Dear lovers of books,

I am ecstatic that you have chosen to spend your valuable time to read Powers of Death. I trust these questions will generate stimulating dialogue, exciting discoveries, thoughtful analysis, and most importantly, fun and enjoyment with your friends and fellow readers.

Powers of Death combines two passions, my love of mystery novels and my non-stop questioning in Bible study. Some of the characters and subplots were inspired while listening to sermons, digging up fascinating research facts, immersing myself in Turkey travel sites and videos, and crafting “What if…” scenarios.

I hope your venture into ancient Ephesus delights you with captivating characters who live, love, and die in that distant and exotic place and time.

I hope you enjoy this Powers of Death book club kit — Blessings, Liisa

Sabinus Family

Sabina – widowed daughter and sleuth

Quintus Catius Sabinus – Sabina’s father Roman magistrate titled Eirenarch, Guardian of the Peace.

Amisi – Sabina’s childhood nurse

Zarmig – Father’s bodyguard

Felix – family slave

Tiro – Father’s spy at the baths

Korinna – Sabina’s deceased mother

Chloe’s family

Chloe – murdered woman, childhood friend of Sabina – 29 years old at death

Manius – Chloe’s husband, dead 5 months

Olympia – mother of Chloe, friend of Korinna

Basil – deceased father of Chloe, served under Sabina’s father, Catius

Bernice – Married sister with twin boys

Dexter – Husband of Bernice

Junia – Chloe’s maid

Fry – Dexter’s slave

Sabina’s church family

Apollos – Bishop of the local church

Apostle John – disciple of Jesus

Portia – friend of Sabina

Other Characters

Domitian – Emperor of the Roman Empire

Flavia Domitilla the Younger – Domitian’s niece

Governor Sextus Carminius Vetus – new governor of Asia Minor, resides in Ephesus

Roxane – Governor’s wife

Nicolaus – man who arrived from Rome

Phineus the Elder and Phineus the Younger – identical twin brothers and supporters of Domitian

Echo – Sabina’s childhood acquaintance and dinner party hostess

Cornelius Rufus – Echo’s husband and powerful magistrate (Asiarch) in Ephesus

Flavius Fortunus – Magistrate of religious affairs and Dexter’s uncle

Yechiel ben Jonah – Jewish architect Sabina saved from prosecution in book 2

Marcus Egnatius – Sabina’s suitor, asked her to marry him in book 1

Adonai – Hebrew word meaning Lord.

aediles – Roman magistrates responsible for public buildings, festivals, and city maintenance.

agora – A public open space used for assemblies and markets in Greek cities.

alchemy – A system of mystical beliefs and practices involving transformation, magic, and early chemistry; often recorded in books of spells.

amphora – A tall, two-handled jar used for storing wine, oil, and grain.

Asiarchs – Wealthy and influential officials responsible for overseeing religious and civic events in Asia Minor.

atrium – Central court of a Roman house, often open to the sky, with rooms opening off it.

augers – Priests who interpreted the will of the gods by observing the flight of birds and natural signs.

basilica – Large public building used for legal proceedings, business, and civic gatherings.

caldarium – A very hot, steamy room in Roman baths, heated by an underfloor hypocaust system.

Cerebrum non habet – Latin phrase meaning “He has no brain.”

client – A person who depended on a wealthy patron for protection and financial support.

daemon – A supernatural being between gods and humans; not necessarily evil.

damnatio memoriae – Official decree to erase all memory and records of a disgraced person.

denarius – Roman silver coin; roughly equivalent to a laborer’s daily wage.

Elysian paradise – Mythical resting place of heroes and the blessed after death.

equestrian – Member of the second-highest Roman social class, just below senators.

fasces – Bundle of rods with an axe, symbolizing Roman authority and justice.

garum – Popular Roman condiment made from fermented fish entrails.

impluvium – Shallow indoor pool beneath an open roof to collect rainwater.

Isthmian Games (Isthmia) – Major Panhellenic athletic games honoring Poseidon, held near Corinth.

lararium – Household altar for worship of family gods.

Lares – Guardian gods of home, family, and crossroads.

latrones (Ludus Latrunculorum) – Roman strategy board game similar to chess, meaning “game of brigands.”

litter – Chair or bed carried by servants to transport wealthy individuals.

mantle – Loose sleeveless cloak or shawl.

manumission – Legal act of freeing a slave.

mulsum – Wine sweetened with honey.

paterfamilias – Male head of a Roman household with legal authority over family members.

patrician – Member of the noble aristocratic class in Rome.

Pax Romana – Period of peace and stability in the Roman Empire (27 BC–AD 180).

Penates – Household gods who protected food supplies and family prosperity.

peristyle – A garden or courtyard enclosed by a colonnaded portico, especially in Greek and Roman villas.

plebian – Common citizen of Rome.

popinae – Low-class taverns serving wine and simple food; often associated with gambling and crime.

Principate – Early Roman imperial system under emperors, beginning with Augustus.

pulse – Basic Roman grain porridge eaten especially by soldiers.

Salutem! / Ad salutem! – Drinking toast meaning “To health!”

Salve! / Salvete! – Latin greetings meaning “Hello!” (singular / plural).

Sebastoi Temple – Imperial cult temple in Ephesus honoring Roman emperors, dedicated in AD 89–90.

semis, sestertius – Roman bronze coins.

stela (stele) – Upright carved stone slab used as a monument or grave marker.

stola – Traditional Roman garment worn by married women.

terrace houses – Multi-level luxury homes built into hillsides, especially in Ephesus.

tessera (tesserae) – Small square tiles used to create mosaics.

toga – Formal outer garment worn by Roman male citizens.

triclinium – Formal Roman dining room with three couches arranged around a central table.

tunic – Basic sleeveless garment worn by men and women.

Yahweh – The sacred covenant name of the God of Israel, considered too holy to pronounce by observant Jews.

Yeshua – Hebrew name for Jesus.