Vespasian Augustus: A jovial old cove who has jumped up from nowhere and made himself Emperor of Rome.
Titus Caesar: Aged 30. Vespasian's elder son; popular and brilliant.
Domitian Caesar: Aged 20. Vespasian's younger son; not so brilliant, and not so popular.
IN REGIO I (the Capena Gate sector)
Decimus Camillus Verus: A senator (a millionaire).
Julia Justa: The senator's noble wife.
Helena Justina: The senator's daughter. Aged 23 and recently divorced: a sensible young woman.
Publius Camillus Meto: The senator's younger brother; engaged in the import/export trade.
Sosia Camillina: Meto's daughter. Aged 16. Blonde, beautiful, and therefore not obliged to be sensible.
Naissa: Helena Justina's wide-eyed maid.
Gnaeus Atius Pertinax: A junior official, holding the rank of aedile (special interest: discipline). in Regio XIII (the aventine sector)
Marcus Didius Falco: A private informer with republican views.
Falco's Mother: A mother; with views on everything.
Didius Festus: Falco's brother. A National Hero (deceased).
Marcia: Aged 3. Falco's brother's child.
Petronius Longus: Patrol Captain of the Aventine Watch.
Lenia: A laundress.
Smaractus: A property speculator; also the owner of a gladiators' training school.