IN THE NORTH
Alexander Severus: The Emperor
Mamaea: His mother
Petronius Magnus: An imperial councillor
Flavius Vopiscus: Senatorial governor of Pannonia Superior
Honoratus: Senatorial commander of the troops detached from Moesia Inferior
Catius Clemens: Senatorial commander of the 8th legion in Germania Superior
Maximinus Thrax: An equestrian army officer
Caecilia Paulina: His wife
Maximus: Their son
Anullinus: An equestrian army officer
Volo: The commander of the frumentarii
Domitius: The Prefect of the Camp
Julius Capitolinus: Equestrian commander of 2nd legion Parthica
Macedo: An equestrian army officer
Timesitheus: Equestrian acting-governor of Germania Inferior
Tranquillina: His wife
Sabinus Modestus: His cousin
IN ROME
Pupienus: The Prefect of the City
Pupienus Maximus: His elder son
Pupienus Africanus: His younger son
Gallicanus: A Senator of Cynic views
Maecenas: His intimate friend
Balbinus: A patrician of dissolute ways
Iunia Fadilla: A young widow, descended from Marcus Aurelius
Perpetua: Her friend, wife of Serenianus, governor of Cappadocia
The die-cutter: A workman in the Mint
Castricius: His young and disreputable neighbour
Caenis: A prostitute visited by both
IN AFRICA
Gordian the Elder: Senatorial governor of Africa Proconsularis
Gordian the Younger: His son and legate
Menophilus: His Quaestor
Arrian, Sabinianus, and Valerian: His other legates
Capelianus: Governor of Numidia, and enemy of Gordian
IN THE EAST
Priscus: Equestrian governor of Mesopotamia
Philip: His brother
Serenianus: His friend, governor of Cappadocia
Junius Balbus: Governor of Syria Coele, son-in-law of Gordian the Elder
Otacilius Severianus: Governor of Syria Palestina, brother-in-law of Priscus and Philip
Ardashir: Sassanid King of Kings
The Northern Frontier A Camp outside Mogontiacum, Eight Days before the Ides of March, AD235
Hold me safe in your hands.
The sun would be risen, well up by now, but little evidence filtered through to the inner sanctum of the great pavilion.
All you gods, hold me safe in your hands. The young Emperor prayed silently, his mouth moving. Jupiter, Apollonius, Christ, Abraham, Orpheus: see me safe through the coming day.
In the lamplight the eclectic range of deities regarded him impassively.
Alexander, Augustus, Magna Mater: watch over your elect, watch over the throne of the Caesars.
Noises, like the squeaking of disturbed bats, from beyond the little sanctuary of the domestic gods, beyond the heavy silk hangings, disrupted his prayers. From somewhere in the further recesses of the labyrinth of purple-shaded corridors and enclosures came the crash of something breaking. All the imperial