At The Mercy Of Tiberius

by Augusta Jane Evans Wilson

At The Mercy Of Tiberius is a historical fiction novel written by Augusta Evans Wilson. The story takes place during the reign of the Roman Emperor Tiberius and follows the life of a young Jewish woman named Miriam. Miriam is sold into slavery and brought to Rome, where she becomes a servant in the household of Tiberius. As she navigates the treacherous world of the Roman court, Miriam must use all of her intelligence and cunning to survive.The novel explores themes of power, corruption, and the struggle for freedom in a society that values strength above all else. Through Miriam's eyes, the reader is given a glimpse into the inner workings of the Roman Empire and the lives of the people who lived within it.At The Mercy Of Tiberius is a gripping tale of survival and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. Wilson's vivid descriptions and attention to detail bring the world of ancient Rome to life, immersing the reader in a world of political intrigue and danger. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction or the history of the Roman Empire.Standing with one foot on the terrace step, close to the marble vases where heliotropes swung their dainty lilac chalices against her shoulder, and the scarlet geraniums stared unabashed, Beryl's gaze wandered from the lovely park and ancient trees, to the unbroken facade of the gray old house; and as, in painful contrast she recalled the bare bleak garret room, where a beloved invalid held want and death at bay, a sudden mist clouded her vision.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

468 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1887

About the author

Augusta Jane Wilson, or Augusta Evans Wilson, (May 8, 1835 – May 9, 1909) was an American Southern author and one of the pillars of Southern literature. She wrote nine novels: Inez (1850), Beulah (1859), Macaria (1863), St. Elmo (1866), Vashti (1869), Infelice (1875), At the Mercy of Tiberius (1887), A Speckled Bird (1902), and Devota (1907). Given her support for the Confederate States of America from the perspective of a Southern patriot, and her literary activities during the American Civil War, she can be deemed as having contributed decisively to the literary and cultural development of the Confederacy in particular, and of the South in general, as a civilization.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Crimes are referable to two potent passions of the human soul:” malice and money. Augusta Evans Wilson’s At the Mercy of Tiberius is “A sort of poetic justice in the fact that the bride” Tiberius covets, “has become the truest, tenderest friend of the hapless girl whom [he] is prosecuting” for “the wilful, deliberate and premeditated murder” of her grandfather “by striking him with a brass andiron…cast in the form of a unicorn, with a heavy ball surrounding the horn.”

Gentlemen of the jury–and readers alike– “you are solemnly pledged to decide upon her guilt or innocence in strict accordance with the evidence that may be laid before you.” With only a few feet of space dividing prisoner from witness,” the protagonist cries, “At the mercy of Tiberius!”

“Is there any antagonism of facts, which the torn envelope, the pipe, the twenty-dollar gold pieces…do not reconcile?” “When the spirit of revenge is unleashed, Tiberius becomes a law unto himself.” As for our damsel in distress–and under duress–Beryl, “It seems I am always at the mercy of Tiberius.”

That is until “a burst of electricity, some particularly vivid flash of light sent by…God himself–photographed both men, and the interior of the room on the wide glass panel of the door” and after eighteen months of incarceration, “Providence–unexpectedly brought this witness to light.”

As her first prosecutor then defense, Tiberius has “money, influence, professional success, gratified ambition, and enviable social eminence; I have all but that which a man wants most, the one woman in the great wide world whom he loves truly, loves better than he loves himself; and who holds his heart in the hollow of her hand.”

“It was through the fiery flames of prison, and trial and convict shame, that God led [Beryl] to the most precious crown any woman ever wore, my husband’s confidence and love…Was I not foredoomed to be always at the mercy of Tiberius?”

[Leah Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why doesn't the arch of my eyebrows and a loose strand of my hair exude the strength and glory of my womanhood? Like, how even is that fair? If you've read books like this before, you know exactly what I'm talking about! I can really appreciate old books written in the style of their era, but I found this one to be a little excessive. However, that's not to say that I didn't enjoy the book at all. She made it interesting in spite of the verbose descriptions of things both real and mythical.

[Stephen Fodor · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well written, though had some Victorian mystic elements to it, but very good