Marcellinus was deeply affected by the events described in the first chapter of The Breath. As one would expect from such trauma c experiences they had a lifelong impact. It is common for children who have experienced trauma to build walls of protec on from future harm and that is exactly what Marcellinus did. He also sought to build resilience and self-reliance as further ways of protec ng himself. Despite this, he did not become a hard man, impervious to sympathe c emo on and feeling for others; on the contrary he had a very tender side. No doubt this derived from a combina on of nature and nurture from both his parents and his grandparents who were significantly responsible for him a er the loss of his parents. His Jewish mother was the biggest influence on this side of his character and he felt deeply his responsibility to honour her memory, as reflected in his recollec ons of events later in life when he felt responsible for harm brought to Jewish people. As you read, I hope you will also sense his tenderness in a number of situa ons in which a Roman soldier might be expected to take a tougher stance. His father’s influence was more in terms of his faithful, commi ed allegiance to Rome and its gods, despite Marcellinus always having ques ons about their efficacy. These ques ons no doubt were par ally related to their inability to save him and his sister, Rosa, from the impact of the fate meted out on his parents. Did the gods really have any power? Did his prayers make the slightest difference? Such ques ons dogged Marcellinus throughout his life. As you read The Breath you might consider to what extent these ques ons remained for Marcellinus at the tail end of his life, having experienced yet further pain and sorrow. Did he find a place of contentment facing both joys and sorrows that helped him resolve such inner tensions and ques ons? Is that even possible, not just for Marcellinus, but for any one of us?