The Last Caesar

by The Last Caesar (retail) (epub)

  Salonina lay on our bed, just lowering her stola back beyond her knees. One of her attendants was with her, an old woman who had been with Salonina since her childhood. Brusquely, I told her to leave us.

  ‘Totavalas told me the legions were rebelling,’ Salonina said. ‘What happened?’

  ‘I saved Galba’s neck, that’s what happened. There was a rumour that we had murdered the delegation from the Gauls, and many of the men are from Gallic families. It’s all sorted now. But I have some important news.’

  ‘I have something to tell you as well.’

  ‘It can wait,’ I said shortly. ‘Galba has summoned me to Rome. He wants to prosecute me for embezzlement. So I’m taking your advice.’

  ‘My advice?’ she asked, frowning.

  ‘If Valens is half the scoundrel I think he is, I reckon he will have started his charm offensive on Vitellius, to persuade him to declare himself emperor. Galba has betrayed me, so I shall join Vitellius.’

  A grin broke over Salonina’s mischievous little face, and it was as though the frost I had endured these last weeks had instantly thawed. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, and held her arms out wide to embrace me. In two quick steps, I took her in my arms and began to kiss her passionately. It was when I broke off and began to kiss her delicate neck and shoulders that she said, ‘Don’t you want to hear my news?’

  ‘News?’ I asked, as my hands began to unfurl the fabric of her dress. ‘What news?’

  ‘I’m pregnant.’

  I broke off, confused. I looked into her eyes for some sign that she was joking. I mean, we hadn’t shared a room for weeks now. She seemed to read my mind.

  ‘Before we argued, you silly soldier.’ Her slender hand stroked my cheek. ‘You’re going to be a father again.’

  Overjoyed, I hugged her for all my worth. ‘Oh Salonina, I’m so happy. How long have you known?’

  ‘My nurse had just told me, and then you barged in, looking so angry. I wasn’t sure it was the best time to share it with you.’

  Keeping my hands firmly planted on her shoulders, I leaned back to look my wife in the eyes. ‘It was the best time. This is the day where I take the credit I deserve, and give our children a future better than we had ever dreamed.’

  * * *

  It was a cold night, the worst of the winter so far. Snow was falling heavily outside and the slaves holding the torches shivered as they stood, waiting in vain for my guests to leave so that they could huddle in the warmth of the kitchens. It could have been colder, though. There were so many men dining that night that our bodies warmed up my triclinium.

  Ostensibly this was a dinner party for the officers under my command, but over the last day or two I had canvassed many of them individually. They had all come through, so that now three men sat as straight as a spear on every couch to accommodate the numbers. The new senior tribune and the one new junior tribune had not yet arrived in Mogontiacum, but the other four junior tribunes were there. Fresh-faced youths who hoped to make a name for themselves in the legions, of sturdy equestrian stock. Tuscus was there, of course, and I had honoured him with a couch to himself. The other ten guests were the senior centurions of each cohort; solid, dependable men who commanded fear and respect among the ranks.

  As the last course was cleared away, I called out to Totavalas, who was stewarding for the night. The usual man had come down with a fever. ‘No more wine tonight, Totavalas. I want clear heads here.’

  Despite the inevitable moans, the domestic slaves took away the cups and pitchers, leaving the officers, Totavalas, two torch-bearers, Salonina and myself in the room.

  ‘If you wouldn’t mind leaving us now, my dear, we have things to discuss.’

  Salonina smiled, having known what was about to take place long before the dinner had begun. ‘Of course.’

  She rose gracefully. There was the scraping of chair legs on the flagstone as the men respectfully stood up. She flashed them a smile that must have helped to warm them on that cold night. ‘Thank you, gentlemen.’ We all watched her glide out of the room, and as I turned to address the men I noticed one of my tribunes watching her a little too long and hard. The man next to him caught my eye, and nudged the other’s elbow. The young man’s face turned a deep red, and his gaze sank to the floor.

  * * *

  ‘I think you will all agree that my cook surpassed himself tonight, and you have had quite enough of my wine. It is time to talk business. I have spoken with most of you in the last two days, and the reason that you are all here must be clear by now. We must discuss the future of our legion.’

  The older heads nodded grimly, while the younger ones exchanged excited glances.

  ‘As you saw on the parade ground that distasteful day, I am a loyal servant of the emperor, and I gave that loyalty because I fervently believed that he possessed the wisdom and strength of purpose to save Rome from the tyrant Nero. After all, Galba had served with distinction here on the Rhine and had governed well in Hispania. His best years were given in the service of Rome and her legions, and I hoped he would treat them well.’ Here I paused, and the men looked at me intently.

  ‘It seems my trust was misplaced. His age was taken as a sign of stability and experience, but he is ruled by a cluster of imperial favourites; younger, ambitious men who act out of petty self-interest, and not for the greater good. His march to Rome has been vicious and bloody, and he is fast acquiring a reputation as heinous as Nero’s. I received news yesterday that the body of sailors raised by Nero to help defeat Vindex’s rebellion petitioned Galba to be confirmed as a legion. At the Milvian Bridge, Galba had them decimated for their audacity to wish to serve the new emperor. I admit now that I was wrong to trust Galba, and to think that he might act in the legions’ interest. As your legate, I believe that it is my sacred duty to defend my command from all enemies, whether they are beyond the Rhine or in our beloved city. That is why I have called you here tonight, to decide how to act in the best interests of Rome and of the Fourth Macedonica.’

  Tuscus rose stiffly from his couch, and all eyes shifted to watch him. This man had devoted his life to the Fourth, and if any man alive knew what was best for the legion, it was him.

  ‘It is no light matter to abandon your emperor, and I commend you, sir, for your loyalty. I think we all know how easy it would be to ignore our oaths to the emperor and go over to Vitellius in the hope that he will reward us. Of course the rank and file will think differently, but we are their officers. We lead by example in battle, and we should do so outside it as well. It is not for me to offer an opinion, but whatever we decide to do tonight must be decided by us and not by the common soldier, who cares for little besides his own gain.’

  I applauded Tuscus loudly, and several of the men followed my lead. ‘There speaks a man,’ I reminded them, ‘who began his life as a common soldier, but learned that honour and respect go hand in hand. Nepos, what do you think?’

  Nepos was the first-spear centurion, the most senior in the legion. A stocky man, his cropped brown hair showing the first few greys, he was the natural successor for camp prefect when Tuscus retired.

  ‘I think I speak for the first cohort when I say that we care little for the politics of all this, and only for the glory and honour of the legion. Nero may have been a tyrant in Rome, and he may have had some funny habits, let’s say, but he always treated the legions well. There were regular campaigns, regular chances for each man to prove himself on the battlefield and take what he could from the enemy. I think Galba will leave us here to rot. Vitellius, now, he can promise us action.’

  ‘But you’re talking about civil war,’ a voice interrupted. There was a sharp intake of breath in the room. Very few would dare to interrupt the first-spear centurion. It was the blushing tribune who had spoken. Superior in class and nominally in rank to any centurion, but with nowhere near the respect, authority or experience; this would be an interesting contest.

  ‘I mean,’ the precocious tribune contin
ued, ‘if we desert our emperor for Vitellius, what stops him from leading the legions into Italy to fight? Do we want to return to the bloody days of Caesar and Pompey, Augustus and Antony?’

  Nepos was struggling to control his contempt. ‘With all due respect, sir,’ and there was a definite note of aggression in the word ‘sir’, ‘you can quote history all you like. We’re living in the here and now, and here and now I say that this legion was ignored and dishonoured by Galba for defending the empire against a Gallic rebellion, and my men would relish a chance to prove themselves in battle.’

  There were cries of ‘hear, hear’ and thumps of agreement from the centurions, while the tribune returned his gaze to the floor.

  It was my turn to speak again. ‘The problem, then, is how best to act in the interests of the legion without abandoning our honour. Am I right?’ More nods. ‘I think there is an answer. Tomorrow is the beginning of the new year, the day we renew our oath of allegiance to the emperor. What if the legion refused to swear the oath?’

  A centurion from the seventh cohort spoke up. ‘You mean rebel, sir?’

  ‘No, just refuse to swear the oath. Not swearing to Vitellius either. If he wants our support, he has to ask for it. I will not allow this legion to offer itself like a whore. Does this course seem honourable to you, Tuscus?’

  ‘Refusing the oath tomorrow does, sir. But we can’t swear an oath to Vitellius unless he is acclaimed emperor, otherwise we would just be his private army.’

  One of the other tribunes nervously put his hand up. I smiled at the boyish habit, and gestured that he might speak. ‘What about the Twenty-Second, and the auxiliaries?’

  That made them stop and consider, though I had already thought about the problem long and hard over the last few days.

  ‘We must take the lead, and hope the others will follow. I don’t want anyone else hearing of what we plan to do and pre-empting us, or worse, betraying us. Besides, the Twenty-Second have no more love for the emperor than we do. Why should they not follow?’

  ‘And the auxiliaries?’ the tribune asked.

  Another centurion answered. ‘They don’t care about politics, just plunder. Why should they oppose us?’ There was a murmur of agreement.

  ‘So, we are agreed about what must be done tomorrow?’ I asked.

  Silence.

  ‘There are no objections?’ Some shaking of heads. ‘Excellent, then all that remains is method. As the camp prefect says, we the officers must show leadership, but we must also reflect the popular will of the legion. As a recent appointment of Galba’s, it is hardly my place to rabble-rouse and convince the legion to mutiny.’

  ‘Clean hands, eh?’ I heard one centurion mutter to his neighbour.

  ‘You, Sertorius. Stand up!’

  ‘Me, sir?’

  ‘Yes, you. Stand up.’

  I walked slowly over to the man, stretching the awkward silence.

  ‘Do you hope to be promoted one day, Sertorius?’

  ‘One day, sir.’

  ‘Well, that day isn’t going to come if you suggest that your legate has no interest in defending the interests of his legion. Galba chose me to command this legion, and what sort of hypocrite do you think I would be if I denounced him just a few months into my command?’ I turned to look at the rest of my officers. ‘You all know that a legate cannot lead from the front rank. This is why you are all here at my villa. This is my command, but come the swearing of the oath it is you who must lead from the front.’

  Turning back to face the unlucky man, I said, quietly: ‘I would like an apology, Sertorius. An apology for your insolence and insubordination.’

  Those hard grey eyes bored into mine, but my resolve was firm.

  ‘And I would like it now.’ My words were as chilled as the land beneath the snow. The centurion knew he had overstepped the mark, and refusal would have meant a court-martial. He clenched his jaw for a moment, and then said, ‘I apologize sir, for my conduct just now.’

  ‘Good,’ I said cheerfully, and patted the man on the shoulder, telling him to resume his seat. ‘There should be no shortage of ambitious men in your cohorts,’ I said to the rest of the centurions. ‘Each of you find the more discreet of them, and sound them out before tomorrow. This is where you prove that you are the best officers in the best legion on the Rhine.’

  As one, they all sprang to attention and saluted me. I enjoyed the moment, briefly, until I spotted my son Aulus hiding behind my study door. Our eyes met, and he disappeared in an instant.

  ‘The plan is settled, then. I am sure you have much to attend to back in camp.’ They laughed gently. ‘Totavalas will show you the way out. Until tomorrow.’

  Once they had left, I told Totavalas to wake me an hour after dawn, then I made my way to Aulus’s room. I gave his door a gentle knock.

  ‘Aulus?’

  He was hiding beneath the covers, and completely still.

  ‘I know you’re awake. I’m not angry with you, I promise.’

  ‘I didn’t mean to listen, Father,’ a voice said from the bundle on the bed. ‘I was going to the kitchens for some fruit when—’

  ‘It doesn’t matter now,’ I said, sitting on the corner of the bed. Playfully, I took hold of his bedding and began to slowly tug it. He pulled back.

  ‘How much did you hear?’

  The covers came down, and a worried face appeared. ‘You’re going to break your oath to the emperor.’

  ‘It isn’t that simple, Aulus.’

  ‘But you are going to break it, aren’t you?’

  ‘Technically, we’re just not going to swear a new one,’ I began, but then I realized I was saying that more to reassure myself than my son. ‘What have I taught you about pietas?’

  ‘Like Aeneas?’

  ‘Yes, like Aeneas.’

  ‘To honour and serve the gods, your family and your city. Like Troy, or for us, Rome.’

  ‘Well done. These days, we confuse the emperor and the city. Now I have taught you always to be a true and loyal servant of the emperor. Right?’

  ‘Right, Father.’

  ‘But what if the emperor does not serve the city?’

  He thought carefully. ‘He isn’t being a good emperor?’

  ‘And that is why I helped the emperor to replace Nero, for the good of Rome. But now, the emperor wants me out of the way, because he doesn’t like to be reminded that he needed help to become an emperor. He broke his promise to me. Is that the kind of emperor you want to serve?’

  ‘No, Father. So will this other man, Vitellius, will he be a good emperor?’

  Not if Valens has his way, I thought. ‘I hope so. Now it’s time for you to go to sleep. Good night, Aulus.’ I kissed him on the forehead, and got up to leave.

  I had almost closed the door when Aulus called out: ‘Does Mother know what you’re going to do tomorrow?’

  I chuckled at the irony. I hadn’t the heart to tell him that it was all her idea in the first place.

  XXIII

  The cock crowed to signal the dawn of the new year, and I was awake to hear him. I’d been far too nervous to sleep that night. I had sounded confident in front of my officers, but then I have always had something of a talent for acting. Of course, I realize that actors are the lowest of the low socially, but if you want to make it in politics, go to the theatre now and then. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn.

  There were some hours left until the swearing of the oath. No symbolic renewal of our loyalty as the sun rose on another year for us. This was the army: we leave such poetic nonsense to the courtiers. We are practical people, and take the oath when it fits in with the busy life we lead, in other words at midday. That left several hours to wait, and wait. Salonina stirred; now that she was finally awake, I could ease myself out of our embrace. I sat on the side of the bed and contemplated the day ahead. A warm hand slid up my back and rested on my arm. Salonina kissed me on the neck, then rested her chin on my shoulder.

  ‘What are you th
inking?’ she asked.

  ‘I’m thinking you’re going to get me into a lot of trouble one of these days.’

  ‘You’re not nervous, are you?’

  ‘Nervous? I’m about to preside over a mutiny, for Hades’ sake. I’ve a right to be nervous, haven’t I?’ I said irritably.

  Her other arm slipped over my chest so that she could reach round into a hug.

  ‘But haven’t you been telling me that everything’s going perfectly?’

  ‘So far, yes. But once the mutiny has begun, who knows what could happen?’

  ‘You’re their legate. Command them.’

  ‘These aren’t schoolboys, Salonina. It’s thousands of greedy, dangerous men who have just renounced their emperor. Somehow I don’t think a snap of my fingers would bring them to heel.’

  She shrank back from the tone in my voice. ‘You’re right, my love, I wasn’t thinking. Of course you should be a little afraid.’

  I batted her hands away. ‘I’m not afraid. It’s just not as simple as you make out.’ A part of me wondered whether she was just trying to goad me into having more courage. I wouldn’t have put it past her.

  ‘Totavalas!’ I called.

  The slave came hurrying in, and I stood up so that he could dress me. Salonina languished on the bed, looking magnificent. She was right; there were worse ways to relieve my tension, but now was not the time. I was needed in camp. As the young Hibernian was finishing with the buckles on my greaves, I reminded my wife: ‘Promise me you’ll have the horses ready for you and Aulus if things turn ugly in camp.’

  ‘But they won’t…’ she began.

  ‘Where do you go if they do?’

  ‘We ride for home on the post-horses.’

  ‘You have my seal?’

  She rolled her eyes. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘It’s on my dressing table.’

  ‘It’s only because I care, darling.’

  ‘But not enough to spend the morning with me, obviously.’

  I was beginning to get used again to her girlish ways. I had to keep reminding myself that I had spent years of our marriage on duty, and had missed her as she grew up. Living alone had prolonged her self-centredness. There had been Aulus to care for, but still she had a feline grace and cunning, and the independence that came with it. Not that I would ever have been happy with a thick but faithful old hound for a wife. Life is too short.