This was a gripping and vibrant picture of ancient Rome with all its plotting, brutality and corruption. A deposed and blinded emperor, helped by a terrified, illiterate slave, escaped from prison to go on a revenge campaign which provides a compelling thread through the torturous politics of the time.It switches between two time periods which I did find a little confusing and when reading chapters did have to refer back to remind myself which era I was reading about, but apart from that, I was okay with it. I kind of liked the way the author wrote, and I would like to see more of his writing style come into play. I was skeptical of this, but I'm glad I read it for the experience, and I think you should, too.