Razzer123's profile

SIX The next day, following a night’s fruitless and frustrating search for my Cretan temptress, my father and I prepared to take our leave of Mykene and return home. With our tents folded away and our camp a hive of busy slaves packing our possessions I had little time to reflect upon the strange events of last few days or remember the invitation Achilleus had extended to me. He, however, had not. I was overseeing the packing of my arms and armour when he appeared at my side. “You’re leaving,...

The Publishing Universe: A Short Introduction By Tony Awful-Browne I accidentally found myself talking to an unpublished author the other day and, charitable as I am, I tried to explain the publishing industry to him. He had written what I can only describe as an excellent piece of work (one of the other charities I work for is devoted to reading unpublished works) and I was trying to explain to him why it will probably never be published. “There are two markets in publishing,” I explained to...

The Agent “Can I speak to Tony Awful-Browne?” I asked hopefully. “Who’s calling?” A nasally female voice asked in return. “My name’s Chris Quango.” “Is Mister Awful-Browne expecting your call?” “Oh, I should think so,” I lied. The line went dead for a couple of seconds and then I heard the strains of “Brazil” as I was put on hold. “Hello, this is Tony Awful-Browne. Who is this?” “Hello there. This is Chris Quango – I sent you an e-mail with a few chapters of my latest novel last week.” “Chris...

FIVE I had thought, Diomedes, that when I made my first kill I’d feel exhilarated. In fact, I felt nothing. My mind was numb and the world of men seemed distant, as if a gauze had descended between me and it. In a daze I became aware that Achilleus was at my side, pounding me on the back and shouting something I could neither hear nor understand. Then my father’s face swam into view, his eyes looking closely into mine as if searching for something that had fled away. The sky seemed unnaturall...

Pollice Verso I was watching “Gladiator” the other night and I must say, despite having it several times before, I rather enjoyed it. But I am first and foremost an historian and it wasn’t long before I started analysing exactly what I was watching. It struck me that the film represented most people’s understanding of the Roman games and it was, to say the least, rather misleading. Let’s begin with poor old Maximus’ status as a slave. To begin with as a freeborn Roman it was not possible for ...