The Temple of Fortuna (Wolf Den Trilogy)

by Elodie Harper

Rome has always had an edge, unrest smoldering under the surface like hot embers ready to burst into flame, but never more so than now. Ever since the death of the Emperor Vespasian four months ago, Amara has felt afraid. It has been so long since this city saw a peaceful transition in power.

Fables written by Aesop, a lowly Greek slave, are picked out like priceless gems.

My darling, be proud of the things others despise. Who cares that you were once a whore and I a slave? Look where we are standing now.

they reach Fortuna’s temple. It stands behind Pompey’s Theater, which Demetrius once told her was the site of Julius Caesar’s murder—an irony given the dictator’s lifelong devotion to the goddess of chance.

including Domitian, they all know the rumors about the emperor’s younger brother—about his cruelty to animals, servants and women.

Emperor Titus] chose commissioners by lot from among the ex-consuls for the relief of Campania; and the property of those who lost their lives by Vesuvius and had no heirs left alive he applied to the rebuilding of the buried cities.”

Amara is beginning to suspect that perhaps many of the “freed” Pompeiians she meets are slaves, and some of the “freeborn” are freed, everyone deciding to take the chance to step up the social hierarchy in the confusion left by the disaster.