In first century Rome, in the turmoil after a rumor circulates that mad Emperor "Littleboots" is dead, young Marcus brings home a horse that the emperor had proclaimed a consul and his family decides they must treat it as an honored guest.

Traveling through Europe with his parents and two younger brothers, eighth-grader Lucas misses his home in Austin, Texas, and is doing poorly in his remote schooling until an odd-looking coin thrown in the Trevi Fountain transports Lucas back to ancient Rome.

Twelve-year-old Julia knows that her physical deformity will keep her from a normal life, but counts on the continuing friendship of her life-long slave, Mitka, until they learn that both of their futures in first-century Pompeii are about to change for the worse.