Daniel is a member of Rosh's group of rebels, who live in the mountains of Galilee and oppose the Roman forces in the region. After the Roman Empire crucified Daniel's father, Daniel was sold into slavery. Daniel then escaped from his master, Amalek, and was saved by Rosh. After several years of living in the mountains with Rosh and his gang, Daniel returns to his village of Ketzah. Daniel befriends Joel and attempts to act as an intermediary between Rosh and Joel.

Daniel is depicted as a relatively callous, conflicted person, who struggles with his feelings of anger and revenge toward the Roman Empire. Daniel is also intrigued by the teachings of Jesus and is attracted to Joel's sister, Malthace. Throughout the novel, Daniel harbors his feelings of vengeance towards the Romans, while simultaneously trying to heal his traumatized sister, Leah. Daniel is a dynamic character, who eventually learns the power of love at the end of the novel after speaking to Jesus. Daniel ends up acknowledging Leah's relationship with a Roman soldier named Marcus and demonstrates his love for Malthace.

Daniel is the protagonist of the novel; he is a former slave and committed to overthrowing the Roman government. Because his family has been torn apart and his father and uncle killed by the Romans, Daniel is driven by rage and a desire for vengeance; he hates the Romans more than his feelings for anything else. As the novel progresses, Daniel's character is changed, first by his friendship with Joel and Thacia, and then by the influence of Jesus.

"Think, Daniel, can you repay such love with hate?"

"It's too late to love Samson. He is probably dead." Then, as Jesus waited, "Should I love the Romans who killed him?" he asked with bitterness.

[...]

"Can't you see, Daniel, it is hate that is the enemy? Not men. Hate does not die with killing."
(Speare, The Bronze Bow, Google Books)

The above scene occurs after Samson dies saving Daniel's life; Daniel is traumatized, angry at the Romans and confused by Samson's act, since he believes Samson to be incapable of understanding their cause. Because of the influences of his friends, and the realization that his actions matter more to them -- and affect them directly -- Daniel is able to move past his hate and embrace love as his cause. In the end, instead of seeking vengeance against the Romans, Daniel will now seek to change the hearts and minds of his fellow men.