The Actor King

The early second century finds the charismatic actor, Tullius Arruns Priscus and his troupe settled in Daphne, a wealthy suburb of Antioch. The cast is preparing for its next production featuring the god Dionysus. Lucia, Tullius' freedwoman and adopted daughter, practices her piece on the lyre while the dwarf Pacuvius acts out the song and Kepi leads the dancers. From the outside, it appears all is well for this rich tapestry of characters.

But tragedy soon befalls the group. Lucia is kidnapped in retaliation. Aishe, the wife of the troupe's manager, Mercurius, is murdered when Kepi learns that her mother has been murdered by Aishe's mother in Alexandria. In an effort to find Lucia and bring Aishe home for burial, the troupe leaves Antioch and sails across the Mediterranean to Alexandria. The journey is anything but serene and calm. It's a wild ride across the seas where Tullius and company must, among other trials, survive a shipwreck and robbers.

This work of historical fiction offers new light on the rich and passionate time of the early second century, where adventure, betrayal, treachery and ritual are common in this ancient world.