THEMES AND TOPICS in Roman Mysteries 1 - 4

Book 1: The Thieves of Ostia (theme: fear of the unknown)
Roman topic: introduction to a Roman town (Ostia port of Rome) & Roman social structure.
Real historical characters: Cartilius Poplicola (resident of Ostia attested in inscriptions)
Sources: The Aeneid, the Bible, Ostian inscriptions
Greek myths: Aeneas, Cerberus, Perseus and Medusa
featured food: snails, stuffed dormice, dates, fruit
key artefacts and objects: signet ring, wax tablet & stylus, oil lamp, tombs, amphoras, quartz dice

Book 2: The Secrets of Vesuvius (theme: parentage & adoption)
Roman topic: the eruption of Vesuvius and destruction of Pompeii & surrounding towns
Real historical characters: Pliny the Elder, Titus Tascius Pomponianus, Rectina
Sources: Pliny the Younger, Pliny the Elder, Catullus, Ostian graffito
Greek myths: the return of Vulcan, Thetis, Achilles
Roman festivals: Vinalia, Vulcanalia
featured food: Pliny's simple fare: cheese, fruit, eggs; Tascius's rich fare: turbot in dill sauce
key artefacts and objects: scrolls, portable inkpot & pen, flute, pan-pipes, parasol, cushions

Book 3: The Pirates of Pompeii (theme: slavery & freedom) Nubia's book
Roman topic: Patrons and clients, slaves and freedmen
Real historical characters: The Emperor Titus, Pollius Felix (attested in a poem of Statius)
Historical site: the villa of Pollius Felix on the Cape of Sorrento, Scraio (spa town near Sorrento)
Sources: Pompeian graffiti, Statius's 'Silvae' (poems)
Greek myths: Dionysus and the pirates, Ariadne & Theseus
featured food: lemons (recently introduced); goat stew, flat bread, chickpeas, mineral water, sage tea
key artefacts and objects: earrings, hairpins, theatrical masks, lyre, flute, kylix (Greek drinking cup)

Book 4: The Assassins of Rome (theme: guilt) Jonathan's book
Roman topic: Nero's golden house, the destruction of Jerusalem, Jewish slave labour, chariot races
Real historical characters: Emperor Titus, Berenice, Domitian, Josephus
Sources: Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Homer, Josephus, the Bible
Greek myths: Odysseus, Polyphemus the cyclops, Penelope the faithful wife
Jewish festivals: Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, Succot
featured food: exotic oranges; buttermilk; honey dipped apples for Rosh Hashanna
key artefacts and objects: wax tablet & stylus, alabastron, loom & weights, bass lyre, tambourine

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