Nella stanza dell’imperatore

Giovanni Zimisce, who grew up with his maternal uncles, the Phocas, became in time a valiant leader and fought bravely for the Byzantine Empire alongside Nicephorus, the most brilliant general of his time, and Leo Phocas. War is all he has left: his wife has died in childbirth and his father’s relatives, the Curcuas, consider him a traitor. When it now seems that Giovanni has no other purpose but to fight on the side of the Phocas, three witches prophesy to him that he will become emperor. But how is this possible, since on the throne now sits Nicephorus, his mentor, the man who raised him and for whom he would give his life? When Nicephorus himself turns his back on him and the handsome Theophanus knocks on his door, Zimisce will have to decide what to do in the future: to remain loyal to the emperor, going along with the principles he grew up with, or to take his place, accepting his fate once and for all?Wars, murders, conspiracies and betrayals: after her debut with Magnificat, Sonia Aggio is back with a gripping novel full of twists and turns, retracing the vicissitudes of an extraordinary man who, starting out as a simple soldier, managed to change the fortunes of his empire by unexpectedly winning the crown. In this book, with great talent and accuracy, the author reconstructs the existential parable of Giovanni Zimisce through the epic tale of his ascent to the throne, describing the daily reality of one of the most extensive dominations the world has ever known. An impeccable historical novel with the flavour of a classic that, with a plot rich in plots, intrigues, loves and terrible deceptions, and an engaging, sophisticated style, takes us through the glittering rooms of the imperial palaces and their splendid gardens, showing us the secret face of the cities of the East.