After realizing his mistake and how he must have insulted Helena, he returns to Vespasian and asks for the chance again, and while he is told that his name can be added to the equestrian lists, he must first raise the 400,000 sesterces himself in order to purchase the land of that value, which is the qualification for equestrian status. Vespasian came from an equestrian family that rose into the senatorial rank under the Julio–Claudian emperors, and although he fulfilled the standard succession of public offices, he had really made his name and earned his power in military service. Dejected, Falco returns to his dilapidated tenement in the Aventine Hill and there finds Helena waiting for him. She promises to wait for him for as long as it takes. Characters in The Silver Pigs In Regio XIII (The Aventine Sector) Lenia - A Laundress. Lucius Petronius Longus - Member of the Vigiles and friend of Falco. Marcia - Daughter of Falco's deceased brother, Festus. Marcus Didius Falco - Informer and Imperial Agent from the Aventine. Smaractus - Falco's Landlord. In Regio I (The Capena Gate Sector) Decimus Camillus Verus - Senator, father of Helena Justina. Gnaeus Atius Pertinax - Aedile, ex-husband of Helena Justina. Helena Justina - Daughter of the Senator Decimus Camillus Verus, aged 23 years. Lover of Falco. Julia Justa - Mother of Helena Justina. Naissa - Maid of Helena Justina Publius Camillus Meto - Younger brother of Camillus Verus, engaged in import/export trade. Sosia Camillina - Daughter of Meto, aged 16 years. At the Imperial Palace Domitian Caesar - Younger son of the Emperor. Titus Caesar - Elder son of the Emperor. Vespasian Augustus - Emperor of Rome. In other parts of Rome Astia - Drayman's floosie Glaucus - Gymnasium proprietor Julius Frontinus - Captain in the Praetorian Guard In Britain Aelia Camilla - Procurator's wife, younger sister of Camillus Verus and Publius. Cornix - Mine foreman. Gaius Flavius Hilaris - Imperial procurator Rufrius Vitalis - Ex-Centurion of the Second Augustan Legion, living in retirement at Isca Dumnoniorum. Simplex - Medical officer to the Second Augustan Legion at Glevum. T. Claudius Triferus - Holder of the contract to manage the Imperial silver mine at Vebiodunum. Major themes Investigation into possible treason involving the imperial silver mines. Developing relationship of Marcus Didius Falco and Helena Justina. The influence of family relationships and of wealth in political affairs Awards