Chapter 104: The Guardian of the Mediterranean
Chapter 104: The Guardian of the Mediterranean
The meeting between Auletes and Marcus lasted less than five minutes.
Auletes, who had planned to complain extensively, fell silent after hearing Marcus’s first words.
“The Senate will do its best to help Pharaoh return to the throne of Alexandria. We will prepare a legion to escort Pharaoh and set sail next year. Please take care of your health until then.”
“...You will depart next year?” Auletes asked, surprised.
“Yes. This will be the last winter you spend in Rome. If there’s anything you need, please let me know.”
“Uh… well, okay.”
Having heard what he wanted to hear, Auletes had nothing more to say or ask. He was quickly pacified by Marcus and took a long rest at home for the first time in a while.
Of course, resting didn’t mean doing nothing. He still had work to attend to and, more importantly, he needed to spend time with his beloved children.
One challenge, however, was that the two children had completely different preferences when it came to activities.
His son, Trajanus, was active and playful, while his daughter, Sophia, preferred quiet games. As a result, Marcus often spent time with each child separately instead of playing with both at once.
Trajanus would come almost every day, holding a toy sword and begging to play soldier. He had long lost his initial shyness and awkwardness.
“I’m Spartacus! Daddy is a Gallic warrior!”
His voice was short, and his words fragmented as he swung his toy sword around. It was so cute that it was impossible not to smile.
“Wow, our little gladiator. Where did you hear the name Spartacus?”
“Danae told me! Spartacus, the best gladiator!”
“Really? Then do you know that the big man who came with daddy is Spartacus?”
“Huh? The big man?” Trajanus asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Yes, that big man is Spartacus.”
“Then I want to play gladiator with him today!”
Marcus smiled and followed his son, who ran off excitedly.
As he was about to write a letter to Septimius, he noticed a small figure peeking into his office. His expression softened at the sight of her adorable face.
He quickly tried to regain his relaxed smile and spoke in the kindest voice possible.
“You can come in.”
Sophia ran toward him as fast as she could, clearly eager to spend time with him.
“Sophia, I told you not to run,” Julia’s gentle voice called out behind her.
But Sophia didn’t slow down and threw herself at Marcus’s legs, almost losing her balance.
Marcus quickly lifted her into his arms and helped her sit on his lap. Her warmth filled him with contentment.
Sophia loved sitting on his lap while he worked. Sometimes, she’d even fall asleep there, and each time, Marcus felt an indescribable satisfaction.
“What did you come for today?” he asked, smiling at his daughter.
“Hehehe, I want to stay with daddy until dinner.”
“Wow, daddy is so happy. Do you want to stay with me even after dinner?”
“Didn’t you say you still have work to do?”
Julia gave him a helpless look, shaking her head.
Sophia looked up at Marcus with a pout.
“Daddy can’t work with Sophia?”
“Of course not! I can finish my work faster with you—uh, I mean, why are you saying things like that?”
“It’s not good for a child’s emotional development if you just agree to everything.”
“What are you talking about? Love is the best education.”
“Sigh, there’s no stopping you.”
Ignoring Julia’s sigh, Marcus kissed Sophia’s cheek several times, making her giggle.
“I have to go back to Egypt next year. So, I want to spend as much time as possible with the kids now.”
“Do you have a specific schedule?” Julia asked.
“No. The only thing decided is that we will depart next year. But soon Pompey and the Senate will coordinate the schedule.”
Marcus’s tone became more serious as he said this.
Sophia tilted her head and asked, “Daddy, where are you going again?”
“Huh? Well… this time we have to go to a place called Egypt in the south.”
“Why don’t you just tell someone else to go...?”
Sophia’s face looked so disappointed that Marcus couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by how adorable she was.
He hugged her tightly until they were called for dinner, kissing her lips several times.
Julia watched them with a gentle smile, feeling a sense of peace as she observed the bond between father and daughter.
No matter how complicated the world outside was, Marcus found comfort in these simple moments with his children. He silently vowed to give them the happiest future possible.
The Senate decided to adopt Crassus’s suggestion to march to Egypt. It was almost as if they had forced him into making a difficult choice, so it only made sense to honor his decision.
Moreover, the burden of raising an army was lighter than before.
Marcus had been receiving regular updates from the newly opened bank in Alexandria, which were then passed on to the Senate through Crassus.
Berenice, however, was alienating the people of Alexandria with her constant mismanagement. She ignored the farmers, abused the slaves, and prioritized her vanity over the welfare of the people or the state.
As a result, within two years, bandits ran rampant, and security collapsed. Yet, within the palace, lavish parties continued every night. Berenice flaunted her wealth, wearing all kinds of jewels, while the people—both commoners and the privileged—grew tired of her.
The influential people of Alexandria had originally planned to set up a puppet Pharaoh to line their own pockets. However, Berenice’s obsession with luxury and pleasure left her indifferent to their schemes. She refused to listen to the nobles, and even they began to feel a sense of urgency.
If things continued this way, they feared Egypt would collapse within ten years. Eventually, a group of moderate nobles secretly sent letters to Rome, urging that Auletes return to the throne.
Pompey acted swiftly upon hearing the news, even before the Senate could respond.
He officially declared his candidacy for next year’s consulship and announced that he would personally lead the legions.
The Senate was alarmed by Pompey’s actions. They knew that if Pompey ran, the outcome of the election was already decided.
To balance the power, the aristocrats offered Crassus a chance to run for consul as well, which he gladly accepted.
As expected, both men were elected consuls by overwhelming votes.
The issue now was determining who would receive the provinces of Egypt and Syria, and who would command the expeditionary force to Egypt.
Pompey, eager for honor, loudly insisted that he was the only one fit for the task.
“Alexandria’s citizens are proud. They obey authority, not force. I, Pompey Magnus, the reincarnation of Alexander, am the one who should lead the legions to pacify the East!” he declared.
However, the aristocrats, including Cicero and Cato, had no intention of granting Pompey any more favors.
The Egyptian expedition was more than just a matter of honor. If they restored Auletes as Pharaoh, he would naturally be loyal to Rome. It was an opportunity to make Egypt, with its vast grain fields, a de facto client state of Rome.
They could not afford to give Pompey control of Egypt, especially with Caesar successfully subduing Gaul.
Cicero raised his hand and requested to speak.
“Pompey’s argument may seem reasonable at first, but he is overlooking one thing: his reputation as a conqueror. Pompey has already subdued the entire East, destroying the Jewish kingdom and annexing the Seleucid dynasty. He is a symbol of Rome’s military might. How will the people of Alexandria react if he arrives with his legions?”
Cato echoed Cicero’s words.
“They would likely see him as a threat, believing he came to conquer them and turn them into a province.”
“That’s right,” Cicero continued. “While Alexandria’s citizens may be tired of Berenice, they do not want to become a Roman province. They want to retain their autonomy, and Pompey’s very presence would make them feel threatened.”
Pompey, clearly frustrated, retorted, “Are you suggesting they would resist Rome? Wouldn’t they be too fearful of becoming a province themselves to oppose us?”
Pompey was unwilling to budge on the matter, and he had already firmly informed Marcus of his stance beforehand. He had been greatly motivated by Caesar and Marcus’ achievements in Gaul. Contrary to the Senate’s concerns, Pompey was not interested in turning Egypt into a client state. He had little interest in complex political schemes. What he wanted was to restore his waning fame and remind Rome of his greatness as a general.
His desire only grew after the Senate decided the consuls' provinces. Crassus had succeeded in securing his demand and was promised the position of commander-in-chief of the East, with authority equal to that of Caesar. He would have command over three provinces in Asia Minor and could lead up to ten legions, with an unprecedented five-year term.
Pompey insisted that he, too, should receive equal authority, and the Senate, not finding any reason to deny him, agreed. Pompey’s next province would be Hispania.
But Hispania was a region where all conquests had already been completed, offering no opportunity for Pompey to gain fame. The region bordered Gaul to the north and east, which was Caesar’s domain, and there were no further conquests to make. Pompey’s desire for honor meant he felt he had no choice but to take charge of the Egyptian expedition.
The Senate could not ignore Pompey’s appeal, especially since public sentiment in Rome supported him. Crassus had a considerable reputation but was no match for Pompey when it came to military affairs. Marcus might have been an option, but he was not yet qualified to receive imperium.
After much deliberation, the Senate decided to postpone the final decision until the next meeting.
In the meantime, the aristocrats, who had been racking their brains, came up with a clever idea, one that had been subtly influenced by Marcus. It was clear that Pompey cared more for honor than for power.
At the following meeting, Cicero was the first to speak, confidently raising his voice.
“I know why the great Pompey is so interested in Egypt. Although Rome’s food production has increased, it can never compare to Egypt, which is blessed by the Nile. Securing Egypt’s stability is the surest way to safeguard Rome’s food security. Pompey must recognize this crucial mission. Am I correct?”
Pompey nodded approvingly, satisfied with Cicero’s subtle praise.
“Of course, Cicero. I’ve already eradicated the pirates and freed Rome from the threat of food shortages. Egypt is our most important food supplier, and I believe it’s only natural for me to go there and stabilize it.”
Cicero smiled and continued, “Indeed. But it’s more important to establish a systematic framework for long-term stability. I propose we pass a law ensuring Rome’s food supply. And, of course, the chief responsible for this effort should be none other than the great Pompey.”
Cicero’s proposal was to create a navy to safeguard the wheat supply from Asia Minor, Sicily, and Egypt. Rome had no regular navy; after the pirates were eliminated, their existing ships were rarely used. However, as a hegemonic power ruling the entire Mediterranean, a navy was still essential. Cicero argued that Pompey, having already proven his merit in securing the Mediterranean, should be given the position of naval commander-in-chief.
This title—“Guardian of the Mediterranean”—captured Pompey’s imagination. No Roman had ever held such a position, and Pompey was moved by the honor.
He briefly glanced at Marcus, silently asking if accepting this title would affect their alliance.
Marcus responded with enthusiastic applause, and Pompey, visibly touched, thanked the Senate with a choked voice. “I feel an immense responsibility for this unprecedented task. I, Pompey Magnus, will dedicate myself fully and will not disappoint the Senate’s expectations.”
The aristocratic senators applauded, though with their own hidden motives.
Pompey was now commander-in-chief of the navy and, by extension, the nominal commander of the expeditionary force to Egypt. However, the real leader of the expeditionary force was decided to be Marcus.
Pompey showed no dissatisfaction. The title of the first naval commander-in-chief in history was enough to satisfy his thirst for honor. Besides, he was still the official commander of the expedition, so he would gain credit for the campaign’s successes.
This outcome suited Pompey perfectly, as he valued honor over practical gains.
However, the Senate’s motives were less noble. They were interested in tangible results, not Pompey’s fame. They gave Pompey the naval command, knowing it would not be a powerful position but would provide them with a scapegoat should food supplies falter. Furthermore, they hoped to create tension between Pompey and Caesar, using this issue to their advantage.
Meanwhile, Marcus would gain the real benefits.
The details of the agreement were settled quickly. Marcus’s legion, under Pompey’s deputy command, would consist of three legions. He had twelve legions waiting in northern Italy and would form two additional ones. He immediately began organizing his forces to head for Egypt as soon as the new year began.
His swift action was a useful lesson he had learned from Caesar during the Gallic War: moving quickly and unpredictably gave him the initiative, shaking the enemy and keeping them off balance. This strategy applied not just in battle but also in dealing with people.
When news of the Roman army’s departure reached Alexandria, chaos erupted. Berenice, panicked, summoned her servants, but no satisfactory plan emerged. Public sentiment was at its worst, the military was ill-prepared, and even surrendering seemed futile.
In desperation, she called for Cleopatra and Arsinoe, hoping for their advice.
Arsinoe, shaking her head with a resigned look, said, “There’s nothing we can do. The Romans are too strong. Your best option is to rely on your supposed virtue as a pharaoh.”
“Are you mocking me?” Berenice asked sharply.
“Of course not,” Arsinoe replied. “You said you had a plan for this situation. Why not try it?”
Cleopatra, ever the optimist, agreed. “Exactly. You were so confident, so it must work.”
Berenice hesitated, remembering her earlier boast that she could seduce Marcus with her beauty. But she began to doubt whether such a strategy would work when he was bringing three legions.
Arsinoe and Cleopatra subtly provoked her.
“I’ve learned recently that men are irresistibly drawn to powerful women who show submission. It’s like magic,” Arsinoe said, smirking.
“Arsinoe’s right. Even if he’s from the Roman Senate, a man is still a man,” Cleopatra added.
Berenice scrutinized her sisters, sensing their hidden meanings, and made a decision.
“Fine. I’ll turn this crisis into an opportunity and solidify my power. If I can make Marcus mine, no one will dare oppose me.”
Determined, she changed into the traditional attire of a pharaoh, wearing only thin fabrics that left little to the imagination. She exuded an undeniable charm.
Looking at herself in the mirror, she smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. Let’s prepare to greet our guest.”
Arsinoe and Cleopatra wished her luck as she left, their expressions unreadable.