Masters of Rome - 03 - Fortune's Favourites by Colleen Mccullough

Author:Colleen Mccullough [Mccullough, Colleen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Colleen McCullough
ISBN: 9780099462521
Amazon: 0099462524
Published: 1980-01-01T13:00:00+00:00

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When word of the events in Lampsacus reached the court of King Nicomedes, matters had arrived at an impasse; Gaius Verres was still living in the house of Ianitor and moving freely about the city, Ianitor had been ordered to notify the Lampsacan elders that Verres would remain right where he was, and everyone knew Claudius Nero was coming from Pergamum to try the father and son.

“I wish there was something I could do,” said the worried King to Caesar.

“Lampsacus falls within Asia Province, not Bithynia,” said Caesar. “Anything you did do would have to be in diplomatic guise, and I’m not convinced it would help those two unfortunate socii.”

“Gaius Verres is an absolute wolfshead, Caesar. Earlier in the year he robbed sanctuaries of their treasures all over Asia Province, then went on to steal the Harper of Aspendus and the golden skin of Artemis at Perge.”

“How to endear Rome to her provinces,” said Caesar, lifting his lip contemptuously.

“Nothing is safe from the man-including, it seems, virtuous daughters of important Greek socii.”

“What is Verres doing in Lampsacus, anyway?”

Nicomedes shivered. “Coming to see me, Caesar! He carries letters of introduction to me and to King Sadala in Thrace-his governor, Dolabella, has endowed him with ambassadorial status. I imagine his true purpose is to steal our statues and paintings.”

“He won’t dare while I’m here, Nicomedes,” soothed Caesar.

The old king’s face lit up. “That is what I was going to say. Would you go to Lampsacus as my ambassador so that Gaius Claudius Nero understands Bithynia is watching carefully? I daren’t go myself-it might be seen as an armed threat, even if I went without a military escort. My troops are much closer to Lampsacus than are the troops of Asia Province.”

Caesar saw the difficulties this would mean for him before Nicomedes had finished speaking. If he went to Lampsacus to observe events on official behalf of the King of Bithynia, the whole of Rome would assume he was indeed on intimate terms with Nicomedes. Only how could he avoid going? It was, on the surface, a very reasonable request.

“I mustn’t appear to be acting for you, King,” he said seriously. “The fate of the two socii is firmly in the hands of the governor of Asia Province, who would not appreciate the presence of a twenty-year-old Roman privatus claiming to be the representative of the King of Bithynia.”

“But I need to know what happens in Lampsacus from someone detached enough not to exaggerate and Roman enough not to side with the Greeks automatically!” Nicomedes protested.

“I didn’t say I wouldn’t go. I will go. But as a Roman privatus pure and simple-a fellow who chanced to be in the vicinity and whose curiosity got the better of him. That way the hand of Bithynia will not be seen at all, yet I’ll be able to provide you with a full report when I return. Then if you feel it necessary, you can lodge a formal complaint with the Senate in Rome, and I will testify.

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