Mark of the Thief

Research Roman sumptuary laws. What was the intended purpose of these laws, and how are they reflected in the novel? How does Mark of the Thief borrow the idea to explore the pursuit of freedom in body and mind?

What does the phrase “bread and circuses” mean in the context of the novel? How does it relate to the pursuit of freedom, especially of mind, and why is this important?

Felix tells Nic that before he can understand Rome, he must understand that it is “a product of our history of violence, betrayal, and blood” (80). Select three characters from the novel and explain how each of them relates to Felix’s assessment of Rome.

What does the Divine Star symbolize in the novel? How do the different characters react to it? Select three examples from the text and discuss the overall significance of the mark.

Explore the relationship between Aurelia and Nic. How does their friendship progress over time, and why? How does their relationship change each of them, and what does it reveal about them?

Radulf tells Nic that he “will always be weaker” than him because Radulf is willing to sacrifice anyone for the bulla (236). What does this statement say about Radulf’s character? What does the final chapter of the novel suggest about power?

Choose a Roman foundation myth to research. How does this selected myth align and/or diverge from Nic’s hero’s journey?

Toward the end of the novel, Nic asserts that he refuses to accept any master, including the bulla. How do the events of Chapter 1 and beyond bring him to this point?