Chapter 29: Face to Face (2)
Chapter 29: Face to Face (2)
“I have something to improve? Not just Crassus, but me too?”
“Yes.”
Marcus answered without hesitation. Pompey looked intrigued.
“What is it? I honestly have no clue.”
“Of course. You have everything, Pompey: a prestigious family, a self-made reputation, and unmatched skills in Rome. But because of that, you are overlooking one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Legitimacy.”
“Is that so? I thought you would say something different. You sound just like the old men in the Senate.”
Pompey showed signs of boredom, having heard similar arguments many times before. To make his point clearer, Marcus offered a concrete example.
“You have received many exceptions based on your abilities and achievements. You were granted imperium in your twenties and became consul without holding the usual offices first. Your popularity is at its peak now, so it might not be a problem, but you’re giving them excuses.”
“Excuses? What excuses? Do you think they can drag me down with something like that?”
“They might not be able to drag you down entirely. The Senate doesn’t have that power right now. But they can make things difficult. If they view you as a serious threat to the Republic, they won’t hesitate to use any means available. You should avoid giving them unnecessary excuses.”
“A threat to the Republic? Do you really think they are that foolish?”
Pompey had no ambition to become a dictator like Sulla or Marius. His motive was not power but glory. Most senators, including Crassus, didn’t know this. Pompey’s goal was not power but to achieve the highest positions and leave a lasting legacy, like becoming the youngest proconsul and consul.
The Senate didn’t understand this, and even if Pompey explained it, they wouldn’t accept it. They viewed him through the lens of his association with the Optimates and Sulla. If he had been a Populares, there might have already been bloodshed.
Marcus pointed out the problem.
“If you’re satisfied with where you are and don’t want to achieve more, there’s no issue. But if you aim for something greater, the Senate will likely view you as a threat. History has proven that.”
“Are you talking about Africanus…?”
“Yes. Whether or not you intend to threaten the Republic, your very existence could be seen as a threat to the oligarchy.”
The Senate had always restrained Scipio Africanus, not out of jealousy but out of fear that his enormous presence might negatively impact the Republic. Scipio was legally innocent but was eventually excluded from politics and lived out his days in the countryside. Some accounts say he left a will stating, “Ungrateful fatherland, you will not have my bones.” This betrayal and despair deeply affected Pompey.
Pompey, confident but cautious, acknowledged the risk.
“That makes sense. But the Senate now is different from the Senate then. Back then, they could maintain Mediterranean hegemony without Africanus. There was no Hannibal-like threat. Now, without me, they can’t even manage Lepidus or Sertorius. How could they think of excluding me?”
“That’s true for now. But if you accomplish more, fewer enemies of Rome will be left. Lepidus and Sertorius are already history.”
“So, you’re saying I need to lay low for a while?”
“That’s one approach, but considering your temperament, it’s unlikely. It doesn’t make sense for Pompey Magnus to be cautious and restrained by the old foxes in the Senate. That shouldn’t happen.”
Pompey leaned in, intrigued by Marcus’s words.
“Right. I can’t and shouldn’t be concerned with the old foxes in the Senate. So, what do you suggest I do?”
“It’s simple. You need to reduce the excuses they can use against you. Your weakness is that you’ve received too many privileges without the legal qualifications. You need to change that.”
“Change the law? How?”
“Lower the eligibility requirements. Instead of eliminating them altogether, just lower the age limit by about five years. This way, you won’t appear to have bypassed the age limit to become consul. You’ll already have the Senate’s approval as a former consul.”
In ancient Rome, revised laws often applied retroactively. Pompey found Marcus’s suggestion reasonable but had practical concerns.
“Sulla recently tightened the eligibility requirements for the Senate. I doubt such an amendment would pass. The Senate would oppose it vehemently.”
“Of course, the Senate would reject it, and if you propose it yourself, they won’t be pleased either. So, you need to use the assembly.”
Pompey, though lacking political acumen, understood Marcus’s strategy. Rome had many laws passed through the assembly despite Senate opposition. The Hortensian Law allowed the assembly to override the Senate’s rejection of bills, a principle used by the commoners against the Senate. Sulla had abolished it to strengthen Senate authority, which angered the commoners.
“So you want to revive the Hortensian Law…?”
“Yes. You have strong support from the people right now. If you revive this law, the Senate won’t be able to touch you for a while.”
“But don’t you need Senate consent to revive the Hortensian Law? The Senate is the only legislative body now. If they oppose it, there’s no way around it.”
“They can’t oppose it. The republican system requires cooperation between citizens and nobles for Rome to thrive. The assembly has become ineffective, and citizens’ anger is growing. If you propose reviving the Hortensian Law, the Senate will struggle to oppose it.”
Pompey nodded, understanding the plan. If the citizens’ suppressed desires were unleashed, it would be difficult for the Senate to dissent without using force, which was not feasible at the moment. Even some senators preferred not to oppress the people too much.
“Reviving the Hortensian Law and lowering the age limit for public offices through the assembly is a tempting proposal. But why are you telling me this?”
“Because I want to see Rome advance. A rigid Senate monopolizes power, and that’s detrimental to the Republic’s future. And for my father’s sake, you need to stay healthy too.”
Pompey’s eyes gleamed sharply. He chuckled and took another sip of wine.
“Right. If I disappear, the Senate might turn on Crassus next. He may seem to be on good terms with them now, but who knows what will happen if I’m gone. I appreciate your honesty. The more I see you, the more I like you.”
“I’m honored to be able to help someone I respect.”
“You’ve given me good advice, so I’ll grant you one wish within reason. Is there anything you’d like from me?”
After a brief pause, Marcus replied confidently.
“I’d like to serve in your army someday.”
“That’s easy enough, but why?”
“Because it’s a place where glory is promised.”
Pompey laughed heartily and patted Marcus on the shoulder.
“You’re really likable. Fine. I don’t know when it will be, but if I get another chance to lead an army, I’ll take you as my aide. I promise.”
“Thank you.”
Seeing the positive mood, Marcus presented Pompey with a gift he had prepared in advance: a statue depicting Pompey defeating Sertorius.
Pompey, already in high spirits, was delighted and ordered the statue to be displayed in his house immediately.
Afterward, they chatted about various topics. Pompey soon bid farewell and returned to the banquet hall. Marcus watched him leave with a smile, knowing everything had gone according to plan.
He didn’t offer this advice merely to please Pompey. Historically, the Hortensian Law would be revived by Pompey. However, Marcus wanted to ensure it happened under the current circumstances to avoid any deviations from history. Lowering the age limit for public officials would expedite his own entry into public office.
Pompey and Crassus, despite their rivalry, were interdependent. Marcus aimed to benefit both Pompey and himself by working in this direction.
In Pompey’s luxurious garden, Marcus enjoyed the fragrant wine, savoring the moment as his plans began to take shape.
Three days later, Marcus took Septimus and Danae to Subura. The streets were bustling as usual.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes. He lives around here. We should head this way.”
Septimus skillfully navigated the complex streets and led them to a building that appeared decent but had various construction tools scattered around.
Marcus pointed to a young man working in front of the building.
“Is that him?”
“Yes.”
The young man, appearing to be in his early twenties, was busy with a tool. Wooden boards that looked like blueprints were beside him.
“Are you Vitruvius Pollio?”
At Marcus’s high-class query, the young man quickly stood up and nodded.
“Yes, I am Vitruvius Pollio. Who are you?”
“I’m Marcus Licinius Crassus II. Nice to meet you, Vitruvius.”
“Crassus? Do you mean the Crassus family, the one with the new consul…?”
Marcus nodded, and Vitruvius adjusted his clothes hastily, bowing politely.
“I’m curious about why you’re here…”
“I heard you have outstanding skills.”
Vitruvius was renowned as a future architect and engineer. Caesar had recognized his talent and employed him as a military engineer during the Gallic campaign, and Augustus also supported him financially. His work on architecture would greatly influence future eras, including the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
At this point, however, Vitruvius was a promising young architect, and Marcus wouldn’t miss the chance to engage with him.
He smiled kindly and jingled a pouch of silver coins.
“Work with me on something.”