Slaves of the Empire:

A tour de force of psychological/sexual exploration, and a masterpiece of Sadean literature. Not a single word is wasted as the author penetrates to the core of the existential crisis facing his gladiator hero. And it's very, very hot!

"Slaves of the Empire" launched the career of Steven Saylor (writing at this time under the name "Aaron Travis"). It's easy enough to see why: Unlike most erotica, this work is primarily a historical fiction novel first and erotic a distant second. Most erotica writes the sex, and then tacks on, in the most unappealing way, the story and characters. "Slaves of the Empire" does not. These are fully-fledged and portrayed people, acting in character during a time of great social, economic and political upheaval. Saylor/Travis is a stickler for historical accuracy, and it shows here. Thankfully, that historicity doesn't get in the way of the story or sex, as it does in many other historical erotica novels. Intead, Saylor/Travis uses the historical realism to add to the erotic potential of the sex scenes. Most people will buy this novel because of the sex scenes. In that regard, Saylor/Travis thinks far outside the box. Absent are the typical pornographic BDSM tropes which litter lesser works of erotica. Saylor/Travis is one imaginative BDSM afficionado! His understanding of the dynamics of BDSM sex -- the power relationships, the sexual relationships, the need for proceed slowly (for that alone can be its own torture), the need to structure sexual attention over time (rather than fulfill fantasy in one scene) -- rank far and above those of most BDSM and erotica writers. Coupled with the historicity of the novel, and the reader's growing (and horrible) realization that "this could have really happened", make for some very powerful erotica. This work has long been recognized as one of the premiere efforts in the genre of BDSM erotica, and any erotica (for the matter). It is a joy to see it back in print. It is a novel no serious student or fan of gay erotica should be without.

I have read many novels on bdsm,S & m,master and slave, etc. But Aaron Travis, without a doubt has taken his story to the highest level of imagnative bdsm,erotic sex I have ever read in a book! The exquisite torture,breaking and using of the captured Germanic twin boys owned by the brutal general Marcellus incorporates all the elements of bdsm,etc.but applies them to the Roman time period. The twin boys are valued because they are twins, beautiful and different.These slaves are as unique and precious as gems and Marecellus uses them, dresses them and hands them out as gifts and bribes. They are a status symbol. He rewards them, for one night, to Magnus, a former galley slave,and now a highly respected gladiator. But Magnus may get more than he bargained for in the deal! And therein lies the other best part of this book. A great story.A lush description of Rome,the other slaves,the general Marcellus. This is a fabulous pornographic novel woven into a story! Which makes it all the more wonderful because of the flow of one sexy scene into another. Even the description of the drape of the minimal clothing Marcellus dresses his twin slaves in is erotic and sexy! Aaron Travis(Steven Saylor) shows his skill as writer when he can combine the two elements in an erotic story of brutality,exquisite torture,unrivalled depravity, erotic debauchery, a very cruel master and beautiful twin slaves in Rome. A perfect story.

Aaron Travis writes historical novels about Imperial Rome under his real name, and his love for and knowledge of that period shows in this classic... novel. Within this genre, "Slaves of the Empire" ranks just below John Preston's "Mister Benson", Wiliam Carney's"The Real Thing", and the classic novels of Larry Townsend. Alas the Badboy edition does not have the hot erotic drawings that the original had.

This is the story of Magnus, gladiator in the Romain Empire and of his erotic gay SM adventures. This is not a course of history, but the plot is very good and the SM scenes are arousing.