Main Characters

Macky is an average fourteen-year-old. He’s bright, funny, sometimes hot-headed and courageous, sometimes confused – in fact not that different from most teenagers today.

But there’s more to Macky, much more. Like his father, Samuel, Macky believes in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. If the Romans ever found out about Macky’s beliefs they would punish him, so he has to keep them a secret. But Macky refuses to give in to the Romans. He dreams of freedom for all those harmed by Roman laws, and he’s always taking part in adventures, daring rescues and secret missions, all designed to get his fellow rebels out of trouble. Above all, Macky is an idealist.

Macky knows the streets and alleyways of Alexandria, Jerusalem and Rome like the back of his hand; he is a daring horseman, agile, athletic and resourceful – a great friend in any escapade.

Does he hate the Romans? He knows he shouldn’t, but he’s a teenager, and he can’t help it. But as he shares the stories of his people’s heroes with family and friends, Macky travels the most important journey of all through Friends and Heroes – the journey of life.

Portia is 14 years old – the same age as Macky, but her life has been very different from his. As a member of a rich Roman family, she’s always had the best of everything – education, clothes, food, and culture.

Until she meets Macky, she doesn’t give much thought to the advantages she’s had; they’re simply what she would expect as a Roman. She has certainly never thought that the Romans were wrong to invade other peoples’ land and try to get them to believe the same things that they do.

Portia’s father is a senior Roman army commander, but he’s far away with his troops, and she lives with her uncle Tiberius, who is the powerful Governor of Alexandria (the setting for Series One). Her uncle is no substitute for a caring father and Portia misses him – though she would never admit it. As a Roman, she’s expected to be strong, and to cope with all that life has to throw at her.

Meeting Macky and his family, Portia begins to get a sense of what she is missing. She finds herself drawn to them, especially Macky.

There are enormous obstacles: class, religion, money (and the lack of it) – not to mention Macky’s dangerous involvement in activities which he hopes will set his people free from Roman rule – activities which the Romans would punish severely if they ever found out. But Portia starts to see her fellow Romans through Macky’s eyes, and that, combined with the wonderful stories he tells her, begins to change her. She starts to use her own strength of character to help others, and in the course of thirty-nine episodes, we’ll see her change from spoiled child to gracious young adult.

Macky’s wayward, feathered friend, Pontius is an African Grey Parrot with a giant appetite for food – “Starvin’ here!” is one of his usual phrases.

When Macky needs him, Pontius can usually be relied on to turn up and help. But most of the time the parrot comes and goes as he pleases; now you see him, now you don’t. Pontius is not popular with Roman soldiers and often succeeds in annoying Macky’s parents too, when his unusual words and expressions and brilliant impersonations are the source of laughter and chaos.

Tiberius, Portia’s Uncle, is the Roman Governor of the Egyptian city of Alexandria. A skilled politician, Tiberius carries out his duties with cold, ruthless efficiency, whether it’s collecting taxes, putting down rebellions or capturing rebels on the run.

Tiberius’s coldness carries over into his relationship with Portia. Though he is her guardian, he shows little interest in her or her friends. As a result, Portia drifts away from him – and all things Roman.

At the end of Series One, Tiberius’s evil and sneaky methods pay off and he is given a prize assignment: helping to lead the siege of Jerusalem. After Jerusalem falls, Tiberius takes yet another step up the ladder – a job as prefect in Rome.

A vain man, Tiberius is seldom without his precious hand mirror.

Tobias might be Tiberius’s only mistake. Hired to be Tiberius’s deputy, Tobias is completely corrupt. He’s only interested in doing things that will help himself, but he’s as incompetent as he is greedy. He’s also a bit of a flatterer, hence his nickname, TOADIE.

Tobias is always scheming, but his gigantic sense of self-importance often blinds him to what is going on around him. Tiberius takes Tobias with him to Jerusalem and later, Tobias pops up in Rome, this time as a free agent, willing to betray anyone for a price. He is one of Macky’s biggest enemies.

Since Tobias won’t trust anyone smarter than he is, it’s no surprise that his own deputy is the incredibly strong… but also incredibly slow-witted Brutacus.

Too stupid to be corrupt on his own, Brutacus does whatever Tobias says, without question.

But is Brutacus really as stupid as he seems?