This is a story of pirates, two thousand years ago. Pirates in Roman times were just as daring and led as dangerous lives as Captain Kidd of the Spanish Main. With the rich booty from merchant ships plying the Mediterranean some became wealthy as kings. Their ships had red and purple sails, awnings of fine silk, and mats plated with gold and silver. Powerful and bold, they swooped down on defenseless villages, till the Romans organized a great fleet under Pompey to conquer them and bring them to justice.
All the children of Rome were fearful at the wild rumors. Atia, pretty twelve-year-old niece of Julius Caeser, felt specially interested in the pirates since her older brother, after his wedding, would sail with the Roman fleet. Family and friends planned to escort him and his bride to the secret harbor where his ship lay waiting.
With a few servants Atia and her seven-year-old brother were left at home in the country. When they learned from a loyal slave boy that the buccaneers were plotting to attack their brother's party they set out in a small boat to overtake and warn them—only to blunder straight into the hands of the pirates.
Taking a fancy to them, the lawless captain spared them in hope of ransom. On the pirate ship they had one adventure after another, but back at home there were still more. A wild and reckless chariot race in Rome was followed by festivals and fighting in Greece—and mysterious goings-on concerning a beautiful golden cup and hidden treasure.
Isabelle Lawrence knows how people of ancient times lived and dressed and ate and talked. Men in togas become real. Women and children keep house in Roman villas much as we do. Life was just as colorful then as it is today.
—from the dust jacket
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