Chapter 43: Julia Caesaria (2)
Chapter 43: Julia Caesaria (2)
“Have we met somewhere before?” Marcus asked, puzzled.
Julia smiled and replied, “Don’t you remember?”
Marcus scrutinized Julia’s face, feeling a vague sense of familiarity but unable to pinpoint when or where they might have met. She was striking enough that he should remember her clearly, yet he couldn’t recall the exact details.
‘Did we just pass by each other briefly? No, that doesn’t seem right either.’
If that were the case, Julia wouldn’t have recognized him so warmly. Her greeting suggested they had interacted enough to remember each other.
Caesar, also taken aback, looked between them with surprise.
“What, did you two already know each other?”
Julia answered with a bright smile. “Didn’t I tell you before? Three years ago, when father returned from Britannia to Rome, I had a bit of an embarrassing incident.”
“Oh, the one where you bumped into someone in front of the Colosseum? I remember you mentioned that, but I wondered how you could act that way since you’re not that kind of girl.”
Caesar had spent more time in exile than in Rome during his youth. After defying the dictator Sulla, he wandered Asia Minor for four years. Julia saw her father for the first time when she was four. When Caesar returned to Rome at twenty-two, he opened a law office but failed. After losing to Hortensius in the Dolabella trial, he went into exile again at twenty-four. Caesar spent three years in Greece before returning to Rome as a priest.
Julia, though precocious, was thrilled as her father's return approached. She went out to buy a gift for him and bumped into someone in the crowded area, falling to the ground.
As Marcus heard the mention of the Colosseum, he suddenly remembered. A few years ago, while overseeing the revised gladiator games, he had helped a girl who had bumped into him and fallen. The girl, unusually mature for her age, must have grown into the young woman before him.
“So you were that girl from back then… Haha, what a coincidence. I never imagined I’d see you again like this.”
“Neither did I. I didn’t expect to meet you again in this way,” Julia replied.
Caesar, understanding the situation, glanced between Marcus and Julia.
“So, you were talking about the kind nobleman who helped you back then? If this is fate, then it is fate. Why don’t you two catch up? Honey, let’s go to our room and have our own conversation.”
Caesar also spoke to Spartacus, who was standing guard by Marcus’s side.
“You’re the famous Spartacus, right? I’ve seen some of your matches, and there’s no one in Rome who can match you. How about you come with me and share some of your stories?”
Spartacus looked at Marcus, who nodded in agreement. Spartacus followed Caesar inside, leaving Marcus and Julia alone. Julia shook her head slightly in embarrassment.
“Father is really… He’s quite obvious. I’m sorry if you were uncomfortable.”
“No, it’s fine. This is how these situations usually unfold.”
When Caesar first met Marcus, he asked if he had a fiancée. Upon learning that he did not, Caesar had extended an invitation to his home. Marcus had anticipated this kind of situation, though he hadn't expected Caesar’s daughter to be so striking or that they would already know each other.
Marcus smiled faintly and added, “I’m surprised you remembered me so clearly after our brief encounter three years ago.”
“To you, I might have seemed like just a little girl who bumped into you, but it was a very embarrassing moment for me. I’ve never been so clumsy before…”
“I understand. Anyone would be excited about their father returning after several years.”
“But it was almost like a first impression, and I was worried you might think I was a brat.”
Marcus’s eyes sparkled. Julia had seemed calm and dignified for her age back then, and now she appeared even more so.
“A brat? No, you were already composed and graceful back then. And you still are. How old are you now?”
“I’m turning twelve soon.”
“I’m about to have my coming-of-age ceremony, so we’re five years apart. But you’re so mature that the age difference doesn’t feel significant.”
If she was turning twelve soon, she would be just a middle schooler in modern times. Yet her demeanor and the aura she projected felt almost adult.
“It’s because father was hardly ever home when I was young. And although we were nobles, we weren’t very wealthy. Maybe I had no choice but to grow up quickly.”
“You had an environment that forced you to mature.”
Marcus empathized deeply with her situation, perhaps because he remembered his own past, where he had to handle everything on his own. He felt a strange kinship with the girl who was smiling with a hint of bitterness.
“But I don’t resent my father. It’s thanks to him that I can live the way I do now.”
“Well, that’s true,” Marcus agreed.
Caesar’s wife, Cornelia, was the daughter of Cinna, a prominent leader of the populares. When Sulla seized power and sought to eliminate the populares, he aimed to remove Caesar as well. However, Caesar was only eighteen at the time, and being a notable nobleman, many petitions were made to spare his life.
Conscious of public opinion, Sulla agreed to spare Caesar on the condition that he divorce his wife. Even those who wanted Caesar eliminated considered this a reasonable demand. With the populares dismantled and Cinna already dead, Caesar had little reason to remain tied to his wife.
To everyone’s surprise, Caesar firmly refused Sulla’s order. Sulla, enraged, sought to kill Caesar, who then fled abroad. Sulla had already executed more than five thousand people on his proscription list without exception. An inexperienced eighteen-year-old confronting such a ruthless dictator was unprecedented.
Julia explained, “Father said he couldn’t leave mother, who was pregnant at the time, but I believe there was another reason as well. Regardless, mother is very grateful to him for that, and so am I.”
“I see. Caesar has always been unique,” Marcus said.
“That’s why he has so much debt and still lives so recklessly,” Julia added, hinting at her mixed feelings.
Despite her love and appreciation for her father, Julia had her grievances. As his daughter, she resented him for leaving her mother and engaging with other married women.
“He is indeed quite free-spirited,” Marcus agreed.
“I wish he would tone down his confidence a little. Still, he’s a respectable father. He’s surprisingly attentive at home—he personally checks my studies and we often discuss various topics. We even debate and exchange opinions.”
Julia’s education was influenced significantly by her grandmother, Aurelia, who came from a renowned scholarly family. While Roman women typically received only basic education, Aurelia had knowledge surpassing that of many noble men.
Marcus's respect for Julia grew. Not only was she beautiful, but her modest personality and intelligence also impressed him.
Above all, it was a significant advantage that Julia possessed the intellectual level to engage in debates with Caesar.
Naturally, as a twelve-year-old, she couldn’t match Caesar in a debate. He was likely providing her with advanced education to nurture her talents.
“I’m curious about the topics you discuss with Caesar. Do you also talk about politics or military affairs?” Marcus asked.
“I’m not well-versed in military matters, so we mostly focus on politics or social issues. Recently, we’ve discussed the Verres trial and Cicero. Oh, and we also talk about you sometimes.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Father is very interested in you, which has naturally made me curious about who you are.”
Julia’s genuine interest was clear. Her smile, sincere and unpretentious, was a refreshing change from the seductive charm of Danae. Marcus didn’t mind her curiosity; in fact, he found it endearing.
He enjoyed their lively conversation, which spanned a variety of topics and lasted well into the night. It was a satisfying experience both publicly and privately.
※※※※
Even after Marcus left, Caesar’s mansion remained busy. While Cornelia instructed the servants to clean up, Caesar sat down with Julia.
The friendly smile that had seemed somewhat exaggerated earlier had vanished.
Julia spoke first. “You look more natural with that expression. I wonder if Marcus thought the same.”
“It was a deliberate act to influence his perception. I needed to present myself in a certain way, considering we’ll be working together for a long time. I also needed to appear less formidable to make him feel more comfortable.”
“I see. I was puzzled by your seemingly awkward behavior, but it was all part of your plan.”
“Marcus likely saw through it, but the key is whether he understood my intentions. As long as he grasped that, I’m not concerned.”
Julia’s eyes narrowed slightly. Her remaining innocence made her uncomfortable with the calculated nature of such interactions.
Caesar gently comforted his daughter, recognizing her discomfort and offering reassurance.
“You don’t need to worry about these things. People have different temperaments. You’re wise but not malicious, so you might not align well with such tactics. Just treat people the way you’d like to be treated, and everyone will appreciate you.”
“I’m not trying to win people’s favor through my interactions.”
“But you have a remarkable talent for reading people. In some ways, you might be more perceptive than I am. That’s why I intentionally paired you with Marcus.”
Julia had already suspected this, so she nodded with an indifferent expression.
“I had guessed as much. I was also interested in him, so it didn’t bother me.”
“How did you find him after your conversation?”
Julia answered without hesitation.
“He was impressive in both character and ability. I can see why you value him so much.”
“Was there anything unusual?”
“It’s not so much unusual, but I found him to be a very dangerous person.”
“Dangerous? Didn’t you say his personality was fine?”
Julia paused to find the right words before continuing.
“Dangerous doesn’t mean he’s violent or deceptive. He’s fundamentally kind and rational. But he’s also very polished and detached. If you assume that’s all there is to him, you might make a serious error. His values seem quite different.”
“Everyone has different values.”
“Yes. But during our conversation, there were times when I couldn’t read his true self at all. I think it would be wise not to rely on him until you fully understand him.”
Caesar understood Julia’s point. The most challenging type of person to deal with isn’t necessarily the clever or scheming one, but rather the one who doesn’t behave as expected. Such individuals are often the most unpredictable and dangerous.
If Marcus was indeed such a person, it would be wise to proceed with caution, given his background and abilities. Even if considered an ally, he could potentially be offended unknowingly.
“I’ll take your advice into account. However, this might affect one of my plans…”
“Are you referring to a political marriage?”
“Did you know about that?”
“It would be odd if I didn’t.”
Julia didn’t seem very displeased. Most marriages of the time were political, and a political marriage didn’t necessarily mean unhappiness. Objectively speaking, Marcus would make a good match, and it would be unreasonable to complain.
“I was considering marrying you to either Pompey or Marcus, though I hadn’t made a final decision,” Caesar said.
“Pompey? I thought he was already married.”
“Oh, well… He might divorce her soon.”
Julia gave Caesar a pointed look, noticing he avoided the question. A sigh escaped her lips.
“Father, don’t tell me you…”
Caesar turned his head slightly, avoiding Julia’s gaze.
“That’s something you don’t need to know yet.”
“I’m really glad I don’t have to go to school. You had an affair with Claudia’s mother before, and I was so embarrassed I couldn’t look Claudia in the eye.”
“Hmm… We can discuss that later. For now, consider which of the two candidates you prefer.”
Julia shook her head with resignation, knowing that Caesar’s womanizing wouldn’t change no matter what she said.
“If you want my opinion, I think Marcus is a better choice than Pompey.”
“Didn’t you say earlier that Marcus was dangerous?”
“Yes. Pompey is undoubtedly a hero of unparalleled stature. But Marcus is more unpredictable, and that intrigues me.”
“Yeah, I agree. Marcus seems like the better choice for the long-term.”
Caesar planned to secure Marcus as an ally through marriage, but there was a complication.
He rubbed his eyes with his fingers and continued.
“Marcus is different from Pompey, who can be managed with flattery and appeals to his pride. You might find yourself being manipulated by him instead.”
Julia, mature and knowledgeable beyond her twelve years thanks to Caesar’s education, understood the complexity of the situation.
Caesar’s careful training of Julia wasn’t without purpose. He had long recognized that she inherited his exceptional qualities. While he couldn’t name her as his successor because she was a daughter, she was still a significant asset who could assist him greatly. He made sure she was well-prepared to maintain her influence in any marriage, regardless of her spouse. However, if she married Marcus, that advantage might be lessened. Caesar decided to give more thought to his choice between Marcus and Pompey.
As the tumultuous year of 70 BC drew to a close and the new year began, Rome was abuzz with major news: Lucullus, the general fighting in the east, had finally captured the Armenian capital, Tigranocerta. Reports indicated that Tigranes had commanded an army of over 100,000, which was defeated by Lucullus’s much smaller force of fewer than 20,000. Lucullus, a rising star in the military, continued his victorious campaign, advancing all the way to the Caspian Sea.
With the eastern region showing signs of stabilization, the momentum of the pirates waned, and the price of wheat began to plummet. Wheat imported from Sicily caused the price in Rome to fall by almost half. Most Romans expected the price to drop even further once the east was fully pacified. Given Lucullus’s impressive victories, no one anticipated he would lose. As a result, people didn’t bother storing wheat and instead consumed it freely.
Seeing an opportunity, Marcus decided it was time to act. His extensive network of warehouses across the country had been completed. He instructed Septimus to deliver a letter to Tadius, his wheat buyer.
“Send this to Tadius. Instruct him to start buying immediately.”
“How much wheat are we purchasing?” Septimus asked.
“All of it,” Marcus replied succinctly.
Author's Note:
The story of the eastern campaign will continue in the next chapter, which will include a map for clarity.
The map, sourced from Best’s blog on Daum, shows Mithridates VI, the king of Pontus, who had been a persistent adversary of Rome since Sulla’s time. He is now at war with Lucullus, who was once under Sulla’s command. Lucullus had defeated Pontus and then advanced into Armenia. The current situation is that he has nearly destroyed Armenia and has pushed up to the Caspian Sea, which is shown on the map.