Masters of Rome by Robert Fabbri

Author:Robert Fabbri [Fabbri, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857899644
Publisher: Atlantic Books Ltd
Published: 2014-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XII

VESPASIAN BREATHED IN deeply the lush scents of a garden in full bloom. Enclosed by a high wall and set on the southwestern slope of the Pincian Hill, just beyond the Quirinal Gate, north of the Campus Martius, the Gardens of Lucullus offered the perfect retreat from the noise and bustle of the streets of Rome. Here, Vespasian noticed, the loudest sounds to be heard were the cicadas’ relentless creaking and the patter of water flowing from the fountains that stood in the centre of each of the many themed areas of the gardens laid out around the villa, which was accounted to be one of the most luxurious in Rome.

‘Claudius has used rather a clever trick to enable him to put on the Secular Games,’ Gaius informed Vespasian as they walked up a red-peony-lined path made of a fine mosaic illustrating the various forms of flora and fauna to be found in the gardens. A couple of other guests walked leisurely before them. ‘He reckoned on them being held every hundred and ten years as in the traditional Etruscan method of calculation rather than every hundred years as Augustus did when he revived them. It probably means that we’ll end up with two cycles, one every hundred years and another every hundred and ten, as no emperor would want to turn down the chance of holding such a prestigious event. However, Claudius has made himself very popular with the masses for his bit of false accounting and I haven’t heard any mumblings against it in the Senate. In fact, I’ve hardly heard anything in the Senate as opinions have become rather dangerous things to own since Messalina has persuaded her husband that every senator harbours treasonous thoughts.’

‘How has Messalina treated Flavia?’

‘Strangely enough, they get on very well and Flavia is as close a thing to a friend that a harpy like Messalina could have. Flavia, of course, has no idea of the potential danger that she’s in and spends her time flaunting her exalted position as the Empress’s companion to every other woman in Rome. I can’t say that’s gone down too well; you know what they’re like.’

Vespasian grunted, well able to imagine Flavia behaving like that.

‘I think that you’ll find this will make up for not seeing Flavia this evening.’

Vespasian breathed in deeply again, enjoying the warm evening sun on the back of his head and neck, and found himself agreeing with his uncle: it was much better than a reunion after six years with a wife who was liable to be in a foul temper. ‘I do feel a bit guilty about delaying seeing Titus and Domitilla, though.’

‘Nonsense, dear boy; you’ve never met Domitilla and Titus was just over a year old when you left so he won’t recognise you. What difference are a few more hours going to make?’

‘None, I suppose; but I am nervous about seeing Titus again.’

‘Don’t worry about him, he worships the memory of his father. Flavia, your mother and Caenis have all seen to that.

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