Œuvres complètes de Gustave Flaubert, tome 2: Salammbô

The novel opens with a dazzling feast in the gardens of Hamilcar, where soldiers from every corner of the ancient world gather under a canopy of violet and gold. Flaubet paints the scene in vivid detail—fig trees, sycamores, grape‑laden vines, and a marble palace that looms like a solemn monument. The cacophony of languages, the clatter of bronze sandals, and the fragrant smoke of roasting beasts create a sensory tapestry that immerses the listener in the restless energy of Carthage’s elite.

Amid this opulence, the story begins to pull back the curtain on the city’s inner turmoil. Rivalries between generals, the looming threat of rebellion, and the mysterious presence of the priestess Salammbô hint at a clash between personal desire and political ambition. As alliances shift and passions flare, the listener is drawn into a world where loyalty is tested and the ancient gods watch over a civilization on the brink of upheaval.