The King of Rome

by Francis Mulhern

  Capitolinus had disappeared from view, and Istros stood on tiptoe to see if he could find him in the crowd, but there was no sign of him or the two plebeian tribunes. A knot of men exited the forum to the right, heading across the low road which went straight between the Esquiline and Palatine hills. It was Baltus and several of his group, others simply left where they fought, or lay, in pools of blood. The fight petered out swiftly after they left, Istros watching as more people now arrived to carry their wounded away from the scene. Several bodies lay strewn across the assembly ground, with people either moving to help those who were prone or to steal whatever they could from them whilst they were incapacitated.

  It had been an interesting fight to watch, thought Istros. It was amazing how quickly it had turned one way and then the other, the arrival of the group from the Capitol clearly making the difference to the outcome. As he turned to leave he saw several men in the white togas of officials come rushing along the road, their own bodyguards close at hand, wooden clubs and daggers visible as they arrived. They started to ask questions and demand answers of the late-arriving men from the Capitol, most of whom turned nasty at the sudden anger shown by the state puppets. Anger turned to threats but no blows were struck. The men from the Capitol were shouting that this was the patricians attacking the plebeians whilst they were holding a peaceful debate, but the late arriving official force returned their shouts with condemnation of the plebeians for fighting in the forum and disturbing the peace of Rome. Their angry shouts dissipated and soon the two groups left the scene, the officials calling that the senate would know of this disturbance, and the plebeians calling that the patricians could shove their official debates in places where the sun might not shine.

  Istros had to smile to himself as the Forum emptied. What he had seen was both interesting and concerning. If the man, Baltus, was openly waging war against Capitolinus then it could only end in more bloodshed. He wondered if Cincinnatus was behind the attack, or whether the thick set Baltus had acted on his own. Javenoli would need to know, of course, but there was something else he needed to do before he made his way back to the palace, and that was to confirm who was leading this group. Skipping from his position and moving swiftly towards the Esquiline he soon found the spots of blood which showed the direction the beaten attackers had taken. As he caught sight of them he noted that they were, indeed, heading for one of Cincinnatus’ houses. The gate swung open as they approached, and dogs barked momentarily before whimpering suggested they had been kicked into silence. Istros circled the dwelling, with its large white-washed walls and heavy doorways, all barred. The house was like a fortress, with only three entrances. He cursed as he realised he wouldn’t be able to get any closer to eavesdrop on the conversation inside. Huffing he pulled a red cloth from inside his tunic, one that Cincinnatus knew well. He tied the cloth to a medium sized rock and, with a grunt, launched it over the wall of the building before he turned away with a tight expression on his face and headed back towards Javenoli’s palace to tell him the news.

  *****

  Vascius’ grim features turned to Marcus as both men realised what the scout was saying. The city was under attack from two sides, with some of the invading Etruscans having breached the city and set up running battles in the high-sided, narrow, streets. The defenders were losing. The hastily sketched picture showed a, roughly, rectangular city with four gates, two of which were under sustained attacks by ladder parties, and one of which had been breached. From the report it was clear that the people of the city had now set up defensive positions within, but had also taken precautions to barricade the streets so that the enemy could not reach their own defences easily.

  Marcus asked if the attackers were arranged in formations or were attacking in loose parties. The answer was the latter, and that the enemy had few horse, which were continuing to circle the city to capture any townsfolk who were attempting to escape.

  “Valerius” said Marcus, his voice suddenly full of energy. “Take your cavalry here” he tapped the small wooden tablet they had been looking at for the past ten minutes as they listened to the scout’s words. “And attack their rear. Harry them, stop them from attacking the walls. Vascius, send four cohorts to their rear and attack in two lines. Rotate the men, skirmishers to the sides and hold them against the wall.” Vascius put out a hand to take the tablet, squinting at the picture and nodding solemnly.

  “Just hold them?” he asked.

  “Yes” replied Marcus. “Hold them against the wall. If they are pinned there they will attempt to fight you, just hold them as long as you can. Vascius will patrol the left, keep them from you, the right is too rocky and steep to easily attack or defend?” this last question was to the scout who nodded vigorously, replying that there was no way that the Etruscans would be able to mount an attack from that direction.

  “I will lead the rest of the men here” he tapped the breached wall “and hit their rear as they attack the defenders inside the city. If we can get this gate open we’ll call for the reserve to hold it. If you need support” he turned to Valerius “call three trumpets and they’ll come.” He pursed his lips as he considered the plan. “Any thoughts” he asked, already missing his own centurions from the first legion who would have put in three or four improvements to the plan as he had spoken. Heads nodded, and faces looked blank as the leading Roman officers looked to each other and waited for someone to speak. As nobody did, Marcus went through the plan again to ensure that everybody knew their part in the action to come. “Then let’s get to it” he commanded.

  *******

  “We can’t let them get away with it” growled Baltus as he swore, licking his cut lip and breathing like a horse who’d run six laps at the races.

  Cincinnatus sat silently and looked at the men in front of him. “So, he had more than fifty men who came to his aide?”

  “Yes, boss. At least that. They came from everywhere. Just appeared out of houses” came the response.

  The senator sat upright in his chair and looked out at his beaten men. “Go and clean up” he snapped, his cheeks flushed with anger. “I’ll sort this little pup and send him back to his kennel.” He growled. Baltus and his men turned and limped away, their voices grumbling as they left. Cincinnatus drummed his fingers on the table, deep in thought. Capitolinus had an army of men, that could be a good thing. Could he turn that against the man? He considered if there was any chance he could have Capitolinus poisoned, or assassinated, but decided he’d now be far too wary to be caught off guard. The latest finances had been down nine percent, enough to start hurting some of his local suppliers. Such losses couldn’t be allowed to continue. He’d heard that three of his brothels had been raided, the girls’ savings taken. At the time he’d ignored the attack as an opportunistic raid, but now he wondered if he could turn this against Capitolinus as well. Javenoli would be planning something too. It would be best if he and the Pontiff put their heads together, they’d tied too much of their business interests into joint deals now and Capitolinus could not be allowed to get in their way.

  “Come” he called to the knock which came from the doorway. A sweaty faced slave stepped in, bowing low as he held out what looked like a bloody rag. “Ah” said Cincinnatus “just what I was expecting. Get my men ready, we’re going out” he called as he jumped to his feet and headed to his room to change.

  ******

  Istros nodded at Baltus as the entourage entered the Curia. “Did Jupiter catch you again?” he asked to Baltus’ bruised features. The grunted reply made Istros smile as he shifted to let the senator and the rest of his men into the building. Javenoli was seated on his family bench discussing planting vines with an elderly man who shook his head and suggested that the best crop for the low valleys was grapes, the sun was apparently too hot on the slopes, but the valleys provided just the right amount of heat and water. Istros watched as Javenoli easily slipped from one conversation to another, his eyes greeting Cincinnatus warmly.

  For his
part Cincinnatus waved to his men to move back, Baltus eyeing Istros warily as if he was still too close to the conversation, at which Istros turned and wandered towards the doorway, leaning against the frame and yawning dramatically. Baltus scowled and pushed his men away, striding across towards the door as they followed like children. “I’m watching you, Thracian” growled the thug. Istros shrugged nonchalantly.

  “Cossus. Javenoli” said the soft voice of Cincinnatus in greeting, his eyes searching Javenoli quizzically. The cloth-wrapped stone was their agreed signal to meet at the Curia in one hour, which he had done. The attendance of Cossus was a surprise. He was the leader of one of the largest families in Rome, with the faces of many previous tribunes and dictators lining his family walls. His business interests were almost exclusively in farming, and his family held several of the largest olive oil factories in the Latin Delta. He, too, was a Capitol man who had profited from the changes in Rome since the gallic invasion, but his interests were much more legal than those of both himself and Javenoli, as far as he understood.

  “Ah, welcome my friend” said Javenoli as he turned to the new arrival. Cossus responded with a broad smile as Cincinnatus sat on the bench facing the two men. “We were just discussing the new lands I’ve acquired in the Cremera valleys” continued Javenoli. “I might have some work for your men if they are free” he asked jokingly.

  Cincinnatus turned towards Baltus. “They wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it hit them in the face. Although it looks like something already tried with that one” came his reply.

  Cossus laughed before adding “if it’s men to farm your land you want, I have a few contacts” he said with raised eyebrows. “But I’m sure we weren’t asked to come along and discuss farming?” he said as he turned back to Javenoli.

  “Indeed” came the quick reply. “Titus and I” at which he nodded to Cincinnatus “have some concerns we’d like to discuss with you.” His glance to Cincinnatus was enough to let him know that he was to follow the Pontiffs lead in the ensuing discussion. “We” his expression changed to one of consternation “have seen a rise in trouble in the streets over the past few months, as you know.” His look to Cossus was received with an incline of the head. “And that trouble has had a major impact on some state business and some” he took a slow breath, lowering his head and looking slowly up to Cossus “personal matters.” Cossus inclined his head again. “There are some of us who feel that these outbreaks of violence by the plebeians are steadily becoming more aggressive, and today” he turned towards Cincinnatus “Titus’ men were attacked by a mob led by Capitolinus.”

  Cincinnatus looked at Cossus, his expression grave, and took over the conversation. “These men” he inclined his head over his shoulder towards the wounded looking Baltus “were taking bread to the market and were set upon by a gang of thugs. They beat them and told them to warn me that they would take everything that all patricians owned.” He glanced to Javenoli, who narrowed his eyes but nodded quickly.

  “This is not an isolated incident” Javenoli said. “In the past few weeks we have seen a number of attacks on patrician holdings across the city. The attack on Lucretius’ boats, the fire in the Boarium, the destruction of the old inn on the Etruscan Street to name a few. These attacks are beginning to shape into a pattern, my friend” he said as he breathed slowly, as if exasperated by the list he’d embellished as being co-ordinated attacks. “All of them lead to one man, Marcus Manlius Capitolinus.” Cossus looked up, not surprised but with questions written across his face. Javenoli raised a hand in answer. “I know, I know. I need proof that he is the leader of these gangs. Yet, the more critical issue isn’t that he has men who are either out of control within the city, or even that he is willingly leading them to destroy patrician held goods. The real issue is why is he doing this? To what end is he promoting violence within the city? You’ve heard him in the senate. He’s inflicted with some kind of madness against the state, against Camillus in particular but against us all. The man is obsessed with taking leading roles in all our campaigns, leading every legion to battle. He is on every street corner telling the people that Jupiter alone should be followed by every Roman. I hear that he has hundreds of men in his house every night and talks of removing all patricians from the senate and giving the plebeians power over us all. The people are frightened of him Cossus, but why? I’ll tell you why. It’s because he calls on Jupiter as his benefactor, his supporter.” At this Cossus looked up with a modicum of both fear and anger in his eyes. Javenoli knew he’d found his hook now, it was the gods, it always was. “The auspices have been mixed of late, Cossus, as you know. We’ve discussed them again and again and we know that the gods are not happy with some of the choices that we are making. But we cannot assume that this means that Capitolinus is right, and Jupiter is leading his actions. We have to consider, my friend, that Capitolinus is possibly making his own decisions and that, in fact, Jupiter may be unhappy with his actions.” Cossus looked nonplussed at this statement, so Javenoli continued to speak, Cincinnatus watching with interest. “I’ve been thinking hard about all that has happened recently, and discussing it with Titus, here” he added. “Several strange occurrences have disturbed me and so I’ve been through all the old books, all the scrolls which relate to the sacrifices and auspices.” His face took on a measured look. “And I’ve come to the same conclusion.” Pausing for effect he took a slow breath. “It is my view that Capitolinus believes that Jupiter is leading him towards taking over the state. All his actions, his posturing, his outbursts in the senate point to this same conclusion.”

  Cossus was shaking his head. “I cannot see it Gaius” he said, perplexed. “His family are one of the oldest in Rome, his military career is as good as any man except Camillus” he shrugged. “I cannot see how he can countenance such thoughts. Yes, he’s headstrong, he always was. I’ve seen the words written on the walls, the anger against debts and the land laws, but I do not see how Capitolinus can be the leader of this group of criminals” he said with a rise of his shoulders. “His blood is as old as Rome. He wouldn’t do such a thing.”

  Javenoli nodded slowly, his face calm. “Yes, I felt the same too. But then I started to consider the conversation I had with him on the Capitol Hill. He asked me to recount the stories of the old kings to him, questioning why the Republic was born and how we should consider that times have changed. He suggested a return to the old ways may be preferable once the Gauls left Rome. I assumed it was just talk” he shrugged. “But lately I’ve heard that these meetings he holds in his house with all his followers talk of taking over the senate, of destroying the status quo and removing the power of the Republic in favour of one man. Remember, Cossus, that speech in the senate where he demanded he be made dictator, claiming that Jupiter had appointed him as his only hand in Rome. His only hand, Cossus. His demands grow stronger every day for sole power, why else would he continually demand to be made dictator? Why else does he claim that Jupiter himself wants one god in charge of the heavens and one man in charge on earth. This is what I’ve seen and heard” he added as Cossus turned a perplexed look to him.

  Taking his lead Cincinnatus sighed heavily, attracting the other man’s attention. “I’ve heard these stories too Cossus. Look at my men, beaten in the streets for being men in my service. One of my businesses broken into yesterday and all my stock stolen” he shook his head. “The only clue” he shrugged “a barley stalk shoved into the boards on the window.” He looked to Javenoli before continuing. “These threats are real, my friend. It is growing. The man is a menace and we need to deal with him. But” he glanced to Javenoli, whose narrow-eyed face was watching him intently, trying to will him not to take a step too far. “We must be careful not to anger the gods. If he is truly beloved of Jupiter….” he let the words trail away.

  Javenoli took up the conversation again, seamlessly. “I agree with Titus in this. We’ve talked about it” he added as Cossus looked to both men. “Jupiter would not destroy the Rep
ublic, Cossus. His love for Rome is timeless. If Capitolinus is looking to destroy the Republic and install himself as a new king, then it is entirely down to his own madness. Remember Cossus, I was there on the day that the barbarians attacked the Capitol. I was with him when that first spear was thrown” he looked to Cincinnatus, whose eyes were glistening as Javenoli spoke. “Cossus, I tell you now, if Jupiter bestowed his strength to Capitolinus’ right hand, then he bestowed it to this hand as well.” As he spoke he lifted his right arm, watching Cossus as a confused look came over his face. He allowed a moment for Cossus to cogitate the words. “And now that I see his schemes and understand how desperate he is to achieve his end of destroying all that we hold dear, I cannot sit idly by and watch the man ruin the city. He has attacked all of us, Cossus, by attacking one patrician. His schemes to undermine the works of the patriarchs and to remove order by removing debt from the plebeian classes cannot be allowed to go any further. Look at the streets” he waved a perfunctory hand towards the door. “Filled with men who dodged the call to fight our enemies, yet they fight our own servants outside our doors. I tell you Cossus, we must bring this to the attention of the senate. The man is aiming to ruin Rome.”

  Cossus allowed a glum expression to cross his face, his eyes staring at the door to which Javenoli had motioned during his speech. With a slow and deep breath Cossus rose from his chair and gripped Javenoli’s hand, nodding slowly. As he then shook the outstretched hand of Cincinnatus he spoke. “I will think through your words Gaius. There is much to consider. If the signs continue to show that there is something in your words, then I will work with you to resolve the situation.” He moved towards the door, three men stirring from the doorway to come to his side as they left the building.

  “I expected more” Cincinnatus said angrily as the door closed behind the old senator. “That bastard Capitolinus has to pay.”