The Further Adventures of Pontius Pilate

Book excerpt: Out of favour after his disastrous governership of Judaea, Pontius Pilate is recalled to Rome and finds that no one wants to know him. But when the new emperor, Caligula, takes the disgraced governor under his wing, suddenly the whole of Rome is beating a path to Pilate's door. However, Pilate quickly discovers that Caligula's friendship comes at a perilous price. What's more, his past is beginning to catch up with him. Pursued by the fanatical followers of Simon Magus and a murderous heretical sect called the Angelics, Pilate must find a way to confound his enemies and at the same time thwart the ambitions of Caligula without incurring the Emperor's wrath. Written by a Professor of Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick, England, this novel brings to life one of ancient Rome's most infamous characters.