Soldier of Rome: The Last Campaign (The Artorian Chronicles) by James Mace Read Free Book Online Page B

heart that I broke my oath and struck down our emperor. Know that I did this not for myself, but for Rome. Our nation was on the verge of financial collapse, while Gaius Caligula made a mockery of all our ancestors fought and died for. I tell you this; we have suffered under the rule of the Caesars long enough! I implore you, the noble fathers of Rome, to restore dignity and take your places as the rightful heads of the state. I ask that we once more become a beacon of light for the world and restore the republic!”
    The praetorian’s words were met with a standing ovation from those members of the senate present. The sounds of the crowd were deafening outside, and the senators who had elected to hear his words were still making their way into the chamber. Many seats remained vacant, their occupants too terrified to come into the city. Night had come to Rome, and most had fled to their private estates, waiting to see what would happen once the chaos surrounding Gaius Caligula’s assassination died down. No one even knew if the body had been taken away, or if it still lay in a coagulated puddle of blood in the tunnel beneath the palace and Circus Maximus.
    All told, there were perhaps a hundred members on hand to hear Cassius’ speech. It would fall upon them what to do in light of the revelation that the Praetorian Guard, minus Cassius and his fellow conspirators, had named Caligula’s uncle, Claudius, Emperor.
    The consul , Quintus Pomponius, stood and raised his hands, silencing his overly boisterous peers. His fellow consul had already declared himself for Claudius, perhaps to save himself from the wrath of the praetorians, and had refused to be present at this meeting.
    “An impassioned speech, Cassius,” he said, “one worthy of a hero of Rome such as yourself. While this body cannot condone murder, we are inclined to sympathize with your motives, and should give you our thanks for ridding us of a hateful tyrant. However, before we go any further, I feel we must recognize Marcus Julius Agrippa , who has asked to speak on Claudius’ behalf.”
    The man he referred to was more commonly known as Herod Agrippa, and though a foreign prince from Judea, he had been raised within the imperial household in Rome. Indeed, he dressed and conducted himself like a Roman, and was more respected by them than his own people. He was also a lifelong friend of Claudius, and as such had come to the senate to speak for him. There were others present as well; the plebian tribune, Aulus Nautius Cursor, as well as the Ostia police commissioner and former Centurion Pilus Prior, Titus Artorius Justus, though these two kept near the entrance to the temple, acting as mere observers for the moment. They had accompanied two well-respected military leaders, who also happened to be brothers. Their names were Flavius Sabinus and Flavius Vespasian. Though the legions would not learn of Caligula’s death for a number of weeks, they took it upon themselves to speak on behalf of the army, understanding the disposition of both the legionaries as well as their commanding generals.
    “Senators,” Agrippa said as he strolled to the center of the chamber. “Please know that Tiberius Claudius sympathizes with you and understands why you do not wish to have another emperor on the throne. He also understands that there are those who would wish to raise troops with which to prevent his assumption of the title of Caesar. Claudius implores that no Roman blood be shed on his behalf. However, as our friends from the army, Sabinus and Vespasian will attest, you must also understand that the majority of our legions will swear fealty to the emperor, preferring the rule of one man over many. Whatever soldiers we may raise with the senate will be but an untrained mob that will be readily swept aside. I have acted as your ambassador, but now I think it is time the noble members of this house address Claudius directly and attempt to compel him to lay down the