Fiction

Babylonia

by Costanza Casati

Historical fiction
430 pages
Finished: 7/9/25

Summary:

"Babylonia across the centuries has become the embodiemnt of lust, excess, and dissolute power. In this world you had to kill to be king. Or, in the case of semiramis, an orphan raised on the outskirts of the empire: QUEEN.

Nothing about Semiramis's upbrinking could have foretold her legacy. But when she meets a young representative of the new Assyrian king, a prophecy unfolds before her, one that puts her in the center of a brutal world and in the hearts of two men.

Caught in the politics and viciousness of ancient Assyria, Semiramis trains in war and diplomacy, And with each move, she rises in rank, embroiled in a game of power, desire, love, and betrayal, until she can ascend to the only poistion that will ever keep her safe."

My Thoughts:

Once i started this book, I couldn't put it down! It reminded me a lot of the ancient Roman and Greek stories I'd read as a kid - the combo of ficticious characters in a historical, archaologically supported setting is so fun. I've never heard of Semiramis before (she is a legendary figure based on the historical leader Sammuramat), but I skimmed her wikipedia page a few chapters in to familiarize myself with the mythos, and I adore the way Casati interwove all the elements of the story with unique relationships between the characters.

Thematically, this was a story about the effects a culture of domination has on people. Semiramis was abused by her adoptive father, and became ambitious to leave. Onnes was predisposed to opium addiction and could not have found a solid support system as such an important friend to the king - and I think he may have been a psychopath, though it's difficult to tell how intentional that was. The story also examined Ninus as a merciful, compassionate king in a country steeped in violence and control - his decisions frequently led to heartbreak and tragedy. And of course there was discussion of love - court marriages are frequently strategic, and familial bonds tend to rely on loyalty over affection. None of the characters are able to make good decisions.

10/10, would read again, I'm definitely going to read the author's other book, Clytemnestra, at some point.