Set in ancient Carthage during the Mercenary War, the novel follows the tumultuous events that ensue after the First Punic War, as unpaid mercenary soldiers rebel against the wealthy city they once fought for. Amidst the backdrop of political intrigue and brutal warfare, a passionate and tragic love story unfolds between the beautiful and enigmatic daughter of a Carthaginian general and the leader of the mercenaries. The narrative is rich with historical detail, vivid depictions of exotic rituals, and the violent ebb and flow of power, culminating in a dramatic and bloody resolution that intertwines the fates of the city, the mercenaries, and the star-crossed lovers.

The 7155th greatest book of all time