The Accusers

The Accusers is a 2003 historical mystery crime novel by Lindsey Davis and the 15th book of the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries series. Set in Ancient Rome between Autumn AD 75 and Spring AD 76, the novel stars Marcus Didius Falco, informer and imperial agent. The title refers to the role of accusers in bringing the various cases to trial during the course of the story.

Plot summary

Fresh from his trip to Britannia, Marcus Didius Falco needs to re-establish himself back in Rome. A minor role in the trial of a senator entangles him in the machinations of two lawyers: Silus Italicus and Paccius Africanus, both ex-consuls with notorious reputations.
The senator is convicted, but then dies, apparently by suicide. Silius hires Falco and his young associates – Aelianus and Justinus – to prove that it was murder, not an attempt to protect his heirs from further legal action. However, probing this tangle of upper-class secrets leads to fresh prosecutions. Falco finds himself in the role of advocate, exposing himself to powerful elements in Roman law. If he offends the wrong people, it might lead to charges he has not bargained for and ruin his family financially.

Characters

Family and associates

Aulus Camillus Aelianus – Elder of Helena's brothersAlbia – British girl adopted by HelenaAnacrites – Chief SpyDecimus Camillus Verus – Father of HelenaGeminus – Father of Falco, AuctioneerGlaucus – Falco's trainerHelena Justina – Wife of Falco, eldest child, and only daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus VerusJulia Junilla and Sosia Favonia – Daughters of Falco and HelenaJulia Justa – Mother of HelenaJunia – Falco's sisterJunilla Tacita – Mother of FalcoLucius Petronius Longus – Friend of Falco and Vigiles OfficerMaia Favonia – Falco's widowed sisterMarcus Didius Falco – Informer and Imperial AgentQuintus Camillus Justinus – Youngest brother of HelenaScythax – Vigiles doctorVerontius – Falco's brother-in-law

From the legal world

Aufustius – BankerBiltis – Professional mournerBratta – InformerC. Paccius Africanus – LawyerCeladus – StewardClaudius Tiasus – Funeral directorEuboule – Wet-nurseEuphanes – HerbalistHonorius – LawyerJulius Alexander – Land agentMarponius – JudgeOlympia – Fortune tellerPerseus – Door porterProcreus – AccuserRhoemetalces – ApothecaryScorpus – Wills expertSpindex – Funeral clownTi Catius Silus Italicus – LawyerUrsulina Prisca – ClientZeuko – Daughter of Euboule

Major themes

The legal machinations of two lawyers.

Allusions/references to history

Set in Rome in AD 75 and 76, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian.
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome. The development of Roman law covers more than one thousand years from the law of the twelve tables to the Corpus Juris Civilis of Emperor Justinian I. Roman law as preserved in Justinian's codes became the basis of legal practice in the Byzantine Empire and—later—in continental Europe.

Release details

2003, UK, Century Hardback..
2004, UK, Arrow, Paperback..
2004, US, Mysterious Press, Hardback..