THE INQUIRY --- a story of ancient Rome, and featuring Nova Roma citizens as
certain characters
by Stuart Smith
Chapter I: The Girl
The little girl's face was smeared with the dust of the street, which
marred her dark complexion. Her black hair, disheveled and dirty, lay limp
down the sides of her face and cascaded below her thin shoulders, and a
trickle of dried blood had flowed from the left corner of her mouth. But
what Lucius Vatinius Lupus, a soldier of the Augusta Cohort, could not stop
staring at were the girl's eyes. Yesterday, these eyes had looked eagerly up
the street for her father to come home, brightened at the treats in the
marketplace where she went with her mother, and spied out for her friends at
play. But now, these eyes were glazed, and stared out at nothing, and at no
one.
In the background, in the smoke filled street of burnt out houses and
overturned carts, an eerie collective groan. It was the groans of the
wounded, and of those mourning the dead whose bodies littered the street. The
breeze from the nearby sea seemed to add a mournful sigh to the sights and
sounds of this scene, this almost surreal vision of Hades. Now over this
background arose another sound, shrill and soul-piercing; the screams of the
thin, raven haired woman cradling in her arms the limp and lifeless form of
the little girl, her only daughter. The woman shrieked and wailed, raised
her left hand to the sky and looked up, as if pleading for some god to look
down and her and witness: "Look what they did to my baby!" The woman's
movements had caused the girl's head to turn slightly, and now those listless
eyes seemed to stare at Lucius Vatinus, as if accusing him, accusing Rome, of
robbing her of her childhood and her life. He could not take this scene
anymore, and was about to turn away, when the mother looked up from her girl
and saw him. Suddenly, she stopped weeping, and her face contorted with such
pure hatred that even this Roman soldier shuddered to take a step back. The
woman picked up a rock in her hand and with a scream of rage hurled it at
Lucius, who with some shock managed to avoid the missile. "You murdering
bastard! Son of a Roman bitch!", the woman screamed at him in a language that
Lucius blessedly did not understand. She had stood up and was now running
upon him, clawing at his eyes, grappling for his throat, spitting in his
face. Lucius tried to push her off, not fighting her so much as trying to
get away from her. From around a corner two local civilian men appeared, saw
the battle in progress, and ran towards them. "Oh, bloody hell!", Lucius
cursed as he saw her reinforcements coming. From behind him came a sound of
alarm, this time in the familiar voice of his centurion. "Guards! Stop
them!" The woman's allies however, did not attack the Roman, but instead
took hold of her and pulled her off him, speaking in desperate, Aramaic
voices. Two Roman soldiers came up behind Lucius, one with sword drawn. The
two men who had taken the woman now faced them, one of them holding a stone.
Centurion Lucius Aetius Dalmaticus jumped in between the two parties. "No!",
he barked at the other soldier, motioning to him to sheathe his sword. The
two local men stood still, watching to see which soldier would attack them
first. Dalmaticus put up both his hands towards them, slowly motioning for
them to back away. "No, we don't want to fight with you....there's been
enough killing here. Just back off and we won't touch you." One of the men
turned to comfort the woman, who by now was exhausted, her energy spent, who
could now only weep quietly, asking over and over in her native tongue
through choked sobs, "Why? Why? She was only my little girl...."
The other man let the stone drop from his hand, and then turned his back to
them. The Romans watched as one man carefully picked up the body of the
little girl, and then with his friend helping the woman along, carried their
sad burden down the street, until they disappeared around the corner.
The Centurion, Lucius Aetius Dalmaticus, rested a moment, leaning
against a wall of a gutted shop and rubbed his eyes. But only for a moment.
He motioned to the other soldier standing there. "Alright, back to your
post," he said, jerking his thumb in the direction from which they came.
Lucius Vatinius was taking a deep breath. "You alright?", asked the
centurion. The young soldier nodded. "I'm sorry for that scene Centurion.
She was on me so fast and I didn't..." "You didn't want to strike a grieving
mother," the centurion said, interrupting. "I guess I can understand that."
They surveyed the scene around them, the looted shops, the smoke wafting
through the morning air, and the pools of blood. "It was her daughter I
imagine," Dalmaticus opined.
They both turned at the sound of hoof beats coming up behind them from
the direction of the Praetorium. It was Tribune Flavius Vedius Germanicus.
Dalmaticus saluted when he saw his commanding officer, and the Tribune
returned the salute and dismounted. For a few moments he said nothing, but
looked over the scene. "Was there an incident?", the Tribune asked
Dalmaticus.
"No sir, just a distraught woman. Her family took her away."
"Is your area secured?"
"Yes sir. All occupants are either in hiding or dead."
Germanicus turned his head sharply and looked Dalmaticus. "Walk with me, if
you will, Centurion." The two began walking back in the general direction of
the Praetorium. Dalmaticus noticed that Germanicus was leading to a spot far
enough away from the posted guards that they could not easily be overheard.
"Sir, if I may venture to ask, what is the death toll so far?"
"Over two hundred so far, and rising." Germanicus rubbed his eyes. "Damn,
I'm tired," he said, wearily. "What happened Centurion?". Dalmaticus cleared
his throat. "Hm...we were sent out to quell the riot sir. The men under my
immediate command did their job. Dispersed the mobs, arrested those who
resisted. I am not sure what....I think things got out of hand sir."
Germanicus smirked. "No, things did not get out of hand, sir," he said with a
tone of sarcasm and bitterness, though not necessarily directed at
Dalmaticus. "It was ordered. The governor, damned idiot.....the governor
ordered it." Dalmaticus was stunned. "The Governor? Sir, what happened
here was indiscriminate! Roman soldiers have just butchered and plundered
friendly provincials, here, in the provincial capital! And this was ordered
by the Governor?" Germanicus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Well,
he cannot survive this. Not this time. Now the Emperor is going to have to
replace him. A Jewish delegation is already under sail for Rome to lodge a
formal complaint. He cannot survive this. He MUST NOT." Tribune Germanicus
took a few steps, hands folded behind his back. Dalmaticus pondered a moment,
and then spoke. "Sir, if I remember correctly, you were expecting certain
friends of yours to visit. were you not?" Germanicus nodded. "Yes, Senator
Marcus Cassius Julianus, his wife, a sister, and some others. They're on
holiday. They would still be in Athens. Did you have a concern Centurion?"
"Well, sir, not to be out of line, but in light of what has just happened you
may wish to write to them and suggest that they consider postponing their
visit for a time. It will take weeks for Rome to learn of this. Things here
may get uglier still." Germanicus thought a moment, nodded, and said, "Quite
right. I will write to Cassius, warn them of the situation. I'll send the
letter by courier directly." "That is easily taken care of Tribune,"
Dalmaticus replied. "Lucius Vatinus! Over here!" The soldier immediately
arrived and saluted the Tribune. "Sir! Lucius Vatinus Lupus, reporting
sir!" Germanicus forced a smile to his face. "This is your lucky day son!
You are getting out of this sink hole for a while. You are to personally
carry a letter for me to a Senator in Athens. Report to me at the
Praetorium. I shall hand you written orders, my letter, and travel expenses.
Report as soon as you have been relieved here."
"Yes sir! Hail Caesar!"
"Hail Caesar."
Lucius Vatinus did not need to be told to return to his post down the block.
The Tribune watched him depart, then turned toward Dalmaticus. "Let us pray
the Gods send a new Governor here on the wings of the wind!"
"Yes sir."
Germanicus mounted his horse and turned her around. "And now you must excuse
me Centurion. I have that letter to write."
A few days later, a small procession of mourners carried the body of the
little girl to her tomb in the Jewish cemetery outside the city. The women
wailed, a nerve shattering, unearthly sound like the cry of banshees, as four
of the men gently placed the pathetic little form in her sepulcher. The
girl's mother did not cry as the others did, but stood there numb and
expressionless, supported by two of her brothers. Only when the stone had
been rolled over the tomb did she break down. It was a pitiful sight.
Sobbing quietly, she knelt and reached out to touch the stone. "Rachel!",
she cried. The mourners let her be for a moment before her brothers gently
helped her back up, and guided her away. Slowly, the procession filed away
from the grave and out of the cemetery. No one said a word. All eyes were
on Rachel's mother, or sorrowfully cast down to the ground. No one looked
back toward the other side of the cemetery, or they might have seen a lone
figure of a man watching them. A few times in the past he had seen the girl
with her mother or playing with the other children. He was there when the
riot began. He saw the soldiers move in, first dispersing the mob, then
beginning their attack on the Jewish quarter. Fearful, he turned and ran for
safety. And when it was all over, he saw the aftermath, a grieving woman
mourning over her dead daughter. It was a scene that hit too close to home,
and dredged up nightmares from once before.
Now, the mourners gone, he approached the grave. He kneeled down and
from under his cloak pulled out eleven roses, one rose for each year of
Rachel's life. Laying the roses on the stone, he closed his eyes for a
moment. "Talitha, I am so sorry," he whispered. Then he quickly glanced
upward. "Please let her leave me in peace" he said to any god that might be
listening. And with that, he rose to his feet, and quickly departed.
End of Chapter I.
{Copyright 2000, by Stuart Smith}
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THE INQUIRY
Chapter II: A Most Perfect Evening
"I would like to drink a toast", said Porcius Festus, raising his glass,
"to two of the dearest young people I have ever known. Marcus Cassius
Julianus and Patricia Cassia, you two were truly made for each other, and
Cassius my friend, there is no one who I would rather see married to such a
lovely young lady as Patricia than you. May Venus forever keep her eyes upon
you, and may Juno ever watch over your household, and grant you many fine and
noble sons!"
"And daughters!", added Justina Cassia, Cassius' widowed sister, as she
raised her glass. Metellus Sergius Draco, lifelong friend of Cassius,
refilled his own cup. "To Cassius and Patricia!" Patricia Cassia beamed.
She could not wipe the smile from her face, and Cassius in that moment loved
her all the more for it. She was happy, and that was worth the world to him.
"I only wish," Porcius Festus said with some sadness, "that I could have been
in Rome for your wedding. I wish I had a suitable wedding present for give
you." Cassius turned and gave Patricia a grin. "Do you believe this man?",
he said, "Here we are, enjoying his hospitality, living in his home rather
than some inn, and he thinks he has slighted us!" Porcius Festus smiled at
him, then moved closer to Patricia, putting a big bearish arm about her.
"Tell me my dear," he said, "how is this politician of yours treating you?"
"Like a princess," she replied, her smile unfaded. Porcius Festus pulled her
a little tighter. "Well now, I am very glad to hear it little lady, because
if he were ever to stop..."
"You would do what?", she asked mischievously, touching nose to nose with
him.
"I would come to Rome, and steal you away from him!"
"Hmmmm," she purred, "and if it came to that I think I just might let you."
Cassius began to chuckle. "Alright, alright!", he said as he draped both
arms around Patricia and gently pulled her back towards him, "Here I am
married only three months and already you are trying to seduce my bride away
from me! You dirty old lecher!" Porcius Festus feigned a look of shock as
he moved back to his own cushion at the dinner table. "Now I resent that
remark Cassius! I am not OLD!" At that they all laughed, the five friends
together.
A perfect evening.
Porcius Festus reached for the wine. "Speaking of Rome, which we
weren't, tell me Cassius...is it true what I've heard, that the Emperor's
mother Agrippina was plotting against Nero?" Draco rolled over and groaned.
"Oh no! Please don't get him started, Festus!" "Well, is it true?", Festus
said, pressing the issue, "because the news of her execution shocked me
terribly. To have your own mother killed? It's...too awful to contemplate!
"As it was for us all.", Justinia replied. "That is too low a depth to sink,
even for Nero." Draco shot her an angry look at Justinia. She noticed, but
did not care a wit. "I heard", Festus said, continuing, "that Nero first
tried to have her killed in a boating accident. Is that true?" Cassius put
down his cup and thought a moment, selecting his words carefully. "Well, as
to the plotting, that is the official story told to the senate."
"Which the senate ate up," interjected Justinia, munching on some grapes.
Draco was annoyed. "And why not?", he asked. "After all, conspiracies
against emperors, even in their own families, are nothing new! What makes
the Emperor's reason for her execution so unbelievable?"
"Because Nero IS unbelievable!", Justina retorted.
"Justina, please", Cassius intervened, heading off an angry response from
Draco. Cassius continued, "As I was saying, with respect to the alleged
plotting, that is, in my judgment, very possible. Agrippina certainly
plotted her son's advancement, and maneuvered old Claudius into favoring Nero
over his own son Brittanicus for the succession. That she would turn against
him is not by any means an impossibility. Now as to the boating accident, I
personally find it very hard to believe a brand new boat would just happen to
fall apart with her on it, almost as soon as he presented it to her."
Draco's eyes widened. "So it was poorly made!", he said protesting. "Do you
really believe the emperor, OUR emperor, if he wanted to get rid of old
Agrippina would try to do it in so conspicuous a way as that? Would he
really be that stupid?"
"Yes!", replied Justina, her voice rising.
"Oh really? And why?"
"Because Nero IS stupid!"
"Would you two please stop it?", pleaded Cassius.
Draco was yelling now. "The empire has been continuing to run very well with
Nero in command!"
Cassius sighed and plopped his head down in exasperation on Patricia's
shoulder. "So much for the perfect evening," Patricia said with a groan.
"That is because Nero doesn't run it!", Justinia yelled back, standing now.
Draco turned towards Cassius. "You should tell your sister to keep her mouth
shut on matters of which she is an ignoramus. Then she may hardly speak at
all." Justinia ate a grape and spit out the seed in disgust. But Draco was
not finished. "As for the Emperor, he has done remarkably well. His conduct
of the court he presides over has been above reproach. He ensured Rome's
grain supply by lifting the tax on grain ships, stimulating shipping to
Ostia. His diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting peace with Parthia over
the Armenia question were superb."
"The Parthians didn't think so", interjected Justinia.
"You cannot blame the Emperor for Parthian stupidity!", was Draco's retort.
"But if I may go on", he continued, "we have all known that the complexity of
the tax code and the corruption among our tax collectors has brought
hardships to the provinces. It was Nero who sought to eliminate or at least
reduce indirect taxation, and..."
"And open the door to more direct taxation!", Justinia interrupted.
"Brilliant! And we need not mention, of course, that three of Nero's own
lackeys were stuffing their own chests with illegal monies."
"And Nero had them prosecuted for it!", Draco shouted back at her.
Porcius Festus was watching the two combatants with growing amusement. "Are
they always like this?", he asked.
"Yes", both Patricia and Cassius sighed simultaneously.
Justinia turned her back on Draco with contempt, and addressed old Festus
instead. "Nero didn't succeed in reducing the tax rates. He cannot afford
to, since those monies support his ever growing extravegance and opulence.
And if you ever go back to visit Rome, take a strong body guard along! The
streets are even more unsafe now, since Nero likes to go out on his drunken
revels beating up passersby. And if you defend yourself, his gladiators will
pummel you for him! Draco raised a hand. "The Emperor is still quite young,
so I grant he has displayed some excessive high spiritedness. But then, which
of us has not? Cassius, my old friend, I seem to remember you and I jumping
from a few whore house windows in our days!" Patricia was startled by this
revelation. "And when did all this happen?", she demanded. Cassius laughed.
"My dear wife, LONG ago! Back when I was a young man and my weight more
evenly distributed! And Draco, I jumped. YOU got thrown out!"
Justinia was laughing in her wine cup. "No wonder father didn't allow you
much of an allowance!"
"True!", Cassius rejoined. "And that is why we had to jump. We were at
Sulla's brothel in Ostia, and didn't quite have enough money to pay. We
still owe Sulla a few drachma!"
Porcius Festus whistled as if shocked. "Well now, this must truly be a night
of revelation to you, Patricia. Did you know about your husband's past? And
to think the man is a Stoic! But Cassius, we have heard, along with the rest
of Athens, the views of Draco and Justinia. But what, may I ask, are your
own?" Cassius looked at Porcius Festus with a 'oh why in the hell did you
have to ask me that right now' look, then cleared his throat, and then,
speaking slowly, carefully treading this ground with the skill of a mountain
goat, he began to answer. "Hmmmm....well, while I do not share my sister's
absolute hatred for Nero, I do think that as far as the running of the
government is concerned, her position comes nearer to my own than that of my
dear friend Draco. It is true that Nero has not involved himself too closely
with the adminstration of the state, preferring instead to leave that to his
freedmen, much like Claudius did, and to Burrus and Seneca. Those two have
so far managed to, how shall I say it, managed to guide Nero, or at least
keep him somewhat controlled. None of this detracts from Nero's positive
accomplishments, of course. Yet one cannot be certain how much of these are
Nero's own ideas, and how much is the influence of his advisors. And then
there are Nero's shortcomings. His expanisonist policy in Brittania was a
fiasco, resulting in revolt and seventy thousand Roman citizens slaughtered.
And no punitive action taken! As for himself Nero would rather devote
himself to music and the arts, rather than to affairs of state." At that,
Justinia was finding it very difficult not to break down in a fit of
laughter, and Porcius Festus took notice. "What's that? Is he really bad?",
he asked eagerly. Cassius himself was starting to feel the urge to laugh
well up in him, but he, with great effort, managed to control this. "Well,
uh, the arts keep Nero pretty much occupied and so prevent him from taking
much of a direct hand in government. The Augustan system in Rome itself
keeps the state functioning as it should, at least for the most part, and
this, uh, makes far more forgivable Nero's sins against the muses". Justinia
was on the floor howling with laughter now, and Cassius was covering his
mouth, trying to hide his smile. "Have you heard him sing?", Porcius Festus
asked, smiling. Cassius' side was hurting now. "Yes, actually, and the
performance was, uh,well....I was told that when he sings, the images of the
Muses in the theater are seen to shed tears." Patricia Cassia rolled on her
back laughing. "Oh Cassius! He is not as bad as all that!" "No, my dear,
of course not", Cassius replied, laughing himself now. "But the point I was
trying to make is that if the political and administrative system works well
enough without Nero's direct involvement, it shows that the role of Emperor
is really unneccessary, and that a reestablishment of the Republic would be
feasible!"
"Oh Gods, here he goes again!", moaned Draco
"No, bear with me a moment", Cassius insisted. "It is too much
responsibility for one man. When a man put on the purple, he is at risk on
all sides. On one side is the army. No emperor can risk to leave Rome for
long, but the alternative is to put large armies under the command of someone
else, which is equally dangerous, especially if the commander thinks he would
make a better emperor. Then, on the other side is the Senate, a body of
proud aristocrats who are only too aware that they who once ruled Rome are
now ciphers for the Prinicpate. It is not a wonder that the emperors have
been growing more paranoid and suspicious over the years. We've seen it in
Tiberius, Caligula, even Claudius. Nero's own reign began with a purging of
potential rivals."
"Cassius here has two missions in life", Draco explained to their host. "One
is to restore the Republic. The other is to marry off his sister. The first
may be possible, given enough energy and bloodshed and good fortune. The
second is....well, Cassius could not marry Justina off even if he paraded her
naked in front of a bunch of desperate sailers in Ostia, with her wearing a
sign saying, 'Help Yourself'!'" With that, Justinia Cassia rose, furious.
"I can tolerate bitter arguments", she said icily, "but I do not have to sit
here and take personal insults, with not so much as a word of defense from
you, my brother!" And with that, Justina Cassia turned away and stormed out
of the room.
It was starting to get late, and Patricia could not help feeling down.
The ugly battling between Justinia and Draco had ruined the evening beyond
repair. Now she was tired, and all she wanted was to retire for the night.
Draco sulked on his pillow at the table, still burning hot with anger against
Justinia. He thought it almost impossible to believe that once, back in
their childhood, they had been friends. Their relationship had strained with
the years. Now, after tonight, their hatred would be mutual and enduring.
Oh, but Patricia! Now she was different in a thousand ways from Justinia!
Draco found it impossible to keep his eyes off her. She was the youngest of
their gang back in childhood, the one always running after the others in
their games, trying to keep up, whining when she felt left out. But oh, what
a beauty she had grown to be, Draco thought, his eyes drinking up her supple
features. Helen of Troy may have had the face that launched a thousand
ships, but Patricia's could launch a thousand fleets! He wanted her, desired
her. But she was Cassius wife, and her heart belonged to him. And deep
down, Draco resented his old friend for it.
If Draco had tried to admire Patricia discretely, he failed, for Porcius
Festus, in his seat across the room could not help but notice Draco's
infatuation. Indeed, he had noted it the day they had arrived in Athens. It
seemed the only one who did not realize the situation was Cassius himself.
Poor Cassius. A man who loved his best friend so much he was blind to the
fact that they had grown apart. Two things stood between them. His marriage
to Patricia was one, and his love for the idea of the old Republic was the
other. If Cassius had any inkling at all of Draco's growing estrangement
from him, he had blocked it out. The breach between Justinia and Draco
caused him pain. Old friends should not tear at each other so. And it
reminded Cassius of the other friend he had in his youth, along with Draco.
His father had dubbed the three of them 'the triumvirate'. Draco, Cassius,
and the other one, the one who had quit Rome, leaving Cassius only a note
saying farewell. All of them had been hurt by his sudden departure, which
did not even allow them to say goodbye, or to try to talk him out of it. He
simply left, for a city in the eastern empire called Caesarea.
"Sir! A messenger has arrived with a letter for Master Cassius!" It
was Glaucon, Porcius Festus' servant, standing at the entrance of the dining
room. "That's fine Glaucon," Cassius said with a yawn. "Take the letter and
I'll read it in the morning." "Begging your pardon Master Cassius," Glaucon
said apologetically, "but the man is a soldier sir, and he says his orders
are to hand you the letter personally, and to wait for a reply." Cassius and
Patricia looked at each other, concerned. "Very well then, send him in!"
A moment later the soldier entered. "Sir! Lucius Vatinus Lupus, of the
Augusta Cohort in Caesaera, with a message for the honorable senator Marcus
Cassius Julianus!" He produced a small case and handed it to Cassius.
Porcius Festus slapped the soldier on the back with a friendly smile. "Well,
son, you look pretty famished. I am sure if you go to the kitchen the cook
will have something for you!" "Thank you sir, most kindly. I shall." The
soldier left the room. "Caesarea?", said Patricia. "Cassius, could it be
from..." "It's from Germanicus," Cassius said, opening the scroll. He
began to read it aloud. "From Tribune Flavius Vedius Germanicus, Augusta
Cohort, Caesarea, to the Honorable Marcus Cassius Julianius, Senator of Rome,
Greetings! I pray to the Gods this letter finds you and your company in
excellent health in Athens. I felt the need to write you, my friend, so that
you may be fully advised of the current situation here in Caesarea. I deem
it best to advise you to consider postponing your visit to this city for the
time being. The situation here is most critical, as......" Cassius stopped
reading aloud, continued reading quietly, reading the letter intently while
taking his seat. His face showed grave concern, so that Patricia grew
worried. "Cassius?", she said. "Cassius, what is it?" Cassius did not
notice her, and appeared to be rereading the letter, his face now registering
a growing shock. Porcius Festus waited a moment before asking him directly.
"May we know?" Cassius set the letter down and looked up at the older man.
He spoke softly. "There has been a massacre in Caesarea. Over four hundred
people killed." "Oh dear Gods!", Patricia whispered, covering her mouth with
her hand. "Romans massacred?" Cassius shook his head. "No, my love. It
appears Romans did the massacre. On the order of the Procurator, Antonius
Felix." "Does he say exactly what happened?", asked Draco, rising from the
table. "A riot", replied Cassius with growing disgust. "A damn riot. And
Felix ordered the soldiers...." He was visibly shaking with rage now, and
Porcius Festus took the letter and studied it for a moment. Digesting the
contents quickly, he summarized them for the others. "The Jews and Syrians
in the city began a quarrel over their respective rights, and of which group
took precedence over the other. A riot ensued, but the Syrians were
outnumbered. Felix, as Procurator, should have ordered the soldiers to
disperse the rioters, restore public order, and affirm the rights of boths
groups. But instead, he wanted to choose sides, and so had the soldiers
attack the Jewish area of the city. The result was hundreds dead, houses and
shops burned and pillaged." "That stupid, incompetent bastard slave!",
Cassius shouted. Justinia Cassia entered the room with alarm. "What has
happened?" she asked, a bit frightened by Cassius display of fury. Patricia
took her aside and whispered something in her ear. Justinia closed her eyes
and sighed, "The fool! How did he ever get appointed?" Cassius explained.
"Felix was appointed about six years ago by our governor in Syria, Quadratus.
But that was probably based on a request from Nero. Felix is the brother of
Pallas, old Claudius' freedman and chief administrator." "And Pallas is now
one of Nero's chief asskissers", Justinia added. "Well, he at least was
until Agrippina fell from grace.", Patricia said. Porcius Festus sat back
down in his chair and rubbed his eyes. "Well," he said, "this could engulf
the whole damned province in revolt. Felix is finished." Cassius looked
back at him. "And you are the next in line for the job Festus!" Festus
raised his hands to stop him. "No, I don't think so. Nothing like that has
even been hinted at to me!" "Festus, listen to me", said Cassius, "your name
has already been mentioned as the most likely choice for the job, should
Felix continue to screw things up over there. And this letter we just
received speaks of a very serious, large scale screw-up!" "The phrase 'most
likely' does not mean 'for certain', Cassius. I'm sure they can find a
better man for the job than I.", Festus countered.
Cassius shook his head. "Very doubtful Festus. But maybe so. Still, I would
wager that within a few weeks your appointment will arrive".
Several weeks later, a representative of the Emperor Nero Claudius
Caesar Drusus Germanicus arrived at the home of Porcius Festus, bearing his
official written appointment as Procurator of the Province of Judea,
replacing the worthless Felix, who was recalled to Rome and spared further
punishment only through the interventions of his brother, Pallas. Cassius
was out at the time, booking passage for their return trip to Rome. When he
returned, Patricia informed him of the news, and Cassius found his old friend
Festus in the study. Porcius Festus was seated at his desk, waiting for him.
"Congratulations are in order, so I am told!", said Cassius as he strolled
into the study. Porcius Festus smiled and nodded, and motioned to Cassius to
take a chair. Cassius sat down, and Festus, looking him in the eye, asked,
"Would you consider putting off your return to Rome for a time Cassius? I
would appreciate it if you would accompany me to Caesarea to help me get
settled in to the new post." Cassius was taken by surprise, though he looked
down at the floor, and seemed deep in thought. Slowly, he shook his head.
"I'm not sure that would be at all wise, Festus. Judea is an Imperial
province, not a Senatorial province. I don't think Nero would be happy with
me going there, meddling in the affairs of Judea." "But you would not be
there in any official capacity!", Festus pointed out to him. "You would be
there officially on holiday, as we had originally planned to do. I need your
help Cassius. You are a natural diplomat. And while Rome's policy towards
the Jews has been very tolerant and conciliatory, our administrators in
Palestine have for the most part been public relations disasters! I need
your help to conciliate the Jewish authorities and evaluate any legal matters
that may require careful scrutiny. Believe me, I would not ask you if I was
not in need of your assistance right now. And...." Festus hesitated a
moment. "And I am not quite as robust as I once was Cassius. If I had
someone I already know and can trust to help me bear the strain of the first
few weeks, well, I would be in your debt." Cassius looked down and stared at
the floor again, thinking. After a few moments, he raised his head, and
slowly a grin appeared on his face. "Then Caesarea it is." he said,
extending his hand across the desk. Festus grinned and shook Cassius hand
with a grip that made Cassius wince. "Then it is settled!" Cassius called
for Patricia and Justinia, and when they arrived he told them of the change
of plan. Draco arrived and also agreed to go along, instead of returning to
Rome alone, even if it meant more weeks of Justinia's company. Patricia
smiled at her husband and said, "Cassius love...are you sure this is the only
reason you want to go to Caesarea?" "No...it isn't", he replied. Turning to
Festus, he explained further. "Back when we were growing up, I had two very
close friends. We were inseperable, so much so that my father called us the
Triumvirate. Draco here was one. And the other...well....something
happened. I cannot elaborate on this, but he was never quite the same after
that. When we had come of age and in the senate, he left Rome and settled in
Caesarea. He was my other best friend, and I would give my right arm to see
him again. "Hmm, interesting", Festus said rubbing his chin. "Anyone I
should know?" Cassius shook his head. "I really don't know. I don't know
how he'll like seeing me again. But you share his cognomen. His name is
Gaius Lupinius Festus."
End of Chapter II
{Copyright 2000, by Stuart Smith}
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