The Beggar of Volubilis (The Roman Mysteries)

Travel across Northern Africa in this latest of the Roman Mysteries. Discover the excitement of Roman theater, the tragedy of slavery in ancient Africa, a marvelous gem called the Eye of Nero and a two thousand year old rumor in  The Beggar of Volubilis (Roman Mysteries) Like all of the Roman Mysteries series, the book contains an extensive vocabulary list in the back as well as end notes regarding the history behind the book.Many thanks, Amazon, for bringing these treasures across the pond rather than making us wait years for US publication!

Another awesome book in the series - I honestly think I enjoy these just as much as my 12yr old son! And even though there's a consistent theme throughout, these books have never been repetitive or boring. And now my son is interested in ancient history & keen to travel one day :)

My son love this series

This is not only the fourteenth book in "The Roman Mysteries" series, but also the forth-to-last, meaning that I opened it with a certain sense of regret. As much as I'm loving these books, I know that each time I crack a new one, it brings me one step closer to the end.By now our four detectives (bossy Flavia, introspective Jonathan, patient Nubia and spunky Lupus) have quite a reputation for solving mysteries in their home-city of Ostia, and their exploits have reached even the attention of Emperor Titus. They have entered his service in the past and "The Beggar of Volubilis" opens with the quartet receiving an imperial message straight from Rome: the Emperor wants the children to travel to Africa and begin the search for a gem known as the Eye of Nero. According to prophets, the emerald will grant Emperor Titus a long and successive reign - and put a stop to the nasty rumors that Emperor Nero is still alive.It is a top-secret mission that the children are eager to undertake. It has been a difficult few weeks in the wake of  The Slave-Girl from Jerusalem , fraught with the death of a loved one, the disappearance of Flavia's uncle, grim weather, and an unwelcome marriage proposal. Though forbidden from traveling by their parents, it is an easy-enough task for the intrepid foursome to book passage to Africa and slip away under the cover of early morning. Their only clues to the journey that lies ahead of them are stories that the emerald can be found in Volubilis and Flavia's reoccurring dream, instructing her to give alms to every beggar she passes.Joining up with a caravanserai of pantomime actors, the children combine their musical talents in order to pay for their passage, discovering along the way that their leader Narcissus may have his own plans in store for the Eye of Nero, as well as for a Cleopatra-look-alike who belongs to the troupe.Discounting the ludicrousness of an Emperor commissioning children to undergo dangerous missions of a political nature, "The Beggar of Volubius" continues the high standard of all the books in this series. The mystery is a bit light this time around, instead it is more of an adventure story as the children brave the desert journey to Volubilis. In fact, it is best described as a story in two parts: the first involves their travels across North Africa, and it is not until they reach their destination that the mystery kicks in.In a story filled with slave-traders and beast-hunters, sandstorms and mirages, pantomime actors and a mysterious beggar that claims to have witnessed Nero's death, there is not a dull page in the book's entire length. A meticulous researcher, Caroline Lawrence draws upon the history of Africa and Egypt in order to present a hefty dose of information to her young readers without turning the book into a history text. She's always been skillful in weaving her facts and figures in with the unfolding story, and in this case she explores the perils and wonders of the desert and the lifestyle of actors with the history of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. As a measure of Lawrence's care, Mark is referred to by his Roman name Marcus Antonius; the truth about Cleopatra's "beauty" is revealed, and the tragic lovers' story is not revered; in fact, their selfishness in unfavorably compared to the virtue of Antonius's wife Octavia.As with each successive book, the situation that the children find themselves in grows steadily more adult in nature and content. For the first time, I found myself in fear for their lives and felt the sense that they're now totally in over their heads, particularly since they are far from home and without the presence of an adult they can trust. This trend continues throughout the final three books as Flavia, Nubia, Jonathan and Lupus begin their long journey home, hounded by enemies and circumstances that (for now) lie beyond the scope of their still-maturing minds.Though this is not my favorite installment in "The Roman Mysteries" series (Flavia is a bit annoying, and the mystery isn't particularly rewarding) our protagonists have been ushered into the big wide world, and there are several intriguing loose threads that promise to be wrapped up in the remaining books.

This is a young person's travelogue in historic Roman times, starting in Ostia and crossing to North Africa with a long caravan trip across the top of the Sahara to a frontier outpost where the governor tries to keep life civilised.Flavia and her friends are mourning the death of a teenage wife in childbirth. I don't see this as being sufficient reason for them to run off to sail to Africa on a wild goose chase, without parents. The youngsters would all be potential slaves and the girls would not be safe from attacks. Read with a large pinch of salt.The sights and sounds are well recreated for us and we can learn a great deal about life at the time, Roman pantomimes and some prominent Romans of previous times, including Nero, and several women including Cleopatra and Octavia. Also some good lessons about dodgy boyfriends. And camels. Nubia, the former slave girl, loves camels. Enjoy.This is an unbiased review.

My 12 year old loved this whole series!

My daughter adored this series and knows more than me about the Romans and all other ancient civilizations now. A real good read for a child. Amusing her, she read it many times over.

A brilliant story with excellent historical facts and a captivating storyline.We love it. Brilliant value with hours of story.

Wonderful cd to listen to on long journeys

Is an interesting book I couldn't stay away from it. Is an interesting book I couldn't stay away from it.