Agathon, a 14-year-old boy who lives in ancient Greece, is captured by pirates and sold into slavery. He becomes tutor to Octavio, the son of his new Roman master. Poor Agathon misses his family and longs to go home. Then, Mount Vesuvius erupts – the perfect oppotunity for him to escape. But how can he leave Octavio in all the chaos? Will Agathon give up his ticket to freedom?