False God of Rome by Robert Fabbri

Author:Robert Fabbri [Fabbri, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780857899767
Publisher: Corvus
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

PART III

ROME, MARCH AD 37

CHAPTER XIII

‘HOW LONG IS it going to take to rebuild?’ Vespasian asked Sabinus as they watched a work-gang of public slaves unload a delivery of bricks in front of the fire-blackened ruins of Sabinus’ house on the Aventine Hill. All around them scores of other gangs were working among the charred ruins of the Aventine, resurrecting the once beautiful and prosperous hill overlooking the Circus Maximus. Heavy cloud and an incessant drizzle added a depressing sombreness to the scene of devastation; hardly a building remained untouched by the fire that had ripped through the area six months before, adding a sour note to Sabinus’ year as a praetor. His denunciation of Herod Agrippa had resulted in the Jewish king being chained to the wall in a damp cell and Sabinus coming top of the poll in the election – beating Corbulo, much to his chagrin – and therefore eligible for the governorship of a senatorial province.

‘It should be about three months, according to the foreman, but with almost every house on the Aventine being rebuilt he can’t say for certain. It depends on the availability of building materials and slaves and also upon whether you, as the aedile in charge of roads, manage to do your job properly and keep the streets clear. Either way, now that the sea-lanes are opening up again, I’ve got to leave for my province in a few days so you’ll have to oversee the work for me.’

‘At least you don’t have to worry about money, the Emperor’s seen to that.’

Sabinus grimaced. ‘Two hundred million sesterces might sound a lot, and there’s no denying that it was very generous of Tiberius now that it’s finally arrived, but that’s not going to cover the cost of every building on the hill. I’m going to have to find some money from somewhere if the house is going to be rebuilt to the standard that it was originally; Clementina won’t accept anything less.’ He shook his head regretfully. ‘If only I hadn’t bought it and just rented it, then it wouldn’t be my problem.’

Vespasian glanced at his brother and judged that now was not the best of times to bring up the fact that he had advised Sabinus not to take the loan from Paetus with which he had bought the house.

Sabinus caught his look. ‘I suppose you want to say “I told you so”, you little shit. Well, you were right: if I’d lived within my means I wouldn’t be in this trouble now. From now on, no more loans.’

‘Have you paid it back yet?’

Sabinus looked embarrassed. ‘No, I keep on meaning to then something happens like a new child, or this.’

‘Well, you should; you promised to pay it back within two years.’

‘Have you kept your promise to Paetus to keep an eye on his son, Lucius, for him?’ Sabinus retorted.

It was Vespasian’s turn to look embarrassed. ‘No, I haven’t. I must take more interest in him.’

‘He must be seventeen now, starting out in life.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.