A Christian But a Roman

"A Christian But a Roman" by Mór Jókai is a historical novel that plunges into the heart of ancient Rome, during the reign of the Caesars, where a quiet clash unfolds between the rising Christian faith and the entrenched world of Roman paganism. The story follows characters like the kind Sophronia and the honorable soldier Manlius Sinister, as they navigate the complex moral challenges of their time. The novel starts by introducing Senator Mesembrius Vio and his daughters, Glyceria and Sophronia, revealing the family's delicate balance of secrets, especially the senator's hidden acceptance of Sophronia’s Christian beliefs, despite Glyceria’s scandalous behavior. As Manlius Sinister falls in love with Sophronia, a deep conflict arises because of the dangerous society and the ongoing threat from Glyceria’s past. The book shows a compelling conflict of love, faithfulness, and commitment as the empire starts to fall apart, shown through detailed conversations and beautiful descriptions