Rise of the Scipii

[Horseman]

Chapter 9 – The 1st elections (summer 266bc)

There was much activity in and around the Scipio Villa in Messena. Unexpectedly Aulus had announced that he intended to wed and had asked for permission from his father to do so as soon as possible. Cornelius Scipio was happy for his youngest son, not only was the girl Fulvia pretty (although maybe a touch young for his own tastes) but she was also extremely caring. Only recently Aulus had again fallen sick, Fulvia had stayed with him throughout this time and had helped nurse him back to health. Further more such an occasion was all the excuse that Cornelius needed to summon all his family back to Messena.

Quintus Scipio had left Syracuse only several days ago. The going was slow as he travelled with his family as well as his older brother’s wife and younger children. He had mixed feelings. On one hand he always looked forward to these occasions, he would have a chance to drink into the night with his father and brothers which these days were far too rare an occurrence. On the other hand the plot to capture certain rebellious characters in Syracuse was coming to its conclusion. Still he trusted in Alexander and to a lesser extent his fathers favourite spy Aulus to see it through.

Cornelius was finding it hard to concentrate, by the end of today all his sons would again be with him in Messena. “I’m sorry Cornelius, am I boring you?” Cornelius caught that and looked sheepishly at his old friend and mentor Julianus, “Sorry old friend, I’m just thinking of the wine that will be consumed over the next few days” Julianus grinned, “Well maybe today isn’t the day to be going over these report, there’s nothing we can’t pick up next week” Cornelius was glad, “Shall we start on the wine whilst we wait for the others?”

Several hours later Julianus Scipio along with his eldest son Flavius arrived at the Villa, “Drinking so early in the day father?” Even as Cornelius thought of suitable retort Julianus the elder spoke up, “Well young man, we thought it sporting to start early to at least give you youngsters a chance of lasting longer than us before passing out” The group fell about laughing. Aulus rushed to join them as soon as he heard his older brother had arrived, he had exiting news that he couldn’t wait to tell. The brothers embraced before the news was shared, “Father has placed me in command of the 2nd Legion” Julianus was surprised, Aulus had never really shown any real talent for military command and his sickness would prevent him from much activity during campaign, still he wasn’t about to second guess his father or show anything but support for his younger brother, “Well its about time” he turned to his father, “Campaigning with the army is hardly a job for an old man” Cornelius felt obliged to defend himself, “Well its not that I am incapable, more that I just don’t have the time to get down to the barracks regularly. And it’s good for the men to see their commander once in a while!” Julianus understood the decision, the 2nd Legion was based in Messena and was unlikely to take to the field anytime soon, not with the 1st and 3rd ready for action at any rate. But it gave Aulus something to do and made him feel like he was doing something for the family.

In Syracuse Alexander the Greek couldn’t believe it, “Aulus we had a hundred men surrounding the place so how in Jupiter’s name did the scum get away?” Aulus shrugged, “Looks like he had a bolt hole, it leads to a small opening in the west wall so at least it looks like he is no longer in the city” Small consolation thought Alexander, Quintus would not be happy. His personal desire to see the Carthaginian spy captured had escalated when he read some of the graffiti scrawled over the walls of the city, “Well I’m sending riders out to scour the country side, and someone get that gap in the walls filled in”

Gaius Scipio woke to find someone pounding on his door, it did not help that his head was a little sore. He’d been in Messena for a week now and he figured he’d drunk enough wine to last the rest of his life. Still he was together with his father and brothers so rarely now and it made a pleasant change to the company of old and conservative senators. “Ok, ok, I’m awake, what is it?”
“Message from Rome master Gaius” That was Julianus, his fathers old friend and as close to an uncle as Gaius knew. He forced himself to his feet and once he found his balance he moved to open the door to his chambers, “How long is this master rubbish going to last?” Julianus chuckled, “Well you ARE the Quaestor now. Surely I should show due respect?” Gaius took the parchment and fixed Julianus with the meanest stare he could muster, “Well ok then, I order you to stop this master business” Julianus gave a short bow before he turned to leave, as he rounded the corner Gaius heard him break into laughter. Gaius shock his head and muttered to himself. He’d been had, Julianus was just having fun at his expense. He remembered the parchment and opened it up. One hour later he was on a ship bound for Capua. An army of the Greek alliance had landed in southern Italy and whilst he expected the Brutii to be able to deal with it he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Cornelius and Julianus at last caught up on the briefing that had been interrupted earlier in the month. The treasury was not as healthy as it once was and profits were down. This was partially due to increased military wages as the Legions were slowly brought up to strength so it was not a great blow. Gaius had of course bought a full list of the recent Senatorial elections. There weren’t any great shocks. Tiberius Brutus (head of the Brutii family) had advanced his position and was now Aedile, this didn’t please Cornelius but at least his son was now in a position to support the Scipii in the inner circle. The position of Praetor had gone to Marsias of Pythion. The new Consul was Marcus Maxentius. The Censor was Publius Maxentius and the Pontifex Maximus was Lysippos of Same. None of these men were affiliated with any of the three great families so could be relied upon to be at least somewhat impartial.

“One last thing, we have at last received word from Quintus Caecus. He has sent detailed reports of the world he has seen. Most importantly he has sent detailed maps of Macedonian and Thracian lands as well as a promise from both kingdoms to treat traders bearing the mark of the Scipii with due respect”
Cornelius smiled, “That’s good, though I don’t see too many of our sponsored traders going that far a field it could prove useful in the future” Julianus nodded in agreement, “Oh he also reports that the barbarians of Dacia and Scythia are fighting amongst themselves, doesn’t really concern us at this point but it might be an opportunity for the Brutii to exploit?” Cornelius shock his head, “Maybe in several years time. The Brutii have barely secured control of Epirus at the moment so I can’t see them moving that far north for a long time” Julianus wasn’t going to argue the point, “And finally it appears he heard a rumour that Parthia has attacked Seleucid lands” Well if the Seleucid empire was half as big as he had heard that might be a good thing in the years to come thought Cornelius.

Tertius thanked Neptune for the storms that had halted the Carthaginian pursuit of his fleet and thanked him again for sparing his ship from the storms wrath. As ordered he had initiated a blockade of the port of Carthage. For four days all had gone well. On the fifth the Carthaginian navy came to break the blockade. A full half of his ships had been sunk, either in battle or by the storms that followed, the remainder were badly damaged but had managed to remain together and now limped towards friendly waters, he hoped this time they wouldn’t be sent back out without further reinforcing.