The year 532. Justinian rules over the Eastern Roman Empire, his wife and most maleficent ally, Theodora, at his side. From his capital of Constantinople, he dreams of restoring the empire to the splendor of Ancient Rome in the time of the Caesars. But during the month of January, following an accident during a chariot race in the Hippodrome, Constantinople is set ablaze. Now everything hangs in the balance: the throne, the imperial couple, the empire... Maxentius, an animal trainer and the empress's assistant, has just a few hours to save centuries of history. A few hours during the Nika revolt, supposedly the bloodiest massacre in antiquity...

In the year 533, Emperor Justinian wished to rebuild Constantinople, Theodora wished to rebuild her reputation, and Maxentius wished to rebuild his life. Three people, three destinies, one story. At the same moment, the legendary city of Carthage is moving against the empire. Six hundred years after it was first destroyed by the Romans, Justinian proclaims: "We must destroy Carthage once more!"

The year 535. Maxentius and Ofellus travel to the imperial provinces. From Italy, the Gothic sect of the Black Swans is plotting the empire's downfall. Is the eternal war between the Romans and the barbarians about to be rekindled? Maxentius, Empress Theodora's spy, knows well that even thousands of leagues from Constantinople, her shadow looms, ready to shake up history...