Lucius Decius Verus is the son of a Roman officer, Marcus Decius Verus, and his wife Camilla. They live in the north of England when that country is ruled by Rome about 120 AD. When he is three months old the couple, while driving through a wild storm, negligently lose the child from their cart. Lucius is found by a local woman, Mora, who decides to keep him, and she names the baby Corio. Mora's husband, Vero, resents having a Roman child to raise and fears they will be discovered, and the couple begin to grow apart. Finally, when Corio is three years old Mora is murdered by her husband. Mora's friend Liva then takes over the responsibilities of raising Corio. The boy grows up with his adopted parents, learning to farm while interacting with some of the Roman population, learning some Latin in the process. When Corio is fourteen Marcus's mother Virginia comes to stay with her son. While she is visiting a friend, Natalia, she sees the boy there and is startled by his likeness to her son Marcus. She prompts an investigation into past events from which the truth will eventually surfa