Flames lick the night sky as marble temples collapse and the ancient world teeters between ruin and rebirth. In the shadow of the great fire of Rome, power and peril intertwine, casting both patricians and slaves into a crucible of survival. Set in the heart of first century Rome, this sweeping historical fiction novel plunges readers into the chaos and intrigue of a civilisation at its breaking point, where the ambitions of Nero, the enigmatic Roman emperor, shape destinies and ignite suspicion. The story unfolds with a vivid immediacy, capturing the grandeur and brutality of the Roman Empire as it grapples with disaster, political machination, and the enduring struggle for meaning amidst catastrophe. Resonating with the depth and scope of Robert Graves books and the psychological insight found in Mary Renault novels, this work stands as a touchstone in ancient Rome literature. Its portrayal of classical civilisation themes-loyalty and betrayal, faith and scepticism, the tension between public spectacle and private grief-echoes across centuries, speaking to the complexities of power and the resilience of the human spirit. For historical fiction readers and those drawn to ancient Roman history, the narrative offers not only a window into a vanished world but also a meditation on the forces that shape societies and individuals alike. This book was out of print for decades and is now republished by Alpha Editions. It has been restored for today's and future generations. This edition is not just a reprint - it's a collector's item and a cultural treasure. Whether sought as educational reading material or as a centrepiece for classic-collection buyers, it stands as a testament to the enduring allure of the Roman Empire story and the drama that unfolded amidst the ashes of Rome.