B = Brigantia

TS = The Fort

ABGARUS VII* The royal family of Osrhoene named all its kings Abgarus (or Agbar) and ruled from the capital Edessa. Physically closer to the centres of Parthian power, the kingdom was more heavily under Parthian influence than Roman. However, it was independent, one of the patchwork of kingdoms through which the Parthian king of kings controlled his empire. At first Abgarus VII attempted to placate Trajan without committing to support him, and the Roman emperor was dissatisfied with the initial embassy sent from Osrhoene. Once it became clear that Trajan was determined to assert Roman dominance over the wider region, by force if necessary, Abgarus became far more friendly and managed to placate the emperor. Osrhoene allied with Rome but changed sides during the spate of rebellions late in 116. It did not go well, and Edessa was sacked by Lusius Quietus. Abgarus VII was either killed in the fighting or died shortly afterwards.

APHRODITE An elderly freedwoman working in Sara’s workshop.

APOLLODORUS A guard in the prison at Nicopolis. As a Christian, he is kinder to his charges, especially his fellow believer, Domitius.

ARBANDES*, prince of Osrhoene. A son of Abgarus VII, Arbandes led an embassy to Trajan, but the terms brought from his father failed to please Trajan. Later, after the king submitted to Rome, Trajan was said to have enjoyed watching Arbandes perform a war dance at a feast.

ARRIAN (LUCIUS FLAVIUS ARRIANUS)* Born into a locally important family in Nicomedia in Bithynia, Arrian is best known for his subsequent career as an author and historian, most notably producing the most complete and sober surviving account of Alexander the Great’s campaigns. His early career is not recorded in detail, but he appears to have followed the pattern for equestrians serving as officers. Hence, in our story, he has already commanded an auxiliary cohort and is now one of the five equestrian tribunes in Legio VIIII Hispana. There is debate over whether or not he took any part in Trajan’s eastern expedition, but he was the right age, and this is certainly possible, while he also later wrote a history of the Parthians, which only survives in brief fragments. Under Hadrian he was elevated to the senatorial order and governed the province of Cappadocia, repulsing an invasion by the nomadic Alans.

ATHENODORUS Nicopolitan aristocrat currently elected to the post of Strategos or senior magistrate with military as well as civil responsibility.

AZÁTĒ, princess of Osrhoene. The favoured daughter of King Abgarus VII, Azátē’s fate, like that of most royal women, was to be married as a means of strengthening her father’s political influence. Small, intelligent, and as determined and unscrupulous as any of the men of her family, she is determined to work the system in her own favour. In the past she has shown particular generosity to the people of Nicopolis and has personal ties with the city’s Jewish community.

BRAN A member of the Novantae tribe of northern Britannia, Bran, as a boy, was part of a raid launched on the coast of the Roman province. Captured by Ferox, he took an oath to serve him. While still young, he went to one of the islands in the far north to train as a warrior in the strict cult presided over by ‘the Mother’, before returning to follow Ferox. Slim, agile and very skilful, he is a formidable fighter, especially as an individual. Apart from his oath to Ferox, he has sworn vengeance on Sosius. ES, TF