The time of action is the first century AD. The place of action is the Roman province of Judea. In an era when the people await the coming of the messiah, a man appears who can fly: Simon Magus—a sorcerer, necromancer, outcast, illusionist. He, who commands ancient magic, is challenged by one of the local sects. Their founder, Yeshua, has been crucified as a common criminal, and their spiritual leader—Cephas, or Peter—refuses to lead. But he can do what Simon cannot, and the conflict of their worldviews reaches a dramatic resolution in Rome, at the court of Nero, laying the foundation for the future legend of Doctor Faustus…