Ad Infinitum for September 820 has shown up with further accounts of forum gossip and the trials and tribulations of a bunch of spiffing chaps in clean white toga’s with purple stripes as they try and make an honest denerii (from plunder, slave taking and farming…..but never trade) and save the light of civilization from being put out by various Druidic types, horse and camel nomadic raiders, pirates and assorted religious fanatics and traitors employed by the man in slippers and silk PJ’s the so called Parthian King of Kings.
For non players of Rome is Burning who may wish to consider joining the Toga Party (or perhaps even the smelly furs and leather party) here are the highlights as reported in Ad Infinitum:
1) Out in the East Governor of Syria Cestius Gallus spent the month taking firm control of Seleucia by scaring the sh*t out of its leading citizens. But was also good enough to show the advantages of civilized Roman rule by making improvements to Seleucia latrines including lining the bottom of septic tanks with broken up stone provided by Parthian Royal Statues. No doubt very handy for Seleucia leading citizens after their interviews with Gallus.
Amongst the other things Gallus did next after taking control of Seleucia was collect a lot of boats and build a boat bridge. The Bridge is still parallel to the Seleucia score but may be long enough to allow Gallus forces to deploy to the Ctesiphon bank in the future.
Gallus also prepared the ground for a possible battle on the Seleucia bank of the river if the Parthian field Army moves directly against him from Nisbis. Including making sure any direct move against his Army would have to ride past thousands of crucified Median bodies of his former opponents.
2) Some info from the King of Kings Vizier of Propaganda “Appian” indicated that the Parthians may be planning to take advantage of the twin rivers. Perhaps by massing against potion of the Roman Army while other half if still on other side of river. But odd lack of any sign of actual Parthian movements so perhaps both sides may be waiting to see what the other side does after capture of Seleucia?
Problem for the Parthian side is that they seem to be being drawn into an urban battle of brains and engineering which does not really play to their strength.
3) While Parthia is distracted by events at home Gaius C. Tuscus seems to be taking the opportunity to try and sort out the mess that it is Judea…...BEST OF ROMAN LUCK WITH THAT !! Though it is believed by many that Tuscuas and his merry team of grain brokers, bankers and Alexandrian power brokers do not give a damn if Judea is painted red with blood. Just so long as the trouble does not spread to Antioch and most importantly their beloved Alexandria.
No doubt concerned by charges that he has gone “native” and cares more about his beloved Alexandria than he does about Rome. Tuscus showed his loyalty to Rome by giving 20m Denerii to the Consul of Rome and also by funding agricultural improvements in both the Balkans and in North West Italy which his spokesmen in the Senate talked up as showing Tascus concern for Roman grain supply.
Cynics might suggest these actions also showed the financial firepower and grain market control of Alexandria. Rome may be the political capital of the Empire but is it still the financial capital?
4) Also out in the East Marcus S. Otho proved he is no good at hide and seek since he spent part of month looking for the rebel Governor of Asia……..in GALATIA. My guess would be try Sardis the capital of Asia or perhaps Ephesus where the rebels fleet is reported to have moved to.
However, it is not all bad news for Otho in fact he had some very good news indeed when his proposal to his first wife (the widow of Nero) to become his wife again was accepted by Poppaea Augusta Sabina widely considered to be the richest, best looking and most influential widow in the whole of the Roman Empire and the catch of catches (who said Otha was rubbish at hide and seek?).
It seems that the young lady and her babies guardians like Trajan had no objections to her marrying Otha again subject to Poppaea being allowed to finish her year of moaning for Nero.
5) It would also seem that in an effort to prove himself worthy of the hand of the fair Poppaea and no doubt earn enough loot from the treasury of Parthia to pay for his wedding. Otha and his Legions are not heading west to deal with the rebels in Asia but are actually heading east to help Cestius Gallus. So its possible that Otha cavalry scouts were not lost so much as making sure of his rear area and that “Emperor Aviola” and the Asian rebels were not also heading east.
6) As well as agreeing to marry Marcus S. Otho for the 2nd time…….was it only me or does Otha seem rather more keen on getting his first wife back than his first wife seemed keen to get Otha back? The fair (or sometimes Red headed) Poppaea and her advisors, clients and friends made sure Rome was protected from Cordus and the missing rebel forces. And if the worst happened Poppaea, her and Nero children and other leading foes of Cordus and the Guard could escape from Rome.
Poppaea also managed to get items of “sentimental” value back from the Golden House for the bargain price of 700,000 Denerii paid for by her and the girls “Uncle Trajan”. Seems that no one considered it polite to bid against the widow. Will be interesting to see what price Aulus D. Geminus can now get for the solid gold baths and pipes and the world class collection of pornographic art from Nero’s floors, ceilings and walls? Though what Otha will think of all the silk sheets and gold inlay bed coverings of “sentimental” value to Nero and his new wife the Gods only know.
7) Also in Rome the famous or it that infamous Senator Pomponius has passed away in the arms of his mistress the Lady Vipsania. Pomponius a noted slum landlord was fined for offences under the building code but is most famous for acting as chief spokesman for the Alexandrian grain lobby. Before he wrong footed and humiliated Gaius C. Tuscus and the boys from Alex by making a highly irregular bide to become Emperor on his own behalf.
Pomponius bid for the purple failed when it was mocked by both Army leaders and influential political leaders and was totally disowned by the boys in Alexandria who even threatened to cut the grain supply if the “traitor” Pomponius was made Emperor.
Pomponius avoided treason charges in the Senate and later joined a religious faction in the Senate in the hope that this would help him avoid a knife in the dark or an Egyptian Asp in his fruit bowl.
While Pomponius death was seemingly due to natural causes no doubt many are going to wonder if this is a warning to all about the danger of taking millions of Denarii from Alexandria and then breaking the deal. Could it even apply to a Roman Consul who accepted 20m denerii from Alexandria?
Even though it may not have worked for Pomponius. Senator Sulla also got religion this month and joined the religious faction. Sulla who is influential in the Brundisium area and in the past was friendly with the arch traitors Cordus and Aviola would seem to be trying to put space between himself and the traitors. Meanwhile Senator Marcus left this same faction for one with more money and better chance of giving him the job of buildings Rome’s walls but the timing seems to have damaged his reputation. With people wondering if he had knowledge about or played a part in the death of Pomponius.
9) Galreia Fundana and her husband Aulus Vitellius also seem to have got religion this month and in a visit to the Flamen Dialis (High Priest) of Jupiter have promised to build scores of Temples to the Greatest and Best of the Gods. Would have though that Aulus Vitellius would have also offered something to the God of the Sea to protect his brother but guess he is only concerned with the campaign in Germania at this moment in time.
10) Finally in Rome the Consul Corbula fearing an influx of Slaves from the East and Germaia and replacement of Roman farmers with cheap slave labour has issued an order to protect rights of Roman tenant farmers. Clerks are currently demanding more details and the other Consul could always Veto to protect interests of large estate owners who want to reintroduce slave labour.
But in past Consul Geminus has shown a degree of sympathy for small Roman farmers (backbone of Legions) and traditional thinkers rather than Estate Owners who want more profit. Bad recent experience with slaves pinching his donkeys have probably not changed his mind.
11) When not being lobbied to use his veto powers or worrying about missing Donkeys and Slaves potential to cause a war in the north. Consul of Rome Aulus D. Geminus proved to be rather better at hide and seek than Otha and has located the missing Cordus and his band of traitors just off the Via Popillia between Tarentum and Rhegium on the very toe of Italy.
Thus it would seem that rather than making a mad dash towards Rome Cordus and his gang have moved away from Rome. If anyone has a clue about what Cordus is doing – answers on the back of a post card please!
12) In Brundisium the fleet and local authorities cleaned up from last month. With the dead rebel guard cavalry getting the absolute minimium to stop their spirits troubling the still alive. While the fallen marines got a really nice and honourable send off. Someone however then damaged the marine graves which may reflect a degree of local upset at the number of local bar girls etc cut down with the rebel guard cavalry. Commander of that attack has however got promoted so it seems that the powers that be in the Navy do not give a damn about the odd civilian losses. If you get cut down while drinking with a bunch of traitors – tough – would seem to be the Navy view.
Clearly the Navy or at least the Navy in the West seem to be traditional thinkers to a man.
13) On the Rhine frontier King Radbod hit back and destroyed a small Roman base on the east bank of the river while force marching 18,478 enslaved Roman settlers deeper into the wild woods. The question now is how far are the Rhine Legions and Aulus Vitellius willing to venture east into the dark and wet woods to save their fellow citizens from a fate worse than death at the hands of the evil Radbod?
14) In the Balkan heartlands of Consul Geminus. Usual Balkan type happening like a couple of librarians murdered with snakes and the celebration of the Roman September games. While Roman command on the Danube considered what to do about the slaughter of 500 Roman Troops last month. Normally the only answer would be WAR but the Danube Legions seem to be taking their time to gather information about the political alliances of the Marcomanii - Anartes, Quadi and Dacians. Too which must be added the Marcomanii have taken in and protected a lot of Iazyges women which could mean the rest of that battered tribe including 6,000 Lancers owe them a debt of honour. Its possible that the local Danube commanders do not want to start a campaign north of the river while so many of their best men and top commanders are still in Italy.
15) They also had September Games in Bactica which allowed Trajan to politic away with Roman Senatorial missions while keeping out of the way of family issues.
The Senatorial missions have confirmed that if the Senate vote to give Latin rights to the whole of Lusitania and Batica only another six men will have senatorial status and sixty one will have equestrian status. This fairly low figure for the higher orders may be due to over 200,000 people including many of the provinces social leaders like Trajan and Senica already being Roman citizens.
Perhaps numbers will be greater in the North were tribal organization lingered for longer?
Apart from that the major change would to give Iberian troops in the Roman Army a pay rise, chance to share in future bonus payments, increased status and promotion opportunity from lower ranks. The Senatorial missions would seem to be in no doubt that the Magistrates of Emerita Augusta, Corduba, Italica, Nova Carthago are happy and able to fund this to give their lower level clients a helping hand.
16) In Britannia the “man from Rome” got right down to business by asking the Governor of Upper Britannia if Britannia is “Worth staying in, or is it just a damp swamp, with no chance of being civilized?”. If this is Aulus Vitellius brother being diplomatic hate to see him when he is being undiplomatic. Its not as if Britannia has got any more swamps than Belgica or Germania Minor.
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Does seem a bit confusing at the moment
