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Hi all: I'm into my second novel (I just signed a contract for my first one!!) and my heroine has to travel the Via Appia in the spring (by land) to cross at Brundisium and travel the Egnatian Way to Constantinople. She is accompanied by her husband, friends and servants. Their first stop is Aricia (like Horace) and from what I've read in Casson's Travel in the Ancient World, they most likely would stay with friends or some friend of a friend, camp in high style or stay in a Mansio (roadhouse inn) or a better classed establishment (hospitium). I plan on the first stop to be an hospitium (for intrigue in the plot reasons), then from then on stay with friends and once they cross at Brindisi to camp. Question: She is a senator's daughter can her way be prepared by servants and she discreetly retire immediately to her room and take her meals in her chamber? (This will allow her husband to go to the dining room and be involved in a bit of intrigue, not to mention the respite for the traveling party and some other stuff.) Would this be plausible even if not likely? Should I use the word hospitium or mansio? Question 2: I've been trying to find the name of a mid 5th century Roman senator who might host them (a friend of her father's), or would a local magistrate do? Her father's name is fictitious, but I was hoping to use a real senator as the friend. Any opinions or suggestions as always are welcome. I definitely found UNRV as an excellent source for book 1. Thank you all. Cinzia