The Temple of the Muses

SPQR #4

by John Maddox Roberts

When Roman junior senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger has a chance to join a diplomatic mission to Alexandria, he welcomes the opportunity to temporarily elude his enemies in the Eternal City-even though it means leaving his beloved Rome. Decius is just beginning to enjoy the outpost's many exotic pleasures when the suspicious death of an irascible philosopher occurs, coinciding with the puzzling and apocalyptic ravings of a charismatic cult leader. Intrigued, Decius requests and is given permission by the Egyptian Pharaoh to investigate the heinous crime. What he discovers is beyond shocking. And when the corpse of a famous courtesan mysteriously turns up in his bed, Decius suddenly finds himself entangled in a web of conspiracy far more widespread and dangerous than he ever imagined-one that threatens to bring about the downfall of the entire Empire.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Crime, Historical Mystery, Roman

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

aka Mark Ramsay

John Maddox Roberts is the author of numerous works of science fiction and fantasy, in addition to his successful historical SPQR mystery series. The first two books in the series have recently been re-released in trade paperback.

Reviews

[Truls Ljungström · Rating 3 out of 5]

Läsning 3: Denna höll inte riktigt för en tredje läsning. De intressanta crux som förut fångade intresse är bekanta nu. Därav att jag inte längre sätter upp 5 stjärnor.

Läsning 2: Väl värd en omläsning. Blandningen av intriger och teknologi är utmärkt.

Läsning 1: Återigen en utmärkt bok med ett svagare slut. Jag förstår humorn i detta slut, till skillnad från de tidigare, men jag håller inte med om att det var nödvändigt. Snarare hade möjligheten för Decius Metellus att stanna i Alexandria kunnat leda fram till riktigt spännande äventyr.

[Vicki Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decius Caecilius Metellus has gone to Alexandria as part of a diplomatic mission with his relative Quintus Caecilius Metellus Creticus (a real historical person). While he's there, one of the scholars at the Museum is murdered, and Decius can't resist getting involved. We (and he) meet several historical personages, including Cleopatra (age 10) and the Egyptian general Achillas. Decius' impertinent slave Hermes is along with him, as is his friend and doctor Asklepiodes, who gets Decius out from under a murder accusation. The SPQR series was my introduction to Roman mysteries, and I learned a lot from the short but thorough glossary at the end. A very enjoyable entry in a great mystery series.

[Feles_et_libri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Από τα καλύτερα της σειράς, αν όχι το καλύτερο.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less interesting than the last, but I enjoyed the descriptions of Alexandria. Another easy summer read.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one, because unlike the previous 3 books, the murder mystery didn't resolve around a well-documented event in Roman history, making the mystery more of a mystery. Taking the setting out of Rome also helped. With 3 books under his belt, JMR's Decius is fully formed now, and I rather like his musings and take on the ancient world. I think this is the book where JMR really hits his stride with the SPQR series, and a lot of that was helped by crafting a story without the crutch of a key historical event in Ancient Roman history.

Here Decius gets involved in some political intrigue in the city of Alexandria as part of the official Roman envoys, staying the Roman Embassy in the Egyptian Palace complex, where he encounters Ptolemy XII Auletes (aka the Flute Player) enough times to get a commission from the Pharaoh to investigate a murder. And just his luck, Julia Minor, his betrothed, also happens to be there, accompanied by the Lady Fausta, daughter of the Dictator Sulla and now Milo's betrothed. Decius and Julia visit the famous sites of Alexandria, from the Library to the Lighthouse, as well as Alexander's Tomb. Decius even encounters a young Cleopatra, already displaying the aptitude and traits that will eventually make her one of histories most famous queens. Decius gets himself into trouble, of course; his weakness towards women ensuring that, but for somewhat different reasons than in the other books.

Unlike it's predecessors, the plot wasn't as predictable, because the story didn't hinge on a historical event that I already knew the outcome of as someone who studied Ancient Rome as my major in university. So I was far more entertained, as I didn't know what was coming, besides knowing that someway or another, Decius would find a way to get into some trouble.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Decius Metellus mystery. This time the novelty is to shift the setting from Rome to Alexandria as Decius is sent there to assist a relative in the Roman diplomatic mission there - not to mention to steer clear of his enemies in Rome and theoretically to stay out of trouble. Of course, Decius can do no such thing and soon enough a Greek philosopher turns up dead in the titular temple and Decius prevails upon the Pharaoh to investigate. As with previous novels, the simple murder is anything but, and Decius calls upon the talents of Hermes, Asklepiodes, and his newly betrothed "Julia Minor", who is along for the ride. We're here for only one novel (though an as yet unwritten return is tantalizingly alluded to), but Alexandria in all it's lost splendor is nicely recreated and populated by the usual lively, humorous, amorous, and devious characters as we've become accustomed to in our previous Roman adventures.
If Decius' motivations for investigating the crime are a little suspect, the plot itself has no such problems and fans of the series to date will take great enjoyment in this romp through the other great metropolis of the period. I only feel a little sad that Decius' impending respectability reduces his debauching slightly - though not by much.

A great read and I look forward to continuing through the series.

[Lance McMurchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a good little story. There were lots of running through streets, fights and general disobedience. I suppose they are things that makes thing interesting, but not very roman except may be the fighting. The encounter Decius had with the young Cleopatra was quite interesting, and seems to have stood out to me. As well as the visit to the Daphne, with a Greek prostitute, for the obvious reasons. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waking up at 3am and being unable to get back to sleep def means I get through books quicker than normal!
Trip to Alexandria with some interesting details about the city. 1st book set there I've read that hasn't had Caesar and Cleopatra as the main focus which made for a good change.

[Vassilis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is like a bad grilled cheese sandwich

[judith king · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is my favorite of this series. I would love to go back to experience this library as it was then.

[Jeff Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Temple Of the Muses,” the fourth of the late John Maddox Roberts’ mystery novels set in Ancient Rome featuring Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger is loads of fun.
The set-up is easily explained: Decius is sent to Alexandria circa 61 BC on a diplomatic mission for his well-placed family (the Metelli, who were real by the way, even if Decius is entirely fictional) and to get him away from Rome for a while where several people want him dead. He has a knack for getting into trouble. And trouble finds him soon enough as a well-known Philosopher is murdered and Decius is asked by no less a person than King Ptolemy to investigate. Soon Decius and his slave Hermes (who would rather be doing something else except, well, “slave”) are investigating the city and getting underfoot, starting at least two full-blown riots and encountering priests, prostitutes, philosophers and a ten-year-old Cleopatra (Yes, THAT one. There were several.) The story blends real and fictional characters with ease. Decius’ fictional betrothed Julia is the niece of the very real Julius Caesar.
There is danger, some street brawling and a talking idol that threatens to turn the populace of Alexandria against the Romans there.
Oh, and Decius gets framed for another murder.
A lot of the book features Decius’ descriptions of the city and the countryside, always comparing it to Rome. In other hands this could be boring but Roberts’ makes our views of the long-vanished city entertaining and enthralling;

The people who thronged the streets were of all nations, but the bulk of them were native Egyptians. The rest were Greeks, Syrians, Jews, Sabaens, Arabs, Galatians and people whose features and dress I did not recognize...Everyone spoke Greek but other languages formed a subcurrent beneath the predominant Greek tide, especially Egyptian. The Egyptian language actually sounds the way those hieroglyphs look.


And the views of the famous lighthouse, as they approach the city by ship early in the book, are simple and wonderfully drawn:

It looked at first like a slender column, dazzling white in the noon sunlight. As we drew nearer I could see that the slender shaft sat atop a stouter one, and that one on one broader still. Then we saw the island itself and I began to get an idea of how huge the lighthouse was for it dominated utterly the island of Pharos, which itself was large enough to conceal from view the entire great city of Alexandria.

It is one of Roberts’ masterstrokes that the books and stories in the series are cast as Decius’ memoirs which he is writing as an old man when he is practically the last man alive who remembers those days. And Decius is writing for posterity and doesn’t give a damn what anybody thinks, even the Emperor. We the readers are Decius’ audience and the personalities and events are well-crafted and enjoyable. Decius is not just a raconteur or a rich man who enjoys a party but he is a fine detective, more than capable of solving a puzzle such as how a statue’s lips can seem to move as well as the puzzle of two murders.
A fun read through the Ancient world.

[Vicki Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my favorite of the series so far. I think leaving Rome and moving to Alexandria helped as I’m less familiar with Alexandria at the time. A travelogue of the city was a large part of the book, as Decius acted as a tourist, and later, tour guide to Julia.

I also think this was the best mystery of the first four books. This is partially because the murders did not revolve around historical events that meant there was no real mystery about “who done it”. Decius’ involvement also made more sense. In the first three books, especially the second and third, I couldn’t get past my confusion about why he was involved at all. But because of these former investigations, he now has a reputation that makes this involvement more logical.

Although it seemed rather coincidental that Julia just happened to be in Egypt at the same time, I did enjoy seeing their relationship grow. Seeing her support Decius no matter how much trouble he got into, gives me hope that they will become an entertaining team in future books.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Roman men never dance."

Although not entirely a vivid description of constant rounds of parties combined with pleasurable b religious practises Egyptian style, it certainly feels like it despite the body in the library. Decius Caecilius Metellus is in Alexandria, and in trouble.

I first read the whole of John Maddox Roberts' SPQR series a decade or more ago and am revisiting this fun romp set in the latter part of the Roman republic, but this time on audio. Narrator John Lee becomes the central character relating his sometimes hilarious experiences. Whilst it is best to start with book one, each story can be read as a stand alone and is recommended for anyone who enjoys books set in the Ancient Roman world of daily life and detective work rather than life within the legions. Good fun.

[Gregory Mele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dicius Metellus the Younger is enjoying his unofficial banishment in decadent Alexandria when murder -- and his rather potent fiance Julia, niece of Gaius Julius Caesar -- both reenter his life. Soon, Dicius is investigating at the order of no less than King Ptolomey himself....whilethe earning the enmity of the Egyptian court along the way.

Roberts has hit his stride with the series, blending historian's walking tour of Republican Rome with the quick pacing and bits of swashbuckling that characterizes these mystery-adventures.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are so thoroughly enjoyable.

As always, this is an entertaining and engaging story in the Decius series, set in Alexandria and involving plots and murders with a background of new siege weapons and religious cults.

Caesar is in Gaul, and his niece, Decius’ girlfriend, plausibly arrives and helps the connections with the Ptolemies as Decius and Hermes begin attempting to find the murderer of a disliked philosopher/scientist. It’s an involving travelogue of Alexandria as much as a mystery, but that adds to the appeal with convincing characters and understated humour.

[Unbestechlich · Rating 3 out of 5]

maybe as a detective story it was good despite some very stupid moments, but I can't but notice that the main character gets worse with every book. i liked him so much in the first one and now he's turned into a Rome-is-the-mightiest, selfish and slaves-should know their place kind of guy, just like Scarrow's Macro and Cato. humour begins to resemble Falco but is too modern like many ideas. pity, I really liked the first part.

[James Wirrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an okay, but not great, mystery. Decius is in Alexandria and is called upon to investigate the murder of a librarian there. He traces it to a strange and corrupt priest and a small band of political plotters. It took a while for the story to get going as a lot of the story is a walking tour of ancient Alexandria. The pace of the story is a bit slow, though it picks up considerably in the second half.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Temple of the Muses is the fourth in John Maddox Roberts SPQR series of Ancient Rome and the intrepid Senator Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger. Set in Egypt’s sumptuous Alexandria Decius must identify the murderer of a prominent mathematician and in the investigation uncovers a wider plot to overthrow King Ptolemy and the Roman presence in Egypt. Another fun read.

[James Tomasino · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are such fun!

[Horst Diemert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it

[Sybille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. History is well researched but not distracting from the story. Well told and amusing. I liked the characters.

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series continues - this time Decius is in Alexandria, which makes for a nice change of scenery.
Crime happens, political intrigue happens, shenanigans ensue.

[James Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining - wish I could give it an extra 1/2 star - really enjoying the lead character and the down-to-earth, humorous approach to what has been always presented as sacred History.

[Γιώργος Π · Rating 3 out of 5]

Καλή εικόνα της Αλεξάνδρειας αλλά με κούρασε.

[Mike A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent book in the series, this time set in Ptolemaic Egypt and Alexandria specifically. The descriptions of ancient life are vivid and very enjoyable, as is the main character Decius.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes us to Alexandria and of course there's another murder to solve. Worth a read just for the description of the life and behaviour of Romans outside of Rome.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read a mystery set in Roman gladiator times (50 BC) before. I was pleasantly surprised by John Maddox Roberts "The Temple of the Muses" with its vivid descriptions of a time and place I knew little about. A real treat from the protagonist, Decius Caecilius Metellus, whose droll sense of humor and ability to get into and out of trouble must in some way reflect his creator. I couldn't help but laugh at his antics while simultaneously following the intricate plot. The author also educates the reader about the scientific climate of the day, Although I knew the Roman civilization was advanced, I was still surprised by many of the details of weapons, measuring instruments and literary feats of that time period. And like any good mystery writer, Mr. Roberts leaves the reader wanting to know what happens next to our unlikely hero, Decius.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are quick reads due to the fast-moving plots. This time our hero (Decius Caecilius Metellus the Younger) travels to Alexandria, Egypt, in the time of Pharaoh Ptolemy (the "flute player") and his young daughter, Cleopatra.

A murder occurs and Decius is called in to investigate. As usual, he has many things on his mind during his hunt for the killer. Not least of these is how he can promote his own political career that seems to have slowed to a halt.

My favorite part of the book is when Decius is enthralled by statues of the nine muses. He describes the lifelike color and delicacy used by the sculptor when he created the statues. And I thought Decius was just a normal Roman "tough guy"!

Be sure to read this series in order or key events and characters will become confusing.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Randomly found this book on our shelves a few weeks ago and decided to pick it up. This was a VERY quick read, even despite all the Roman and Greek names. Though the setting is Alexandria during the Roman era, the main characters came off as being somewhat more contemporary in their speech/thoughts than I would have expected. This is especially true of Decius (the main character), who comes off somewhat like Sherlock Holmes (the new bad boy version), but less exalted and definitely less British. I'm not sure if this is a failure of my imagination or a way to make the characters more approachable by the author. Either way, this book was a surprisingly good read down by the pool yesterday, especially for a book that I didn't even know I had.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice change-of-pace book because it took place in Alexandria (Egypt) rather than Rome. Decius still had his typical problems of facing disbelief or indifference from his Romans peers, but at least the Egyptian King was somewhat more interested (while not drunk). Mind you, the main villain got away, as ever, because of political influence — but this time Decius assures us that in 12 years' time he's going to get his (because Decius writes from the future, sometime after the fall of the Republic).

It was also neat to see this series move entirely into the time of Rome (the TV series) as we hear that the Triumvirate is sectioning up the world over on the other side of the Mediterranean.

Another fun little read.