The Tyrant's Tomb

As a praetor of the Twelfth Legion, Frank Zhang functions as a deuteragonist whose arc culminates in a critical exploration of The Complexities of Sacrifice. As a round, dynamic character, Frank transforms from an insecure demigod into a decisive, self-sacrificing leader. Due to Hera’s curse, he carries a piece of firewood to which his life force has been magically tied, but he overcomes this hint of dire destiny by never hesitating to put himself to the hazard for the sake of the legion. His leadership is defined by a quiet strength and reflects The Burden of Leadership and Duty.

Frank’s defining moment is his confrontation with the emperors Commodus and Caligula. He is fully aware of the prophecy decreeing that his death by fire will be necessary to save the camp, so he makes a conscious choice to embrace his fate. When he challenges the emperors to “spolia optima,” or single combat, this strategic move forces them to engage in the fight on his terms. His act of courage is therefore a calculated sacrifice, as evidenced when he declares, “If I’m going to burn […] I might as well burn bright. This is for Jason” (357). In this way, he frames his impending death as both an act of vengeance and a fulfillment of his heroic duty. However, by choosing the moment and purpose of his end, he paradoxically seizes control of his own destiny and evades the demise that had been imposed upon him. Instead of dying, he emerges from the flames reborn, his life no longer tied to a fragile piece of wood. This outcome suggests that the ultimate act of heroism is having the courage to face death and thereby rewriting one’s own story. His return solidifies his status as a legendary hero of the legion, and he becomes a symbol of hope and resilience to his entire community.

Reyna, the senior praetor of Camp Jupiter, is a round, dynamic character whose journey examines the personal cost of leadership and critiques the difficult path to self-acceptance. Her arc is intrinsically linked to the themes of The Burden of Leadership and Duty. At the novel’s start, she is a weary, isolated leader who has grown exhausted from years of singlehandedly carrying the legion’s obligations. Her demeanor reveals a deep-seated fatigue and a greater yearning for a life beyond the demands of her office.

Her central conflict revolves around a prophecy from Venus that “no mortal or demigod will ever heal [her] heart” (233). This decree has left her feeling broken, and she resents being defined by others’ expectations that she must find a romantic partner in order to be whole. Her personal turning point comes when Apollo, in a moment of mortal awkwardness, offers to be her boyfriend. Instead of being moved, Reyna bursts into laughter and experiences a moment of catharsis that shatters the weight of the prophecy. She realizes that there is no need to chase external validation to find her most authentic self. As she states, “I don’t need a partner… at least, not until and unless I’m ready on my own terms” (406). With this epiphany, she frees herself from an unjust destiny and embraces her own agency. Her decision to resign as praetor and join the Hunters of Artemis stems directly from this realization. By joining the Hunters, she finds a community of sisters and a purpose that does not require her to carry the weight of leadership alone.

Hazel Levesque, a centurion of the Fifth Cohort and daughter of Pluto, serves as a key ally and represents the future of Roman leadership. Though her development is relatively static within this book, she is a round character who is defined by her quiet strength, fierce loyalty, and immense power. Her deep grief over Jason’s death and her protective love for Frank Zhang motivate many of her actions, grounding the larger conflict in personal stakes. She carries her duties with a maturity that belies her age, stepping up to lead the quest into Tarquin’s tomb and later taking command in the defense of New Rome.

As a daughter of the Underworld, Hazel’s connection to the earth and to death itself prove crucial to the narrative. She navigates the treacherous passages of Tarquin’s tomb and senses the presence of the undead, becoming an indispensable guide. Her ability to manipulate the ground, once a curse that she could not control, is now a power that she wields with precision, as when she collapses the throne room ceiling on Tarquin. This control signifies her growth and her new acceptance of her unique heritage. 

In the novel’s conclusion, Hazel’s promotion to praetor symbolizes a shift in leadership philosophy. Alongside Frank, she represents a more compassionate and collaborative approach to command, contrasting with Reyna’s more solitary, burdensome tenure. Hazel’s elevation confirms that she is a central pillar of the legion and is fully capable of guiding and rebuilding its ranks. Her new responsibility ties into The Burden of Leadership and Duty.

Meg McCaffrey, a 12-year-old daughter of Demeter, acts as Apollo’s master even as she proves to be a steadfast ally. A round character who has undergone significant development throughout the series, she is largely static in this novel, serving merely as a foil to Apollo and as a source of impulsive heroism. Her defining traits are her fierce loyalty and her deep connection to the natural world. This loyalty is most evident when she recklessly leaps into Tarquin’s throne room, hoping to kill the king and save Apollo from the deleterious effects of the ghoul’s scratch. She later explains her motivation with simple conviction, telling Apollo, “I don’t want to lose somebody else” (190). This statement reveals her fear of abandonment, which is rooted in the trauma of her father’s murder and in Jason’s recent death.

Meg’s identity as a child of Demeter provides her with unique and formidable abilities. She communicates with plants, senses the corruption in the soil near Tarquin’s tomb, and even grows a beanstalk to facilitate a quick escape from Sutro Tower. Her most creative contribution is the weaponization of the unicorns, whom she outfits with horn attachments resembling components from a Swiss Army knife. This act showcases her resourcefulness and her unconventional approach to conflict, and it is clear that her strength stems from her bond with the natural world. Despite her often abrasive and demanding demeanor, her actions are consistently driven by a desire to protect her friends and the environment.

Lavinia Asimov, a daughter of Terpsichore, is a quirky, rebellious legionnaire who develops into an unlikely hero. With her gangly appearance, nervous energy, and constant gum-chewing, she initially serves as comic relief, but she quickly proves to be highly competent, resourceful, and brave. Her knowledge of the secret paths around Camp Jupiter is essential to the battle against Tarquin and the emperors, and she does not hesitate to take charge during Apollo and Meg’s initial escape from the eurynomoi.

Lavinia’s most significant contribution is her secret mission to sabotage the Triumvirate’s fleet, for in this moment, she embraces her largely untapped skills as a strategic thinker who operates outside the conventional chain of command. By organizing the nature spirits and leading a successful amphibious assault on the emperors’ fleet of yachts, she accomplishes what an official legion commando team could not. This act of unconventional warfare makes her a hero in her own right and earns her the respect of the legion, culminating in her promotion to centurion of the Fifth Cohort. Her arc demonstrates that heroism can take many forms and that true leadership sometimes requires breaking the rules for the greater good.