Colin Visser

The Owl of Minerva Quartet Colin Visser

It is 426 A. D. Ten years have passed since Rome fell to the barbarians. On his estate Geminius in Proconsular Africa, Marcus writes his memoirs as he waits for the arrival of the invading Vandals. In the second volume, "Caelian," of "The Owl of Minerva Quartet," Marcus tells of his arrival as a young man in Rome, and of his career in administration, culminating in his role in organizing the state visit of the Emperor, Theodosius the Great. Through the house on the Caelian hill, where he finds lodgings, pass members of the Roman aristocracy, including the senator Symmachus, with whose daughter, Galla, Marcus becomes infatuated. Marcus's childhood friend, the poet and playwright Lepidus arrives in Rome as resident playwright for a theatrical company that includes his mistress, the actress Rhodocleia. Lepidus introduces Marcus to the life of the theatre, until Lepdius's relationship with Rhodocleia ends and he falls under the spell of the morally ambivalent Drusa. Marcus meets and falls in love with Caelia, although he continues to be infatuated with Galla. His presence in the Prefecture exposes him to the political turbulence of the time as Theodosius contrives to establish a dynasty that will control both the Eastern and Western empires. Finally, Symmachus invites Marcus to accompany him on a mission to Milan, where Marcus will remain to pursue his career at the Imperial court.