{"product_id":"the-cleansing-a-novel-of-ancient-rome-based-on-a-true-story-paperback","title":"The Cleansing: A Novel of Ancient Rome. Based on a true story. - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on a true story, this is not the enlightened Rome of myth. This is a city choking on fear, where blood flows on both the battlefield and altar, and where generals and politicians alike are desperate to appease rageful gods.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWhen 50,000 Romans fall in a single day at the Battle of Cannae, priests claim there can be only one reason the gods abandoned Rome: a Vestal Virgin has broken her vow of chastity. And they accuse Opimia (Mia), the strongest, most defiant of the six sacred Vestal priestesses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eForced as a child into serving Vesta, the goddess of fire, Mia has always chafed against Rome's control of her every move-especially after being separated from her childhood love, Attius. Now, accused of a crime she did not commit, she must defend herself in a hostile court to avoid being buried alive for her \"crime.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBetrayed by the high priestess, hunted by Rome's political and religious elite, Mia must either accept her fate - or join with the Sybil of Cumae to expose the truth behind a world built on superstition, fear, and lies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA story of personal awakening amid public catastrophe, \u003ci\u003eThe Cleansing\u003c\/i\u003e is a haunting journey through a city at war with itself - and a woman who risks everything to survive it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50102218129631,"sku":"9781839196348","price":21.58,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0813\/8958\/4607\/files\/3e-H3HQHMZ9781839196348.webp?v=1781079162","url":"https:\/\/blackandbarhe.com\/products\/the-cleansing-a-novel-of-ancient-rome-based-on-a-true-story-paperback","provider":"Black \u0026 Barhe Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}