The Cleopatra Crisis (TimeWars 11)

“I come from a family of large men.” said Delaney. “And lifein the country entails considerable physical labor.”

“But do you not have slaves for that? asked Albinus,frowning.

“My family is not as wealthy as that of Septimus,” Delaneysaid. “We do have slaves, but their number is far smaller than most of theestates around us. But, to tell the truth. I enjoy physical labor. It may beunfashionable. but I find that it keeps me strong and healthy.”

“A sound mind in a sound body,” Trebonius said.

“Truly, that is the Roman ideal. But you. Quintullus. havecarried it much further than any man that I have ever seen. Aside from labor,it is clear that you engage in sport. Am I correct in guessing that you are awrestler?”

“I do enjoy wrestling,” said Delaney with a smile. “I findthat it relaxes me.”

“I will wager that you do not often lose.” Trebonius saidwith a grin.

“That is true. 1 have not been bested since I was a boy.”

“My friends. I see an opportunity for us to make some moneyhere.” said Trebonius.

“We did not come here today to speak of making wagers.”Casca snapped. “We have matters of much more import to discuss.”

“Patience. Casca.” Cassius said. “Let us not rush intothings. Let us take a little time and get to know our new friend. FabiusQuintullus.” He turned to Delaney. “Casca is always fervent in his opinions,especially when it concerns politics.”

“Politics often make for fervent opinions,” said Delaney. “Myfriend Marcus and his brother, Lucius, both find mine a bit too fervent onoccasion.”

“I had that impression.” Cassius said with a smile. “Ourdiscussion at dinner last night became somewhat impassioned. I had the feelingthat they did not entirely approve of our opinions. But we were, after all,merely expressing our concerns about Rome’s welfare.”

“Do not mind Marcus Septimus.” Delaney said. “You must understandthat he has led a quiet, uneventful life in Cumae. His brother. Lucius. went offto the wars and it fell to Marcus to remain behind and manage the estate. Healways wished that he could go and experience some adventure for himself, winsome glory, share in the booty of war, hut that was not to be. So he had tocontent himself with the letters that Lucius sent home. Lucius painted such apicture that Marcus became enthralled with Caesar. He would read those lettersover and over again, playing out the battles in his mind, as if he were therehimself.”

“That is not uncommon,” Cassius said understandingly. “Thereare many Romans who followed Caesar’s campaigns in such a manner, wishing thatthey could have been there with him. But as one who has been to war himself. Ican tell you that the imagining is always much better than the actual experience.Much safer, too.”

“No doubt.” Delaney agreed. “For my part. I do not thinkthat Marcus would have made much of a soldier. He has too soft a disposition.But who is to say? Men who fear a battle have often proved themselves thebravest soldiers. while those who swagger and boast of fearlessness often turncoward in the thick of the fighting.”

“Yes, that’s very true.” said Casca.”I see you speak fromsome experience. Quintullus.”

“I have had my share.” said Delaney, “but Marcus has alwaysknown only the quiet life. And Lucius has always had a gift for writing. Weoften thought he should have been a poet. He described his experiences in Gaulso vividly that Marcus came to idolize Caesar from afar. To speak againstCaesar in his presence is like a personal affront. I can understand the way hefeels, but in certain ways. Marcus can be blind to what is happening aroundhim. In Cumae.

he is removed from the politics of Rome. They affect himonly slightly. Whereas I. who plan to settle down and live in Rome. haveconcerns that are considerably stronger.”

“We had started discussing some of your concerns last night,”said Cassius. “I would be curious to hear more of your thoughts on the matter.”

Delaney shrugged. “Like you. I have certain opinions when itcomes to Caesar.” He glanced around, as if with some discomfort. “But perhapsthey are opinions best kept to myself. I had a little too much wine last nightand spoke a bit too freely. In such troubled times, one should be careful whatone says in public.”

“Come now, Quintullus,” Casca said. “You are among friendshere. And from what you said last night. it would seem that your thoughts andyour concerns echo our own.?

?

“Indeed?” Delaney said warily.

“Casca speaks for us all,” said Cassius. “Men ofintelligence can see that there is danger in one man having absolute power torule in Rome. Especially a man like Caesar. In some ways, he is like anotherSulla. Only Sulla was never made dictator for life.”

“And he never took the title of Imperator.” saidTrebonius. “nor had so many honors and privileges been heaped upon him.”

“What is the difference between emperor and king?” askedCasca angrily. “They are but different names for the same thing.”

“It would seem so,” said Delaney.

“Rome was done with kings ages ago,” said Cassius. “Underthe republic, we enjoyed freedom and democracy, a life such as no nation in theworld had ever known. Through the Senate. the citizens of Rome all had a voicein how they were governed. Yet what have we now? A Senate that is little morethan Caesar’s tool. Look at the new men whom he has elevated. Are there anyCiceros among them? No. They are all merely acolytes to Caesar. bowing to hisevery whim. Hardly anyone in the Senate dares to dispute with him. His word islaw. His every action is unquestioned. And now he plans to leave on yet anothercampaign, to play at being Alexander, while we suffer his surrogates. meresecretaries, not even members of the House, to dictate to us in his absence! Isthis not a mark of the contempt in which he holds the Senate?”

“I cannot disagree.” Delaney said, nodding. “Since he becameEmperor. Caesar has become more and more the autocrat. It is not in thetradition of Rome’s institutions. Only what can anyone do’? He has the supportof the people.”