Time To Depart

ROME: TWO WEEKS IN OCTOBER, AD 72

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS High Society

Vespasian an Emperor (no one comes higher)

Titus Caesar next in line (top substitute)

Caenis the Emperor's mistress (discreetly important)

T. Claudius Laeta top clerk (even more discreet)

Anacrites chief spy (indiscreet even to list him)

A Very Important (unnamed on legal advice) Patrician

D. Camillus Verus a senator and friend of the Emperor

Julia Justa his noble and put-upon wife

Helena Justina

Camillus Aelianus their noble and dutiful children

Camillus Justinus

Some Honest Citizens

Balbinus Pius a big rissole leaving town

Flaccida his wife, a hard woman in difficult circumstances

Milvia their daughter, a soft-hearted girl leading the easy life

Florius her husband, a worm on the verge of turning

Nonnius Albius a poorly court witness

Alexander his pessimistic doctor (private sector)

The Miller amp; Little strong men, interested in education

Icarus

Lalage refined proprietress of the Bower of Venus

Macra a young lady at that elite finishing school

Gaius amp; Phlosis two extremely helpful boatmen

Low Society (Fountain Court)

Lenia a blushing bride

Smaractus her bashful groom

Cassius a baker whose oven may get too hot

Ennianus a basket-weaver who may be tangling with

trouble

Castus a newcomer, dealing in old junk An old bag woman

Nux a homeless dog looking for a soft touch

Falco her target (not as tough as he thinks)

A baby abandoned, also looking for a nice home

with kindly folk

Law and Order (all under suspicion)

Marcus Rubella tribune of the scrupulous Fourth Cohort of vigiles

L. Petronius enquiry chief in the XIII region

Longus

Arria Silvia his often furious wife

Their cat (a cohort joke)

Martinus A deputy (not for long, he hopes)

Fusculus an expert on rackets

Linus on detached duty on the Aphrodite

Rufina the reason Linus has detached himself

Sergius a happy punishment officer

Porcius a young recruit (unhappy)

Scythax an optimistic doctor (public sector)

Tibullinus a centurion of the dubious Sixth Cohort

Arica his sidekick (certainly needs kicking)