Leon grew up as a slave, yet reaped the benefits of having the Paterfamilias as father. However, this did not stop the Domina from working him hard with daunting tasks. She would keep him thoroughly occupied for many days on end. He would scrub the villa clean, and ready the kitchen for luscious feasts which included the procuring of various seafood and meats such as oysters, mussels,fowl, hares, and boar’s head. Even while doing a slaves work, Leon was still able to seek counsel with his father, and thus learned to read and write as well as a fair amount of Greek and Latin. Leon was cast out after his father died with only a pair of rough old leather shoes and the plain workers tunic on his back. Leon luckily had a simple toga and a nice palla stowed away that his father had given him, and now being a pleb but nonetheless a free Roman citizen, he dawned the new garments and set forth to try to make a life for himself. Living without ever knowing if he’d obtain a stable life hardened Leon and made him a strong, ambitious man who wanted to prove to Rome that his father hadn’t simply raised a slave for a son. After joining Caesar's 13th legion he became a loyal supporter of the man, and remained so even after his beloved friend died. Despite being dealt the hand of such a difficult life, Leon still remained optimistic in that someday he’d find a fulfilling, successful life. He is compassionate and strong-willed, yet in impersonating Atticus he may have gotten himself into a situation that even his guile, wit, and determination can’t save him from.
The daughter of a wealthy equestian family, Aelianna is a slender, fair-haired and well-educated girl of her class. She is young but learned quickly to read and compose in both Latin and Greek and participate in various advanced conversations about politics and economy. Although reaching the age where her paterfamilias was to pick a husband for her, she did not want to dawn a stola just yet. Aelianna was content being desired by the many men that graced their lovely villa where they’d find her reading adorned in the latest hairstyle trend and showing off her status with beautiful amethyst and garnet pendents, earrings, and bracelets her parents had spoiled her with. Aelianna was small when her brother left, but now that she believes Atticus is back she is overjoyed and wants to hear of war stories and about the Julius Caesar among other political figures she follows the exploits closely of.
Julius Caesar and Mark Antony are characters that will be also be seen in the story. They both will recognize Leon and thicken the plot since they too would confuse Atticus and Leon for one another during the Civil War. These big political figures will play a role in the development of Leon’s endeavors to conceal his real identity, and also between the conversation of Aelianna and Leon since she is very interested in politics and warfare at the time.
