Tros of Samothrace


Tros of Samothrace is a fantasy historical novel by American writer Talbot Mundy. The story was composed of several novellas which were published originally in the American magazine Adventure during 1925 and 1926. It was published first together as a book during 1934 by Appleton-Century company.
Mundy dedicated Tros of Samothrace to his friend Rose Wilder Lane, who had funded its book publication.

Plot introduction

The novel concerns the courageous adventures of the title character as he helps pre-Roman Britons fight the invading forces of Julius Caesar.

Publishing history

The original sequence of novellas was published as follows:
  1. "Tros of Samothrace", 10 February 1925
  2. "The Enemy of Rome", 10 April 1925
  3. "Prisoners of War", 10 June 1925
  4. "Hostages to Luck", 20 August 1925
  5. "Admiral of Caesar's Fleet", 10 October 1925
  6. "The Dancing Girl of Gades", 10 December 1925
  7. "Messenger of Destiny", part 1, 10 February 1926
  8. "Messenger of Destiny", part 2, 20 February 1926
  9. "Messenger of Destiny", part 3, 28 February 1926
When Tros of Samothrace was published as four paperback volumes during 1967 and 1971, the divisions between volumes coincided with Mundy's own divisions:
When Tros of Samothrace was reissued as three paperback volumes during 1976, the divisions between volumes was partway through "Prisoners of War" and "Admiral of Caesar's Fleet".

Reception

Although the stories were popular with Adventure's readers, they also aroused debate due to the fact that Mundy described Julius Caesar and Roman civilization as imperialistic and tyrannical; Adventure editor Arthur Sullivant Hoffman later stated that the Tros stories were the most controversial the magazine had ever published. Mundy's negative depiction of Caesar resulted in controversy in Adventure's letters section, "the Camp-Fire".
Fritz Leiber praised Tros of Samothrace, saying: "The Tros stories made a great impression on me as a young man. I read and re-read them...it was wonderful, imaginative writing". Floyd C. Gale wrote during 1959 when reviewing a new edition of the book that it was "Out of print far too long, here is one classic that still reads as if written yesterday... An absolute Must Buy at this price".