[Multi-AAR] - History of men - EB part

[Fixiwee]

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon

(Part VI)

He was standing on a simple road, staring at the sun. He had made it this far and still he wasn’t sure what he was trying to achieve. Lucius was standing at the edge of a small village called Natzrat. The houses here were made out of greyish and white coloured clay and people were living more simple lives. From what Lucius gathered the people of these lands believed that all life was created by a single god and that they were in some way a chosen people. But since Lucius religious believes were never very strong he didn’t judge these people called the Jews.
He passed a small hut and approached a middle aged man with a bushy beard and grey linen cloths. The artist asked in Greek, which he spoke fluently, if the man knew where he could find Vibia. The man didn’t understand him, but when Lucius spoke about Vibia he smiled and pointed on a clay building up the road. The sculptor approached the building finding himself between a carpenter and a cloth workshop. Vibia was sitting outside tailoring cloth. Lucius came closer while staring at her. She realised that she was being watched and looked up at Lucius. Then she gasped. “She looks old” the sculptor thought.

“Lucius?” she stood up and asked again: “Lucius?” Her eyes were wide open. “What in Gods name are you doing here?” Her hair was partly grey, her face looked older then she actually was and her hands had scars all over it.
“I came to see you.” Lucius replied with a voice that was trembling with fear. His hands were shaking. Suddenly he thought that coming here wasn’t a good idea at all.
“Why would you do such a stupid thing?”
“Well I was around the corner conquering the world with Caesar Asiaticus and I thought I dropped by.” He tried to grin.
Vibia didn’t laugh, she didn’t even smile. Her face was plain empty. Was this the women Lucius fell in love so long ago?
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “I heard that you run a trading company in Jerusalem. But when I got there I only found a trace leading to this small village.”
“Lucius my dear, sit down and let me offer you a glass of wine.”

When they sat down they looked at each other deeply, but without any passion. Lucius didn’t like the way this was going.
“Lucius, when you left Athens I was devastated for a while. But I moved on and sized new opportunities. I met a man called Karasthos, a Greek who dealt business with the Jewish people. I married him and we moved to Jerusalem. We had a daughter together and things seemed to be fine. One day Karasthos simply vanished, leaving a small bag of money. I soon found out that the company was in heavy debts and then things went terrible. Thugs came a few days later, plundered our home and took my daughter…” she sighted “they took my daughter and me to a slave market outside of the town where Romans and Greek clients came to barter.” She paused. “I want to spare you what happened after that but I tell you that my life wasn’t pretty at all. Once I grew too old I was put on the slave market as cheap ware and it was then when an old pious widowed Jew came up and bought me. Nathaniel freed me, brought me here and I thanked him by married him. Ever since I pray to God that my daughter is okay and I’m simply trying to live my life till I die.”
“I don’t know what to say. This wasn’t how I expected things to happen.”
“You’re now about 40 years old and you still don’t realise that you are responsible for everything you do in your life. Lucius, we could have had a happy life together”. He was impressed how well she read him. “We could have had a family, kids and a house together. But you were only twenty years old. You were a rebellious kid trying to experience the youth. And I don’t blame you. I feel no anger for the fact that you ran away from me. But I spent too many years in question until I realised that I had to let go. Maybe, after over two decades, you should too.”

Lucius just sat there, looking at her. Then she suddenly stood up and kissed him.
Lucius still looked at her.
Then he stood up, touched her hair and said: “Thank you.”

He left Vibia and never looked back.

[Fixiwee]

“Politics is the art of postponing decisions until they are no longer relevant.”
~ Henri Queuille quotes
Fall of the first Triumvirate

A history of Rome, by Prof Alfred Kennard, 2002 New York

The year 51 BC saw a new outbreak of violence and anarchy in Rome. While the Triumvirate was still intact the stability of the agreement was shifting. Nero started to realize the possibility that Crassus was using the Triumvirate for his own good. Rumours were rising that Crassus secretly supported the anarchy in Rome with large sums of gold. The motivations of Crassus were not clear, some said he tried to obtain more power, some argued that he tried to gain financial interest through the chaos.







But Crassus schemes were uncovered and the Senate realized that the Republic was in serious peril. The Optimates voted Nero as a sole consul (consule sine collega) and mandated him to safe the republic. Nero then tried to trail Crassus, failed to bring him before court and declared him a public enemy in the winter of 51 BC. Street violence and chaos was now on a climax with Crassus trying to hide within the city. In early 50 BC Crassus realized that his position was hopeless and his allies were dwindling. He fled from Rome in April, trying to reach Spain by boat. Luckily for Nero, Crassus died on the way to Spain. Some rumoured that Crassus had been murdered, but ancient historian Helenos argued that he simply died of a heart attack.
While order was restored in Rome the breaking of Crassus from the Triumvirate effectively ended the private agreement. Caesar was still in sitting in Asia, seeing Neros sole consul and the destruction of the Triumvirate as betrayal. Now in the year 50 BC the conflict between the two men was sharpening.

Helenos – The life of Claudius Nero
(written about 100 AD)

About the character of Aulus Claudius Nero.
It is a difficult task to describe Neros character. Above all he was a great general and in his youth an ambitious man. But over the years the stubborn Roman politics tired him out. His alliance with Crassus and Caesar was only temporarily. Politically he changed direction many times, most notably in 704 Ab Urbe Condita [50BC] when he was being approached by Tiberius Sergius Orata and Numerius Cornelius Dollabella and asked to save the republic from what they called the tyrant from the east. Nero had troubles finding his own political position and for a man of his prestige his stance was easily swayed. The Claudian didn’t have the charismatic way of Caesar, nor the administrative talent of Matellus.

For all the negative aspects of Neros character there is yet enough room to say good about him. Foremost Nero was a humble and honest man. He refused to use the corrupt political system in Rome to enrich himself. His house in Rome wasn’t pompous, nor did it contain any luxuries. By these actions he sought to set a standard to the ancient Roman families, much like Metellus the Censor did a century earlier.
Another aspect was that Nero was immensely popular with his soldiers. His strict but down to earth way to deal with his men was favoured throughout the ranks. Nero also didn’t like to hastily throw people into certain death. While this made him a hesitant attacker, it was well regarded by the soldiers that their lives were valued.
When the Optimates approached Nero they saw the lesser evil between him and Caesar and his military ability should be able to deal with the pro-consul of Asia.

[Fixiwee]

The quiet before the storm

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

After Crassus vanished from the political scene in 50 BC, Neros and the Senates last problem was Caesar in the east. Some die hard republicans wanted to see Caesar before court for his illegal warfare against the Koilesyriakos dynasty in Anatolia and Syria. Caesar on the other hand wanted to return to Rome without fearing political persecution. The only way to get political immunity was to become Consul again. But since one had to be in Rome to run for office, Caesar had no possibility to make himself a candidate. He then tried to solve the problem by trying to run for Consul in abstinent, after all he many supporters that would deal with his political campaign while he would remain in the east. The Senate disagreed due the Optimates, including the senators Orata and Dolabella. Nero sent his brother to Caesar trying to negotiate terms that would lead to a solution without bloodshed.

But Dolabella pressed hard against Nero, urging him to safe the republic from certain destruction. Nero hesitated at first but agreed after heavy debates with his new allies to bring the second legion from northern Italy to Rome for protection. When the legion crossed the Rubicon in the summer of 50 BC the die was as good as cast.


The second legion marching to Rome to protect the Senate.

This double minded strategy puzzled Caesar who had to react on either Neros brother or the armament of Rome. He decided to bring his troops to Athens in autumn; this way he showed that he was serious without declaring war against Nero and at the same time he was closer to Rome, which made dealings in politics easier. For the moment it seemed like both sides were in a deadlock situation.


Caesars fleet landing in Athens.

How Lucius Marcundus accidentally brought down the Roman Republic

By Eric Damon

(Part VII)

The villa stood before him just like it did twenty years ago. It was still inhabited, but it lost much of its former glance. Lucius was standing in Athens at the villa where he attended a party so many years ago. It was the party of Aulus Claudius Nero and it was there where he met Caesar and Vibia. Now the two statesmen were enemies and civil war was at hand yet again. But Lucius spent most of his thoughts on Vibia and the night he got to know her. Her words were still ringing in his ears and even though Lucius was a happy and humorous person, he could not get these dark thoughts out of his head.

He finally left the villa, went down the road, left Athens moving on a good while until he reached the sea. The harbour was full of Roman ships these days, after all Caesar was preparing for the possibility of war.

There he sat at the beach for a while, staring at the sea. He tried to clear his mind, but Lucius simply couldn’t think of anything at all. Suddenly he heard someone approaching him, he looked back and there was Caesar standing behind him.

“Marcus?” he said.

“Is the spot next to you still free?” the general said.

Caesar sat down. They hadn’t seen each other since Lucius left for Jerusalem.

“You want to talk about your trip?”

Lucius looked Marcus deep in the eyes and said “No.”

He sighted.

“No I think it’s better if I leave that behind me. But I’ve been thinking about life, how short it is and all the possibilities we never take. See, I came with you to see the world, to see Asia, explore places and meet new people. I’m quite rich because of my contract to you, when I’ll come back to Rome I’m going to be a made man. I could probably even buy a Villa in the Bay of Naples.”

Caesar for once, was listening deeply. He knew very well when he had to take the initiative to talk and influence people, but he also knew there was a time where one simply had to shut up and listen.

Lucius continued: “I’m just sick that everything in this life happens without me being able to influence it. So many things go wrong, and when there is this one chance to do something right I hesitated. But in the end you have to size the opportunity and do what you are supposed to do, no matter the cost. No matter what other people think of you. If you are right, then do it. No compromise.”

Marcus Julius Caesar understood that he was talking about his former love.

He stood up, patted Lucius blond hair and said: “Lucius Marcundus, you never size to amaze me. Thank you, you just helped me make a decision.”

Caesar smiled and left.

Lucius was confused, but didn’t pay much attention. A day later Caesar made his big decision that would change the Roman Republic forever. And Lucius always wondered if it was because of what he said.

[anubis88]

I would congratulate you after every post, but that would be useless... So i'll do it just this time

Great Work... I wish i had the patience to write such an AAR

[Fixiwee]

I would congratulate you after every post, but that would be useless... So i'll do it just this time

Great Work... I wish i had the patience to write such an AAR

Thank you. I'm still wondering after one year of doing this AAR how the hell I manage to have the patience to work on it. I normaly give up projects like that pretty fast.

Btw, next update is nearly ready.

[Fixiwee]

"Let the die be tossed"
(Historic) Gaius Julius Caesar quoting Menander, reported by Plutarch
Alea iacta est

The Roman Empire, by Wolfgang Schreier, Bonn 2003

In the winter of 50 BC Nero still had not decided how to deal with his former ally. Either try to work out a peaceful solution by a joint disarmament or declare him a public enemy of the state. But Nero was pushed by the die-hard republicans to act openly against Caesar Asiaticus. In the first days of January 49 BC the Roman Senate declared the state of emergency, putting the complete leadership to the consuls, which effectively meant Nero. Caesar was commanded to disarm and return to Rome.
A few days later Caesar was presented the news. He withdrew in solitude for a few hours pondering his options. Declaring that he was hurt in his “dignitas” he told his legions that he would march against Rome. After fighting for nearly a decade in Asia the Roman soldiers and Caesar were bound by a tight band of military friendship unlike any other. Thus they were willing to march with Caesar, even if that meant the biggest constitutional crime they could commit.

On the 27th of January Caesar landed with two legions in Cannae in Italy. The great civil war had begun. Nero was caught by surprised at the speed and amount of troops Caesar landed close to Rome. This military invasion was a logistical masterstroke of it’s time and “landing at Cannae” had become a proverb for a point of no return.


Caesar (on the right) landing in Cannae, starting the great civil war

At the same time when Caesar landed in Italy, grim news came from the east. The Parthians had started to invade the Roman province of Syria, which started the Roman-Parthian wars, which would last for centuries. But we will discuss this conflict in another chapter of this book.

Meanwhile Caesar immediately started to move his troops to Rome and the speed of the attacker was something Nero had not counted on. Against heavy protests by the Senate he decided to take his 2nd legion and flee to Gaul, where he still had many allies. While Dolabella was protesting that they presented Rome as a gift to Caesar, Nero was fully aware that Caesars legions were better trained and experienced, making it unlikely to defeat him on Italian ground. Nero had to find allies in Gaul and potentially in Spain.


An uncertain attacker.

On the the 6th of February Caesar entered Rome without meeting any resistance. Most of the Senate had flown to Gaul, leaving only a few Senators inside the city. But when Caesar started to deal in politics, many were surprised that he didn’t do the same like Silanus. There were no prosecution, no violence and no lex Iunus de proscreptione like in 79 BC. Caesar immediately let the Senate appoint him with dictatorial powers, he declared snap elections and got elected as consul. A day later he gave up his position as dictator. Caesar had achieved without shedding blood what the civil war was all about in the first place.


Caesar in Rome. It was the first time after 10 years he had entered the city.

For the rest of the year the new consul remained in Italy and reorganised his troops. Nero in the meantime reached Massalia in southern Gaul, preparing for the inevitable battle.
In early 48 BC Caesar finally left Rome with his legions to pursue Nero. In the meantime Nero withdrew further to the north to the Aedui tribe, hoping to gain help from his allies he made in 66 BC during his campaign against the Arverni. Caesar had now reached Massalia and for assisting Nero he stripped its status as an independed allied state which it had since 235 BC. The city was now part of the Roman province Galia Narbonensis.


Nero(left) withdrawing from Massalia, Caesar (right) chasing after him.


Massalia looses its independence.

For the moment it seemed that Neros tactic of withdrawing from Italy was actually paying off. The Aedui accepted the call for help, and all in all Nero could muster nearly 60.000 men, which was twice as much Caesar had.


Deadlock. Nero fortifies his position near Gergovia.

This put Caesar in a difficult position, as the governors in Spain declared their support for Nero. If Caesar would attack Nero now his chances of wining were not the best, if he would wait for more reinforcements the troops from Spain might reach Nero and he would be heavily outnumbered and returning to Rome would undermine Caesars authority. Once again Caesar had to make a tough decision.

[Roka]

finally managed to catch up with this, excellent work as usual