Fire and Sword

by Harry Sidebottom

  CHRISTIANS

  Introductions that are a pleasure to read are Christianizing the Roman Empire by Ramsay MacMullen (New Haven, 1984), and Pagans and Christians by Robin Lane Fox (Harmondsworth, 1986).

  Students of the early Church will note that I have diverged from the commonly accepted chronology of the bishops of Rome. This has been done purely to fit the story. Yet, in mitigation, the sources are unreliable and divergent. My version can be made to fit that of Eusebius in The History of the Church.

  Mark Edwards of Christ Church, Oxford, was kind enough to create a reading list for me on Christian rituals. As a novice I found particularly helpful the sources and commentary in Early Christian Worship by Paul Bradshaw (London, 1996).

  PROSTITUTION

  ‘Sex for Sale: Prostitutes’, Chapter 7 in Invisible Romans by Robert Knapp (London, 2011), provides a popular introduction to the subject, ‘Quae Corpore Quaestum Facit’ by Rebecca Flemming, Journal of Roman Studies 88 (1999), 38–61, a scholarly one.

  There are two extended studies by T.A.J. McGinn: Prostitution, Sexuality, and the Law in Ancient Rome (Oxford, and New York, 1998), and The Economy of Prostitution in the Roman World (Ann Arbor, 2004).

  Much of the backstory and thought world of Caenis was constructed from Alciphron, Letters of Courtesans, and Lucian, Dialogues of the Courtesans (both are translated in the Loeb Classical Library).

  SIEGE WARFARE

  An overview of this topic by the author will be found in The Encyclopedia of Ancient Battles, edited by Harry Sidebottom, and Michael Whitby (forthcoming in 2016).

  In this novel the narrative draws on additional material from the later sieges of Aquileia by the armies of the Emperor Julian (Ammianus XXI. 11. 2–12.20), and Attila (Procopius, Vandal Wars 3.4.30–5; Jordanes, Getica 219–21).

  QUOTES

  Ovid, Tristia III.3; and Ep. Pont. III.1 in Ch.11; and Ep. Pont. I.3; and Tristia V.7 in Chapter 24 are recalled by Honoratus in the translation of Peter Green (London, 1994).

  Menophilus in Chapter 14 brings to mind the words of Epictetus, Handbook 37, in an English translation as revised by Robin Hard (London, and Rutland, Vermont, 1995).

  The speeches of Crispinus and Maximinus’ tribune in Chapter 16 are adapted from the translation by C.R. Whittaker (Cambridge, Mass., 1970) of the words given to them by Herodian VIII.3.4–7.

  In Chapter 29 Apsines has quoted Virgil, Aeneid 5.438-442, in the translation of Frederick Ahl (Oxford, 2007).

  Pupienus is right that the speech of Apsines in Chapter 33 smells of the lamp and textbook. It is slightly rewritten from the guide to addressing an Emperor by Menander Rhetor, translated by D.A. Russell, and N.G. Wilson (Oxford, 1981).

  The poem that comes to Ballista in Chapter 42 is The Wanderer, in the translation of Kevin Crossley-Holland, The Anglo-Saxon World (Woodbridge, 1982).

  HOMAGES

  Writing a novel from multiple points of view is a challenge. It seems a good idea to learn from the best. All my novels contain homages to previous writers. Fire & Sword contains echoes of E.L. Doctorow, The March (2005), Sebastian Faulks, A Week in December (2009), and Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety (1992).

  THANKS

  As ever it gives me pleasure to thank the people whose affection and encouragement, criticism and forbearance, make it possible for me to write.

  Family: my wife Lisa, sons Tom and Jack, mother Frances, and aunt Terry.

  Friends: Katie and Jeremy Habberley, Peter and Rachel Cosgrove, Jeremy Tinton, Michael Dunne, Imo Dawson, and Vaughan Jones.

  Professionals and friends: James Gill at United Agents; Cassie Browne, Kate Elton, Roger Cazalet, Liz Dawson, Ann Bissell, Charlotte Cray, Damon Greeney, and Adam Humphrey at HarperCollins; Maria Stamatopoulou, and Perry Gauci at Lincoln College.

  Finally: Richard Marshall, for all his meticulous work preparing the Glossary and List of Characters, and for his kind words about the novel. This one is dedicated to him.

  FIRE & SWORD GLOSSARY

  The definitions given here are geared to Fire & Sword. If a word or phrase has several meanings, only that or those relevant to this novel tend to be given.

  1st Cohort Ulpia Galatarum: First Ulpian Cohort of Galatians, unit of auxiliary infantry originally recruited by the Emperor Trajan from Galatia (central Turkey), now stationed in Aquileia.

  A Cubiculo: Official in charge of the bedchamber.

  A Rationibus: Official in charge of the Emperor’s finances.

  Ab Admissionibus: Official who controlled admission into the presence of the Roman Emperor; sometimes translated here as Master of Admissions.

  Achaea: Roman province of Greece.

  Acropolis: Sacred citadel of a Greek city.

  Ad Palmam: Oasis on the margin of the Lake of Triton (Chott el Djerid), south-west of Africa Proconsularis.

  Adiabene: Ancient region corresponding to north-eastern Iraq.

  Aequum est, iustum est: Latin, ‘it is right, it is just’; imperial acclamation for Pupienus and Balbinus, recorded in ancient sources.

  Aesontius river: The modern Isonzo river, flowing from the Julian Alps into the Adriatic.

  Africa Proconsularis: Roman province of central North Africa, roughly modern Tunisia.

  Ahuramazda (also Mazda): ‘The Wise Lord’, the supreme god of Zoroastrianism, chief religion of the Sassanid empire.

  Alamann: From a confederation of German tribes living along the upper Rhine. The name probably means ‘all men’, either in the sense of men from various tribes or ‘all real men’.

  Alban Hills: Volcanic region ten miles south-east of Rome, site of the legionary camp of the 2nd Parthian Legion.

  Alexandria: Capital of the Roman province of Egypt; second city of the empire. Point from which the grain fleets set sail for Rome.

  Allfather: Epithet of Woden, the supreme god in Norse mythology.

  Altar of Jupiter Optimus Maximus: An outdoor altar in front of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Capitoline Hill.

  Altar of Peace: Altar standing in the Forum of Carthage, dedicated to the Peace brought by the Roman Emperors; its remains are now in the Louvre.

  Ambitio: Latin, ‘ambition’; also has connotations of vanity.

  Amicus (plural amici): Latin, ‘friend’.

  Amor Mutuus Augustorum: Latin ‘the shared love of the Emperors’.

  Amphora (plural amphorae): Large Roman earthenware storage vessels.

  Angeln: Land of the Angles.

  Angles: A north German tribe, living on the Jutland Peninsular in the area now occupied by southern Denmark and the German state of Schleswig-Holstein.

  Antonine dynasty: Adoptive family of four ‘good’ Emperors of Rome, who ruled from AD138–192.

  Antoninianus: Silver denomination of Roman coinage; notionally worth two denarii, it was debased on introduction and rapidly lost value.

  Apollo: Greek god of music and culture.

  Apollo Sandaliarius: Famous statue of Apollo in the Street of the Sandal-makers, north-east of the Forum.

  Apulia: Modern Puglia, the ‘heel’ of Italy.

  Aquileia: Town in north-east Italy.

  Aquitania: Roman province of south-western and central Gaul, an area of modern France.

  Arabia: Roman province covering much of modern Jordan and the Sinai peninsula.

  Aramaic: Ancient language spoken in much of the Levant and Mesopotamia.

  Arch of Septimius Severus: Monumental arch in the north-west corner of the Forum, commemorating the victories of the Emperor Septimius Severus and his sons over the Parthians in AD195 and 197–199.

  Arch of Titus: Monumental arch between the Roman Forum and Flavian Amphitheatre, commemorating the re-conquest of Jerusalem in AD70 by the Emperor Titus.

  Argiletum: Clay Street, leading from the Subura to the northern side of the Forum, passing between the Senate House and Basilica Aemilia.

  Armenia: Ancient buffer kingdom between Rome and Parthia, occupying much of the area south of the Caucasus mo
untains and west of the Caspian Sea; much larger than the modern region of Armenia.

  Arsacid: Dynasty that ruled Parthia 247BC–AD228.

  Asia: Roman province in what is now western Turkey.

  Atheling: Old English for Lord.

  Atrium: Open court in a Roman house.

  Augustus (plural Augusti): Name of the first Roman Emperor, subsequently adopted as one of the titles of the office.

  Aula Regia: The audience hall of the imperial palace on the Palatine Hill; built by the Emperor Domitian, its ceiling was thirty metres above the floor.

  Ausonian: From the Italian peninsular, originally a Greek term.

  Autochthonous: From the Greek, literally meaning people sprung out of the earth.

  Auxiliaries: Roman regular soldiers serving in a unit other than a legion.

  Ave: Latin, ‘hail’, ‘hello’.

  Babylon: Major city in ancient Mesopotamia, lying in modern Iraq to the south of Baghdad.

  Bacchant: Worshipper of the god of wine, Bacchus.

  Bactria: Ancient region lying north of the Hindu Kush and west of the Himalayas.

  Ballistae (singular ballista): Roman torsion artillery firing a bolt with great force and accuracy.

  Bariduum: Ancient town in modern Croatia; its exact location is now lost.

  Basilica: Roman court building and audience chamber.

  Basilica Aemilia: Court building on the north-east side of the Roman Forum, originally built in 179BC and restored on several occasions in antiquity.

  Baths of Caracalla: Giant bathing and leisure complex dedicated by the Emperor Caracalla in the south of Rome.

  Baths of Titus: Large suite of baths built by the Emperor Titus on the flank of the Esquiline Hill.

  Batnae: Town in south-eastern Turkey; modern Suruç.

  Bedriacum: One of two decisive battles fought in northern Italy by rival Emperors in AD69.

  Belenus: Celtic sun god and patron deity of Aquileia.

  Bistua Nova: Town in Bosnia and Herzegovina; modern Zenica.

  Bithynia: Ancient region lying on the southern shore of the Black Sea.

  Bithynia-Pontus: Roman province along the south shore of the Black Sea.

  Board of Twenty: see XXviri Reipublicae Curandae.

  Borysthenes: Maximinus’ horse, named from the god of the river Dnieper in Greek mythology.

  Bucolic: Ancient genre of poetry dealing with rural themes, from the Greek ‘cowherd’.

  Byzantium: Greek city lying between the Black Sea and Sea of Marmara; modern Istanbul.

  Caecuban: A highly prized sweet white wine grown in the coastal region south of Rome.

  Caelian Hill: One of the seven legendary hills of Rome, lying south-east of the Roman Forum.

  Caesar: Name of the adopted family of the first Roman Emperor, subsequently adopted as one of the titles of the office; often used to designate an Emperor’s heir.

  Caledonian: Inhabitant from northern Britain beyond the Roman provinces; roughly modern Scotland.

  Campus Praetoria: Literally ‘Praetorian Field’; parade ground in front of the Praetorian camp in north-eastern Rome.

  Capax imperii: Expression originally used by Tacitus to designate those men ‘capable of being Emperor’.

  Capitol: One of Rome’s seven hills; the ancient citadel of the city, location of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

  Capitoline: See Capitol.

  Capitoline Games: Quadrennial games celebrated in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, held in the early summer and instituted by the Emperor Domitian, originally with a scandalous Greek element to the festivities, including nude athletics.

  Cappadocia: Roman province north of the Euphrates.

  Carinae: Literally ‘the Keels’, fashionable quarter of ancient Rome between the Caelian and Esquiline Hills; now San Pietro in Vincoli.

  Carpi: Tribe living north-west of the Black Sea.

  Carrhae: Roman frontier town recently captured by the Persians; modern Harran in Turkey.

  Carthage: Second city of the western Roman empire; capital of the province of Africa Proconsularis.

  Cataphracts: Heavily armoured Roman cavalry, from the Greek word for mail armour.

  Catii: The Catius family.

  Cella: The main hall of a temple.

  Centurion: Officer of the Roman army with the seniority to command a Century.

  Century: Roman regular army unit of eighty to a hundred men, commanded by a Centurion.

  Cephalonia: Island off the west coast of Greece.

  Chryselephantine: From a Greek term meaning gold and ivory, the two materials used to make major cult statues of the gods.

  Circumvallation: From a Latin term meaning ringed with ramparts.

  Circus: Roman term for a horse-racing track.

  Circus Maximus: The great chariot-racing stadium in Rome; it could seat one hundred and fifty thousand spectators.

  Classis Moesiaca: Latin, ‘Moesian fleet’; the Danube river patrol.

  Claudian aqueduct: Major aqueduct built by the Emperor Claudius; once it reached north-eastern Rome, it ran in a south-westerly direction, crossing the valley between the Caelian and Aventine Hills.

  Cohort: Unit of Roman soldiers, usually about five hundred men strong.

  Collegium (plural Collegia): Ancient Roman trade guilds and funeral clubs (members of the latter paid a regular fee for the club to arrange an appropriate service when they died); well-organised, they often fell under the sway of powerful politicians, and were responsible for much of the mob violence in the city.

  Concordia: Deified abstraction of Imperial Accord; worshipped as a goddess and playing an important role in imperial propaganda.

  Conscript Fathers: Honorific form of address used before the Senate.

  Consilium: Council, body of advisors, of a senior Roman magistrate or an Emperor.

  Consul: In the Republic, the highest office in the Roman state; under the Emperors, a largely honorific and ceremonial position. There were two Consuls at any one time, and under the Emperors, two types: Consuls Ordinarii (singular Ordinarius), who began the year in office (the most prestigious position, giving their names to the year), and Suffect Consuls, men appointed after a Consul Ordinarius had stepped down.

  Consular: A former Consul.

  Contubernia: A squad of around eight soldiers, from the Latin term to share a tent.

  Corcyra: Greek name for the island of Corfu.

  Corinthian: From the ancient city of Corinth in the Peloponnese, notorious for its luxurious living and prostitutes.

  Cosmos: The universe as conceived of by the Greeks, an orderly, harmonious system, often thought divine in itself.

  Crenulations: From the Latin term meaning ‘little notches’; the protective battlements of a fortified wall.

  Ctesiphon: Capital of the Persian empire, lying on the eastern bank of the Tigris river, twenty miles south of modern Baghdad in Iraq.

  Curia: The meeting house of the Senate in Rome (and of town councils in the Latin-speaking provinces); the building erected after a fire in the later third century is still standing.

  Custos: Latin, literally ‘a guardian’; a male attendant would accompany an upper-class woman, in addition to her maids, when she went out in public.

  Cybele: Originally an Asian goddess, brought to Rome and known as the Magna Mater (Great Mother) in Latin. Her most dedicated worshippers were expected to castrate themselves, though this was frowned upon at Rome.

  Cynic: The counter-cultural philosophy founded by Diogenes of Sinope in the fourth century BC; its adherents were popularly associated with dogs (the name itself is from the Greek for ‘dog’) for their barking and snapping at contemporary morality and social customs.

  Dacia: Roman province north of the Danube, in the region around modern Romania.

  Daemon: Supernatural being; could be applied to many different types: good/bad, individual/collective, internal/external, and ghosts.

  Dalmatia: Roman province along the eastern shore
of the Adriatic.

  Decii: Members of the Decius family; P. Decius Mus and later his son both dedicated their lives and those of the enemy to the gods of the underworld, sacrificing themselves in the thick of battle to ensure victory.

  Decimation: Archaic Roman military punishment, very occasionally revived under the empire, involving the execution of every tenth man of a unit, chosen by lot regardless of personal guilt.

  Decus et Tutamen: Latin, literally ‘honour and safeguard’.

  Delphic Apollo: The god Apollo as worshipped at Delphi in Greece.

  Delphix: From the tripod tables, originally designed in Delphi, that furnished imperial dining rooms.

  Demiurge: In some Greek philosophical systems, the divine figure which fashioned (but did not necessarily create) the cosmos.

  Denarius (plural denarii): A Roman silver coin; originally a day’s wage for a labourer, though by this period much debased.

  Deucalion: In Greek mythology, the son of the god Prometheus, saved from a flood sent by Zeus to punish the arrogance of humanity.

  Dignitas: Important Roman concept which covers our idea of dignity but goes much further; famously, Julius Caesar claimed that his dignitas meant more to him than life itself.

  Dionysus: Greek god of wine; in his youth, toured the East as far as India, introducing its peoples to the cultivation of the vine.

  Diplomata (singular diploma): From the Greek term for a letter folded in two; in the Roman empire, an official pass given to persons travelling in the provinces.

  Disciplina: Latin, ‘discipline’. The Romans’ insistence on a high level of military discipline was a core contributor to the effectiveness of their armed forces. In more general terms, possession of this quality was thought by Romans to mark them off from other peoples.

  Diva Paulina: Latin, ‘The Divine Paulina’, title of the wife of Maximinus, deified after her death.

  Domina: Latin, ‘lady’, ‘mistress, ‘ma’am’; a title of respect.

  Dominus: Latin, ‘lord’, ‘master’.