A man of lowly birth.... A hero forged in the fires of battle. His destiny: to become the greatest emperor of Rome. The year 26 AD: 16-year-old Vespasian leaves his sheltered home. He wants to honour his family's name, join the army and serve Rome. But the greatest city in the world is in the iron grip of Seianus, commander of the Praetorian Guard. Blood young and inexperienced, Vespasian is drawn into Rome's politics and is forced to flee the city. He accepts a post as tribune in Thrace. There, rebellion is in the air - for there is no escape from the power struggle in Rome...