Amid the
political turbulence of Caesar’s continued dictatorship, a young equestrian
girl finds herself trapped between society’s demands and the declarations of
her heart. Her father announces that she
shall be married to the soldier Publius Crassus as soon as possible, for he is
soon to depart to join Caesar’s forces in Spain. Publius has spent the last years of his life
fighting for Caesar and has great potential.
Her father is pleased that his adored daughter should have such a promising
match. Given that Publius will be away
at war, the adolescent Abelia would be given the independence and
responsibility of controlling their finances while he is away.
However, faced
with a marriage to an absent husband, Abelia can’t help but imagine her life
with the handsome son of her Grecian tutor.
The familiar Demetrius with his charming awkwardness continues to occupy
Abelia’s thoughts. Despite his witty
intellect and kindness, conflict arises when she mentions her preference for
the son of an educated slave to her typically doting father.
Guiding her
through this trying time is her dear friend Publilia. Usually quiet and sensible, teenage Publilia’s
recent marriage to Marcus Tullius Cicero may affect the wisdom of her
counsel. Cicero’s retirement from
politics and displeasure with Caesar leaves him irritable and depressed. In addition, his daughter’s recent illness
after childbirth causes him much anxiety.
Struggling through the first
months of marriage with an emotionally distant Cicero and his difficult ex-wife
causes Publilia to question the widely accepted belief that marriage to a
respectable Roman citizen is a necessity.
