Rosita Steenbeek (born 1957) debuted in 1994 with the novel The Last Woman, which has been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Polish. Subsequently she wrote several novels including Underworld, Sicilian Testament and Different Light. She has also written a number of very successful books about Rome, where she has lived since 1985. The Polish translation of At Home in Rome will be published by Marginesy this fall.

Her pen rebuilds the ruins of ancient Rome, she can capture the smell of the ocean in one sentence and most importantly, she gives a voice to those who have been sidelined. All these qualities lie at the heart of her latest historical novel Julia.

Steenbeek uncovers the story of the controversial and forgotten daughter of emperor Augustus and brings her back to life with the aid of historical research. This fictional biography becomes intertwined with Steenbeek’s own travels through ancient Rome to illustrate how the Roman Empire was only glorious for a select few. 

Julia is a stunning portrayal of an independent woman who has finally been given her rightful place in history.

For more information on the foreign rights, please contact:

Marisca van der Marc
Foreign Rights manager
Uitgeverij Prometheus

+31 (0)206241934
foreignrights@pbo.nl

Julia is the only child of the first Roman emperor Augustus. She is not afraid to speak her mind, she loves to provoke, makes far journeys and frequently meets with a literary circle of like-minded spirits – amongst them the love of her life, Iullus Antonius, – who are forced to watch how the Republic is gradually turning into an imperial regime. With their dangerous plans and rebellious works
that question her father’s reign, they bring Julia into a precarious situation. Meanwhile, Augustus forces Julia into marriages that fit his own political strategy with complete disregard for Julia’s own desires.

In the historical novel Julia, Steenbeek traces Julia’s footsteps through present-day Rome, Steenbeek portrays the world that shaped this temperamental woman and defies all efforts of men who tried to mask the influence or even presence of women during the classical age.

Praise for Julia

Rosita Steenbeek has researched Julia’s life with precision and presents a powerful representation of the young woman without boring the readers with a forced history lesson.

De Telegraaf

Rosita Steenbeek succeeds at rewriting ancient history in an engaging manner.”

HP/De Tijd

Steenbeek’s research results in a stunning, fictional biography of the adventurous and headstrong Julia […] Steenbeek brings the classical era back to life and writes wonderfully about (ancient) Rome.

NRC Handelsblad