Arethusa
Arethusa is a historical novel by F. Marion Crawford, written in the early 20th century and set in 14th century Constantinople. The story follows Carlo Zeno, a Venetian merchant, as he navigates the complexities of life in a city marked by cultural discord and societal issues, including slavery. The narrative explores themes of identity, survival, and the stark contrasts between privilege and poverty, particularly through Zeno's interactions with a young girl named Zoë, whose fate is tied to his moral choices. This work provides a vivid depiction of the Byzantine Empire during the reign of John V Palaeologus.
