Bedrock of Empire

by Thomas M D Brooke

  Augustus was exasperated. ‘But why? By the gods, why?’

  I put down my silver cup of wine on the small table by my divan. ‘I cannot answer for sure, but my impression was that by the end he was afraid of losing face in front of the Senate and Rome.’ I could have added that his biggest fear was upsetting Augustus himself, but I wasn’t so stupid to say it.

  Augustus looked up at the ceiling and bellowed, ‘Damn you, Varus. Give me back my legions!’

  I saw a look of concern on the face of Livia, a rare sight on the face that normally held complete composure. ‘My dear, it is no good going back over this again.’

  Augustus recovered himself and turned back to me. ‘So you don’t think Segestes can be trusted either?’

  I remembered my impressions of him and that of Governor Varus’ nephew who said Segestes was too easily bought. I turned to Augustus. ‘I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could spit, my lord.’

  Augustus grunted in approval. ‘Hmm, I think you’re right. Is the son Ewald liable to stay loyal to Arminius?’

  I picked up my wine again. ‘Ewald is no longer a concern. He’s dead.’

  Augustus asked, ‘How do you know?’

  I shrugged. ‘Because I killed him.’

  That brought the imperator up short. He grunted.

  Germanicus barked a laugh, and even Livia smiled.

  I explained. ‘Ewald tracked me when I was trying to leave Aliso and reach safety.’

  Livia said, ‘We hear you were the last to leave?’

  I nodded. ‘I wanted to make sure the tribes were fooled by our ruse, and that the others had time to reach safety. Unfortunately, that meant confronting the Cherusci champion, but luckily I prevailed.’

  Germanicus looked at me in open admiration. ‘You’re still good with a gladius then? I remember as a child us all watching you in practice. You were special.’

  Augustus was less generous. ‘That was well done, but that still doesn’t help me. I need an ally to split the German tribe’s new unity.’

  I gave this some thought. ‘How widespread is Arminius’ support amongst the other tribes?’

  Augustus’ mouth twisted in distaste. ‘It’s almost complete. We have a few tribes close to the south-eastern border, near our fortress at Mogontiacum but otherwise he appears to have almost complete unity of the tribes, something that is unheard of. He is using his great victory over us as a rallying cry to unify the other tribes. Tribes that have been loyal to us for generations are now turning their back on us. The border is secured by Tiberius, but I dare not strike back at Arminius until our position is stronger.’

  Livia interjected. ‘It is not so dire, my dear. With Tiberius to protect Gaul, they can encroach no further, and the Marcomanni have stayed loyal.’

  Augustus shook his head. ‘Yes, but how long for? As news of the victory spreads from one end of our lands to the other, others may take heart from it. How wide was this conspiracy of Arminius’? How deep did it go? Could there be traitors even here in Rome?’

  Germanicus stood up. ‘We need to send the legions back into Germany. Let me lead them. Retake what we’ve lost. Those eagles must be recovered.’

  Augustus narrowed his eyes at Germanicus. ‘We’ll get those eagles back in time, don’t you worry, my boy. But not yet. I need to shore up our position first.’ He swung back to me. ‘Arminius had a brother. Did you know him?’

  This took me by surprise. ‘Yes, Flavus, he’s several years younger. Last I heard he was serving in the legions, as a centurion in Spain I think.’

  Augustus ground his teeth. ‘Probably a traitor too.’

  Truth to be told I hadn’t given Flavus much thought. ‘Do you have any reason to suspect him?’

  The imperator looked at me, anger in his eyes, and said slowly, ‘Yes, his traitorous blood.’

  I couldn’t answer that. Julius Arminius had fooled me more than anyone. I just looked at Augustus and nodded.

  Germanicus came up with an idea. ‘If he’s in Spain, I can deal with him when I travel there next month.’

  Augustus turned round to him. ‘You? Travel to Spain? This is the first I’ve heard of it?’

  Livia was obviously also oblivious to her grandson’s plans. ‘You never said?’

  Germanicus shrugged. ‘Two former comrades of mine from the legions are embroiled in a case there. They want me to adjudicate over it.’

  Augustus was aghast. ‘But you’re the praetor of Rome. You can’t be travelling to Spain, away for weeks on end. Send someone else.’

  Germanicus looked crestfallen. ‘It needn’t take long. Agrippina was looking forward to staying in the great palace at Tarraco.’

  Augustus held the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. ‘You are due to be a consul of Rome next year. You think a trip overseas at this time is appropriate?’

  So Germanicus was due to be consul. His star has risen high, I thought, but I didn’t interrupt.

  Germanicus was defensive. ‘It was partly because of my consular year that I wanted to go.’

  Augustus pulled his toga straighter. ‘Why? Explain?’

  Germanicus shrugged. ‘Well, I plan to celebrate it with a great games at the Circus Maximus. I plan to fill it with as many wild beasts as I can get my hands on.’

  Augustus laughed. ‘What will you find in Spain? The odd bear or wolf, but nothing more exciting than that.’

  Germanicus smiled and shook his head. ‘No, but my contacts tell me a great beast has been captured and shipped out of Sala, off the western coast of southern Mauretania. They say it was captured far to the south, far inland, way beyond any semblance of civilisation and then transported up the coast by traders who realised its value. It has a great ivory spike on its nose, has a skin as thick as armour, and is almost the size of an elephant. It apparently is stronger, more powerful, than anything seen before in the games. It was purchased by the Governor of Tarraconensis in Hispania Citerior, who has had it shipped there, I imagine, for some games of his own. I plan to purchase it off him and bring it to Rome.’

  Augustus’ temper finally lifted and he laughed in genuine pleasure. ‘Bread and circuses!’ he said, chortling. ‘Give the citizens something to eat and something to watch and they’ll do whatever you tell them. I’ve taught you better than I knew.’

  Livia laughed too. ‘It will be magnificent. A games where the most fearsome beasts in the world are tamed – through our might and strength!’

  I tried to nod along in agreement at the happy prospect of a plenitude of bewildered and confused animals being slaughtered in the circus, but in truth all I could think of was how out of place I felt in the company of this strange family.

  Augustus smiled. ‘So the court case is only a ruse?’

  Germanicus smiled. ‘Not quite, it concerns one of the gold mines of Spain, so considerable sums are involved.’

  Augustus nodded. ‘I understand how much those games mean to you, and the gold mines are an important source of wealth for the Republic, so it is important that our interests are guaranteed. But as tempting as it is, you can’t go, my boy. The praetor’s place is in Rome.’

  Germanicus frowned. ‘But during the heat of the high summer so few cases are heard. The other magistrates can handle them.’

  Augustus wouldn’t be moved. ‘It doesn’t matter how many are heard or not heard. Some will say you’re too young to serve as consul. I bent the rules for you so you could prove yourself as praetor first to alleviate those fears. If you run off on this ill-conceived trip, what will they say? That they were right and you can’t be trusted with authority. No, you’ll have to send someone else. Send one of the quaestores.’

  Germanicus looked genuinely upset. ‘But the monoceros?’

  Both Augustus and Livia looked at one another, and she turned to him in query. ‘Monoceros?’

  Germanicus smiled. ‘The name of the beast with the spike on its nose.’

  Augustus shook his head. ‘It’s a sad loss, but nothing can b
e done about it.’

  I blew my cheeks out, wondering when the conversation would turn back to what we were discussing. ‘Couldn’t you just ask the governor by letter to send him over your fearsome beast? And maybe Arminius’ brother too?’

  Augustus shook his head. ‘No, Livianus is a difficult man. Loyal, but difficult. If you were to request anything of him, he’s liable to deny it. He’s prickly over his position. It’s his province and he doesn’t mind showing open defiance to prove it.’

  Livia sniffed. ‘You should put him in his place.’

  Augustus shook his head. ‘With all that’s going on in the empire at the moment, he’s the least of my worries. ’

  I frowned. ‘So you’ll leave Arminius’ brother, Flavus, in his legion in Spain?’ I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Was I pleased or angry? I remember having affection for Flavus when he was younger, but that was due to my bond with his brother, and as Augustus had pointed out, the same treacherous blood ran through his veins.

  Livia turned to me and gave me a cold smile. ‘Oh don’t you worry about Flavus. Other arrangements will be made for him.’

  Chapter Seven

  Dinner with the Caesars went more easily once Numeria and Agrippina returned, despite Agrippina wearing a similar gap-sleeved tunic to the one she’d been asked to change. In fact, if anything, the neckline plunged even further than the last – Agrippina clearly wasn’t a girl easily cowed. Augustus gave her a hard look when she returned but didn’t remark on her clothing. He seemed to have lost all interest in the evening once the discussions moved on from Germany, telling Livia, ‘I’m retiring for the night. You don’t mind looking after the guests, do you?’

  Livia looked slightly taken aback. ‘But what about dinner? You must eat something?’

  Augustus shook his head, turning to leave and saying snappishly, ‘I’ll take some figs with me to my room. You know that rich food gives me indigestion.’

  Livia gave a sigh of resignation. ‘Very well, dear. If that is what you want.’

  Augustus gave a last barked order at the rest of us before he left. ‘Don’t keep her up too late. We have busy lives and need our rest.’

  Livia gave her husband a parting smile as he left the room, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

  I heard Agrippina faintly grumbling to Numeria under her breath. ‘You see, I told you I needn’t change. He isn’t even going to stay for dinner.’

  Livia barely moved her head or her posture as she said softly, ‘That’s enough, Agrippina. There’s no need to bring that up again.’

  Agrippina looked at Livia defiantly but kept her tongue. It was clear that Livia was going to stay in control of proceedings, despite her husband leaving the room. A slave popped his head in the doorway to see if we were ready to start serving the food, and Livia inclined her head for the slaves to proceed.

  They brought through dishes of honey-glazed shrimps and cheese and sesame sweetmeats to start, which were served with bowls of tightly sliced cabbage soaked in vinegar and some barley rolls as an accompaniment. The divans were cleverly positioned for a party of our size, one end joining in a central circle, so every person could easily converse with anyone they chose. As I was opposite Livia, I chatted politely to her and Agrippina, who was the other side of her step-grandmother, whilst Numeria, who was next to me, discussed the theatre with Germanicus.

  I tried to keep the conversation on safe ground, discussing the latest marble arch that had just finished construction over the Via Appia. ‘The artisans have outdone themselves this time. The marble figurines are brilliantly done.’

  Livia inclined her head. ‘Yes, it is rather fine. Wouldn’t you agree, Agrippina?’

  The strong silky voice returned to Agrippina, possibly a sign of her confidence returning. ‘Oh please, do we have to discuss such mundane matters? Grandfather has built so many arches now I lose count.’

  Livia gave a frown of disapproval. ‘And what would you like to discuss, if the city architects no longer interest you?’

  Agrippina gave a mischievous smile and turned to me. ‘I’m interested in your name.’

  Oh dear, this was never an easy subject. My name had caused comment throughout my life. Fortunately, I now had a standard response. ‘My father was very attached to his grandfather, and I was named after him. The infamous Cassius, who conspired against the divine Julius Caesar, was a far-distant cousin of our family and no direct blood relative.’

  Agrippina scoffed. ‘Not that name! Cassius is a common enough name, even now, not to cause comment. I want to know why grandfather pronounces “Aprilis” in such a way?’ She laughed and rolled my name in the drawn-out derisive manner Augustus used. ‘Aprilissss!’

  I shook my head and floundered around. ‘I’m sure you’re mistaken. I never noticed …’

  Agrippina laughed. ‘Liar, you know exactly what I mean!’

  Livia gave a slight chuckle. ‘Come on, Cassius, you can tell the story. It is an amusing one after all. Or would you prefer I enlightened her?’

  Oh great. So Livia knew of my family’s past? Oh well, for once it wasn’t me that had brought dishonour to the family, so I guessed it wouldn’t hurt to tell, especially as it was already widely known in Rome. I smiled bashfully and admitted, ‘The name derives from my father’s time, from before I was born. Aprilis was the name your grandfather gave my father, shortly after the Battle of Actium.’

  Agrippina’s eyes lit up. ‘But why?’

  Livia said archly, ‘Because originally his father sided with my husband’s opponent, Mark Antony, and that Egyptian whore he kept by his side.’

  Agrippina was delighted. ‘You mean he fought against my father?’

  Her late father, Agrippa, had been Augustus’ leading general, and someone feared almost as much as Augustus himself. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you. My father took no part in the actual battle. Otherwise your father and grandfather would have been far less forgiving I’m sure.’

  She frowned. ‘Then why the name?’

  I looked over to Livia and she gave a slight nod, so I continued. ‘As the two opposing forces inexorably drew closer to confrontation, Augustus asked all the leading senators of Rome to declare their allegiance to him by the start of the new year in March. My father was a bit late in declaring, and only came out on your grandfather’s side at the end of April.’

  Livia smiled. ‘By which time Agrippa and my husband had already departed to confront their rivals.’

  Agrippina clapped her hands. ‘So your father was a traitor, Cassius?’

  I coughed. ‘No, no!’

  Livia pealed with laughter. ‘Not quite. He at least declared before the decisive naval battle of Actium at the end of the summer. After their complete defeat, that wanton woman Cleopatra skulked away on her pleasure yacht with Mark Antony closely following behind. You could say Cassius’ father declared at the last possible moment.’

  My father had switched sides when he heard that Cleopatra was insisting that Mark Antony use the fleet that she had paid for, rather than confronting Augustus’ and Agrippa’s forces on land, a move so ridiculously stupid that he saw which way the war was going to turn just in the nick of time. ‘I’m sure my father was always going to side with your grandfather. He was just a bit slow in coming forward.’

  Agrippina gave me a large smile, knowing how likely that was to be the truth. ‘But why the name?’

  Livia answered for me. ‘You know how your grandfather is? He never lets anything go unnoticed. He forgave Cassius’ father his tardiness in coming forward but was forever calling him Aprilis in public, in reference to the month he had declared himself.’

  I took up the story. ‘Rather than let it be a badge of shame, for others to whisper behind my father’s back, he took it as his family’s cognomen and has gone by that name ever since, as have I.’

  Agrippina smiled at me. ‘How clever, turn an insult into a compliment. Grandfather respects men with strong minds. Isn’t that right, Livia?’

&
nbsp; We turned to see if Livia agreed, but her attention had turned elsewhere and she raised a finger to quieten us whilst she listened. My stomach lurched as I realised she was listening to Numeria.

  Numeria was telling Germanicus, in a forceful manner, that, ‘… the play would have been enhanced if a female actress had been allowed to play the part of Lara. After all, actresses are used in the mimes and the comedies, why not the classics too?’

  I tried to loudly interject on Numeria’s behalf, ostensibly to play down the argument but also to warn Numeria that her conversation was being followed by others, ‘Oh, Numeria, you get so excited by the theatre. You know it’s none of our business. Pay her no mind, Germanicus. She’ll have you talking—’

  Livia wasn’t having any of it. ‘I think your friend, Numeria, has views we would all like to hear. Please continue, child.’

  Numeria turned around, her face going red as she realised that she’d put herself in a difficult situation. ‘Please forgive me, my lady. I was only venturing the opinion that as female actresses are becoming ever more common on the stages of Rome, it is high time we saw them in the classical plays, such as your grandson put on today.’

  I winced as Livia replied, ‘You would have half-naked women performing at the Theatre of Pompey, for the crowd to leer at and to debase the stories of our gods?’

  I knew Numeria felt strongly about this subject, so I wasn’t surprised that she wasn’t about to back down. ‘I don’t see why it need debase the play. What is wrong with Lara being played by a woman?’

  Livia gave a cold smile. ‘Crowds would come to the theatre for nothing more than idle titillation. As it is, I hear of cheap plays in Rome where sexual acts are incorporated into vile mimes just to bring in vulgar crowds of drunken buffoons. You’d bring the whole disgraceful spectacle to the grandest stages of Rome?’

  Numeria shook her head vehemently. ‘I know the mimes you speak of, and I disapprove of them as much as anyone. But it needn’t be like that. It can be done tastefully, with respectable women who cover themselves decently and who only want to show their love of the stage.’