In ancient Egypt, Nakht records his experiences as his family moves from small town Esna to the big, exciting city of Memphis, where he studies to be a scribe like his father and helps discover who has been robbing graves. Includes nonfiction information about Egyptian culture.

Set in diary format, tells the story of Iliona, a Greek girl who is sold into slavery to a Roman senator and describes the daily life, war, entertainment, and government of Rome while hoping to be reunited with her brother.