The Medicus Codex: (1 Vox Populi)

ANCIENT ROME RESURRECTED The Vox Populi series brings life to ancient Rome through the voice of the people, defying the stereotypical angles of gladiators and war-torn sagas. Set in the 3rd century CE, The Medicus Codex is a sweeping tale told from the perspective of a physician, a medicus, from that of unwelcome transplant from Galilee to the Roman Emperor's personal physician. The human conflict reaches a crescendo, underscoring timeless struggles rooted in power, money, sex and survival. Next in the series will be Stein's equally epic novel Caligula and I (Balcony 7, 2017), and Master of the Mint (Balcony 7, 2018). Cy Stein s mastery of ancient Rome is evident on multiple layers, from geography to coinage, from ancient medicine to historical truths, as well as in his realistic descriptions of personality, everyday life and human struggle. Roma comes to life in all its fantastic and disturbing glory, with angles rarely explored let alone expounded upon in such eloquent detail, fraught with peril and eerily reminiscent of Western civilization today. With great attention to historical accuracy, especially for those in positions of power, The Medicus Codex offers rich enlightenment in a unique and timeless saga. "

Review :
"Written with a poet's eye and an historian's perspective, Stein's novel is a joy to read . . ." -- Susan Ferber, Librarian, NY "Absolutely brilliant novel...The subject matter of a time in ancient Rome is not relegated solely to the usual platitudes of gladiators, senators, war and glories. Rather, it is an insightful adventure into the fictional life of a physician/slave/son/husband who is swept up into the politics and atmosphere of a fascinating period in history. Medicine has progressed a very long way, but human nature has not changed.There are times that Dr. Stein makes you weep and times he makes you cheer. Through it all you never want it to end...'The Medicus Codex' is truly a novel not to be missed. The writing, at times, is sheer poetry. I could not put the book down. I cannot wait for the next literary venture from Cy Stein!" -- Goodreads Review "Dr. Stein has the uncanny ability to pull you into one of the most interesting epochs of human history. This is a meticulously documented book that alchemizes written words into full activation of your senses as you are seduced into the gritty yet royal roads of Rome. Although the stories are are from another time, the life struggles are prescient and are lessons for living a life of meaning and adventure. I could not put this book down and my wife was soon equally affected by my addiction. The lost sleep was well worth the enriched dreams that followed..." -- Goodreads Review "Numerous events...lead to the epic bent of this sweeping novel, educating readers about the realities of life in the city of Rome during that tumultuous period of time. Some passages are wrenching reminders of what the Jews and Christians actually went through at the hands of Roman rulers, reminding this reader of memoirs and books I have read by former holocaust survivors. Today, The Rome Empire is often alluded to as this great period in time but by putting names and faces to the actual common people who lived during this time Dr. Stein has brilliantly and accurately painted a picture of the brutality and danger that existed throughout this period in history." -- Goodreads Review Stein presents a riveting tale of medicine and mayhem, and power and greed in Ancient Rome, taking the reader on an adventurous, gripping ride to the past. Although a relative newcomer to the historical fiction genre, the author uses such imaginative and descriptive detail, and crafts such a memorable cast of characters, that the audience is transported to the author's compelling vision of The Eternal City. An instant page-turner from the introduction, The Medicus Codex is a must-read for any enthusiast of ancient Roman historical fiction. This is one heck of a story that never disappoints! -- Lauren Rosenberg, Librarian and Media Specialist, Westchester County, NY Schools a fascinating literary excursion into a Roman past that is at once familiar and exotic, with an extremely observant medical man as a guide. As a work of fiction..a gripping story that begins on the very first page. As history impressively and accurately detailed. And as a writer, Stein is a poet-scientist, finding startling, sometimes beautiful, always intelligent images in a world filled with people we instantly recognize despite a separation of millennia. --Denis Boyles, Author, African Lives what a ride, from the heights of wealth and power in ancient Rome, to its (literal) lower depths, through the eyes of Stein's hero, a canny physician with a sharp eye for intrigue, and a knack for surviving Rome's labyrinth intrigue and politics. Hope this is the first in a long series. -- Jenny Tripp, Author, Pete and Fremont and The Man Who Was Left For Dead "