The Sicily Chronicles

How to Read This Book

This book is a work of historical fiction. The events chronicled here are derived from archeological evidence and historical records, but some of the names, characters, places, and specific incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are used with actual people and places in Sicily to illustrate the history of the island and bring it to life. Any resemblance of these characters to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The time frame for Islands of Fire: The Sicily Chronicles, Part I begins in the era referred to as B.C.E. or “Before the Common Era,” which is the generally accepted scientific reference to the time before the birth of Christ (formerly written as B.C.). In later parts of the book, the reader will note the use of the term C.E., or “Common Era,” to refer to the time since the birth of Christ (formerly written as A.D., for Anno Domini). The use of B.C.E. and C.E. is a religion-free nod to today’s world of science; however, Vito Trovato, the old man in the story who is mentoring Luca, hasn’t accepted the modernization of the term yet and, so, in his quoted passages the reader will still see B.C. and A.D.

Islands of Fire: TheSicily Chronicles, Part I Anno Domini

The Ancient Place Names list attached at the end of the story describes the names of islands, villages, towns, and cities as they evolved over the millennia. The Vocabulary is an aid in deciphering the words used in antiquity, along with the modern meaning. The List of Characters includes those individuals, both historical and fictional, for each era and portion of the story in which they appear.

This volume, Islands of Fire: The Sicily Chronicles, Part I, is followed by the next volume, Crossroads of the Mediterranean: The Sicily Chronicles, Part II.

Islands of Fire: TheSicily Chronicles, Part I Crossroads of the Mediterranean: The Sicily Chronicles, Part II

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author’s permission.