Antica Madre

The mythical expedition to the sources of the Nile in Imperial Rome under Nero.

Numidia, 62 A.D. War veteran centurion Furio Voreno leads the escort of a caravan whose carts carry wild animals and human beings captured to fight in the arenas of Imperial Rome. Among the captives is a young woman named Varea. She is proud and wild like a feline, she can communicate with animals, and Voreno observes her, fascinated.

The portraits of the young woman that the landscape painter has made during the journey awaken the emperor's interest in Varea, who, upon being rejected by the girl, sends her to the arena. Meanwhile, Rome prepares for one of the greatest expeditions in its history: Emperor Nero, at the suggestion of his advisor, the philosopher Seneca, plans to sail up the Nile in search of its sources. It will be a journey beyond the limits of the known world, a great military maneuver that will extend the empire's domains. Voreno and Varea will participate in it.

Reviews:
«Every new book by Manfredi is synonymous with intense and fascinating action, adventures of love and war, never losing sight of History with a capital H.»
Giornale di Brescia

«Valerio Massimo Manfredi's new novel. A journey to Numidia leads to the capture of an Amazon as beautiful and fierce as she is dangerous, whom Centurion Voreno decides to save.»
Il Messaggero

«Nero's expedition and the leopard-warrior.»
Il Messaggero

«A story inspired by the writings of Seneca and other authors.»
Giornale di Brescia