The Emperor: lust, intrigue and love in Imperial Rome

“The Emperor” portrays, with intelligence and style, the splendor and brutality of a society as intent on destroying itself as on dominating the world. Based on historical fact infused with creative vision, it is an allegory of love, power and good intentions gone wrong. Here is a story as old as civilization, yet startlingly modern in uncovering the strengths and weaknesses of humans, both privileged and enslaved, when forced into a daily struggle for survival. 

The time is A.D. 95. Cruel and crafty Domitian rules Imperial Rome. His empress is Domitia, bold in the ways of pleasing all men. His closest advisors are the poisoned-tongued Prosecutor Messalinus and the ruthless Captain Geta, head of his Imperial Guards.

Into Domitian’s glittering and dangerous court strides Maximus Marcus, an ambitious yet idealistic commander, summoned from the provinces to serve his emperor in his highest councils. His initiation into the intrigues of court, teach him his bitterest lesson: In a corrupt society, a person’s good qualities are the surest path to an early death.

Sharpening the conflict between the emperor and the disillusioned Marcus is their mutual attraction to Rome’s chief vestal virgin, Cornelia, pure and untouchable, sworn to a life of chastity. Though not immune to the temptations of the heart, Cornelia knows all too well the penalty for breaking her vestal virgin’s vow - to be buried alive. As with Marcus, it is her best quality - her compassion - that ensnares her in the emperor’s net. 

PRAISE FOR “The Emperor,” an international bestseller, first published under the title The Emperor’s Virgin. 

"A deserved bestseller . . . embellished with much rich historical detail and full of the love and anguish that make a well-written historical romance next-to-impossible to put down” - Maclean’s.

“The most talked about novel of the year”- Edmonton Journal.

“Her book catches fire. Her characters are contemporary people, trapped in a sick society that is visibly deteriorating around them, struggling to maintain their sanity and essential decency” - Toronto Sun.

“Fraser has used her research and a crisp, powerful writing style. . . .studded with gem-like surprises that create a vivid, fascinating portrait of a Rome that is astonishing in its similarity to North American life”- Ottawa Journal. 

“Sylvia Fraser can certainly tell a story. Here, then, is Rome, pulsing, and grown greasy in turpitude and depravity. . .there are intrigues, assassination plots, assorted acts of dark villainy, gladiatorial combats, chariot races, pitched battles among armies, sadomasochistic rites, incest, seductions, rapes, tortures, and mutilations. They keep the plot humming. . . The result is a theatrical, raw, exhausting and densely-textured novel. . . diverting, exciting and stylish" - Toronto Star.

“Sylvia Fraser makes history breathe”- Ottawa Citizen.