Niphetodes, a young patrician called Karoton because of his red hair, was a devout Christian in the city of Alexandria in the 4th Century A.D. While he admired martyrdom, Mature was stronger when he saw a pretty woman - and there were plenty to instruct him in the ways of love. But when the time came Karoton stoopd up to the fearsome Emperor Daja and for that heroic action he was exiled.

When her returned, Constantine was emperor and Christianity an established fact. But the quarrels among the Christian sects had intensified and Karoton was obliged to make a choice among them.

In his happier moments, Karoton turned to his good friend, Alexias: they shared the affections of the lovely Helena. Besides Helens, Alexias had a stable of beautiful boys. Alexias, a noted poet and strikingly handsome, kept a diary which relates, as nothing else could, the mixed temper of the times, culturally and morally.