The End of a Dynasty

by David Adkins

  “Then it is how I like it.”

  “Parthenian, I am Domitian’s concubine and you are Domitian’s chamberlain. Do you not see some difficulty there?”

  “You mean if we did not both work for Domitian in our own ways then you would like me more,” I said hopefully.

  “You try to put words in my mouth. I simply say that for me and you there is no future. Indeed, if Domitian knew that you even lusted after me then your life would be in great danger. There are those who might tell him and so you have to be more careful.”

  I considered her words but did not want to accept them. “Domitian has a concubine and so why should you not have one?”

  “You mean you?” she giggled.

  “Why not, for that would only be fair?” I said smiling.

  “You fool, Parthenian. Women do not have concubines. Only men have concubines.”

  “You and me could be the exception,” I said hopefully.

  “So I summon and you come.”

  “Exactly, I will reach Tibur as fast as my mount could bring me.”

  “What about your chamberlain duties?”

  “A concubine drops everything when summoned. You should know that, Corelia.”

  “Drink up, Parthenian, I wish to leave soon. Was there something you came here to specifically discuss, or did you just want to spy on me and talk about concubine duties?”

  “I did want to speak about the gladiatrix contests at the Colosseo but I do not want to delay you. May I ride back to Rome with you and we can discuss the contests on the way?”

  “That would be a pleasure, Parthenian. We will leave within the hour.”

  We were happy with a slow gallop to Rome down the Via Tiburtina to give us plenty of time to talk. “Why have Aria and Hylas gone to Aqueem Tuticum?” I asked.

  “I thought it better for Aria to train there rather than at Rome where Glyca is training. There could be conflict and Castor at Aqueem Tuticum is the best trainer we have.”

  “You are not taking any chances,” I said.

  “Aria will win or I would not let her in the arena. She is a very accomplished gladiatrix but I want to leave nothing to chance.”

  “It will not be a good contest then,” I offered.

  “That does not bother me, Parthenian, as long as Aria wins. In fact I shall be observing Glyca while I am at my father’s school to further reassure myself that she poses no threat to Aria.”

  “She has no gladiatorial skills,” I stated.

  “Maybe not but she might possess fighting instincts though they alone should offer her no possible chance of success. If she begins to acquire some skills then I shall tell my father to stop her training.”

  “I am surprised that you let Aria fight at all.”

  Corelia sighed. “I had no choice. She is quite insistent. We have tried to dissuade her but she will not listen and she seeks revenge. How are the other arrangements proceeding?”

  “The games might not be as spectacular as last year because a certain gladiatrix is missing but it will hopefully satisfy the Emperor and the spectators.”

  We had entered the city and we paused to watch some of Casperius’s guards dragging off some unfortunate wretches into a frightening captivity. “Christians being rounded up,” I observed.

  “For use at the games, no doubt,” she replied.

  We were approaching the gladiatorial school. “Will you come in, Parthenian?” she asked.

  “No, unfortunately I had better head back to the palace. I am needed there.” We had paused outside the gates.

  “Farewell, Parthenian,” she smiled.

  “I meant what I said, Corelia?”

  “About what?” she asked.

  “About being your concubine, though I accept that is probably not the right word.”

  “Domitian,” she said firmly as if that one word explained why my desire would never be fulfilled.

  “He need never know,” I offered.

  She laughed. “Domitian is Emperor and knows everything, or at least he has the people to tell him everything.”

  “You are so beautiful, Corelia. It is difficult to accept what you say. I need you.”

  “What about Glyca and Drucilla? Aria is certain that there is something between you and Glyca, and Drucilla you were willing to protect at all cost.” She gave me a knowing look.

  “Glyca was a lover before I knew who she really was and Drucilla is just a good friend who I work with,” I explained.

  “I believe you, Parthenian, but it makes no difference. Things are as they are and there is nothing we can do about it.”

  “If things were different...?” My question was not concluded. She brought her horse close to my mount and reached over and put her finger on my lips. We are just friends and now farewell, Parthenian.”

  “Please tell your father that I will visit him exactly one week before the games are due to start in order to make sure there are no last minute problems.”

  “I will tell him.”

  “Will you be there, Corelia?”

  She smiled. “I may be.”

  “Farewell, Corelia.” I turned my horse away from the gladiatorial school and set off on the short distance back to the Imperial Palace. My head was all over the place. I had told Corelia the truth when I said I needed her but I could not read her thoughts. However, I knew she was right in displaying caution and that I must respect that. Domitian was very dangerous and very possessive and I realized that not only would I put myself in danger but Corelia too, and that was something I did not wish to do. I sighed because it was all very difficult as my feelings for her were strong.

  Chapter 18

  Rome – Autumn AD90

  The countdown had begun for there was just one week to go until the start of the Jupiter Games, and Rome was in a state of heightened excitement at the imminent prospect of this celebrated annual event. The Emperor was staying unusually calm, for he seemed confident that all would go well, particularly the sea battle in which he had so much invested. The first day would begin with a grand opening ceremony followed by young gladiators and gladiatrices showing their skills in a series of vaunted contests. It was anticipated that not many would die on this opening day, unless Domitian was unimpressed with the performance of a particular contestant. You could almost say it was a gentle start.

  On the second day things would really get going, with gladiator and gladiatrix contests, including in some cases wild animals. It was then that the blood would really start to flow and the Emperor’s mercy would dry up. It was on this day that Aria was scheduled to battle with Glyca after the first lot of Christians had been sacrificed in the arena. The third day would see the most experienced gladiator and gladiatrix battles with Medusa and Geta on display, and further sacrifice of the unfortunate Christians. The arena would then be flooded at the end of the day and preparations made for the grand finale. The final day would be the day of the great sea battle between two Roman galleys and two pirate ships. The games may lack the skill and beauty of the great gladiatrix, Corelia, but it was an ambitious four days that promised entertainment in abundance.

  At the palace things had remained quiet because the attention of the Emperor was centred on Rome and his beloved Colosseo. Casperius was too occupied with searching for Christians in the city than to consider the unlikely possibility that there may have been any closer to home. On the few occasions I was able to speak with Casperius I did remind him of the words of Glyca. I could see fear in his eyes as I preyed upon his superstition but he stubbornly refused to change his mind, and would not speak to Domitian on her behalf. It saddened me for I did not want to watch Glyca die at the hands of Aria, but I could not see any other outcome. I spoke with the Emperor about taking the Empress for a trip into the city but he would not countenance the idea, much to the frustration of Domitia Longina. He seemed to believe that it was too dangerous, particularly as the Praetorian Guard was otherwise occupied and he was therefore unable to provide a substantial enough es
cort. To me it just seemed like an excuse.

  It was with the fate of Glyca on my mind that I arrived at the gladiatorial school, as promised, exactly one week before the first day of the games. But would I even ask to see her for I only had bad news for her. I was not sure. There were three guards at the gate engaged in a game of dice and I called for their attention. “I am Parthenian, chamberlain to the Emperor, and I am here to see Petronius on business.”

  “I know who you are,” said the smallest of the guards as he opened the gate. “Follow me.”

  He led me towards a building that I had not previously entered. “We are not going to the office,” I observed.

  “No but Petronius is expecting you; we had instructions to probably expect your arrival today.”

  We entered the building and as I walked along the corridor I was impressed by the ornate decoration and frequent small statues of gods and goddesses. The guard stopped in front of a large door and knocked. “What is it?” I recognized the voice of Petronius.

  “Parthenian has arrived,” replied the guard.

  “Send him in.”

  The guard opened the door and ushered me inside. The room was impressive and oozed ostentatious luxury. It obviously paid well to be the head of Rome’s gladiatorial school. However, it was the sight of Corelia reclining on a yellow couch that first drew my gaze and then transfixed my eyes.

  “Sit down, my boy,” said Petronius, smiling at my obvious admiration for his daughter. “I often find it hard to believe that I was instrumental in creating a creature of such remarkable beauty.”

  “She is blessed by the gods,” I offered. “In fact I am convinced that Venus must have created Corelia in her own image.” I stopped, for it might not be fitting to be too gushing in front of her father.

  “I am here,” Corelia reminded us and she got up from her couch. “I will go and get us some wine.”

  “Is everything going well with the games?” I asked.

  Petronius considered. “It will be a very good games and I hope that is enough for the Emperor. Everything has gone according to plan at this end.”

  “It has at my end too.”

  “I have put in a few little extras that I hope will please Domitian, such as a few chariot races, but the octopus should delight him and surprise him.” He was pleased with himself.

  “What is an octopus?” I asked.

  “It is a large sea creature which lives in a huge tank of water. The tank will be hauled to the centre of the arena and we shall toss a Christian or two into the tank and see what happens.” He grinned showing his discoloured teeth.

  “That will be a surprise for Domitian,” I agreed.

  Corelia returned, followed by a servant who was holding a tray on which was placed a flagon of red wine and three drinking vessels. The servant placed the tray on a low table between our couches and proceeded to fill the three vessels. Corelia gave one to her father and then one to me and took the third for herself and sat back on her couch. The servant bowed and departed. “I trust you have finished talking about me,” she said.

  “That is a subject that could occupy me for hours,” said her doting father. “I was updating Parthenian on the games and the events.”

  “Then continue, father,” said Corelia.

  He turned back to me. “I expect it is the gladiatrix contests which most concern you, as that is what Domitian has involved you in.”

  I nodded. Corelia was lounging in a striking green stola which stood out against the background of the cream couch. Her long blond hair was draped down her immaculate shoulders and she could indeed have come straight from Mount Olympus.

  He smiled and continued. “I am confident that the two novices will put up a splendid show. They will be bare breasted and their skills have improved considerably. For the main event Geta has trained extremely hard and it should be an even and absorbing battle when she pitches her strength against that of the Capuan, Medusa.”

  “And what is the situation with Aria and Glyca?” I asked.

  “Glyca was a quick learner and so at the request of my daughter I ceased her training last week. She should put up a reasonable fight but she will have no chance against the experience and skills of Aria.”

  I looked at Corelia. “I had to make sure that Glyca’s chance of winning remained extremely negligible,” she said.

  “So everything is in hand,” I was feeling more confident.

  “I assume you will be attending the games?” Petronius asked.

  “I assume so but Domitian has not yet told me whether he intends me to do so.”

  “He has invited me, though it felt more like an order, to spend the four days in the royal box with him,” said Corelia. “It has made me feel a little uneasy because of the Empress, who he tells me he does not intend to bring with him. I fear it will not look good that he sits alongside his concubine and not his Empress.”

  “I wonder if Domitia Longina knows,” I mused.

  “If you are not in the royal box then there is a seat for you in my enclosure,” offered Petronius. “Hylas will sit with me and Aria, when she is not in the arena.”

  “Thank you, I will find out from Domitian what he expects of me. It seems we have done everything we can and now can only pray to the Gods that it is a success.” I gulped down the remainder of my wine. “I imagine you are very busy and so I will not detain you further, Petronius.” I had decided not to ask to see Glyca for there seemed little point as I had no good news for her. I stood and looked at Corelia hopefully.

  “I will walk with Parthenian to the gate, father,” she said.

  “Hylas and Aria are still at Aqueem Tuticum where Aria is doing all her training. Hylas will not allow her to slacken even though Aria is very confident of success,” she informed me as we walked into the courtyard.

  “Was it really necessary for you to put a stop to Glyca’s training? Has she really improved her skills enough to be a threat in the arena?”

  “Hardly, but I take no chances just so that Domitian can have a more even contest to watch,” she said.

  “I hope that Domitian will grant me permission to watch the two gladiatrix contests in the royal box.”

  “If he does then watch your tongue, Parthenian, because it seems I will be sitting next to the Emperor and he will expect all my attention to be centred on him,” she advised.

  “It will be difficult but I will,” I smiled. We had reached the gate.

  “I will probably see you at the games then, Parthenian,” she touched my face lightly with her fingers.

  I responded by letting my fingers touch her long blond hair. “I will see you at the games, Corelia.”

  The week passed slowly amidst varying degrees of calm and chaos in the royal household. The Emperor once again started to indulge his delight in striking and kicking Maximus. The poor servant was battered and bruised and attended to by the kindly Drucilla. Why Domitian would do such a thing was beyond me for the burly servant was inoffensive. I decided it was an innate cruelty triggered by stress for although he would not admit it he was worried that the games would not be as spectacular as previous years. Domitian had not expected me to attend the games at all but instead to run the royal household in his absence. I had pleaded with him to allow me to watch the two gladiatrix contests in which I had been involved. In the end he relented, though I had played a dangerous game in my endeavours to persuade him, for he did not like his orders questioned. So it seemed that I would be attending the second and third days and that I would miss out on the opening ceremony on the first day, and the sea battle on the last day. I did not mind for probably two days at the games was enough for me.

  The Empress was not impressed with being sidelined again. She had no great wish to attend the games except as recognition of her status. She was mortified that her husband would share the royal box with his concubine, a former gladiatrix. Corelia had been briefly in the royal box the previous year, but that she would be guest of honour over the four days was an
affront that the Empress found difficult to take. It was almost unique that there would be no members of the royal family in attendance. It was considered that the pregnant Julia Flavia should not attend such an event in her present condition and Flavia Domitilla treated the whole thing with barely concealed disdain. Fortunately for her the Emperor was too busy to notice, or perhaps he just did not care. Julia, like the Empress, was put out by Corelia’s elevation but at least that gave them a complaint that they could agree upon. Apart from that Julia and Petronilla continued their airs which annoyed the Empress and at times annoyed me too.

  The issue of Christianity within the palace was not mentioned. Domitian seemed completely unaware that the disease had affected a member of his own family and some of the servants. Casperius had not been at the palace much of late because of his campaign against the Christian cult, but one of his actions did surprise me. He appointed Otho as his deputy despite his part in the failed plot against Hylas. Otho was a tetchy individual but he had been left in charge at the palace in the absence of Casperius and he showed no particular hostility towards me. After the downright animosity of Tero this was most welcome. I took the opportunity to remind Casperius of the words of Glyca whenever the opportunity arose but that was not often. I knew that I was getting through to him but he still stubbornly refused to change his mind. My attempts were also half-hearted because I was worried that if Glyca was withdrawn from the fray and freed as to what would then replace the contest. I did not want to place Aria in increased danger against a new opponent though I was confident that Corelia would use her influence with the Emperor to make sure that Aria would not then fight at all.

  Drucilla assured me that, though now a Christian convert, she would keep a low profile. I was happy therefore that she seemed to be in no immediate danger. Flavia Domitilla was away from the palace most of the time as was her steward, Stephanus. Her husband, Titus Clemens, was absent from the palace all the time and so it was a question of out of sight and out of mind. I still did not know how much Casperius might have suspected but he had other things on his mind. Now that the rounding up of Christians for the arena was completed it would be his responsibility to arrange security for Domitian while he was in attendance at the games. So the week passed and the first day of the games was upon us. I watched as the Emperor was taken from the palace on his litter flanked by numerous members of the Praetorian Guard and I knew that the following day I would be joining them. It was much to my surprise that Domitian and Casperius did not return to the Imperial Palace that evening after the completion of the first day. I was informed by one of the guard that he was staying at the residence of Manius Glabrio once again and that I would have to make my own way to the Colosseo and the royal box the next day. It was certainly a prospect that I did not mind.