2032 CE, Vienna, Austria: An American history professor and four graduate students arrive, amid worsening rumors of war, to participate in a project to use new methods to date Roman artifacts.

But they have been deceived, and find out that the new equipment is in fact a time machine

165 CE, near Vindobona, Pannonia Superior province, Roman Empire: Five strangers suddenly appear in a meadow, with about a ton of luggage, including coins, precious stones, books, and many kinds of seeds and equipment.

To survive and prosper they must somehow integrate into the local society, and use their knowledge to improve conditions.

But this is only a year before the start of the devastating Marcomannic Wars