The Grain Merchant, page 26
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Afterword
By the beginning of the Sixth Century, the old Roman roles for municipal government had eroded. I based my town council structure on research by Leonard A. Curchin, reported in “The end of local magistrates in the Roman Empire.” Gurion, 2014, vol. 32, p. 271-287 and our conversations.
I am grateful to the Dipartimento di Beni Culturali, Universitá di Bologna, Ravenna, for support and guidance in early research, particularly; Antonio Carile, Professore emerito, Salvatore Cosentino, Professore ordinario, and Giorgio Vespignani, Professore associato. They pointed me to libraries, online resources, and generously contributed books to my background research.
In the United States, James J. O’Donnell, then of Georgetown University encouraged research and contributed a unique perspective to the culture of the early Sixth Century in Italy.
Astute notes from advance readers were lifeblood to adjusting details. Gratitude.
Any errors are strictly mine.
Also by Zara Altair
The Roman Heir
The Used Virgin
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The Vellum Scribe
The Peach Widow
About the Author
Zara Altair combines mystery with a bit of adventure in the Argolicus mysteries. The Grain Merchant is the fifth mystery. The series of mysteries is based in southern Italy at the time of the Ostrogoth rule of Italy under Theoderic the Great. Italians (Romans) and Goths live under one king while the Roman Empire is ruled from Constantinople. At times the cultures clash, but Argolicus uses his wit, with help from his tutor Nikolaos, to provide justice in a province far from the King’s court.
Zara Altair lives in Beaverton, Oregon. Her approach to writing is to present the puzzle and let Argolicus and Nikolaos find the solution. Her stories are rich in historical detail based on extensive research.
Stay in Touch
www.zaraaltair.com
zara@zaraaltair.com
Zara Altair, The Grain Merchant
