Carrhae by Peter Darman Read Free Book Online Page B

leave, Pacorus, I have patrols to organise.’ His eyes never left Mark Antony. ‘To make sure the Romans do no not slit our throats while we sleep.’
    He curled his lip at Mark Antony and left us.
    ‘Your commander does not like me,’ observed Antony.
    ‘Do not take it personally, he has a low opinion of all Romans.’
    Antony leaned forward. ‘Tell me, was he a slave, for I have heard that you only enlist slaves in your army? Men say that is the reason it fights so fiercely.’
    I nodded at the closed tent flaps. ‘That man, Vagises, is a Parthian who was taken captive with me in Cappadocia before we were transported to Italy as spoils of war. He has little reason to regard Rome or the Romans with affection.’
    He leaned back in his chair. ‘And you?’
    ‘I do not hate my enemies, because to do so would cloud my judgement at a time when clarity of thought is essential.’
    He nodded approvingly. ‘A most philosophical answer.’
    I poured him some more wine. ‘Now it is your turn to answer some questions. Where is the other legion that your proconsul commands in Syria, for I know that only one was present today? You and your allies underestimated the fighting abilities of the Agraci, I think.’
    He laughed mockingly. ‘The Agraci have no fighting abilities. We were more than capable of dealing with them before…’
    I smiled. ‘Before I arrived, you mean. You honour me, commander.’
    He stiffened. ‘My title is Praefectus Alae .’
    ‘It is a great pity that so many of your fine horsemen now lie dead on the desert floor. That is the price invaders pay for their aggression.’
    ‘That is the price Rome pays for civilising the world,’ he tried to correct me.
    How many times had I heard that argument before? ‘Roman civilisation is built on the corpses of vanquished peoples.’
    ‘Only the strong deserve to live,’ he said casually.
    ‘And the weak deserve only slavery or death, I suppose?’
    ‘The gods have charged Rome with civilising the world. If our mission was not a divine one, how else can you explain Rome’s victories over the other tribes of Italy hundreds of years ago, her conquest of Carthage, Greece, Pontus, Armenia and Syria?’
    I sipped my wine. ‘And now Rome seeks to add Parthia to that list.’
    He was momentarily nonplussed. ‘I am a soldier, sir. I obey orders.’
    I laughed. ‘And a member of one of Rome’s most prominent families, I’ll hazard.’
    He blushed. ‘I have been fortunate to have been born into a noble family, I admit, though everything I have achieved has been by my own hand.’
    ‘You are to be congratulated. I hope being exchanged for a young girl does not harm your reputation.’
    ‘There will be other battles to fight,’ he replied flatly.
    ‘I am curious about one thing,’ I continued. ‘Why did you not wait until Crassus had arrived in Syria before commencing hostilities again the Agraci and Parthia?’
    ‘You are very well informed,’ he said.
    ‘When you rule a frontier kingdom it is wise to know what is happening in adjacent lands. So, why not wait for Crassus?’
    ‘As I said, I am a soldier and take orders,’ he replied evasively.
    ‘Have it your own way. I am sure all will be revealed when he arrives. If I was a gambling man I would wager that your commander, Proconsul Aulus Gabinius, desired to make his name great before Crassus arrived in Syria.’
    He placed his cup on the table. ‘King Pacorus, as you have saved my life it is only proper that I return the courtesy. If you would be prepared to submit to Roman rule then I can use whatever influence I enjoy to have you exonerated from your crimes.’
    ‘My crimes?’
    ‘We know that you have been supplying the rebels in Judea with weapons. That in itself is enough to earn you a death sentence. Would it not be better for you and your kingdom to live in peace under the protection of Rome?’
    I tilted my cup at him. ‘Under the heel of Rome would be a more accurate description, I