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Lover of the Sea #1
Pontius Aquila: Eagle of the Republic
Although Pontius Pilate is known for his role in the Bible, less known are the historical characters who shared the surname Pontius and are portrayed in a series of historical fiction novels called Lover of the Sea.
The first novel in the collection, Pontius Eagle of the Republic, takes place during Julius Caesar’s bid for power, generations before the birth of Pontius Pilate.
As a young man, Lucius Pontius Aquila falls in love with Cicero’s daughter. After a brilliant military career, he is elected as Tribune of the Plebeians. Aquila, a fervent supporter of the Roman republic, joins in the plot to assassinate Caesar.
The story continues in the sequel, The Dark Passage to Heaven. Four years after Christ’s crucifixion, Pontius Pilatus is ordered to return to Rome and answer accusations that he had cruelly attacked a religious gathering of Samaritans. As his wife secretly attends Christian gatherings, Pilatus must face Caligula’s judgment.
The records of the Catholic Church include five Christians named St. Pontius, venerated as martyrs, one who was Pope in 235 AD. In the third novel, St. Bishop of Rome, the Pope must not only endure the Roman authorities but fight in street battles against followers of Hippolytus, the anti-Pope.
The first novel in the collection, Pontius Eagle of the Republic, takes place during Julius Caesar’s bid for power, generations before the birth of Pontius Pilate.
As a young man, Lucius Pontius Aquila falls in love with Cicero’s daughter. After a brilliant military career, he is elected as Tribune of the Plebeians. Aquila, a fervent supporter of the Roman republic, joins in the plot to assassinate Caesar.
The story continues in the sequel, The Dark Passage to Heaven. Four years after Christ’s crucifixion, Pontius Pilatus is ordered to return to Rome and answer accusations that he had cruelly attacked a religious gathering of Samaritans. As his wife secretly attends Christian gatherings, Pilatus must face Caligula’s judgment.
The records of the Catholic Church include five Christians named St. Pontius, venerated as martyrs, one who was Pope in 235 AD. In the third novel, St. Bishop of Rome, the Pope must not only endure the Roman authorities but fight in street battles against followers of Hippolytus, the anti-Pope.
204 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 29, 2020
The historical novel is a genre that I enjoy. In Michael A. Ponzio’s debut novel, Pontius Aquila: Eagle of the Republic, Lucius, a Vinedresser’s son from Sicily, rises to power during the waning of the Roman Republic. The book explores the Roman Republic through the eyes of Lucius as he grows in stature and wisdom. The author provides a snapshot into this time period, shows the intrigues and troubles during governmental transitions, and illustrates feats of courage and growth by Lucius along the way.
Starting in Sicily as a young man, Lucius enjoys wrestling with companions in a dangerous game using sharpened stones from a nearby volcano. A person loses when he is cut three times. An early form of baseball’s three strikes and you’re out, perhaps. Only a few of the Greek descendants in Sicily play, but the skill comes in handy later on for Lucius as he enters the military.
An early romance with a girl, Tullia, one night leads to a close relationship with her father, the statesman Cicero. Great benefits accrue to Lucius (later renamed Aquila) as he is able to leave his life of farming to apprentice as an advocate under Cicero. Assassination attempts are thwarted through the intelligence and alertness of Cicero. Lucius serves Cicero and his family well and adds knowledge to his physical skills.
Excitement increases as Cicero suggests that Lucius join the military to improve his political future. The rest you will have to read to catch the military feats of Lucius and his early political involvement.
The novel will keep your interest as you become absorbed in the life of the Roman Republic. The author points out the differences between the earlier Greek democracy and the much improved Roman Republic. Lucius must traverse the difficulties of this time period as Rome transitions into a dictatorial empire. The relationship between slaves (though fewer in number in Rome than in Greece), is interesting to observe throughout the book and gives a glimpse of the master/slave relationship.
As an aside, a very interesting concept in the book and later books in this series by the author is that some form of the name Ponzio is always the main character in the books. For example, the second book in the series is about Pontius Pilate, the third about St. Pontianus.
The scenery of each location in the book makes a person feel as if they are actually there. I could feel the men fighting with their obsidian stones when they sliced each other, for instance. There are many exploits by Aquila as he works his way up in power in the military and finally politically. This period of the Roman Republic is the time of Cicero, Mark Antony, Brutus, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar. All are carefully woven into the story during this transitional period from a Republic which lasted 500 years, to an empire with a dictator. Political alliances are formed and broken as many wrestle to gain power and as Aquila and Cicero attempt to retain the Republic.
I enjoyed this book much more with a second reading than I did the first time through. The military descriptions of how the Romans fought are quite detailed and were a learning experience for me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Paul L. Meier’s Pontius Pilate; Lloyd C. Douglas’, The Robe, The Big Fisherman, and Magnificent Obsession; and Taylor Caldwell’s Captains and the Kings and Great Lion of God. Read the book slowly to savor. I look forward to more books in this series by Michael Ponzio.
Starting in Sicily as a young man, Lucius enjoys wrestling with companions in a dangerous game using sharpened stones from a nearby volcano. A person loses when he is cut three times. An early form of baseball’s three strikes and you’re out, perhaps. Only a few of the Greek descendants in Sicily play, but the skill comes in handy later on for Lucius as he enters the military.
An early romance with a girl, Tullia, one night leads to a close relationship with her father, the statesman Cicero. Great benefits accrue to Lucius (later renamed Aquila) as he is able to leave his life of farming to apprentice as an advocate under Cicero. Assassination attempts are thwarted through the intelligence and alertness of Cicero. Lucius serves Cicero and his family well and adds knowledge to his physical skills.
Excitement increases as Cicero suggests that Lucius join the military to improve his political future. The rest you will have to read to catch the military feats of Lucius and his early political involvement.
The novel will keep your interest as you become absorbed in the life of the Roman Republic. The author points out the differences between the earlier Greek democracy and the much improved Roman Republic. Lucius must traverse the difficulties of this time period as Rome transitions into a dictatorial empire. The relationship between slaves (though fewer in number in Rome than in Greece), is interesting to observe throughout the book and gives a glimpse of the master/slave relationship.
As an aside, a very interesting concept in the book and later books in this series by the author is that some form of the name Ponzio is always the main character in the books. For example, the second book in the series is about Pontius Pilate, the third about St. Pontianus.
The scenery of each location in the book makes a person feel as if they are actually there. I could feel the men fighting with their obsidian stones when they sliced each other, for instance. There are many exploits by Aquila as he works his way up in power in the military and finally politically. This period of the Roman Republic is the time of Cicero, Mark Antony, Brutus, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar. All are carefully woven into the story during this transitional period from a Republic which lasted 500 years, to an empire with a dictator. Political alliances are formed and broken as many wrestle to gain power and as Aquila and Cicero attempt to retain the Republic.
I enjoyed this book much more with a second reading than I did the first time through. The military descriptions of how the Romans fought are quite detailed and were a learning experience for me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed Paul L. Meier’s Pontius Pilate; Lloyd C. Douglas’, The Robe, The Big Fisherman, and Magnificent Obsession; and Taylor Caldwell’s Captains and the Kings and Great Lion of God. Read the book slowly to savor. I look forward to more books in this series by Michael Ponzio.
November 11, 2019
Michael Ponzio creates a great historical dramatization in Pontius Aquila: Eagle of the Republic! Pontius Pilate is well known from the Bible, but Ponzio follows another Pontius from earlier history, Lucius. Lucius has a celebrated military career and even gets wrapped up in the plot to assassinate Caesar. The history of this book fascinates me and Ponzio’s writing brings it to life magnificently! Check this one out if you love Roman history or fast-paced historical fiction!
October 18, 2019
This book has everything - a hero struggling to juggle family, the hardships of war, his duty to his republic, lust and ultimately love. The author paints vivid settings and is clearly knowledgeable of the history of the Roman Empire, given the great detail included in this novel. Would recommend!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews