The Assassins of Rome is a children's historical novel by Caroline Lawrence published on 17 October 2002 by Orion Books. It is the fourth book of The Roman Mysteries series. The novel is set in Ostia and Rome in September AD 79. Jonathan is the primary character in this novel, as he seeks out the mother he believed long dead and learns the tragic secrets of his family history. The story begins on Jonathan ben Mordecai 11th birthday. He is gloomy, saying that something bad always happens on his birthday. He opens the presents and is not satisfied with any except a jar of lemon oil. He breaks... the jar of lemon oil, and the scent reminds him of his mother, who died in the Siege of Jerusalem. Officials turns up to warn Jonathan's father that an assassin, ben Jonah, has been asking for him. Jonathan wonders why his mother did not escape with them, which leads him to hear his father talking with a stranger. The stranger mentions that his mother didn't escape with them 'because of Jonathan'. The stranger turns out to be ben Jonah. Jonathan head butts him and tells his father to knock him cold before he gets up.
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| Author: | Caroline Lawrence |
| Genre: | Children's literature, Historical novel, Historical fiction |
| Year published: | 2002 |
| Number of editions: | 8 |