The Trojan Horse: Espionage, Infiltration, and Deception in the Ancient World

Elyse DeBarre

Italy55 Books

FollowAMA (25)

Historical Mystery Historical Romance Time Travel Romance Historical Fiction Christian Fiction History True Crime

BIOGRAPHY
Hi everyone! Exciting news—my book cover just made it into the top 100 and advanced to the second round of the AllAuthor Cover of the Month contest!
If you have a quick second, I would so appreciate your vote in this round. Even if you voted last time, you can vote again for this new round!
You can cast your vote here:
https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/20995/
Thank you all so much for your amazing support!

Historical Espionage Mystery Novels Available in Vancouver Public Library Online—Search Elyse DeBarre or visit: https://libbyapp.com/search/vpl/search/query-Elyse%20DeBarre/page-1/10442486

Featured & Notable Titles:
The Tower of Malatha (Roman Prince of Palaestina Book 1)
Through the Roman Gate (Roman Prince of Palaestina Book 1.2)
Destiny's Tide: From Exile to Empire (Roman Prince of Palaestina Book 2) - Preorder
The Oracle of Delphi (Priests and Magi Book 0.5)
The Spy of Delphi (Priests and Magi Book 1)
Rise of the Magi (Priests and Magi Book 2)
The Levite's Concubine (Priests and Magi Book 2.1)
The Etruscan Princess: The Covert Crown -- A Novel of the Early Roman Republic (Chronicles of Livius: Espionage in the Roman Republic, Book 1)

I’ve lived all over the world, beginning with my widowed mother at the age of 2. My first publications came at age 10—one a front-page editorial in the Launceston Examiner (Tasmania), protesting deforestation linked to Pacific trade with Japan, the other a poem on the Canadian Rockies published in the Royal Ontario Museum’s youth paper. Both emerged from lived witness during a trans-Pacific journey with my mother, whose editorial clarity shaped my early cadence.

My mother was a freelance journalist who interviewed government officials worldwide on current events. She received direct responses from prime ministers and diplomats, and was once publicly honoured by the Taiwanese ambassador with the national flag for her civilian diplomacy. Her integrity and courage in confronting media distortion laid the foundation for my own symbolic witness.

Today, I am a classical (Roman) archaeologist, Herodian scholar, biologist, and qualifying physician. I publish espionage novels set in ancient historical eras, scholarly archaeological nonfiction, and articles on geopolitical choreography. My work threads immersive witness from Syria, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, and beyond—metabolising clarity, and staging editorial agency.

I'm an Australian (and Canadian, half-English) author currently based in Italy, exploring the grandeur and intrigue of ancient Rome through storytelling. Journey through the Roman Gate with RomaAquila to a world of mysteries, espionage, and drama in ancient Rome and other ancient cultures. As a classical archaeologist and Doctor of Medicine candidate, I craft ancient historical espionage mystery novels mainly set in ancient Rome, alongside another cloak-and-dagger series spanning Greece, Persia, Babylon, and Egypt.

I've also written a novel involving espionage and set in the Middle East against the aftermath of WW II.

My Roman era historical novels are also publishd under the penname, Elyse L'Aigle.

My work also includes scholarly nonfiction and an extensively researched treatise on ancient Roman true crime. I'm also beginning an extensive travel memoir series under my other penname, Elyssa Vagabunda.

Alongside my historical works, I am honoured to present a collection celebrating my beloved late family member, Iola Ballard’s poetry and wisdom, preserving her legacy through timeless teachings, set against the distant background of WW II.

I also publish guest contributions by The Levantine.

Having travelled to 65 countries and lived on four continents, I blend global perspectives with my passion for hiking, dancing, and music.

Join my newsletter for exclusive updates, articles on archaeology and ancient history, some current events in parts of the world I've lived, discussions, and behind-the-scenes content! https://elysedebarre.substack.com/

I welcome readers to engage with my books and ideas. My private life is not open for dating or unsolicited approaches. Promotional messages are not accepted. Please respect this policy, as repeated violations will result in blocking and reporting.

Love my books? Support my writing—or purchase directly from me—right here:

paypal.me/RomaAquila Just let me know which title you'd like!