One Virgin Too Many
Encyclopedia
Plot introduction
Set in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
between 27 May and 7 June AD 74, One Virgin Too Many features Marcus Didius Falco
Marcus Didius Falco
Marcus Didius Falco is the central character and narrator in a series of novels by Lindsey Davis. Using the concepts of modern detective stories , Davis portrays the world of the Roman Empire under Vespasian...
, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the eleventh in her Falco series.
Explanation of the novel's title
The title is a reference to the Vestal Virgins lottery that is a key plot device.Plot summary
When a frightened child approaches Marcus Didius Falco with a plea for help, he does not believe her. One quarrel with the family does not mean that a relation is trying to kill her. Beset by his own family troubles, his new responsibilities as Procurator of the Sacred Poultry, and the continuing search for a new partner, he decides to send her home.However, he almost immediately regrets it. Gaia Laelia comes from a pre-eminent Roman family with a long history of key religious positions. Gaia, herself, is considered the most likely candidate for election to the office of Vestal Virgin
Vestal Virgin
In ancient Roman religion, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins , were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome, as embodied by their cultivation of the sacred fire that could not be...
. When she disappears, Falco is officially asked to investigate.
Meanwhile, Helena's brother Aelianus has problems of his own. In an attempt to restart his political career - stalled by his younger brother's elopement with his wealthy fiancee - he tries to gain election to the Arval Brethren
Arval Brethren
In ancient Roman religion, the Arval Brethren or Arval Brothers were a body of priests who offered annual sacrifices to the Lares and gods to guarantee good harvests...
. During the night-time ceremonies, however, Aelianus stumbles across the body of one of the Brethren with his throat cut as if he had been sacrificed.
Unable to bring in the Vigiles, Falco is forced to search the house of Gaia Laelia alone, aware that time is running out for finding her before the lottery takes place, or even alive.
Characters
- A. Camillus Aelianus - Older brother of Helena
- Anacrites - Chief Spy
- Ariminius Modullus - Priest
- Athene - Gaia's nursemaid
- Berenice - Queen of Judaea and lover of Titus
- Caecilia Paeta - Mother of Gaia
- Cloelia - Maia's daughter
- Constantia - Vestal Virgin
- Decimus Camillus Verus - Father of Helena, Aulus and Justinus
- Fabius - Falco's uncle
- Gaia Laelia - Wannabe Vestal Virgin
- Geminus - Father of Falco, Auctioneer
- Glaucus and Cotta - Bath House Contractors
- Helena Justina - Wife of Falco, and daughter of the SenatorRoman SenateThe Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
Decimus Camillus Verus - Julia Junilla - Daughter of Falco and Helena
- Junilla Tacita - Mother of Falco
- Laelius Scaurus - Father of Gaia
- Laelius Numentinus - Priest
- Lucius Petronius Longus - Friend of Falco and Vigiles Officer
- Maia Favonia - Falco's widowed sister
- Marcus Didius Falco - Informer and Imperial Agent.
- Marius - Maia's son
- Meldina - Freewoman
- Q. Camillus Justinus - Younger brother of Helena
- Rubella - Tribune of the Fourth Cohort of Vigiles
- Rutilius Gallicus - Ex-consul
- Statilia Laelia - Aunt of Gaia
- Terentia Paulla - Ex-Vestal Virgin
- Titus Caesar - Son of Vespasian
- Ventidius Silanus - Arval Brother
- Vespasian - Emperor of Rome
Major themes
- Investigation into the disappearance of a young girl who is expected to be the next Vestal.
- Investigation into the murder of one of the Arval Brethren.
Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
- Set in Rome in AD 74, during the reign of Emperor VespasianVespasianVespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
. - In Ancient RomeAncient RomeAncient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
, the Vestal VirginVestal VirginIn ancient Roman religion, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins , were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome, as embodied by their cultivation of the sacred fire that could not be...
s (sacerdos Vestalis), were the virgin holy priestPriestA priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
esses of Vesta, the goddessGoddessA goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
of the hearthHearthIn common historic and modern usage, a hearth is a brick- or stone-lined fireplace or oven often used for cooking and/or heating. For centuries, the hearth was considered an integral part of a home, often its central or most important feature...
. Their primary task was to maintain the sacred fire of VestaSacred fire of VestaThe sacred fire of Vesta was a holy fire in Ancient Rome. The Vestal Virgins were selected by lot and served for thirty years, tending the holy fire and performing other rituals connected to domestic life—among them were the ritual sweeping of the temple on June 15 and the preparation of...
. The Vestal duty brought great honor and afforded greater privileges to women who served in that role. They were the only female priests within the Roman religious system. - The Arval BrethrenArval BrethrenIn ancient Roman religion, the Arval Brethren or Arval Brothers were a body of priests who offered annual sacrifices to the Lares and gods to guarantee good harvests...
(Latin: Fratres Arvales) were a body of priests in ancient Rome who offered annual sacrificeSacrificeSacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.While sacrifice often implies ritual killing, the term offering can be used for bloodless sacrifices of cereal food or artifacts...
s to lares and gods to guarantee good harvests. The modern world knows them mainly for their stone-carved records of their oaths, rituals and sacrifices.
Release details
- 1999, UK, Century Hardback ISBN 0-7126-7702-X
- 2000, UK, Arrow, Paperback ISBN 0-0997-9971-5
- UK, Chivers/BBC AudioBooks, read by Chrisopher Scott, ISBN 0-7531-0770-8
- 2000, UK, Isis, Large Print ISBN 0-7531-6308-X
- 2000, US, Mysterious Press, Hardback ISBN 0-89296-716-1
- US, Mysterious Press, Paperback ISBN 0-446-67769-8