Blood of the Martyrs

The focus of this novel is a Christian church in Rome during the time of Nero. Most of the members are slaves, the others are poor, though free. Part one gives us the background of some of the church members: where they came from, how they got to Rome (if not born there), and how they became a Christian. The second part deals with the fire and the beginning of the persecution of the Christians, who were blamed with starting it. The last part details how individuals responded to the persecution. Among the Christians, there is heroism and cowardice - mostly the former. Among the non-Christians, there are those who become Christians because of the witness of those killed for an IDEA. Although Paul, Luke, Nero, Claudia Acte and other well-known historical people appear in this book, the main characters have humbler backgrounds. With one exception - Beric, son of a British king and adopted by Roman Senator Flavius Crispus. However, he was subject to humiliation like the others which opened the door to his salvation. Manasses, Lalage, Euphemia, Phaon, Persis, Niger, Eunice and the others showed the roots of the Church: the poor, the outcasts, the uneducated. This novel allows us to see underneath: they were individuals with different strengths and weaknesses, personalities and talents. It was refreshing to read a novel set in ancient Rome that focused on the lower classes. Life was hard, perhaps unbearable, but these people had the Kingdom to look forward to. Far from being victims, or seeing themselves as victims, they were victorious in Christ. Forgiving those who hated and/or persecuted them was not always easy, but gave them a freedom and a joy that others could not know or understand.