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Chapter Twelve: God's tantrum

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Earth -1819 IR0. dies Jovis Id. Sept. DCCLXVII a.u.c.

(11th of Septemberof the year 14)

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Rome – Curia Iulia – Augustus' Appearance in the Senate

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There had been rumors.

But when everything was told and said, there were always rumors.

One of them even hinted at Augustus' death in Nola. But that spicy part had been countered by the Emperor's arrival in Ostia. Not only had the Emperor been seen but he had even spoken with a few people on the Imperial wharf and the adjoining market place.

Clearly his trip to Nola had been good for his health since, should the witnesses have been trustworthy, he was all smile and was seen joking pleasantly with the people he met. He was also visibly tanned and had shown quite an energetic pace each time they had seen him walk. Which he has done quite liberally to every witness' great surprise.

The day after his arrival all the spies in whoever's service began to report that the Emperor was not only springier and straighter in his demeanor but very proactive and a lot more mobile than he had been before his departure.

The second day after his arrival the next layer of rumors, spread by servants and agents of the Emperor, did reach the Senators' mansions and the houses of the Roman equestrians. And those rumors were quite amazing.

One rumor said that a God had visited the Emperor in Niola and had bestowed him with renewed health and a portion of his forlorn youth. Which explained his current good health and the better shape he was showing.

And rumors being what they are people soon remembered other rumors from earlier months and years. Names like Darcius, Chinese Empire and Britannia came back into everybody's consciousness and soon fairy tales about Augustus having made a deal with the British Pantheon in exchange of not invading their Island were aghast all-around Rome.

And since the Emperor had refused to see anybody before his appearance in the Curia Iulia the rumors had increased and taken rather extraordinary forms.

So, as a result of the juicy rumors and in accordance with Augustus' wishes, all the Senators did answer to their ruler's call and were present this very morning. Even those who usually pretended to be too ill or too feeble to come out of their lairs were there in person and in company of their Heirs.

As a result, the Senate was packed full and the side talks were full of speculations, questions and an unerring fear that something about what has transpired was indeed true.

After a moment, horses hooves cracking onto the pavement could be heard and those sitting in front of the door were quite flabbergasted to see Emperor Augustus dismounting gracefully from a horse they didn't even recall he possessed and prance into the Curia like nobody remembered having seen him doing it before.

He sat on the Armchair that had been waiting for him and smiled at his fellow Senators. A smile that sent a a flow of ice along most backs.

- By the Gods you are all here today, it seems… Curious to see if the rumors were true, I suppose?

He wiggled his fingers in front of him in a way that spoke volumes that he no longer had painful arthritis in his hands.

- Some of them clearly are and who knows about the others? The fact to consider is that I'm here, quite in good health and very decided to go on leading Rome until the Empire's destiny is fulfilled!

He could see quite a few Senators' faced losing blood and growing pale.

He had done it on purpose and he was happy to see that most hadn't forgotten that the Emperor had been and could still be a huge pain in everybody's ass!

- Indeed, said he with a sarcastic smile, what happened once could very well happen once or two times more, couldn't it? We'll see, won't we?

He took a long breath and, like it was his habit, jumped immediately into the fray.

- I summoned you not only to show off with my new health and renewed youth but because we need to make a few decisions. Decisions that are necessary to ensure that the Empire has the funds it needs not only today but in the coming decades.

Augustus snickered when he saw even more frowns on the benches.

- You are right to be worried, today we will lay down the foundations that will provide the means to warrant the Empire' existence for the next two millennia.

As hoped quite a lot more faces grew pale.

- First point on my agenda will be the stupid prohibition stating that Senators and the members of their families are forbidden to deal with trade. I know most of you have found ways to go into trade nevertheless but you had to hide it and meddle with it secretly. Mostly by hiring straw men who do the trade for you, which is, as we all know a perfect way to be robbed by said straw men. So, it is time to eliminate a prohibition that has no longer any real reason to subsist.

He smiled at the assembly.

- My first proposal will be to give everybody within the Empire, whatever his origins and family, the right to enter the trading business to make money…

Claudius Ahenobarbus who was part of one of the most prestigious Roman families but who was also one of those who had, those last decades, lost most of their wealth, hence the need to sell his family heirloom in Capreae, lifted his hand and asked for the floor.

Augustus who quite liked the old fart, they had been childhood friends after all, nodded. And since Claudius had never fought against his Uncle or himself which, considering his Uncle and himself, was an exploit per se, he could afford to speak the truth.

- You can stay seated, Claudius, my friend, go on and give us your opinion about why the trading business should never be allowed to Senators…

Claudius sat back with a sigh and a smile.

- Thanks, Octavian, it will be easier for me to speak without having stability problems.

Augustus nodded graciously at his friend's thanks and his not so discreet reminders that they had been, a long time ago best pals.

- Come see me at the Palace, my friend I have recently found a few interesting methods to cheat old age. I would be honored to talk with you about them.

Ahenobarbus nodded once more and took a long breath.

- Why I believe Senators should never be allowed into trade is quite simple. First, it's unseemly, Octavian! We senatorial families of old have always lived without sullying our hands with trade. Trade is what the common folk do to climb the scale of power. Should the Senators be allowed to officially enter trade there is a real risk that it will concentrate all the wealth within the hands of the sole senatorial class.

Augustus couldn't help but intervene.

- Since quite a lot of your colleagues – I have the names if you happen not to know them- already do trade thanks to middlemen, what you fear is by now happening and the only evident result it got was to impoverish the virtuous and honest ones like you while those other stinking bastards who are always ready to cheat, could go on getting wealthier by the day. You should see that it is not in your interest to fight against the end of the prohibition.

He looked at at least a dozen other Senators who were in the same dire situation than Claudius.

- If you know the names, continued Claudius, have them arrested tried and executed! It will be a good lesson to all the scum that sullies the honor of the Senate.

Augustus made a droll face and looked at Flavius Tiquinius Nero, the man who was most involved in trade -among other profitable and almost illegal businesses- with the hoped-for result. The fat Senator made huge efforts to shrink on himself.

- I have thought of it, my friend, really. And I've talked about it with the friend who's visited me in Nola. You must know that he has an astounding knowledge in quite a lot of domains but has specialized in everything financial. We've spoken a lot about the situation and we've reckoned what it would mean to have all those cheaters arrested and their wealth confiscated by the Empire… Wit his help and with his exhaustive knowledge of the financial situation of Rome's prominent citizens I did the math to conclude that the Imperial fiscus would earn around thirteen million Aurei should I decide to enforece the current rules.

He looked at the Senators who were now, for the most of them, as pale as Ghosts.

- Which is a hefty sum I would love to have in my possession, don't for a moment doubt it. But this friend of mine, who, -did I already mention it?- has a very precise knowledge about every Senator's wealth and income has shown me the foolishness of such a decision. I agree with you, my friend, they are thieving scum, but they are also very efficient thieving scum.

He pointed at Tiquinius Nero.

- You probably ignore that Tiquinius makes -with his associates let's be honest even if it is a word that is no longer very used down here- around a million aurei each year. And from that million not a copper coin is flowing into the Empire's tax collectors' wallets.

Octavian frowned at the Senators.

- And I do consider it shame, wouldn't you agree with me? We have here…

Once more he pointed at Triquinus.

- A brilliant trader who has been able to make money like nobody else around here. He has the best nose to sniff out the best bargain whatever the context! And you would want me to kill a man like that? Do you remember me as a fool, Claudius?

For the first time Augustus shook his head.

- It is also in your interest, Claudius. Once the prohibition is abolished everybody will be able to fight on the same level.

- Senators don't pay taxes, countered Ahenobarbus whose eyes were shining in comprehension.

- Indeed, they don't and that could be a problem.

Once more he looked at Triquinus.

- My dear Triquinus, what would you prefer? Becoming officially a tax-payer or making a little flight from the top of the Tarqueinian Rock to the paved floor of the Forum under the enthusiastic applause of a very enthused Roman crowd?

For quite a few very long seconds Triquinus didn't say a word knowing that he was doomed whatever he decided.

He finally chose to live.

- Becoming a tax-payer seems a great idea, your Majesty.

Augustus let a large smile blossom on his face.

- Indeed, it is and we will kill two birds with one stone. Lifting the prohibition would indeed be only the first step. The next being a decision to enlarge the tax base to make it universal. Whomever lives on Roman territory and who earns money, will be taxed, senators and Emperor included!

He looked around the Curia and he was quite satisfied that they still were as pale as a few minutes earlier.

He looked at the clerk.

- Let's vote the abolition of the trade prohibition and the concomitant creation of an universal tax-basis for all the taxes within the Empire.

Five minutes later the Imperial proposition was accepted unanimously under every one's enthusiastic applause.

A last time Augustus looked at the conclave and ended with his friend.

- Thanks for your support, my friends and thanks to you Claudius to have shown comprehension for an old man's whim. Please believe me, my friend, when I say that the name Ahenobarbus is still one and will remain one of the most famous in the Empire. With the little launching capital, I'm quite ready to provide, I'm sure that you will be able to recreate your dwindled wealth within a few years.

He could literally hear the teeth grinding all over the Curia.

Unluckily for the Senators he wasn't quite done with them.

- Now that we have put an end to one awful inequity and opened for everyone the opportunity to enter the trade business and participate through his payed taxes to the Empire's Glory, let's speak about the new taxes I will ask you to promote within the Empire.

He sat back and made a sign to one of the clerks who had enter the Curia with him.

- My secretary will give you the gist of the new taxation model we are, all together, going to launch throughout the Empire. You'll be as surprised as I was when my friend came to me in Nola to explain to me why the Empire's fiscal system was so largely ineffective and unjust. That will not end today, we must be honest there, but today we will lay the groundwork of a better system and launch a new era of imperial wealth and general equity.

He had no problem to see that the allusion to his friend in Nola had had the wished-for effect. They had all heard the rumors and they were looking at the result of said God's intervention. An old man at the brink of dying was back, springy and very clear-minded and he had within minutes forced them to put up with two reforms they would all had believed impossible to get through.

There was clearly a divine force backing me and pushing towards my success!

He called Strabo and while his secretary was busy describing the half-dozen of new taxes the Senators were about to approve he gave his Chief of the Pretorian Guards a few whispered instructions while looking ostensibly towards all those Senators he knew would have voted against his propositions hadn't they been terrorized by his physical transformation.

It was time to convince them that he was about to take some real measures to get rid of those who dared thinking of themselves as his enemies.

He was the Emperor and he had outlived his death. He would show them what it meant to stand up against him.

For now, having them scared to death would be a pleasant hors-d'oeuvres. If he needed to go above his little game, he knew he could count on Strabo and his men.

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Earth -1819 IR0. dies Veneris ad. XVIII Kal. Oct. DCCLXVII a.u.c.

(12th of Septemberof the year 14)

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Rome – Forum

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The men seemed scared, but they still came towards him.

The little squad of Pretorian Guards tried to stop them, but he asked them to let pass one of them.

- Just keep an eye on those outside. I'll deal with my visitor should he believe himself able to attack me.

The man came nearer and made great efforts to show his hands.

- I'll take it that you are unarmed, Sir, what can I do for you?

- Senator Triquinus would like to have a few minutes of your time. He awaits you in the main room of the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus. He will be with a few of his friends and colleagues. He warrants your safety.

Those words pulled a laugh out of Charles.

- I very much doubt that anybody who would be capable to hurt me could be stopped by anyone in Rome, but I will accept the invite for what it is: a peace offer. Go tell your master that I will be there in a few minutes. Just the time to do here what I came for and I'll hop to the temple.

The man bowed and walked backwards until he was out of the Pretorians' circle.

- I'll tell my master.

- Thanks…

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- What can I do for you gentlemen?

They were five waiting for him and around the great hall he could see at least a score of people looking at them. None of those bystanders were Senators, though. Probably staff members of the five Senators.

Triquinus was the most famous of the five, but Charles had no problems to identify his four colleagues. Like Triquinus they were notorious 'traders' and very often in league with the bulky fat Senator.

He chose to not play dumb.

He had more to win by seeming omniscient.

He bowed lightly in front of each of them.

- Senator Servilius, Senator Vatia, Senator Scipio, Senator Varro.

He finally stopped when facing Triquinus.

- Senator, it is a pleasure to finally meet you in person. We know everything about you and your deeds and we have, for a long time, been convinced that it is a shame that such a great skill as yours has been used to rob the Empire and not to enrich it.

He recognized the little tremor on the Senator's lips that showed that said Senator wasn't pleased with his words.

- Don't be petty, Senator! It's entirely my fault that you are not as we speak a blood splatter at the feet of the Tarpeian Rock. Augustus of course knew about your ventures but he had no idea about the huge sums you were dealing with. He didn't like at all to learn about the extent of monies you had been able to misappropriate. He had known for a long time that you were trading but he was not aware of the sheer size of the businesses you are managing and he was even less aware how much money a gifted trader like you could make.

- And that's why you punished us with those new taxes…

- Had I wanted to punish you; you wouldn't be here speaking with me; you would be dead or running away from Rome the inconspicuous red little worn satchel that lies under your mattress hidden under your coat. Yes, the one full of jewels and gems you maintain just in case… And you would be constantly looking over your shoulder scared that the Emperor's agents were still behind you.

Charles couldn't help but snicker.

- Had I wanted to punish you I would have let you run away and, after a few months, to be sure that you could arrive there, informed the Emperor that you have a safe house Jewelers' Street in Palmyra where a man who looks like you manages a rather successful moneylending business. I would have let you arrive, kill the poor man whom you hired because he looked like you, and have you arrested for his murder!

Charles' face became very serious.

- You would have been crucified immediately afterwards without anybody ever knowing who the executioner was crucifying. No burial, no ceremony, no memory.

Charles snapped once with his fingers.

- Erased from history.

He looked at Vatia who was the second richest man in the little group and who like Triquinus had quite a lot of shadowy businesses running.

- But I did no such thing; I just reminded my dear friend Augustus that those who benefit the most from the safety and the peace the Empire provides should be those who should pour the most money into the Empire's Treasury. Himself included! And since I'm a practical guy I gave him what he needed to know to convert the Empire's present crappy tax system into something that will be able to provide for the Legions and the infrastructures the Empire needs to go on extending while also providing peace and welfare to all his inhabitants. I gave him even the recipe for the most neutral tax available everywhere! In terms of businesses and trade there is no better one.

This time it was Scipio who reacted.

- You mean the Value Added Tax we created yesterday? It looks like a superb mechanism but, from what I have seen, it will be very easy to circumvent. I have already thought of at least three different ways.

Once more Charles laughed.

- Indeed, it is, and you are right for both your affirmations. But we are working for the future here. It is a project that will need probably one or two generations to be brought to its full effect. It will take a lot of time to put into working order. It is, as often, a question of manpower. We'll have to wait until the Emperor has hired and trained the thousands of tax operators the new taxes need to be efficient. Knowing your past I'm sure that none of you will be surprised that a lot of dishonest business owners who will try to cheat exist all over the world. But I've done that exact same tax reform a few times already and I can assure that those crooks will be discovered by the small army of loyal operators who will, soon, work diligently in the service of the Empire. And remember that the Emperor has only granted a general amnesty for everything that had been done until yesterday evening. What is done from today on will be considered a crime against the Empire and punished by death and general confiscation.

He smiled at the Senators.

- And since we know exactly where you've hidden your money, it will be a real, very profitable confiscation.

He winked at Nero.

- Just remember the red satchel with the jewels and the safe house in Palmyra. There is no safe place to hide from us.

He stopped talking.

- That being said, I didn't let you answer to the question I wondered about earlier. What can I do for you gentlemen?

The five men looked at each other and finally it was Servilius who spoke up.

- You can cure old age?

- We do have lots of means and we can provide a few methods that make aging easier and can cure the most crippling ailments. But you must be reasonable and accept that at a certain age, some things are no longer possible, but that doesn't mean that suffering is ineluctable. Pain is not something that we believe necessary. And we do help those who have shown that they are worthy of our trust.

Once more they all looked at each other.

- There are others like you? How numerous are you?

- Numerous is not the word I'd use because there's only more or less a score of us who are currently at work within this part of the Creation. I've volunteered to deal with the Roman Empire. It's more or less my little pet project.

- We have looked it up in the Vestale's archives, we suspect that one of you was here half a dozen years ago.

Charles nodded.

- My nephew was sent to make a little survey of the Empire's willingness to invade our Islands. The answer he got was enough to temporarily clear our minds. Time has passed since that first visit and we've evolved in our dealings with Rome. We came to the conclusion that it would be better to be a little more interventionistic.

- Hence the visit to the Emperor to discuss the Roman tax system...

- Yes and no. In fact, I came here to make sure that Tiberius does not become Emperor any time soon. He's not ready so we had to make a choice and we've chosen the easiest way and we did what was necessary to provide a few more years to Octavian Augustus. Even if we recognize that he is a cold fish and, more often than not, a murderous bastard, we have to accept that until now he had done a great job ruling the Romans. Would it be that you would agree with us?

They looked at each other and finally Servilius went on.

- So, the Emperor is under your protection?

- Rome and the Empire are under our protection. And as long as Augustus resists to the temptation to believe himself being a God, we can probably agree that he is also under our protection. But our first point of interest is the Empire and all those within it who work for the good of the community.

This time it was Scipio's turn to ask the next question.

- Are we under your protection?

Charles' smile disappeared to be replaced by a profoundly serious look on his face.

- Do you work for the good of the community?

His counter question has the expected result.

- I thought as much! I can rephrase it, though: do you ask to be under our protection?

Scipio looked at the others and finally nodded.

- We would if we were sure that we were worthy of it…

Charles nodded while shooting them a renewed open smile.

- It wasn't really expected that we would walk on this peculiar path but why not? Let's consider that the Emperor's Amnesty is binding also for us. That would mean that those who, beginning today, work for the good of the Empire and its inhabitants will, indeed, be under our protection.

Once more Charles let his smile slowly fade away.

- But be aware that the corollary will be right too… Those who show that they are the Empire's enemies will be swiftly dealt with!

He let his smile come back.

- Do we have a deal, and will you spread the news to your Senatorial colleagues and their associates? I'm quite sure that they should be informed about the deal we passed with the Empire.

- What about the old age problem?

Triquinus' voice wasn't as impassive as he would have wished but his eyes stayed clear and straight.

- There is no doubt, gentlemen, that, as we've shown with the Emperor, we prefer that people we appreciate are given the chance to stay with us as long as possible in good health and even better shape.

His smile disappeared and his eyes became hard as flint.

- And what would be the best beginning to curry our favor would be to get rid of what's left of your Greek Preceptors. Better! Get rid of all your Greek slaves by freeing them and sending them back to their home country! Send all those pretentious leeches back to their Hellenistic dump and let them feed on Philosophy and Rhetorics. Remember that Rome has nothing in common with anything those Greek pederasts are teaching your Heirs! And we would appreciate it very much if the Roman elite -beginning with the Senators, all the Patricians and all the members of the Equestrian Class- would come back from their little Hellenistic side trip to again teach their kids the ancestral Roman values!

A hint of a smile appeared on his face.

- None of the old Roman values have anything in common with all that Greek shit! You went to the Temple of the Vestals to look up the recent past. Go back and look at how Rome took over Italy. You'll soon be reminded how genuine Romans should act! Look at your archives to know how the early Romans treated their enemies to soon make convinced Romans out of them! Stop being blinded by those racist Greek spin doctors and do what your ancestors had always been able to do: make Romans out of ancient enemies or kill them! The only Barbarians who exist are those filthy Greeks with their xenophobic views of the world! Get-Rid-Of-Them! Now!

He looked up at the huge statue at the end of the hall and they could all feel the floor tremble under their feet. His voice became like a hollow void, and they soon were all covered with sweat.

- We will see if we can't get rid of your bloody influence, little Greek shit. Soon the God Caelus will be back to replace you and I will personally kick you back into your barren Olympic shithole!

Charles made a hand movement and pointed a finger at the golden statue.

- By Caelus, I shit on you!

Within a couple of seconds all the Gold cover on Jupiter's huge statue was replaced by a black sticky and smelly coating.

And on those words, he left the temple whose floor was again hit by small tremors.

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I suppose that if Zeus really exists, he is very pissed right now with the both of us…

Speedy's mind voice was more than a little sarcastic.

They were both walking towards the Forum and Speedy had decided that he would -barely- be visible as a black cloud following Charles.

I'd love to meet him or one of those other Greek pseudo deities. To at least have the pleasure to call them names would be a great satisfaction.

If they are really Gods, they could make you pay what you just did…

Speedy could feel Charles laugh.

Technically it was you and let's be frank if there are Gods around here, I would love to remind them of their duties.

Not sure your little high-tech goodies will be enough to counter a real God's wrath!

If Zeus exists than all those other Gods exist too, wouldn't you agree? So, there is no reason Caelus wouldn't come to my help. Gods should be Gods, whatever their origins.

I'm not so sure; there are Gods with lots of followers, like Zeus, and Gods with only a handful, like Caelus. Wouldn't the number of followers be an important factor to scale a God's importance?

Have I been incinerated by Zeus' thunderbolt? And yet I was within his very temple! And I abused and soiled him publicly! And nothing happened! I think we can admit that those Gods, outside from their followers, have no real power on the material plane…

Do you really believe it or are you trying to reassure you?

I believe it. Well, I'm an upgraded Human and I am here in the company of one of the most powerful creatures we've ever met. Why would I be afraid? I have insulted the Greek Deities all my former life whenever I've encountered the results of their racist ideology and they never ever reacted.

Their followers could decide that you need to be lynched!

Are they?

Not yet but that's only because they do not find their High Priest…

Where is he?

At his mistress' apartment sleeping off his last booze-up.

Could you inform him with your most impressive voice that Caelus is very upset with him and his decision to worship a Greek godling?

Of course, I could but in his present state I'm not sure he won't put it on his hangover.

Do it, we will remind him later that Caelus is upset…

You mean I will!

Have it your way, dear, you already know that without you we would be a lot less efficient.

Indeed…

There was a lull and soon Fluffy was back.

Oh, he's awake and he just pissed himself. How gross!

Remind him of the necessary dignity a High Priest should always show…

I already did and it didn't help a bit. He's half insane as we speak and running half naked towards its temple.

Let's go see the Emperor, he needs to be informed about the latest events.

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- Couldn't you have shown a little more restrain?

- I got rolled up by seeing that Greek Child molester's and Pederast's Golden statue! Where is Caelus' temple? Where's Gaia's? Why have you let those foreign Godlings take everything over?

Augustus shook his head and sighed.

He really didn't need religious uproar right now in Rome.

He had heard about the -literal- shit storm over Jupiter's statue and, as Pontifex Maximus, he would have to explain what had happened.

- What can I say?

He finally asked.

- What part of your intervention am I authorized to divulge?

He saw Charles pinch face and plastered a smile on his face.

- What happened in the Temple is adding up with what happened yesterday. There already were rumors that a God is walking amongst us and what happened today in the Temple's Hall will be considered as a proof. So, sorry if I seem to insist but as Pontifex Maximus, I do have a duty towards the Roman people. I need to explain what happened and why it is happening. Can I say the truth?

Charles could only shrug.

- What is truth and who needs truth?

- What lie shall I spin then?

- Better to let a part of the truth be known than let wild speculations get overboard.

Augustus, who was an old political animal, could only agree.

- So, what?

- Tell them the Old Roman Gods have sent envoys, who are not part of the Pantheon, to lend Rome or you -your choice- a hand.

Charles who was more and more sorry about his outburst shook his head.

- Let's be very precise and specific, he said. Tell them that those interfering are the Roman Gods with some extraneous help. That they want their rightful space back in Rome and that the creation of the Empire was the perfect opportunity to launch the whole operation since there is now a ruler powerful enough to make what they wish come back.

- I suppose getting rid of the Greek pollution is very high on their agenda?

- At the very top, agreed Charles. What's Greek or Greek smelling must be expelled. Don't let fanatics kill people, though, that's not how we do things within the Roman Pantheon. Send all the Greek slaves and freedmen back to Greece and don't ever import any new ones.

- The owners won't be very happy…

- Send them to me to discuss how they want to be compensated. I'm sure we will be able to find a common ground between greed and their duty to Rome.

Augustus who wasn't ready to see the Romans riot in the Urbs decided that he would find a way to discreetly compensate all those who still had Greeks in their household.

- And take note that Greece needs a real Romanization campaign down there. Let their elite finally understand that Greece has been vanquished and conquered and let them learn and speak Latin! They are no longer Greeks. They are Romans who once upon a time had a chance to world leadership but that their past died the day they were defeated!

Once more Augustus made great efforts not to show that he was upset. He could understand why the Roman Gods would be upset by the Greeks invading the minds and the hearts of their people. Since the first time he had spoken with Darcius he had looked for the signs of Hellenistic encroachment on Rome and the Romans. And he had seen it everywhere. He had begun to work against it. But in hi usual manner, with subtlety and discretion. What his guest was proposing was going too far since it would certainly create problems.

He tried a pint of humor. Not a great strength of him but perhaps…

- Shall we burn their books?

- Of course not, countered Charles! Romans use the conquered people's knowledge to grow stronger, they don't destroy it.

Augustus smothered another sigh. When dealing with Greeks, his guest's humor was clearly not at his best.

- But, went on Charles, it is high time that they stop letting bested foreign cultures conquer their hearts and their minds! The Greeks' accomplishments are now Roman accomplishments! And the future in Greece will either be Roman or there won't be a future for Greece.

- I've already begun to work against the Greeks' influence, said Augustus in a last attempt to calm his guest. Your nephew shared with me his annoyances about the Greeks' encroachment on Roman society. And these last five years I have done, discreetly, what I could to get rid of the most influential of them. I no longer have Greek advisers and most of the Greek preceptors in Rome have been freed and sent back to Greece with a little stipend. And they have been systematically replaced by Romans! I also put a stop to Greeks selling themselves into slavery to enter Roman households in Rome or elsewhere in the Empire. It is now forbidden for freemen to sell themselves into slavery. Whatever the reason. Only Greeks had ever done it so it's still only them who make attempts. Those who do it nevertheless are rebought by my traders and sold to Persia where the Aristocracy is still interested in them.

The Emperor's words had the hoped-for result and smothered Charles' outburst.

- Good, you are right, a cautious approach of the problem will be better; subtlety and discretion have their usefulness. Especially since you couldn't know how much time you still had. Now it's different you have a few more years to be sure that it gets done…

- And I'll use these years to strengthen the Empire in every way possible. And the exclusion of Greek influence on members of the Roman elite will be preeminent but done with care and discretion.

Augustus put a hand on Charles shoulder.

- We will succeed, believe me. Now that we know the risks, we will be even more prudent.

- Eliminating definitively the risk is an even better solution, don't you think?

- Not if it generates riots in Rome and insurrection in Greece. Let an old fox who knows and has used every political method that exists, do his job. We can do it and we can do it without putting the Empire in any further disarray. Your diatribe to the Senators and the shit storm on Jupiter's statue will have consequences, don't doubt about it and I, the Pontifex Maximus, will have to deal with it this very day. I will use a part of your arguments, but I won't give away immediately all our goals. I will be able to quiet the current hubbub but only if nobody adds oil on the fire.

He shook his head.

- I will not forget about it because I don't deal with it immediately. Let's first smother the fire we already have before lighting another one. Politics is the science of choosing your moment perfectly. And believe me when I say that now is not the moment to unveil every one of our Goals with Greece. Your harangue in the temple has impressed the Senators and I'm quite sure that most of them will get rid of their remaining Greek Preceptors within the coming month. But as I would do it, with discretion and without letting anyone know about it.

He smiled at Charles.

- A real Roman doesn't show that he is scared into obedience. Let them take the time they need. They will do it… In due time.

Charles answered with a smile of his own.

- You are the specialist here; I was wrong to let this ugly statue upset me, but it has been awkwardly weird to have to see that Greek Godling's representation standing there. Do as you think best!

- I will and I won't forget our ultimate goal.

I

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