At the trial of Christ, Theophilus, brilliant young assessor raised in the Roman<br><br>aristocracy, stands behind Pontius Pilate and whispers, "Offer to release<br><br>Barabbas." The strategy backfires, and Theophilus never forgets the sight of<br><br>an innocent man unjustly suffering the worst of all possible deaths-Roman<br><br>crucifixion. Three decades later, Theophilus has proven himself in the legal<br><br>ranks of the Roman Empire. He has survived the insane rule of Caligula and<br><br>has weathered the cruel tyrant's quest to control the woman he loves. He has<br><br>endured the mindless violence of the gladiator games and the backstabbing<br><br>intrigue of the treason trials. Now he must face another evil Caesar, defending<br><br>the man Paul in Nero's deranged court. Can Theophilus mount a defense that<br><br>will keep another innocent man from execution? The advocate's first trial altered<br><br>the course of history. His last will change the fate of an empire.
