The Cleopatra Crisis (TimeWars 11)

ded to bribe the voters.”

“The way I heard it, his enemies bribed the votersthemselves to cast their lot for Bibulus,” Brutus said.

“With the result that both men were elected,” Casca saidwith disgust. “The whole thing was a farce!”

“And after his election. Caesar embarked upon still moreintrigues,” said Cassius. “He somehow managed to work his charm on Pompey. whowas still angry with the Senate for the difficulties they had given him inpursuing the war against Mithridates. Caesar managed to patch things up betweenhim and his old fellow coconspirator. Crassus. who was still smarting overbeing eclipsed by Pompey in their defeat of that rebel gladiator, what was hisname? ‘The surly-looking bastard with the dimple in his chin.”

“Spartacus,” said Brutus, popping a stuffed dormouse in hismouth.

“Yes, that’s the one. Caesar brought Pompey and Crassus togetherand arranged for them to agree upon a pact. All three of them swore to opposeany actions of the Senate that any one of them might disapprove of.”

“If you ask me, that was the turning point for him.”Ligarius pronounced. “Crassus had the money. Pompey had influence and hissoldiers. After that. Caesar began to make his presence in the Senate felt witha vengeance.”

“Wasn’t his first act a rule that all daily proceedings ofthe Senate and the courts be published, insuring that the people would knowabout everything he said and did?” asked Cimber. He turned. “You! Yes, you.the ugly one! More wine!”

“Yes, and he quickly turned that to his advantage,” Cassiussaid. “When he proposed some agrarian reform and his old opponent. Bibulus,took a stand against it. Caesar actually had him driven from the Forum at swordpoint! The idea, one supposes, was to prove to all those who would read of theproceedings that the great Caesar would stop at nothing to champion any causethat would benefit the Roman people. “

“And at the same time, demonstrate to the members of the Senatewhat would happen to anyone who dared oppose him.” added Ligarius. He shiftedhis position on the couch and broke wind prodigiously.

“By the gods, Ligarius!” said Cimber with a grimace. “Youcould empty out the Circus with that one! Phew!”

“When was it that he married Calpurnia?” Labeo asked.

“About the same time Bibulus decided it was more prudent forhim to retire from public life.” said Cassius. He ate an olive and spat the pitout on the floor. A slave immediately picked it up. “Marrying Calpurnia gavehim access to her father’s money. At the same time. he broke his daughter’sengagement so she could many Pompey. thereby cementing his relationship withthe most famous general in Rome.”

“You tell me that was not ambition?” Casca asked angrily. “Norwas that enough for him! He then decided that being appointed provincialgovernor of Gaul would present him with the most opportunities to secure wealthand triumphs. so he used his influence to make sure that he got it

“Well, that’s not quite true,” said Brutus. The Senate wasonly too glad to give it to him. No sooner had he left his office than theybegan an inquiry into his conduct during his term as consul. The moment Caesarleft the city, his quaestor was charged with malfeasance, laying the groundworkfor charges against Caesar himself. But nothing ever came of it.”

“Only because Caesar had contributed generously to all ofthe chief magistrates and supported candidates for office who would look afterhis interests,” Cassius said. “He has always been a corrupt intriguer. I cannotunderstand why you defend him. Brutus.”

“It is not my intention to defend Caesar.” Brutus replied. “Nordoes he require my defense. Can you deny the good he did for Rome? In Gaul. heexpanded his army with legions raised at his own expense. He even went so faras to recruit and train an entire legion from the province. In the nine yearsof his military governorship, he subjugated all of Gaul to Roman authority. Hislegions took over eight hundred towns, conquered three hundred states, andkilled over a million enemy barbarians, taking as many prisoner. If you aregoing to point out the man’s faults, then do not neglect his virtues.”

“Virtues! What virtues?” Casca asked, raising hisvoice. “You speak as if Caesar gained nothing for himself! Gaul has made himrich! And he was lavish in his gifts of slaves to anyone who could be ofbenefit to him. Any man who looks at Caesar’s history with a clear eye can comeaway with but one conclusion! All Caesar ever wanted was power! Hisambition simply knows no bounds. I tell you, he intends to seize Rome itself!He plans to depose Pompey and make himself dictator!”

“I have seen no proof of that,” said Brutus.

“No? Then why did he refuse to be relieved?” counteredCasca. “The Gallic Wars are over! The province has been pacified. Why does herefuse to disband his legions? I’ll tell you why! Because he still facescharges of malfeasance during his term as consul! Because he still has debtsthat he does not wish to pay! Because he had made wild promises that he knowshe cannot keep! And most of all, because he has acquired a taste for power andhe does not wish to give it up. Even his old friend, Pompey. considers him athreat!”

“Perhaps,” Brutus replied, “but there are those, presentcompany included, who have gone to great lengths to make a breach between Pompeyand Caesar. And frankly. while Pompey may be a great general, as a statesman heleaves much to be desired.”

Your feelings about Pompey are well known.” said Casca,dismissing his comment with a wave of his hand. “He did execute your father,after all. Or was it really your father that he killed? Perhaps there isanother mason for your reluctance to condemn Caesar. It is well known that yourmother was once his mistress.”

Brutus gave Casca a long, hard look. “Caesar is not my father,”he said stiffly.

Then why does he bear so much affection for you?” Cascaasked.

“Was I invited here to be called a bastard and insulted?”Brutus shouted, throwing his wine cup to the floor. The slaves hastened to mopup the spill. Brutus started to rise. but Cassius took him by the arm.

“No, no, Brutus, stay, please! It was merely the winespeaking, wasn’t it, Casca? It is just that we are all inflamed with passionand concern about our future. We meant to share our feelings with you. We hadbelieved that you were with us, but it seems that you cannot forget your father’sfate at Pompey’s hands and therefore lean toward Caesar. Well, that isregrettable. but we love you none the less for it.”

“You judge me wrongly.” Brutus said. “I despise Pompey, thatis true, but neither do I favor Caesar. Politics must be dispassionate. Alesson some of us have yet to learn,” he added with a pointed glance at Casca. “Imay not share the vehemence of your feelings against Caesar but I do notbelieve that he is the man to govern Rome.”

“Then you are with us’?” asked Cassius.

“If it must come to a choice between Pompey and Caesar, thenfor the good of the republic, I must put aside my own feelings and stand forPompey,” Brutus replied. “Caesar has accomplished great things, but I believethat Cicero is right. His chief concern is for himself, not Rome.”

“Cicero is wise,” said Ligarius. nodding. He belched loudly.