KORINNA, Daughters of the Fire, I An historical novel e-version, click on this link  LANDS OF THE MORNING™ Series, Book 7 By  Kristina O'Donnelly Dedicated to the Memory of Louise Halley Forshaw With the audience appeal of The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough and The Last King by Michael Curtis Ford, "Korinna - Daughters of the Fire, I," is an intense tour-de-force into the history of Ancient Greece, Rome, Anatolia, and the plight of women in those times. Women who had no say in the running of their own lives, and women who only lived for their men who were then slain in battle. Locale and Time: “Korinna – Daughters of the Fire, I,” begins during the first of the three Mithriadic Wars fought between the Kingdom of Pontus and the Republic of Rome for control of Anatolia/Asia Minor, from 89 B.C. onward. Ephesus, Sardis and Pergamum, three famous cities of Antiquity, provide the stage upon which the novel revolves. By Roman times, the matriarchal religion of Anatolia had changed, though the female principle was still dominant. The original mother-fertility goddesses were now identified with the love goddesses of Greece and Rome, Aphrodite and Venus. Korinna, an orphan novice of Artemis, and the “Holy Women” (priestess-prostitutes of Aphrodite) Melitta and Chrysanthé, born during a time of chaotic transition in Anatolian history that pitted not only nation against nation, but parent against child, were truly Daughters of the Fire that had swept this ancient land. Review:  "Kristina O'Donnelly  continues her monumental series LANDS OF THE MORNING with an adventure set during one of the most fascinating eras in history. Korinna makes a compelling character as she grows from a spoiled girl seeking answers to her questions with no thought for consequences, into a mature woman.  O'Donnelly weaves magic through her story--with partially remembered past lives going back to ANDROMAKHE and earlier, with friendly garden spirits, and with Korinna's eternal cat-companion all playing their roles. Still, although KORINNA is part of a series, it can be enjoyed independently, and the entire series can be read in any order.  Fans if historical romances and of the late Roman Republic will definitely want to grab KORINNA." Publisher www.booksforabuck.com Cast of Characters (In order of Appearance) Korinna: Novice in the temple of Diana-Artemis at Ephesus. Later, owner of the Gracchus Gold Works at Sardis. Lover of Tiberius. Driven to defy a woman’s traditional, unquestioningly subservient role in order to be independent, to chart her own course in life. Proud of and motivated by for being named after Korinna, a 5th B.C. Greek poetess. Of the bloodline of the Trojan Andromache. Age 15 at onset of the novel. Nefru: Korinna’s best friend and protector. However, he is a cat, and people assume he is her familiar and she is a witch. Thenis: Mentor of Korinna, High Priestess of Artemiseion, Temple of the Virgin Goddess Artemis/Diana in Ephesus. Supports King Mithriades. Age: mid-forties. Tiberius: Born in Rome, Italy, Roman centurion in charge of spy operations in Asia Minor. Lover of Korinna. A man of honor and courage, but also hot-tempered, passionate, single-minded in his pursuits, and self-righteous. Devoted to Sulla. Son of the slain Roman general, Marcus. First cousin to Scaurus Gracchus of Sardis. Age 25 at onset of the novel. Glaucus: Molester of Korinna. Friend of Tiberius. Overseer at Sardis gold refinery. Secret enemy of Lady Flavia Gracchus. Greek. Age: 30. Septimus: Blood brother of Tiberius. Roman. Canny business manager of the Gracchus Gold Works in Sardis. Same age as Tiberius. Melitta: Wealthy courtesan of Ephesus, renowned for her beauty and skills, addressed as Holy Woman because she serves Venus/Aphrodite. Spy for Greek interests in Asia Minor. Has a mysterious connection to Korinna. Age 30 at onset. Scaurus: Cousin of Tiberius. Lover of Melitta. Purchaser of Korinna; owner of thriving gold refinery in Sardis. Roman. Honorable, courageous, with a gentle, loving heart. Age 31. Chrysanthé: Powerful High Priestess of the Venus/Aphrodite Temple in Ephesus. Secret operative for Rome. Has a mysterious tie to both Melitta and Korinna. In charge of the Grove, where devotees of the Love Goddess – and young women in need to earn a dowry – service men in Her name. Age 44 at onset. Ninus: Cupid-faced eunuch at the Artemiseion. Korinna thinks him a brotherly friend, but he has other ideas. Age: 15. The Poet, a.k.a The Summoner, a.k.a The Recorder: Lydian Greek. Elusive spy and double-agent serving King Mithridates. Has a mysterious tie to Korinna. Age 43 at onset. Althaia: Wife of the Poet; a healer; Greek. Age: late thirties. Moira: Daughter of the Poet; his assistant theurgist and channeler of spirits; later, lover of Mithriades. Believes in that as indicated by her name, moira/fate, she is appointed as an instrument of the Fates. Age 13 at onset. Amynta: Priestess and ambitious member of the Council of the Ephesian Venus-Aphrodite Temple. Greek. Devotee of King Mithriades. Plots to unseat Chrysanthé. Age: 25. Flavia: Mother of Scaurus, widow of the Roman patrician Flavius brother of Marcus; Lydian Greek origin, yet loyal to Rome. Patroness of Korinna. Age: 52. Harmonia: Devoted slave of Flavia, attendant on Flavia and Korinna. Greek. Age: mid fifties. Isaura: Orphan, mute, young household slave. Greek. Age 10. Valeria: A serene ghost in the house in Sardis. Chloris: An ancestral spirit, hearkening to Andromache. Syra: Former slave and mistress of Tiberius, housekeeper for Korinna in Pergamum. Gallic origin. Age: 25. Sulla (Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix) Roman Consul, General, and Dictator, Conqueror of Asia Minor, battling to dethrone Mithridates VI. Age: mid 40s at onset. Manius Aquillius: Roman Consul, General, distinguished as having crushed a slave rebellion against Rome, in Sardinia. Commanding battles against Mithriades. His star on the fade. Age: late 40s. Mithridates VI (or Mithriades): King of Pontus, brilliant and powerful enemy of Rome. Later, grandfather of Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Persian origin. Greek is the original language of his court; he endeavors to unite various kingdoms of different ethnic groups, under the umbrella of Hellenism. Under his reign, Pontus’s reach and power is threatening to surpass that of Rome. Age 44 at onset. Read Chapter 1 fof free  Historical Background   This map has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its author, Vardion, at the English Wikipedia project. This applies worldwide. FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, the Greek conquerors of Troy held colonies in the land named Anatolia (present-day Turkey) known in Roman times as Asia Minor. The Greek-speaking western coast and the surrounding Aegean islands were called IONIA, and the northeastern land track of Anatolia bordering on the Euxine (Black Sea), was called PONTOS (the main). As time marched on, the tracts claimed by the next conqueror, Rome, included this Western coast and most of the Aegean islands. Administration was by a Roman proconsul, with three legates under him. Ephesus was the chief seat of the provincial government, with Pergamum a close second. Rome reigned by military force and commercial enterprises so that taxation was soon levied by Rome, instead of Athens. The Romans’ political corruption and usurious taxes bled the Greek colonists until, by the time the kings of Pontos/Pontus – originally an ally of Rome – took advantage of the internecine war on the Italian peninsula, and began seizing portions of the province, the people were willing to accept anyone who liberated them from the Roman yoke. The brilliant king of Pontus, Mithridates VI, called Eupator Dionysius, a.k.a. Mithridates the Great, grew to fame as one of Rome's most formidable enemies. The Kingdom of Pontus had been founded after the death of Alexander the Great, around 302 B.C., by Mithridates I Ktistes, son of Mithridates II of Kios (Mysia). Pontus was henceforth ruled by a succession of kings, mostly bearing the same name, until 64 B.C. Mithridates VI Eupator was ambitious, courageous, of great physical strength, and able to speak the languages of all the twenty-two nations he governed at his zenith. Among the territories he added to his kingdom was Crimea, and the northern shore of the Black Sea became Mithridates' protectorate. Then Colchis (modern Georgia) was swallowed up and soon after, western Armenia as well. Mithridates’ army juggernauted, expelling the Roman forces and taking over the Anatolians kingdoms of Bithynia, Cappadocia, the Bosporus and the Black Sea. In 89 B.C., he spread his rule to Rhodes and Greece. After Athens, much of southern Greece was brought under Pontic control, with the local populations initially happy to be free of Roman influence. In 88 B.C., Mithridates decided to ensure the loyalty of his newly won regional allies. In Ephesus, he issued a proclamation ordering the massacre of all resident Romans in Asia Minor and surroundings. As a result, 88,000 (by some accounts, 100,000) Roman/Italian citizens, men, women, and children, also 70,000 of their slaves and freedmen, including any person who spoke with an Italian accent, were slaughtered …………. THE REMAINS OF EPHESUS, today, are an important archaeological site, located south of the modern Turkish coastal city, Izmir. The extensive ruins have been under excavation for many years, and are a lively tourist site. Portions of the marble city have been reconstructed on location. The great temple dedicated to Artemis/Diana, was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. It is believed that the Virgin Mary, accompanied by St. Paul, came to Ephesus at the end of her life, ca. 37-45 A.D. In 1967, Pope Paul VI visited the site, where a chapel now stands welcoming visitors, and confirmed the authenticity of the legend. In addition, the Basilica of St. John is located near Ephesus. St. John lived the last years of his life here, and after his death, a shrine was built over his grave. Among other historical places to visit are the Library of Celsus and the Temple of Hadrian. The golden city of SARDIS is rooted in history, as well. The semi-mythical, semi-historical King Croesus ruled from the throne of Lydian Sardis in the mid 6th century B.C. PERGAMUM was already in existence around 1200 B.C. and claimed to have been founded by refugees from the Trojan War. In historical times a statue of its reputed Foundress, Andromache widow of Hector, stood on the acropolis. (See: “Andromakhe, An Epic Novel of Troy and a Woman’s Triumphant Valor.”) Parchment, in its refined form, was first developed in Pergamum. The word parchment is a form of the name Pergamum. Pliny the historian called Pergamum the most illustrious city of Asia. It was the educational center of the region; the poet Homer and "the father of history," Herodotus, studied and wrote in Pergamum. The ruins have been incorporated into modern Bergama, and are located a few miles inland from the port of Dikili. Sample Chapter Coming soon!   Related links: Trojan Enchantment-Novels   Return to browsing my other novels When you travel to Turkey to walk in Hector, Andromache, Agamemnon and Achilles' footsteps, start your tour at: Anzac Hotel, Troy, Turkey midi: Enchantment