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The Twelve Tables: A Novel of Ancient Rome
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26“The blood of the bulls on Jupiter’s hill gave them liberty—the words graven unto these Twelve Tables made them equal.”
ROME, 462 BC. To save his family’s failing farm, sixteen-year-old Marcus Atilius is sold into debt servitude by his own father. Plunged into the city’s underbelly, Marcus must endure a world of cutthroat trading stalls and gritty warehouses—all while navigating a forbidden entanglement with a woman far above his station. Survival demands sharp guile and moral compromise.
As a bitter class struggle pushes Rome to the brink of civil war, Marcus vows to beat the elites at their own ruthless game to win his freedom and a fortune worthy of the woman he loves.
Yet his rise brings a fateful choice. A historic demand sweeps the city for the Twelve Tables—a revolutionary legal code to protect plebeians from patrician tyranny. With a corrupt aristocrat holding the tether to his trading empire, will Marcus protect his hard-won power, or risk everything for the soul of Rome?
ROME, 462 BC. To save his family’s failing farm, sixteen-year-old Marcus Atilius is sold into debt servitude by his own father. Plunged into the city’s underbelly, Marcus must endure a world of cutthroat trading stalls and gritty warehouses—all while navigating a forbidden entanglement with a woman far above his station. Survival demands sharp guile and moral compromise.
As a bitter class struggle pushes Rome to the brink of civil war, Marcus vows to beat the elites at their own ruthless game to win his freedom and a fortune worthy of the woman he loves.
Yet his rise brings a fateful choice. A historic demand sweeps the city for the Twelve Tables—a revolutionary legal code to protect plebeians from patrician tyranny. With a corrupt aristocrat holding the tether to his trading empire, will Marcus protect his hard-won power, or risk everything for the soul of Rome?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
280 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Richard Barager
4 books26 followersRICHARD BARAGER is the author of The Atheist and the Parrotfish, Altamont Augie, and
The Twelve Tables: A Novel of Ancient Rome.
Richard was for many years a nephrologist in private practice. He now writes full-time--and no longer at night! Richard believes fiction explores meaning in ways science cannot, and has its own way of discovering the truth.
Praise for The Twelve Tables:
Kirkus Reviews: “Barager’s novel is thoughtful, thoroughly researched, and historically accurate…
Part history lesson, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale, this stimulating novel is likely to have wide-ranging appeal.”
BookLife, Editor's Pick: "Meticulous tale of Roman ambition, romance, and political evolution."
Midwest Book Review: "...unreservedly recommended for fans of historical novels set in antiquity, as well as community library Historical Fiction."
BlueInk Review: "...echoes the work of Steven Saylor…a perfect blend of historical accuracy and good old-fashioned storytelling.”
The Twelve Tables: A Novel of Ancient Rome.
Richard was for many years a nephrologist in private practice. He now writes full-time--and no longer at night! Richard believes fiction explores meaning in ways science cannot, and has its own way of discovering the truth.
Praise for The Twelve Tables:
Kirkus Reviews: “Barager’s novel is thoughtful, thoroughly researched, and historically accurate…
Part history lesson, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale, this stimulating novel is likely to have wide-ranging appeal.”
BookLife, Editor's Pick: "Meticulous tale of Roman ambition, romance, and political evolution."
Midwest Book Review: "...unreservedly recommended for fans of historical novels set in antiquity, as well as community library Historical Fiction."
BlueInk Review: "...echoes the work of Steven Saylor…a perfect blend of historical accuracy and good old-fashioned storytelling.”
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Twelve Tables is a work of historical fiction that takes place roughly in the period around 450 B.C. The protagonist in this novel is Marcus Atilius , who at the age of 16 is sold into servitude for three years to erase a debt on the family farm. Young Marcus is at first resistant to his new role, but gradually adapts and becomes trusted by his master, Gaius. Marcus also is very attracted to Gaius' daughter, Gavia.
Marcus trades in the sale of salt and olive oil, and later other goods as he learns the craft of salesmanship while meeting unscrupulous characters along the way, many of who are not trustworthy. Marcus works hard to make a name for himself, in hopes of marrying Gaius, daughter. But a marriage has already been arranged, leaving Marcus shattered and hurt.
This is a book that contains a bit of everything--romance, politics, wars, class systems and their impact on people, coming of age, and so forth. Marcus eventually finds a new love, Fabia, only to lose her and his unborn child to a plague that kills many Romans.
The Twelve Tables were real, although they do not survive. These were 12 tables created from bronze to detail Roman regulations, and were considered the basis for Western law that is with us today, influencing documents like the Magna Carta and the US Constitution..
As typical with many societies, power corrupts, and the early leaders who created the Twelve Tables are caught up in their own narcissistic actions and placing their own interests above the people. This leads to the final conflict in the book where Marcus takes a leading role with other citizens against the Decemvirs (the ten leaders behind the Tables) .
I want to thank the author for providing a free digital copy of the book in exchange for a review. I learned a lot about a time period of Ancient Roman History that I was not at all familiar with. For history lovers of this era, this is a book to add to your TBR list.
I give the book 5/5 stars and recommend it to others..
Marcus trades in the sale of salt and olive oil, and later other goods as he learns the craft of salesmanship while meeting unscrupulous characters along the way, many of who are not trustworthy. Marcus works hard to make a name for himself, in hopes of marrying Gaius, daughter. But a marriage has already been arranged, leaving Marcus shattered and hurt.
This is a book that contains a bit of everything--romance, politics, wars, class systems and their impact on people, coming of age, and so forth. Marcus eventually finds a new love, Fabia, only to lose her and his unborn child to a plague that kills many Romans.
The Twelve Tables were real, although they do not survive. These were 12 tables created from bronze to detail Roman regulations, and were considered the basis for Western law that is with us today, influencing documents like the Magna Carta and the US Constitution..
As typical with many societies, power corrupts, and the early leaders who created the Twelve Tables are caught up in their own narcissistic actions and placing their own interests above the people. This leads to the final conflict in the book where Marcus takes a leading role with other citizens against the Decemvirs (the ten leaders behind the Tables) .
I want to thank the author for providing a free digital copy of the book in exchange for a review. I learned a lot about a time period of Ancient Roman History that I was not at all familiar with. For history lovers of this era, this is a book to add to your TBR list.
I give the book 5/5 stars and recommend it to others..
Review of advance copy received from Author
Set in 5th-century BCE Rome, Marcus is forced into debt servitude at the age of sixteen after being sold by his father and must navigate Rome’s gritty world of trade to win his freedom and build a future with the woman he loves, all while Rome teeters on the brink of civil war.
I really enjoyed this book. It brought 5th-century BCE Rome to life in such a vivid way and it has made me even more excited to delve deeper into this fascinating period of ancient Roman history. I knew next to nothing about this early but very important part of Rome as most books I read about ancient Rome are set later but it has made me want to dig deeper into it.
As the story follows Marcus on his personal journey, the growing political tensions in Rome form an important backdrop to the story as they start unfolding more. The title of the book refers to the Twelve Tables, ancient Rome’s first written set of laws. This may be the history nerd in me, but I loved learning how these laws came into being. It was really fascinating!
I really enjoyed following Marcus’s story and watching him navigate his difficult circumstances, slowly finding his place in Rome. The secondary characters were also a big highlight, each bringing something different to the story. I especially appreciated how the female characters were portrayed as very clever and capable rather than simply being there to run the household. Just more bonus points going to the author!
Overall, I absolutely loved The Twelve Tables by Richard Barager. I loved the combination of Marcus’s journey and the fascinating political backdrop. It definitely left me wanting to dive even deeper into this fascinating part of Roman history!
I really enjoyed this book. It brought 5th-century BCE Rome to life in such a vivid way and it has made me even more excited to delve deeper into this fascinating period of ancient Roman history. I knew next to nothing about this early but very important part of Rome as most books I read about ancient Rome are set later but it has made me want to dig deeper into it.
As the story follows Marcus on his personal journey, the growing political tensions in Rome form an important backdrop to the story as they start unfolding more. The title of the book refers to the Twelve Tables, ancient Rome’s first written set of laws. This may be the history nerd in me, but I loved learning how these laws came into being. It was really fascinating!
I really enjoyed following Marcus’s story and watching him navigate his difficult circumstances, slowly finding his place in Rome. The secondary characters were also a big highlight, each bringing something different to the story. I especially appreciated how the female characters were portrayed as very clever and capable rather than simply being there to run the household. Just more bonus points going to the author!
Overall, I absolutely loved The Twelve Tables by Richard Barager. I loved the combination of Marcus’s journey and the fascinating political backdrop. It definitely left me wanting to dive even deeper into this fascinating part of Roman history!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Richard Barager's The Twelve Tables is exactly the kind of historical fiction I enjoy. His command of fifth century Rome, its social hierarchies, commerce, and politics, never overwhelms the story. What impressed me most is how vividly he brings ancient Rome to life. You feel as though you are walking through its streets and forums alongside the characters.
The story follows Marcus Atilius, a young man forced into debt servitude and drawn into Rome's struggle over power, class, and justice. He must learn to survive and adapt, deciding what kind of man he wants to become. As Marcus grows, so does the novel's scope. What begins as one young man's crisis expands into an exploration of family, ambition, responsibility, law, and the foundations upon which societies build their futures.
The Twelve Tables are woven naturally into the characters' lives rather than feeling like exposition, making their significance immediate and human. The characters themselves are well rounded, with distinct motivations, loyalties, strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions. The female characters are particularly noteworthy: intelligent, capable, and genuinely essential to the story.
Barager maintains strong pacing throughout, giving the characters and setting room to develop while sustaining momentum through politics, trade, relationships, and Marcus's changing circumstances. By the end, I did not feel I had simply read about ancient Rome. I felt I had spent time there.
Ultimately, The Twelve Tables is a story about maturation, both Marcus's journey from boyhood to manhood and, in parallel, Rome's own transformation. It is also about something broader: change, the creation of lasting foundations, and the choices individuals and societies make in determining what they will become.
The story follows Marcus Atilius, a young man forced into debt servitude and drawn into Rome's struggle over power, class, and justice. He must learn to survive and adapt, deciding what kind of man he wants to become. As Marcus grows, so does the novel's scope. What begins as one young man's crisis expands into an exploration of family, ambition, responsibility, law, and the foundations upon which societies build their futures.
The Twelve Tables are woven naturally into the characters' lives rather than feeling like exposition, making their significance immediate and human. The characters themselves are well rounded, with distinct motivations, loyalties, strengths, weaknesses, and ambitions. The female characters are particularly noteworthy: intelligent, capable, and genuinely essential to the story.
Barager maintains strong pacing throughout, giving the characters and setting room to develop while sustaining momentum through politics, trade, relationships, and Marcus's changing circumstances. By the end, I did not feel I had simply read about ancient Rome. I felt I had spent time there.
Ultimately, The Twelve Tables is a story about maturation, both Marcus's journey from boyhood to manhood and, in parallel, Rome's own transformation. It is also about something broader: change, the creation of lasting foundations, and the choices individuals and societies make in determining what they will become.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
The Twelve Tables: A Novel of Ancient Rome brings readers into Rome in 462 BC through the story of Marcus Atilius, a sixteen-year-old forced into debt servitude when his family farm falls into financial difficulty.
Thrown into Rome’s dangerous commercial underworld, Marcus must survive through intelligence, determination, and moral compromise while becoming entangled with a woman far above his station. His ambition to secure freedom and build a fortune places him directly against the powerful elite.
The novel expands beyond Marcus’s personal struggle as Rome faces an escalating class conflict and a historic demand for the Twelve Tables, a legal code sought as protection for plebeians against patrician power. Marcus is ultimately forced to confront a difficult choice between protecting everything he has gained and risking it for a larger cause.
With its combination of ancient Roman history, social conflict, ambition, romance, and moral dilemma, The Twelve Tables offers a compelling historical fiction experience centered on the personal cost of pursuing freedom and power.
Thrown into Rome’s dangerous commercial underworld, Marcus must survive through intelligence, determination, and moral compromise while becoming entangled with a woman far above his station. His ambition to secure freedom and build a fortune places him directly against the powerful elite.
The novel expands beyond Marcus’s personal struggle as Rome faces an escalating class conflict and a historic demand for the Twelve Tables, a legal code sought as protection for plebeians against patrician power. Marcus is ultimately forced to confront a difficult choice between protecting everything he has gained and risking it for a larger cause.
With its combination of ancient Roman history, social conflict, ambition, romance, and moral dilemma, The Twelve Tables offers a compelling historical fiction experience centered on the personal cost of pursuing freedom and power.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Twelve Tables by Richard Barager is an engaging historical novel that brings ancient Rome to life through the story of Marcus Atilius, a young man forced into debt servitude who finds himself caught up in Rome’s struggle over class, power, and justice. Barager does a great job blending an entertaining personal story with the fascinating origins of the Twelve Tables and the idea that the law should apply equally to everyone. The characters feel human and relatable despite the ancient setting, and the historical detail makes the world feel authentic without overwhelming the story. I especially enjoyed how the book explores family, ambition, love, and the importance of choosing justice over revenge. It was both an enjoyable story and an interesting look at ideas about law and equality that still matter today.
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September 20, 2026The Twelve Tables brings ancient Rome to life through the personal struggle of Marcus Atilius, a sixteen-year-old forced into debt servitude after his family's farm falls into financial hardship. His journey through Rome's dangerous trading world, his forbidden relationship, and his pursuit of freedom unfold against a growing conflict between plebeians and the Roman elite.
What makes the premise particularly compelling is the way Marcus's personal ambitions become intertwined with a pivotal moment in Roman history. His struggle over wealth, power, and freedom eventually collides with the demand for the Twelve Tables, creating a difficult choice between protecting everything he has built and risking it for a larger transformation in Roman society.
What makes the premise particularly compelling is the way Marcus's personal ambitions become intertwined with a pivotal moment in Roman history. His struggle over wealth, power, and freedom eventually collides with the demand for the Twelve Tables, creating a difficult choice between protecting everything he has built and risking it for a larger transformation in Roman society.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Barager knows his history VERY WELL in order to write a fictional masterpiece as THIS, while how to integrate it into a CLASSIC novel pertaining to ancient Rome and the 12 Tables of the law and their legal code. I had no idea how significant this book would be when acquiring knowledge of ancient Rome and its legislation, class struggles and the fierce need/desire to uphold an Empire! This book will keep you ON EDGE while BEGGING for the main character to PREVAIL in a world of CHAOS and UNCERTAINTY! Such an inspirational novel, and I don't want to add spoilers, but follow MARCUS, as his story is FATEFUL... FABULOUS READ!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Twelve Tables is a gripping and well-researched piece of historical fiction. Richard Barager does a fantastic job bringing ancient Rome to life through the eyes of Marcus, a young man fighting to save his family farm.The story balances intense political scheming, high-stakes trade, and a forbidden romance beautifully. I loved learning about the origin of the actual Twelve Tables legal code through such a personal, character-driven story. It moves at a great pace and keeps you hooked until the very end. Highly recommended for fans of ancient history and deep world-building!
September 24, 2026
Once I started reading The Twelve Tables I couldn't put it down. This book takes place in the Roman Republic's first century which sounds daunting, but under the deft hands of its author, becomes a beautifully flowing narrative. It's a tender love story, a story of the birth of a free and just Roman society and a story of the ultimate victory of a simple human being who wouldn't let adversity defeat him.
I truly loved reading this novel and highly recommend it to others.
I truly loved reading this novel and highly recommend it to others.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews