Plot introduction

Set in Rome during August and September of AD 71, Venus in Copper stars Marcus Didius Falco

Marcus Didius Falco

Marcus Didius Falco is the central character and narrator in a series of novels by Lindsey Davis. Using the concepts of modern detective stories , Davis portrays the world of the Roman Empire under Vespasian...

, Informer and Imperial Agent.

Explanation of the novel's title

The title refers to a simple copper signet ring, with a portrait of Venus, worn by the suspect Severina Zotica.

Plot summary

The story begins in Rome

Rome

Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...

 during late spring, AD 71. Falco is in the Latumiae Prison, accused by Anacrites of having stolen imperial lead (Shadows in Bronze

Shadows in Bronze

-Plot introduction:Set in Rome during AD 71, Shadows in Bronze stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent.-Explanation of the novel's title:...

). Bailed out by his mother, Falco is heading across the city to visit Helena Justina when he is beaten up by his landlord's bullyboys for defaulting on his rent. When he finally arrives at the senator's house near the Capena Gate, he finds Helena in a reception room. Marcus decides to resume working as an independent, despite the fact that this means he is unlikely to be able to earn enough money to buy himself into a higher rank so that he can marry Helena.

Hyacinthus arrives at Falco's apartment in Fountain Court to inform him of possible clients. Falco agrees to visit the Hortensii, who live on the Pincian Hill. There, Sabina Pollia informs him that all of the Hortensii (Crepito, Felix, Novus and their wives) live together in the one house. Former slaves in the same household, they have now earned their freedom and set up in business together. Novus is the only one currently unwed and he is due to marry Severina Zotica. Sabina Pollia informs Falco that she believes Severina plans to murder Novus.

Falco investigates the claims. At the same time he also begins to hunt for a new apartment in which to live.

During the course of the investigation, Falco is once more arrested and imprisoned in the Latumiae. Two days later he is brought before Titus Caesar. Anacrites brings forth his charges regarded the lead. Falco is freed, provided he repays whatever is owed for the lead to the Emperor, and is asked to undertake more work for the Palace. He agrees to be available provided he is paid for previous missions that have already been completed. This is agreed to by Titus and he is invited to dinner. As a present, the Emperor's son promises him a turbot.

Returning to the house of the Hortensii, Falco discovers that Novus is dead on the privy after a banquet. He has been poisoned. Severina comes under suspicion. Falco continues to investigate, but can find no real lead. Sabina wants to pay him off and considers him a failure, when the news arrives that Viridovix, the Hortensii's gaulish cook, is also dead. He too had been poisoned.

The arrival of the turbot becomes the cause of an impromptu party amongst friends and family of the Didii. Helena arrives, complete with baggage with which to move in with Falco, only to discover that she had not been invited to the party. Distraught, she attempts to leave and is prevented by Falco. Then Titus and the Praetorians arrive to sample the fish. At the end of the party, Helena remains behind.

Continuing to investigate the Hortensii, Falco is beaten badly by thugs working for Appius Priscillus. He is finally helped to Petronius', who sends for Helena. Helena takes him home to their new apartment.

When he finally recovers, he continues to investigate. He returns from the Hortensii in time to see the apartment block in which they are living collapse. Believing Helena to be inside, Falco and others begin to dig. Helena arrives just as all hope seems lost. Falco discovers that the Hortensii had owned the apartment block and that Severina had poisoned Novus as revenge for being responsible for the shoddy building which collapsed on and killed her lover. She had also ordered the demolition of his apartment in an apparent attempt to kill Helena, but he is unable to prove anything.

Falco and Helena move back into Fountain Court.

Friends, enemies and family

• Marcus Didius Falco - Informer and Imperial Agent from the Aventine.
• Helena Justina - Daughter of the Senator
  Roman Senate
  The Senate of the Roman Republic was a political institution in the ancient Roman Republic, however, it was not an elected body, but one whose members were appointed by the consuls, and later by the censors. After a magistrate served his term in office, it usually was followed with automatic...
  
   Decimus Camillus Verus, and romantic interest of Falco.
• Lucius Petronius Longus - Member of the Vigiles and friend of Falco.
• Anacrites - Imperial spy.
• Asiacus - Gladiator and bullyboy for Smaractus
• Decimus Camillus Verus - Senatorial father of Helena Justina.
• Famia - Horse doctor and brother-in-law of Falco, married to Maia.
• Gaius Baebius - Brother-in-law of Falco, married to Junia.
• Geminus - Auctioneer.
• Julia Justa - Mother of Helena Justina.
• Junia - Sister of Falco
• Lenia - A Laundress.
• Maia - Sister of Falco
• Rodan - Gladiator and bullyboy for Smaractus
• Smaractus - Falco's Landlord.
• Titus Caesar - Eldest son of the Emperor.
• Vespasian Augustus - Emperor of Rome.

Suspects and witnesses

• Anthea - Skivvy
• Appius Priscillus - Property mogul
• Cossus - A letting agent
• Hortensia Atila - Freedwoman and wife of Crepito
• Hortensius Crepito - Freedman and business partner of Novus
• Hortensius Felix - Freedman and business partner of Novus
• Hortensius Novus - A freedman, betrothed to Severina.
• Hyacinthus - Employed by the Hortensii
• Lusius - Praetor's clerk
• Minnius - Cake-seller
• Sabina Pollia - Freedwoman and wife of Felix
• Scaurus - Mason
• Severina Zotica - Suspect 'professional bride' with three deceased husbands.
• Thalia - Exotic dancer and snake charmer
• Tyche - Fortune-teller
• Viridovix - Gallic chef

Death toll

• Hortensius Novus - Found dead on the privy after being poisoned.
• Viridovix - Poisoned
• Cossus - Crucified by the crowd

Major themes

• Falco is employed by the Hortensii to investigate Severina Zotica.
• Developing relationship of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina.

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

• Set in Rome in AD 71, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian
  Vespasian
  Vespasian , was Roman Emperor from 69 AD to 79 AD. Vespasian was the founder of the Flavian dynasty, which ruled the Empire for a quarter century. Vespasian was descended from a family of equestrians, who rose into the senatorial rank under the Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
  
  .

Film, TV, radio or theatrical adaptations

• BBC World: Radio 4 starring Anton Lesser
  Anton Lesser
  Anton Lesser is a British actor. He attended Moseley Grammar School and the University of Liverpool before going to RADA in 1977 where he was awarded the Bancroft Gold Medal as the most promising actor of his year....
  
   as Falco and Anna Madeley
  Anna Madeley
  Anna Madeley is a British actress. She has been described by the British Theatre Guide's Philip Fisher as one of the United Kingdom's "brightest and most versatile young actresses".-Biography:...
  
   as Helena, with Tracey Wiles
  Tracey Wiles
  Tracey Wiles is a Scottish actor, most notable for radio appearances such as High Table, Lower Orders and the radio adaptation of Venus in Copper.-Sources:...
  
   as Severina

Release details

• 1991, UK, Hutchinson, Hardback
• 1992, UK, Arrow, ISBN 0-09-983170-8, Paperback
• 1993, US, Crown/Ballantine, ISBN 0-345-37390-1
• 1999, UK, Arrow, ISBN 0-7126-8018-7, Paperback (as part of single-volume Omnibus, Falco on his Metal, with The Iron Hand of Mars
  The Iron Hand of Mars
  -Plot introduction:Set in Rome and Germania during AD 71, The Iron Hand of Mars stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fourth in her Falco series.-Explanation of the novel's title:...
  
   and Poseidon's Gold
  Poseidon's Gold
  - Plot introduction :Set in Rome during AD 72, Poseidon's Gold stars Marcus Didius Falco, Informer and Imperial Agent. It is the fifth in her Falco series.- Explanation of the novel's title :...
  
  .)
• 2000, UK, Isis Audio, ISBN 0-7531-0688-4 (read by Christopher Scott)

Sources, references, external links, quotations

Author's Official Website