In the heart of the Roman Empire, where ancient gods command public devotion and Christianity survives beneath the shadow of persecution, one woman must confront the deepest questions of the human soul.

Callista, a gifted Greek sculptress living in Roman North Africa, has mastered the art of creating beautiful images of pagan gods. Yet beneath the beauty of her world lies a growing emptiness—a longing for a truth that no earthly creation can satisfy.

As Agellius, a young Christian struggling to remain faithful to his beliefs, searches for his spiritual calling, and Juba battles the restless passions within himself, their lives become entangled in a world on the brink of upheaval. When persecution threatens the Christian community, each must face a choice that will test the limits of courage, conviction, and sacrifice.

Set against the grandeur and uncertainty of the third-century Roman Empire, Callista: A Tale of the Third Century is a powerful historical novel about the search for truth, the awakening of faith, and the extraordinary strength of the human spirit. Through its unforgettable characters and atmosphere of mounting tension, John Henry Newman explores a timeless question: What is worth sacrificing everything to believe?

A moving story of spiritual discovery, moral courage, and the triumph of conviction, Callista invites readers to journey into an ancient world where the struggle for the soul becomes the ultimate test of freedom.

John Henry Newman (1801–1890) was an influential English theologian, philosopher, educator, and literary writer whose work profoundly shaped Christian thought. Originally an Anglican priest and a leading figure in the Oxford Movement, Newman converted to Roman Catholicism in 1845 and later became a cardinal in 1879. In 2019, he was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis.

A gifted scholar and eloquent writer, Newman explored the relationship between faith, reason, conscience, and the search for truth throughout his life. His celebrated works include Apologia Pro Vita Sua, The Idea of a University, and the novels Loss and Gain and Callista: A Tale of the Third Century.

In Callista, Newman brings the world of early Christianity to life through a compelling story of spiritual awakening, moral struggle, and religious persecution in Roman North Africa. His enduring literary legacy continues to inspire readers interested in history, philosophy, faith, and the timeless questions of human existence.