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The book is set in ancient Alexandria and revolves around the story of Melissa, a young woman who is being pursued by Caesar Caracalla for marriage, despite being in love with a man named Diodoros. The story takes place against the backdrop of a grand spectacle in the Circus, where a battle between gladiators and a display of wealth and power is being held. However, the event is marred by chaos and hostility, with the crowd erupting into violence and shouting "Tarautas!", a name that has been applied to Caesar due to his brutal reputation. As the story unfolds, Melissa's brother Alexander is ostracized by the community for his perceived betrayal of the city's interests, and he begins to question his own actions. Meanwhile, Melissa and Diodoros continue to exchange secret signals, indicating that they still have feelings for each other. The lady Euryale, who has taken Melissa under her protection, plans to help her escape from Caesar's clutches. The story is marked by tension, volatility, and uncertainty, with the outcome of the events hanging in the balance. Ultimately, the spectacle is suspended due to a sudden storm, leaving the fate of the characters and the city uncertain. The book explores themes of love, power, and loyalty, set against the rich and complex backdrop of ancient Alexandria.
The story takes place in ancient Alexandria, where Caesar Caracalla has arrived and is seeking to marry a young woman named Melissa. However, Melissa is already in love with a man named Diodoros, and her brother Alexander is opposed to the marriage. As the story unfolds, Alexander is ostracized by the community for his perceived betrayal of the city's interests, and he begins to question his own actions. Meanwhile, a grand spectacle is being prepared in the Circus, featuring a battle between gladiators and a display of wealth and power. The crowd is tense and hostile, and the atmosphere is volatile. As the spectacle begins, the crowd erupts into chaos, shouting "Tarautas!" - a name that has been applied to Caesar due to his brutal reputation. The high priest Timotheus attempts to restore order, but the situation continues to deteriorate. Amidst the chaos, Diodoros and Melissa exchange secret signals, and it becomes clear that they still have feelings for each other. The story ends with the suspension of the performance due to a sudden storm, leaving the outcome of the events uncertain.
The story continues with Alexander, Melissa's brother, who is struggling with the consequences of his actions. He has been ostracized by the community and is filled with self-contempt. Meanwhile, Melissa is preparing to attend the spectacle in the Circus, where she will be seen by Caesar and the rest of the city. The lady Euryale, wife of the high-priest of Serapis, has taken Melissa under her protection and plans to accompany her to the Circus. As they arrive, they are met with a mixture of cheers and jeers from the crowd. Diodoros, Melissa's lover, is also in attendance and is struggling with his own feelings of anger and hurt. The spectacle begins with a battle between gladiators and a display of wealth and power. However, the crowd soon becomes restless and begins to chant "Tarautas!", a name that has been applied to Caesar due to his brutal reputation. The high-priest Timotheus attempts to restore order, but the situation continues to deteriorate. Caesar becomes enraged and orders the masters of the games to begin the performance, which represents a camp of Alemanni being seized by Roman warriors. The gladiator Tarautas, who is known for his brutality, is fighting on the Roman side and catches Caesar's attention. As the battle rages on, Tarautas is injured, and Caesar becomes convinced that his own fate is tied to the gladiator's. Just as it seems that Tarautas will be defeated, he manages to overcome his opponent, and Caesar is relieved. However, the storm outside intensifies, and the performance is suspended due to the heavy rain and strong winds.
The story continues with the spectacle in the Circus, where Melissa, accompanied by the lady Euryale, is to be seen by Caesar and the rest of the city. The crowd is tense and hostile, and the atmosphere is volatile. As the spectacle begins, the crowd erupts into chaos, shouting "Tarautas!" - a name that has been applied to Caesar due to his brutal reputation. The high priest Timotheus attempts to restore order, but the situation continues to deteriorate. Meanwhile, Diodoros, Melissa's lover, is in attendance and is struggling with his own feelings of anger and hurt. The spectacle features a battle between gladiators and a display of wealth and power, but it is interrupted by a sudden storm, which causes the performance to be suspended. Amidst the chaos, Melissa and Diodoros exchange secret signals, and it becomes clear that they still have feelings for each other. The lady Euryale, who has accompanied Melissa to the Circus, is determined to protect her and plans to help her escape from Caesar's clutches.