The Seeds of Christianity go to Rome.

The Emperor is dead.

Long live the Emperor!

Claudius is gone and Nero now wears the crown. Jews are returning to Rome meaning Simon Peter can resume his missionary work among the Romans. Shemu'el and Rivkah and their family have set sail for Rome in hopes of joining Peter and re-uniting with Atticus and Marcelina.

Meanwhile, a revolt breaks out on the Empire's western fringes. Led by Queen Boaddicea of the Iceni, she aims to right the wrongs done to her and, in process, wrest the new Province of Britannia from Roman hands.

Then a huge conflagration leaves most of Rome in ashes. When voices rise in the street accusing Nero being the incendiary, he searches for a scapegoat. His wife Poppea, still smarting from Atticus' rejection of her advances, suggests he blame the Christians. She realizes too late that like Pandora, she has unleashed a demon she cannot control.

The Christians construct the first catacomb and its niches quickly fill as more and more believers are slain for their faith. As the numbers climb, Shemu'el realizes they have a traitor in their midst. But how can he identify this false Christian who's selling out his friends to save his own skin? Author's notes included.