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Polish Literature for Children & Young Adults Inspired by Classical AntiquityRolleczek, Natalia, Świetna i najświetniejsza [The Splendid and theMost Splendid]. Okładka i ilustracje [Cover design and illustrationsby] Zbigniew Łoskot. Warszawa: Nasza Księgarnia, 1979. 448 pp.Genre: Historical novel.Summary: Tyche, the goddess ofdestiny plays with the fate of twoGreek siblings, Apion and Ammoniawho meet two young Egyptians boysEnum and Uni; the former is the sonof a distressed dignitary Theta, thelatter lives his life in poverty as adyer, unaware of the identity of hismother, the most powerful woman inRome, Claudia Coponia. Apion, takenaway from the merchant Poseidonios,begins a new life at Enum’s place ashis companion. Soon his sister Ammoniajoins him. Formerly working as aweaver, she becomes Enum’s closestfriend. Their friendship slowly turnsinto romantic feelings with no future as Enum’s father financial losses forcehim to dismiss all servants. Goddess of Fate separates Enum and Ammonia,sending the girl to the house of a rich Jewish dignitary, where she becomes thenurse to his three daughters.The same mischievous goddess Tyche allows Uni to turn his life around,become a respected scribe at the Library of Alexandria and marry Ammoniawho was his love from first sight. Despite her gentle treatment of Uni, Tychebehaves cruelly bringing Enum’s life to a bitter end. He dies of injuriessustained during an attempt to save precious manuscripts from the fire of theGreat Library; the fire was caused accidentally by Julius Ceasar when he triedto set his own ships on fire during the war in Egypt in 48 b.c.305