Babylonia Summary, Characters and Themes
Babylonia by Costanza Casati is a sweeping historical epic that reimagines the life of Semiramis—one of the ancient world’s most enigmatic and controversial figures.
Spanning a turbulent decade in 9th-century BCE Assyria, the novel follows her transformation from a despised orphan in a remote village to a legendary queen who commands an empire. With sharp prose and vivid political intrigue, Casati fuses myth and history to paint a portrait of power, survival, and destiny. Through themes of ambition, betrayal, divine legacy, and female resilience, Babylonia delivers a richly imagined journey of a woman who defied fate to shape her own.
Summary
In a violent, superstition-filled Assyrian world, Semiramis is born under a curse and legend. Her mother, Derceto—a temple priestess and alleged goddess—murders her lover at an altar and drowns herself in a sacred lake.
The infant Semiramis is left alone, miraculously protected by a flock of doves, and discovered by Simmas, a bitter shepherd who adopts her, more out of fear than compassion. In the dusty village of Mari, Semiramis grows up an outcast, burdened by whispers of her cursed blood and haunted by visions of her mother.
Surviving through cunning, theft, and secrecy, she dreams of escape. Her sharp mind and fearless heart set her apart, especially when she witnesses the death of a wounded Assyrian governor and steals his jewels.
This act draws the attention of powerful forces. Prince Ninus, meanwhile, prepares for civil war against his brother Assur-danin. He succeeds in killing him and assumes the throne as King Shamshi-Adad V, while Semiramis, sensing change, plots to leave Mari.
Her chance comes with the arrival of Onnes, the empire’s new governor.
A cold enforcer of imperial law, Onnes publicly impales rebels and reinstates order through terror. But Semiramis fascinates him with her defiance and brilliance. Instead of punishing her when she’s caught spying, he brings her into his court, training her as a spy under Sasi, a cunning eunuch.
Semiramis quickly proves herself valuable, navigating betrayal, manipulation, and the harsh politics of empire.
Her rise strains ties with her foster family—especially Amon, her adopted brother—who sees her becoming something alien. Yet she presses forward, driven by ambition and growing attachment to Onnes.
When Onnes brings her to Kalhu, the imperial capital, she is plunged into a world of golden ziggurats, lethal alliances, and royal excess. Their secret love flourishes, but Onnes warns her never to trust anyone fully—not even him.
As Ninus secures his rule through executions and state reforms, suspicion poisons the court.
Onnes becomes a scapegoat and, rather than face disgrace, takes his own life. Semiramis inherits not just his secrets, but his enemies. Instead of falling, she rises—using Onnes’ knowledge and Sasi’s grudging mentorship to outmaneuver rivals.
Her intelligence and composure begin to captivate Ninus, who is slowly unraveling from guilt and ghostly visions of his slain brother.
Semiramis becomes his closest confidante, advising on policy, managing famine, and suppressing unrest. She survives assassination attempts, defeats Queen Nisat’s influence, and even commands a military campaign in Babylon, successfully crushing rebellion.
By now, her image spreads—carved in temples, whispered in poems—as “Sharattu,” queen in all but name.
Ninus, increasingly broken by madness and omens, grows dependent on her. As rebellion brews once more and Amon reappears in a failed coup, Semiramis is forced to execute the last tie to her former life.
When Ninus dies under mysterious circumstances—possibly poisoned, possibly by divine will—Semiramis does not deny her role.
Instead, she undergoes a royal ascension ritual, emerging as ruler not only by blood or marriage, but by divine right. Crowned under Ishtar’s banner, she declares herself Šarratu—queen regnant of Assyria.
The novel ends with Semiramis standing alone in Kalhu’s vast throne room, no longer the girl scorned by a village, but a living legend who has rewritten prophecy, defied the gods, and become one herself.
Characters
Semiramis
Semiramis, the central figure of the story, is portrayed as a woman who rises from humble, tragic beginnings to become one of the most powerful and feared rulers in the ancient world. Her origin story is steeped in trauma and adversity, as she is the daughter of Derceto, who kills her lover and then commits suicide.
Raised by a shepherd in the village of Mari, Semiramis is initially an outcast, scorned by others due to the circumstances of her birth. However, she possesses an innate intelligence, cunning, and ambition that sets her apart.
Throughout the narrative, her resilience and survival instincts drive her forward, allowing her to navigate increasingly dangerous political environments. Semiramis evolves from a mere survivor into a strategic power player in the Assyrian empire, gradually shedding her role as a pawn and assuming greater influence in the palace.
Her relationship with power is complex—she learns to manipulate others, playing both mercy and cruelty as tools to further her rise. Semiramis’ transformation is ultimately one of both personal and political conquest, as she overcomes the ghosts of her past to become a ruler in her own right.
Prince Ninus
Prince Ninus, the ruler of Assyria, is a character marked by ambition, ruthlessness, and internal conflict. In the early part of the novel, he is shown plotting the overthrow of his brother Assur-danin to claim the throne, a task he accomplishes through fratricide.
His reign is characterized by paranoia, as he struggles with guilt over the bloodshed and haunted by visions of his brother. As the story progresses, Ninus becomes increasingly erratic and mentally unstable, a man torn between his violent past and the growing supernatural forces that appear to be shaping his destiny.
His relationship with Semiramis is marked by both admiration and suspicion. Despite his emotional instability, Ninus recognizes Semiramis’ potential and intelligence, gradually coming to depend on her more as a confidante and adviser.
His deterioration throughout the story, possibly exacerbated by his guilt and the supernatural pressures around him, allows Semiramis to consolidate her power, eventually overshadowing him.
Onnes
Onnes, the governor of Eber-Nari, plays a pivotal role in Semiramis’ rise to power. Initially presented as a stern enforcer of the king’s will, Onnes becomes a mentor and lover to Semiramis.
His relationship with her is fraught with complexity—while he is deeply fond of her, he remains wary of her growing ambition. He recognizes her potential early on and recruits her into the world of espionage and court politics, where she quickly proves her value.
However, Onnes’ position is precarious, and his eventual demise serves as a catalyst for Semiramis’ ascent. His tragic end, orchestrated by palace politics, leaves Semiramis with both his secrets and his enemies.
Although Onnes’ death creates a power vacuum, it also pushes Semiramis further along her path to power, ultimately leading her to a position of dominance.
Sasi
Sasi, a Phoenician eunuch and spymaster, serves as both a mentor and adversary to Semiramis. He trains her in the art of espionage and subterfuge, teaching her how to manipulate information, deceive rivals, and navigate the deadly politics of the Assyrian court.
Sasi’s role in the story is dual—he is a mentor who aids Semiramis’ rise, but he is also wary of her increasing power and independence. His relationship with her is tense, and while he trains her to be a spy, he also tests her loyalty, unsure of whether she can be trusted.
Despite his initial wariness, Sasi recognizes Semiramis’ talent and potential, and their complex dynamic pushes Semiramis to refine her skills in both manipulation and power politics.
Nisat
Queen Nisat is a formidable rival to Semiramis, representing the old guard of Assyrian power and tradition. Her interactions with Semiramis are marked by political rivalry and personal animosity.
Nisat views Semiramis as a threat to her own position and is deeply distrustful of her rapid ascent within the palace. The tension between them reflects a larger thematic struggle between tradition and transformation, as Semiramis represents a new, more ruthless order, while Nisat clings to the old ways.
Throughout the novel, Nisat’s actions and her opposition to Semiramis’ rise highlight the dangers Semiramis faces as she navigates the treacherous waters of court politics.
Amon
Amon, Semiramis’ foster brother, serves as a figure of both familial loyalty and personal tragedy. Though he initially shares a bond with Semiramis, their paths diverge as she embraces the power and ambition that come with her rise.
Amon’s disillusionment with Semiramis’ increasing compliance with the imperial system creates a rift between them. He ultimately becomes entangled in a rebellion against Semiramis’ rule, and his tragic fate—executed for his involvement in the rebellion—marks Semiramis’ final break from her past.
Amon’s death underscores the personal sacrifices and betrayals that Semiramis must endure on her path to power.
Derceto
Derceto, Semiramis’ mother, plays a crucial role in shaping her daughter’s fate, despite her absence in the narrative. In the prologue, Derceto’s actions—killing her lover and then committing suicide—set the stage for Semiramis’ tragic and mysterious origins.
Throughout the novel, Derceto’s legacy looms large over Semiramis, influencing her motivations and decisions. Semiramis’ visions of her mother, particularly in Book V, serve as both a guiding force and a source of internal conflict.
Derceto’s legacy is one of both fear and destiny, as she is both a figure of tragedy and a symbol of power that Semiramis strives to claim.
Themes
Personal Ambition and Political Power
One of the central themes of Babylonia is the conflict between personal ambition and political power. Semiramis, initially an outsider in her village, seeks to escape her circumstances, which are marked by the brutality of her past and the societal stigma surrounding her mother’s tragic fate.
Her journey, however, is not one of simple escape, but of careful, calculated moves within the harsh political landscape of the Assyrian Empire. As she is drawn into the machinations of the empire’s ruling class, she learns how to navigate a world that blends survival instincts with a growing desire for control.
Her ambition gradually transforms into a sophisticated understanding of power—what it means to hold it, what it demands, and the sacrifices it requires. This transformation is marked by her ascent from a mere spy to a royal consort and ultimately, a ruler. The shifting nature of Semiramis’ ambition—constantly balancing between self-interest and the demands of empire—is portrayed as a personal reckoning that mirrors the treacherous political world she inhabits.
The Gendered Struggles of Power in a Patriarchal World
Another powerful theme in Babylonia is the gendered struggle for power. As Semiramis ascends in the male-dominated world of Assyrian politics, she faces constant obstacles not only from external enemies but also from internal forces that question her right to power due to her gender.
Her intelligence, charisma, and survival instincts challenge traditional gender roles, positioning her as both a formidable leader and a threat to the patriarchal status quo. This theme is explored through her relationships with key male figures, including Onnes, the governor, and King Ninus, who sees in her both a strategic ally and a dangerous rival.
The tension between her position as a woman and her relentless drive for power underscores the broader societal limitations imposed on women in ancient times. Semiramis’ rise represents a subversion of these norms. Through her, Casati explores the delicate balance women must strike in such systems—where survival often requires the manipulation of others, including male figures, to achieve personal and political goals.
Semiramis’ journey is not just about seizing power, but about overcoming the systemic and gendered obstacles that keep women from ascending to the heights she reaches.
The Role of Fate, Prophecy, and Divine Will in Shaping a Ruler
Fate and divine will are recurring themes in Babylonia, especially as Semiramis embraces her destiny. From the very beginning, Semiramis’ survival is seen as a miracle, attributed to divine intervention, and this theme continues throughout the novel.
As she rises to power, the presence of supernatural elements—visions of her mother, prophetic warnings, and divine omens—shapes her understanding of her role in the world. The tension between fate and free will is a subtle undercurrent in the novel, questioning whether Semiramis is truly in control of her destiny, or if she is merely following a path preordained by higher forces.
This theme culminates in the final chapters, where Semiramis, having conquered both political rivals and personal demons, assumes the mantle of Queen regnant. Her ascent is framed as not just a political victory but a fulfillment of divine prophecy, cementing her status not only as a ruler but as a figure imbued with god-like power.
In this way, Casati intertwines Semiramis’ personal agency with larger cosmic forces, creating a narrative where destiny and individual ambition are inseparable.
Betrayal and Loyalty in the Struggle for Power
A key theme woven throughout Babylonia is the precariousness of loyalty and the inevitability of betrayal in the pursuit of power. The political landscape Semiramis navigates is one of constant tension and shifting allegiances, where loyalty is often bought and sold, and betrayal lurks behind every corner.
Semiramis herself is no stranger to this betrayal; her rise is marked by numerous betrayals, both personal and political. From the betrayal of her mentor, Onnes, who ultimately takes his own life in the face of palace intrigue, to her own manipulation of those around her, Semiramis learns early that trust is a currency that is often too expensive to afford.
The theme of betrayal is also closely tied to the idea of survival, as characters like Semiramis must decide when loyalty is worth the risk and when treachery is the only means of securing their place in a ruthless world. Through her, Casati explores the complexities of trust, showing how it can be both a weapon and a vulnerability.
The Dehumanizing Nature of Empire and War
The novel also grapples with the dehumanizing nature of empire and war, particularly in how they shape the characters’ identities and ambitions. As Semiramis ascends within the empire, she must confront the brutal realities of Assyrian imperialism, which is marked by violence, repression, and the suppression of uprisings.
King Ninus’ reign, built on a foundation of bloodshed and war, is both a backdrop and a catalyst for Semiramis’ growth, as she learns not just to survive in such an environment but to thrive. Her military campaigns and her manipulation of public perception highlight the ways in which war and empire can strip individuals of their humanity, turning them into tools of power.
Yet, despite these dehumanizing forces, Semiramis retains her sense of self, using the empire’s mechanisms to reshape them in her own image. Through her, Casati critiques the way empires rely on the subjugation of others to maintain power while showing how individuals, particularly women, can manipulate these systems to their advantage.