Marcus

At twelve, Marcus fled the classroom for the freedom of the sea, where early voyages taught him to handle both storms at sea and brawls in foreign ports, hardening his born leadership instincts.

He became a formidable commander of ships and men, and his seafaring experience and sharp instincts served him well when his father encouraged him into the Roman legions. His natural ability to command respect quickly elevated him to centurion, where a daring rescue of an important official earned him an official discharge so that he could join the family business.

When his father’s early death thrust the family import-export business into his hands, Marcus proved himself a shrewd merchant with an instinct for profitable opportunities. His combination of military discipline, seafaring knowledge, and business acumen made him the wealthiest man in the settlement. He owns the docks, warehouses, and vast stretches of arable land surrounding his magnificent villa.

Marcus balances the refined world of Roman society with the rough practicalities of trade and farming. His greatest joy is his daughter Aurelia, whose spirit and intelligence delight him daily. Since Claudia withdrew emotionally after Elly’s difficult birth, Marcus has shouldered both parental roles, becoming fiercely protective yet ultimately wise enough to recognise when to let his headstrong daughter choose her own path.

Trading is now his obsession, his shrewd merchant’s eye rarely misses a good investment or a man’s true character. When Nico arrives with stories of Mediterranean trade routes and a fortune in gold, Marcus sees both opportunity and integrity. Though initially sceptical of any suitor for his beloved daughter, his respect for Nico’s courage, wisdom, and obvious devotion to Elly gradually transforms wariness into genuine friendship.