The Medicus Codex

Life and death, illness and health affect the very poor and the rich and powerful alike. The Medicus’s journey takes him from the slums of the Transtiberim to plots for the imperial purple robes. At the center of the story is the controversial kelchara, a medicine with the potential to bring relief to the suffering masses, or may be nothing more than the desperate dream of a compassionate physician. Follow the story of Aaron bar Akiva as he travels from the fields of Galilee to Gaul, to the palace halls of Rome. His life—and the lives around him—depend not only on his skill as a Medicus, but his bonds with family, friend, and fellow slaves, and his ability to keep his nose clean and his wits about him. Aaron’s story is one of betrayal, intrigue, and distant loyalty to a God that he is not so certain is loyal to him. This book provides a Rome that is rich with diversity, a new treatment of historical figures, and themes that echo in modern day with a superior insight into the medical realities of the time. Readers will enter the ancient world where the relationships a healer creates are sometimes more far-reaching than the ability to heal.

“Cy Stein is a master storyteller with an historian’s eye for the kind of surprising facts that make the ancient world come fully alive. The tale he tells is a page-turner that crackles with suspense, action and sly humor.”  —Jonathan Kirsch, author, The Harlot by the Side of the Road

“Like all the best historical fiction, The Medicus Codex immerses readers in a captivating other place and time while propelling them through an equally captivating story. Once into it, I found myself frequently—and tellingly—late for meals.”  —Robert Cialdini, author, Pre-Suasion

"It might be our hero’s journey, Stein’s medicus, who provides us with an unforgettable story and leaves the reader asking for more."  —William Dauber, Professor of Journalism Los Angeles Valley College, freelance journalist, co-author, The Real Las Vegas: Life Beyond the Strip

"Written with a poet's eye and a historian's perspective, Stein's novel is a joy to read."  —Susan Ferber, Librarian, NY