Esta obra narra la historia de uno de los personajes más interesantes y atractivos de la antigua Roma: Vespasiano, el hijo de un senador romano que, gracias a su esfuerzo y tenacidad, se convirtió en el emperador que acabaría con una de las etapas más turbulentas de la historia romana (los gobiernos de Tiberio, Calígula, Nerón y el año de los cuatro emperadores). El gran acierto de Lindsey Davis consiste en –además de condensar magníficamente este período histórico– dar voz a un personaje poco conocido pero que tuvo una intervención decisiva en la carrera de Vespasiano, Caenis, una esclava de la madre de Calígula cuyos amores con un prometedor cónsul parecían condenados al fracaso. Estamos ante una historia en la que el poder, el amor y la violencia crean una poderosa red que atrapa a todos los protagonistas, y también al lector. En La carrera del honor , Lindsey Davis, se centra en el período histórico que tan bien ha demostrado conocer en la serie sobre Falco, pero para narrar la vida de una mujer fascinante.

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Wavering between 3 and 4 stars. The middle part, when Vespasian is mostly absent, definitely drags a little; plus at times (especially the chapters covering the Year of the Four Emperors) it feels more like reading a history textbook than a novel, albeit an engaging one. But I LOVE the relationship between Caenis and Vespasian. I love how the author doesn't try to downplay or modernize the concept of "duty" as the Romans understood it. Also, love how the nods to Suetonius are worked in--Vespasian referred to as Sabinus' footman, etc., etc. Overall, an enjoyable read. ( )

As I'm re-reading the Falco series, this fictional biography makes more sense to me. I'll have to slide in re-reading this, too, so I can keep everything (sort of) in historical order. Ms. Davis makes a sly reference to Antonia in the second book of the Falco series. Didn't know that it was written first. The larger format's most obvious advantage is that the maps are larger, making it easier for the historically and visually challenged to follow the action.

This is the fictionalized biography of Antonia Caenis, the woman the Emperor Vespasian loved his entire life. Due to Roman law, they could never marry, as she was born a slave, even after she became a freed woman. As a prophet told her and the future ruler of Rome, her face would never be on the coinage. Caenis is an empathetic personality. Touchy, but brilliant, she never gave up on her love and did everything possible to launch his brilliant career. The weaving of these lives into the history and politics of Rome was excellently done, as Caenis was first hand witness to the more spectacular events of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. As a long term fan of Davis' Falco mystery series, this is the best thing she's written. She found a female voice, who though stoic can't be called long suffering, as she succeeded in a world designed to defeat her. ( )