The Emperor — Volume 07

"The Emperor — Volume 07" by Georg Ebers is a historical story set in Roman Egypt, where identity, faith, and power clash. The story follows Aurelius Verus and Apollodorus through a time of conflict, specifically addressing the challenges faced by the Jewish people in Alexandria. The volume begins by introducing the characters as Verus tries to get the Empress Sabina to attend a festival. Tensions rise around Apollodorus, who feels pressure from his religion and culture. Soon, a mob threatens Apollodorus' property because he has no festival decorations. The event grows into disorder, revealing the tension between different groups in Alexandria. Meanwhile, Apollodorus faces difficulties at home as his daughter, Ismene, is asked to marry someone she does not want, showing how personal desires are affected by the wider social conflicts. This beginning creates a vivid web of connections, mixing personal dreams with the bigger social story, and setting a compelling stage for what is to come.