by Michael a. Ponzio (Author)
Although Pontius Pilate is known for his role in the Bible, less known are the historical characters who shared the surname Pontius and are portrayed in a series of historical fiction novels called Lover of the Sea. The first novel in the collection, Pontius Aquila: Eagle of the Republic, takes place during Julius Caesar's bid for power, generations before the birth of Pontius Pilate. As a young man, Lucius Pontius Aquila falls in love with Cicero's daughter. After a brilliant military career, he is elected as Tribune of the Plebeians. Aquila, a fervent supporter of the Roman republic, joins in the plot to assassinate Caesar. The story continues in the sequel, The Dark Passage to Heaven. Four years after Christ's crucifixion, Pontius Pilatus is ordered to return to Rome and answer accusations that he had cruelly attacked a religious gathering of Samaritans. As his wife secretly attends Christian gatherings, Pilatus must face Caligula's judgment. The records of the Catholic Church include five Christians named St. Pontius, venerated as martyrs, one who was Pope in 235 AD. In the third novel, St. Pontius: Bishop of Rome, the Pope must not only endure the Roman authorities but fight in street battles against followers of Hippolytus, the anti-Pope.
Author Biography
Since childhood, Mike Ponzio has read books on ancient Rome. He traded books and stories with his father, Joe Ponzio, and they discussed the origins of the family surname. Mike traveled around the Mediterranean to Europe, Asia and Africa, visiting many of the locations he would later write about. He continues to travel and writes stories which he imagines may have taken place during the lives of ancient ancestors. Mike met his wife, Anne, in 1975 at a University of Florida karate class. Since that time both have participated and taught Cuong Nhu Oriental Martial Arts. With John Burns, they wrote and published six instructional books on martial arts weapons. Mike retired in 2015, after working as an environmental engineer for thirty-seven years. Anne and Mike have raised four sons, all engineering graduates.