Petronius
Petronius was a former proconsul in Bithynia, and when narrative took place, he was one of the favorites of the Emperor at the court. He was not a young man, but he was known for his handsomeness and bright mind among the Romans. They called him ‘arbiter elegantiarum’ [arbiter of elegance]. As for his views, his main entertainment was to devote himself to love and joyfulness. First he had a lover – Chrysothemis, but in some time he fell in love with one of his slaves – Eunice, who loved him long before. They were together until their death, when both of them decided to die at their own will than at the will of the Emperor.
Marcus Vinicius
Marcus Vinicius was Petronius’ nephew. The young man was serving then under Corbulo against the Parthians and when narrating took place, he had returned to the city. He was a very handsome and athletic man, “who knew how to preserve a certain aesthetic measure in his profligacy.” He was cruel, callous, and heartless in some ways, but having met Ligia he had changed greatly: he understood what love and lenity are, and he even accepted Christ into his heart.
Lygia
Lygia was the daughter of the king of Ligia, and she was a hostage in Rome. She was given to Aulus Plautius for tutelage, but he and his family attached to her so much, that she was like their daughter. The girl was highly ambrosial, everybody who had seen her, was admired with pure and perfect beauty both of her appearance and soul. She was a Christian, she loved God with all her heart, she was ready to suffer and die for him. First she hated Vinicius for his cruelty and savagery, but when he showed her all power of his love and adoration of her, she fell in love with him.
Aulus Plautius
Aulus Plautius was one of the supreme warlords in Rome, who made many successful campaigns and was known at the court. He had a wife, son and adopted daughter Lygia, and all of them were loved by him most of all. Petronius called him ‘pedant’, because he was not interested in carnal pleasures, but put prowess, Homeland and family values on the first place, while Petronius pursued more mundane goals in his life.
Nero
Nero is the Caesar of Rome, ‘Bronzebeard monkey’ as Petronius called him. And his appearance really warranted the name: he had carroty hair and beard and calvish face. He played a cittern and sang. Nobody liked his art, but none of them said him about this, they only praised him and his music and singing, pursuing their own goals. He was cruel to people, very vainglorious (this trait was strengthening with the help of people’s adoration of his person). These traits are seen most vividly when Nero commanded to burn Rome in order to compose a song on the background of people’s calamity. Though he was a ruler of a mighty empire, he was a coward: he obeyed Poppea, when she ordered him to kill his mother and brother, he was madly afraid of being dethroned, of being killed.
Acte
Acte was a former lover of Nero. Even after they broke up, she continued loving him. Except of her beauty, she was a very kind and gentle woman. After breaking up with Nero she didn’t want to revenge herself, she wasn’t even angry with him. Seeing it, Nero didn’t expel her from the court, even more – he gave her some part of the palace with servants in order she had no needs. She became best Lygia’s friend at the court, when Lygia was sent there by Nero.
