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The Shadows of GERASA

A sweeping historical epic set in the heart of the Decapolis, where ambition, faith, and power collide beneath the shadow of Rome.

Welcome Into the Decapolis

Where a breathtaking historical journey awaits you with five destinies colliding at the crossroads of empires. In the shadow of Roman columns and Hellenistic temples, witness a blacksmith's courage, a teacher's vision, a magistrate's cunning manipulations to preserve power, a merchant building his empire on shifting sand, and a possessed man's struggle against forces beyond human comprehension.

This sweeping saga weaves political intrigue, ambition, forbidden romance, revenge and sorcery into a tapestry as rich and complex as the ancient world itself.

From glittering marketplaces to whispered conspiracies, each page immerses you in a world on the brink of transformation.

Historical Accuracy

Meticulously researched details of 1st century Roman Palestine

Epic Storytelling

A richly detailed historical tapestry spanning generations

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Shadows of Gerasa Book Cover

Immerse Yourself in Ancient Gerasa

Decorative letter S et in the Decapolis during 1AD, a Hellenistic jewel at the edge of the Roman Empire, awakens at the dawn of a new century. In the shadow of Greek columns and under Rome's yoke, the fate of five souls will shift, taking with them the future of an entire region.

Possessed by dark forces, a man sinks into the labyrinths of sorcery, his soul becoming the battlefield of demonic powers. A ruthless merchant builds his swine empire on shifting sands. In the forges of Gerasa, a golden-hearted craftsman hammers against injustice, while a cunning magistrate orchestrates plots for power. In the shadows, a visionary woman struggles to bring knowledge to all children.

Their carefully constructed worlds crumble when a devastating rumor spreads—the ambitious governor of Syria plots to convince the Emperor to annex the autonomous Decapolis into the Roman Empire. As this political earthquake threatens everything they've built, each must choose between self-preservation and the greater good.

A monumental historical fresco reminding us that even at the edges of the Roman Empire, it is the choices of a few that shape the destiny of all.

Meet the characters

Lives intertwined in the shadows of Gerasa. Each with their own secrets, ambitions, and destinies.

Jonah, the Cursed

The Tormented Soul

Haunted by demons that no one else can see, Jonah struggles at the edge of sanity in a world that fears what it cannot understand. His journey from outcast to vessel of darkness will shake the very foundations of Gerasa.

The voices never leave me... but sometimes they speak truths no mortal dares whisper.

Tormented Resilient Vengeful

Marcellus, the Magistrate

The Puppet Master

Serving Rome while secretly undermining its authority, Marcellus plays a dangerous game of political chess where the pieces are human lives. His brilliance at manipulation is matched only by his ambition to see the Decapolis stand independent among empires.

Power is not found in the commands you give, but in the whispers others believe you never uttered.

Cunning Manipulative Ambitious

Leila, the Teacher

The Light Bringer

In a world where knowledge is reserved for the privileged, Leila defies tradition by teaching the children of slaves and merchants alike. Her quiet rebellion plants seeds of change that will grow long after the mighty temples of Gerasa have crumbled to dust.

The greatest chains are invisible—those that bind the mind—and only wisdom holds the key.

Determined Idealistic Perceptive

Simeon, the Merchant

The Empire Builder

Having risen from poverty to prosperity through cunning and relentless determination, Simeon's porcine trading network stretches all across the Decapolis. His wealth buys him respect in the marketplace, but the foundation of his empire hides secrets that could destroy everything he's built.

Gold opens every door in the Decapolis, but what awaits behind those doors is seldom what a man expects

Greedy Shrewd Insecure

Darius, the Blacksmith

The Revolutionary

A former slave who bought his freedom, Tobias now leads a secret movement to protect the poor from exploitation. His forge is a meeting place for those who dream of a more just society.

The chains may be gone from my wrists, but until all are free, none are truly free.

Compassionate Steadfast Principled

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Be among the first to experience this sweeping historical epic when it releases in early 2026.

Standard Edition

$14.99 Paperback
  • Offer for the first 100 copies only
  • Signed by the author
  • Map poster of ancient Gerasa
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Collector's Edition

$29.99 Hardcover
  • Limited numbered edition: 100 copies only
  • Signed by the author
  • Map poster of ancient Gerasa

Digital Bundle

$9.99 eBook + Extras
  • EPUB & MOBI versions
  • AI narrated audio book
  • Digital Map of ancient Gerasa

From the Author's Desk

Follow my journey as I complete this historical epic—research discoveries, writing challenges, and behind-the-scenes insights.

June 4, 2025 Research

Early Christianity and Demonology in Ancient Gerasa

Previous: “Judaism in Gerasa” Note: This article focuses specifically on the religious and supernatural beliefs of Gerasa during the first...

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June 3, 2025 Research

Judaism in Gerasa: A Community Between Worlds

Previous: “Religious Landscape of Gerasa” Note: This article presents evidence from across the 1st-2nd centuries AD as a unified period...

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June 3, 2025 Research

Religious Landscape of Gerasa: Gods, Temples, and Sacred Spaces in the Golden City

Previous: “Infrastructure and Public Services” Note: This article presents the religious environment of Gerasa during the 1st-2nd centuries AD, drawing...

Read More

About the Author

Julien L'Hermet

My journey to creating "The Shadows of Gerasa" began with an encounter with Ken Follett's historical epics which later led to a profound admiration for him.

When the concept for this novel emerged, I recognized its ambitious scope, yet felt drawn to the ancient world of Decapolis with unexpected clarity. The story demanded to be told as a sweeping historical epic.

My research immersed me in the economic systems, political structures, and multicultural environment of the region where Romans, Greeks, Jews, and Nabateans intersected. The archaeological remains at Jerash (ancient Gerasa) provided invaluable insights that transformed my research into passion.

The Shadows of Gerasa represents my debut as a novelist and my fascination with how ordinary lives intersect with extraordinary moments in history.

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