The Cleopatra Crisis tw-11

by Simon Hawke

  In the coming years, when the empire reached its zenith, thebaths would become architectural marvels. The Baths of Caracalla, which wouldbe constructed in A.D. 211. would have a height of over 100 feet and the main blockwould cover over 270.000 square feet, an area greater than the modern houses ofthe British Parliament. The Baths of Diocletian would be even larger, capableof accommodating over 3.000 bathers at one time. The first baths built on atruly palatial scale would be constructed during the time of Agrippa. in A.D.20. and they would be followed by the baths of Nero. Trajan. Trajanus Decius.and Constantine. But at the time of Caesar. the public baths in Rome were stillrelatively small and nowhere near as spacious and luxurious as they wouldbecome in the coming years.

  Delaney paid his admission and entered the baths where hehad agreed to meet with Cassius and his friends, he entered the small anteroom,where he removed his tunic. toga, sandals, and loincloth and hung them up wherethey would be watched by a slave attendant. As the baths would grow larger inthe coming years, the theft of clothing would become more and more of aproblem, so that most Romans would wear only their oldest and most threadbaretogas and tunics to the baths in anticipation of losing them and having to gohome in thief’s clothing or of having to send a slave home to bring themsomething to wear.

  Delaney went into the main room, which was far smaller thanthe larger baths that would eventually be built. It consisted mainly of a poolwith a tiled floor, considerably smaller than an Olympic-sized pool, the waterin it kept warm by the hot air circulating beneath the floor, from the firestoked in the basement. Off to one side was the smaller frigidarium.essentially a cold plunge. and through an arched doorway in the back was thecalidarium, a small room that was similar to modern Turkish baths, except thatthe steam came from heated water, not from pipes. he passed a small area whereseveral men lay naked upon tables, being scraped by slaves. There was no soapin Rome at this time and the bodily impurities released by perspiration werescraped off with a metal, bone, or wooden scraper called a strigilis.which had a curved blade, similar to the scrapers used on modern polo poniesafter they had lathered up.

  Several of the men were being anointed with oils and perfumes,others were being carefully depilated. A few of them made little grunts astheir body hair was carefully pulled out with tweezers. On the opposite side ofthe pool was a lavatory, essentially a small, square-shaped room with benchesrunning around all four walls. The toilets were merely holes cut in the bencheswith the waste dropping down into running water underneath. Instead of toilet paper.Romans used sponges on short sticks, which could be rinsed off. It was not themost sanitary of arrangements, but the practice was much more hygienic thanwhat was known to most of the rest of the world at this time.

  Cassius and the others were in the steam room, seated uponmarble benches. All of them were nude, of course, as was Delaney. Romans had ahealthy attitude about nudity, though mixed bathing was not practiced until thetime of Nero. Men worked out and wrestled in the nude, and athletic competitionson the Campus Martius were engaged in with only the bare minimum of clothing,often nothing more than a simple loincloth.

  “Ah Quintullus!” said Cassius. “We were just talking aboutyou. Come, sit with us.”

  Delaney joined them on the bench. They all stared at hisphysique. His muscular development was on a level that was virtually unknown inRome and it predictably took them by surprise.

  By the gods!” said Trebonius. “Look at the size of him!”

  “If I did not know better. Quintullus.” Brutus said admiringly,“I would swear that you had once been a gladiator. Truly, you possess thephysique of a Hercules!”

  “I come from a family of large men.” said Delaney. “And lifein the country entails considerable physical labor.”

  “But do you not have slaves for that? asked Albinus,frowning.

  “My family is not as wealthy as that of Septimus,” Delaneysaid. “We do have slaves, but their number is far smaller than most of theestates around us. But, to tell the truth. I enjoy physical labor. It may beunfashionable. but I find that it keeps me strong and healthy.”

  “A sound mind in a sound body,” Trebonius said.

  “Truly, that is the Roman ideal. But you. Quintullus. havecarried it much further than any man that I have ever seen. Aside from labor,it is clear that you engage in sport. Am I correct in guessing that you are awrestler?”

  “I do enjoy wrestling,” said Delaney with a smile. “I findthat it relaxes me.”

  “I will wager that you do not often lose.” Trebonius saidwith a grin.

  “That is true. 1 have not been bested since I was a boy.”

  “My friends. I see an opportunity for us to make some moneyhere.” said Trebonius.

  “We did not come here today to speak of making wagers.”Casca snapped. “We have matters of much more import to discuss.”

  “Patience. Casca.” Cassius said. “Let us not rush intothings. Let us take a little time and get to know our new friend. FabiusQuintullus.” He turned to Delaney. “Casca is always fervent in his opinions,especially when it concerns politics.”

  “Politics often make for fervent opinions,” said Delaney. “Myfriend Marcus and his brother, Lucius, both find mine a bit too fervent onoccasion.”

  “I had that impression.” Cassius said with a smile. “Ourdiscussion at dinner last night became somewhat impassioned. I had the feelingthat they did not entirely approve of our opinions. But we were, after all,merely expressing our concerns about Rome’s welfare.”

  “Do not mind Marcus Septimus.” Delaney said. “You must understandthat he has led a quiet, uneventful life in Cumae. His brother. Lucius. went offto the wars and it fell to Marcus to remain behind and manage the estate. Healways wished that he could go and experience some adventure for himself, winsome glory, share in the booty of war, hut that was not to be. So he had tocontent himself with the letters that Lucius sent home. Lucius painted such apicture that Marcus became enthralled with Caesar. He would read those lettersover and over again, playing out the battles in his mind, as if he were therehimself.”

  “That is not uncommon,” Cassius said understandingly. “Thereare many Romans who followed Caesar’s campaigns in such a manner, wishing thatthey could have been there with him. But as one who has been to war himself. Ican tell you that the imagining is always much better than the actual experience.Much safer, too.”

  “No doubt.” Delaney agreed. “For my part. I do not thinkthat Marcus would have made much of a soldier. He has too soft a disposition.But who is to say? Men who fear a battle have often proved themselves thebravest soldiers. while those who swagger and boast of fearlessness often turncoward in the thick of the fighting.”

  “Yes, that’s very true.” said Casca.”I see you speak fromsome experience. Quintullus.”

  “I have had my share.” said Delaney, “but Marcus has alwaysknown only the quiet life. And Lucius has always had a gift for writing. Weoften thought he should have been a poet. He described his experiences in Gaulso vividly that Marcus came to idolize Caesar from afar. To speak againstCaesar in his presence is like a personal affront. I can understand the way hefeels, but in certain ways. Marcus can be blind to what is happening aroundhim. In Cumae.

  he is removed from the politics of Rome. They affect himonly slightly. Whereas I. who plan to settle down and live in Rome. haveconcerns that are considerably stronger.”

  “We had started discussing some of your concerns last night,”said Cassius. “I would be curious to hear more of your thoughts on the matter.”

  Delaney shrugged. “Like you. I have certain opinions when itcomes to Caesar.” He glanced around, as if with some discomfort. “But perhapsthey are opinions best kept to myself. I had a little too much wine last nightand spoke a bit too freely. In such troubled times, one should be careful whatone says in public.”

  “Come now, Quintullus,” Casca said. “You are among friendshere. And from what you said last night. it would seem that your thoughts andyour concerns echo our own.�
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  “Indeed?” Delaney said warily.

  “Casca speaks for us all,” said Cassius. “Men ofintelligence can see that there is danger in one man having absolute power torule in Rome. Especially a man like Caesar. In some ways, he is like anotherSulla. Only Sulla was never made dictator for life.”

  “And he never took the title of Imperator.” saidTrebonius. “nor had so many honors and privileges been heaped upon him.”

  “What is the difference between emperor and king?” askedCasca angrily. “They are but different names for the same thing.”

  “It would seem so,” said Delaney.

  “Rome was done with kings ages ago,” said Cassius. “Underthe republic, we enjoyed freedom and democracy, a life such as no nation in theworld had ever known. Through the Senate. the citizens of Rome all had a voicein how they were governed. Yet what have we now? A Senate that is little morethan Caesar’s tool. Look at the new men whom he has elevated. Are there anyCiceros among them? No. They are all merely acolytes to Caesar. bowing to hisevery whim. Hardly anyone in the Senate dares to dispute with him. His word islaw. His every action is unquestioned. And now he plans to leave on yet anothercampaign, to play at being Alexander, while we suffer his surrogates. meresecretaries, not even members of the House, to dictate to us in his absence! Isthis not a mark of the contempt in which he holds the Senate?”

  “I cannot disagree.” Delaney said, nodding. “Since he becameEmperor. Caesar has become more and more the autocrat. It is not in thetradition of Rome’s institutions. Only what can anyone do’? He has the supportof the people.”

  “Perhaps he has the support of the plebeians,” Brutus said, “whoknow only not to bite the hand that feeds them, but there are many men in Rome.men such as ourselves. who perceive the growing danger of his rule. Caesar hasalways catered to the masses, with his corn dole and his public feasts andentertainments, but in his ascent to power, he had made more than his share ofenemies.”

  “Such as yourself. Brutus?” asked Delaney. “I have heardthat there are intimate bonds between yourself and Caesar.”

  Brutus flashed him an angry look. “I am not his bastard. ifthat is what you imply!”

  “I imply nothing.” said Delaney. “I only repeat what I haveheard. Did he not pardon you after you took Pompey’s side during the civil war?”

  “He pardoned Cassius, too,” said Brutus. “And Casca and manyothers. It was all his way of showing himself to be magnanimous, the greatgeneral who was gracious in his victory. It was but another way to curry favorwith the mob. It was no different from when he ordered Pompey’s statues putback up after the mobs had torn them down. You think that he had any love forPompey? If so. then why did he pursue him into Egypt? Why did he destroy hissons? Did he make a great show of remorse for having done so, as if he had hadno other choice? No. He returned to Rome to celebrate a triumph. A triumphcelebrating the destruction of one of the greatest families of Rome! There wasyour true Caesar. not the one who gave out pardons and ordered Pompey’sstatues put back up!”

  “That was nothing but a show: said Casca derisively. “Anotherentertainment. It was as if to say. ‘Let us have the statues put back up. tocelebrate the greatness of the man I have defeated. thereby proving I amgreater still.’ His ambition seems to know no bounds. For the good of Rome.that ambition must somehow be curtailed.”

  “Strong words,” Delaney said. “but then what good are wordswithout acts to back them up?”

  “We do not merely speak words. Quintullus,” said Casca intently.“We plan to act as well!”

  “Indeed?” Delaney said, raising his eyebrows. “What is itthat you plan to do?”

  “Peace. Casca.” Cassius said, laying a hand on his arm. “Perhapsnow is not the time.”

  Delaney smiled. “Yes, I have heard such talk before.” hesaid wryly. “It is the wine-fueled courage of the dinner table, the whisperedconspiracy of the baths. Men talk boldly, but when it comes time to act, theyhesitate and say. ‘Now is not the time.’ And somehow, the right time nevercomes.”

  “What if it were to come?” asked Cassius. “Where would youstand. Quintullus?”

  “Where I have always stood, with the strength and purpose ofmy convictions.” said Delaney. “If there was something to be done and if therewas a way to do it. and if Rome stood to benefit from the act that I was contemplating.then I would stand for Rome, of course.” He shrugged. “But then, we speak onlyimpassioned words. Impassioned acts are what is needed. Yet, as you say. Cassius.there are no more Ciceros. Even Cicero himself has retired from public life. Noone opposes Caesar openly. There is nothing to be done.”

  “Perhaps there is,” said Casca. “If, as you say. you areindeed a man who stands for the strength and purpose of his convictions. A manwho stands for Rome.”

  Delaney gave him a steady stare. “So far. all I have heardis talk,” he said. “To oppose Caesar in the baths is one thing. To take a standagainst him publicly is quite another. As you say. Caesar controls the Senate.What can a few men do?”

  “Perhaps we are not quite so few as you suspect,” saidBrutus. “There are many others who share our feelings and concerns.”

  “I do not doubt that.” said Delaney, “but I repeat. Caesarcontrols the Senate. When the House belongs to Caesar. what can anyone do?”

  “We could remove Caesar from the House.” said Casca.

  There was a moment of tense silence.

  “There is only one way to do that. You speak of murder. Casca,”said Delaney softly.

  “Not murder,” Casca replied. “Tyrannicide! That is the onlyway to stop a man like Caesar! Or does the thought disturb you, Quintullus?”

  “It is a disturbing thought,” Delaney said.

  “What happened to the man who spoke of the strength of hisconvictions?” Casca asked snidely. “A moment ago. you spoke of the need foraction. Yet now, it is you who hesitates.”

  They were all watching him carefully.

  “To hesitate is not the same as to weigh a course of actioncarefully.” said Delaney. “It is one thing to huddle together in the baths andwhisper boldly. It is another to plan a course of action. Such things should beentered into with great care. There have been others in the past who actedrashly. They did not live long to regret their choice.”

  “No one speaks of acting rashly,” Cassius said.

  “Then you have a plan?”

  “We have considered it,” said Brutus. “But we must becertain that those to whom we speak of it stand with us. You seem to be of a likemind with us. Quintullus. We spoke of that last night. The question is, haveyou the courage to stand with us?”

  “Do I look to you like the sort of man who lacks the courageto stand for that which he believes in?” asked Delaney.

  “No,” said Brutus. “you do not seem like such a man. Yetthat is not an answer.”

  “Before I give you one.” Delaney said warily.” first tell mewhy you have chosen me, a stranger to you all, to reveal your thoughts to. Thatmeant taking a great risk. How do you know that I will not denounce you?”

  “A fair question.” Cassius said. “And one deserving of an answer.First, we were favorably impressed with what you said last night. You spokeboldly and frankly, expressing thoughts similar to ours. A man such asyourself, strong, clear-thinking, forthright, did not seem to us like someonewho would be afraid to follow words with deeds.”

  “There was a risk, of course, in sharing our thoughts withyou,” said Brutus, “but the risk was not so great as you imagine. You are, asyou have said, a stranger and a newcomer to Rome, whereas we are all men ofposition and influence. Them are no witnesses to testify to what has transpiredhere just now save for ourselves. If you were to inform on us-”

  “Which would be rash, indeed.” interrupted Casca.

  “If you were to inform on us.” continued Brutus. “it wouldbe merely your word against ours. And we are all in a position to make certainthat you could not pose a threat to us.”

  “Make no mistake. Q
uintullus,” said Cassius, “we do not intendto threaten you. Brutus merely seeks to explain our reasoning.”

  “Your reasoning seems sound, so far.” Delaney said.

  “There is yet one more thing.” Cassius said. “Yourfriendship with Lucius Septimus, and the fact that you are staying in hishouse, means that you could be very useful to us. Septimus is close to Caesar,a frequent visitor to the palace. He has Caesar’s confidence. And you seem tohave his.”

  “I see.” Delaney said. “And Trebonius is friends withAntony, who is also close to Caesar. I begin to understand your methods.”

  “Yes, as you can see. Quintullus. we are careful men.” saidCassius. “We must see to it that not a thing is left to chance. There is muchat stake. The very fate of the republic, to say nothing of our lives.”

  “Indeed.” Delaney said thoughtfully.

  “So. What is your answer?” Cassius asked “Do you stand withus, or against us?”

  “I stand for the republic.” said Delaney.

  “Then you are with us?” Casca asked.

  “If I am to be asked to risk my life.” Delaney said. “then Iwould be a fool to undertake that risk for nothing.”

  Brutus frowned. “Is it payment that you seek?”

  “I am not some assassin who works for hire. Brutus,” said Delaneywith an affronted tone. “I believe in the republic and I have come to Rome tobuild a life. But if I am to be instrumental in saving the republic, then Iwould like to have a hand in restoring it. as well.”

  “And so you shall,” said Cassius. “We will need men ofability when the time comes. to prevent Rome from falling into chaos. Neverfear. Quintullus. you shall not fall by the wayside. At the very least, atribuneship could be arranged. What say you to that?”

  “I think that I would like being a tribune.” Delaney saidwith a smile.

  “Then it is settled.” said Cassius. “We shall meet again atmy home an hour before sunset. And we shall drink to the future of Rome!”