Bedrock of Empire Page 3

  I tried some of the barley, pleased that the olive oil had offset its normally dry texture. ‘And becoming a jurist isn’t straightforward? I saw several wandering around the Basilica Julia. It can’t be that hard? Surely no one else in Rome is more qualified than yourself?’

  Aulus gave a mournful sigh. ‘Most of the jurii you saw were taught at the Sabinian school of law. Their followers have gained great favour in times of late.’

  I swallowed one of the poached eggs. ‘And let me guess, you were never taught law at that school?’

  Aulus looked at me proudly. ‘I studied law and have always been a devout follower of the Proculian school. We have just as proud a history as the Sabinian school but unfortunately we don’t seem to have the same favour with Augustus at the moment, so advancement is difficult. Unless we do something that really catches the eye, we’re unlikely to be appointed a jurist.’

  Suddenly everything in Aulus’ life became clearer to me. ‘So you’re looking for the one great case that will make your name?’

  Aulus picked at his food. ‘Well, I wouldn’t put it quite as crudely as that, but yes, gaining the attention of either Augustus or, failing that, the current praetor is the most likely way for a follower of the Proculian school to be chosen at this time. It is not as remote a possibility as you might think. Augustus takes a keen interest in the law, often listening to cases in the Forum. I myself had the honour of the imperator listening to a case of mine late into the night one time. It was my finest moment.’

  I said gently, ‘But it still wasn’t enough?’

  Aulus frowned. ‘Well, clearly not or I wouldn’t be talking to you about it now. But I’m sure I made a mark. It was a difficult case that I won involving a complicated inheritance.’

  I chuckled. ‘Well this latest case is unlikely to do you any favours. Representing a man prepared to sell a family slave to a gladiator school.’

  Aulus corrected me. ‘He didn’t sell him to one of the gladiator schools, more’s the pity, he sold him to Antinous, an independent gladiator trainer. A poor choice, I grant you.’

  I couldn’t see what difference it made whether it was to a school or an independent man like Antinous. ‘Either way, the poor slave is dead. What was his name …?’

  ‘Telesinus,’ supplied Aulus.

  I nodded. ‘Yes, Telesinus. He’s now dead because of your client. Don’t you feel anything about that? Would you ever sell any of your slaves to fight in the arena sands?’ I couldn’t quite imagine the gaunt-looking slave who had let us in as a gladiator, not a successful one at least, but I needed to ask.

  Aulus’ eyes popped. ‘Of course not! How could you suggest such a thing? I’d rather cut off one of my own arms. Mistreating one’s slaves is completely vulgar and has no place in civilised society.’

  I spread my arms wide in incredulity. ‘But you have absolutely no qualms in defending someone who has?’

  Aulus looked me squarely in the face. ‘None whatsoever. The law is on his side and he is entitled to have me represent him to the best of my ability. If a law is unfair, it is only highlighted by the ability of me, or others like me, to bring it to the attention of magistrates, jurii, or the praetor. This can only be done by winning our case. It is the only way laws are changed or refined.’

  I scratched the top of my head. ‘You have a point, Aulus, but don’t you get sick of dealing with such repulsive people?’

  Aulus sighed. ‘Every day, Cassius. Every day.’

  Chapter Two

  I gently slipped out from under the covers, trying not to wake the sleeping form that lay next to me. The morning sunshine was only just entering through the high windows, so it was still cool on my bare, naked skin as I tiptoed over to the other side of the room. I found the tunic that Patrellis had left ready for me draped conveniently over a small stool next to my sandals, undergarments and a belt. It was a habit of his, formed during a time when it was impossible to predict what time I would return from a party or late-night function, to have my clothes for the next day waiting ready for me on this stool. The fact that I rarely indulged in such late nights any more didn’t matter to him, he still left out a tunic, sandals and a belt for me, which he readied before he retired each night. It was handy this morning, when I wanted to slip out without being heard.

  I tied the loincloth around my groin and slipped the tunic over my head. I looked over at the bowl of fresh rose-water that Patrellis also had left out, but I realised that washing my face in the cool water would make too much noise, so reluctantly I decided to forgo it for today. I picked up the sandals, meaning to don them outside, and slipped towards the door. Before I left, I gave one last longing look at the sleeping form that lay in my bed, at the long brown curly hair that tumbled over the light covers.

  Numeria stirred and turned around, rubbing her eyes and smiling. ‘You’re up early today. Trying to make a dawn getaway, Gaius?’

  Numeria still called me by my praenomen rather than the nomen Cassius that others referred to me by, which was a reminder of the childhood that we spent together in what seemed another lifetime. I smiled back. ‘I didn’t want to wake you. Go back to sleep.’

  Numeria sat up, stretching as she did so, the covers dropping to reveal one uncovered breast that popped out. ‘What, and miss seeing you leave before me – this must be a first?’

  It probably was. Numeria often visited, but I hadn’t quite convinced her to move in permanently. She normally sneaked out in the morning back to her own home before I could dissuade her. ‘I wanted to go to the gymnasium early today. Aulus is acting as an orator for a case in the Forum at noon, and I promised to be there. If I get to the gymnasium now, I can exercise with Marcus before the case starts.’

  Numeria rubbed both her eyes. ‘Not your other friend Horatius as well?’

  I laughed. ‘Horatius Rufa never even gets up before noon, let alone makes it to the gymnasium. Seriously, go back to sleep. Patrellis can fix you something when you get up.’

  Our conversation was interrupted by Silo, who burst into the room, closely followed by Badriyah. ‘See! I told you he was up!’

  Badriyah turned to me in horror. ‘I’m so sorry, my lord. He got away from me and wouldn’t come back.’

  Badriyah only ever addressed me as ‘my lord’ when she thought she was in trouble, but in all honesty I was too stunned to think of an appropriate response.

  Silo wasn’t put off. ‘You must come see my paintings before you leave – you promised you would.’

  Badriyah grabbed Silo by the arm and started dragging him to the door. ‘Sorry, Cassius, he keeps on going on about them.’

  Numeria, who had quickly concealed her bare breast, burst out laughing. ‘Why don’t we both go to see his paintings before you meet Marcus?’

  Badriyah bowed and nodded to Numeria. ‘Thank you, my lady. Silo will appreciate it greatly.’ She dragged the reluctant Silo out with her. ‘Come on,’ she snapped at him.

  I closed the door and turned to Numeria. ‘Well, so much for my quiet getaway.’

  Numeria smiled and stepped out of bed, stretching her arms high above her head. The sight of her naked body still gave me a thrill, even now, months after I’d first seen it in the forests of Germany. Her long limbs were lean and muscled from riding, and her bottom was a pleasing heart shape that gently tapered to a thin waist and perfectly arched back, which unfortunately obscured my view of her shapely breasts and flat stomach. She threw on a light tunic of mine that I’d been wearing the night before and had cast aside carelessly. Somehow it managed to look completely alluring on her, despite its simple design and having been left in a crumpled heap all night. She went over to the water bowl and splashed some water on her face, the same beautifully sunkissed face with a light smattering of freckles that I remembered from childhood. She walked over to me and pushed me to the door. ‘Well, come on then. I thought you wanted to get to the gymnasium – we’ve some paintings to see.’

  I spent the later part of the morning in
the gymnasium, lifting heavy hand weights and improving my flexibility by doing some particularly tough floor exercises. I dozed contently afterwards, as a slave rubbed oil into my body and scraped it off with a strigil, cleaning my skin and leaving it gleaming. My friend Marcus lay on the bench next to mine, receiving the same treatment from one of the superbly trained slaves the gymnasium employed. He sat up and thanked the slave, waving away the offer of another round of treatment. ‘No, that’s enough for today, thank you.’

  I reluctantly signalled likewise to my own slave and swung my legs round on the sturdy wooden bench. ‘You’re right, Marcus. It’s easy to lose track of time lying here.’

  Marcus gave me a grin. He knew that only too well. He’d spent virtually every day in the gymnasium after he’d recuperated from the serious wound he’d received in Germany. Working his body hard until it regained its former strength and pliability. ‘Somewhere you need to be today?’ he asked.

  I slipped off the bench and walked through to the changing room so I could re-don the tunic I’d worn to the gymnasium. ‘I promised Aulus I would watch him in his trial in the Forum at noon. I’m just observing, I needn’t assist him, but I know how much he loves this part of his job. He enjoys being an orator in the Forum for a case.’

  Marcus brightened. ‘I can join you. I’m meant to be meeting Julia in the Forum at midday. She wants to go shopping for some new silks that she says have just arrived in from the Indus.’

  I looked at him quizzically. ‘How will you meet her if you’re watching the trial with me?’

  Marcus laughed. ‘I have never, ever known Julia to turn up even remotely on time for anything – let alone meeting me. However, if I am ever late for her I never hear the end of it. I need to be there at midday sharp, even though I won’t expect her for a long time afterwards. Watching the trial will give me something to do.’

  Marcus and Julia married at the end of March the previous year, soon after we’d returned to Rome. It had been a bright and warm day, and Julia had looked exquisite in her new stola made for the occasion. Both Numeria and I had attended, watching the excitement in the young couple’s eyes as they exchanged fire and water by passing a torch lit from her family’s hearth for one from Marcus’. Both Julia’s parents had attended, as had Marcus’ father. The wedding agreement had been brokered by Numeria, who managed to convince both set of parents that it was a favourable match. Marcus’ father had been relatively straightforward, pleased that his son was marrying a woman he clearly loved so much, and as they were both from the same social class he thought there was no reason to object. Julia’s parents proved more difficult, after officially disowning her years before. However, once they found out how highly placed Marcus’ father was in the Praetorian Guard and how high his family’s standing was – not to mention their wealth – they managed to put aside their past estrangement. Wasn’t family love such a beautiful thing?

  I smiled, pleased that my friend would be joining me in the Forum. ‘Well, don’t expect anything too exciting. It looks like Aulus has this one sewn up. It will be good to see him at work though. I’ve developed a new-found respect for my brother-in-law.’

  Marcus grinned. ‘I thought you despised him?’

  I chuckled. ‘I never really hated him. He’s a hard man to warm to as he’s so particular about trivial matters and so judgemental of others, but now I realise it’s all part of his profession. It’s how he sniffs out the truth from his unsavoury clients. I think I’d start being a bit judgemental if I had to spend all my life dealing with them.’

  When we left the gymnasium I checked the height of the sun and judged we’d just make it to the Forum by midday. I was relieved I needn’t worry about Aulus’ disapproving looks – I knew his feelings towards tardiness. We needed to push through the crowds, quite forcibly at times, as not only did we have no one to announce our coming, but we both were wearing simple tunics and therefore had nothing to signify our rank. Luckily, both Marcus and I were large imposing men, so it didn’t slow us too much.

  We made our way past the countless shops and small eateries built into the ground floor of the large tenement blocks that lined our path into the centre of Rome. I decided to broach the topic of Marcus’ career. ‘So you want to rejoin the legions?’

  Marcus nodded. ‘If I can find a legion that will take me. What else can I do? All I’ve ever known is military life.’

  Marcus and I were not in an easy position. We’d both returned to Rome, despite Augustus’ decree that survivors of the Teutoburg disaster were no longer welcome in the capital. Being of the senatorial class protected us from any overt repercussions – or so we hoped – but it did leave us somewhat tarnished in the eyes of others. This was something that would make Marcus’ wish to resume his military career less than easy.

  Marcus had been brought up in a military camp, so it wasn’t surprising that he was lost without the structure and discipline that a legion offered. I thought about it. ‘Can’t you ask your father? He has a very enviable position in the Praetorian Guard, command of one of the home cohorts – can’t he find you something there?’

  Marcus shook his head. ‘My father would love to give me a role in the Praetorians, but as the guard have no legate, appointments need to be agreed by higher powers and more than likely Augustus himself. Since Augustus’ declaration regarding the survivors of the three legions, my father daren’t even suggest me. He’s worried about bringing attention to the fact that I once served in the Eighteenth.’

  I nodded in agreement. ‘He’s right. It is unlikely that the decree could be used against those of our rank, but it’s best not to push it. You never know who might try and use it against you. Besides, thinking about it, Augustus would never approve of having you so close to him, as the guard’s main responsibility is to guard him.’

  The Praetorian Guard was actually much more than this, being the foundation of Augustus’ power, as it was the only legion stationed so close to the centre of power. That’s why he wouldn’t allow them to have a legate of their own; he didn’t want a rival to their loyalty.

  Marcus looked hurt. ‘Why couldn’t I guard him?’

  I gave a dismissive shake of my head. ‘Well, it’s not that he would doubt your loyalty, but he wouldn’t wish to have a reminder of the disaster in Germany on full view in his palace. That was the reason Livia gave me when she said I wouldn’t be awarded the commission she had promised me.’

  Before I embarked to Germany Livia had offered me the reward of my own cohort of the Praetorians, and the prestige and honour that went with such a command. Unfortunately, it had gone so badly in Germany that the commission in the esteemed unit was out of the question by the time I returned. Not that I cared, but it would have been perfect for Marcus.

  Marcus moved round a passer-by coming the other way, before we stepped over a raised crossing that spanned the road. ‘So I have no choice, I need to find a legion overseas.’

  I shrugged. ‘But do you really want to leave Julia so soon after your marriage?’

  He looked down at the ground. ‘Well, I suppose not. But I’ve told her I could take her with me.’

  I frowned. It was clear he’d been thinking about this for some time. ‘How did she react to that prospect?’

  Marcus answered sheepishly. ‘She doesn’t want to go. In fact, she refused point-blank.’

  I spread my hands out in front of me. ‘Well, of course she doesn’t! You know what happened to her the last time she followed a love to another province? Her former lover Festus took her to Germany, promising her the world, only to leave her alone and vulnerable after he was killed. You know the life she led after that – you’d take her back to that?’

  Marcus bowed his head. ‘It’d be different this time, we’re married after all.’

  I shook my head. ‘I doubt it looks very different from her perspective. She has only just been reunited with her family. Don’t take her away from that so soon. Besides, even though some high-ranking officers do tak
e their wives with them to overseas postings, the practice isn’t exactly approved of. You don’t want to make yourself unpopular before you’ve even started your career.’

  That’s what Numeria and Otho had done, and that had ended really badly for both of them – particularly Otho. Despised by his fellow officers, he was forced into an early grave by trying to fulfil a career path that was unsuited to him.

  Marcus looked crestfallen. ‘I have to do something, Cassius. I’m just not made for life in Rome. I feel a need inside me to be doing something, testing myself in some way. I have nothing to do here.’

  I smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I know. I think that is just part of your nature. Don’t rush into anything however. You’re still young and you have plenty of time. A commission in an overseas legion will take you away for at least three years. Don’t do that to Julia so soon in your marriage. A solution will turn up in time.’

  I hoped one did. I knew that Julia loved Marcus, but three years alone in Rome with her husband away? Such a separation would put a strain on such a young marriage. Marcus and I were lucky that we were of such exalted rank. The normal plebeians who signed up in the legions did so for twenty years, so an overseas posting was virtually for life.

  A short while later we turned into the Forum and noticed the small crowd that was gathering in one corner. ‘That must be the crowd for the trial. Let’s go over and find Aulus,’ I told Marcus.

  I saw Aulus chatting to Fonteius, and I gave him a wave to let him know we were there. Immediately he came over to us, and I introduced my friend. ‘Aulus, meet Marcus, he’s heard a lot about you and thought he’d like to watch the trial today.’

  Aulus gave a quick nod, saying, ‘Pleased to meet you,’ before turning around and saying excitedly to me. ‘Cassius, I have great news! There are rumours abound that Rome’s praetor will be coming to see the trial! Can you believe it?’

  I smiled. I’d never seen Aulus so excited before. The praetor urbanus was the leading magistrate in the city, outranking every one of the decemviri in the Centumviral Court. ‘Why would he come watch a trial like ours? Surely this is too small a case for him to take an interest?’