Mark of the Thief

Radulf not only exemplifies the promise of Rome that Felix mentions to Nic, but also embodies its worst qualities. Regarding the former, Radulf shows how an enslaved person from a conquered land can rise within Rome’s social ranks. Using his prowess in the arena, Radulf became an undefeated gladiator whose victories endeared him to the people, and he used this influence to become both free and powerful. However, Radulf’s cruelty and lust for power also exemplify the worst side of the Roman Empire—exploitation, brutality, and power at any cost.

On this level, Radulf is a traditional villain whose relentless desire for revenge against the empire corrupts him and destroys his relationship with his family. At the same time, the novel has established that people’s experiences shape their self-perception and reactions. Radulf’s tragic backstory includes the conquest of his land by Rome, the loss of his family, the enslavement he endured for years, and the risks he took in the games as a gladiator. As a result, he is a villain with whom the audience can empathize. Opposing Nic throughout the novel highlights the two characters’ similarities as well as their differences: The two have similar backgrounds and trajectories, and yet the way they physically and mentally respond to hardship drastically differs. Unlike Nic, Radulf’s desire for power greatly outweighs his desire for justice. Still, the narrative door remains open for more of Radulf’s story to unfold—for him to experience growth or to remain a static villain.

Like Nic, Aurelia is a round character with complex motivations who struggles to do the right thing even when it means not achieving her own goals. When she first enters the narrative, she is antagonistic with Nic. Felix sets her as his guard and warns her that Nic might be dangerous, which sets the tone of their relationship. She keeps her distance and is quick to judge him. Privately, she has her own agenda to reunite with the father who abandoned her—the high-ranking Horatio—and discovering Nic wounded and vulnerable in the sewers under Rome offers an opportunity to enter Horatio’s orbit. She claims to want the reward money, but her true motive is proximity to her father.

As she later tells Nic, however, Aurelia cares about more than just improving her own station in life. When Nic meets her in the sewers, he discovers that she is sheltering children vulnerable to enslavement, and she later becomes a mentor for Nic. Through his conversations with her, Nic gains in skill and confidence. It is Aurelia who discovers the connection between the bulla’s power and the goddess Diana, and it is Aurelia who urges Nic to see himself as more than his circumstances. When Nic is trapped in the arena, Aurelia comes to his aid and stands beside him. Though they are separated at the end of the narrative, she has proven herself his friend and champion through the choices she makes when the risk to her is greatest.