This essay is a summary of The Venus Throw, by Steven Saylor, and how events and characters in the novel are related to real events in Roman history. Bibliography included.

The Venus Throw, by Steven Saylor, is about the death of the head of a delegation of 100 Alexandrians, Dio, sent to the Roman Senate to request that they stop meddling in Egyptian affairs, and to ask for their recognition of Queen Berenice. The delegation wanted to relieve King Ptolemy, who was currently in hiding, of his throne.
The delegation arrived in Italy in the autumn of 57 B.C. They stayed the night in the housing and lodging of friends from the Academy in Neapolis. That night, an organized assault was carried out upon the delegation, killing and injuring many. They believed that…