
In the shadow of a grand mausoleum along the Appian Way, a desperate young woman named Oktavia confronts the tormented Roman noble Silanus. Their whispered exchange reveals a world on the brink of chaos, where personal honor clashes with the ruthless ambitions of a crumbling empire. As Silanus wrestles with his duty to family and the lure of vengeance, Oktavia’s pleading love threatens to pull him into a path from which there may be no return.
The novel immerses listeners in the opulent yet perilous atmosphere of early imperial Rome—its towering marble statues, moonlit sypresses, and the ever‑present specter of political intrigue. Through vivid dialogue and richly drawn characters, it explores timeless questions of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of love in a society where power is both coveted and feared. The opening promises a gripping tale of passion and peril, set against the inevitable decline of a once‑glorious civilization.
Language
fi
Duration
~7 hours (420K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2018-05-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1879–1946
Known for moving easily between novels, theater, and early film, he built a lively career in German popular culture before the upheavals of the 1930s forced him into exile. His life and work reflect both the energy of the entertainment world and the losses caused by persecution and displacement.
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