Atilus Cindras watched in terror as the invading Roman legions raped and murdered his mother and routed the proud Incini warriors. The young boy was taken to Rome as a slave and trained in the gruesome arts of the gladiators.

Fueled by his hatred for Rome, with fierce deadly skill Atilus won the coveted Rudis, the wooden sword of freedom.

But he wanted more from Rome than this. Courted by wealthy patricians who paid for his affections, befriended by the emperor Nero whose deranged carnal appetites were boundless, Atilus watched and waited, knowing he could never be free until he had extracted from Rome the blood price of the Incini Tribe...