Bedrock of Empire

by Thomas M D Brooke

  We assembled in our previous positions from the day before, the senators sitting on benches, the accused standing in chains in the centre of the room. To one side, Germanicus looked as confident as ever, his trademark grin on his handsome face. To the other, I stood with Aulus, trying to maintain a mask of confidence but secretly quaking inside. The door to the throne room opened and Augustus walked through it. He was trailed by a jurist of his own – a middle-aged man with a look of self-importance about him. It was rumoured that the imperator didn’t need any legal advice, as no one in Rome knew more of its arcane laws than its first citizen. But Augustus was nothing if not a stickler for using the correct procedure, and as that required him to have a legal advisor, that’s what he did. The jurist had other uses too – not least helping the ageing princeps up the raised dais to the stool that awaited him there.

  Augustus settled himself comfortably and took the scroll signifying his imperium from the jurist before turning to us. He gave a grim smile. ‘Now, where were we?’

  Germanicus answered before I had a chance, casually telling his adoptive grandfather. ‘We’d just heard extracts from the discourse between the two brothers, my lord.’

  Augustus gave a frown and nodded. ‘Yes, that’s right. An interesting insight into the world of a traitor, but nothing more remarkable than that.’

  I hoped that the traitor he was referring to was Julius rather than Flavus, but decided not to challenge his summation. ‘My lord, some further evidence has come into my possession. I believe it changes the complexion of this case entirely.’

  Augustus looked at me in surprise and chuckled. ‘New evidence, you say? I can’t wait to hear this. What is it? Another letter from Julius Arminius?’

  My heart lurched. ‘Yes, exactly that.’

  Germanicus gave a scoff of derision. ‘You can’t be serious? Another letter mysteriously turns up just before we are about to pass judgement?’

  Augustus frowned and looked at me. ‘You must admit, Aprilis, it does look suspicious.’ He gave a brief snort of laughter. ‘What did you do, spend the night composing it under candlelight?’

  I decided to ignore the implied slur on my honour – he was the imperator, he could insult anyone he liked. ‘No, my lord. We examined a letter sent to Governor Livianus from Flavus Arminius a few months ago.’

  Augustus’ eyes narrowed. ‘And what use is that? If I wanted to know what the accused had to say to the Governor of Tarraconensis, I’d ask Livianus myself.’

  I held my hands behind my back and informed him, ‘It isn’t what the letter itself held, it is what was obscured underneath.’

  Germanicus gave a huff of annoyance. ‘My lord, do we really have to hear this? Surely this is too far-fetched?’

  Augustus ignored the praetor. ‘Go on, Aprilis. You have my attention, but you better make plain how this information came about.’

  I took the rolled-up scroll from Aulus and unfurled it as I explained. ‘We stripped the wax off the letter sent to the governor and examined the wooden plate underneath. There appeared to be score marks, buried deep into the wood.’

  Augustus frowned. ‘You’re saying that a previous letter lay underneath?’

  ‘Yes, my lord, and you will recall that Julius Arminius had a very heavy and precise hand?’ I held up the unfurled scroll in front of Augustus. ‘It turns out it was one that left a deep impression in the wood.’

  Germanicus looked worried. ‘But even if this is true, how can you have transferred those words to that scroll?’

  I shrugged and kept the scroll in full view. ‘It was surprisingly simple. We lay this scroll of papyrus over the wooden plate, and rubbed a lump of charcoal over it. The letters can be clearly defined in the white gaps that are left.’

  Germanicus implored his adopted grandfather, ‘My lord, this is too preposterous …’

  Augustus held up his hand. ‘No, I don’t think it is. I have heard of men, those used to the secret arts of intrigue, who can retrieve lost information from used tablets. It is why I never use them and send everything from my own hand via papyrus and seal. Easier to burn afterwards.’

  I inclined my head. ‘Very wise, my lord.’

  Augustus leant back on his stool. ‘So, are you going to tell us what this final letter says?’

  I inclined my head again. ‘It will be my pleasure.’ I turned the scroll so it now faced me and read it out for all to hear.

  To Flavus, fifth centurion to the eighth cohort VI Victrix,

  I am still to receive a response from my previous letters. I would like to think that there could be an explanation for your silence, but I know how efficient the Roman legion’s couriers are. Whilst I may believe one letter may go amiss, surely never two, let alone three. Therefore, I can only conclude that you are deliberately ignoring me. Me, who has always looked out for you and always tried to protect you. You should have known better than to pay me this discourtesy, Flavus. You know I am not a man to be trifled with, as I will bear no insult from any man, not even one such as you.

  As you refuse to acknowledge me, I will return the favour, and I disown you as my brother. You are cast from the Cherusci tribe and set adrift from the people you refuse to recognise. May the blood that runs in your veins turn cold and blacken your soul, dark betrayer of Tiuw and Frigga.

  Don’t think that’ll I’ll ever let this insult pass, enemy of the Cherusci people. My arm is long, my reach far. I will bring ruin on you and the poor unfortunate fools you have chosen over your own. You forget how high I have risen. My word is worth so much more than a lowly centurion like you. Enjoy the time remaining to you, Flavus. My vengeance is coming, and the gods will scream in rapture when they hear its voice.

  Julius Arminius, King of the Cherusci

  There was a cold silence once I finished reading. All in that room knew that those last words were not an idle threat from a deluded tyrant. The foundations of the whole world had been rocked by the fury unleashed by that man, and the gods may well have screamed at the death and destruction that was visited.

  One of the older senators who sat on the benches whispered under his breath, ‘By the gods.’

  I turned round and addressed them all. ‘Yes, indeed. I think from this we can conclude that taking the defendant’s life is unlikely to upset the elder brother. What’s more, it proves once and for all that the rift between the two brothers was apparent before the battle in the Teutoburg took place. Flavus’ loyalty to Rome can no longer be questioned.’

  I looked over at my school friend and instantly knew it wasn’t over. There was a glint of determination in his eyes that he wasn’t going to let this go. He strode over to me and asked, ‘Would you mind if I looked at the scroll, Cassius?’

  I handed it over to him. Most of its surface was covered in charcoal, but I was pleased to note that it hadn’t smudged so much that the writing was obscured. ‘Of course, Germanicus. Do with it as you will. I have the original in safekeeping, and we can make more copies if need be.’

  He read it through, but whether this was to check for any errors I might have made in the reading or just to give himself time to think, I didn’t know. When he was done, he rolled it back up and handed it back to me. ‘You may have it back. I have no more need of it.’

  I took it back cautiously. ‘Surely you can see how this changes the situation?’

  Germanicus shrugged. ‘This letter would appear to substantiate your claim that there was a rift between the two brothers. The handwriting clearly matches that of the other letters, and you have already verified that the handwriting belongs to Julius Arminius.’

  I eyed him suspiciously as he wandered over to where the other senators sat; his tone was very casual, almost indifferent. He stopped walking and turned back to me. ‘But wouldn’t you say that this whole affair is slightly suspicious? This means you are the only man corroborating the story. You, who knew Julius Arminius since childhood? You, who somehow survived the disaster at the Teutoburg when so many others died?’ />
  I knew what he was getting at. It was a fear that had lain hidden, lurking in my mind, ever since the aftermath of that terrible battle – that somebody would eventually point the finger of blame at me. But now it was at hand, I felt no fear, no hot temper to hurl at the injustice of the claim. Just a cold fury that the insinuation was coming from a man who’d pretended to be my friend. ‘If you have something to say, Germanicus, you should make it clear.’

  In fairness to him, he did just that. He kept his gaze on me and crossed his arms. ‘I say there may be some doubt about your reliability, Cassius. After all, didn’t you know Julius Arminius better than anyone? And now you’re defending his brother? A coincidence, or something more sinister? Yesterday you told me of more unrest in the provinces of Spain, somewhere that has been at peace for many years. But then you travel there and parts of it openly rebel. Was this yet another coincidence?’

  Several of the senators started to look at me suspiciously, and others started muttering about renegades and plots. So this was how it was going to end was it? I looked at the man who’d invited me to the theatre only a few months ago. I saw the outward confidence but also the inner drive – this man believed in winning at all costs, and as the only way he could achieve that was by discrediting me, that was what he was going to do. ‘Do you think me a traitor, Germanicus?’

  Germanicus shrugged. ‘I think a cloud of doubt remains over you. You might be innocent, you might not, but I think we should at least investigate it.’ He turned back to the rows of senators. ‘Don’t you agree?’

  They shouted their affirmation, and his voice rose in power. ‘I say that after we have finished this trial for Flavus Arminius, we should hold another. This time for Gaius Cassius Aprilis!’

  Aulus pushed past me and shouted above the clamour against me. ‘This is outrageous. You know full well nearly all the provinces suffer from outlaws and brigands occasionally. Cassius was sent to Spain by you. He was only following your orders.’

  Germanicus turned his attention to my brother-in-law. ‘Aulus, as a jurist, you forget yourself. You are not allowed to address the court yourself, only advise. If you must know, the only reason I sent Cassius to Spain was because he suggested it. Something I now regret.’

  Some of the senators stood up and started to shout insults at both Aulus and me.

  Aulus was taken aback by their ferocity and looked at me in panic. I motioned for him to stand behind me and take a seat. Aulus couldn’t help me; it was pointless for him to get involved. As if to reinforce this, Germanicus warned Aulus, ‘If you speak again, I will be forced to act. I will treat you in the same way as any other who doesn’t show respect for this court. I will—’

  Augustus stopped him, with a softly spoken voice that somehow cut through the room like a knife. ‘Would you like me to take his life too, Germanicus?’

  Germanicus turned to Augustus in surprise, looking slightly confused. ‘I’m not sure we need to go that far, but I think—’

  ‘Oh good, that is something then. I thought we were here to ascertain whether Flavus Arminius is a traitor, but I now seem to be hearing from you that Aprilis is a traitor as well. I was wondering whether you were going to accuse his brother-in-law too?’

  ‘I am not saying Cassius Aprilis is a traitor, I am just—’

  ‘That is exactly what you are saying, Germanicus. You are accusing Aprilis of abetting Julius Arminius in Germany and then embarking on a mission to Spain to stir up more unrest.’

  Germanicus looked up at his adoptive grandfather. ‘Is that so unlikely a story?’

  Augustus snorted. ‘Not really, but unlike you I wasn’t relying on his word alone.’

  Finally Germanicus’ confidence looked shaken. ‘What do you mean?’

  Augustus slowly explained. ‘Julius Arminius wrote to me, shortly after he ascended the throne of the Cherusci. He thanked me for my aid and promised undying loyalty to Rome.’ Augustus eyes looked up to the ceiling. ‘What a deception that turned out to be.’ His strong gaze returned to Germanicus. ‘But just as Aprilis stated, the handwriting is heavy and very precise, and a match for the letters we have seen. Do you think the letter I keep in my possession is another falsehood?’

  Germanicus lifted his chin. ‘I wouldn’t know, without seeing it myself, but I am sure there are many skilled scribes who can—’

  Augustus waved him away. ‘Oh, let it go, will you? Do you take me for a fool? Yesterday, you were asking me to take this man’s head’ – he pointed at Flavus – ‘in order to thwart his brother, but now it’s clear that is just what the elder brother wants. How far do you intend to go in your accusations? Shall I take the head of all here just to satisfy your thirst for victory?’

  All the senators shifted uneasily, and Germanicus bowed his head. ‘I am sorry, my lord, if my passion for justice has gone too far.’

  Augustus gave a bark of a laugh. ‘Passion for justice? What nonsense. You just can’t bear to lose, and you are so sure of yourself you find that more important than anything else. In some ways it is a strength of yours and why I like you. I know how important a strong will, coupled with a sense of self-worth, can be to a man in this world. But be warned, it can be a weakness too.’

  I watched Germanicus bristle at the public put-down. His back stiffened and he set his jaw.

  Augustus gave a snort of amusement. ‘I am not a man who is fond of Aprilis.’ He looked at me and his forehead creased. ‘I still remember him following about my daughter and her band of degenerates in his youth.’

  I thought he’d forgotten about that. Clearly not. What was I supposed to say? I just stood there, mute.

  The imperator shook his head. ‘But I have never thought him a traitor. Not because of his father, although that goes some way. But because when all around me were telling me what a fine man Governor Varus was, I only heard one voice of dissent. This came in the form of a letter to my wife, and it came from Aprilis.’

  He fixed me with a stern gaze. ‘Furthermore, Tiberius has spoken at length with Caedicius, the commander of the Roman fort at Aliso. He was very clear that if Cassius Aprilis hadn’t warned them, Aliso would have fallen.’ His voice rang out around the room to the listening senators. ‘If we’d lost Aliso, before the Rhenus was reinforced, we could have – and in all likelihood would have – lost Gaul.’

  Silence greeted his words, and a few of the senators looked at the floor rather than meet the imperator’s gaze. Augustus said in a clear voice, ‘Aprilis is no traitor, and I am starting to doubt that this young man, Flavus, is either.’

  I felt my heart bound. ‘Thank you, my lord. In that case, can Flavus go free?’

  He turned around and narrowed his eyes at me. ‘Not so fast, Aprilis.’

  The pronunciation of my name had returned to the contemptuous growl I was accustomed to. I cursed myself for jumping in too soon. ‘I assure you that Flavus is every bit as steadfast and loyal as I am.’

  Augustus grunted. ‘That’s not saying much. But I will see for myself. I will do what we should have done at the beginning. I will ask the prisoner myself.’

  Germanicus didn’t miss the opportunity. ‘I would be only too happy to question the defendant, my lord.’

  Augustus snapped at Germanicus, ‘I said, I’d question him! I’ve had enough of your clever words and lawyers’ tricks.’

  Germanicus took a step backwards, shaken by the imperator’s anger. ‘Very well, my lord.’

  I wasn’t sure whether this was going to end well, but I had no choice. I stood out of the way so Augustus could have a clear view as he questioned the startled-looking Flavus. The imperator eyed him up and down. ‘So, you have served in Spain for the past three years, correct?’

  Flavus stood up straight. ‘Yes, for the Sixth Victrix. It has been an honour to represent that fine legion.’

  Augustus gave a cold smile. ‘I’m sure. But it’s unusual that you were stationed so far from your brother. Why did you never join him in Germany?’

  Fl
avus gave a deep sigh. ‘Julius wished it. It was around three years ago that he left Syria for his homeland. He sent word to me in Rome, asking me to join him there.’

  Augustus snapped. ‘But you didn’t go. Why?’

  Flavus looked down at the ground. ‘Growing up in Rome with Julius as my brother wasn’t always easy. He looked after me, protected me from others, but it was hard living under his shadow sometimes. He had such a dominant personality that I often felt that I wasn’t even allowed to think for myself.’

  Augustus stroked his chin. ‘So he controlled you?’

  Flavus gave a reluctant nod. ‘Yes, but that changed when he left to fight in Syria. Finally I could live my own life, make my own choices, even make my own friends.’

  I looked at Flavus’ open and honest face. I’d had no idea it had been so hard for him in Rome. I’d always thought of Julius as the perfect brother, shielding, watchful and caring. Had I never known him at all?

  Augustus pursed his lips in thought. ‘So when he asked you to join him in Germany, you decided you didn’t wish to return to that iron rule?’

  Flavus looked earnestly at the imperator. ‘It wasn’t an easy decision, but yes. I was torn between my loyalty to my family and a desire to retain my freedom. I didn’t know what to do, but when I saw the recruiters enlisting men at the Campus Martius, I decided to sign up.’

  ‘So you signed for the Sixth Victrix in Spain. Did you tell your brother?’

  Flavus shook his head. ‘I didn’t dare. I was worried he would pull strings and have me transferred out.’

  Augustus looked at Flavus shrewdly, as if trying to gauge whether there were any holes in his account. ‘But eventually he found out where you went?’

  ‘Yes, he found out I was serving in Spain. I don’t know how. It was a year later, and by then I’d already been promoted to centurion.’

  Augustus ran his hand over the scroll he held. ‘You must have served with distinction to have been promoted so quickly?’