{"product_id":"the-terror-of-constantinople-paperback","title":"The Terror of Constantinople - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eRichard Blake\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e610 AD. The Byzantine Empire is collapsing.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePersian armies pour across the eastern frontier. The Balkans are ravaged by barbarian invasions. At the centre of the chaos sits Phocas, a half-mad soldier who has seized the throne and now rules Constantinople through spectacle and arbitrary torture. One province after another declares for Heraclius, the ambitious usurper advancing from Africa. The capital trembles on the brink of destruction. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eInto this inferno comes Aelric of England-scholar, rake, and reluctant agent of the Papacy. Blackmailed into abandoning a profitable life of lechery and financial manipulation in Rome, he accepts what appears to be a simple mission: to collect documents for yet another abstruse theological quarrel over the Nature of Christ. Only slowly does he grasp that he has been thrust into a struggle far larger and far deadlier than anything he has faced before. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhy does the sinister eunuch Theophanes take such an interest in him? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhy does the Papal Legate-supposedly there to assist Aelric-refuse to appear in public? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhat schemes are unfolding in the Imperial Palace while terror rages across the city? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnd why has the monstrous, ageing Emperor Phocas singled Aelric out for favour? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSurrounded by traitors and factional mobs, Aelric must rely on the few gifts the world has given him: beauty, charm, ruthless intelligence, and an unnerving talent for violence. In the most dangerous city on earth, as civil war reaches its climax, he must navigate a world of spies and conspirators before the Empire-and he with it-are drowned in blood. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA darkly comic tale of intrigue, survival, and the last days of the Ancient World, \u003ci\u003eTerror of Constantinople\u003c\/i\u003e continues the adventures of one of historical fiction's most original and engaging anti-heroes. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Novels of Richard Blake\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'Fascinating to read, very well written, an intriguing plot and I enjoyed it very much.' - Derek Jacobi, star of \u003ci\u003eI Claudius \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eGladiator\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'Vivid characters, devious plotting and buckets of gore are enhanced by his unfamiliar choice of period.... Nasty, fun and educational.' - \u003ci\u003eThe Daily Telegraph\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'He knows how to deliver a fast-paced story and his grasp of the period is impressively detailed.' - The Mail on Sunday \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'A rollicking and raunchy read . . . Anyone who enjoys their history with large dollops of action, sex, intrigue and, above all, fun will absolutely love this novel.' - \u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e'It would be hard to over-praise this extraordinary series, a near-perfect blend of historical detail and atmosphere with the plot of a conspiracy thriller, vivid characters, high philosophy and vulgar comedy.' - \u003ci\u003eThe Morning Star\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Blake\u003c\/b\u003e is a pseudonym for \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSean Gabb\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, who is an historian, writer and university lecturer. He lives in Kent with his wife and daughter.\u003cbr\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 392\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.81 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 07, 2021\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53594519470387,"sku":"9798761374898","price":26.64,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/s3xxpj-vy.myshopify.com\/products\/the-terror-of-constantinople-paperback","provider":"The Celestial Starlit Phoenix ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}