Part 2: The End of the Gods. Flavius Pictor has survived the attempt on his life with a great deal of luck, but his informant, from whom he had expected much, is dead.The murder of the state priests continues unabated and despite all his efforts, Flavius once again seems to be treading water. Then finally, almost unexpectedly, Flavius and his wife Lucia find the solution. Too late, it seems, because for the city Romans of old faith, the perpetrators are clearly the Christians. Behind it all must be Ambrosius, the scheming Bishop of Milan and the Pope himself, Damasus. After all that has happened, the Romans do not want to give up the old gods that easily and set about storming the papal palace, the Lateran. A last, senseless rebellion against the future, a last smile of the gods...