In this historical novel set in the 3rd century Roman Empire, the reader is transported to a world of political intrigue, religious upheaval, and powerful personalities. Told from the perspective of Nicomachus, a former servant to the illustrious Queen of Palmyra, the story follows his efforts to collect and arrange letters from Lucius Manlius Piso, a member of the distinguished Piso family, and shed light on the character and times of this influential group. But Nicomachus's interests extend beyond mere historical curiosity; he is drawn to the early Christian religion and seeks to understand how it has come to wield such power over the Roman Empire. As Nicomachus reflects on his own life and experiences, the reader is treated to a richly detailed account of the rise of Christianity and its impact on the Roman world.