With the death of Augustus Caesar, Emperor and First Man of Rome, the city is thrown into ferment.No man of position can be sure who is a friend and who an enemy in the treacherous hothouse of Roman politics. New alliances must be formed, old ones cemented or discarded. Secrets bubble to the surface. Previous actions and decisions may be re-examined to see if they were truly taken in the "greater interests of the state." Will they appear to be honourable or justifiable in the new light which may be shone on them? The heads of the great families are looking to secure their long-term futures and reviewing their past. Certain facts must be suppressed and certain inconvenient people removed.No taking his place in the massed ranks of the legions, no barbarian hordes rushing on him, but Otto Longius, Knight of Rome and former Military Prefect, finds himself facing the deadliest peril of his entire life.