The setting is in Rome 64-68 AD. Onesimus is a runaway slave from Colosse.
The roar of the Romans could be heard at a great distance down the Tiber River. For thunderous was the applause, the stopping of feet of thousands of impatient spectators in the Arena.
Now Nero gave a sign, and an old man walked slowly to the iron gate amid silence and struck three times on the door. The iron gate creaked as it opened. What new way of slaughter of Christians had Nero thought of now.