Rome, 390 A.D. Less than eight decades ago, the Christians were being thrown to the lions. Now the tables have turned, and the Church is the power behind the throne. The bishops urge Emperor Theodosius to rid Rome of every religion besides the one true faith: the pagans, the heretics, the Jews. Theodosius assigns that harsh mission to Alexander, his top general. Alexander has vanquished a lot of nameless foes before, but this battle isn't against an enemy army. He finds himself pitted against good friends, his dear sister, even his male lover.
Alexander reluctantly destroys the ancient shrines. His soldiers crush dissent from mobs of enraged pagans. With each temple he topples and every idol he smashes, a divided empire hurtles toward civil war. The conflict frays his bond with his lover, whose father serves as high priest for a pagan god. Alexander begs his emperor to end the persecution, but Theodosius refuses a truce. The strife driving him apart from everyone he cares most about, Alexander conspires with a rebel group to usurp the crown and restore peace.
Alexander can't afford to keep obeying Theodosius, who has decreed passion between men a crime worthy of death. For now, his forbidden love is a secret. But nothing remains hidden forever in the cutthroat world of imperial politics. Alexander draws his sword for the fight of his life.
Alexander reluctantly destroys the ancient shrines. His soldiers crush dissent from mobs of enraged pagans. With each temple he topples and every idol he smashes, a divided empire hurtles toward civil war. The conflict frays his bond with his lover, whose father serves as high priest for a pagan god. Alexander begs his emperor to end the persecution, but Theodosius refuses a truce. The strife driving him apart from everyone he cares most about, Alexander conspires with a rebel group to usurp the crown and restore peace.
Alexander can't afford to keep obeying Theodosius, who has decreed passion between men a crime worthy of death. For now, his forbidden love is a secret. But nothing remains hidden forever in the cutthroat world of imperial politics. Alexander draws his sword for the fight of his life.
