Main Characters
- Glaucus, The protagonist, a handsome Athenian nobleman and Ione's betrothed.
- Ione, A beautiful and intelligent high-born Greek set to marry Glaucus. Orphaned in childhood, she was Arbaces' ward and becomes the target of his evil attempts at seduction.
- Arbaces, The antagonist, a scheming Egyptian sorcerer and a high priest of Isis, and the former guardian of Ione and Apaecides. Murders Apaecides and frames Glaucus for the crime. Repeatedly attempts to seduce Ione.
- Nydia, A young slave stolen from high-born parents by kidnappers in Thessaly. She weaves and sells garlands of flowers to earn coins for her tyrannical owners. Nydia pines for Glaucus and eventually commits suicide rather than suffer unrequited love.
- Sallust, A good-hearted epicurian and friend of Glaucus.
- Calenthus, A greedy priest of the cult of Isis who witnesses Arbaces murder Apaecides. First blackmails Arbaces, then tells the truth when Arbaces turns on him.
- Olinthus, A Christian who converts Apaecides to Christianity. Sentenced to death for his religion.
- Diomed, A rich, dyspeptic merchant known in Pompeii for his lavish banquets. Julia's father.
- Julia, The handsome but spoiled daughter of Diomed. Has eyes for Glaucus and obtains a potion that will make him love her; instead receives a potion that will make him insane.
- Clodius, A spendthrift noble with a gambling problem. Becomes Julia's suitor after she loses interest in Glaucus.
Read more about this topic: The Last Days Of Pompeii
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