Pompeii: A Novel

In what ways does the death of Attilius's wife and child shape his view of the world?

Ampliatus is a former slave turned powerful and wealthy man. What does his origins and rise to success say about social hierarchies in Rome, and Roman society more generally?

Many of the characters in Pompeii reference the idea of Roman identity. What are the features of this Roman identity? In what ways do the characters succeed or fail in living up to it?