few pages. He is full-on gay. Which kind of negates the premise, but never mind - love for love’s sake. That could/does reach across the ‘borders’ subsequently imposed on it at “the end of the classical period.” Maybe that was what he was thinking about while writing all the melancholic meandering.
Looked back on in this light, it is indeed possible it did achieve some of its purpose. It’s a pity that you have to wait until the story’s finished to get it. I’m not gonna say it justifies the previous hundreds of pages of Fotherington-Thomas-like ‘Hello clouds, hello sky,’ drifting aimlessly backwards and forwards across the Aegean, but when you have read the Historical Note, it does at least give a little perspective to all the flannel. Some of it, anyway. You can see perhaps why he wanted to write the book. Though not why he forgot to put a story in it. But, take out the homosexual love story - and you’ve got nothing left.
I’m going to have to differ with Manda Scott quoted on the cover of my copy, here and say that far from being “A masterpiece that deserves to become one of the classics of historical fiction” this is a monumentally dull, very slight tale, that only gains some measure of respectability, by looking at it in the rearview mirror. I came close to giving up many times, kept hanging on in the hope it was going to get better, but it didn’t. I’m still thinking, despite the oft-stated physical stature and presence and the many descriptions of their stamina and ability with all forms of weaponry - they wouldn't have lasted five minutes with Anthony Riches' motley crew of barely house-trained, roughneck, Tungrian assault troops, freezing their knackers off out there on Hadrian's Wall. Not even four minutes if you started referring to your mate's body as 'perfection', 'god-like' or 'beautiful.' No firm handshakes, beers all round here, that’s for sure.
September 14, 2017
"You see, Marcus, some things have value yet have no price, as a wise man learns them and their worth."
This is my third book by Paul Waters and the one I liked best. Which surprised me a bit, because this is the first book he published.
One of my criticisms of his other books (more specifically "Cast not the Day" and "The Philosopher Prince", set years later likewise in Ancient Rome, focusing on a character named Drusus) was that they felt distant somehow while reading. As if there were walls between the characters, their emotions and me. I didn't feel like that while reading this book at all, despite quite a few similarities (the setting + a made up main character who meets a near perfect boy and falls in love with him + real historical events + some real historical people as secondary characters).
Marcus, our first person narrator, has always been a good son. He has always been smart and kind, because his parents raised him that way. In the beginning of the book he witnesses of terrible crimes that cost him a person he loves and while it doesn't completely change his personality, it does change his outlook on life and sets him on a path he'd otherwise never have taken.
He was relateable and likeable and actually showed strong emotions from time to time, even if they weren't focused on much, which is all I really hoped for, having been already familiar with the authors sometimes dispassionate writing style.
Another favorable comparison to his Drusus books would be, that while Menexenos was pretty similiar to Drusus' love interest Marcellus in the way that they're both blond, physically perfect and amongst the most decent people around, I always knew how him and Marcus stood to each other. With Drusus and Marcellus I kept asking myself if they had given up on the sexual relationship I was pretty sure they were having, but with Marcus and Menexenos I knew when they became friends, when they became more than that and even the exact moment when they became lovers. They weren't all over each other or very vocal about their love, but there were always small scenes and casual reminders that showed me that they were still in love and happy with each other. I liked that a lot, because it showed that his sort of forced on him path also led him to happiness.
Menexenos himself as a characters was at times a bit too flat, but when his personality came out, he was cute. I think he was supposed to be the ideal person everyone was supposed to strive for of the story. The Greek God. Built like Adonis, a world class athlete, innocent, but also intelligent, full of morals, kind and down to earth with a steadfast believe in fate and the gods.
Aka the complete opposite to the three main antagonists, who all worshipped money and power and saw most other people as less than themselves. Two of them even become fat and ugly over the years as they lost their morals and decency more and more.
Yet all of them, while maybe a bit cliché, were also in part interesting because only one of them actively hated Marcus, while the others were mostly indifferent or outright didn't care, while Marcus hated them for pretty good reasons they themselves weren't aware of.
They were pretty effective as villains, because I always wanted to wring the necks of two of them when they appeared on screen. Nothing is more frustrating to read about than incompetent douches having too much power, while better people are trying to work with their dumb decisions.
Then there were of course the secondary characters without which the story would have felt a lot emptier. There was the historical domain character and Marcus' close friend Titus Flaminius, who was good hearted, smart and loved everything Greek. There was his historical enemy Philip of Macedon (not that Philip), who was actually pretty charming and fun in the few scenes he had. Plus the sort-of-hetaira Pasitha, who was just charming, wise and an outright delight to read about. And of course Marcus' sister and mother who did't have much pagetime, but always brought a certain feeling of homecoming with them every time they appeared.
Not to mention all the other friends and family members. Sometimes it was hard to keep track.
The plot was basically just following Marcus around, watching the world change around him, trying to make sense of it, while waiting for his chance for revenge. It wasn't terribly exciting in itself, but also not boring to read about. The book really tries to make you think about morality and what's important in life. And also to admit that Greece is awesome.
All in all I'm actually a bit bummed that I'll likely never see these characters again. I'd have liked to spend more time with them and get closure on some things - at least witht he historical domain characters, I can google what happened to them. Alas it was good while it lasted and I hope that if Paul Waters decides to write yet another book set in ancient times, it will be more like this one.
This is my third book by Paul Waters and the one I liked best. Which surprised me a bit, because this is the first book he published.
One of my criticisms of his other books (more specifically "Cast not the Day" and "The Philosopher Prince", set years later likewise in Ancient Rome, focusing on a character named Drusus) was that they felt distant somehow while reading. As if there were walls between the characters, their emotions and me. I didn't feel like that while reading this book at all, despite quite a few similarities (the setting + a made up main character who meets a near perfect boy and falls in love with him + real historical events + some real historical people as secondary characters).
Marcus, our first person narrator, has always been a good son. He has always been smart and kind, because his parents raised him that way. In the beginning of the book he witnesses of terrible crimes that cost him a person he loves and while it doesn't completely change his personality, it does change his outlook on life and sets him on a path he'd otherwise never have taken.
He was relateable and likeable and actually showed strong emotions from time to time, even if they weren't focused on much, which is all I really hoped for, having been already familiar with the authors sometimes dispassionate writing style.
Another favorable comparison to his Drusus books would be, that while Menexenos was pretty similiar to Drusus' love interest Marcellus in the way that they're both blond, physically perfect and amongst the most decent people around, I always knew how him and Marcus stood to each other. With Drusus and Marcellus I kept asking myself if they had given up on the sexual relationship I was pretty sure they were having, but with Marcus and Menexenos I knew when they became friends, when they became more than that and even the exact moment when they became lovers. They weren't all over each other or very vocal about their love, but there were always small scenes and casual reminders that showed me that they were still in love and happy with each other. I liked that a lot, because it showed that his sort of forced on him path also led him to happiness.
Menexenos himself as a characters was at times a bit too flat, but when his personality came out, he was cute. I think he was supposed to be the ideal person everyone was supposed to strive for of the story. The Greek God. Built like Adonis, a world class athlete, innocent, but also intelligent, full of morals, kind and down to earth with a steadfast believe in fate and the gods.
Aka the complete opposite to the three main antagonists, who all worshipped money and power and saw most other people as less than themselves. Two of them even become fat and ugly over the years as they lost their morals and decency more and more.
Yet all of them, while maybe a bit cliché, were also in part interesting because only one of them actively hated Marcus, while the others were mostly indifferent or outright didn't care, while Marcus hated them for pretty good reasons they themselves weren't aware of.
They were pretty effective as villains, because I always wanted to wring the necks of two of them when they appeared on screen. Nothing is more frustrating to read about than incompetent douches having too much power, while better people are trying to work with their dumb decisions.
Then there were of course the secondary characters without which the story would have felt a lot emptier. There was the historical domain character and Marcus' close friend Titus Flaminius, who was good hearted, smart and loved everything Greek. There was his historical enemy Philip of Macedon (not that Philip), who was actually pretty charming and fun in the few scenes he had. Plus the sort-of-hetaira Pasitha, who was just charming, wise and an outright delight to read about. And of course Marcus' sister and mother who did't have much pagetime, but always brought a certain feeling of homecoming with them every time they appeared.
Not to mention all the other friends and family members. Sometimes it was hard to keep track.
The plot was basically just following Marcus around, watching the world change around him, trying to make sense of it, while waiting for his chance for revenge. It wasn't terribly exciting in itself, but also not boring to read about. The book really tries to make you think about morality and what's important in life. And also to admit that Greece is awesome.
All in all I'm actually a bit bummed that I'll likely never see these characters again. I'd have liked to spend more time with them and get closure on some things - at least witht he historical domain characters, I can google what happened to them. Alas it was good while it lasted and I hope that if Paul Waters decides to write yet another book set in ancient times, it will be more like this one.
February 3, 2014
Recently, I’ve been a bit gluttonous, reading mostly novels of Ancient Rome period. Thus, my opinion might be a bit biased since I can’t seem to get enough; the stupid smile still lingers on my face as books come and go. Therefore, show must go on! Romans! Romans! Romans!
This novel has a bit of everything: war, politics, philosophy, love... betrayal, friendship, lust, gluttony and so on and so forth. The author managed to induce so many concepts, all perfectly balanced in a story where Roman and Greek cultures intertwine, giving the reader insights into the spiritual values of those ancient times.
The story is set at the end of the 3rd century BC and follows the story of a young Roman, Marcus, whose fate is suddenly changed after his father’s death at the hands of unscrupulous pirates. With a mind set on revenge, the flare that drives him on, unexpected events unfold setting our hero on a path he would have never dreamed of: farm boy, accountant, lover and soldier.
“The Fates weave what they weave, and not even a god can undo their handiwork.”
In addition, the secondary characters add substance with their own intriguing lives, hence we meet Titus Flaminius, a young man of vision and ambition which befriends Marcus and together the duo climbs the ladder of success. Menexenos, a Greek athlete, the soul mate that closes the sorrow in our hero’s heart, the anchor which gives stability in their quest for achievement and honor. Caecilius, the stepfather, a gluttonous merchant with the sole life purpose of making coin, with no notion of family, unless it meant profits. King Philip V of Macedon who pose a serious threat to Roman dominance in the Aegean, an intelligent, perceptive leader with high skills in subterfuge tactics – one of my favorite characters.
To be honest, I have no complaints with regard to the writing and plot since the tale is excellent, with episodes which are both moving and heart-warming, and retains the reader’s interest throughout. What I liked the most is the connection between the characters, the mutual respect and loyalty of friendship and family – the unconditional support for better or worst. The battle scenes, though not so many, seemed real enough; the dialogues were great, everything just clicked with me.
A wonderful read that I recommend it to readers who love history and not only.
This novel has a bit of everything: war, politics, philosophy, love... betrayal, friendship, lust, gluttony and so on and so forth. The author managed to induce so many concepts, all perfectly balanced in a story where Roman and Greek cultures intertwine, giving the reader insights into the spiritual values of those ancient times.
The story is set at the end of the 3rd century BC and follows the story of a young Roman, Marcus, whose fate is suddenly changed after his father’s death at the hands of unscrupulous pirates. With a mind set on revenge, the flare that drives him on, unexpected events unfold setting our hero on a path he would have never dreamed of: farm boy, accountant, lover and soldier.
“The Fates weave what they weave, and not even a god can undo their handiwork.”
In addition, the secondary characters add substance with their own intriguing lives, hence we meet Titus Flaminius, a young man of vision and ambition which befriends Marcus and together the duo climbs the ladder of success. Menexenos, a Greek athlete, the soul mate that closes the sorrow in our hero’s heart, the anchor which gives stability in their quest for achievement and honor. Caecilius, the stepfather, a gluttonous merchant with the sole life purpose of making coin, with no notion of family, unless it meant profits. King Philip V of Macedon who pose a serious threat to Roman dominance in the Aegean, an intelligent, perceptive leader with high skills in subterfuge tactics – one of my favorite characters.
To be honest, I have no complaints with regard to the writing and plot since the tale is excellent, with episodes which are both moving and heart-warming, and retains the reader’s interest throughout. What I liked the most is the connection between the characters, the mutual respect and loyalty of friendship and family – the unconditional support for better or worst. The battle scenes, though not so many, seemed real enough; the dialogues were great, everything just clicked with me.
A wonderful read that I recommend it to readers who love history and not only.
March 12, 2015
3.5 rounded to 4. This is a rereading--first read late October 2012.
A sincere compliment: very "Mary Renaultesque" in the ancient Greek/Roman subject along with the treatment of male/male love, here written about tastefully where it so easily could have been crude. I enjoyed this readable, engrossing novel; even writing style seemed very similar to Ms. Renault's.
In the 3rd century BC, Marcus, a young Roman, travels with his father; they are captured by pirates and his father sacrifices his life to save that of Marcus. Marcus then lives with his uncle, a greedy, selfish merchant, who marries Marcus's mother and gains control of the family estate near Praeneste. Marcus is adopted by his uncle and is disgusted by the man's grossness and concern with money and his petty affairs. Marcus swears revenge on the pirate. Will this come to pass? Marcus and a Greek athlete, Menexenos, meet and become close. We see how Marcus matures in the novel from boy to man, over a period of years. Everything is here: love, hate, gentleness, warfare [with Philip V of Macedonia], even philosophy and wisdom put in the mouth of the common sense Menexenos and of the Roman Titus Quinctius.
Although the particular love theme made me personally uneasy, I appreciate the quality of this story and recommend it highly.
A sincere compliment: very "Mary Renaultesque" in the ancient Greek/Roman subject along with the treatment of male/male love, here written about tastefully where it so easily could have been crude. I enjoyed this readable, engrossing novel; even writing style seemed very similar to Ms. Renault's.
In the 3rd century BC, Marcus, a young Roman, travels with his father; they are captured by pirates and his father sacrifices his life to save that of Marcus. Marcus then lives with his uncle, a greedy, selfish merchant, who marries Marcus's mother and gains control of the family estate near Praeneste. Marcus is adopted by his uncle and is disgusted by the man's grossness and concern with money and his petty affairs. Marcus swears revenge on the pirate. Will this come to pass? Marcus and a Greek athlete, Menexenos, meet and become close. We see how Marcus matures in the novel from boy to man, over a period of years. Everything is here: love, hate, gentleness, warfare [with Philip V of Macedonia], even philosophy and wisdom put in the mouth of the common sense Menexenos and of the Roman Titus Quinctius.
Although the particular love theme made me personally uneasy, I appreciate the quality of this story and recommend it highly.
February 12, 2009
I almost bought this book when it was released in the UK last year, but the excerpt was kind of flat. Today I got my library copy and while readable, the book brings nothing new to someone who has read tons of historical fiction including masters like D. Dunnett, C. McCullough, Mary Renault, R. Graves, M. Waltari...
Flat and un-engaging prose, though reasonably interesting characters, but not even on Steven Pressfield or MC Ford level, not to speak of the great writers above.
Still the subject interested me enough to finish it, but it could have been much better in the hands of a more stylistically accomplished writer
August 19, 2018
Utterly glorious.
The story follows a young Marcus, the son of a farmer. It begins with he and his father taking a trip to Greece to meet with his uncle, but the journey ends in tragedy. Captured by pirates, his father slain, the event is one that will shape Marcus' life.
He meets his uncle, his soon to be step father, and together they travel back to Italy where Marcus resolves to learn the art of sword play, and take his revenge on his father's murderer. Working for his step father, his life will take him to Tarentum, where he meets Titus Flamininus, the man who will one day defeat Philip of Macedon.
This is no story of war, though there is the odd splash of blood. It is a tale of friendship and love, of relationships and their complexities.
The historical detail is incredible, as a reader you are immersed in the ancient worlds of Rome and Greece. Their different cultures and points of views come to life on the page. That coupled with the superb building of characters, makes this a real absorbing read.
Although very different from the usual 'sword and sandals' book I would normally reach for, I found this compelling and delightful, highly recommend.
The story follows a young Marcus, the son of a farmer. It begins with he and his father taking a trip to Greece to meet with his uncle, but the journey ends in tragedy. Captured by pirates, his father slain, the event is one that will shape Marcus' life.
He meets his uncle, his soon to be step father, and together they travel back to Italy where Marcus resolves to learn the art of sword play, and take his revenge on his father's murderer. Working for his step father, his life will take him to Tarentum, where he meets Titus Flamininus, the man who will one day defeat Philip of Macedon.
This is no story of war, though there is the odd splash of blood. It is a tale of friendship and love, of relationships and their complexities.
The historical detail is incredible, as a reader you are immersed in the ancient worlds of Rome and Greece. Their different cultures and points of views come to life on the page. That coupled with the superb building of characters, makes this a real absorbing read.
Although very different from the usual 'sword and sandals' book I would normally reach for, I found this compelling and delightful, highly recommend.
May 19, 2019
Fantastic novel set in Greece and Rome at the time of the Roman Republic.
Well researched and interesting.
Highly recommended.
Well researched and interesting.
Highly recommended.
July 3, 2008
Points for solid research, but an otherwise unremarkable story with a hero far too perfect and insightful to be a plausible teenager. Feh.
June 1, 2017
A gem of a novel. Paul Waters became one of my favourite authors from reading just one novel. Pity he has only 3 novels out.
This book is about Marcus, whose father died at the hands of pirates. The Roman boy became a man, who is guided by virtue and Menexenos, who became his lover. It's not an explicit novel, if that is what you are looking for then look elsewhere. But their relationship is set on excellence and bettering each other.
I can see parallels with Waters other books but the characters, though comparable, are distinct.
The attention to detail that Waters plays to historical accuracy, from food to clothes to places, gives this book depth. It's not too much detail though, like Renault.
It's a good paced novel. It's not too fast- they do take breaks between fights and have sports and festivities, but such was the pace in ancient times. It's not boring though, you enjoy every page.
Like in Waters' other novels, I enjoyed his female characters. Pasithea is awesome and Marcus' mother and stepsister were strong in different ways, managing the farm on their own (with farmhands and slaves). I would have loved to see more of Menexenos' mother, she was in the background too much but I guess many households were like that.
The lovely thing about this book was the philosophy. It reminded me of ancient philosophy with the dialogues on ethics and made me want to reread Plato again. There are many gems of wisdom and life analysis intertwined with action. Character development was top-notch. I can wax poetry about this book, my soul really needed it.
This book is about Marcus, whose father died at the hands of pirates. The Roman boy became a man, who is guided by virtue and Menexenos, who became his lover. It's not an explicit novel, if that is what you are looking for then look elsewhere. But their relationship is set on excellence and bettering each other.
I can see parallels with Waters other books but the characters, though comparable, are distinct.
The attention to detail that Waters plays to historical accuracy, from food to clothes to places, gives this book depth. It's not too much detail though, like Renault.
It's a good paced novel. It's not too fast- they do take breaks between fights and have sports and festivities, but such was the pace in ancient times. It's not boring though, you enjoy every page.
Like in Waters' other novels, I enjoyed his female characters. Pasithea is awesome and Marcus' mother and stepsister were strong in different ways, managing the farm on their own (with farmhands and slaves). I would have loved to see more of Menexenos' mother, she was in the background too much but I guess many households were like that.
The lovely thing about this book was the philosophy. It reminded me of ancient philosophy with the dialogues on ethics and made me want to reread Plato again. There are many gems of wisdom and life analysis intertwined with action. Character development was top-notch. I can wax poetry about this book, my soul really needed it.
April 21, 2020
That Greece might again be free
The final years of the Roman war against Hannibal, the first war of the Romans against Macedon, pirates, crooked business deals, murder, violence and revenge - all should have combined into an exciting narrative. Add that the author is a Classicist himself and historical accuracy should not be a problem.
The first 20 pages are the best. I am sorry to say that the rest of the story does not live up to its beginning - vicious pirates, two terrible deaths and a revenge scenario established - I looked forward to the rest. But no, the story settled into a cloying romance of 'Greek love', with merchants (selfish villains) vying with heroes (who look like Greek statues and excel in Greek athletics). The revenge theme falls so far into the background it is an anti-climax when it is resolved.
Sorry. I wanted to like this, thought it was reasonable enough, but ultimately it did disappoint.
The final years of the Roman war against Hannibal, the first war of the Romans against Macedon, pirates, crooked business deals, murder, violence and revenge - all should have combined into an exciting narrative. Add that the author is a Classicist himself and historical accuracy should not be a problem.
The first 20 pages are the best. I am sorry to say that the rest of the story does not live up to its beginning - vicious pirates, two terrible deaths and a revenge scenario established - I looked forward to the rest. But no, the story settled into a cloying romance of 'Greek love', with merchants (selfish villains) vying with heroes (who look like Greek statues and excel in Greek athletics). The revenge theme falls so far into the background it is an anti-climax when it is resolved.
Sorry. I wanted to like this, thought it was reasonable enough, but ultimately it did disappoint.
May 10, 2023
Of Merchants and Heroes had a lot of promise. The first chapter set the book up nicely however i feel it never really delivered. The author clearly did a lot of research and it was good to learn about a period in ancient history. With the story itself however it all seemed too perfect. The battles back then i have no doubt would have been totally brutal and bloody but i never really got that impression from the book. It was almost like the reader was being protected from that reality. It was too “nice” for me.
January 13, 2025
An eminently readable book
I’m not a book connoisseur but I am a fussy reader. This book never let up my interest with a perfect balance of narrative, action, philosophy, history, humour and passion. A few excursions into Google maps helped me understand where places mentioned are geographically. The love elements explore a broad spectrum but are not so detailed or indulgent that they were inappropriate for the narrative. A great use of your time and I will look for the next one. Thank you, Paul Waters.
I’m not a book connoisseur but I am a fussy reader. This book never let up my interest with a perfect balance of narrative, action, philosophy, history, humour and passion. A few excursions into Google maps helped me understand where places mentioned are geographically. The love elements explore a broad spectrum but are not so detailed or indulgent that they were inappropriate for the narrative. A great use of your time and I will look for the next one. Thank you, Paul Waters.
October 26, 2023
Is this book anti religion?
Bringing a page turning love story between honourable principled male individuals set in a time before the cold hand of religion forbad it. It is very worthwhile reminding us that whatever is new is sold as progress and although it has a sense of inevitability about it, it doesn't always make things better.
Bringing a page turning love story between honourable principled male individuals set in a time before the cold hand of religion forbad it. It is very worthwhile reminding us that whatever is new is sold as progress and although it has a sense of inevitability about it, it doesn't always make things better.
May 3, 2018
Loved it. And thank god it has a good ending.
I think it was so... softly paced and sweetly written. The romance is not super on the forefront and it's so beautifully written and very elegant. The characters are all really fun (except of course the stepfather).
I think it was so... softly paced and sweetly written. The romance is not super on the forefront and it's so beautifully written and very elegant. The characters are all really fun (except of course the stepfather).
August 9, 2020
I enjoyed how the story moved along with just enough detail, not lingering too long. The story line is great. The 'life' quotes are endless and still relative in today's political world. The love story is done tastefully, as well as the rest of the story with no vulgarities. I loved this book.
October 26, 2022
I have a few quibbles here and there with pacing and with a few things that were either unnecessary plot threads or nice details that fleshed out the character (I can't always decide which), but overall this was an enjoyable read about a bit of history I don't really know well.
March 28, 2026
Such a lovely and relatively unheard of book. I loved Marcus' struggle with his feelings for Menexenus, where he felt he could not live up to the boy he loved, or that he felt tainted by his rage. Pasithea was brilliant. Overall just a really good balance of historical fiction detail and story, which is tough for these types of novels. So special.
January 2, 2020
Πολύ ενδιαφέρον όσο αφορά το θέμα και το ιστορικό πλαίσιο, όχι κάτι ιδιαίτερο λογοτεχνικά.
Read
April 3, 2024Portraying a glimpse of Roman and Greek life, from philosophy, sport, war, and opportunities to trade. Founded on love and vengeance. Not to mention common struggles humanity still faces today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2024
Interesting period of history and while it falls short of the best examples of historical fiction it is well worth a read.
April 6, 2009
The young Roman protagonist of classicst Paul Waters' first novel, "Of Merchants and Heroes", seeks to find his own identity in a society in the midst of redefining itself, as the traditionally conservative Roman culture begins to embrace, albeit uncertainly, Greek Hellenism at the end of the second Punic War. Born of a landed but impoverished family on a farm in the centuries old city of Praeneste, young Marcus' life takes a dramatic turn when he and his father, along with other travelers, are captured by pirates, led by a ruthless but charismatic rogue named Dicaearchus (Dicearchus, or Diceärch - d.196 BC), an Aetolain rogue (and real historical figure) employed by Philip V of Macedon to raid the Cyclades and Rhodian ships after the second Punic War.
Marcus, alone, escapes and flees to the house of his uncle, a prosperous merchant who has capitalized on the war with Hannibal. Forced to become his uncle's adopted son, Marcus accompanies his uncle to Tarentum where his uncle has obtained a contract to oversee properties seized from Tarentines who supported Hannibal in the recent war. There, he saves the life of the father of Titus Quinctius Flamininus, a man who would play a prominant role in the future of Greco-Roman relationships and command the allied forces of Rome and Greece in the defining battle of Cynoscephalae in 197 BCE.
Titus, like many young elite Romans of the period, had selectively embraced a number of Greek customs while living in Tarentum, a city originally founded by a group of exiled Spartans in the 8th century BCE. Since its founding, Tarentum had become a thriving trading center and bustling seaport where many nations of the ancient Mediterranean co-mingled, sharing ideas and lifestyles. At one of Titus' dinner parties, Marcus encounters his first hetaira, a lady he grows to respect as they encounter each other a number of times throughout the story. Pacifae personifies the skilled courtesan described by Lucian in his Dialogues of the Courtesans:
"In the first place, she dresses attractively and looks neat; she's gay with all the men, without being so ready to cackle as you are, but smiles in a sweet bewitching way; later on, she's very clever when they're together, never cheats a visitor or an escort, and never throws herself at the men. If ever she takes a fee for going out to dinner, she doesn't drink too much--that's ridiculous, and men hate women who do--she doesn't gorge herself--that's ill-bred, my dear--but picks up the food with her finger-tips, eating quietly and not stuffing both cheeks full, and, when she drinks, she doesn't gulp, but sips slowly from time to time....Also, she doesn't talk too much or make fun of any of the company, and has eyes only for her customer. These are the things that make her popular with the men."
But love does not bloom for the young man until he visits the gymnasium and meets Menexanos, a young Athenian athlete. Bisexuality was accepted openly in the ancient world although in Roman society any Roman male engaging in such relationships was expected to take the dominant role. Waters does not examine that aspect of the relationship but rather presents the relationship as a communion of souls who strive to serve their respective homelands and infuse their lives with meaning while cultivating courage and lending support the each other in their quest for achievement and honor. This approach most closely resembles the treatment of bisexual relationships in Mary Renault’s classic “The Last of the Wine”.
Both young men end up as combatants in the famous battle of Cynoscephalae – Menexanos as an Athenian hoplite and Marcus as a Roman tribune – in the climax of the novel.
The thing that struck me as particularly unique about this novel was the development of the character of King Philip V of Macedon. He is usually mentioned only in passing in many books focusing on this period, presumably because Hannibal is such a charismatic figure he steals the show, so to speak. But King Philip V is presented by Waters as quite a dashing, if a bit roguish, commander of note in his own right who mounted a serious threat to Roman dominance in the Aegean. True to his ancestors, he was a master of subterfuge and seemed to have a formidable grasp of both siege and naval warfare. He was an intelligent and perceptive leader who could have easily turned the tables on the Romans if the confrontation at Cynoscephalae had occurred on ground more suited to phalanx tactics than to maneuvers of small Roman maniple units. As it is, the battlefield apparently was not specifically selected by Flamininus, just a fortunate coincidence although I’m sure Flamininus was aware of the phalanx’s maneuvering vulnerabilities. It seemed to be more of a case of Fortuna smiling on the Romans that day rather than a victory resulting from a carefully sprung trap.
I enjoyed this novel immensely and highly recommend it. I think it ranks as one of the best “first” novels I have read and I look forward with anticipation to Waters next effort.
Marcus, alone, escapes and flees to the house of his uncle, a prosperous merchant who has capitalized on the war with Hannibal. Forced to become his uncle's adopted son, Marcus accompanies his uncle to Tarentum where his uncle has obtained a contract to oversee properties seized from Tarentines who supported Hannibal in the recent war. There, he saves the life of the father of Titus Quinctius Flamininus, a man who would play a prominant role in the future of Greco-Roman relationships and command the allied forces of Rome and Greece in the defining battle of Cynoscephalae in 197 BCE.
Titus, like many young elite Romans of the period, had selectively embraced a number of Greek customs while living in Tarentum, a city originally founded by a group of exiled Spartans in the 8th century BCE. Since its founding, Tarentum had become a thriving trading center and bustling seaport where many nations of the ancient Mediterranean co-mingled, sharing ideas and lifestyles. At one of Titus' dinner parties, Marcus encounters his first hetaira, a lady he grows to respect as they encounter each other a number of times throughout the story. Pacifae personifies the skilled courtesan described by Lucian in his Dialogues of the Courtesans:
"In the first place, she dresses attractively and looks neat; she's gay with all the men, without being so ready to cackle as you are, but smiles in a sweet bewitching way; later on, she's very clever when they're together, never cheats a visitor or an escort, and never throws herself at the men. If ever she takes a fee for going out to dinner, she doesn't drink too much--that's ridiculous, and men hate women who do--she doesn't gorge herself--that's ill-bred, my dear--but picks up the food with her finger-tips, eating quietly and not stuffing both cheeks full, and, when she drinks, she doesn't gulp, but sips slowly from time to time....Also, she doesn't talk too much or make fun of any of the company, and has eyes only for her customer. These are the things that make her popular with the men."
But love does not bloom for the young man until he visits the gymnasium and meets Menexanos, a young Athenian athlete. Bisexuality was accepted openly in the ancient world although in Roman society any Roman male engaging in such relationships was expected to take the dominant role. Waters does not examine that aspect of the relationship but rather presents the relationship as a communion of souls who strive to serve their respective homelands and infuse their lives with meaning while cultivating courage and lending support the each other in their quest for achievement and honor. This approach most closely resembles the treatment of bisexual relationships in Mary Renault’s classic “The Last of the Wine”.
Both young men end up as combatants in the famous battle of Cynoscephalae – Menexanos as an Athenian hoplite and Marcus as a Roman tribune – in the climax of the novel.
The thing that struck me as particularly unique about this novel was the development of the character of King Philip V of Macedon. He is usually mentioned only in passing in many books focusing on this period, presumably because Hannibal is such a charismatic figure he steals the show, so to speak. But King Philip V is presented by Waters as quite a dashing, if a bit roguish, commander of note in his own right who mounted a serious threat to Roman dominance in the Aegean. True to his ancestors, he was a master of subterfuge and seemed to have a formidable grasp of both siege and naval warfare. He was an intelligent and perceptive leader who could have easily turned the tables on the Romans if the confrontation at Cynoscephalae had occurred on ground more suited to phalanx tactics than to maneuvers of small Roman maniple units. As it is, the battlefield apparently was not specifically selected by Flamininus, just a fortunate coincidence although I’m sure Flamininus was aware of the phalanx’s maneuvering vulnerabilities. It seemed to be more of a case of Fortuna smiling on the Romans that day rather than a victory resulting from a carefully sprung trap.
I enjoyed this novel immensely and highly recommend it. I think it ranks as one of the best “first” novels I have read and I look forward with anticipation to Waters next effort.
December 19, 2023
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Paul Waters has written several historical novels. It is also known under the title Of Merchants and Heroes in the UK.
Marcus is a fourteen year old Italian boy from Preaneste, outside of Rome around 200BC. Travelling with his father, their ship is overrun by pirates and they are taken to a remote island to be ransomed by the arrogant leader Dikaiarchos. Marcus is the only one to escape, and he vows revenge.
His ignorant uncle Caecilius marries his mother to maintain their farm and takes Marcus to work in Tarentum, one of the great Greek cities in the south of Italy. Working in the shipping business, he mixes with Roman and Greek leaders and learns diplomacy. He befriends the intelligent Titus, and his tactless brother Lucius, nephews to the praetor, and meets young Menexenos at the palaistra. Menexenos is seventeen and the best athlete training for the Panathenian games.
The story follows Marcus through Greek and Roman society during growing chaos in the Aegean. Scipio has just defeated Hannibal at the gates of Carthage, and now King Philip the second of Macedonia is moving in from the north and east. Marcus becomes tribune and travels to Athens on behalf of Rome. As Philip conquers cities with his savage army and enslaves the people with his dishonourable tactics, there are exciting sections where the Greek, Roman, and Rhodian armies counter-attack at Eretria and unforgettably at Abydos, near the Black Sea. At each battle, Dikaiarchos appears to fan the flames of vengeance in Marcus.
Marcus is between 14 and 21 years old during the novel, yet he rises to a high position of diplomacy within the army. With the top military position, Titus himself is only in his late twenties. This seemed young to me, but the elders of the Senate were only in their late forties.
Will they drive Philip back to Macedonia, without becoming tyrants themselves of the cites left behind? Will Marcus meet up again with the cruel Dikaiarchos?
Throughout the novel, there are relationships between men and women, and men with men. This was the common way of the time, and the reltionship between Marcus and Menxenos is admired and encouraged. Waters does a good job of placing it as a natural part of the story, an enduring thread of friendship and love, even in battle.
I've read several historical novels of Rome and Greece, and found this hit just the middle note. Although I enjoyed it, I didn't find an emotional connection to the story. The build-up to the middle of the story started to drag in the second half, and peter out at the end. Not as exciting as Ben Bova's The Hittite (about the siege of Troy), and didn't meet my favourite book of that time, Pyrrhus (also called An Arrow's Flight) by Mark Merlis. That is a modern retelling of The Iliad that I loved.
I'm glad I read it, but might not try another of his novels. (p.s. there is a spelling mistake on page 262.)
Paul Waters has written several historical novels. It is also known under the title Of Merchants and Heroes in the UK.
Marcus is a fourteen year old Italian boy from Preaneste, outside of Rome around 200BC. Travelling with his father, their ship is overrun by pirates and they are taken to a remote island to be ransomed by the arrogant leader Dikaiarchos. Marcus is the only one to escape, and he vows revenge.
His ignorant uncle Caecilius marries his mother to maintain their farm and takes Marcus to work in Tarentum, one of the great Greek cities in the south of Italy. Working in the shipping business, he mixes with Roman and Greek leaders and learns diplomacy. He befriends the intelligent Titus, and his tactless brother Lucius, nephews to the praetor, and meets young Menexenos at the palaistra. Menexenos is seventeen and the best athlete training for the Panathenian games.
The story follows Marcus through Greek and Roman society during growing chaos in the Aegean. Scipio has just defeated Hannibal at the gates of Carthage, and now King Philip the second of Macedonia is moving in from the north and east. Marcus becomes tribune and travels to Athens on behalf of Rome. As Philip conquers cities with his savage army and enslaves the people with his dishonourable tactics, there are exciting sections where the Greek, Roman, and Rhodian armies counter-attack at Eretria and unforgettably at Abydos, near the Black Sea. At each battle, Dikaiarchos appears to fan the flames of vengeance in Marcus.
Marcus is between 14 and 21 years old during the novel, yet he rises to a high position of diplomacy within the army. With the top military position, Titus himself is only in his late twenties. This seemed young to me, but the elders of the Senate were only in their late forties.
Will they drive Philip back to Macedonia, without becoming tyrants themselves of the cites left behind? Will Marcus meet up again with the cruel Dikaiarchos?
Throughout the novel, there are relationships between men and women, and men with men. This was the common way of the time, and the reltionship between Marcus and Menxenos is admired and encouraged. Waters does a good job of placing it as a natural part of the story, an enduring thread of friendship and love, even in battle.
I've read several historical novels of Rome and Greece, and found this hit just the middle note. Although I enjoyed it, I didn't find an emotional connection to the story. The build-up to the middle of the story started to drag in the second half, and peter out at the end. Not as exciting as Ben Bova's The Hittite (about the siege of Troy), and didn't meet my favourite book of that time, Pyrrhus (also called An Arrow's Flight) by Mark Merlis. That is a modern retelling of The Iliad that I loved.
I'm glad I read it, but might not try another of his novels. (p.s. there is a spelling mistake on page 262.)
November 4, 2010
Very interesting book about Marcus, man that wowed to avenge his fathers death at the hands of Mediterranean pirates. This will take him on a long voyage - he will take part in actions of Roman Republic against Phillip the Macedonian (the one trying to do the same as his more known predecessor). It is only a year or two after final victory at Zama and Romans are reluctant to engage a new enemy far from their border. During his rise through ranks of Roman army Marcus will come in touch with Greek culture and will be enchanted by it.[return][return]Only thing that annoys me (and not only in this novel but in most new novels describing ancient Greeks ) is heavy accent on homosexuality. Although homosexuality (or pederasty) was really common in ancient world (almost entirely among nobility mind you) it had somewhat different meaning in those days than it has today (and not all Greeks, be it nobility or not were homosexual/bisexual).[return][return]Rising ones family (with woman mind you) was always a main priority for any citizen of Greek city-states.[return][return]IMHO when dealing with this aspect of ancient world (note that I don't say Greeks, because this was practiced in many places from Europe to Asia) I think that a wiser way of depicting this would be in a more "camaraderie way" - because main goal of this practice was to build strong relations among men that will fight tomorrow on some strange and unknown field of battle - they are supposed to rely on one another when the (how they say these days) "shit hits the fan".[return][return]Besides this, great novel.[return]Recommended.
January 23, 2014
This book achieves the ultimate HF goal of transporting the reader not just to a different place and time but to a different state of mind. When young Marcus's father is brutally killed on a journey, Marcus swears vengeance on the murderer, a pirate captain. Fortunately for us, it takes a number of years before he and the pirate confront one another. In the meantime Marcus learns to cope with an avaricious stepfather and an insane military commander; an elegant and clever hetaira, an idealistic Roman aristocrat, and many decent Greeks and Romans. He also learns to fight, and more importantly, to love. The pacing of the book reminds me of a way of life when one could walk from the heart of a city into the countryside in a few minutes, and when war was an in-your-face horror that burned your house and killed your friends. "Of Merchants and Heroes" left me feeling inspired, despite wishing that Paul Waters had put off the denouement to a sequel so there would be more of Marcus's life for me to live.
April 27, 2015
I suppose I know a little more about Roman and Greek history now, but most of this book was just... Shit its been 20 minutes since I finished it and I've already forgotten the main characters name. Uh... Marcus! This book is about Marcus and his perfect greek boyfriend, they have a balanced and loving relationship and they love each other very much. His boyfriend shines like the sun and is a vision of beauty and runs like a golden arrow across the landscape. The light of love shines out of his beautiful grey eyes and his skin is oiled like a brand new hinge. He is the perfect military general but has a peaceful and meditative atmosphere about him, he is wanted by pretty much everyone who sees him but he chooses Marcus, because then they can be perfect together.
Marcus broods a lot to counterbalance the godlike presence his boyfriend exudes and together they balance each other out.
Oh there's some wars and stuff going on too I guess, but mostly it's about that.
Marcus broods a lot to counterbalance the godlike presence his boyfriend exudes and together they balance each other out.
Oh there's some wars and stuff going on too I guess, but mostly it's about that.
June 26, 2008
Pretty standard story. Young naive farmboy gets a rude introduction to life's harsh realities, endures and matures, saves an important personage in a chance encounter, has his qualities recognised, meets the love of his life but does not know it until much later, etc, etc,..
The only thing that sets this apart from other such typical fare is that it is set during a little known period of Roman history, namely, the aftermath of Hannibal's retreat from Italy and the rise of Philip of Macedon.
Too many bits were, to me, historically inaccurate and that, for me, spoiled the book. For example, while homosexuality was commonplace in Greece, it was typically between an older man and a youth and not as represented in the book. Worse, I doubt that it was an acceptable practice among the pre-Imperial Romans.
The only thing that sets this apart from other such typical fare is that it is set during a little known period of Roman history, namely, the aftermath of Hannibal's retreat from Italy and the rise of Philip of Macedon.
Too many bits were, to me, historically inaccurate and that, for me, spoiled the book. For example, while homosexuality was commonplace in Greece, it was typically between an older man and a youth and not as represented in the book. Worse, I doubt that it was an acceptable practice among the pre-Imperial Romans.
May 16, 2012
This story takes place at the end of the third century BC. The narrator is a young Roman who escaped from some pirates who had captured the ship he and his father were traveling on. The pirates killed his father and he vowed to have revenge on the killer. A few years later, he has been adopted by his father's brother, a merchant, and is sent to Tarentum in the south of Italy to help the business. There he meets Titus Flamininus, a historical character, who will later lead Rome to defeat Philip V of Macedonia. He also meets Menexenos, a young Greek - later they fall in love. The homosexual element is handled quite discreetly. This is a lovely story and it's quite a relief to read about a period of Roman history with no Caesar/Pompey/Antony in it.
April 24, 2009
I liked that the historical period covered, is one that I didn't know much about, and that I haven't seen used that much in historical fiction. That makes it a good fit for those who like Ancient Rome/Greece stories in general. I enjoyed the main character and several of the supporting characters - I felt like the author did a good job of showing a range of people with a range of characteristics. His "good" characters were sympathetic, and hero-like while still feeling human. I particularly liked Pasithea, the elegant courtesan. All this said, the story, while it kept me interested and reading, didn't jump out and grab me to the point where I couldn't put the book down.
May 22, 2012
I bought this book thanks to a recommendation by another Amazon reviewer, and I am very glad that I did. Of Merchants and Heroes is an extremely well-written book, full of beautiful described scenes and wise words. Readers can find the basic plotline in the book description, but the story arc follows a Roman youth, Marcus, into early adulthood; this takes place against the backdrop of the end of the final war against Carthage and Rome's ensuing entanglement in Greece's politics. There is revenge here, as well as romance, yearning, and the understanding that can come through suffering. Far more than a 'sword and sandals' epic, this excellent book is about love, loss and emotional maturity.
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