The events in Roma Mater take place just before the beginning of the Dark Ages. The Western Roman Empire is in turmoil because of a civil war. Local economies are in general in a deep depression; government taxation has become ruinously oppressive; society itself is breaking down. The city-state of Ys has been in decline. Located on the west coast of Gaul, it has long been allied to the Roman Empire. Its people practice their own unique religion and have a society that has scarcely been Romanized. The Roman soldier Gratillonius is appointed the city's Roman prefect and finds himself caught in the many intrigues of Ysan government, as well as the schemes of Roman politicians and bureaucrats. He helps Ys achieve renewed prosperity. The Andersons have well researched the folklore and history that form the basis of their novel. The peoples, customs, and politics of the era...