The main storyline is the coming of age of one young Philo of Philadelphia, a Greek by birth. For more on the setting, seeįor more historical fiction about the Jewish uprising from the perspective of Jews in Jerusalem, seeĪ Voice in the Wind (Mark of the Lion #1), Francine Rivers, 1993 The choice of Philadelphia of the Decapolis, a minor city, in the province beside the war to discuss the impact of the Jewish uprising from the perspective of bystanders is a compelling and unique. Ruled by the Romans, who demanded taxes and men for their army, members of the Decapolis were caught in the conflict between Rome and the Jews of Palestine. Beyond the Desert Gate, Book 4 of the series, takes place in the Decapolis, specifically the Greek city of Philadelphia (modern day Ammon, Jordan). Mary Ray’s Roman Empire Sequence was designed to introduce students to the ancient world through historical fiction. They eventually rent their house out to the despised Romans who have taken control of the land and it is while the Romans are living there that the man starts unraveling the mystery of his past.ĭO NOT READ THE COVER COPY OF THIS BOOK… Not only is it horribly written, it is FULL of spoilers. As he tries to regain his memory, he helps the family in their struggle with poverty. When the man can finally talk (his throat has been damaged due to dehydration after days in the desert), he can't remember who he is, what he did to receive such treatment, where he came from, or where he was going. Things happen (<- spoilers), the family falls upon hard times and has to cope with that, the youngest has to quit school and stay home to help. The youngest takes charge of him and tries to restore him back to health. He was found in the desert - he'd been tied to a galloping horse and dragged through the desert as punishment for something, and then left there to die in the sun.

When they come home, they bring an unconscious man with them. The father and oldest travel together early on in the book, so the son can learn about the art of merchants. The youngest is in school, and the older ones are all interested in various other things (animals, merchandise, teaching, etc.).

This is another really good Roman Empire Sequence book, and it is connected to (and a sequel of) Ides of April which is part of why I enjoyed it, though I still preferred Ides.īecause the Goodreads synopsis sucks, I rewrote it:īook follows a family, the father is a merchant and is gone at the beginning.

Beyond the Desert Gate by Mary Ray