The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina
Encyclopedia
The Twelve Tasks of Flavia Gemina is a children's historical novel
by Caroline Lawrence
, published on June 19, 2003. The sixth book of the Roman Mysteries
series, it is set in Ostia
in December AD 79, during the Saturnalia
. Its central themes are love and marriage.
, Flavia persuades her friends to gather gossip from all over Ostia to solve the mystery of Cartilia Poplicola, and thus break up her romantic relationship with Flavia's widowed father Marcus.
and six months after the children solved their first mystery
. The Geminus household is still suffering financially from the loss of the Myrtilla. It is winter AD 79 during the five-day festival of the Saturnalia
, a time when the status quo is upset. Ostia is further excited by the escape of some exotic wild animals, possible man-eaters. The children narrowly escape an alarming-looking bird.
Flavia is disturbed when her father Marcus starts talking about her betrothal and insisting that she should stop running around Ostia playing detective with her unconventional friends. She blames her father's change of attitude on his new ladylove, Cartilia Poplicola, and is determined to prove that the widow is a fortune-hunter, a witch, or even a murderess.
Several signs, including a dream, make Flavia believe that following a trail guided by the twelve labours of Hercules will lead her to the truth. These are generally places in Ostia, such as the Hydra
fountain and the Atlas
tavern, but also events like the capture of the escaped lion
or people such as the gladiator nicknamed the Cretan Bull
. Flavia and the others pick up scraps of news and gossip about Cartilia and her family which they try to piece together.
The detectives meet Cartilia's sister Diana and eventually discover her secret love for Aristo, which explains some strange events and clears Cartilia of wrong-doing. However, uncovering another secret destroys Marcus's trust in Cartilia, and Flavia is unexpectedly unhappy about it.
A fever sweeps through Ostia and many fall sick, including Flavia and Marcus. The first wave of sickness, however, is just the precursor of a more deadly plague which will be important in the seventh book, The Enemies of Jupiter
.
Unrequited love is shown in Diana and Nubia's infatuation with Aristo, Aristo's with Miriam and Flavia's with Felix. Even Lupus is a little smitten, with Diana. The gladiator Taurus makes a good profit selling his sweat to make love potions
, and many maidens come to dance away the effects of Cupid
's arrow, or "the spider's bite" of love by dancing the Tarantella
.
The traditions of the Saturnalia recur throughout the novel, with the festivities in the streets, the choosing of the king, the disruptions to the usual routines, special foods and gift giving.
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 June 19, 2003. The sixth book of the Roman Mysteries
The Roman Mysteries
The Roman Mysteries is a series of historical novels for children by Caroline Lawrence. The first book, The Thieves of Ostia, was published in 2001, finishing with The Man from Pomegranate Street, published in 2009, and 17 more novels were planned, plus a number of "mini-mysteries" and companion...
series, it is set in Ostia
Ostia 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...
in December AD 79, during the Saturnalia
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival/ celebration held in honour of Saturn , the youngest of the Titans, father of the major gods of the Greeks and Romans, and son of Uranus and Gaia...
. Its central themes are love and marriage.
Plot introduction
The action of the novel takes place in the Roman port of Ostia during a winter festival. Inspired by a dream about HerculesHercules
Hercules is the Roman name for Greek demigod Heracles, son of Zeus , and the mortal Alcmene...
, Flavia persuades her friends to gather gossip from all over Ostia to solve the mystery of Cartilia Poplicola, and thus break up her romantic relationship with Flavia's widowed father Marcus.
Plot summary
The novel is set three months after The Dolphins of LaurentumThe Dolphins of Laurentum
The Dolphins of Laurentum is a historical novel by Caroline Lawrence published on February 6, 2003 by Orion Books. It is the fifth novel in the The Roman Mysteries series.-Plot:...
and six months after the children solved their first mystery
The Thieves of Ostia
The Thieves of Ostia is a 2001 historical novel for children written by Caroline Lawrence, the first book in The Roman Mysteries series. It is set in Ostia Antica, the harbour of ancient Rome, in the last month of the reign of emperor Vespasian....
. The Geminus household is still suffering financially from the loss of the Myrtilla. It is winter AD 79 during the five-day festival of the Saturnalia
Saturnalia
Saturnalia is an Ancient Roman festival/ celebration held in honour of Saturn , the youngest of the Titans, father of the major gods of the Greeks and Romans, and son of Uranus and Gaia...
, a time when the status quo is upset. Ostia is further excited by the escape of some exotic wild animals, possible man-eaters. The children narrowly escape an alarming-looking bird.
Flavia is disturbed when her father Marcus starts talking about her betrothal and insisting that she should stop running around Ostia playing detective with her unconventional friends. She blames her father's change of attitude on his new ladylove, Cartilia Poplicola, and is determined to prove that the widow is a fortune-hunter, a witch, or even a murderess.
Several signs, including a dream, make Flavia believe that following a trail guided by the twelve labours of Hercules will lead her to the truth. These are generally places in Ostia, such as the Hydra
Lernaean Hydra
In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was an ancient nameless serpent-like chthonic water beast, with reptilian traits, that possessed many heads — the poets mention more heads than the vase-painters could paint, and for each head cut off it grew two more — and poisonous breath so virulent even...
fountain and the Atlas
Atlas (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Atlas was the primordial Titan who supported the heavens. Although associated with various places, he became commonly identified with the Atlas Mountains in north-west Africa...
tavern, but also events like the capture of the escaped lion
Nemean Lion
The Nemean lion was a vicious monster in Greek mythology that lived at Nemea. It was eventually killed by Heracles. It could not be killed with mortal weapons because its golden fur was impervious to attack...
or people such as the gladiator nicknamed the Cretan Bull
Cretan Bull
In Greek mythology, the Cretan Bull was either the bull that carried away Europa or the bull Pasiphaë fell in love with, giving birth to the Minotaur.- Origin :...
. Flavia and the others pick up scraps of news and gossip about Cartilia and her family which they try to piece together.
The detectives meet Cartilia's sister Diana and eventually discover her secret love for Aristo, which explains some strange events and clears Cartilia of wrong-doing. However, uncovering another secret destroys Marcus's trust in Cartilia, and Flavia is unexpectedly unhappy about it.
A fever sweeps through Ostia and many fall sick, including Flavia and Marcus. The first wave of sickness, however, is just the precursor of a more deadly plague which will be important in the seventh book, The Enemies of Jupiter
The Enemies of Jupiter
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.-Plot introduction:...
.
Characters
In this novel, Flavia is even more headstrong and imperious than usual, but shows signs of learning from her errors in judgement; Lupus shows his cunning in dice games, his love of trailing people and his skill at art; Nubia shows her courage in helping to capture the lion and a quiet patience which encourages people to talk more than Flavia's questions; Jonathan shows his loyalty in supporting Flavia even when he thinks she is wrong, and surprises himself at his boldness in going to some of the odd places she sends him.Themes
The main themes are love and marriage. The book opens on the day of Miriam's betrothal feast and ends on her wedding day. The main story concerns the romance between Marcus and Cartilia, who have both been married before, and Flavia's belief that Cartilia's love is not real. The subject of Flavia's betrothal is raised; although she is only ten and will perhaps not marry for five or six years, Marcus is considering a possible match with a Roman senator's son. Divorce is also mentioned, with a man divorcing two women for not being able to give him children.Unrequited love is shown in Diana and Nubia's infatuation with Aristo, Aristo's with Miriam and Flavia's with Felix. Even Lupus is a little smitten, with Diana. The gladiator Taurus makes a good profit selling his sweat to make love potions
Potion
A potion is a consumable medicine or poison.In mythology and literature, a potion is usually made by a magician, sorcerer, dragon, fairy or witch and has magical properties. It might be used to heal, bewitch or poison people...
, and many maidens come to dance away the effects of Cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
's arrow, or "the spider's bite" of love by dancing the Tarantella
Tarantella
The term tarantella groups a number of different southern Italian couple folk dances characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in 6/8 time , accompanied by tambourines. It is among the most recognized of traditional Italian music. The specific dance name varies with every region, for instance...
.
The traditions of the Saturnalia recur throughout the novel, with the festivities in the streets, the choosing of the king, the disruptions to the usual routines, special foods and gift giving.