A Body in the Bath House Falco at Fishbourne

Fishbourne Roman palace in Sussex is one of the most unusual buildings in Roman Britain. A huge palatial villa, built in the Mediterranean style, with luxurious mosaics, wall plaster and baths. What is unusual is that this was built within 60 years of the Roman conquest and was undoubtedly the residence of someone of high status and importance in the new Roman province. Suggestions have ranged between a local client King, the governor, or a wealthy merchant. Important visitors may have included local notables, imperial officials and military commanders.

A slightly lesser visitor during the AD 70’s was the private informer, Marcus Didius Falco, despatched on a mission form Rome by Anacrites the Chief Agent, to investigate corruption, political intrigue and a body in a bath!

Author Lindsey Davies has been writing about the adventures of Falco and his family in ancient Rome for some time and her tales have become a staple of historical fiction. This is your chance to not only see one of the UKs great archaeological sites in the company of the author and a specialist archaeologist, but also to listen to Lindsey speak on the task of creating one of Rome’s finest private eyes.