Chapter Three, Part Two
Chapter 3: Thrace
Part 2: Agendas
Almost immediately following Caesar’s departure to Macedonia, Octavius assumed command of the Roman world. Appealing to the masses and in a flurry of populism, bending to Caesar’s wishes, to which he was morally opposed, opened the ranks of the nobility, and define it in a loose way. Lowering the amount of net wealth necessary to be admitted into the Senate opened up an entirely new political class to try the reigns at power not seen since Sulla. Naturally, Cicero’s Moderates opposed this “populist nonsense” and threatened the integrity of the Republic, but Octavius, in a gesture deemed by all as gallant, proposed that though a new political class was opened, that to run for office a senator must have accrued wealth equal to the old standard. With the Caesarian-Moderate coalition strengthened, Rome watched as Consuls Octavius and Brutus strive to strike a compromise with Rome’s “finest men” instead of playing the rabble-rouser and proposing legislation to the Assembly.
However, as Rome entered a “new era” of politics, trouble brewed in the Orient. Piracy, considered by some as a dead trade since the imperium of Pompey the Great, was on the rise. Ransacking grain shipments out of Egypt troubled the eastern as well as the western provinces of the empire. Even as Gaius Memmius patrolled the seas and combated the ills of the hungry Republic, grain was still disappearing that couldn’t be accounted for. While the Senate was quick to point fingers and blame the opposition for undermining the stability of the state, cooler heads had an inkling to where the grains were going. The culprits were factions against the Great Law in the same place it was affecting – the East, specifically Syria. Her massive wealth combined with civil strife could become a bacterium that Rome could not cure if not controlled early. The only question that remained now was who was doing it, and why.
Noon, March 5th, 710 Ab urbe condita
Rome, Italy
Standing up, Octavius cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the Senate. Brutus retained only a smug look on his face, finding it incredible that a 19 year-old commanded so much respect from his government. All too much he seemed like his uncle. He would have thought that without Ptolemy, that he would be his only son. Clasping his hands together, Octavius stepped forward and called the Senate to order. As the muffled speech ground to a halt, only silence permeated the room. Only then could the effect of his calculating personally take its full stride.
“Gentlemen, before we conclude this session, I would like to announce two pieces of news to you all exclusively before it’s release to the people. I figured it best, so that misinterpretations or questions could be relayed to me directly, instead of being discovered by whispers on street-corners," Octavius relayed, stirring interest within the seated senators.
“First, today, I have received confirmation from a courier bound from Macedonia that Caesar has invaded Thrace with his legions in an effort to secure key defensive positions by Dacian territory due to reactions from Dacian armies. This new conquest will give our armies the high ground against a foe that seemingly wants to pounce at any sign of weakness. Hopefully the fall of Tylis will set the barbarians in their proper place,” Octavius concluded, speaking if he had memorized the note that Caesar had written him. Some senators nodded at the good news, while others seemed to be frightened. One such worried senator, in light of this, stood up to confront the Consuls.
“Reactions from Dacian armies? Does that they are planning to invade Macedonia?” the senator finished, sitting down amidst worried, muffled voices. Octavius, becoming increasingly annoyed, gestured to his lictors to pound their fasces on the ground to bring the room to silence.
“We have no confirmation of that. If that were so, Caesar has enough money, food, and soldiers to deal with a calamity of that degree. Some of our most capable commanders are in Macedonia; I feel that confident that our lands our safe in the meantime,” Brutus shouted over the voices, which gradually reduced to nothing. Nodding heads throughout the crowd signaled agreement. At least the Senate trusted Caesar to defend the state instead of run it. Shifting his train of though, Octavius proceeded to state the last order of business of the day.
“Lastly, we have heard rumors of stirrings by tribes across the sea in Britannia. I am worried that if the Suebi become too powerful, and in the event of full-scale military operations in Germania, that the tribes across the sea will be roused to do harm against our outposts in Gaul. Something that none of us wants. So, with my power vested in my as legal custodian of the Republic, I hereby grant newly raised senators Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Gaius Cilnius Maecenas imperium over the province of Belgica to replace the current promagistrates as joint military governors. From there, they will have orders to raise an appropriate amount of legions to subdue Britannia. If we are to eventually fight the Suebi directly, it will be important to do divide and conquer any potential allies they may have,” Octavius spoke fluently and crisply, capturing a majority of the Senate with his charisma, and suggesting that this really was the best action to take. It was logical to presume that it would be better to break down potential enemies before they could break down Rome.
With no word from any of the Senate, Octavius ended the meeting. Standing up with Brutus, the two political titans shook hands, scheduled an evening dinner, and parted ways. As the other senators stood up and moved about, Cicero quickly stood up, and rushed to intercept Octavius before he was lost amongst the hundreds of white robes in the Forum. Tugging at Octavius’ toga, Cicero met the gaze of the Interrex et Consulare as he turned to face him.
“Your Honor,” Cicero said, not accustomed to the honorific, “is it wise to be raising armies like that? With the current grain shortages, allocating grain we need to feed the mob to our legions doesn’t appeal to me as being the correct choice. Perhaps we can have Gallic granaries give up some-“ Cicero attempted grant advice, but was immediately cut off by Octavius, who looked annoyed from the business of the day.
“Cicero, if I was interested in your counsel, then I would have asked for it. I am sure the Roman people can be a little hungry when they go to bed instead of going to bed hoping that the Germans sacking Rome don’t get them in the middle of the night. Leave me be and protest to someone who cares,” Octavius blurted out, waving Cicero away and descending the steps of the Senate House. Dumbfounded, Cicero watched Octavius become enveloped by a mass of white linens. Summoning Tiro to his side, Cicero prompted his property to start taking down a letter. As Cicero walked into the side streets of Rome, Octavius met up with Marcus Agrippa and Gaius Maecenas to speak of their new appointments.
“Thank you, Gaius, for your generosity. It is an honor for someone of my status to receive and honor such as this. My family will remember this for centuries to come,” Agrippa stated, bowing his head to the Interrex. Octavius accepted the gesture, but was interrupted by Maecenas as he let out an exaggerated chuckle that echoed around the street in which they walked. Both men turned to face them, wondering what was so humorous. Seeing both of them staring, Maecenas’ cheeks turned red from embarrassment.
“My apologies, Gaius. I found something awfully poetic about being an Etruscan and receiving absolute authority over a province of the empire. Who knew the people Romans have loathed for centuries would in fact hold power once again!” Maecenas joked. Agrippa saw the joke and laughed awkwardly, but Octavius showed no vestige of emotion. He supported, but was generally uninterested, in Maecenas’ aptitude for the arts, and found that his habit of searching political events, especially events of importance such as this, for poetic devices was rather annoying and inappropriate.
“Oh,” Octavius said, “well it is important for the both of you to conquer Britannia quickly, or at least supplement your grain with loot from the British countryside. I don’t need the mob rising in revolt while I have control of the City, especially over hunger. That is the most important of your missions; to return as much of the grain that I will allot for this campaign. I trust both of you will fulfill my wishes to an utmost capacity. This is obviously why I have chosen the two of you, my trusted friends, to carry this operation out personally,” Octavius ended, glancing at his seconds with a fake smile. Both of them nodded.
“I hope both of you will accompany me to dinner tonight at the Junii house?” Octavius asked.
“Absolutely,” the new military governors both said at the same time. With a round of handshakes, the three men parted ways to make preparation for the evening part. Once again, political gambles would be taken that would decide the fate of the political stability Rome had achieved. The only question was, who was on either side?
Night, March 10th, 710 Ab urbe condita
Antioch, Syria
It had been a hard night of feasting and drinking at the house of proquaestor Sextus Appaleius, governor of Syria. Many lay drunk and laying in piles of their own excrement. Though, it did not matter. Today was not just any normal day of sin and debauchery. Today was a celebration of a victory. A victory over Rome and her hungry mouths. Today marked the day that Sextus Pompey had captured a total of one-third of Egypt’s first grain harvest coming out of the Nile with his Sicilian marines. After promptly storing the stolen goods into Appaleius’ personal granaries, a party ensued that turned Appaleius from a nervous conspirator into a trusted friend.
As midnight approached, only Pompey and Appaleius remained standing, only slightly buzzed from the heavy drinking. With full bellies of wine and meat, the two men of distinction decided to talk politics.
“So, Sextus, you never did tell me why you abandoned Sicily as quickly as you did. I mean, you did have an excellent position. A few loyal legions and an expert navy that would put all Roman attempts to stop you to the bottom of the sea!” Appaleius commented, unsure of the quality of his inquiry. He surely did not want to upset his new comrade.
“I figured Caesar would have been dead on the Ides like Longinus promised, but now he is in effective prison. It would have been the perfect defensive spot against any of Caesar’s avengers who wished to ‘punish me’. Since that bastard is alive, I knew I couldn’t fight him alone. So I came here and found my great friend, Sextus Appaleius!” Pompey padded the proquaestor on his back. Appaleius smiled, followed by a cough of acid into his mouth from his annoying condition of reflux. He quickly swallowed it back down with a swig of stronger wine poured by the barmaid.
“So, what now, brother? Surely stealing grain is not enough to break Rome!” Appaleius shouted, but Pompey quickly quieted his friend.
“We need to raise just a few more legions. I have a plan to make us heroes of the Republic, Sextus! I do! It will just involve some distractions, some generalship, and a few heads to roll. After a few confirmations from some key senators, our plan will be ready! Soon, it will be how it once was. A true Republic! Gods, I cannot wait to see that. It has been too long!” Pompey proclaimed to his friend, who immediately looked troubled.
“I do not feel I am being helpful enough,” Appaleius stated, swirling his drink around in his cup. Pompey immediately sprung into action to make his friend feel better.
“Do not fret, Sextus! I just need you to keep acting like a loyal governor of Syria. You are the mask of this whole operation! Your continued ‘loyalty’ to Rome will conceal our motives and the possibility of our involvement in the stealing of grain. If it weren’t for you, none of this would be possible. Remember that, brother! Remember!” Pompey reassured, with Appaleius returning to life and consumed by a mixture of happiness and nervousness. Pompey made his plan seemed so simple. He just hoped it would end as it should end.
Chapter 3: Thrace
Part 2: Agendas
Almost immediately following Caesar’s departure to Macedonia, Octavius assumed command of the Roman world. Appealing to the masses and in a flurry of populism, bending to Caesar’s wishes, to which he was morally opposed, opened the ranks of the nobility, and define it in a loose way. Lowering the amount of net wealth necessary to be admitted into the Senate opened up an entirely new political class to try the reigns at power not seen since Sulla. Naturally, Cicero’s Moderates opposed this “populist nonsense” and threatened the integrity of the Republic, but Octavius, in a gesture deemed by all as gallant, proposed that though a new political class was opened, that to run for office a senator must have accrued wealth equal to the old standard. With the Caesarian-Moderate coalition strengthened, Rome watched as Consuls Octavius and Brutus strive to strike a compromise with Rome’s “finest men” instead of playing the rabble-rouser and proposing legislation to the Assembly.
However, as Rome entered a “new era” of politics, trouble brewed in the Orient. Piracy, considered by some as a dead trade since the imperium of Pompey the Great, was on the rise. Ransacking grain shipments out of Egypt troubled the eastern as well as the western provinces of the empire. Even as Gaius Memmius patrolled the seas and combated the ills of the hungry Republic, grain was still disappearing that couldn’t be accounted for. While the Senate was quick to point fingers and blame the opposition for undermining the stability of the state, cooler heads had an inkling to where the grains were going. The culprits were factions against the Great Law in the same place it was affecting – the East, specifically Syria. Her massive wealth combined with civil strife could become a bacterium that Rome could not cure if not controlled early. The only question that remained now was who was doing it, and why.
Noon, March 5th, 710 Ab urbe condita
Rome, Italy
Standing up, Octavius cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the Senate. Brutus retained only a smug look on his face, finding it incredible that a 19 year-old commanded so much respect from his government. All too much he seemed like his uncle. He would have thought that without Ptolemy, that he would be his only son. Clasping his hands together, Octavius stepped forward and called the Senate to order. As the muffled speech ground to a halt, only silence permeated the room. Only then could the effect of his calculating personally take its full stride.
“Gentlemen, before we conclude this session, I would like to announce two pieces of news to you all exclusively before it’s release to the people. I figured it best, so that misinterpretations or questions could be relayed to me directly, instead of being discovered by whispers on street-corners," Octavius relayed, stirring interest within the seated senators.
“First, today, I have received confirmation from a courier bound from Macedonia that Caesar has invaded Thrace with his legions in an effort to secure key defensive positions by Dacian territory due to reactions from Dacian armies. This new conquest will give our armies the high ground against a foe that seemingly wants to pounce at any sign of weakness. Hopefully the fall of Tylis will set the barbarians in their proper place,” Octavius concluded, speaking if he had memorized the note that Caesar had written him. Some senators nodded at the good news, while others seemed to be frightened. One such worried senator, in light of this, stood up to confront the Consuls.
“Reactions from Dacian armies? Does that they are planning to invade Macedonia?” the senator finished, sitting down amidst worried, muffled voices. Octavius, becoming increasingly annoyed, gestured to his lictors to pound their fasces on the ground to bring the room to silence.
“We have no confirmation of that. If that were so, Caesar has enough money, food, and soldiers to deal with a calamity of that degree. Some of our most capable commanders are in Macedonia; I feel that confident that our lands our safe in the meantime,” Brutus shouted over the voices, which gradually reduced to nothing. Nodding heads throughout the crowd signaled agreement. At least the Senate trusted Caesar to defend the state instead of run it. Shifting his train of though, Octavius proceeded to state the last order of business of the day.
“Lastly, we have heard rumors of stirrings by tribes across the sea in Britannia. I am worried that if the Suebi become too powerful, and in the event of full-scale military operations in Germania, that the tribes across the sea will be roused to do harm against our outposts in Gaul. Something that none of us wants. So, with my power vested in my as legal custodian of the Republic, I hereby grant newly raised senators Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and Gaius Cilnius Maecenas imperium over the province of Belgica to replace the current promagistrates as joint military governors. From there, they will have orders to raise an appropriate amount of legions to subdue Britannia. If we are to eventually fight the Suebi directly, it will be important to do divide and conquer any potential allies they may have,” Octavius spoke fluently and crisply, capturing a majority of the Senate with his charisma, and suggesting that this really was the best action to take. It was logical to presume that it would be better to break down potential enemies before they could break down Rome.
Left - Marcus Agrippa. Right, Gaius Maecenas. Octavius met both his trusted lieutenants during his childhood years, and grew to become close friends in an new emerging political landscape. Octavius trusted them absolutely, and would even place his life, and his fortunes, into their proven hands.
With no word from any of the Senate, Octavius ended the meeting. Standing up with Brutus, the two political titans shook hands, scheduled an evening dinner, and parted ways. As the other senators stood up and moved about, Cicero quickly stood up, and rushed to intercept Octavius before he was lost amongst the hundreds of white robes in the Forum. Tugging at Octavius’ toga, Cicero met the gaze of the Interrex et Consulare as he turned to face him.
“Your Honor,” Cicero said, not accustomed to the honorific, “is it wise to be raising armies like that? With the current grain shortages, allocating grain we need to feed the mob to our legions doesn’t appeal to me as being the correct choice. Perhaps we can have Gallic granaries give up some-“ Cicero attempted grant advice, but was immediately cut off by Octavius, who looked annoyed from the business of the day.
“Cicero, if I was interested in your counsel, then I would have asked for it. I am sure the Roman people can be a little hungry when they go to bed instead of going to bed hoping that the Germans sacking Rome don’t get them in the middle of the night. Leave me be and protest to someone who cares,” Octavius blurted out, waving Cicero away and descending the steps of the Senate House. Dumbfounded, Cicero watched Octavius become enveloped by a mass of white linens. Summoning Tiro to his side, Cicero prompted his property to start taking down a letter. As Cicero walked into the side streets of Rome, Octavius met up with Marcus Agrippa and Gaius Maecenas to speak of their new appointments.
The Forum Caesaris; an addition to the traditional center of business, the Forum Romanum, to decrease traffic. During this time, it had become to supplement, and nearly replace, the Old Forum and it usual business there. At it's heart was the Temple of Venus Gentrix, a symbol of Caesar himself and his permanent mark on the city of Rome for eternity.
“Thank you, Gaius, for your generosity. It is an honor for someone of my status to receive and honor such as this. My family will remember this for centuries to come,” Agrippa stated, bowing his head to the Interrex. Octavius accepted the gesture, but was interrupted by Maecenas as he let out an exaggerated chuckle that echoed around the street in which they walked. Both men turned to face them, wondering what was so humorous. Seeing both of them staring, Maecenas’ cheeks turned red from embarrassment.
“My apologies, Gaius. I found something awfully poetic about being an Etruscan and receiving absolute authority over a province of the empire. Who knew the people Romans have loathed for centuries would in fact hold power once again!” Maecenas joked. Agrippa saw the joke and laughed awkwardly, but Octavius showed no vestige of emotion. He supported, but was generally uninterested, in Maecenas’ aptitude for the arts, and found that his habit of searching political events, especially events of importance such as this, for poetic devices was rather annoying and inappropriate.
“Oh,” Octavius said, “well it is important for the both of you to conquer Britannia quickly, or at least supplement your grain with loot from the British countryside. I don’t need the mob rising in revolt while I have control of the City, especially over hunger. That is the most important of your missions; to return as much of the grain that I will allot for this campaign. I trust both of you will fulfill my wishes to an utmost capacity. This is obviously why I have chosen the two of you, my trusted friends, to carry this operation out personally,” Octavius ended, glancing at his seconds with a fake smile. Both of them nodded.
“I hope both of you will accompany me to dinner tonight at the Junii house?” Octavius asked.
“Absolutely,” the new military governors both said at the same time. With a round of handshakes, the three men parted ways to make preparation for the evening part. Once again, political gambles would be taken that would decide the fate of the political stability Rome had achieved. The only question was, who was on either side?
Night, March 10th, 710 Ab urbe condita
Antioch, Syria
It had been a hard night of feasting and drinking at the house of proquaestor Sextus Appaleius, governor of Syria. Many lay drunk and laying in piles of their own excrement. Though, it did not matter. Today was not just any normal day of sin and debauchery. Today was a celebration of a victory. A victory over Rome and her hungry mouths. Today marked the day that Sextus Pompey had captured a total of one-third of Egypt’s first grain harvest coming out of the Nile with his Sicilian marines. After promptly storing the stolen goods into Appaleius’ personal granaries, a party ensued that turned Appaleius from a nervous conspirator into a trusted friend.
Sextus Pompeius Magnus Pius, Sextus Pompey, the last living son of Pompey the Great. Having continued the civil war far beyond Caesar's declared "victory," Sextus Pompey entrenched himself in Sicily for when Caesar was assassinated. When that did not come to pass as he had hoped, his plans had to change or he would face destruction.
As midnight approached, only Pompey and Appaleius remained standing, only slightly buzzed from the heavy drinking. With full bellies of wine and meat, the two men of distinction decided to talk politics.
“So, Sextus, you never did tell me why you abandoned Sicily as quickly as you did. I mean, you did have an excellent position. A few loyal legions and an expert navy that would put all Roman attempts to stop you to the bottom of the sea!” Appaleius commented, unsure of the quality of his inquiry. He surely did not want to upset his new comrade.
“I figured Caesar would have been dead on the Ides like Longinus promised, but now he is in effective prison. It would have been the perfect defensive spot against any of Caesar’s avengers who wished to ‘punish me’. Since that bastard is alive, I knew I couldn’t fight him alone. So I came here and found my great friend, Sextus Appaleius!” Pompey padded the proquaestor on his back. Appaleius smiled, followed by a cough of acid into his mouth from his annoying condition of reflux. He quickly swallowed it back down with a swig of stronger wine poured by the barmaid.
“So, what now, brother? Surely stealing grain is not enough to break Rome!” Appaleius shouted, but Pompey quickly quieted his friend.
“We need to raise just a few more legions. I have a plan to make us heroes of the Republic, Sextus! I do! It will just involve some distractions, some generalship, and a few heads to roll. After a few confirmations from some key senators, our plan will be ready! Soon, it will be how it once was. A true Republic! Gods, I cannot wait to see that. It has been too long!” Pompey proclaimed to his friend, who immediately looked troubled.
“I do not feel I am being helpful enough,” Appaleius stated, swirling his drink around in his cup. Pompey immediately sprung into action to make his friend feel better.
“Do not fret, Sextus! I just need you to keep acting like a loyal governor of Syria. You are the mask of this whole operation! Your continued ‘loyalty’ to Rome will conceal our motives and the possibility of our involvement in the stealing of grain. If it weren’t for you, none of this would be possible. Remember that, brother! Remember!” Pompey reassured, with Appaleius returning to life and consumed by a mixture of happiness and nervousness. Pompey made his plan seemed so simple. He just hoped it would end as it should end.
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