Aquileia by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The story revolves around Aquileia, a beautiful and strong-willed woman living in ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. She falls deeply in love with a young Christian named Lucius, who is persecuted for his faith. Despite the danger, Aquileia stands by Lucius and eventually converts to Christianity herself. The novel explores themes of love, sacrifice, and devotion as Aquileia navigates the treacherous landscape of ancient Rome, where Christians are brutally oppressed.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1909 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Epic Poetry, War Literature · 655 words
First lines
[On the election of the Roman Emperor Maximus, by the Senate, A. D. 238, a powerful army, headed by the Thracian giant Maximus, laid siege to Aquileia. Though poorly prepared for war, the constancy of her citizens rendered her impregnable. The women of Aquileia cut off their hair to make ropes for the military engines. The small body of troops was directed by Chrispinus, a Lieutenant of the Senate. Apollo was the deity supposed to protect them. -_Gibbon's Roman History_.]
"The ropes, the ropes! Apollo send us ropes," Chrispinus cried, "or death attends our hopes. " Then panic reigned, and many a mournful sound Hurt the cleft air; for where could ropes be found?
What this Textopian page supports
Aquileia is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Epic Poetry, War Literature, Classical Literature, Mythological Fiction
- Length: 655 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Aquileia by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Aquileia?
- How does this short story by Ella Wheeler Wilcox fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The plot is set in a historical context, specifically during the siege of Aquileia in A.D. 238, and incorporates historical figures and events.
- Epic Poetry — The writing style is poetic and grand, with a focus on heroic deeds and dramatic events.
- War Literature — The central theme revolves around a military siege and the efforts of the citizens to defend their city.
- Classical Literature — The narrative and style are reminiscent of classical works, with references to Roman history and mythology.
Tags
Historical Fiction · Romance · Adventure · Ancient Rome · Christianity · Persecution · Martyrdom · Faith · Spirituality · Religion · War · Battle