Bedrock of Empire

by Thomas M D Brooke

  The tribune approached me. He looked quite old for a tribune, approaching his middle years with a long-slanted face. ‘Quaestor Aprilis, this is a great honour. I am Marianus, aide to Governor Livianus and the head of his guard. We are here to escort you to the governor. He will be most pleased to meet you. It isn’t often we have visitors sent from Augustus Caesar.’

  The other two legionaries behind him gave me a military salute, which I acknowledged with a nod. ‘The pleasure is all mine. Please lead on.’ I turned around to Marcus, who stood at the head of my guard. ‘You will all follow us up to the governor’s palace. Make sure you have our gift for the governor.’

  Marcus nodded, and we all walked through the wide clean streets of Tarraco, following the tribune and his two men. The city was certainly impressive. We passed temples, fountains, and large bathhouses. But it was when we approached the top of the city that we stopped, speechless.

  ‘You’re building a circus?’ I asked the tribune ahead of us. Building work was still underway, but already I recognised the central plinth that chariots raced around and countless stone seats that ascended up to an imperial box that was attached to the governor’s residence behind it.

  Marianus looked pleased by the incredulity in my voice. ‘Yes, Livianus believes that bringing chariot racing and gladiatorial games to Tarraconensis will be greatly beneficial to its people.’ He stopped to look around at the building work. ‘When it’s finished he hopes it will hold thirty thousand.’

  It wasn’t quite up to the one hundred and fifty thousand that Rome’s Circus Maximus could hold, but it was still incredibly impressive. He’d be able to seat nearly the entire city here. ‘The cost must have been astronomical?’

  Marianus smiled. ‘It hasn’t been cheap, but Livianus was always a great fan of the chariot racing in Rome and prides himself as being a great patron of the games. It will be finished this summer. He plans to hold a games to celebrate it.’

  I nudged Aulus next to me and said, ‘You and the governor may have a lot in common. You can tell him about your chariot.’

  Aulus gave me a scowl, but he looked around at the semi-completed circus with wide-eyed wonder. ‘Magnificent,’ he said breathlessly.

  It wasn’t just the new circus that surprised us. Once we walked through it to the governor’s residence, we were given another shock.

  Blasius said in my ear next to me, ‘By the gods, it’s almost as big as the Palatine.’

  I’d heard that the grand palace of Tarraco was large. Augustus had built it himself when he was in residence in the city whilst the Spanish wars were being fought. But the sheer size of it, with long colonnades that framed well-kept gardens, several ornate ponds, tall cypress trees, and a vast columned temple to Jupiter that overlooked the city, needed to be seen to be believed.

  Marianus asked me, ‘Would your guard like to follow my men? They can be billeted in the garrison. Then I can take you and your lictor to see the governor.’

  I agreed. ‘That would be kind. Although, can my aide Aulus join me? I will also need two men to carry a gift for the governor?’

  Marianus nodded. ‘Of course.’

  Marcus and my Praetorians followed the other two legionaries, whilst Blasius, Aulus and I followed Marianus, shadowed by two Praetorians who carried a heavy chest between them – something that we’d transported all the way from Rome.

  Marianus led us through a succession of grand rooms in the palace until we came to a set of large doors guarded by two more legionaries. We waited outside whilst Marianus ducked inside to see if the governor was ready to receive us. Before long the doors opened for us, and Blasius, Aulus, and I walked into a grand reception room where an elderly man sat upon a throne. I would have guessed his age to be at least eighty, with fluffy white hair that stuck out from the side of his head and a bald pate. His eyes still looked sharp, but his face was now soft and his nose bulbous. He looked very much like a kindly old grandfather, but I wasn’t fooled. I’d been warned of his intellect and his sometimes difficult nature. I knew I needed to tread carefully.

  Blasius announced us. ‘My lord Governor of Tarraconensis, we are most honoured to meet you. May I introduce Gaius Cassius Aprilis, newly appointed quaestor of Rome, and his aide Aulus.’

  Governor Livianus didn’t respond immediately. He let an uncomfortable silence linger. Finally, he said, ‘Cassius Aprilis, is it?’

  I inclined my head. ‘Yes, my lord, at your service.’

  Livianus gave a low chuckle. ‘I very much doubt you’re at my service. I certainly don’t have any need of a quaestor. Your name sounds familiar. How do I know it?’

  I cleared my throat. ‘Possibly through my father, sir. He is Governor of Sicily.’

  Livianus smiled. ‘Ah yes, Antonius Aprilis. Our reluctant ally who defected from Mark Antony just before things turned against him. He was lucky Augustus forgave him.’

  I stood straight and erect. ‘My father never openly declared against Augustus.’

  Livianus gave me a sharp look. ‘But he was great friends with Mark Antony. It must have been hard for him to side against his friend?’

  This was not going well. ‘I really have no idea. That was long before my time, so I couldn’t tell you. Augustus eventually gave him his own province to rule, so he must have trusted him.’

  Livianus laughed. ‘Ha! Our esteemed imperator has never trusted me, and yet here I am, Governor of Tarraconensis. Why do you think that is?’

  I looked at the old man, and I understood the truth. ‘Because he knows your worth.’

  Livianus chuckled. ‘That’s right. He knows my worth, and that of your father. Any fool of a ruler can surround themselves with toadies and sycophants, but Augustus rules the whole world, or at least all of it that matters. He only holds it together by using the right men for the right job. If you are here on his behest, he must see something in you. I heard Antonius’ son is a renowned warrior and highly skilled with the gladius. Is that true?’

  I didn’t want to come across as arrogant, but I didn’t want to lie either. ‘I’m considered an expert amongst my peers.’

  Livianus looked me up and down. ‘Maybe that can prove useful in some way. Tell me, what brings you to my province?’

  They were right about him: awkward and difficult, but still sharp as a knife where it mattered. I’d been flustered by his opening remarks, but now we were moving onto safer ground. I’d had weeks preparing what I was going to tell him regarding my mission. Germanicus had advised me to keep the topic of Arminius’ brother secret, as getting Livianus involved would only complicate matters. So I started with the case of the Paulus brothers. ‘I am here to oversee a court case. To act as a judge in a family dispute concerning one of the gold mines of north-east Spain.’

  Livianus signalled to a slave who was lurking hidden behind an obscured doorway. ‘Bring us some wine.’ The slave scuttled off to obey. Livianus turned back to me. ‘The inheritance case concerning the gold mines of the Paulus brothers I presume? I’d heard they were in dispute.’

  I nodded in agreement.

  ‘Surely that comes under my jurisdiction. I am governor here, so I can send someone to adjudicate.’

  I smiled. Aulus had carefully explained to me, from a legal perspective, how far each governor’s powers extended in Spain. ‘The gold mines in question are in Gallaecia, and therefore under the direct rule of the Senate. The legates of the Tenth Gemina and the Six Victrix have direct control of the province and therefore any court settlements come under either their jurisdiction or that of a representative of Rome. I am appointed as a full quaestor of Rome, and therefore I can make a legally binding settlement on the case.’

  Livianus gave me a cold smile. ‘Yes, Augustus was quick to realise how much gold is in that barbaric province and didn’t trust any governor to rule over it. Scared one of us will set ourselves up as a king and buy off the legions with all that new wealth, no doubt. But those gold mines still concern me.’

  The slave came
back in with two goblets of wine; one he handed to Livianus, the other to me. My aide, Aulus, and lictor, Blasius, clearly didn’t warrant a goblet in this palace. ‘How so, my lord?’

  Livianus took a swallow of wine. ‘The gold from those mines is taken by oxen-cart to the mints of Tarraco to be turned into coinage. Not even the Governor of Baetica in the south or the Governor of Lusitania have that privilege. The coins are made here and then shipped back to Rome.’

  No doubt the cut for providing such a service was lucrative, and he wouldn’t want that jeopardised in any way. All the governors of the provinces, my father included, enriched themselves shamefully on the lands they ruled. Our empire ran much more on self-interest than any lofty ideals of the Republic. ‘After I make my judgement, I promise to return here and let you know of my ruling. I promise to protect the trade and arrangements for the coin mints in Spain.’

  Livianus gave a low chuckle. ‘Good, my boy. You will go far in life. You know what you can touch … and what you can’t.’

  I smiled. ‘I am here to protect the trade, not jeopardise it in any way.’

  Livianus sat back on his throne. ‘In these troubled times, it is good that you remember that.’

  I felt a cloud come over my thoughts. ‘You’ve heard of the troubles in Germany then?’

  Livianus looked at me sharply. ‘Of course I have. Do you think the destruction of three legions can go unnoticed? As far away as we are, don’t think that we’re unaffected by such a calamity. Any sign of weakness can be exploited by our enemies.’

  I decided not to tell him how closely involved I’d been in events there, and I just inclined my head. ‘All the more reason to protect the gold trade then.’

  Livianus looked thoughtful. ‘Good, that’s decided. You may stay in the palace to refresh yourselves from your journey before travelling on to Gallaecia. I can provide you with a guide to take you wherever you need to go.’

  I took a sip of the wine. ‘That is very good of you, my lord. I am sure a night in a soft bed will be welcome after our time at sea.’

  Livianus smiled. ‘No doubt it will be. Now, is there anything else that I can be of assistance to you here?’

  I inclined my head. ‘Well, there is one thing, my lord. A personal request from my friend Germanicus, adopted grandson of Augustus and praetor of Rome.’

  Livianus snapped. ‘I know full well who he is. What does he want?’

  I was prevented continuing by a woman who came storming into to the throne room. She was young and pretty, but with an angry scowl marring her forehead. ‘They’ve done it again! They forgot to heat the waters in the south bathhouse. They know I like to bathe there sometimes in the afternoon. You must have them whipped!’

  Livianus closed his eyes and held the bridge of his nose with one hand. He took a deep breath and said, ‘My dear little girl, the southern bathhouse is so rarely used these days they cannot possibly keep the waters hot there every day. You just need to give them warning before you go there.’

  The petite fair-haired girl, who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen, blasted in incredulity, ‘But how do I know when I want to have a bath? It depends how hot I get during the day.’

  I looked down at my feet, embarrassed to be witness to what I presumed was a family argument with one of the governor’s grandchildren. Livianus continued, ‘Why don’t you just use the bathhouse in the main wing of the palace?’

  The young lady stamped her foot. ‘We’ve been through this. You know I like how the sun shines through the high windows of the south bathhouse in the afternoon.’

  Livianus held up a placatory hand. ‘Very well, I can’t argue about this now.’ He signalled the slave who’d brought us the wine and told him, ‘From now on, the waters in the southern bathhouse are to be heated every day, regardless of whether they are asked for or not.’

  The slave bowed. ‘Of course, my lord.’

  Livianus turned to the girl. ‘There, are you happy?’

  She clapped her hands. ‘Thank you, Livianus. I knew I could rely on you to sort it all out.’

  The governor turned a weary head to me. ‘Please excuse my wife, Quaestor.’

  Aulus stifled a squeal next to me, and I barely kept my composure – his wife! I bowed gracefully. ‘Not at all, my lord. I know the importance of keeping your household happy.’

  Livianus sat more comfortably on his throne, perhaps pleased that I hadn’t remarked on the obvious age difference between the two, which must have been at least sixty years. ‘Yes, young Abelia here has the needs of a young woman, something that I sometimes forget.’

  Abelia asked, ‘Who are these fine gentlemen, Livianus? They look important.’

  Livianus’ tone became cooler. ‘I wouldn’t exactly say that. This is Cassius Aprilis, who has come all the way from Rome. He will be staying overnight, together with his men.’

  Abelia smiled at me. ‘Are you the one who brought the Praetorians? I saw them settling into the barracks. They look so fine in their armour.’

  I noticed Livianus was looking at me sharply, so I thought it better to play it down. ‘They’re not really mine. They have just been loaned to me for this trip.’

  Her eyes lit up. ‘By the imperator?’

  Livianus answered for me. ‘Please, Abelia. We have lots to discuss. Run along and have your bath. You can speak to him later. You know you shouldn’t interrupt me when I’m in my state rooms.’

  Abelia gave me a sly smile before answering the governor. ‘Very well, as long as I can see him later.’ She gave a giggle and skipped out of the room.

  Livianus gave a long sigh after she left. ‘By the gods, it is hard being married at my age. Not without its compensations, but hard nevertheless.’

  I kept my voice as level as I could. ‘You make a lovely couple.’

  Livianus gave a chuckle. ‘Now I know you’re lying. Enough of my wife, tell me what Germanicus wants?’

  I gave him a large smile. ‘Germanicus wishes to buy something off you, and he is prepared to pay you handsomely for it.’

  Livianus looked suspicious. ‘Go on.’

  ‘He has been informed by contacts …’

  Livianus grumbled, ‘You mean spies.’

  I stumbled slightly but continued on. ‘He has been informed that you have a magnificent animal, a giant beast with a mighty ivory tusk on its nose.’

  Livianus burst out laughing. ‘Germanicus wants to buy my monoceros!’

  I inclined my head. ‘Yes, Germanicus wishes to celebrate his consular year with a great games, full of animals taken from the furthest lands of the empire and beyond, an amazing spectacle that will—’

  Livianus waved his hand. ‘Yes, yes, I see what you’re getting at. He wants my monoceros for his games. Unfortunately, there are already plans for that beast. Why do you think I went to all the trouble of having it shipped all the way from Sala? I plan to have my own games to celebrate the festival of Opiconsivia at the end of the summer. The monoceros was going to be part of a staged hunt. My bestiarii will hunt and kill the animal in my newly constructed circus.’

  I gave as polite a smile as I could muster. ‘A delightful spectacle, I’m sure. Germanicus realises that this will be an inconvenience to you, so he is prepared to compensate you generously.’ I clapped my hands, and the two Praetorians who’d been waiting outside for this signal came in with the large chest. It was heavy, weighing the same amount as a grown man. They put it in front of me before standing aside. I pulled open the the chest. ‘I have here one full talent of gold. It is yours to do with as you please.’

  Livianus gave a slow wide smile as he eyed the thousands of shining gold coins. ‘Well, well, young Germanicus must really want this beast. Do you see the irony of the gold aurei he has sent me? All were minted in this very capital. He sends me back my own gold.’

  I shook my head. ‘I wasn’t aware.’

  Livianus eyed the fortune before him. ‘He has certainly been generous.’

  Aulus spoke up. ‘I
f you will just leave your mark on a wax tablet I have prepared, we can transfer the beast’s ownership over—’

  I turned around in annoyance. ‘Aulus! That really isn’t necessary now …’

  Aulus opened his arms in innocence. ‘Sorry, Cassius, in my experience it is always best to get a transfer of ownership. It saves both sides from misunderstandings later.’

  Livianus asked Aulus, ‘Sorry, who are you?’

  I answered for him. ‘Apologies, my lord. This is my brother-in-law, Aulus. He is a lawyer, so he’s a stickler for forms and procedures being adhered to properly.’

  Livianus thought for a moment, eyeing Aulus, and then waved his hand. ‘Well, whoever you are, none of that will be necessary. You won’t be buying the monoceros off me in any case.’

  I rubbed my forehead. ‘Really? Why not? Surely the gold is ample reimbursement for just one animal, no matter how exotic?’

  Livianus looked down at the coins. ‘No, I won’t be selling it to you, because I don’t have it. Well, not yet anyway.’

  I was confused. ‘But his contacts were certain that the ship was bound for you?’

  Livianus looked up to me. ‘Yes, it was. It was due to sail through the Pillars of Hercules and be brought up to me here. Instead, before they passed the Pillars, a storm blew them far out to sea, washing them far up north. I received a messenger telling me that they landed by a small settlement on the far side of Spain called Avobriga. The monoceros was taken to the nearby Roman veteran colony of Bracara Augusta, where it still is. I was trying to find a way to have it brought over to me here by land.’

  Damn it, why could nothing be straightforward. ‘Germanicus will be terribly disappointed. He has set his heart on having this animal.’

  Livianus smiled. ‘Still, not all is lost. You are due to travel to Gallaecia to hear your court case. That’s not far from northern Lusitania were the animal is. It will be slightly off your path, no doubt, but nothing you can’t handle. You could pick up the animal from the veteran’s colony.’