“Even the impetuous Helena Justina was an advocate of traditional family councils. However, every Roman matron knows that domestic councils were devised by our foremothers purely so the views of the matron of a household may prevail.” — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“Once you permit individuals to maneuver in secret, unasked, and for their own purposes, there is chaos.” — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
A good bathe when you really need it can get you over almost anything. — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“We marched him to the turfy shack where he lived with his parents and while the youth sulked Petronius Longus put the whole moral issue in succinct terms to them: Ollia’s father was a legionary veteran who had served in Egypt and Syria for over twenty years until he left with double pay, three medals, and a diploma that made… — Lindsey Davis Copy Share
Never lend if you need repayment; never give where you want a return. — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“Sometimes you run away by yourself purely so someone who cares will come to find you. Half the time nobody does. That's the tragedy… — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“I would rather see Rome ruled by a man who once had to ask his accountant tricky questions before his steward could pay the butcher’s bill than by some mad limb like Nero, who was brought up believing himself the son and the grandson of gods, and who thought wearing the purple gave him free rein to indulge his personal… — Lindsey Davis Copy Share
“Afterwards, sometimes she dared to remember being in his arms. How, after only clumsy couplings with others, she and this man had straightaway come together as a perfect fit. How they moved together, in effortless synchronicity and with such deep pleasure. How when their exercise left them exhausted, she cried a little, so Vinius wiped her eye with his index… — Lindsey Davis Copy Share
“It struck me there might be a reason why Helena Justina whipped along at such a cracking pace: she did not want to be… — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“Sometimes information you barely noticed consciously comes back to you of its own accord.” — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
“I had been right in the first place. Getting involved with politicians is complete stupidity.” — Lindsey Davis Copy Share Image
