Leer Quintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1 online gratis (en inglés)

"Quintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1" by Ernst Eckstein is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. Set during the era of Imperial Rome, the story appears to explore the lives of its characters amidst the grandeur and intrigue of Roman society, centering particularly on a young man named Caius Aurelius and his encounters with various individuals, including the noblewomen Octavia and Claudia. Themes of adventure, love, and the contrasts within the human experience are likely key elements of the narrative. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Caius Aurelius aboard a trireme navigating the waters of Campania. The atmosphere is lively yet tumultuous, as Aurelius and his companion, Herodianus, discuss their arduous journey from Hispania to Rome. Their voyage takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a distressed pleasure boat carrying three ladies caught in a storm. Aurelius and his crew spring into action, successfully rescuing the women

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It was in Rome itself, in the sublime solemnity of the Colosseum, among the ruins of the palaces of the Caesars and crumbling pillars of the temples of the gods, that the first dreamy outlines rose before my fancy of the figures here offered to the reader’s contemplation. Each visit added strength to the mysterious impulse, to conjure up from their tombs these shadows of a mighty past, and afterwards, at home, where the throng of impressions sorted and grouped themselves at leisure, my impulse ripened to fulfilment.

I will not pause here to dwell on the fact, that the period of Imperial rule in Rome bears, in its whole aspect, a stronger resemblance to the XIXth century than perhaps any other epoch before the Reformation; for, without reference to this internal affinity, we should be justified in using it for the purpose of Romance simply by the fact, that hardly another period has ever been equally full of the stirring conflict of purely human interest, and of dramatic contrasts in thought, feeling and purpose.

I must be permitted to add a word as to the notes.[A]

I purposely avoided disturbing the reader of the story by references in the text, and indeed the narrative is perfectly intelligible without any explanation. The notes, in short, are not intended as explanatory, but merely to instruct the reader, and complete the picture; they also supply the sources, and give the evidence on which I have drawn. From this point of view they may have some interest for the general public, unfamiliar with the authorities.

LEIPZIG, June 15, 1881. ERNST ECKSTEIN.

FOOTNOTES:

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