ical life during this time, the novel also catalogues the struggles faced before and after marriage by Vespasians mistress, the freedwoman Caenis. Their forbidden relationship is threatened as Vespasian reaches the height of his political career. Caenis was but a footnote mentioned in history which Davies has sanctified into a wonder woman without whom Vespasians career could not have possibly succeeded. This obvious glorification of a story is an example of a bias used to make a tale more interesting, and the lack of historical sources commenting on Caenis only proves that she is nowhere near as important as Davis makes her out to be. Regardless, this novel achieves its aim as an interesting secondary source of information on Imperial Rome from two totally different perspectives- that of a slave and freedwoman, and that of an emperor. It showcases very suitably both the social and political struggles which are faced in upkeeping this unlikely relationship. There are different viewpoints on the way slaves were treated in Imperial Rome. Caenis in the story is first portrayed as a faithful and respectful slave, claiming "I know how to keep my mouth shut, any sensible slave does!" (Davies, p.17) This restricted form of life is backed up by this quote by a primary source on slavery-"Its' a dogs life for you, chained to the wall. You're entitled to something better. Good-bye to the endless bread and water of solitude." (Ovid, The Erotic Poems, p92-93)When Caenis is initially courted by Vespasian while she is still a slave and he asks her to go to bed with her, she replies "I cannot afford the risk. I told you; I told you right from the start - I am the property of my mistress, and her approval matters to me." (Davis, p.46)The accuracy of the fact that slaves were not even allowed to have lovers is backed up again by Ovid in the following phrase:"You stuck to it. Duty is duty, no lovers admitted." (Ovid, The Erotic Poems, p94)The book progre...
