lararium: part of a Roman dwelling. The lararium was a special room reserved for domestic gods.
Liebchen: German for sweetheart or darling
loculi: individual burial cells in a crypt
Ludi (pl.): refers to the Roman games: “Ludi Megalenses”
ludus (pl. ludi): school/prison where gladiators were trained
mandragora: mandrake. A Mediterranean herb of the nightshade family used to promote conception, as a cathartic, or as a narcotic and soporific.
mensor (pl. mensores): a shipyard worker who weighed cargo, then recorded the weight in a ledger
palus: a cloaklike garment worn by Roman women over a stola
peculium: an allotment of money given to slaves by their owner. Slaves could treat a peculium as their own personal property, but under certain circumstances their owner could take it back.
peristyle: a section of a Roman dwelling (often a secondary section) that enclosed a courtyard and was surrounded by columns on the inside. Often located in the peristyle were the bedrooms of the family, the domestic shrine (lararium), the hearth and kitchen, the dining room (triclinium), and the library (bibliotheca). In wealthier homes, the courtyard in the peristyle became a garden.
pollice verso: at the Roman games this was the signal of approval to kill. It was usually a “thumbs-down” sign.
praetor: a Roman magistrate that ranked below consul and whose role was chiefly judicial in nature
Praetorian Guards: Roman imperial bodyguards
proconsul: a governor or military commander of a Roman province; answered to the Senate
quadrans (pl. quadrantes): a bronze Roman coin. It took four of them to equal a copper coin, sixteen to equal a sesterce, and sixty-four to equal a denarius.
rundling: homesteads grouped in a ring, surrounding a center space
sacrarii: shipyard workers who carried cargo from wagons and dropped it onto a scale
scimitar: a saber (sword) made of a curved blade with the cutting edge on the convex side.
sesterce: a Roman coin, worth one-fourth of a denarius
spatha: a long, broad sword
statio (pl. stationes): a stopping place along roads where horses could be changed for hire and where garrisons of soldiers who patrolled the roads were stationed. Generally there were stationes every ten miles along the roads.
stola: a long, skirtlike garment worn by Roman women
stuppator: a shipyard worker who balanced on scaffolding to caulk ships when they docked
tepidarium: the room in the baths where the water was warm and soothing
Tiwaz: the war god of the Germanic tribes (Chatti, Bructeri, Batavi). Tiwaz was symbolized by the head of a goat
toga: the characteristic outer garment worn by Romans (although its use was slowly abandoned). It was a loose, oval-shaped piece of cloth worn draped about the shoulders and arms. The color and pattern of a toga were rigidly prescribed—politicians, persons in mourning, men, and boys each had a different toga that was to be worn. Boys wore a purple-rimmed toga, but when they came of age, they were allowed to wear the toga virilis, or man’s toga, which was plain.
triclinium: the dining room of a Roman dwelling. The triclinium was often very ornate, having many columns and a collection of statues.
Way, the: a term used in the Bible (the book of Acts) to refer to Christianity. Christians probably would have called themselves “followers of the Way.”
Discussion Guide
Dear Reader,
We hope you enjoyed this story and its many characters by Francine Rivers. It is the author’s desire to whet your appetite for God’s Word and His ways—to apply His principles to your life. The following character study is designed for just that! There are four sections of discussion questions for each of the four main characters:
• Character Review—gets the discussion going
• Digging Deeper—gets into the character
• Personal Insights/Challenges—gets you thinking
• Searching the Scriptures—gets you into God’s Word
When writing this story, Francine had a key Bible verse in mind: “Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight” (James 1:19-20). Notice the order: First, listen—and be quick about it. Speech is to come slowly, after listening; that is, after getting all the facts. Anger is—or should be—an afterthought. How often do we reverse the order? With this in mind, let me encourage you to get together with some friends and discuss your favorite scenes, characters, and personal insights from this novel. May your insights never end.
PEGGY LYNCH
HADASSAH
CHARACTER REVIEW
1. Discuss how Hadassah was perceived by those in the arena prison. How did Atretes see her?
2. Examine Hadassah’s role in Atretes’ life.
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Recount the information and advice Hadassah gave Atretes. How effective or persuasive was she?
2. What do you think made this conversation with Atretes so intense for Hadassah?
3. In what ways have you been persuasive or effective in intense situations?
PERSONAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES
1. In your opinion, what stands out the most about Hadassah?
2. Do you think Hadassah’s sense of peace was realistic? How does your own sense of peace measure up?
3. “Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight” (James 1:19-20). Describe how Hadassah exemplifies this passage of Scripture.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
As you recall Hadassah’s patience and courage, look up the following Bible verses. They may give insight to the source of her effective life and challenge you as well.
COLOSSIANS 4:5-6
1 PETER 4:12-13
PSALM 27:14
ATRETES
CHARACTER REVIEW
1. Select a moving or disturbing scene with Atretes and share any memorable insights.
2. Discuss Atretes’ relationship with Rizpah. How did it change?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Recount the plans Atretes had for his son. In what ways did God change those plans?
2. In changing Atretes’ plans, how did God change Atretes?
PERSONAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES
1. In what ways do you identify with Atretes? How are you different?
2. What do you think was Atretes’ central conflict?
3. “Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight” (James 1:19-20). What lessons did Atretes learn along these lines?
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
As you examine Atretes’ life, look up the following Bible verses. Consider what insights might have led to the changes in his life and may do the same for you.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city. PROVERBS 16:9, 32
Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 1 PETER 3:8
When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.
JAMES 4:10
RIZPAH
CHARACTER REVIEW
1. Discuss your favorite scene with Rizpah. What draws you into it?
2. Compare Rizpah’s faith with Hadassah’s.
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Describe Rizpah’s head versus heart conflict.
2. In what ways did Rizpah’s past affect her ability to trust God? How did she change?
3. What interferes with your ability to trust God?
PERSONAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES
1. In what ways are you like Rizpah? How are you different?
2. Do you thi
nk Rizpah’s relationship with God was realistic? Explain.
3. “Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight” (James 1:19-20). What happened with Rizpah’s anger? And your own?
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
As you think about Rizpah and the choices she made as she struggled with her faith in God, try reading the following Bible verses. They may reveal her challenges and victories and provide insights for you as well.
For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. GALATIANS 5:13
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. PROVERBS 15:1
So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. EPHESIANS 5:15
THEOPHILUS
CHARACTER REVIEW
1. Choose a memorable scene with Theophilus and discuss what makes it unforgettable.
2. Compare Theophilus’ relationship with Rizpah to his relationship with Atretes. What differences do you find?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Describe Theophilus’ reputation.
2. In what ways did Theophilus share his faith in God? Was he effective? What would you like to learn from his example?
3. How would others describe your reputation?
PERSONAL INSIGHTS/CHALLENGES
1. How are you like Theophilus? In what ways are you different?
2. Consider Theophilus’ wisdom and counsel. How does your own wisdom and counsel compare?
3. “Dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight” (James 1:19-20). Discuss how Theophilus understood the principles in this verse.
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
As you ponder Theophilus’ life and reputation, read the following Bible verses. They may reveal his motivations and challenge you as well.
EPHESIANS 5:19
COLOSSIANS 3:16
PHILIPPIANS 1:12
GALATIANS 6:4-5
Francine Rivers, As Sure as the Dawn
(Series: Mark of the Lion # 3)
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