Chapter 57: The Aftermath of the Incident (1)
Chapter 57: The Aftermath of the Incident (1)
The Senate was in near panic after the shocking election results. With the newly elected consuls out at the temple for their worship that day, the meeting lacked their presence, leading to a heated debate from the start.
“How could Catiline be elected consul? What did the Senate do!”
“You’re a senator too! What did you do?”
“What, you? Are you blaming me now?”
The atmosphere was so tense it seemed a physical altercation might break out.
Unable to tolerate the chaos any longer, Cicero stood up and shouted anxiously.
“What’s the point of arguing over who’s to blame now? When I proposed a vote to ban Catiline from running in the first place, what choice did you make? You all overwhelmingly agreed then. This is a collective responsibility for the Senate. Am I wrong?”
Cicero’s words caused the bickering senators to feel chastened and take their seats again. As the meeting calmed down, Cicero took a deep breath and continued.
“Honorable senators, let me reiterate: this is not the time for internal conflict. We must decide on our course of action while Catiline is absent.”
Even Cato, who usually clashed with Cicero, found himself in agreement this time. Cato took the floor, his voice echoing through the chamber.
“The consul is right! Catiline has won the election with a pledge that disregards Roman law. We cannot allow such an absurd bill as debt cancellation to be proposed.”
Claudius Pulcher, who had just arrived, looked puzzled and asked, “But even if Catiline tries to push through such a bill, won’t it be blocked? Silanus can exercise his veto, and if not him, then one of the tribunes will. This seems like an overreaction…”
A few senators seemed to agree with Pulcher, but Cato rubbed his forehead in frustration.
“Are there still those who don’t grasp the seriousness of the situation? Let me make it clear: the problem isn’t just the possibility of a bill passing. The issue is that such a bill as debt cancellation is even proposed!”
“…So, the problem is the proposal itself?”
“Precisely. Have you forgotten what happened during the Gracchi brothers’ time?”
Most senators nodded in understanding. The Gracchi brothers had tried to reform land laws, facing fierce opposition from the Senate. The tribune’s legislative power allowed them to confront the Senate directly.
Ultimately, the Senate had resorted to an emergency measure called the senatus consultum ultimum to stop the Gracchi brothers. This decree suspended all rights of Roman citizens under the guise of protecting the republic, affecting even the inviolable tribunes.
The Senate had used the senatus consultum ultimum to execute the Gracchi brothers and their supporters without trial. This decree was an extralegal authority not specified in Roman law.
Senators who were knowledgeable in legal matters hoped that this authority would not be invoked again. Using the senatus consultum ultimum against consuls, who were representatives of the Senate, seemed especially absurd.
Cicero, a knowledgeable representative of the Senate, took over from Cato with a worried expression.
“What’s even more serious than during the time of the Gracchi brothers is that someone proposing such an absurd bill is now a consul. What do you think will happen if a bill like this is proposed in the name of the consul, Rome’s highest office?”
Pulcher, somewhat convinced, raised one final objection. “But it’s different from the Gracchi brothers’ time. The land law had overwhelming support from the commoners, but debt cancellation would only appeal to those who are in debt.”
“Think about the response from those in debt,” Cato replied sharply. “There are thousands struggling with debt in Rome. If the rumor spreads, debtors from across the Italian peninsula will come here.”
The senators’ faces hardened as they grasped the severity of the situation. It could indeed become a major social issue.
Cato, now furious, looked around at the senators who had finally recognized the gravity of the matter.
“Do you understand now? Until now, those with large debts probably felt they had no choice but to live with them. But now Catiline appears as a lifeline for them. They don’t care whether he’s corrupt or not. They’ll rush in at the first chance they get. Some of you here even live luxuriously on others’ money.”
Cato paused, then turned his gaze to Caesar. The other senators followed his lead, their attention shifting to Caesar.
A tense atmosphere filled the room. It became clear that it wasn’t just commoners who might side with Catiline. Nobles with debts could also secretly support him, and no one knew the extent of Caesar’s own debts.
The senators looked at Caesar, wondering if he too was aligned with Catiline.
In the midst of this uncomfortable scrutiny, Caesar calmly scratched his head with his finger. This only fueled Cato’s irritation.
“Do you have nothing to say because I’ve hit the nail on the head?” Cato demanded.
Cato’s disdain for Caesar went beyond political rivalry; there was also a personal grudge.
Cato, who viewed frugality as a virtue of the Stoic philosophy, saw Caesar as the embodiment of excess. He might have tolerated Caesar if he were like Crassus, who was wealthy from the start and had recently earned goodwill through charitable acts.
Caesar, as praetor, had organized impressive gladiator games and distributed wheat to citizens, but these were funded by others, not from his own resources. Cato was also displeased by Caesar's romantic involvement with his sister-in-law, Servilia. Despite having a husband, Servilia, the mother of Brutus, was infatuated with Caesar. Caesar, despite having a wife, indulged in this scandalous affair, which Cato found unacceptable.
Cato could not understand how such a man could have been elected as chief priest and then as praetor.
“Caesar, I know you have substantial debt, comparable to Catiline’s. I assume you would support his debt cancellation bill more than anyone else. Am I wrong?”
Caesar slightly furrowed his brow but remained calm, facing the senators' suspicious glances. He began to speak.
“It seems, my wise colleague Cato, that you are too agitated and have overlooked an important point. It is overly simplistic to assume that I would support debt cancellation simply because I am in debt myself.
In fact, people like me with significant debts cannot support such a radical bill. If the bill were to pass, do you think that creditors who are owed hundreds of thousands or even millions of sesterces would just relinquish their money because of a new law?”
Caesar turned to Crassus, who had been silent until now. “Crassus, would you write off the money you lent me if this bill passes?”
“Absolutely not. How much have I lent you? Do you think I’ll just let it go? I will recover it by any means necessary.”
Caesar nodded in satisfaction and then addressed Cato again. “You see, the passing of such a bill does not resolve everything. If this absurd law were enacted, Rome’s economy would collapse. Creditors deprived of their money would resort to armed force to recover their debts. Debtors would resist. People like me, who owe a significant amount, would find their lives in jeopardy. Given this likely outcome, do you think I would support Catiline’s actions?”
Cato was left speechless, unable to counter Caesar’s argument.
The other senators, having shifted their focus away from doubts, began discussing strategies to counter Catiline.
Lucullus, recently returned from the East and eager to engage, proposed a plan.
“I believe the best course of action is to invalidate Catiline’s election. Given how desperate he must have been, he may have committed some violations. If we investigate further, we might uncover some breaches of election law.”
Although Lucullus’s suggestion seemed reasonable, Cicero shook his head and sighed deeply.
“I’ve already conducted a thorough investigation for any violations as soon as Catiline was elected. He’s been very meticulous in his adherence to the law, despite his impractical promises. His campaign was conducted in a strictly conventional manner.”
“Hmm… So we have to watch him become consul?”
“Unfortunately, yes, for now. We must keep looking for any possible grounds to invalidate his election. Let’s mobilize all the censors to assist.”
Despite their discussion, no immediate solutions emerged. They could only hope for a breakthrough before Catiline’s term began next year.
The Senate hall was heavy with the sighs of senators grappling with their predicament.
Meanwhile, Marcus was deep in thought in his office, surrounded by Julia, Danae, and Septimius, all of whom wore expressions of disbelief.
Marcus tried to mask his confusion as he reviewed the situation.
‘How did this happen?’
He had anticipated various outcomes and prepared countermeasures, but he did not foresee such a significant change stemming from an unexpected event. The variable he had anticipated was at most Morena being convicted of election law violations, for which he was prepared to bribe witnesses to secure a not guilty verdict. He had never imagined that Morena would lose the election due to match-fixing.
‘Morena, if only he had stayed out of trouble.’
Excessive greed had ruined Morena’s fate and plunged Rome’s politics into chaos. Marcus was unsure how to address this new crisis.
Despite Marcus’s internal turmoil, his surroundings were surprisingly calm. Septimius, with a hint of surprise, smiled contentedly.
“Catiline has been elected consul, and the external situation is indeed chaotic. No one could have predicted this.”
Danae continued, “You must have anticipated this scenario, which is why you lent money to Catiline for the election, right?”
Marcus observed their reactions and saw that they genuinely believed this.
Julia, however, looked at him with a mixture of surprise and skepticism. “Did you really foresee this situation, Marcus? Is that why you mentioned that Rome’s politics would be chaotic after the election?”
Marcus silently praised himself for not revealing the entire plan. It was wise to suggest that the election results would cause waves and to be cautious.
With practiced ease, Marcus smiled and nodded. “Of course, I predicted everything. That’s why I lent money to Catiline.”
Julia’s eyes widened in admiration. “Wow…”
Danae shrugged as if she had already known.
“Even when Lucullus was winning battles in the East, you predicted that the price of wheat would skyrocket in a few years. You must have easily foreseen that something like this would happen.”
“Well, yes.”
Marcus took pride in maintaining his calm demeanor, a testament to his rigorous training.
“Then the future developments must also be well within your grasp. I’m curious about the grand scheme you have in mind this time,” Septimius said with reverence.
Despite his discomfort, Marcus couldn't reveal the truth. He needed to maintain his image as someone who perfectly controlled every situation. Admitting uncertainty was not an option now.
Danae, oblivious to Marcus’s internal struggle, asked a pressing question.
“What should we do now? We need to understand how the situation will unfold so we can act in a way that supports you.”
“Hmm… Well, I’d like to hear your thoughts first. How do you think Rome’s politics will play out?”
“I’m not sure. Many people believe Catiline will propose a debt cancellation bill, but I have doubts. Even if he does, the other consul or a tribune will likely veto it. It might be more practical to abandon an impossible bill than to keep pushing it.”
“No, that’s not it.”
Julia immediately countered Danae’s reasoning.
She explained to Danae, who looked puzzled, “Most of Catiline’s supporters are heavily in debt. Now that he’s become consul with their support, he has to keep them satisfied. If he ignores their demands after being elected, he risks being assassinated by his angry supporters.”
“Oh, I see. Since Catiline’s supporters are particularly intense, he has to listen to them…”
“If Catiline abandons his supporters, he has no future in politics. He faces two options: either confront the Senate or betray his supporters and end his political career. Most likely, he will choose to confront the Senate.”
Marcus agreed with Julia’s assessment. Catiline was already in a precarious position. He had no choice but to press forward, whatever the outcome.
“Julia is right. Catiline will have to push for the debt cancellation bill vigorously. This is the predetermined future.”
“Then there will be enormous social chaos. What is your plan, Marcus?” Julia asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for guidance.
Marcus was still weighing his options, uncertain which path to take.
Just then, an unexpected opportunity presented itself. A slave entered the office and announced a visitor.
“Sir, Catiline, the newly elected consul, requests an urgent meeting with you.”
“Really? Please bring him to the reception room immediately.”
Marcus hid his satisfaction and turned to Julia for permission.
“Let’s continue our discussion after I’ve seen to our guest.”
“Yes, I’ll use the time to consider your intentions.”
Marcus left the office and headed directly to the reception room.
Catiline, who had arrived earlier, appeared visibly agitated. His face lit up when he saw Marcus and he eagerly grabbed both of his hands.
“Thank you for taking the time to see me.”
“Thank you? You’re the one who’s been elected consul. I should be the one to make time for you, no matter how busy I am. Congratulations on your election, by the way.”
“Ah, yes… thank you very much. I wouldn’t be here without your support. I promise I’ll repay the money I borrowed from you.”
“Haha, as long as you repay me eventually, there’s no rush. Now, what did you want to discuss so urgently?”
Marcus had a general idea of Catiline’s troubles. It must be frustrating for him to be in such a situation, as Julia had guessed.
Catiline looked around cautiously, sighed deeply, and poured out his desperate plea.
“Please, I need your help.”