Sextus Afranius Burrus is the Praetorian Prefect under Nero — the second most powerful man in Rome. He is about 60 years old, still tall and strong with a full head of silver hair. He had served in the Roman army for his entire life until being appointed prefect. In an Empire of greedy, selfish men, he is honorable.
Paulos is an apostle of Christ. He is under house arrest in Rome under the supervision of the prefect charged with heresy, sedition and profaning the Temple in Jerusalem. He’s already spent two years in chains in Caesarea before appealing to Caesar. He is controlled by a light chain that is always attached to the left hand of a Praetorian. Over 60 by now, his body is weak and scarred, but his heart and mind ache for the Gentiles who do not know Jesus.
Timotheos is Paulos’s constant companion in Rome, caring for the needs of his surrogate father and ministering to the church in Rome. He has been overseeing the church in Ephesus before this, but hurried to Rome as soon as he heard Paulos ha been arrested. He’s grown mightily since Philippi but still he wonders why God would allow this to happen.
Loukas is Paulos’s traveling companion and physician. He is tall and thin, and can talk about the gospel and medicine with equal ease and excitement. He was born in Antioch, where he first heard the gospel.
Lucius Seneca is the former tutor to Nero and current advisor. He is a philosopher, statesman, and dramatist. For the first five years, Seneca and Sextus managed to control Nero’s wilder side, but he has tired of their advice.
Epaphroditus is a leader in the Philippian church. He heard the gospel while Paulos was there ten years earlier, and the church has chosen him to carry a monetary gift to Paulos.
Gaia is the wife of Sextus. They lost their only son in Britannia. She is more than ten years younger than Sextus, but loves him deeply.
Emperor Nero– full name Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus–took the throne of Rome at age sixteen in 54 A His first five years of rule, under the direction of Seneca and Sextus, were known for generosity, sound administration and peaceful order. He restored the Senate’s powers, and the treason trials were ended. Lately, he has become more eccentric, vicious, and extravagant.
Tigellinus is the Prefect of the Vigiles- the Night Watchmen of Rome. Of humble birth, he is ruthless and ambitious.