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The Bloodied Togaby W.G. Hatdyr Macmillan, 510 pp.. $14.95 Reviewed by Man,' HeinfirThe reviewer is a retired Lethbridge teacherW. G. Hardy, who died Iasi August, was a professor of classics at the University of Alberta for 44 years. Former students and other fans will welcome his last brilliant novel which was re- -leased in December.The bloodied toga of the title refers to the cloak worn by Caesar when he was assassinated by his so-called friends. The author adhered to the same historical data, as Shakespeare ' did in Ills play, Julius Caesar, but he added a great deal more flesh and blcod to the bare skeleton of historical fact. Hardy’s vast knowledge of Ibe classics, ancient history and geography, ami his own imagination bring the whole era to life in a way impossible in a three-hour play. The First section is devoted entirely to Caesar's occupation of Egypt and his torrid love affair with its queen,Cleopatra, which foreshadowed theweakening of his character that led eventually to his downfall; this is followed by an account of the war in Spainled by disgruntled Romans, and its successful conclusion against great odds Furtbci assuring the imperator of his invincibility. It also fanned (he jealousy of Ids peers arid other power-hungry Homans and culminated in his assassination un the Ides of March.This is not a hook for the queasy. The war scenes are brutal enough, but the aftermath of the execution is barbarous; Roman citizens murdered to satisfy the personal grudges of the victors; rich senators butchered for their gold, jewels and estates, seized to pay the cutthroats; bodies desecrated with heads and hands mounted on poles for public exhibilion. There is torture, fratricide, suicide and genocide. The great city of Rome becomes u gigantic slaughter house.All this butchery is relieved by sexual scandals, illicit love affairs, and conniving mistresses who worm political secrets out of their paramours to pass an io their enemies. Even for respected wives of nohles adultery was considered a way of life when Iheir husbands were away fighting in the wars.The novel is a shoeker, but believable and fascinating. Most readers will find the subject matter and details revolting. but will be held spellbound to the end of the book.
Newspaper Details
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge, Alberta, CA
Sat, Mar 15, 1980
Page 55
Full Page
Clipped by
Jason P.
USA 04 Dec 2019
Other Publications Near Lethbridge, Alberta
Prairie Post
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