The Gospel of Lucre

Palestine

Jerusalem

Capitol city of Judea. Location of the temple. Home of Herod Antipas.

Galilee

Region of Palestine which includes Nazareth and Capernaum.

Caesarea Maritima

Rome's provincial administrative center. Home of Pontius Pilate.

Niko

Caravan master and con man who plans the greatest scam of his life.

Mary of Magdala

Exiled Vestal Virgin and reformed harlot. Niko's lover.

Jesus of Nazareth

Former carpenter suffering from a tragic head injury.

Saul of Tarsus

Defender of the Law, intent on persecution of apostates.

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THE STORY

The Roman province of Palestine was a nexus for all trade routes as goods passed through to the empire. The natives chafed under the yoke of the occupiers. They longed for someone to deliver them from subservience.

Enter Nikolaos, a caravan master, who has been from Iberia to the Orient, crossed mountains, deserts, rivers, and seas. He is a clever man, gifted with languages, naturally inquisitive, a convincing liar, and prone to larceny.

This time passing through Palestine, his dear older brother is killed by bandits. Disconsolate, Niko vows to quit the caravansary, but he recognizes an opportunity in Judea where a madman prophet proclaims that a redeemer is at hand. Using his unique talents, and aided by a small band of co-conspirators, Niko aims to fill the role of the prophesied messiah.