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The Death of Marcellus

Page 46

by Dan Armstrong


  “Many believe that knowledge, particularly science, should only be shared in the most careful way—almost as an initiation into a religion or a cult. But I’m not of that belief. Knowledge is something that many have contributed to. It grows with each generation. Like a huge temple, we are steadily detailing it, adding an embossment here, an inscription there. But it’s not just for those who build it. It’s not some fantastic mystery to be secreted away. It’s for everyone. It’s a tool to learn with, to learn about ourselves and about others. And it’s a tool to improve our place in the world. To make life better and richer for everyone, not just the privileged. Knowledge is best shared.”

  “Even when used to make weapons?”

  “Civilization and the knowledge that comes with it are the products of thousands of years of human struggle. Both will continue to grow and be built upon for many thousand more. During that time, we will make many missteps, but with every misstep, we will make advances. This, I believe, is the destiny of humankind. To create a knowledge that will allow us to live on the Earth without war, without slavery, and without enduring hardship. I believe we will achieve it.”

  “Was it a mistake for Archimedes to torture himself over this?”

  “No, it was a necessary part of learning how to use the knowledge.” Ithius paused and tilted his head. “What makes you ask such a question, Timon?”

  “I learned quite a bit from Archimedes. He made me promise not to divulge some of the things he showed me.” I placed my hand on my chest, feeling the leather pouch beneath my tunic. “Now I wonder if those secrets need to be revealed—if sharing them is what I’m meant to do—if that’s my destiny.”

  Ithius smiled warmly and put his hand on my shoulder. “If those are the questions that are in your heart, and you have the honesty to ask such questions, questions that few men can even imagine, then yes, you are the right person to reveal those secrets.”

  “I hope you are right, Ithius. I hope you are right.” I turned to walk away.

  “I almost forgot, Timon. A soldier left a letter here for you. It’s on the table in the entrance hall.”

  I went to the table and found the sealed letter. I opened it and read the short note. I have heard from my colleague Claudius Nero that you have exceptional talent as a mapmaker. There will be a time in the future when I will need accurate maps of north Africa. I would like your assistance with this. When the time comes, I will call for you. It was signed Publius Cornelius Scipio.

  I was honored. Recognition by the illustrious Scipio was important, but it only made me think of the war and Hannibal and my mother traveling with his army. How I wished this note had been from her, telling me she had been released and that I would be seeing her that day. Instead, I found myself staring at the floor, thinking of the image of her I had seen through the lenses and wondering if I would ever see her again.

  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  Adeon- house slave in Timon’s home in Croton

  Aemilia- one of unchaste Vestals

  Aemilus Pallus- senator who died at Cannae

  Ajax- Sempronia’s pet parrot

  Arathia Arathenus- Timon’s mother

  Balius- Timon’s horse

  Blattius- member of Salapia city council

  Britomartus- King of the Gaesatae

  Caelius- King of the Crooks

  Calpurnius Piso- Roman proconsul in Arretium

  Candaules- character from Herodotus’ Histories

  Capitolinus- man who sexually abused Marcus Claudius

  Carthalo- Carthaginian cavalry officer

  Cassius Regulus- augur for Marcellus during second campaign

  Claudia- Marcellus’ daughter

  Dasius- member of Salapia city council

  Decius- Timon’s tentmate, all three campaigns

  Dora- Sempronii slave

  Edeco- Claudii slave

  Esmeralda- Venusian farm girl

  Euroclydon- Marcus’ horse

  Fulvia- Sempronia’s mother

  Gaius Arrenius- tribune of the plebs

  Gaius Cornelius Nero- prefect for Marcellus, second and third campaigns

  Gaius Decimius Flavus- tribune for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Gaius Fulvius Flaccus- brother of Quintus and Gnaeus

  Gaius Laelius- Publius Scipio’s naval commander

  Gaius Publicius Bibulus- tribune of the plebs

  Gaius Tubero- tribune for Marcellus, first and second campaign

  Gnaeus Fulvius Flaccus- brother of Quintus and Gaius, killed at Herdonea

  Gnaeus- Timon’s tentmate, all three campaigns

  Gnaeus Furius- legate for Crispinus

  Gyges- character from Herodotus’ Histories

  Hektor- military cook on island of Ortygia in Sicily

  Helvius Paetus- tribune for Marcellus, second campaign

  Hiero- King Hiero II of Syracuse

  Horatius- Timon’s tentmate during the second campaign, Titus’ brother

  Ithius- Claudii slave

  Julia- Laelia’s daughter

  Junius Pennus- perfect for Marcellus, second campaign

  Laelia- Claudii slave

  Leptines Pelopedias- nobleman from Syracuse

  Licinia- one of unchaste Vestals

  Livius- Timon’s tentmate, first campaign

  Lucius Arrenius- tribune of the plebs

  Lucius Cornelius Lentulus- legate for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Lucius Furius Purpurio- Legate for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Lucius Herenius- farmer from Narnia

  Lucius Oppius- qaestor for Marcellus

  Lucretia- house slave in Timon’s home in Croton

  Lydiades- Greek from Tarentum

  Manius- slave from Vestal Palace

  Manius Atilius Regulus- tribune for Quintus Fulvius

  Manlius Torquatus- oldest Roman senator

  Maharbal- Carthaginian cavalry officer

  Manius Acilius- Roman senator

  Manius Aulius-Prefect for Crispinus

  Manus- slave from Capua

  Marcus Aemilius Lepidas- Roman senator

  Marcus Atilius Regulus- Roman general during the first Punic War

  Marcus Claudius- Marcellus’ son

  Marcus Claudius Marcellus- Roman general

  Marcus Livius Macatus- Roman garrison captain in Tarentum

  Marcus Maevius- nobleman from Sora

  Marcus Valerius Laevinus- Roman consul

  Marius Baebus- Pulcher, sub-centurion for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Marius Geminus- legate for Crispinus

  Meda- Claudii slave

  Messalina- virgo vestalis maxima, senior sister for Vestal Virgins

  Moira- Sicilian girl, love interest of Timon’s from Syracuse

  Muttines- Carthaginian cavalry officer

  Nico Percon- Greek military officer in Tarentum

  Olcades- military surgeon

  Paculla Annia- priestess from Capua

  Pacuvius Calavius- prefect for Marcellus, first campaign

  Papus Laetorius- prefect for Marcellus, first campaign

  Philip of Macedon- King of Macedonia

  Philomenus- Greek officer in Tarentum

  Portia- Marcellus’ wife

  Publius Cornelius Lentulus- garrison captain in Syracuse

  Publius Cornelius Scipio- young Roman general in Spain

  Publius Licinius Crassus Dives- pontifex maximus

  Publius Metellus- Marcellus’ son-in-law

  Quinctius Crispinus- Roman consul

  Quintus Ennius- Roman playwright and poet

  Quintus Fabius Maximus- elder Roman senator

  Quintus Fulvius Flaccus- Roman consul, brother of Gaius and Gnaeus

  Rullo- Laelia’s son

  Sempronia- Marcus’ bride-to-be

  Seppius- Timon’s tentmate, first and second campaign

  Sextius Buteo- augur for Marcellus during third campaign

  Spurius- Timon’s tentmate, first campaign


  Statorius Galba- centurion for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Tiberius Claudius Asellus- cavalry captain for Marcellus, all three campaigns

  Tiberius Sempronius Longus- Roman senator, father of Sempronia

  Timon Leonidas- the Greek narrator

  Titus- Timon’s tentmate during second campaign, Horatius’ brother

  Titus Mamulus- messenger from Tarentum

  Titus Otacilius- Marcellus’ step-brother

  Titus Veturius Pollio- legate for Marcellus, first campaign

  Troglius- Timon’s tentmate, all three campaigns

  Varus Nasica- augur for Marcellus during first campaign

  Vibellus Rullus- prefect for Marcellus, third campaign

  Vibius Virrius- member of Capua’s city council

  GLOSSARY

  as (pl. asses)- bronze Roman coin, four quadrans make one as

  auguraculum- tent in Roman military camp used by augurs

  baldric- belt worn over the shoulder to carry a sword

  bastinado- gaunlet-sytle military punishment

  buckler- shield

  bulla- lucky charm worn around neck by Roman children

  carroubes- calluses formed by Roman helmet clasps

  cella- main room in a Roman temple

  centuria praerogativa- the honor of nominating the first pair of consuls at the Century Assembly

  comitium- sunken amphitheater in front of the Curia

  cuirass- breastplate of metal or formed leather

  Curia- Senate House

  curule chair- seat for consuls in Roman Senate

  decurion- captain of turma

  denarius- silver Roman coin equal to ten asses

  equites- second order of nobility in Rome

  extraordinarii- elite Roman soldiers

  februa- bloody animal skin used in the Lupercalia

  flamen (pl. flamines)- religious orderly

  garron- small horse ridden by Numidian cavalry

  gladius (pl. gladii)- double-bladed, short sword of Spanish origin

  greave- a bronze or leather shin guard

  haruspex- priest trained to read entrails or actions of birds

  hastatus (pl. hastati)- first row of soldiers in a Roman legion

  howdah- leather and wood tower worn by an elephant or camel

  ides- fifteenth day of the month

  imagines- wax masks cast from a family’s ancestors

  imperium- authority to rule

  intervallum- space between ramparts and tents in Roman camp

  lares- protective gods of the home, one for each member of the family

  lictor- bodyguard for Roman consul

  mahout- trainer and rider of elephant

  mola- religious sacrament made from salt and flour

  mulsum- honey-sweeten wine

  new man- a Roman citizen who has recently gained social prominence

  nones- the ninth of the month

  optio- sub-centurion, watches maniple action from rear

  palla- shawl for Roman women

  penates- household gods

  peristyle- garden in Roman home

  pilum (pl. pila)- a spear with wooden handle and extended iron tip

  pons- bridge

  pontifex maximus- highest position in Roman religious hierarchy

  porta- gate

  poulterer- man who takes care of haruspex’s chickens

  praetorium- headquarters in Roman military camp

  princeps senatus- president of Roman senate

  princeps (pl. principes)- second row of soldiers in Roman legion

  pugio- small dagger carried by Roman velites

  quadrans- smallest denomination of Roman coinage, a quarter of an as

  quaestor- military accountant, quartermaster

  quinquereme- a warship with five tiers of oars

  rostra- the speaker’s platform overlooking the amphitheater in the Roman forum

  scutum (pl. scuta)- semi-cylindrical Roman shield

  spolia opima- one general killing another on the battlefield

  stola- Roman woman’s dress

  toga praetexta- toga worn by Roman consul

  triarius (pl. triarii)- third row of soldiers in Roman legion

  tribunal- platform for presiding over assemblies

  triclinium- the Roman dining room

  trireme- a warship with three tiers of oars

  turma- squadron of thirty equestrians

  velites- light infantry in Roman legion

  via principalis- main street in Roman military camp

  virgo vestalis maxima- head priestess for Vestal Virgins

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I could not have written this book without the love and support of my wife Judith. My thanks to her is always and forever.

  Thanks is also extended to the contingent of readers who helped me with this novel: Alice, Jim, Mary, Fast Eddie, Tom, Judith, and Tyler.

  Although the research for this book occurred over a period of twenty-five years and included the reading of many hundred books and articles, the historical basis of this book came primarily from the work of two writers, the Greek Polybius (200-118 B.C.) and the Roman Livy (59 B.C.-17 A.D.).

  Polybius’ The Rise of the Roman Empire contains the only contemporary history of the Second Punic War. Born two years after the end of the war, Polybius toured the battlefields, traced Hannibal’s route through the Alps, and interviewed men who took part in the war. His book is judged to be one of the masterpieces of classical literature. Written one hundred and fifty years before the birth of Christ, less than half of the original text remains.

  Livy’s The War with Hannibal is another masterpiece. Because Livy had access to all of Polybius’ writing, many of the missing parts of Polybius’ work are rewritten in Livy’s, though with a Roman slant. These two authors deserve my most profound acknowledgment. Without their work, the details of this story would not be known at all.

  The crystal lens and the glass bead were known long before 200 B.C., but the use of them together was not. The presence of this concept in the book is not historical.

  Primary Sources:

  Bauman, Richard A., Women and Politics in Ancient Rome, Routledge, London, 1992.

  Carey, Brian Todd, and Joshua B. Allfree, John Cairns, Hannibal’s Last Battle: Zama and the Fall of Carthage, Westholme Publishing, Pennsylvania, 2008.

  Cowell, F.R., Life in Ancient Rome, Berkley Publishing Group, New York, 1980.

  Daly, Gregory, The Experience of Battle in the Second Punic War, Routledge, New York, 2002.

  Dodge, Theodore A., Hannibal, Da Capo Press, Boston, 1891.

  Dupont, Florence, Daily Life in Ancient Rome, translated by Christopher Woodall, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford, 1989.

  Everitt, Anthony, The Rise of Rome, Random House Trade Paperbacks, New York, 2013.

  Flaubert, Gustave, Salammbo, Albert and Charles Boni, New York, 1930.

  Herodotus, The Histories of Herodotus, translated by Harry Carter, The Heritage Press, New York, 1958.

  Jaeger, Mary, Archimedes and the Roman Imagination, University of Michigan Pres, United States, 2011.

  Laxenby, J.F., Hannibal’s War, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1998.

  Livy, The War with Hannibal, translated by Aubrey De Sélincourt, Penguin Classics, London, 1965.

  MacLachlan, Bonnie, Women in Ancient Rome, New York, 2013.

  Miles, Richard, Carthage Must be Destroyed, Penguin Books, New York, 2010.

  Műnzer, Friedrich, Roman Aristocratic Parties and Families, translated by Thérèse Ridley, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London, 1999.

  Nicolet, Claude, The World of the Citizen in Republican Rome, University of California Press, Berkeley, 1980.

  Plutarch, Lives, translated by John Dryden, The Publishers Plate Renting Company, New York, 1937.

  Polo, Francisco Pina, The Consul at Rome, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2011.

  Polybius, The Rise and Fall of the Roman Em
pire, translated by Ian Scott-Kilvert, Penguin Classics, London, 1979.

  Scheid, John, An Introduction to Roman Religion, Indiana University Press. 2003.

  Taylor, Lily Ross, Roman Voting Assemblies, University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1993.

  Warrior, Valerie M., Roman Religion, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2006.

  The map of Rome at the front of the book comes from Cambridge Ancient History, Volume 9, page 70.

  Notes:

  In several cases, pieces of dialogue in the novel have been paraphrased from dialogue appearing in Livy’s The War with Hannibal. The most extensive of these passages are identified below.

  1. Manlius Torquatus’ speech to the Roman Senate on page 100 of the novel comes from the above referenced version of Livy, page 384.

  2. Marcellus’ response to the Syracusans’ grievances on pages 119-20 of the novel comes from Livy pages 395-6.

  3. Licinius’ reading of prodigies to Roman Senate on pages 122-3 of the novel comes from Livy pages 385-6.

  4. Marcus Valerius Laevinus’ speech to the Roman Senate on page 134 of the novel comes from Livy pages 401-2.

  5. Marcellus’ speech to his troops on pages 303-4 of the novel come from Livy page 444.

  6. Hannibal’s comments to his officers after the loss of Tarentum to Fabius on page 318 of the novel come from Livy page 449.

  THE AUTHOR

  Dan Armstrong is the editor and owner of Mud City Press, a small publishing company and online magazine operating out of Eugene, Oregon. Information about his books, short stories, political commentary, humor, and environmental studies is available at www.mudcitypress.com.

 

 

 


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