Roma Sub Rosa

A series of historical novels written by Steven Saylor taking place in the last days of The Roman Republic and eventually covering the period of Gaius Julius Caesar. They start out as mysteries taking place in ancient Rome, featuring a gumsandal named Gordianus, who calls himself "Gordianus the Finder." Eventually they get more into political intrigue as well.

The books in reading order. Publication dates given in parentheses:


 * Roman Blood (1991).
 * The House of the Vestals (1997). Short story collection.
 * A Gladiator Dies Only Once (2005). Short story collection.
 * Arms of Nemesis (1992).
 * Catilina's Riddle (1993).
 * The Venus Throw (1995).
 * A Murder on the Appian Way (1996).
 * Rubicon (1999).
 * Last Seen in Massilia (2000).
 * A Mist of Prophecies (2002).
 * The Judgment of Caesar (2004).
 * The Triumph of Caesar (2008).

The books contain examples of

 * Character Filibuster Catlina has one discussing Roman sexuality and its relationship to power in Catalina's Riddle.
 * Detective Mole
 * Happiness in Slavery: Bethesda is more than happy to serve as Gordianus's mistress until he decides to free her and marry her.
 * Ho Yay Between Gordianus and Catlina
 * Parental Abandonment Eco suffers this in the first book.
 * Stalking Is Love Catullus seems to think so.
 * Shown Their Work The books in general are very well-researched and accurate in their portrayal of everyday Roman life, and the first book's mystery is taken directly from one of Cicero's first major cases.
 * Women's Mysteries The Venus Throw was all about this.
 * Heterosexual Life Partners Cicero and his slave and later freedman, Tiro.