Ancient World 02 - Raiders of the Nile (44 page)

Bennett delivers a sober summation of the evidence: a Ptolemy called
Pareisaktos
and
Kokkes
“came from Syria, melted down the golden coffin of Alexander, and was immediately expelled by the Alexandrians. Strabo says he did not profit by this action. The identity of this Ptolemy is, of course, unclear, since this is all we know about him under these names. It is almost universally assumed to refer to Ptolemy X, but the facts are arguably consistent with Ptolemy IX, Ptolemy X or Ptolemy XII.”

Then comes Bennett’s startling conclusion: “It is also possible that the prince involved is otherwise unknown; indeed Strabo’s description might even be consistent with Ptolemy ‘o Kokkes’ being a Syrian pirate who seized the gold in a daring
razzia
on the city.”

A statement that daring is a veritable provocation to write a novel.

ALSO BY STEVEN SAYLOR

Empire: The Novel of Imperial Rome

Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome

A Twist at the End: A Novel of O. Henry

Have You Seen Dawn?

ROMA SUB ROSA® CONSISTING OF:

The Seven Wonders

Roman Blood

The House of the Vestals

A Gladiator Dies Only Once

Arms of Nemesis

Catilina’s Riddle

The Venus Throw

A Murder on the Appian Way

Rubicon

Last Seen in Massilia

A Mist of Prophecies

The Judgment of Caesar

The Triumph of Caesar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

STEVEN SAYLOR is the author of the acclaimed historical mystery novels featuring Gordianus the Finder, including
The Seven Wonders,
as well as the internationally bestselling historical novels
Empire
and
Roma
. He has appeared on the History Channel as an expert on Roman politics and life. He divides his time between Berkeley, California, and Austin, Texas. Visit the author’s Web site at
www.stevensaylor.com
.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

RAIDERS OF THE NILE.
Copyright © 2014 by Steven Saylor. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

www.minotaurbooks.com

Cover design by David Baldeosingh Rotstein

Cover illustration by Steven Haasis

The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.

ISBN 978-1-250-01597-6 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-250-02606-4 (e-book)

e-ISBN 9781250026064

First Edition: February 2014