The Secret Sign

Synopsis

The handsome and popular young actor, Stephanus, was to make the secret sign during his performance at Senator Decius’s banquet. The sign was the sign of the cross, secret in ancient Rome because the pagans feared and fought these Christians who wanted to destroy the old gods. To Stephanus the sign was merely an amusing part of his monologue. He did not realize it meant something vastly more important to Valeria, the Senator’s lovely daughter, whom he, as an ex-slave, could love but never hope to marry. The sign takes on a new meaning for Stephanus when Valeria is imprisoned as a Christian and sentenced to death. Even her noble father cannot gain a pardon from cruel Nero. But Stephanus is determined to rescue her. Carefully he studies the regime at Mamertine Prison, and carefully he plans his last and greatest performance as an actor. This is a richly peopled story of ancient Rome: the life of the aristocrats, the teachings in the catacombs, the terrible fire that swept the beautiful city, and the terrible suspicions and hates that swept it too. This is also a love story: the love of a young man and woman, and, larger than that, the love of the new brotherhood for mankind and their God.

Copyright:

1961

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Book Size:

186 Pages

Publisher:

Abelard-Schuman

Date of Addition:

05/29/24

Copyrighted By:

Gladys Malvern

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Teens, Literature and Fiction, Religion and Spirituality

Reading Age:

15 and up

Submitted By:

Melba June Thompson

Proofread By:

Lynn Thompson

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.