The Bottom Line
Getorix is the 15-year old son of a Celtic chieftain who has been captured in battle and taken as slave by a kindly patrician family. However kind his masters may be, Getorix thinks he is under a geis to die bravely in front of the Romans. This is a swiftly moving action story that takes place in the exciting period of Roman history that preceded the rise of Julius Caesar.
Pros
- Swiftly moving plot
- Plausible headstrong lead character
- Detailed look at Rome
- Suitable for young people
- A wonderful first novel
Cons
- As the first part of a series the story is not completely satisfying
- Tea? in 101 B.C. Rome; Otherwise, great attention to detail
Description
- Takes place in 101 B.C. after the Romans have defeated the Cimbri at Vercellae.
- Getorix was the youngest child of a chieftain and partly trained by Druids, rendering him literate.
- One of the Roman victors, Q. Lutatius Catulus, takes Getorix as slave because of his son's plea.
- Getorix must learn to survive without his family or homeland.
- He must learn to adapt to Roman ways and separate friend from foe though both are enemy Romans.
- Author's notes include discussion of important points
- There are a description of characters (dramatis personae) and a bibliography.
- There are also maps, drawings, and a glossary.
- A short novel, it is nonetheless full of details of ancient Rome.
- Recommended especially for homeschoolers doing unit studies on Republican Rome.
Guide Review - Getorix - The Eagle and the Bull
Getorix refuses to accept his status as a slave, but that doesn't mean he wouldn't lay down his life for his young master, an asthmatic who has had nothing but exotic animals and books for friends. The two strike up a secret friendship that defies the master-slave relationship. Eventually, Getorix must escape because of actions ill-befitting a slave, but where can he go? The answer is the sewers of Rome from which point he can eke out a living, but not a purpose to life. It is not until he sees his erstwhile master again that he can fulfill the obligation set upon him by his dead father. Judith Geary's first novel is filled with her intimate first-hand knowledge of the details of Rome, her love of and respect for history, and her understanding of the fields of publishing and story-telling. It makes a wonderful blend.
