Turtledove
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Julia
Fictional Character
Household Gods
Time-travel Story Set in OTL
Type of Appearance: Direct
Nationality: Roman Empire
Religion: Roman polytheists
Date of Birth: Mid 2nd century
Date of Death: Unknown
Occupation: Slave, tavern-worker, prostitute
Affiliations: Umma's establishment


Julia was Umma's slave in Carnuntum. She assisted Nicole Gunther when she time-traveled to the Roman Empire, and into the body of Julia's mistress, acting as a guide to the new world Nicole found herself in. She was also the closest thing to a friend the latter had in Carnuntum.

Intially, Nicole thought that Julia was just an employee. Once she learned that Julia was a slave, she planned to manumit Julia. After some complicated legal work, Nicole succeeded in this, which estranged Umma's family. Much to Nicole's chagrin, Julia continued her career as a prostitute, but on her terms, as she enjoyed the world's oldest profession. During the measles plague and subsequent German invasion that befell Carnuntum, Julia cared for the grateful Gunther, and also provided emotional support when her employer was raped by a Roman soldier.

She was also the one who advised Nicole to go ask Emperor Marcus Aurelius for compensation. Right before Nicole was sent back to her home century, Julia and Nicole had an argument that Nicole never had a chance to apologize for, leaving the latter feeling guilty.

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