Quintus Claudius: A Romance of Imperial Rome. Volume 1

by Ernst Eckstein

  CHAPTER XVIII.

  It was dark. In the dining-room of Cneius Afranius a small party hadjust risen from table. Six guests had shared the modest meal--mendiffering in age and position, but agreed in feeling, unanimous intheir hatred of the imperial reign of terror, and alike in courage andstrength of character. During the meal none but commonplace topics werediscussed, convinced as Afranius was of the fidelity of his slaves;under Domitian's rule, suspiciousness had risen to the dignity of avirtue. Even the _commissatio_--the friendly cup which, in accordancewith time-honored custom, closed the meal--lent no impetus to theconversation. Each one was thinking of the discussion, that was now tofollow.

  They all went into the colonnade, if the small and unpretendingcourt-yard deserved the name. Cneius Afranius, the son of a poor familyof knightly rank of Gallia Lugdunensis,[323] would probably have beenobliged to start on his career in Rome as a mere lodger in hired rooms,but that a childless friend of his father's had bequeathed to him asmall legacy,[324] which enabled him to purchase a little house, whichhad formerly belonged to a seaman, on the right bank of the Tiber, andin the midst of a very humble quarter.[325] The situation was crowdedand almost squalid, and the little villa was only rendered rather lessunattractive, by the visible care bestowed on its arrangement by itsnew owner, and yet more by the pretty little garden in its peristyle.Afranius was very conscious of its defects, but they did not distresshim. That painful sensitiveness, which torments many men in narrowcircumstances, when intercourse with other men of greater wealthreminds them of their poverty, was unknown to him. And as his dresswas always in the best style, though of plain materials, those whomet him elsewhere than in his own house supposed him to be well-to-do;this impression was partly the result of his general appearance anddemeanor. Aurelius, who had crossed his threshold today for the firsttime, thought as he entered the vestibule, that he must have made amistake; it seemed impossible that the self-possessed, easy-manneredAfranius could live in so humble a dwelling.

  The six men went slowly and in order from the dining room to the study.First came the tall figure of the grey-haired Marcus Cocceius Nerva,leaning on the arm of Ulpius Trajanus; Publius Cornelius Cinna followedwith Caius Aurelius, and last came the host with an old centurion,who had long served in the wars in Germania and Dacia, and had losthis left arm in the service. Now, robbed by Domitian of a pensionwhich had formerly been granted to him, he had for years earned hisliving wearily as a teacher in an elementary school kept by a retiredphysician, until Ulpius Trajanus had granted the veteran free quartersin his own house.

  The slaves were now strictly enjoined to admit no one to disturb theparty, and Momus, the confidential servant of Afranius, posted himselfat the door of the room, that no eavesdropping intruder might come toonear.

  "My friends," began Marcus Cocceius Nerva, when they were all seated,"we have met expressly to hold pregnant and momentous council. Ouraim is to find the ways and means of at last carrying into effect thesteps, which we have been deliberating on for many months. The reignof terror of Domitian has from the first been well-nigh unendurable,and now his outrages, his unblushing insolence, have reached a pitchat which our very blood curdles in our veins. Two days since, we allheard from Cinna of the incredible insults offered by Caesar to themost illustrious members of the Senate and of the knightly order; sincethen other outrages have come to our ears. If Titus[326] once declaredthat he regarded a day as lost, in which he had done no good action,this, his degenerate brother,[327] accounts each day as misspent, inwhich he has not trampled justice under-foot, and crowned tyrannywith boastful insolence. You all knew Junius Rusticus;[328] he was anexcellent man, experienced in every branch of learning, generous, andof the loftiest morality. This illustrious philosopher was, yesterday,crucified. And why, my friends, why? Because he dared to assert thatPaetus Thrasea, Nero's noble victim, was a man of blameless character.For this, and this alone, Junius Rusticus died the death of the basestassassin."

  A gloomy murmur rose from the audience. All, with the exception ofAurelius, already knew the facts, but they sounded with renewed horrorfrom the lips of the venerable man.

  "Nor is this all," Cocceius went on. "A second crime almost throws themurder of Rusticus into the shade. Not long since a man of fortunenamed Caepio,[329] of the order of Equites, died here. His heiress washis niece, a young girl of about fourteen. However, a man was found,who would declare openly that in Caepio's lifetime he had frequentlyheard him say, that Caesar was to inherit his fortune.[330] On thestrength of this lie, the property was unhesitatingly appropriated.The hapless girl, alone and inexperienced, fell into infamy. Sunk inwickedness, crushed by shame and sickness, a few days since she placedherself in the way, as Caesar was being borne to the Forum. She liftedup her hands to the throne on which he was carried, and cried indesperate accents for justice. She was seized by the body-guard, andflogged to death this morning."

  "Death to her murderer!" cried Cinna, shaking his fists in thedirection of the palace. "The fate of this poor child may fall onyou, O Nerva! on you, Ulpius Trajanus, on you, Cneius Afranius. Inthe empire of this tyrant there is but one law: the mad whim of ablood-hound.--To-day his Falernian has gone to his head--a beck, anod, and the daughters of our noblest families are stolen[331] for hispleasure. To-morrow he has eaten and is full--he must be amused, andRome breaks out in flames. Ah! hideous, bottomless pit of disgrace!Decide as you will, my resolution is taken. In the Senate, in theForum, in the theatre--meet him where I may--I will kill him."

  "Be easy, my dear friend," said Cocceius. "You are the last man, whowould ever be allowed to get near enough. The suspicious tyrant, whohas the walls of his sleeping-room lined with mirrors,[332] so thathe may see what is going on behind him--he will know how to protecthimself from Cinna. Besides, never let us stain our just cause withunnecessary bloodshed! The goal, that glimmers before us, can bereached without the murder of Caesar. If the revolted nation brings himpresently before the judgment-seat of the Senate, he will be legallycondemned to death, and then he may meet the fate he has merited athousand times over. But we, whose purpose it is to open an era offreedom and justice, must, whenever it is in any way possible, keepour hands clean. We are conspirators against his throne, but not hisexecutioners."

  Muttered words of approbation assured the orator, that he spoke thefeelings of his friends. Even Cinna agreed.

  "You are right," he said frowning. "You are always clear and logical,when my heart seethes with rage. It is well, my worthy colleagues,that you did not put me at your head. I am good in action, or whereenergetic decision is needed; but in the history of the worldwell-meditated plans and calm resolve weigh heavier in the scale."

  "And their union will suffice to break our bonds," added Afranius."But I must confess I am burning to know how Ulpius has solved theproblem.--I know how I should solve it...."

  "Well?" asked Ulpius Trajanus. "You have always been the silent memberat our meetings. Perhaps I may be able to avail myself of what you haveto suggest, to strengthen my own web."

  "What I have to say is very little, but it seems to me all the clearerand more simple for that very reason. Rage, hatred, and desperation arefermenting in every soul The fuel is piled, nothing is needed but thespark. Let us fling the spark in among the masses. Let us boldly andunreservedly call the people of Rome to open rebellion."

  "Moderation!" exclaimed Cocceius Nerva. "Wildly as our hearts maythrob, let us take no step which calm wisdom cannot approve! We mustnot act from sentiment! You are in error, Afranius, if you think thatthe populace, which clamors for bread and the Circus, will ever feelany enthusiasm for liberty. What has this rabble of idlers, thisself-interested mob, that lives on the _largesse_ of the State, to fearfrom Caesar? Lightning blasts oak-trees, but not the brushwood thatcumbers the ground. Whether Titus or Domitian rules, whether the Senateis respected or insulted--it is all the same to the herd, so long asthere are wrestling, running, and fighting to be seen. They would sellthemselves bodily to
the first Barbarian, who would buy them, so longas they had bread and amphitheatres, and a Sicambrian is just as goodin their eyes as the direct descendants of Romulus. Alas! my friends,when I look out on the scene of confusion I am seized with suddenterror, and the outlook on the future waxes dim before my eyes. Thisindifference and want of patriotism is spreading on all sides; it haseven tainted the army.--If some change for the better does not soonappear, it may well happen that this haughty city may ere long crumbleinto ruins--aye, my friends, into ruins--destroyed and sacked by theinsolent rout of Germanic tribes, who are already thundering at ourgates. They will overcome the small remains of our virtue with thesword, and the vast host of our crimes with their gold."

  He ceased; an expression of deep grief clouded his handsome features.Then, turning to Afranius, he said: "And so what I meant to say was,that the mob of the capital must, come what may, be kept out of thegame."

  "You say the mob," said Afranius, "but there is a class closelyallied with the mob which, though small in number, is all the greaterin force, high-mindedness, and dignity. Believe me, even among thethird estate--among the fishermen and dealers, the artisans andhandicraftsmen, there still are Romans to be found."

  "Very possibly. But large schemes cannot take account of so small afactor. The very way in which the State has developed, has thrown thechief power into the hands of the troops, and he who is master of thesoldiery, is master of Rome and the Empire. You know how completelythe legions in the provinces are dependent on the impression of anaccomplished fact. It can scarcely be expected, that any singledivision of the army outside the walls of Rome will take up arms forDomitian, if once we have the metropolis in our power. We can gain overthe Praetorian guard with a word. Ulpius, my beloved son, make known tous now, what you have attempted and achieved in this direction."

  Ulpius Trajanus leaned back in his chair, and crossed his arms over hisbreast. His noble and frank countenance, stamped in every feature withgenerous honesty, suddenly grew anxious and grave. Lucilia had beenright when she said incidentally, that Ulpius Trajanus reminded her ofCaius Aurelius. Although considerably older and of a dark southerntype, the Hispanian, like the young Northman, had that look of genuinehuman benevolence, which lends a bright and harmonious expression toany features.

  "My friends," began Ulpius Trajanus, coloring a little; "I can as yet,to my great regret, report nothing decisive. I came hither not toannounce a success, but to hear what you had to say. Within the lastfew months many new recruits have joined the ranks of the Praetorians;magnificent gifts of money are distributed every week to the officersand men. Norbanus, the officer in command, is loaded with favors, so itwould be difficult to find an opening--! Indeed, I am firmly convincedthat Norbanus, who is an honest man, places the welfare of the countryfar above any other consideration; however, up to this moment, all myefforts to fathom him have been in vain. He speaks out more franklythan many others, it is true, but his openness always bears upontrifling matters. He instinctively knows the limits of discretion.It would be waste of words to tell you of every detail. I have givenmyself no rest from labor or vigilance, and it is not my fault if therock repeatedly rolls back into the gulf."

  "Promise him the consulate," muttered Cinna frowning; "trip him up,trample on him, hold the dagger to his breast...."

  "The dagger's point might only too easily be turned upon us," saidTrajanus smiling.

  "He is right, Cinna," Nerva threw in. "It is precisely his self-commandand coolness, that fit him for the part assigned to him, and he mustplay it to the end in the spirit of those who have trusted him."

  "But self-command must come to an end and issue at last," saidAfranius, leaning his round chin on his hand. "I have no thought ofeven hinting a reproach to our worthy Ulpius; I only mean, that ifLucius Norbanus persists in the part of the mysterious oracle, andTrajanus waits for the spirit to move him, without giving it a helpinghand, our work of redemption will remain in the clouds. Besides,nothing is more dangerous than a long-planned conspiracy. Before youcan turn round the palace will have caught wind of it, and by the dayafter to-morrow, the splendid museum of Domitian's victims will beincreased by a few valuable specimens."

  Cornelius Cinna nodded assent.

  "Excess is mischievous in anything, even excess of caution," he saideagerly. "We must strike now, if not with the aid of the body-guard,why, then without it--or, if need be, against it. There are troopsenough in Gallia Lugdunensis,[333] to defeat the few cohorts ofNorbanus. Cinna is thought highly of by the legions, and I myself havemany devoted allies among the officers; while not a few of the soldierswill remember, that I have always been a friend and supporter of thethird estate."

  "I can answer for that," said the old centurion, who had till thismoment sat silent in his easy-chair. "Nor am I altogether devoid ofadherents, though I cannot compete with Cinna. I should think it wouldnot be difficult...."

  "Enough!" interrupted Cocceius Nerva with a friendly wave of his hand."I see that your opinions are divided. Allow me to make a suggestion.The danger of discovery does not seem so imminent, as to compel us toforego all attempt to rely on the support of Rome. Let us separate inthe firm determination, to prepare and meditate everything that canhelp us towards our goal. I am chiefly thinking of Caius Aurelius,who made friends so rapidly with Norbanus, and who is regarded withless suspicion at the palace than Ulpius Trajanus. We will meet againfourteen days hence, here, in the house of Afranius, and at the samehour. If in the meanwhile our plan has made no progress, we will giveup the City of the Seven Hills, and set to work in Gallia Lugdunensis."

  This proposal was unanimously agreed to.

  "Yet one thing more. It is quite possible, that in the course of thesefourteen days events might occur, on which it is impossible to reckonbeforehand. I am perfectly convinced, that not a soul in the palacesuspects anything as yet; but spies are innumerable, and an accident, aheedless word, a glance, a gesture, might betray us. Just at this timefresh suspicions have been roused in Caesar's court. Let us be ready tofly at a moment's notice."

  "To fly!" exclaimed Cinna. "Is that the road to victory?"

  "I only say in the worst extremity...."

  "That would indeed be the worst! Do you already know of any mischief?Do you know, that a spy has already betrayed us?"

  "No, my dear Cinna, I know nothing; I was only consideringpossibilities."

  "But that possibility is exactly what is not to be borne! I feel now,twice as strongly as before, that our only safety is in action."

  "But can you act?" asked Cocceius. "Is Norbanus our ally? Are thelegions under your command? If so, act, and at once, Cinna! Stand up onthe platform in the Forum, and proclaim that Domitian is deposed."

  "You are very right," snarled Cinna. "Right as usual! but what is tohappen if the possibility becomes a fact? When flight has dispersed usto all the four winds...?"

  "Then, my friend, the essential point is to agree on a spot, where wemay all quietly meet again. Let that spot be Rodumna,[334] the nativetown of Afranius. It is in every respect favorable--at only a shortdistance from Lugdunensis, and yet so small as to be out of the turmoilof the world. There will we meet, rouse the legions to our support, andmarch upon Rome!"

  "Good, good!" cried Cornelius Cinna.

  "Rodumna!" echoed the rest.

  Nerva rose.

  "One word!" implored Caius Aurelius.

  Nerva, who had already grasped their host's hand in leave-taking,turned enquiringly to the young man.

  "Worthy friends," the Batavian went on. "Allow me to say, that down atOstia lies my trireme. The captain and the crew are all men, whom wemay blindly trust. If anything should occur to drive us hence, we couldnot do better than meet on board my bark and reach Gallia by sea."

  "That is a good idea," said Nerva. "But still one question arises. Doesany one in Rome know of the existence of this trireme?"

  "Hardly a soul. The high-priest's family, it is true, were on boardwith me, when I came from Baiae. But here, in Rome, where
there isso much to distract the attention, so trivial a circumstance wouldscarcely dwell in their minds."

  "But the slaves!" cried Cinna. "If you are suspected at the palace,they have been cross-examined ere now...."

  "I do not honestly believe, that I have been considered worthy of somuch attention at the palace."

  "And even if it were so," Nerva added, "there is a way of escape.To-morrow morning, spread a report among your friends andacquaintances, that your vessel is on the point of starting to returnto Trajectum. Go to Ostia yourself, and let her set sail with allceremony; then, at night, when she is well out at sea, order thecaptain, instead of steering southwards, to make a detour to the leftand sail past the islands of Pontia[335] and back to Antium, as ifhe had come direct from Messana.[336] There he may wait till we needhim. By the Appian Way and Aricia[337] and Lanuvium,[338] it is notmore than twice the distance to Antium, that it is to Ostia. Give yourcaptain the name of Rodumna as a password; whoever goes on board withthat token is to be received unquestioned. What do you think of myplan?"

  "Nothing could be better arranged, it seems to me," exclaimed Cinna."In this way we need neither fit out a vessel for ourselves, nor yettravel by land. The one would excite suspicion, and the other would beboth dangerous and expensive. So let it stand: if the situation shouldseem in any way perilous, we meet on board the trireme in the harbor ofAntium."

  The conspirators rose and slowly dispersed.

  FOOTNOTES:

  [323] GALLIA LUGDUNENSIS. Lugdunian Gaul (_Gallia Lugdunensis_, so called from the principal city Lugdunum, now Lyons) extended from the Seine (_Sequana_) to the Garonne (_Garumna_) and westward to the Atlantic Ocean. On the south, it was separated from the Mediterranean by Narbonensian Gaul.

  [324] BEQUEATHED TO HIM A SMALL LEGACY. Legacies bequeathed by childless persons to those not connected by ties of blood, played a very important part in the society under the emperors. Legacy-hunting thrived greatly in consequence of its frequent occurrence.

  [325] IN THE MIDST OF A VERY HUMBLE QUARTER. The right bank of the Tiber, in the (14) district, which bore the name "_Trans Tiberim_," was inhabited exclusively by tradesfolk, sailors, etc.

  [326] TITUS. The brother and predecessor of Domitian.

  [327] THE FLAVII had come into possession of the government with Vespasian, the father of Titus and Domitian. The latter's full name was: Titus Flavius Domitianus Augustus.

  [328] JUNIUS RUSTICUS. See Suet. _Dom._ 10; Dio Cass. LXVII. 13.

  [329] CAEPIO. Suet. _Dom._ 9, mentions a man of this name.

  [330] CAESAR WAS TO INHERIT HIS FORTUNE. See Suet. _Dom._ 12: "Estates to which the emperor had no claim were seized, if only some one could be found to declare he had heard the dead man, during his life-time, say that the Caesar was to inherit his property."

  [331] THE DAUGHTERS OF OUR NOBLEST FAMILIES ARE STOLEN. That this was really to be expected, is proved by the incredible description Dio Cassius gives us of Nero's conduct, (LXII, 15.)

  [332] THE SUSPICIOUS TYRANT WHO HAS THE WALLS OF HIS SLEEPING-ROOM LINED WITH MIRRORS. See Suet, _Dom._ 14.

  [333] THERE ARE TROOPS ENOUGH IN GALLIA LUGDUNENSIS. True, nothing is expressly stated concerning this fact in the reign of Domitian; but as it was the case under Nero, this extremely probable opposition certainly scarcely involves a license. The liberty I take in the treatment of the conspiracy itself, is much greater. Strictly speaking, it was only a revolution in the palace. Considerations more important to the novelist than strict historical accuracy, compel me here to deviate from the accounts of Suetonius and Dio Cassius.

  [334] RODUMNA on the Liger, (now the Loire). Called at the present day Roanne.

  [335] ISLANDS OF PONTIA. Now Isole di Ponza, opposite the Gulf of Gaeta.

  [336] MESSANA. Now Messina.

  [337] ARICIA. Now Ariccia.

  [338] LANUVIUM. Now Civita Lavigna.