Blind Ambition

by Carol Ashby

  What does the future hold for Tiberius Lentulus?

  Tiberius banished his son for choosing Jesus over Rome. Do you think Tiberius will ever regret that decision? If he does, what do you think he’ll do about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts about what happens next. Please go to Contact Carol at carol-ashby.com (my blog) or carolashby.com (my Roman history site) and share your thoughts in the comment box.

  If you have any questions for me, I’d love to hear them!

  Interested in the next stories in the Light in the Empire series?

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  Historical Note

  Roman Provincial Government in AD 114: How to Deal with Christians

  Rome was a military power at its core, and virtually everyone who rose in the political ranks had extensive military experience. When only one legion was stationed in an imperial province, its commander was also the provincial governor. With multiple legions, one man, who had himself once commanded a legion, was appointed provincial governor by the emperor to oversee all legions and administrative affairs in the province.

  A provincial governor of a major province might have already been a consul of Rome, but he had served, at the very least, as a praetor, whose duties included serving as a judge in Roman legal matters. This was excellent preparation for running a province, since the governor was the chief judicial officer for provincial residents. While Roman citizens living in a province could expect judicial treatment in accordance with written Roman law, that was not the case for the non-citizens.

  The governor of a province had the authority to treat the non-citizens in whatever way he deemed best. Rome’s general philosophy for provincial government was to tolerate local customs while insisting on strict standards of law and order. That meant provincials must acknowledge the state gods of Rome. While that was not a problem for the Empire’s subjects who already worshiped several gods, it was something devout Jews and Christians could never do. Jews were allowed an exception because theirs was an ancient national religion, while Christianity was classed as a “new and illicit religion” that was denied that exception.

  In AD 111, the Senate appointed Pliny the Younger as governor of the province of Bithynia and Pontus, which was located along the south shore of the Black Sea. Pliny died in his province in AD 113. During his brief term as governor, he was a prolific writer of letters, and copies of his official correspondence have survived to this day.

  Of special interest is an exchange he had with the Emperor Trajan concerning his approach to the problem of Christians in his province.

  “I have never dealt with investigations about Christians, and therefore I don’t know what is usually either punished or investigated, or to what extent. I have hesitated no small amount about whether there should be some distinction in respect to age, or whether young people, however young, should be considered not at all different from more mature people; whether pardon should be given to those who repent, or whether it should be of no use to someone who was once a Christian that he has ceased to be one; whether the name itself, even if there are no criminal offenses, should be punished, or whether only the criminal offenses associated with the name should be punished. In the meantime, among those who were brought before me as Christians, I have used the following method. I asked them whether they were Christians. If they admitted it, I asked them a second and even a third time, threatening them with punishment. I ordered those who persisted to be led away for execution, for I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their belief, their stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely should be punished. There were others who were afflicted by a similar madness, but I wrote in the record book that they should be sent to Rome because they were Roman citizens.” ― Pliny the Younger, Letters 10.96,97

  Trajan’s reply provided clarity. “You have followed the procedure which you ought to have, my dear Pliny, in investigating the cases of those who had been brought before you as Christians. It is not possible to establish a general law which will provide a fixed standard. However, these people are not to be searched out. If they should be brought before you and proved guilty, they must be punished, with this proviso, however, that anyone who denies that he is a Christian and proves this by his action, that is, by worshipping our gods, even if he has been suspected in the past, should obtain pardon because of his repentance.”

  The emperor’s reply carried the force of law, but he made clear that it was not establishing an empire-wide policy. Individual governors kept the ability to deal with Christians in whatever way they saw fit.

  One “criminal offense” ascribed to Christians was belonging to a secret society, which Trajan had forbidden as potentially threatening the security of the state. Since the days of the Republic, Rome had regulated the private meetings not overseen by a magistrate, requiring a license and restricting the frequency of such meetings. Membership in a secret society was considered treason and could receive the same punishment as participating in an armed riot―execution.

  Another offense by Christians classified as treason was their refusal to show reverence to statues of the gods and the emperor. The superstitious feared the gods’ favor could be withheld from Rome and her Empire if the rites weren’t performed perfectly. Even a slight error meant the whole ritual had to be repeated. The Christian refusal might damage the perfection, putting the Empire at risk.

  At the beginning of Blind Ambition, Decimus’s father, Tiberius Cornelius Lentulus, is completing three years as governor of Germania Superior. He shares the common opinion that Christians are a treasonous group because of their refusal to participate in the state religion and has decreed a policy toward Christians modeled on the historical policy of Pliny the Younger.

  Decimus Cornelius Lentulus is five years into his time as a senatorial tribune. Military service was required before beginning the “course of honors” that defined a Roman political career. He’s the second-ranking officer of a Roman legion stationed in Germania Superior in AD 114. The provincial capital is Mogontiacum (present-day Mainz) on the Rhine River, and the fortress headquarters of his legion (XXII Primigenia) is there. The second legion in the province (VIII Augusta) is headquartered upriver (to the south) at Argentorate (present-day Strasbourg).

  Law enforcement in the Empire was done by the military. As an officer of the legion, Decimus would have been involved in the arrest and execution of Christians in the portion of the province patrolled by his legion. He truly is a mortal enemy of Valeria and her family, but she chooses to obey Jesus and rescues her enemy despite the danger to herself and those she loves.

  (Quoted letters are from Jo-Ann Shelton, As the Romans Did: A Source Book in Roman Social History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1988.)

  For more about life in the Roman Empire at its peak, please go to carolashby.com.

  Discussion Guide

  1) How would you describe Decimus Cornelius Lentulus at the beginning of the story? Have you known people who remind you of him?

  2) When Valeria found Decimus after the ambush, she was afraid to take him home. Why did she help him, despite the risk? What would you have done?

  3) How does Decimus respond when he learns that the people he always thought were his enemies had rescued him? Have you ever discovered someone you thought was an enemy was actually a friend? How did you respond?

  4) Baldric is a descendent of Germanic chieftains who once fought against the Roman occupiers. He has cultural bias against Rome and her military. He is also Valeria’s friend and wants to protect her. What is his attitude toward Decimus at the beginning? How does his attitude toward Decimus change? Why?

  5) Decimus pretends to be more interested in Valeria’s god than he is because it makes her happy. She is excited because she thinks he’s being drawn toward belief in Jesus. Have you ever known anyone in the same situation?

&
nbsp; 6) Valeria is faced with a choice between the man she loves and Jesus. Why did she choose Jesus over the man she loved? Do you know someone who’s had to face the same choice? Did they choose as Valeria did? Were they content with their decision later?

  7) How does Decimus respond to Valeria’s choice? If you were him, how would you have responded?

  8) When Decimus returns to Roman society, how does he react to things that he used to enjoy and take for granted? Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a conflict between what society says is good and what God says?

  9) When Tiberius learns that his son has rejected everything Tiberius values to follow Jesus, his response is extreme. Do you know anyone who’s been rejected by family or friends for the same decision? How did they respond?

  10) Blind Ambition is a story of the power of love to open the eyes of a man striving for worldly success to what’s truly important. What touched you most? What made you think about what your own choices would be?

  What does the future hold for Tiberius Lentulus?

  Tiberius banished his son for choosing Jesus over Rome. Do you think Tiberius will ever regret that decision? If he does, what do you think he’ll do about it? I’d love to hear your thoughts about what happens next. Please go to Contact Carol at carol-ashby.com (my blog) or carolashby.com (my Roman history site) and share your thoughts in the comment box. I’d love to hear from you!

  Glossary

  centurion

  1st level officer over 80 men; rises through ranks based on merit

  cuirass

  metal body armor protecting torso

  denarius

  denarii (pl); 1 denarius = 4 sesterces; about one day's living wage

  gladius

  short thrusting sword used by Roman military

  legate

  commander of a legion

  praetor

  magistrate mainly serving as a judge; one level below consul

  quaestor

  magistrate in charge of finance and general administration; one level below praetor

  tribune

  high-ranking officer from equestrian or senatorial order

  vestibulum

  short hall between the entrance and the atrium of a Roman town house

  Scripture References

  Chapter 14: Luke 10:30-37 (ESV)

  Chapter 17: John 11:25-27 (ESV)

  Chapter 21: Matt 20:29-34 (ESV)

  Chapter 26: Luke 15:3-7 (ESV)

  Chapter 27: Luke 11:9-10 (ESV)

  Chapter 31: Luke 1:1-5 (ESV)

  Chapter 33: Luke 6:27-31 (ESV)

  Chapter 36 Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)

  Chapter 37 John 1:1-4 (ESV)

  Chapter 40 Luke 10:30 (ESV)

  Chapter 41 John 15:9-17 (NASB)

  Acknowledgements

  I’m most thankful to God for giving me this chance to write stories about the power of human love to crack open a closed heart so someone will consider and respond to the redeeming love of Christ. Nothing is more satisfying that watching that in real life. I’m so glad God is calling me to tell stories about people who love Jesus above all else and follow faithfully, no matter what the cost.

  Special thanks to my critique partner, Katie Powner, who’s an award-winning author herself, and my special trio of beta-readers: Regina Fujitani, Lisa Garcia, and Patti Stouter. Many thanks also to my wonderful friends who love to read and gave me many helpful comments. Some willingly read the earliest versions of Blind Ambition when I was first starting to write novels. My deepest thanks go out to each, and here they are alphabetically: Seaborn Ashby, Andrew Budek-Schmeisser, Tiffany Coble, Darcie Farrow, Eric Jones, Martha Kreklow, Christopher Miller, and Antoinette Smith. Your insights and suggestions made the characters more real and the situations more authentic. Many thanks!

  My heartfelt thanks go to Wendy Chorot for her content editing. Her skill as an editor and her wisdom as a woman of God make working with her a true pleasure. If you’re looking for an editor, look no farther than Wendy!

  A cover should capture the essence of the story, and Roseanna White of Roseanna White Designs did it again! You may know her as the author of several top-selling historical novels. Well worth staying up way past my bedtime to read!

  I especially want to thank my wonderful family. My grown kids, Paul and Lydia, are a true blessing. When I want to talk books, Paul is always willing; he’s been writing himself since 8th grade. It’s a joy to call Lydia one of my dearest friends as well as the best daughter in the world.

  It would be so much harder to write without my husband, Jim. No one could be more supportive. He just pops another movie into the DVD player and keeps me company when I stay up past 2:00 because I’m in the flow and can’t leave a scene until it’s finished. He’ll even bring the dinner to me at my desk when I’d rather write than eat. Every writer should be married to a man who can be the model for the best parts of her novels’ heroes!

  About the Author

  Carol Ashby has been a professional writer for most of her life, but her articles and books were about lasers and compound semiconductors (the electronics that make cell phones, laser pointers, and LED displays work). She still writes about light, but her Light in the Empire series tells stories of difficult friendships and life-changing decisions in dangerous times, where forgiveness and love open hearts to discover their own faith in Christ. Her fascination with the Roman Empire was born during her first middle-school Latin class. A research career in New Mexico inspires her to get every historical detail right so she can spin stories that make her readers feel like they’re living under the Caesars themselves.

  Read her articles about many facets of life in the Roman Empire at carolashby.com, or join her at her blog, The Beauty of Truth, at carol-ashby.com.

  The Light in the Empire Series

  Dangerous times, difficult friendships, lives transformed by forgiveness and love.

  The Light in the Empire Series follows the interconnected lives of the members of three Roman families of the senatorial order during the reigns of Trajan and Hadrian. Join them as they travel the Empire, from Germania and Britannia to Thracia, Dacia, and Judaea and, of course, to Rome itself.

  Available in paperback and Kindle at Amazon.com

  and epub version at Kobo.com

  Forgiven

  Are some wounds too deep to forgive?

  With a ruthless father who murdered for the family inheritance, Marcus Drusus plans to do the same. In AD 122, Marcus follows his brother Lucius to Judaea and plots to frame a zealot for his older brother’s death. But the plan goes awry, and Lucius is rescued by a Messianic Jewish woman. Her oldest brother is a zealot and a Roman soldier killed her twin, but Rachel still persuades her father Joseph to put his love for Jesus above his anger with Rome and hide Lucius until he heals.

  Rachel cares for the enemy, and more than broken bones heal as duty turns to love. Lucius embraces Joseph’s faith in Jesus, but sharing a faith doesn’t heal all wounds. Even before revealed secrets slice open old scars, Joseph wants no Roman son-in-law. With Rachel’s zealot brother suspecting he’s a Roman officer and his own brother planning to kill him when he returns, can Lucius survive long enough to change Joseph’s mind?

  Available in paperback and Kindle versions at Amazon.com

  and epub version at Kobo.com

  The Legacy

  When Rome has taken everything, what’s left for a man to give?

  Betrayed by a ruthless son who’ll do anything for power and wealth, Publius Drusus faces death with an unanswered prayer―that his treasured daughter, Claudia, and honorable son, Titus, will someday share his faith. But who will lead them to the truth once he’s gone?

  Claudia’s oldest brother Lucius arranged their father’s execution to inherit everything, and now he’s forcing her to marry a cruel Roman power broker. If only she could get to Tit
us―a thousand miles away in Thracia. Then the man who secretly told her father about Jesus arranges for his son Philip to sneak her out of Rome and take her to the brother she can trust.

  A childhood accident scarred Philip’s face. A woman’s rejection scarred his heart. Claudia’s gratitude grows into love, but what can Philip do when the first woman who returns his love hates the God he loves even more?

  Titus and Claudia hunger for revenge on their brother and the Christians they blame for their father’s deadly conversion. When Titus buys Miriam, a secret Christian, to serve his sister, he starts them all down a path of conflicting loyalties and dangerous decisions. His father’s final letter commands the forgiveness Titus refuses to give. What will it take to free him from the hatred poisoning his own heart?

  Available in paperback and Kindle versions at Amazon.com

  and epub version at Kobo.com

  Faithful

  Is the price of true friendship ever too high?

  In AD 122, Adela, the fiery daughter of a Germanic chieftain, is kidnapped and taken across the Roman frontier to be sold as a slave. When horse-trader Otto wins her while gambling with her kidnappers, he entrusts her to his friend and trading partner, Galen. Then Otto is kidnapped by the same men, and Galen must track them half way across the Empire before his best friend loses a fight to the death in a Roman arena.