Rise of Rome

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 16: More hawks than eagles

Fabia (Wife of Brutus), Rome, 9th April 281BC

Fabia placed the little urn on the ledge beside a much larger and more ornate one, her mother Aemilia, lighting a series of candles, placing one behind the funerary mask of her late husband, Quintus Fabius Rullianus, an eerie glow spreading out across its wax features.

“Father will look after her sister, be sure of it” her brother Sertor placing his hand softly on her shoulder, trying to reassure her, though tears fell from her eyes. He was only sixteen but looked every inch his father’s son, and he hoped with his sister married to the Consul-elect, that he may in time have a bright public career ahead of him.

Aemilia turned to her daughter and offered a reluctant smile, “You are wife of the Consul” she reached out her hands and wiped the tears from her daughters eyes, “there will be time enough for grief my child” she embraced her daughter gently, her body shaking, “now you must focus on your duty to your husband and to our family!”

“I have failed in that already” she sobbed, her first born child, a daughter named Bruttia had died a few weeks after her birth and here today, they commended her ashes to the family shrine, where the little lady would sit with her grandfather and be remembered always.

“It is no failure my love” her mother tried to sound reassuring, “it is something many mothers face, the gods send us these tests at time to check our resolve!” Aemilia tried to remain focussed, her daughter’s marriage their main security for now until Sertor could run for office.

Fabia slowly sunk to her knees, her eyes closing and her palms outstretched, “Father guide my daughter into the afterlife, take her amid the fields of Elysium and keep her safe for me, until I too come to my end and can care for her myself!” few times ever had a more sincere prayer been offered!



“I will offer prayers in the Temple tonight” her little sister, Fabia Seconda spoke up, “Great Mother, Vesta will see her safe!” Her little sister had made it quite plain she had no intention of marrying and had fought with their father relentlessly to be allowed to join the High Temple.


Claudia Tertia (Wife of L. Julius Libo), Rome, 20th April 281 BC

“I told your father years ago, the way to get on in the world is to push yourself forward, and not to sit back in the hope someone somewhere will just happen to smile on you” Claudia beamed, straightening out her son’s toga, brushing dust from it, she turned to a slave behind her, “Fetch me those rings, my son will need a new emblem!”

“Mother please!” Septimus blushed, “there is no need for all this, it will only be removed during the ceremony anyhow!” He had been appointed with the support of his father Julius Libo, the two Scipio’s and the Consul Brutus, to the office of Pontifex Maximus, the youngest citizen to ever be given such a high honour!

“Don’t be silly” she tried not to sound as sharp as she did, “a mother is allowed to be proud of her son, “now bring those rings here” she turned to another servant, “And those chains too!” she clicked her fingers impatiently, “And what with your brother being made Governor of Capua over that idiot Tremulus, we are on the ascendent!” Long had she urged her husband to advance their cause, an equally as long had she herself tried to achieve power an position within the Republic as only a Claudian new how.

L. Julius the Elder, sitting in a chair in the corner chirped up, “I am proud of you also my boy, this is a great day for our family” he sounded ever so slightly deflated, perhaps considering his children had far exceeded his own abilities and now moved into the inner workings of the Republic without a great deal of help from him, but more so his friends and colleagues.

“I won’t disappoint you father, I give you my word!” he sounded ever so slightly nervous, perhaps even a little afraid.

“Exciting times brother” L. Julius Libo the Younger, spun on his heel, opening the door, “these will be exciting times, I know it!” He would be Governor of Capua and Campania, an though he had not been top of the list for the posting nevertheless, his friends in the Senate had helped him acquire the job.

Appius Claudius Pulcher, His Private Residence, Rome 23rd April 281BC

“Nonsense my love” Pulcher reached for another fabric, a brilliant red bolt of cloth, “How much for this one?” his wife stood amid a gaggle of the dress makers servants, taking her measurements, the saleswoman whispered to Appius’ chief servant, it being unseemly for the master of the house to hear of money, a nod from his servant making it clear the price he had been given was fair.

The wealth of the Claudii was exceptional, an with a new stipend from his brother, Appius was keen for him and his wife to enjoy the luxuries it brought with it! They had ordered the total redecoration of their home and despite cautionary warnings from his principal servant, their small garden was being redesigned with ponds and statues and fruit tree’s from Africa.

“Just because your brother gives us some money my love, does not mean we have to spend it, we may need to put some aside!” Daughter of Fabius Gurges, Fabia was related to the children of Quintus Fabius Rullianus, who were related to the Aemelii also as she was now married into the Claudii.

“There is always more money my love, always” he beamed at her, throwing a random piece of fabric over her shoulder, a brilliant, bleached white shawl, “see it contrasts wonderfully with the red!” True enough his brother had cautioned him about being to excessive, urging him not to draw overly much attention to their wealth, but they were Claudins, one of Rome’s greatest and oldest houses, they had no reason to explain themselves to anyone other than the money lenders and even the Jews new better than to question his family and its motives.

G. Sempronius Bubaculus, the House of Saverrio, Rome, 14th May 281BC

“Welcome Gaius” Villia beamed at him, hugging him without a pause for thought “it is good to see you, to what do we owe the pleasure?” she suddenly composed herself, “come, come, Publius is in the garden!” She turned to the servant waving them to shut the door. She looped arms with him and guided him through the house toward the gardens.

They moved across the wide vestibule with rooms and corridors link off it, into a small atrium, incense burnt away and mingled with the smell of evening flowers, a pair of songbirds squabbled in their cage. Around the little atrium, the shadows of servants moved amid the deep red and blue columns. Villia chatted as they went, pointing to some urns taking from Valtuna during the war with Etruria and now acting as pots for trees and shrubs imported from Corsica. As they moved into another antechamber, they passed the glowing death masks of the family’s ancestors, a small figurine of a goddess whom Gaius could not make out clearly sitting pride of place, Saverrior’s battle armour resting in place on a stand beside the alter.

In short time they were out in the garden, the door covered in vines and a small terrace giving way to a more sloping garden, in which one single olive tree dominated the vista, no doubt planted by the previous occupants or perhaps even ones before, such was the girth of its trunk. The evening sun was setting far off to west, casting its bright red and orange hues across the sky as a deep purple already fell to the east.

“My husband, we have a guest!” Villia presented him without formality, a frequent visitor to their home. Saverrio moved to rise but clearly was struggling.

“Stay seated my friend” Gaius raised his hand; he knew his friend was suffering terribly with gout and there was no need for formality among friends. A servant brought a chair, and another brought a fresh goblet at their mistress instruction, “I bring news that you may find most cheerful!”

“Well don’t keep me in suspsense will you” Saverrio laughed gently, waving for his wife to sit beside him, “these days there is little to be amused by, what with this bloody leg!” he gestured toward his diseased foot.

“Well I will just get to it then” he chuckled, his warm, deep chuckle, “Brutus has caught Publius pilfering from the treasury!”

Saverrio stalled a moment, processing this deeply troubling revelation, he took a deep an heavy breath, “And do we know what Brutus has decided to do with this? He has evidence surely?”

“Oh he has plenty of evidence, he practically caught Publius’ red handed!” Bubaculus, tried his best to sound serious but in truth he was amused at the sheer awkwardness of it, “If I am not mistaken, Brutus is going to letter the matter slide so long as Publius supports his plans for war in the south?”

“I have been away from the taverna’s to long” Saverrio sounded stunned, “War in the south? What on earth has prompted this?” by rights Saverrio was not fond of conflict though he had executed his own duties exceptionally well during the conflict with Etruria.

“Brutus and Publius with the backing of the house sent young Julius to meet with the leaders of the Samnites, to test the waters regarding a potential alliance against the Carthaginians” he sipped some off his wine gently, “but it would seem the mood of their council was not in the positive and so Brutus is manoeuvring a motion for war through the Peoples Assembly, he claims it is a necessary evil to secure our borders against Carthage’s expansion!”

Both new all to well what the implications of such a move would be, it would be seen as rampant aggression by the southern states, and any move against the Samnites would trigger, the thread of agreements woven between the southern states to war. Over recent years, Samnia and Leukania had formed a military alliance, whilst Sipontum, Tarentum and several other states had agreed to a mutual defensive pact against any would be aggressor; war with one would mean war with all!

 

[HistoryDude]

The Claudians are doing well.

But there is corruption afoot...

 

[jasondroth24]

The Claudians are doing well.

But there is corruption afoot...

It would seem the spoils of war has set a rot amid the nobility that may yet prove a major hamstring to Rome's internal affairs.

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 17: Bullish Brutus

Verginia Aulia, the family villa at Lavinium, 5th June 281BC

“How could you be so stupid!” Verginia rarely raised her voice to her husband, but today she was furious, “to have exposed yourself so badly, for what? A handful of denarii? A pittance?” She stormed around the atrium, scolding her husband, who sat with his head in his hands on a bench, her fury stark contrast to the little fountain bubbling away at the courtyards centre, “After everything we have been through! After all your hard work, this is what it has come to? A puppet of Brutus”"

“I didn’t expect this!” he sounded exhausted, not bothering to look up.

“NO! I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU DID! YOU’RE A FOOLISH MAN!” she rounded on him again an again, the indignation of it adding fuel to her fire. Slaves and servants skulked in the background, not deeming it safe to approach a she-wolf in full force. “He will lead us to war now, you know that don’t you?” she looked at him with a scowl, “for his own glory he will drag us into war with the southern states, an all those who will lose their lives, their blood is on your hand!”

“Vergina, my love” he sighed heavily, “if I could stop this I would, but if I don’t help Brutus get the votes he needs he will play his hand and all that we have built will likely be confiscated by the state!” He could safetly say this was his lowest ebb, Consul-elect and hamstrung by his apparent corruption, Brutus had buried it for now, but it only need to catch a whisper of public gossip an he would be dragged through the courts by all an sundry. The enemies of Scipio and Claudius had already tried to have them both sanctioned, and Brutus had defended them, even invoking his Consular veto, he would not do the same again.

Manius Varriani, Consul of Samnia, Venusia, 18th June 281BC

The Consul sat quietly listening to the debate flowing around him, his Co-consul had decided to stay in the capital whilst he attended this meeting of Samnia’s allies, summoned together to discuss how their League would deal with the build up of military pressure on the border with the Roman Republic. The current speaker, sent on behalf of the Leukani people was calling for a tough response to the threat, a strong and determined build up off the alliances own forces directly stationed on the border.

Suddenly a voice emerged amid the crowd, the leader of the Assembly of Sipontum, “I am sure the Gods look on you with warm affection Malethus, but it will not be the Gods whom are called upon to fight this war, it will be the men of Sipontum, Thuria and Tarentum who will do the dying!” Surrounded as it was by Roman territory it was to be expected that the free port of Sipontum favoured caution and its leader, Herakleides had voiced this opinion time and again. The Leukanii envoy bowed graciously to his opponent not attempting to interrupt.

“We could send envoys to Carthage” another voice interjected, that of Leontios, current ruler of Tarentum, another Free Greek State, “If we can bring Carthage into our alliance the Romans may think twice before striking across the border! We could avoid war altogether!”

“And yet if we bring Carthage into are alliance, what is to stop them seeking overlordship of us all themselves?” Herakleides retorted, it seemed whilst he wished to avoid war, he also wished to present a neutral pathway, which would see the Free States of the south tread a delicate path between the two major powers now dominating Italy.

“We are caught between as rock and a hard place my friends” the ambassador of Apulia, suddenly spoke up. “Bow to Rome’s demands and she will march across our lands and rob us all off our freedom in a heartbeat, side with Carthage and you can be sure she will do exactly the same!” he paused, gauging the faces of the crowd, “War it seems is inevitable, the question is who shall we face and how many men can we marshal to do it!”

Consul-General Brutus, Gerumum, Frentania, 21st January 280BC

“Send word to Julius, I want him to move off and give pursuit, as best he can but he is not to engage them fully!” Brutus gave his orders to a runner waiting nearby. Observing the field before him the enemy where in retreat, not full flight, they were far from broken, but the allied army was withdrawing from the field.

In the beginning of December having ratcheted up the threat of war, Brutus had sent envoys to the Samnites, hoping in vain to draw them into negotiations. He had demanded cessations of land, tribute to be paid and political influence within the southern states, but all his terms had been rejected, unanimously. Worse still fearing an inevitable attack, the Free States had raised their own armies and when Brutus moved a formal vote for war through the Senate with the full support of the house, the enemy had launched their own offensive into Frentania. Thus, Brutus had been forced to move his troops to meet the enemy attack, the whole Roman army, crossing the Apennines, with only Governor Scipio and a few thousand soldiers guarding the roads to Capua and Rome, herself.

This first engagement had come almost by mistake, the Republics scouts misjudging the enemies route of march, inadvertently led their own army into the direct path of the enemies forces and thus battle had been joined. It had been a vicious spat, skirmishes trading fire, light cavalry reeling around one another and only a faint meeting off the main infantry. Still the ground between the two armies was littered with corpses inflicted by the Republics growing body of archers, who today numbered some two and a half thousand strong, turning the sky dark with their volley fire and blunting the enemies attempt to bring its infantry to bare.

Claudia Secunda, Wife of Barbartus, Rome, 9th April 280BC

A solemn and relentless dirge filled the house, the servants had been commanded to take up funerary colours, their master Publius Cornelius Barbartus had died in the night from a spring fever which he had wrestled with for days, at seventy three, few in the household, the physician included had expected him to survive. Apparently, a number of citizens especially in the poorer districts and in the slave markets had died from this sudden sickness, the former Pontifex Maximus but one of many.

Claudia’s chief body servant ushered the children out of the room, the Domina had forbidden them from kissing their father good bye less they contract this contagion, but she had permitted them to see him one last time at least. Incense wafted around the chamber, thickening the air with a heavy, aromatic smoke, the physicians had said that the smell was particularly good at keeping this disease from spreading and thus the servants had it burning in ever room, bought at some considerable expense.

“I and all Rome grieve with you sister” a voice came from behind, that of Cornelia Prima, Publius sister, behind her a number of Senators and Priests stood expectant.

“I am sorry I did not send for you sooner” Claudia had forbidden anyone from outside the household attending upon her husbands sickbed, but she could not rightly refuse them the right to witness her husbands corpse, he was a great man in his day, twice Pontifex Maximus and onetime Consul, the city would not see the men of his generation for an age or more.

“He will off course be awarded a public funeral good lady” a Senator spoke up from the crowd, “as befits such a noble son of our fair Republic, you need not concern yourself with that!”

Herakleides Achaid, Sipontum, Southern Italy, 20th September 280BC

“OPEN THE GATES” an officer yelled up to the guards manning the gatehouse, behind him the dishevelled ranks of Sipious’ army followed. They had suffered yet another defeat at the hands of the Roman’s and even now Brutus, Julius and Scipio’s forces were moving on the city, they would be at the walls by nightfall.

The gates swung open, orders ringing out along the walls, men bearing down over the parapets to see their soldiers returning home, many wounded, bloodied, their faces ashen with defeat and the grime of battle.

Herakleides manoeuvred his horse along the lines, his guards and retinue following close at hand, he had ridden out with the cities garrison to assist the combined forces of Apulia, Messapia and Lucania as they attempted to see off the Roman advance, but he had arrived to late and the allied army was in full retreat within a matter off hours.

Sensing defeat and seeing the danger before him, Herakleides had ordered a rapid withdraw, falling back to the city and hoping to resist the Roman advance from behind his city’s walls, which in recent years had been heavily reinforced with imports of stone from Macedonia. Riders had been sent into Samnia and Lucania, to seek out the main body of the city’s armies, which had moved further south on his own, direct orders to help defend the lands of the Samnites, not having envisaged a situation in which is own fair city would bare the full weight of a Roman assault.

Herakleides Achaid, Sipontum, Southern Italy, 7th November 280BC

The Archon looked out over the bay, the masts of the Roman fleet bobbing on the horizon, far out to sea. Days earlier the city had been just about managing to hold out, the fleet of the Messapians bringing in supplies from further down the coast, but now with the whole Roman navy prowling the shoreline their allies had been forced to seek anchorage in Sipontum’s port or else meet the enemy in an open sea battle they would be sure to lose.

To the landward side, nearly thirty thousand Roman soldiers ringed the city, block any movement of persons or foodstuffs in or out of the city. According to reports from the few scouts able to pass through the Republican lines, the citizens of Sipious who lived out in the countryside, were either being enslaved by Brutus army or fleeing south, on foot or on wagons, or with horses and donkeys, seeking to escape a fate no doubt worse than death.

With less than a thousand soldiers garrisoning the walls and trying to keep order in the city, Herakleides knew all to well, that if the Roman commanders deemed it wise enough to launch an assault, the city would fall in quick time. But such as it was the Archon currently knew, through a handful of spies amid the enemy camp, that his allies were gathering off to the west and hoping to steal a march on Capua that should see the Roman army leave any day.

Publius Sempronius Sophus, Rome, 8th August 279BC

Scores of slaves and workmen, where busy about their tasks, and Publius stood atop his own personal platform could see it all at once. The Field of Mars, centre of the growing Roman military machine, focal point of all matters of war, including recruitment and training was undergoing a massive expansion at the “expense” of the two serving Consuls, himself, and Brutus. In reality, it was the spoils of Aeclanum, which had fallen to Brutus recently, along with a number of corruption fines whilst Sempronius himself had pursued against various Senators and the sale of slaves taken across all of Rome’s new territories that were really covering the costs.

The entrance to the Field of Mars was being flanked by pillars and an archway, statues of Mars and Bellona, Minerva and Jupiter were being raised along the edges of the space and a new rostrum on which generals could give speeches to their assembled troops would soon fill the space.

After all, their term in office would soon be up, already the new candidates for the Consulship were coming forward and assembling their teams, and since Sempronius was unlikely to win the Consul’s chair again, he was determined to take a lead in the construction work, his own victories over the Umbrians would be given a memorial and one of the mighty monstrous statues taken from the Etruscans would soon be moved into the space, a Hydra had been selected to symbolise the many envious powers Rome had an would overcome, just like Hercules had been forced to overcome the many headed serpent in times long since passed.

 

[HistoryDude]

The states of southern Italia are trapped between two hungry republics...

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 18: An Unlikely hero (sub-chapter)

The Election of 279BC

The election of 279BC, aside from producing one of the most peculiar pairings to date in the Republics history, was equally extraordinary for other reasons. With Appius Claudius Caecus, epitome of the Roman Senatorial class, joining forces with the former slave and now Senator, Cossus Quintilius to see off the union of Bubaculus and Scipio. Intimidation and bribery were the order of the day, gangs in the secret employ of the Claudii, smeared the walls and markets of Rome with slanderous slogans and graffiti, games and plays were held at the expense of the Claudii family and its backers, seeking to woo over voters who may have otherwise proved reluctant.

When the votes actually came in, it was to the utter astonishment of many that Cossus and Caecus had managed to swing the vote in their favour, thus lurching the whole power of the Senate into a different direction. And from day one it was clear this would be a different kind of Consulship, since Claudius Caecus made it quite clear he had no intention of going to war in Samnia and instead called a vote of the People’s Assembly to have Cossus replace Brutus as commander of the army, though many advocates and tribunes spoke against this action, believing Brutus should have been left in position to continue the war effort alongside Governor L. Julius Libo the Younger and Govenror P. Cornelius Scipio. The very notion of a former slave being made General of the Roman army and entrusted with the safety of the state irked a great many both from the optimate, equestrian and plebian orders, creating an unwelcome mood in the city and in the army.

Oddly both Brutus and Sempronius, the former Consul’s were appointed to magistrates offices, whilst Appius Claudius Caudex, younger brother to the Consul was appointed overseer of the state treasury.

Consul Cossus Quintilius, Volcei, Lucania, 25th October 279BC

“I would appreciate your guidance” he smiled, uncertain of himself, “both of you!” He looked to Scipio and L. Julius Libo his two most senior commanders, appointed to Govenroships and then military command by Brutus. “I have some knowledge of military matters for sure, but you are more informed than I, on the army’s make-up, its strengths and weaknesses!”

“One would suggest that our first piece of advice would be to reappoint Brutus as overall commander of the army and you yourself return to Rome!” L. Julius Libo was unimpressed with the new Consul, he was unpopular in Rome, unpopular in the army and if it were not for a band of crooked politicians, jews and criminal gang leaders, he would never have been elected.

“I regret that is not going to happen at present” Cossus new his position and authority were somewhat fragile, but he was Consul and this was the way things were done, “You could return to Capua if you wish and we can ask Claudius to find a replacement?” he was not one for being bullied, by self-entitled aristocrats.

“That wont be necessary General” commander Scipio interjected, he knew that Brutus had been given a position in Rome and the Senate, unhappy though it maybe with Cossus and Claudius election, would not trump convention.

“I am glad to here that, my friend” Cossus tried to smile, but his voice had an iron to its tone, “An army ten thousand strong sits opposite us and waiting for battle, I need all the help I can get!” He looked down at the little map scrawled down in charcoal, fingering along the enemy’s position. “If we can break them here, and set them into retreat, that leaves all of Samnia behind us and opens up the south for our forces!”

Appius Claudius Caudex, The House of Claudius Caecus, Rome, 4th November 279BC

“One has to hand it to Cossus, he has done far better than I expected he would” Claudius Caecus, the Co-Consul, lounged back on his couch, a slave putting more wood into the brazier at the side of them, a chill coming over the city in recent days, as winter edged ever closer.

News had reached Rome only earlier that day, that Cossus, Julius and Scipio had smashed the enemy forces at Volcei and now almost all of Samnia was under Roman occupation.

“He has certainly passed my expectations” Appius Claudius Caudex, the Consul’s younger brother and Steward of the Tepublics treasury, sipped his warmed wine, “Our coffers are certainly healthier for his success!”

“Yes well so long as our families coffers are equally reaping the benefit?” Claudius looked to his brother, avarice written across his face, “It cost us a small fortune to win the Consuls chair, I expect it to be returned and then some?” he had left the business of siphoning funds from taxes and spoils of war to his younger brother.

“I am working on his” he replied in a low voice, fearing they maybe over-heard, “we have to be careful, Brutus has already had his supporters sniffing around and asking questions in the Senate, we don’t need a public scandal.”

Wat with the Southern States, 279-275BC

Over the next four years, Cossus, General L. Julius Libo and General L. Corenlius Scipio fought intense campaign against the southern alliance, breaking it apart by land and sea, one piece at a time. Though Samnia was essentially the first to fall it was the last to offer truce, hoping its allies would be able to free it from Rome’s all devouring maw, but not to be. Sipontum fell first, then Tararentum, Messapia, Apulia and Lucania following one after the other, Thuria was nocked out of the conflict by the sudden arrival of a Carthaginian army at its gates, an for a brief moment it had seemed perhaps war would erupt between Rome and Carthage over the issue.

During the course of the war, Rome’s internal politics shifted somewhat, with the death of Gaius Junius Sempronius Bubaculus during a freak accident onboard ship, and also the death of Publius Sempronius Sophus from a malady of the heart.

Though the war did not actually end during the term of Claudius Caecus and Cossus Quintilius, it is safe to say it was won during their term, and essentially won by Cossus who though unpopular at the beginning of his tenure was much loved by the army and the people by the time his command of the conflict was removed.

 

[HistoryDude]

Most of southern Italy is now Roman!

Also, the Claudius clan isn't actually Roman, originally. The first Appius Claudius was a Sabine, despite being given land as a patrician...

 

[jasondroth24]

Most of southern Italy is now Roman!

Also, the Claudius clan isn't actually Roman, originally. The first Appius Claudius was a Sabine, despite being given land as a patrician...

Really? You learn something new, what a seed can bring when u think they rose to emperors x

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 19: Picking up the crumbs

Valeria Tertia, wife of Bubaculus, Her private residence, Rome, 11th November 275BC

“You are most welcome here Cossus, my husband was fond of you, as I too am fond off you!” Valeria smiled at him softly, gesturing that he should take a seat, “You will stay for dinner?” it was more a command than a question, and one command he had been happy to take up on more than one occasion.

“Gladly my lady” he sat, smoothing out his toga, no doubt glad to have laid down his armour.

“We are having goose tonight, I know you like it” she nodded to her slave, to prepare an extra plate, “And I have some fine new cheese for you to try, from Arretium!” she was a warm host, an took great joy in it. Despite the loss of her husband, an thus the loss of much of her authority, many of Rome’s Senators still enjoyed visiting her table.

“You are to kind, dear lady” he bowed his head respectfully, “I still grieve the loss of your husband” he was sincere enough, for despite their difficult start and clear difference in rank, Junius Bubaculus and Cossus had grown to trust one another, an shared a common view of Rome’s glory, hence why the former Consul-General had appointed the elder man to the office of Admiral in his southern campaign.

“How are you finding your return to normal life? Gaius used to say it was hard to adjust from high office or military command to being a simple citizen once more” she sighed, “I have never seen the fascination.”

“I regret my lady, that is why I come to see you” he suddenly looked down trodden, “I have enjoyed being back in Rome, but I would seem my stay will be brief” he paused, an his hostess looked somewhat perplexed, “Scipio and Claudius have put my forward to take the Governorship of Cisalpine Gaul, and I have had little choice but to accept!”

“You must see this as the opportunity it is my friend” she suddenly smiled, trying to sound light-hearted, “You are beloved off the people” offering him praise, “respected by the Senate as a conquering hero, they will not wish to have you outshine them here at home, but in the north you can grow your wealth and be happy!” She was a shrewd a politician as she had ever been and keen to offer her new friend advice, as her husband would have wished.

“Rome is the heart of Italy” he could not help but appear unimpressed, “the northern lands are rich and there is work to be done” he looked around to see if anyone was listening in, and when he was satisfied no one was around he continued, his voice low, “I fear the peace that is to come, will not last! Carthage and Rome will soon enough, have to determine who is the dominant power and I would prefer to be near at hand when that day comes!”

She laughed aloud, “Write to me if you can, and I shall return the kindness when I am able, we can keep one another abreast of the affairs of the world” she chuckled a little more, “me here at the centre of the world and you far away in a distant land!” It was a joke, for Cisalpine Gaul was a week or so’s ride away.

Appius Claudius Caudex, the Appian Way, 18th November 275BC

Behind the two Consuls, a group of guardsmen followed closely, the lictors that usually accompanied the Consul’s were ever they went, marching on foot ahead of them, carrying with them a beautiful golden standard bearing the mark of “SPQR”, the Senate and People of Rome.

“I will only be gone a week or so my dear Scipio” A. Claudius Caudex, had asked his colleague to join him on the southward march and the Senate had agreed a special dispensation to allow them to travel together, something that was hoped could now become a much more normal occurrence, since for some time now it had been frowned upon for both Consul’s to leave the city. “Perhaps you would stay in Capua whilst I head south, and we can ride back to the city together?”

“You mean to steal Cossus’ victory from him?” Scipio sounded harsh; he had not been overly keen on this alliance, but his friends had insisted.

“I mean to do nothing of the kind” he tried to sound light-hearted despite the harshness aimed at him, “We are the serving Consul’s” he looked cautiously at his companion riding beside him, “this war will end in our term and thus in the eyes of the People, this is a peace that we have brought about, they will wish to see us returning triumphant!” He paused, noting the unhappy expression on his colleagues face, “Off course should we have a parade or an ovation, Cossus will be welcome to ride with us!”

“I think before we go planning any parades, we should perhaps sit down an determine what we plan to do with regards the Carthaginians?” Scipio had fought long and hard against the southern alliance, and was keen to see the issues still remaining in the south settled, there were still Free City States standing against Rome and they could easily side with the Carthaginians to undo Rome’s gains.

“We shall discuss it when I return my friend, you have my word” A. Claudius Caudex, already had a plan in mind, he just need to get it agreed too, but there would be time for that later.

Lucius Julius Libo, The Golden Goose Taverna, Rome, 1st February 274BC

“We will have to sell fathers house for a start” Lucius looked out over the forum, watching the people go about their business, “its to small now, we need something more central!” It was a market day and hundreds of citizens scrabbled around the busy square amid the many merchants and craftsmen peddling their wares.

“Mother doesn’t want to move; she will not go!” Septimus interrupted, not only was he the youngest citizen ever appointed to the office of Pontifex Maximus, but he was also now one off its longest serving members having held it every year for the last nine. He was obviously pleased at his family’s growing authority, but he worried his brother would get carried away.

“Claudia will do as she is told brother, be sure she will move out if I give her somewhere better to live” he scoffed, his stepmother was a Claudii, and like all off her family they lapped up extravagance. Besides which the Julii were now firmly on the ascendent amid the nobility of Rome, the former Julian home was simply not fit for purpose.

“I will speak with Octavianus and see if he can make her see the sense off it, but I am not hopeful!” Septimus had always been the most thoughtful an cautious of the three brothers, though he also had his own home paid for by the state and thus did not see his elder brothers pressing need for a more grand home, especially considering he still had a public residence in Capua, where he was still governor.

Suddenly Lucius shifted in his seat, looking severe, “Anyhow, enough of that brother!” he waved the discussion away, “You asked me to come and see you, your wife tells me you are troubled with dreams?” he frowned, “I am not a superstitious man, but when I here the Pontifex Maximus is plagued at night with terror and wakes from his sleep sweating like Vulcans arse, I am intrigued!”

“You have spoken with Corenlia?” he looked stunned, not realising his brother and wife were so close, they had after all hardly spent any time together, and his wife unfortunately illiterate hardly was the sort to dictate letters.

“She and I have not spoken, but she is friends with a friend of mine, Lathernei” he smiled wolfishyly at the mere mention of her name, she was an Etruscan noble-woman, a beauty whom Julius had saved from slavery and set up as his mistress, and now acted as a sort of spy floating on the edges of high society, only really entertained because off her association to Julius. “So go on?” his temper shifted, he had a busy day, “what are these dreams about?”

Septimus looked suddenly alarmed, his face paling softly, he leaned in closer “War brother, a most horrific war!” his voice quivered, “the gods walk in my dreams, I have seen them, Mars and Bellona fighting a great lion, they chase it across the whole world” he hardly paused for breath, “I have seen half of Italy a flame and death all around as this lion rages against the gods!”

“You have seen wore between Rome and Carthage?” it hardly needed a great deal off understanding to know what this dream forbode!

Consul Appius Claudius Caudex, his private residence, Rome, 16th February 274BC

Caudex looked down over the pages an pages of parchment spread out across his desk, sifting through them carefully, reading each one from end to end. Some where dispatches from the various cities across the Republic, others letters from various Senators and dignitaries asking for favour or support on this issue and that issue. He was an affable fellow, not against working with others to achieve a common end, but he did much prefer working alone as he went about the business of running the state. Naturally Scipio attend to some matters, but the pressing issue of the day he had taken to over seeing himself; that being the integration of Rome’s new territories and their appropriate administration.

He had planned to expand the cities of Salernum and Tarentum in the south, hoping to turn them into hubs of trade. Salernum to trade with Africa and the West, Tarentum to focus on trade from Greek, Macedonia and the near east.

He had documents on his desk pertaining to the annexation of Frentania which would be put before the Senate over the course of the next few days, whilst another pile of papers related to increased investment along the border with Senones, were the local tribesman had been slowly but surely increasing their trading activities and founding new settlements along the Roman border.

One small pile was dedicated to the official business of Rome itself where a new Praetor, one Cossus Domitius and a new Prefectus Militarum, Potitus Valerius Falco had both been elected and awaited his personal confirmation.

There was a nock at the door to his chambers, an a servant entered a few moments later, “Consul, there is a visitor waiting to see you in the atrium!” the servant stood silent. Caudex suddenly looking up an inviting him to speak further, “He says he is an envoy from Elea, sent on behalf of their Archon, Nikokreon!”

Caudex, sighed, sipping some honey water from a mug beside him and clicking his fingers at a servant to remove some of the papers, “Thank you Ioas” the slave was a Messapian Greek, taken during the recent conflict, “Offer him some refreshments, I will be with him when I have finished looking over these documents!” He gestured to the large stack of papers beside him, he was Consul of Rome, elected by the Senate and People of Rome, now the dominant power in Italy, he need not rush for anyone, the man would need to wait.

 

[HistoryDude]

Well, that dream sounds ominous. I suppose the Punic Wars will begin soon?

Why is Carthage represented by a lion?

 

[jasondroth24]

Well, that dream sounds ominous. I suppose the Punic Wars will begin soon?

Why is Carthage represented by a lion?

LOL one of the best books i ever read about Hannibal, referred to Carthage as the City of the Lion.

And i do believe the Punic war is slowly looming x

 

[jasondroth24]

Chapter 20: The Lion and the Sparrows

Yehomilk Barca, the Hall of the Suffetes, Carthage, Africa, 20th March 274BC

The Hall was abuzz, merriment and laughter lifted their way up into the eaves of the high ceiling, all around the sides of the chamber, tables were laid and filled with plate upon plate off meats, fish, fowl, vengatables, fruits an pastries, wine was poured with lavish abandon and the leading members of Carthage’s two councils gathered for a rare joint celebration. Seated together on a high table, beneath the watchful eyes of the Goddess, Tanit, Lady of Life and Baal, Lord of Thunder where the two ruling Suffetes of the day; Yehomilk Barca and his colleague, Mattan Hannid.

In the centre of the hall, beautiful dancers, with skin of ebony and ivory, clothed in delicate fabrics, danced and cavorted, twisting their lithe frames around one another as the music beat out, musicians with magnificent drums and cymbals, flutes and such were hidden off to the side, where they could be heard but not seen.

The doors of the great hall opened once more and servants entered, baring the carcasses of three roasted ostrich, a delicacy amid the luxurious tables of Carthage’s nobility yet an apparent staple, of the ancient tribes who lived along the southern deserts and worshipped gods without name, spirits of the desert winds, off the high mountains and tribal fires.

Yehomilk, could not help but feel pride blossoming in his heart, here in Carthage could be found the centre of the western world, founded by the mythic Queen Dido, seated overlooking the beauteous Mediterranean, the city had grown rich and powerful, envoys came from all across Africa to pay homage and seek the favour of the presiding Council. On the far side of the room, a group of tables seated foreign dignitaries and visitors, one Aulus Verginius Salvo, apparently a Senator of little real rank sat with his fellow citizen, Decius Junius Brutus, they had a meeting with him scheduled a few days from now.

Suddenly his attention turned to the left, his wife Tabua approaching from behind, brilliantly attired in a lilac gown and sliding down into her seat, she touched his hand ever so gently, “The Elian ambassador is waiting to speak with you in the antechamber!”

He nodded to her but did not speak, picking up a cloth to dab his lips clean and beckoning to an attendant who had water to wash his fingers in. As he rose from his chair, he gave a gentle nod to his colleague, who moved to rise with him, they were close allies and no decision they would make tonight would be made without the consent of the other. His eyes met with those of Brutus and the Suffetes smiled respectfully. Before too long this small gaggle of Free Greeks clamouring at Carthage’s door would either spark war with Rome or else leave Carthage disappointed.

Hiempsal Tacfarina, The Suffetts household, Carthage, 24th March 274BC

“We are allies Yehomilk, we are not simply servants to be commanded!” the Chief of Musalimia, was unimpressed, he had tried to observe the discussions off the Carthaginian lower chamber earlier that day but had been stopped at the doors and turned away by the guards. “If you want my warriors to fight and die for you, one suggests you had best keep me better informed off your plans!”

“My friend be assured, if anything occurred that I felt you had need to know off from today’s debate you would know it already!” he smirked, trying to hide it by rubbing his fingers along his lips, “such as it is the request brought before the council today has been refused and thus nothing has changed!”

“So you will not be offering Carthage’s protection to the Elians?” the chief pressed his point, struggling slightly to remember the correct pronunciation of the Phoenician words. He was keen to understand the changing policy of the state, Carthage after all had a habit of acting without the consent of its protectorates and drawing them into war, or else it had a worse habit of seizing its allies’ lands without their consent or warning. He knew all to well his warriors could never fight off a Carthaginian invasion and so the least he could do was to be ahead on policy.

“We will not!” the Suffete offered simply, letting his wife step in, he trusted her judgement implicitly on these matters.

“Carthage has off course considered their request closely” she did not bother to use any of the chiefs titles, nor did she even pretend to be consulting with an equal, “For the time being” emphasising the term, “we do to much business with the Romans to justify unsettling them” she looked to her husband to briefly confirm she may continue, and it was given, “we have however, promised the ambassador, that should the Republic of Roman take an aggressive stance toward his City and its independence, then we will consider economic reprisals against them!”

“For the moment dear friend” Yekomilk interrupted suddenly, silencing his wife, “as you can see, no one need fight or die for Carthage” he paused, looking up into the night sky, “we are not hungry for war!”

Proconsul Junius Brutus, the Harbour of Carthage, 26th March 274BC

Gulls flew overheard, fill the sky with their screeching and hungry cries, swooping and wheeling with excitement as they tracked a fishing boat on its way back to dock, the wind driving it swiftly inward. Brutus hoped to put to sea later that day, but his ships captain had told them they must wait for the wind to turn or else, be forced to row their way out to sea, an a tired crew of oarsmen would be no use in the open sea should the weather turn against them, the black clouds hovering far out in the distance not at all welcoming.

He could not help but be in awe of the city in which he now stood, the docks of Carthage alone making even the harbour of Ostia seem pale in comparison. Hundreds of ships were at dock, both military and merchant vessels bobbing on the waters, a small fleet of fishing vessels even now skirting their way through the harbour entrance to hide from the coming storm.

“They believe that the sea’s are ruled by a woman wouldn’t you know” the womanish voice of Senator Salvo came up from behind, “Asherar-yam is her name” he came up along side the Proconsul, pointing off toward large building in the distance, “that is one of her shrines out their along the southern dockside!”

“I fear Neptune has his work cut out for him” Brutus joked coldly.

“I do not follow you sir? Neptune?” the Senator genuinely sounded puzzled, a humourless and some would argue, a dull fellow.

Brutus pointed to the opposite side of the dock, to were rows of ships where hauled up out of the water being repaired, their sails furled, “Carthage rules the sea’s, that is plain to see!” he turned ever so slightly to his fellow citizen, “If we are to ever hope to stem her expansion, Neptune will need to wrestle dominance of the waves from their good lady!”

“Quite so my friend, quite so” he sounded almost dazed in his reply but then shifted, “the war-fleet of Carthage is substantial for certain, they have spent a great deal of time and money to achieve such supremacy!”

Archon Aknonios, The City of Metapontum, Italy, 19th May 274BC

“The motion will be carried by acclamation” the speaker of the assembly looked around him, some two hundred members of the cities council gathered around in the Temple of Athena, “As many are as in favour say Aye” he paused an a weary but solid cry went out around the room, “And as many are as against say Nay?” another cry went out, muffled, muted and clearly defeated. “Then the motion is carried in favour of those who voted Aye!”

There was no outburst off applause, nor cries of victory, the whole chamber was silent, save for the few whispered groans of the council, their eyes fixed on Aknonios, the head of the government and the chief architect of this bill, who now rose from his seat upon the dais behind the speaker.

“My fellows” he coughed clearing his throat, his expression downcast, “what we have done today may not come with great celebration” the faces of those listening could almost be called mournful, “but it is a necessary evil which we have inflicted upon ourselves, be sure of this! It is for the betterment and longevity of our people that we have passed this motion!”

The Roman Senate had sent envoys only a week earlier, demanding that Metapontum acknowledge Rome as its overlord or else risk the ire of the city, it had been made quite plain, that if the Council objected to their demands, the Republican armies would be at the gates to take possession of the city before the end of the year. There had been no time to seek allies, no time to send ambassadors to Epirus, Carthage, or Macedonia, and thus the bill had been put forward. Aknonios despite his reservations fighting hard to have the bill gain the support it needed to avoid all out war with the wolfish Romans.

Archon Nikokoren, The City of Elea, Italy, 17Th July 274BC

Tempers in the chamber were heated at best nearly riotous at worst, the vote had carried but with considerable division, just over half had supported Nikokoren at the final ballot, whilst some members had proposed the motion so important as to require being put to the people as a whole, naturally Nikokorean had opposed the motion and had his allies overturn that proposal.

The Archon turned to the captain of the guard, an almost unheard of break with precedent but one he had felt was necessary in order to better “persuade” his friends to back him, “Captain Telamachos” he called across the rumbles of the chambers voices, “You may tell the Proconsul what the council has decided and see to it he and his entourage quit the city before nightfall!”

Elea had voted against submitting to Rome, more than that the council had voted to eject all Roman citizens living within its territory and acceded to seizing any property they could not carry from out of the city before nightfall of the same day.

Rome seizes the states of Elea and Herakleia 274-273BC

Angered by the response to their overtures, and the subsequent seizing of property belonging to Roman citizens, the Senate voted with almost unanimous consent to make war against Elea and Herakleia, Locri the only other city to refuse their demands however, fell under the protection of Carthage and thus escaped retribution.

Using only the levies of Cisalpine Gaul and Campania, Rome took the fight south with minimal force, under the command of Lucius Julius Libo and Cossus Quintilius Italicus, the conflict lasted a handful off months at best, ending their independence and bringing Metapontum under the oversight of the Roman Republic.

In the mean time Rome also negotiated a treaty of alliance with the Macedonian King, concious that soon enough conflict with Carthage would become inevitable.

 

[HistoryDude]

Rome is almost mistress of Italia, and Carthage doesn't want to risk war, but they will risk an embargo.