The plot takes place in ancient
Rome, during the reign of
Caesar Nero.Vinicius - young, handsome and rich
member of roman Patriciate hasfound a new target for conquer. Her name is Ligya and he saw her in thehouse of his friends. Shortly it occured, that Ligia isn't just aslave, who is buyable, but she is a princess of barbarian tribe ofLigs, treated as a member of the family. In addition she has worshippedone God, beeing a member of a new sect of Christians, which becomespopular in lower strata of imperial society. Vinicius is asking hisfriend and distant cousin,
Petronius, for some
help and advice. He, whois the closest caesar's advisor, is known in the
city as an arbiter elegantiarum- an oracle in the matters of taste and fashion. This, what is approvedby him as elegant, tasteful, smart or fashionable, immediately becomesit in caesar's mind and broader circles of roman elite. Petronius isbored and cynical, but because of lack of other entertainment decidesto help his cousin - as an experienced dyplomate and women-expert - howto conquer unapproachable Ligya. Vinicius, while exploring the secretsof Christian beliefs, discovers totaly new world, which existence hehad never suspected before, nor he had needed it. It's not only theworld of slaves and beggers, who are just a stinky mob, but when hestart to knowing them better, they becomes the people - it's also theworld of the noble families, not interested in intriguing in thecaesar's palace, but just living their lives in peace. Vinicius fewtimes manages to get close to Ligya, and even to break first mistrustof her, but he has got used to command and to be respected. For him hteonly thing, that counts, is his own pleasure, so he constantly fails toreach her heart - that leads him to numerous madnesses and wrongdecissions. The background of all the story is the atmosphere of thecaesar's palace - the Palatin - with all the intrigues and personalwars and nodding with agreement to everything caesar says. That'sPetronius' natural enviroment. He is way more inteligent than the restof the retinue, and than cesar himself, who is described as a selfishfool. With the perfect combination of flatteries and critics Petroniusmanipulates caesar to secure his own interest, but also to hel hiscousin Vinicius. But the attitude of the city to the Christians isgetting worse - they are accused of poisoning the aqueducts, killingbabies and other crimes. Nero, looking for more excitement and applauseof the mob, orders to persecute the Christians. Ligya has to hide.Petronius' struggles become dangerous - an antagonist party in thepalace becomes stronger. Petronius himself is far from worshipping somejewish Carpenter, but he despices violence, and he knows that Viniciusslowly becomes Christian. It is because he wants to be closer to Ligya,but deeper in this idea he finds something, what was lacking in hisprevious life - the meaning. In the meantime the persecutions reachinsane level after the great fire, inspired by Nero, which destroyshalf of the city, and of course is believed to be an effect ofchristian revenge. On the arena of Circus Maximus everyday thousands ofpeople are dying. Ligya waits in the prison to be executed; in the sametime already babtised Vinicius with help of Ursus, Ligya's servant, istrying to organise some help. In spite of all the oppresion, SaintPeter, who was living and hiding among the Christians in Rome, decidesto move to another city to rebuild the Church. During his secretsneaking out of the city he meets Jesus Christ, who is going in theopposite direction - to the Rome. St Peter asks "Quo vadis, Domine" -"where are you going, Lord?", and Jesus answers - "I am going to Rome,because you are leaving it". Peter uderstands that his place is amongthe prisoners and frightend convicted people in the city - and returns.It doesn't matter if he will die or not. In the meantime Ligya andVinicus are getting married while she is still in the prison. She isrescued in the lasthe arena. Petronius, plays his gameagainst the rest of the court and losts, which means the deathsentence. With calm, typical for him, he organises the party, duringwhich he tells the ultimate critics of Nero and commits suicide.Vinicius and Ligya move from the city to the province. Nero after allthis is forced by his old allies and friends to kill himself.
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