The Light Bearer
Encyclopedia
The Light Bearer is historical novel written by Donna Gillespie, about the Roman Empire
and its clash with the tribes of Germania, focusing on war and pagan rituals. The events take place during the reigns of two Emperors Nero
and Domitian
, but it is the saga of Auriane, a Germanic chieftain's daughter, at whose birth was prophesied a life that would be fearsome, great and terrible. At the age of sixteen, she must take the warrior's oath. Ultimately, the record of her deeds will reach as far as the glittering capitol city of Rome.
This book is followed by The Lady of the Light, and Donna Gillespie is at work on the third book in this series.
When the Emperor Domitian crosses the Rhine with four legions in AD 83, Auriane is chosen to lead her people, the Chatti
, in their doomed struggle against the encroaching imperial army. As the only world she's known collapses about her, she's captured and taken to Rome...and into a world of horror and glory no seeress could have foreseen.
Set against her story is the tale of a philosophically inclined nobleman, the Senator Marcus Arrius Julianus, a champion of the weak who publishes banned books in the age of Nero. Julianus swiftly rises to first place among the fiercely competitive imperial advisors. Through wit, daring and brilliant maneuvering, he alone is able to check the murderous whims of the increasingly corrupt Emperor Domitian. As a reign of terror begins, Julianus is forced by conscience to become the architect of a complex and delicately balanced plot to assassinate the emperor.
As it has been described by Donna Gillespie, it was Domitian (AD 81-96) who decided to prepare the decisive blow against the rebellious tribe of the Chatti
. As his dead brother Titus (AD 39-81), who once had been celebrated for his victory over Judaea
(AD 66-73: Jewish-Roman War: in AD 70, Titus destroyed Jerusalem), Domitian wanted to be a hero who conquered a foreign people for Rome’s glory, too. Very early during the war, he called himself "Germanicus" (in remembrance of the "real" Germanicus who saved the corpses of those legionaries who had been killed in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD) as if he had conquered the territory which had been formerly occupied by the Romans. In order to emphasize this aspect he’d made coin money with the inscription "GERMANIA CAPTA" in remembrance of his brothers’ coins: "JUDAEA CAPTA
". The territory, which Domitian had actually conquered, had little to do with the one of the Roman occupation of Germania from 12 BC to 9 AD). And Domition couldn’t hide this fact for a very long time: In fact, people believed that the captives which were shown during Domitian’s triumphal entering in Rome weren’t only Teutons but actors, too; engaged due to the low number of real Teutons (this has also been described in "The Light Bearer"). However, after the end of the war against the Chatten, Domitian divided the "Roman" Germania into two parts: Germania Inferior and Germania Superior. This enabled him to reduce the legions in Germania; thus there were more legionnaires who could be deployed in other regions.
Domitian was killed by gladiators in September AD 96. Even today, it is debated as to whether or not he killed his brother, Emperor Titus.
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
and its clash with the tribes of Germania, focusing on war and pagan rituals. The events take place during the reigns of two Emperors Nero
Nero
Nero , was Roman Emperor from 54 to 68, and the last in the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was adopted by his great-uncle Claudius to become his heir and successor, and succeeded to the throne in 54 following Claudius' death....
and Domitian
Domitian
Domitian was Roman Emperor from 81 to 96. Domitian was the third and last emperor of the Flavian dynasty.Domitian's youth and early career were largely spent in the shadow of his brother Titus, who gained military renown during the First Jewish-Roman War...
, but it is the saga of Auriane, a Germanic chieftain's daughter, at whose birth was prophesied a life that would be fearsome, great and terrible. At the age of sixteen, she must take the warrior's oath. Ultimately, the record of her deeds will reach as far as the glittering capitol city of Rome.
This book is followed by The Lady of the Light, and Donna Gillespie is at work on the third book in this series.
Plot summary
Auriane's birth is attended by Ramis, the most powerful and revered tribal seeress, who claims the newborn as her own. But war and necessity impel the indomitable woman onto a different path: As ruthless Roman invaders plunder her people's lands, burn their crops and kidnap their young men for the imperial army, she takes the oath of a shield maiden. Sadly, her path eventually leads her to slay her own father rather than see him face capture (the most ignoble, horrendous end that a warrior could face). Though she is eventually judged innocent of murder, the guilt of her deed will haunt her for years to come.When the Emperor Domitian crosses the Rhine with four legions in AD 83, Auriane is chosen to lead her people, the Chatti
Chatti
The Chatti were an ancient Germanic tribe whose homeland was near the upper Weser. They settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser River and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Weser River regions, a district approximately...
, in their doomed struggle against the encroaching imperial army. As the only world she's known collapses about her, she's captured and taken to Rome...and into a world of horror and glory no seeress could have foreseen.
Set against her story is the tale of a philosophically inclined nobleman, the Senator Marcus Arrius Julianus, a champion of the weak who publishes banned books in the age of Nero. Julianus swiftly rises to first place among the fiercely competitive imperial advisors. Through wit, daring and brilliant maneuvering, he alone is able to check the murderous whims of the increasingly corrupt Emperor Domitian. As a reign of terror begins, Julianus is forced by conscience to become the architect of a complex and delicately balanced plot to assassinate the emperor.
Literary significance & criticism
The Light Bearer was an immediate international bestseller. It received a 'starred' review in Publishers Weekly, and was lavishly praised by The Washington Post. The novel is the product of twelve years of research into the history, culture and mythology of classical Rome and the proto-Germanic tribes.Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science
Roman-Chattian War in AD 85:As it has been described by Donna Gillespie, it was Domitian (AD 81-96) who decided to prepare the decisive blow against the rebellious tribe of the Chatti
Chatti
The Chatti were an ancient Germanic tribe whose homeland was near the upper Weser. They settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser River and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Weser River regions, a district approximately...
. As his dead brother Titus (AD 39-81), who once had been celebrated for his victory over Judaea
Iudaea Province
Judaea or Iudaea are terms used by historians to refer to the Roman province that extended over parts of the former regions of the Hasmonean and Herodian kingdoms of Israel...
(AD 66-73: Jewish-Roman War: in AD 70, Titus destroyed Jerusalem), Domitian wanted to be a hero who conquered a foreign people for Rome’s glory, too. Very early during the war, he called himself "Germanicus" (in remembrance of the "real" Germanicus who saved the corpses of those legionaries who had been killed in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD) as if he had conquered the territory which had been formerly occupied by the Romans. In order to emphasize this aspect he’d made coin money with the inscription "GERMANIA CAPTA" in remembrance of his brothers’ coins: "JUDAEA CAPTA
Judaea Capta coinage
Judaea Capta coins were a series of commemorative coins originally issued by the Roman Emperor Vespasian to celebrate the capture of Judaea and the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem by his son Titus in 70 AD during the First Jewish Revolt. There are several variants of the coinage...
". The territory, which Domitian had actually conquered, had little to do with the one of the Roman occupation of Germania from 12 BC to 9 AD). And Domition couldn’t hide this fact for a very long time: In fact, people believed that the captives which were shown during Domitian’s triumphal entering in Rome weren’t only Teutons but actors, too; engaged due to the low number of real Teutons (this has also been described in "The Light Bearer"). However, after the end of the war against the Chatten, Domitian divided the "Roman" Germania into two parts: Germania Inferior and Germania Superior. This enabled him to reduce the legions in Germania; thus there were more legionnaires who could be deployed in other regions.
Domitian was killed by gladiators in September AD 96. Even today, it is debated as to whether or not he killed his brother, Emperor Titus.