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The Wedding Shroud (A Tale of Ancient Rome, 1) Paperback – April 28, 2015

by Elisabeth Storrs (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 1,142 ratings
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“All the drama and sensuality expected of an historical romance, plus a sensitivity to the realities of life in a very different time and world...” ―Ursula K. Le Guin

In 406 BC, to seal a tenuous truce, the young Roman Caecilia is wedded to Vel Mastarna, an Etruscan nobleman from Veii. Leaving her militaristic homeland, Caecilia is determined to remain true to Roman virtues while living among the sinful Etruscans. But, despite her best intentions, she is seduced by a culture that offers women education, independence, sexual freedom, and an empowering religion.

Enchanted by Veii but terrified of losing ties to Rome, Caecilia performs rites to delay becoming a mother, thereby postponing true entanglement. Yet as she develops an unexpected love for Mastarna, she’s torn between her birthplace and the city in which she now lives. As war looms, Caecilia discovers Fate is not so easy to control, and she must choose where her allegiance lies.

The Wedding Shroud is the first book in the Tales of Ancient Rome saga. Subsequent books in the series include The Golden Dice and Call to Juno.

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    A Tale of Ancient Rome
  2. Print length
    498 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 28, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1477828559
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1477828557
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“WOW! I think this is the best book I’ve read in the SWBA.” ―Judge’s comments, Sharp Writ Book Awards

“Elisabeth Storrs gives us a complex heroine, grappling with issues of spirituality and culture in ways that are non-cliché and refreshing.” ―Elizabeth Jane, Historical Novels Review

“The fear of death but the zest to live―Elisabeth Storrs skillfully recreates the dilemma of a young woman torn between two of Italy’s ancient cultures.” ―Isolde Martyn, author of The Maiden and the Unicorn

“Storrs should be proud of herself for this gem of a book.” ―Ben Kane, author of The Forgotten Legion

“Elisabeth Storrs’s Tales of Ancient Rome series should really be called Tales of Ancient Veii, as it brings the Etruscan town to life. Thank you, Elisabeth, for giving a voice to some of the most intriguing pieces of the Museum of Veii.” ―Iefke van Kampen, director, Museo dell’Agro Veientano, Formello (Rome)

From the Author

Naming my saga the "Tales of Ancient Rome" gives the impression that the novels are solely about Rome but I also wanted to introduce my readers to the world of the Etruscans. My curiosity was first piqued to learn about these people when I saw an Etruscan sarcophagus depicting a couple embracing for eternity. The casket was unusual because, in this period of history, women were rarely commemorated in funerary art let alone a couple depicted in such a pose of affection. The image of the lovers remained with me. What kind of culture exalted marital fidelity while showing such an openly sensuous connection? What ancient society revered women as much as men? Discovering the answer led me to the decadent and mystical Etruscan civilization and the little known story of the ten year war between Rome and the city of Veii.

The three books in the saga tell the tale of this siege but I have endeavored to write each novel as a standalone to enable readers to access the story without needing to read them in order. The Wedding Shroud describes the journey of Roman Caecilia, the treaty bride sent to Veii to marry an enemy Etruscan nobleman, Vel Mastarna. In The Golden Dice, the characters of Pinna, a Roman tomb whore, and Semni an Etruscan servant girl, are introduced to give fresh perspectives. In Call to Juno, the reader will follow the lives and loves of these three women in a desperate quest for survival in the final year of the war. I hope you'll want to learn who will withstand the treachery of both mortals and gods.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (April 28, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 498 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1477828559
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1477828557
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 1,142 ratings

About the author

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Elisabeth Storrs

Elisabeth Storrs

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Elisabeth Storrs has long had a passion for the history, myths and legends of the ancient world. She graduated from University of Sydney in Arts Law, having studied Classics. Her curiosity piqued by an Etruscan sarcophagus depicting a couple embracing for eternity, she discovered the little known story of the struggle between Etruscan Veii and Republican Rome and the inspiration to write the A TALE OF ANCIENT ROME series.

Elisabeth lives with her husband and two sons in Sydney, Australia, and over the years has worked as a solicitor, corporate lawyer and corporate governance consultant. She is the founder of the Historical Novel Society Australasia and heads the team for the $100,000 ARA Historical Novel Prize. Feel free to contact her at elisabeth@elisabethstorrs.com

THE WEDDING SHROUD was endorsed by Ursula Le Guin and judged runner-up in the 2012 Sharp Writ Book Awards for general fiction. THE GOLDEN DICE, was endorsed by Ben Kane and was a first place category winner in the 2014 Chaucer Awards. The third book, CALL TO JUNO, was endorsed by Kate Quinn and was selected as an Editor's Choice in the HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW in 2016, and won a first place category in the 2017 Chaucer Awards.

The Italian edition of THE WEDDING SHROUD, entitled IL VELO NUZIALE, was released in 2023 by Altre Voci Edizioni with the remaining two books in the trilogy to be released in 2024 and 2025.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
1,142 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tgately
5.0 out of 5 stars When in Rome...marry an Etruscan
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2012
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You can tell from the other reviews what this book is about, an arranged marriage to secure a truce between Rome and a neighbor in 406 BC. I read a lot of historical fiction romance novels. Almost to the point that it's become an addiction and I probably need some kind of intervention. But, I digress. The Wedding Shroud was the first Roman era or for that matter the first book fiction romance I've read from the BC time frame. It was a very meaty novel. There was alot of information to take in but, the author presented it all in a very understandable way. I'll cut to the chase, my favorite thing about this book was the character development. I could totally put myself in any of these characters shoes. I felt for them. This is a very long book (by my standards) and I was invested in these characters within the first 30 mins. Caecila, the innocent, pious, orphaned girl who had never been anywhere or seen anything. She was raised to be oppressed because she was a female and taught that any other way than the Roman was just wrong. Sent off to marry a strange older man with traditions and beliefs that seemed horrible to her. The weight of Rome was on her shoulders and she couldn't have known that she was just a pawn in an age old game of one-upsmanship. Mastrana, the Etruscan nobleman who must marry this young foreign girl. He is a broken hearted man and doesn't believe he will ever love again but is willing to marry this Roman to secure peace. I must say, that I fell in love with this man. He was so patient and kind and such a protector. This book is worth the time and effort of reading it. I would read this author again. I can tell that she put her heart and soul into this book, spent a lot of time researching. I tried to think of a critique, and the only thing I could think of was the ending. But, then I decided that the truth of the matter was that the ending was fine, but I had become so invested in the characters that I wanted to know what happened next. I wish there was a sequel. I want to know if they lived happily ever after. Isn't that the sign of good entertainment though? That the author leaves you wanting more...and Elizabeth Storrs certainly did. Bravo.
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Lady Anne
4.0 out of 5 stars Before there was Rome......
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2016
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Cheers to the author for giving us an incredibly detailed and interesting look at the world of the Romans prior to Caesar's reign. I don't remember ever learning in school any details about the Etruscan area of what is modern day Italy or the beautiful city of Veii, which lies only 12 miles across the Tiber River from the city of Rome. In the approximate era of 365 BCE - the city of Veii was much larger than Rome and appeared to be far more sophisticated and worldly. They held women to be contributing, worthwhile citizens, able to own land and make decisions without the control of either husbands or male relatives, something unheard of in the heavily male dominated Roman populace. While the interwoven romance between a Roman female and a Veientane warrior/leader was enticing - it was learning that world even existed. Some of the same gods/goddesses were worshipped - albeit under different names. But, where the Roman citizens were a sober, male dominated society - the citizens of Veii were fun-loving, free thinking individuals with a highly developed city infrastructure and a love of all things beautiful. For example, a Roman potter might craft a drab, unremarkable vessel for containing water, wine or food - while the Veii potter strove for beauty and fine quality in their works. The love story involves a very young Roman female from a well-respected family being used as pawn in being married to an older Veientane leader as a means of ensuring peace between the two cities. I simply can not stress this series is invaluable in imparting the knowledge of a different look at the Italy we learned about versus what really was and the learning is made enjoyable through the personal look of two people who grew to love each other without reserve - even though that was not the original intent. This is actually a series of 3 books, including "The Golden Dice" - #2) and "Call to Juno" #3. Consider this review as for the entire series - which I have now (sadly) finished.....one of those I did not want to end!!
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Alex K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great historical novel about Romans and Etruscans
Reviewed in Italy on June 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
I was looking exactly for this kind of Ancient Roman novel: clash of cultures, Etruscans and a slow burn romance.
Caecilia had a great arc of transformation, esprecially coming from such a patriarchal culture as the Roman one. It felt really good, even if I didn't find all her struggles relatable – but that's okay, we're different persons and I like that.
Also, Mastarna ♥️

It can be read as a standalone, but I highly suggest the following two.
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Karen B
5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing tale set in a little known ancient culture.
Reviewed in Australia on July 16, 2020
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While it’s been a long time between books set in Ancient Rome, never before have I read one that focusses on Etruscan culture and, in particular, those from a region only twelve miles from the Tiber River, called Veii.
This story centres on the marriage of a young Roman woman named Caecilia who, to satisfy a treaty, is married to a nobleman from Veii, the wealthy and brave Mastarna. Thrust into an unfamiliar and enemy culture, aware she’s a pawn in a political game, Caecilia is terrified of losing her Roman-ness and fights hard to maintain her roots. However, Etruscan culture and rituals, their religion and treatment of others – particularly women whom they see as equals – differs so much from what she’d been raised to believe and fear and that’s before she considers the unexpected surprise that is her older husband.
Drawn into familial as well as social dramas of her new Etruscan society, Caecilia slowly learns that it’s not just Roman leaders prepared to use her for their own ends. But as time passes, she also starts to question where her loyalties actually lie…
This book was absolutely fascinating. The history and detail included in the story were riveting, but never at the expense of plot. On the contrary, all the little facts about life in these times, from the way the sexes were treated, class structure, dress, meals, religious rituals, modes of address, were all interwoven expertly throughout the narrative. Likewise, the setting is beautifully rendered. You see the citadel of the Veii, the frequent parties they indulge in, the manner of their rituals, just as you can envisage the landscape and changing seasons. It’s easy to tell that Storss not only knows this part of history well, but is passionate about it too, and that passion is infectious. I learned so much, but in that great way that good historical fiction can teach a reader, not by bashing you over the head with the amount of research the author has done, but gently through story-telling.
And what a story this is. Against a backdrop of enmity, political machinations and potential anarchy, Caecilia, for an educated woman, is also young in her. It’s quite one thing to be able to read and write, but she lacks experience, is headstrong, stubborn and tends to follow her head when it should be her heart and vice-a-versa. She’s a bag of trouble, but also believable. Annoying, but believable. Her opportunity for personal growth is constantly sabotaged by the doubts that others put into her head until she doesn’t know whom she should trust or why. Easy to understand when she’s been shoved into such an alien culture and way of being. She turns to the foundations upon which she was raised to anchor her, but often at great cost.
I look forward to learning how she develops in the later books and what Storrs has in store for her, the culture she was born into and that which she was forced to adopt.
If you enjoy historical fiction and are searching for something really different, then this could be the book for you.
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Misha
5.0 out of 5 stars Best novel I've read in a long time
Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2015
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I'm so grateful to Elisabeth Storrs. I found this book engaging, compelling and with fascinating and realistic characters. I'm an avid reader and have read several other novels in the interim; none could compare - I'm still thinking about this novel weeks later.
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Usuario
3.0 out of 5 stars Conflicto etrusco-romano
Reviewed in Spain on August 30, 2014
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Bien escrito pero de un ritmo somnoliento y con personajes que no llegan a despertar emociones. Hay libros mejores que leer, aunque es cierto que sobre la cultura etrusca existen pocas novelas. Prescindible.
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Mary Josefina Cade
5.0 out of 5 stars Wild Etruscan glamour eclipses noble Romans
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2012
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This fascinating book is set in Rome and Etruria over the year 407 - 406BC. My knowledge of this time in history is extremely vague, so I am unable to give feedback on the historical accuracy or otherwise of 'The Wedding Shroud.' What I can say is that from the opening line, 'Her whole world was orange', Elisabeth Storr demonstrates a thrilling ability to create pictures in words. I could read any random passage about the city of Veii and the Etruscans and feel inspired to make a poem, a painting or a film. There is a hallucinogenic quality about the Etruscan scenes, which are often wild and barbaric but always life enhancing. Nobody does anything out of politeness. Love, passion, death and the gods that must always be placated are the central features of Etruscan life. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of a religion which gave such importance to the interpretation of lightning bolts. It all made sense to me, a fierce and savage logic that demonstrated a deep connection to the natural world.

Back in Rome stoic self control and formal behaviour are shown to be the prevailing mode. As well as the repression of women. Caecilia is a very stubborn Roman bride, who makes the journey between the two cultures and finds it difficult to adjust to the new freedoms offered to her. I found her behaviour irritating at times, but it did make sense within the story. So many images from this book remain with me, including that of the wedding shroud itself, enclosing Caecilia and her husband Mastarna, a secret space for lovers in the middle of the untamed excesses of Etruria.
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