Poseidon's Gold

infobox Book |
name = Poseidon's Gold
orig title =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Lindsey Davis
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Marcus Didius Falco
genre = Crime novel
publisher = Century, Mysterious Press
release_date = 1993
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 365 pp (Paperback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-09-983190-2
preceded_by = The Iron Hand of Mars
followed_by = Last Act in Palmyra

"Poseidon's Gold" is a crime novel by Lindsey Davis.

Plot introduction

Set in Rome during AD 72, "Poseidon's Gold" stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fifth in her Falco series.

Explanation of the novel's title

The title refers to the treasure, taken by Falco's brother Festus for one of his wild schemes, and which now appears to have gone down with the ship - returning to Poseidon.

Plot summary

In "Poseidon's Gold", Falco returns from a six month mission to Germania Liberia, only to become embroiled in the after-effects of a scam by his, now deceased, older brother, Festus. The story recounts shipping scams, crooked antiques auctions and hired thugs, all while Falco is trying to clear his family's name and sort out his deceased brother Festus' business dealings.

Characters in "Poseidon's Gold"

Main Characters

* "Decimus Camillus Verus" - Senatorial father of Helena Justina.
* "Helena Justina" - Daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus
* "Julia Justa" - Wife of Decimus Camillus Verus and mother of Helena
* "Junilla Tacita" - Mother of Falco
* "Lucius Petronius Longus" - Investigator for the "vigiles" and friend of Falco
* "Marcus Didius Favonius (aka Geminus)" - Auctioneer and Father of Falco
* "Marcus Didius Falco" - Informer and Imperial Agent from the Aventine.

Other Characters

* "Anacrites" - Imperial spy
* "Apollonius" - An ex-geometry teacher
* "Cocceius" - Auctioneer
* "Domitian Caesar" - Youngest son of the Emperor
* "Epimandos" - A waiter
* "Lenia" - A Laundress
* "Manilus" - A painter
* "Marponius" - A trial judge and encyclopedia salesman
* "Orontes Mediolanus" - A sculptor
* "Rubina" - An artist's model
* "Varga" - A painter

Major themes

* Investigation into the murky business dealings of Marcus Didius Festus and the fight to clear the family name,
* Developing relationship of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina.

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

* Set in Rome in AD 72, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

Allusions/references to other works

* The novel ends on a somewhat elaborate joke. I would advise that you not read this if you haven't finished the book. The Judean slaves attempt to send Falco on a quest to recover a missing artifact. At first, Falco is afraid that they want him to "Raid" the treasures brought back after the conquest. However, they then tell Falco that they want him to look for a "Lost Ark." Falco demurs, and tells that someone more of a daredevil then he would have to perform that particular quest. A convoluted and entertaining reference to Indiana Jones and the "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Publication details

* 1993, UK, Century Hardback (out of print)
* 1994, UK, Arrow, Paperback ISBN 0-09-983190-2
* 1995, US, Crown/Ballantine ISBN 0-345-38025-8
* 1999, UK, Arrow, Paperback ISBN 0-7126-8018-7 (as part of single-volume omnibus edition, "Falco on his Metal", with Venus in Copper and The Iron Hand of Mars)

ources, references, external links, quotations

[http://www.lindseydavis.co.uk/ Author's Official Website]