diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Database.scala b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Database.scala
index f9af0d4..a75c6a1 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Database.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Database.scala
@@ -4,14 +4,21 @@ import com.zaxxer.hikari.{HikariConfig, HikariDataSource}
 
 import java.io.FileInputStream
 import java.security.KeyStore
-import java.util.{UUID, Properties}
+import java.util.{Properties, UUID}
 import javax.sql.DataSource
-
 import com.codahale.metrics.MetricRegistry
 import com.codahale.metrics.health.HealthCheckRegistry
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Primary
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Replica
+
+import scala.annotation.implicitNotFound
 
 object Database {
 
+  sealed trait Role
+  final class Primary extends Role
+  final class Replica extends Role
+
   /**
    * Create a pool of connections to the given database.
    *
@@ -20,7 +27,7 @@ object Database {
    * @param password the database password
    * @param sslSettings if present, uses the given SSL settings for a client-side SSL cert.
    */
-  def connect(url: String,
+  def connect[R <: Role](url: String,
               username: String,
               password: String,
               name: Option[String] = None,
@@ -30,7 +37,7 @@ object Database {
               sslSettings: Option[SslSettings] = None,
               healthCheckRegistry: Option[HealthCheckRegistry] = None,
               metricRegistry: Option[MetricRegistry] = None,
-              connectionInitSql: Option[String] = None): Database = {
+              connectionInitSql: Option[String] = None): Database[R] = {
 
     val properties = new Properties
 
@@ -95,8 +102,8 @@ object Database {
 /**
  * A set of pooled connections to a database.
  */
-class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry])
-    extends Queryable {
+class Database[R <: Database.Role] protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry])
+    extends Queryable[R] {
 
   private[jdub] def time[A](klass: java.lang.Class[_])(f: => A) = {
     metrics.fold(f) { registry =>
@@ -110,34 +117,38 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
     }
   }
 
-  val transactionProvider: TransactionProvider = new TransactionManager
+  val transactionProvider: TransactionProvider[R] = new TransactionManager
+
+  def replica: Database[Replica] = new Database[Replica](source, metrics)
+
+  def primary: Database[Primary] = new Database[Primary](source, metrics)
 
   /**
    * Opens a transaction which is committed after `f` is called. If `f` throws
    * an exception, the transaction is rolled back.
    */
-  def transaction[A](f: Transaction => A): A = transaction(true, f)
+  def transaction[A](f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = transaction(true, f)
 
   /**
    * Opens a transaction which is committed after `f` is called. If `f` throws
    * an exception, the transaction is rolled back, but the exception is not
    * logged (since it is rethrown).
    */
-  def quietTransaction[A](f: Transaction => A): A = transaction(false, f)
+  def quietTransaction[A](f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = transaction(false, f)
 
-  def transaction[A](logError: Boolean, f: Transaction => A): A = transaction(false, false, f)
+  def transaction[A](logError: Boolean, f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = transaction(false, false, f)
 
   /**
    * Opens a transaction which is committed after `f` is called. If `f` throws
    * an exception, the transaction is rolled back.
    */
-  def transaction[A](logError: Boolean, forceNew: Boolean, f: Transaction => A): A = {
+  def transaction[A](logError: Boolean, forceNew: Boolean, f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = {
     if (!forceNew && transactionProvider.transactionExists) {
       f(transactionProvider.currentTransaction)
     } else {
       val connection = source.getConnection
       connection.setAutoCommit(false)
-      val txn = new Transaction(connection)
+      val txn = new Transaction[R](connection)
       try {
         logger.debug("Starting transaction")
         val result = f(txn)
@@ -162,8 +173,8 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
    * thread within the scope of `f`. If `f` throws an exception the transaction
    * is rolled back. Logs exceptions thrown by `f` as errors.
    */
-  def transactionScope[A](f: => A): A = {
-    transaction(logError = true, forceNew = false, (txn: Transaction) => {
+  def transactionScope[A](f: => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = {
+    transaction(logError = true, forceNew = false, (txn: Transaction[R]) => {
       transactionProvider.begin(txn)
       try {
         f
@@ -181,8 +192,8 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
    * exception the transaction is rolled back. Logs exceptions thrown by
    * `f` as errors.
    */
-  def newTransactionScope[A](f: => A): A = {
-    transaction(logError = true, forceNew = true, (txn: Transaction) => {
+  def newTransactionScope[A](f: => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = {
+    transaction(logError = true, forceNew = true, (txn: Transaction[R]) => {
       transactionProvider.begin(txn)
       try {
         f
@@ -197,8 +208,8 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
    * thread within the scope of `f`. If `f` throws an exception the transaction
    * is rolled back. Will not log exceptions thrown by `f`.
    */
-  def quietTransactionScope[A](f: => A): A = {
-    transaction(logError = false, forceNew = false, (txn: Transaction) => {
+  def quietTransactionScope[A](f: => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = {
+    transaction(logError = false, forceNew = false, (txn: Transaction[R]) => {
       transactionProvider.begin(txn)
       try {
         f
@@ -216,8 +227,8 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
    * exception the transaction is rolled back. Will not log exceptions
    * thrown by `f`.
    */
-  def newQuietTransactionScope[A](f: => A): A = {
-    transaction(logError = false, forceNew = true, (txn: Transaction) => {
+  def newQuietTransactionScope[A](f: => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = {
+    transaction(logError = false, forceNew = true, (txn: Transaction[R]) => {
       transactionProvider.begin(txn)
       try {
         f
@@ -230,7 +241,7 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
   /**
    * The transaction currently scoped via transactionScope.
    */
-  def currentTransaction = {
+  def currentTransaction(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) = {
     transactionProvider.currentTransaction
   }
 
@@ -260,7 +271,7 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
   /**
    * Executes an update, insert, delete, or DDL statement.
    */
-  def execute(statement: Statement) = {
+  def execute(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int = {
     if (transactionProvider.transactionExists) {
       transactionProvider.currentTransaction.execute(statement)
     } else {
@@ -278,7 +289,7 @@ class Database protected(val source: DataSource, metrics: Option[MetricRegistry]
   /**
    * Rollback any existing ambient transaction
    */
-  def rollback() {
+  def rollback()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) {
     transactionProvider.rollback
   }
 
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Queryable.scala b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Queryable.scala
index fd10b78..a5c9c5f 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Queryable.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Queryable.scala
@@ -5,11 +5,13 @@
 
 package com.simple.jdub
 
-import java.sql.Connection
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Primary
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Role
 
+import java.sql.Connection
 import grizzled.slf4j.Logging
 
-trait Queryable extends Logging {
+trait Queryable[R <: Role] extends Logging {
   import Utils._
 
   /**
@@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ trait Queryable extends Logging {
   /**
    * Executes an update, insert, delete, or DDL statement.
    */
-  def execute(connection: Connection, statement: Statement): Int = {
+  def execute(connection: Connection, statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int = {
     logger.debug("%s with %s".format(statement.sql,
       statement.values.mkString("(", ", ", ")")))
     val stmt = connection.prepareStatement(prependComment(statement, statement.sql))
@@ -47,9 +49,9 @@ trait Queryable extends Logging {
     }
   }
 
-  def execute(statement: Statement): Int
+  def execute(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int
   def apply[A](query: RawQuery[A]): A
-  def transaction[A](f: Transaction => A): A
+  def transaction[A](f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A
 
   /**
    * Performs a query and returns the results.
@@ -59,15 +61,15 @@ trait Queryable extends Logging {
   /**
    * Executes an update statement.
    */
-  def update(statement: Statement): Int = execute(statement)
+  def update(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int = execute(statement)
 
   /**
    * Executes an insert statement.
    */
-  def insert(statement: Statement): Int = execute(statement)
+  def insert(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int = execute(statement)
 
   /**
    * Executes a delete statement.
    */
-  def delete(statement: Statement): Int = execute(statement)
+  def delete(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Int = execute(statement)
 }
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/RawQuery.scala b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/RawQuery.scala
index 1d067a3..42038e5 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/RawQuery.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/RawQuery.scala
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package com.simple.jdub
 
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Role
+
 import java.sql.ResultSet
 
 trait RawQuery[A] extends SqlBase {
@@ -9,5 +11,5 @@ trait RawQuery[A] extends SqlBase {
 
   def handle(results: ResultSet): A
 
-  def apply(db: Database): A = db(this)
+  def apply(db: Database[Role]): A = db(this)
 }
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Transaction.scala b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Transaction.scala
index 83340d7..927699f 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Transaction.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/Transaction.scala
@@ -1,9 +1,12 @@
 package com.simple.jdub
 
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Primary
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Role
+
 import java.sql.{Connection, Savepoint}
 import scala.collection.mutable.ListBuffer
 
-class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
+class Transaction[R <: Role](val connection: Connection) extends Queryable[R] {
   private[this] var rolledback = false
 
   /**
@@ -14,12 +17,12 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
   /**
    * Executes an update, insert, delete, or DDL statement.
    */
-  def execute(statement: Statement) = execute(connection, statement)
+  def execute(statement: Statement)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) = execute(connection, statement)
 
   /**
    * Roll back the transaction.
    */
-  def rollback() {
+  def rollback()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) {
     logger.debug("Rolling back transaction")
     connection.rollback()
     rolledback = true
@@ -29,7 +32,7 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
   /**
    * Roll back the transaction to a savepoint.
    */
-  def rollback(savepoint: Savepoint) {
+  def rollback(savepoint: Savepoint)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) {
     logger.debug("Rolling back to savepoint")
     connection.rollback(savepoint)
   }
@@ -37,7 +40,7 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
   /**
    * Release a transaction from a savepoint.
    */
-  def release(savepoint: Savepoint) {
+  def release(savepoint: Savepoint)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) {
     logger.debug("Releasing savepoint")
     connection.releaseSavepoint(savepoint)
   }
@@ -45,7 +48,7 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
   /**
    * Set an unnamed savepoint.
    */
-  def savepoint(): Savepoint = {
+  def savepoint()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Savepoint = {
     logger.debug("Setting unnamed savepoint")
     connection.setSavepoint()
   }
@@ -53,12 +56,12 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
   /**
    * Set a named savepoint.
    */
-  def savepoint(name: String): Savepoint = {
+  def savepoint(name: String)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Savepoint = {
     logger.debug("Setting savepoint")
     connection.setSavepoint(name)
   }
 
-  private[jdub] def commit() {
+  private[jdub] def commit()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary) {
     if (!rolledback) {
       logger.debug("Committing transaction")
       connection.commit()
@@ -72,7 +75,7 @@ class Transaction(val connection: Connection) extends Queryable {
     onClose.foreach(_())
   }
 
-  def transaction[A](f: Transaction => A): A = f(this)
+  def transaction[A](f: Transaction[R] => A)(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): A = f(this)
 
   var onCommit: ListBuffer[() => Unit] = ListBuffer.empty[() => Unit]
   var onClose: ListBuffer[() => Unit] = ListBuffer.empty[() => Unit]
diff --git a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/TransactionManager.scala b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/TransactionManager.scala
index 518fdd8..3d114e9 100644
--- a/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/TransactionManager.scala
+++ b/src/main/scala/com/simple/jdub/TransactionManager.scala
@@ -5,18 +5,21 @@
 
 package com.simple.jdub
 
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Primary
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Role
+
 import java.util.Stack
 
-trait TransactionProvider {
+trait TransactionProvider[R <: Role] {
   def transactionExists: Boolean
-  def currentTransaction: Transaction
-  def begin(transaction: Transaction): Unit
-  def end(): Unit
-  def rollback(): Unit
+  def currentTransaction: Transaction[R]
+  def begin(transaction: Transaction[R])(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit
+  def end()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit
+  def rollback()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit
 }
 
-class TransactionManager extends TransactionProvider {
-  case class TransactionState(transactions: Stack[Transaction])
+class TransactionManager[R <: Role] extends TransactionProvider[R] {
+  case class TransactionState(transactions: Stack[Transaction[R]])
 
   private val localTransactionStorage = new ThreadLocal[Option[TransactionState]] {
     override def initialValue = None
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ class TransactionManager extends TransactionProvider {
     localTransactionStorage.get
   }
 
-  protected def ambientTransaction: Option[Transaction] = {
+  protected def ambientTransaction: Option[Transaction[R]] = {
     ambientTransactionState.map(_.transactions.peek)
   }
 
@@ -40,15 +43,15 @@ class TransactionManager extends TransactionProvider {
     ambientTransactionState.isDefined
   }
 
-  def currentTransaction: Transaction = {
+  def currentTransaction: Transaction[R] = {
     ambientTransaction.getOrElse(
       throw new Exception("No transaction in current context")
     )
   }
 
-  def begin(transaction: Transaction): Unit = {
+  def begin(transaction: Transaction[R])(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit = {
     if (!transactionExists) {
-      val stack = new Stack[Transaction]()
+      val stack = new Stack[Transaction[R]]()
       stack.push(transaction)
       localTransactionStorage.set(Some(new TransactionState(stack)))
     } else {
@@ -56,7 +59,7 @@ class TransactionManager extends TransactionProvider {
     }
   }
 
-  def end(): Unit = {
+  def end()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit = {
     if (!transactionExists) {
       throw new Exception("No transaction in current context")
     } else {
@@ -67,7 +70,7 @@ class TransactionManager extends TransactionProvider {
     }
   }
 
-  def rollback(): Unit = {
+  def rollback()(implicit ev: R =:= Primary): Unit = {
     currentTransaction.rollback
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/DatabaseSpec.scala b/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/DatabaseSpec.scala
index c01d9fb..8444552 100644
--- a/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/DatabaseSpec.scala
+++ b/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/DatabaseSpec.scala
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package com.simple.jdub.tests
 
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Replica
 import com.simple.jdub._
 
 class DatabaseSpec extends JdubSpec {
@@ -58,4 +59,13 @@ class DatabaseSpec extends JdubSpec {
       .map(_.map(_.toSeq)) // arrays compare by reference, seqs by value
       .must(be(Seq(None)))
   }
+
+  test("replica databases can only execute statements and read-only queries") {
+    val replica = db.replica
+
+    replica(AgeQuery("Coda Hale")).must(be(Some(29)))
+
+    // the following will not compile when using a replica
+    // replica.execute(SQL("CREATE TABLE i_cannot_do_this()"))
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/JdubSpec.scala b/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/JdubSpec.scala
index 0a448a3..831348d 100644
--- a/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/JdubSpec.scala
+++ b/src/test/scala/com/simple/jdub/tests/JdubSpec.scala
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 package com.simple.jdub.tests
 
 import com.simple.jdub.Database
-
+import com.simple.jdub.Database.Primary
 import org.scalatest.BeforeAndAfter
 import org.scalatest.BeforeAndAfterEach
 import org.scalatest.FunSuite
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger
 
 object Global {
   val i = new AtomicInteger
-  val db = Database.connect("jdbc:hsqldb:mem:DbTest" + Global.i.incrementAndGet(), "sa", "")
+  val db = Database.connect[Primary]("jdbc:hsqldb:mem:DbTest" + Global.i.incrementAndGet(), "sa", "")
 }
 
 trait JdubSpec extends FunSuite