The Course of Honour

By: Lindsey Davis

Narrated by: Diana Bishop

He has no money, no reputation and no famous ancestors.' The love story of the Emperor Vespasian, who brought peace to Rome after years of strife, and his mistress, the freed slave woman Caenis, this book recreates Ancient Rome's most turbulent period - the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius and Nero and Vespasian's rise to power.

As their forbidden romance blossoms, Caenis is embroiled in political intrigue, while Vespasian embarks on a glorious career. Years pass, then Vespasian risks all in the climactic struggle for power - bringing hope for Rome, but a threat to the relationship that has endured for so long.

©1997 Lindsey Davis (P)2014 Audible Studios

Marvelous!!

I have read this incredible and well written story three times before deciding that it might be interesting to hear someone else’s voice tell me the story. It was so much better! The repartee between our hero and heroine took on a whole new level of nuance and delight for me. Thank you Audible for adding gilding to this already bright treasure!!

Remarkable story of patience.

This should be required reading for every single English literature class. Quite profound in every aspect.

10/10

this was a book assigned for a class on gender and sexuality in ancient rome so i was not expecting it to be an enjoyable story however i was gladly mistaken. this is a love story set in ancient rome between and slave and high ranking roman citizen. I found myself getting quickly attached to the main character Caenis and Vespasian. i’m left feeling complete yet empty after the story. it’s a beautiful book and absolutely worth the read

Believable historical fiction

Beautifully interwoven history with human lives & personalities. Far better than reading dry chronicles from official records.

Great love story

Great love story framed as ever when Lindsey Davis writes by historical accuracy down to the smallest details. A feast for the story lover and classical history lover alike.

The Story of a Slave Girl in 1st Century Rome

Slave-scribe Caenis and her lifelong relationship with Vaspasian from teen to freed woman of 60+.

Enjoyable

Good story. Narrator starts of with a Scots accent for Vespasian then reverts to something different - which was strange.

Great fictionalized history

I called this “fictionalized history” rather than “historical fiction”, the latter often being totally fictitious characters in a historical setting. In this case, Davis is writing about real historical characters and events, but, of course, a fictionalized version of what transpired between the characters. That Vespasian and Caenis had a long-term relationship is a matter of historical record. The dialog between them (or intimate details) are not, but what a delightful imagination we find here! This is a wonderful way to learn (or refresh one’s memory of) the sequence of a number of the Roman emperors, the intrigue and murder in the palace. As Lindsey Davis does in the delightful Falco series, here, too, she provides a wealth of detail about life in Ancient Rome. I’m always impressed by some of what the Romans did and horrified by other aspects. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The reading was also excellent.