Hundreds of novels have been written about Rome at its height of glory. Sacred City is among a very few set during the city’s lowest point, its deepest humbling. This is not a novel of triumph and splendor, but of faith in the face of apparent hopelessness.
It is the sixth century, and Italy has been left utterly devastated by plague, environmental cataclysm and a disastrous war of reconquest launched by the Eastern Roman Empire. Basil, the bishop of Rome – today we would call him pope – sees all the biblical prophecies coming true, and strives to awaken his flock to the coming of Judgment Day.
Crispus is from a dying noble family. He and his wife, Thecla, work to restore a heartbeat to one of Rome’s seven hills. While he dedicates himself to restoring the hill’s aqueduct, she becomes leader of the cult of a mysterious, half-forgotten martyr.
These three Romans look over their ruined, emptied city and ask themselves: What am I called on to do about it?
Meanwhile, Radegund
speaks to the mood of our times
