The Enemies of Jupiter
Encyclopedia
The Enemies of Jupiter is a children's historical novel
by Caroline Lawrence
published on 6 November, 2003 by Orion Books
. It is the seventh book of the Roman Mysteries series.
and Rome
in February AD 80, at a time when Rome was devastated by disease and fire. Jonathan is the primary character in this novel, in which he tries to reconcile his parents, Mordecai and Susannah, and falls foul of the Emperor Titus
.
also has a mystery for the four detectives to solve, as Jonathan, Lupus, Flavia and Nubia are included in the imperial request.
As they arrive at Rome they witness some horrible sights: crucified slaves, burning bodies, bloated corpses and Lupercalia
n wolf-boys capering in the streets sprinkling people with blood.
At the Imperial Palace the Emperor asks the children to look into a prophecy foretelling devastation when "Prometheus
opens a Pandora's box
". He assigns the astrologer Ascletario to act as a guide for the children (and the reader) to the sights and customs of Rome.
Flavia, Nubia and Lupus all develop theories about the prophecy - one rather spectacularly connected with the Ark of the Covenant
which they find in the quarters of Berenice, the exiled mistress of the Emperor. Jonathan, however, is only interested in engineering a meeting between his parents - but when he does so, Titus intervenes and declares his love for Susannah. This upsets everyone, but especially Berenice who returns from exile just in time to hear it.
Distressed by the failure of his plans and the wrath of the Emperor, Jonathan runs blindly out into the city. Some boys beat and rob him, and he is rescued by Agathus who turns out to be Berenice's agent at the Golden House. He persuades Jonathan that his problems can be solved by killing Titus, and Jonathan reluctantly agrees, only to find out later that Agathus's real plan is to start a fire and destroy Rome. At the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill
Jonathan accidentally starts the fire while trying to stop Agathus. It causes widespread destruction, burning many temples and other buildings, and many lives are lost.
Jonathan survives, but feels guilty, believing that he is the Prometheus who opened the Pandora's Box as predicted in the prophecy. When he hears that his mother is also dead he gives up hope and signs on as a gladiator
, expecting a quick death in the amphitheatre.
However, the report of Susannah's death was a ruse to fool Berenice, and she arranges to go to Ostia with Mordecai. They all believe Jonathan to be dead in the fire, especially when his stolen rings are found on an unrecognizable body.
, or excessive pride which challenges the gods and calls down retribution. Aristo defines the term in an early chapter and describes Jonathan's dismissive attitude to the gods as a fine illustration. Prometheus is the classical example given. Jonathan, Titus, the arrogant Roman doctors, and Agathus are all guilty in different ways.
Medicine as practised in the Roman empire, notably herbalism
, humorism
and bloodletting
, is another theme. Mordecai's methods, which echo modern medical beliefs, are shown as the most effective.
Historical novel
According to Encyclopædia Britannica, a historical novel is-Development:An early example of historical prose fiction is Luó Guànzhōng's 14th century Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which covers one of the most important periods of Chinese history and left a lasting impact on Chinese culture.The...
by Caroline Lawrence
Caroline Lawrence
Caroline Lawrence is an English American author, best known for The Roman Mysteries series of historical novels for children. The series is about a Roman girl called Flavia and her three friends: Nubia , Jonathan and Lupus...
published on 6 November, 2003 by Orion Books
Orion Publishing Group
Orion Publishing Group Ltd. is a UK-based book publisher. It is owned by Hachette Livre. In 1998 Orion bought Cassell.-History:Full history of the group can be found on Orion Publishing Group is owned by -Imprints:...
. It is the seventh book of the Roman Mysteries series.
Plot introduction
The novel is set in OstiaOstia Antica
Ostia Antica is a large archeological site, close to the modern suburb of Ostia , that was the location of the harbour city of ancient Rome, which is approximately 30 km to the northeast. "Ostia" in Latin means "mouth". At the mouth of the River Tiber, Ostia was Rome's seaport, but, due to...
and Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in February AD 80, at a time when Rome was devastated by disease and fire. Jonathan is the primary character in this novel, in which he tries to reconcile his parents, Mordecai and Susannah, and falls foul of the Emperor Titus
Titus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
.
Plot summary
Jonathan is still depressed about his mother's decision to remain in Rome with the Emperor Titus, but has decided it is time to act. Soon an imperial messenger arrives to summon Mordecai, in his capacity as a doctor, to the capital, where the fever which swept through Ostia in December has reached epidemic proportions. Apparently TitusTitus
Titus , was Roman Emperor from 79 to 81. A member of the Flavian dynasty, Titus succeeded his father Vespasian upon his death, thus becoming the first Roman Emperor to come to the throne after his own father....
also has a mystery for the four detectives to solve, as Jonathan, Lupus, Flavia and Nubia are included in the imperial request.
As they arrive at Rome they witness some horrible sights: crucified slaves, burning bodies, bloated corpses and Lupercalia
Lupercalia
Lupercalia was a very ancient, possibly pre-Roman pastoral festival, observed on February 13 through 15 to avert evil spirits and purify the city, releasing health and fertility...
n wolf-boys capering in the streets sprinkling people with blood.
At the Imperial Palace the Emperor asks the children to look into a prophecy foretelling devastation when "Prometheus
Prometheus
In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, the son of Iapetus and Themis, and brother to Atlas, Epimetheus and Menoetius. He was a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals...
opens a Pandora's box
Pandora's box
Pandora's box is an artifact in Greek mythology, taken from the myth of Pandora's creation around line 60 of Hesiod's Works and Days. The "box" was actually a large jar given to Pandora , which contained all the evils of the world. When Pandora opened the jar, all its contents except for one item...
". He assigns the astrologer Ascletario to act as a guide for the children (and the reader) to the sights and customs of Rome.
Flavia, Nubia and Lupus all develop theories about the prophecy - one rather spectacularly connected with the Ark of the Covenant
Ark of the Covenant
The Ark of the Covenant , also known as the Ark of the Testimony, is a chest described in Book of Exodus as solely containing the Tablets of Stone on which the Ten Commandments were inscribed...
which they find in the quarters of Berenice, the exiled mistress of the Emperor. Jonathan, however, is only interested in engineering a meeting between his parents - but when he does so, Titus intervenes and declares his love for Susannah. This upsets everyone, but especially Berenice who returns from exile just in time to hear it.
Distressed by the failure of his plans and the wrath of the Emperor, Jonathan runs blindly out into the city. Some boys beat and rob him, and he is rescued by Agathus who turns out to be Berenice's agent at the Golden House. He persuades Jonathan that his problems can be solved by killing Titus, and Jonathan reluctantly agrees, only to find out later that Agathus's real plan is to start a fire and destroy Rome. At the Temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill , between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. It was the citadel of the earliest Romans. By the 16th century, Capitolinus had become Capitolino in Italian, with the alternative Campidoglio stemming from Capitolium. The English word capitol...
Jonathan accidentally starts the fire while trying to stop Agathus. It causes widespread destruction, burning many temples and other buildings, and many lives are lost.
Jonathan survives, but feels guilty, believing that he is the Prometheus who opened the Pandora's Box as predicted in the prophecy. When he hears that his mother is also dead he gives up hope and signs on as a gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
, expecting a quick death in the amphitheatre.
However, the report of Susannah's death was a ruse to fool Berenice, and she arranges to go to Ostia with Mordecai. They all believe Jonathan to be dead in the fire, especially when his stolen rings are found on an unrecognizable body.
Themes
A central theme is hubrisHubris
Hubris , also hybris, means extreme haughtiness, pride or arrogance. Hubris often indicates a loss of contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence or capabilities, especially when the person exhibiting it is in a position of power....
, or excessive pride which challenges the gods and calls down retribution. Aristo defines the term in an early chapter and describes Jonathan's dismissive attitude to the gods as a fine illustration. Prometheus is the classical example given. Jonathan, Titus, the arrogant Roman doctors, and Agathus are all guilty in different ways.
Medicine as practised in the Roman empire, notably herbalism
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
, humorism
Humorism
Humorism, or humoralism, is a now discredited theory of the makeup and workings of the human body, adopted by Greek and Roman physicians and philosophers, positing that an excess or deficiency of any of four distinct bodily fluids in a person directly influences their temperament and health...
and bloodletting
Bloodletting
Bloodletting is the withdrawal of often little quantities of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. Bloodletting was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily fluid were considered to be "humors" the proper balance of which maintained health...
, is another theme. Mordecai's methods, which echo modern medical beliefs, are shown as the most effective.