avies has provided a very accurate account of Ancient Rome through the eye of a freedwoman, which details life as it was for the people of lower classes. At the same time her book provides an unsurpassed and easy-to-read account of the political life of the many emperors that were to reign up to Vespasians imperial court. "The Course of Honour" contains only a small amount of bias. Mainly this is information left out of the book to make it either more interesting, exciting, or to make a particular character seem really vicious or god like - for example, Nero. Caenis is portrayed as an essential part to Vespasians life, when it is said nowhere through the book that Vespasian appreciated, understood or really even returned her undying love. However, it is only foreseeable that Davis, as a woman herself, could feel sympathetic to this kind of pathetic life lived by a woman back in the Ancient Roman age. Seen through the eyes of a freedwoman, "The Course of Honour" is not just a story set in the time of Imperial Rome- it is a story based on fact. While there are limitations on primary sources to evaluate and fully cross-reference this material, it is obvious that Davis has researched her material well. "The Course of Honour" achieves its aim of being a reliable, valid and accurate representation of both social and political life in Ancient Rome, as well as being worthwhile reading material....
