In the Roman Empire no one is safe from betrayal: man, woman - or child.
As a boy, Nero's royal heritage becomes a threat to his life, and when faced with shocking acts of treachery, young Nero is dealt a harsh lesson: it is better to be cruel than dead.
While Nero idealizes the artistic and athletic principles of Greece, his survival rests on his ability to navigate the dangerous deceit that Rome is awash with. Most lethal of all is his own mother, Agrippina, whose only goal is to control the empire. Nero's determination to escape her grasp will shape him into the man he was fated to become - a legendary emperor.
'George's take on Nero is fascinating and convincing' The Times
'Margaret George has an incredible talent in that she can stand in the shoes of her protagonist and speak in his or her voice . . . This is a gripping read' Barbara Taylor Bradford