Baeticans, out of and in Baetica

Licinius Rufius

old enough to know there's never enough profit?

Claudia Adorata

his wife, who hasn't noticed anything

Rufius Constans

his grandson, a young hopeful with a secret

Claudia Rufina

a serious girl with appealing prospects

Annaeus Maximus

a community leader; leading to the bad?

His Three Sons

known as Spunky, Dotty and Ferret; say no more!

Aelia Annaea

a widow with a very attractive asset

Cyzacus senior

a bargee who has barged into something dubious?

Cyzacus junior

an unsuccessful poet; paddling the wrong raft?

Gorax

a retired gladiator; no chicken!

Norbanus

a negotiator who has fixed a dodgy contract?

Selia

an extremely slippery dancer

Two musicians

who are not employed for their musical skills

Marius Optatus

a tenant with a grievance

Marmarides

a driver whose curios are much in demand

Cornix

a bad memory

The Quaestor's clerk

who runs the office

The Proconsul's clerks

who drink a lot (and run the office)

Prancer

a very old country horse

PART ONE:

ROME

A.D. 73: beginning the night of 31 March