Blood Games

PART II Prologue

  Ragoczy Sanct'

  Germain Franciscus

  TEXT OF A LETTER FROM CENTURION CAIUS TULLER TO HIS COMMANDER, AULUS CAECINA ALIENUS, IN GERMANIA.

  To the general A. Caecina Alienus, greetings:

  Less than a month has passed since Galba and his heir Piso met their deaths here in Rome. That happened on the fifteenth of January, and already the purple is awarded to Marcus Salvius Otho. The people like Otho better than they did Galba: the old general was too stern for them, too full of the talk of virtue and not much given to pleasure. Piso Licianus, poor fool, has had the worst of this affair. Galba attempted to resign in his favor, in order to prevent the rebellion that overtook him. For five days Piso reigned as Caesar, hardly long enough to review the coinage. They died together on that cold, bright morning while the wind rode down the Tiber.

  Otho has already had word of the movements in Germania, and is planning to take his legions north to meet any advancement toward Rome before the city is reached. He is quite flamboyant, this Marcus Salvius Otho, and the people are pleased with him. The taxes he has tried to impose do not meet with the same enthusiasm. So far the Senate has not responded to his demands, and therefore Otho will take into battle troops who have not recently been paid, which may affect their loyalty. Otho has declared that the whole question will be resolved by May, and that the shipments of grain will be at their usual level. He has arranged for loaves to be distributed to those on the dole, and for a portion of pork to be given twice a week. The Senate has said that this is a dangerous precedent, and it may be that, but Otho knows that he must earn the respect of the people if he is to fulfill his promise to them, and this is the quickest way to do it.

  The Great Games have been suspended for a time, but Otho has promised a full five days of Games, with grants and awards distributed on each day. He has already promised that some of the imperial gifts will be of certain items owned by Nero himself.

  Work on the Golden House has stopped completely. Galba hated the place, Piso said he wanted to pull it down, and Otho has not been Caesar long enough to know what to do with it. Many of the people of Rome have come to dislike the building, but they are still sentimental about Nero and would oppose taking the palace down because Nero loved it so much.

  There has been talk in the Senate about water theft again. Twelve illegal taps have been found on the Claudian Aqueduct alone, and the inspection of the others hasn't begun. The price of aqueduct water has soared this last year, and some of the builders of insulae for the poor have threatened to leave out the plumbing entirely unless some adjustment is made. If Vitellius would address himself to this issue, he would find a great deal of support and little opposition, for to oppose such reform is very nearly an admission of water theft.

  I have attempted to contact all the Senators you listed, but it has been difficult. There are three Praetorians who watch me constantly and report all my activities. More than one patrician has told me that the Praetorians are a government unto themselves and none dare oppose them. All have warned me that if Vitellius is victorious, he will have to accept the demands of the Praetorian Guard if he intends to rule for more than a month. Many of the high-ranking officers are openly courted by men of rank, as if they were minor rulers. They're a very haughty unit, without regard for the legions and any soldier who is not of equestrian rank, at the very least. They're dangerous, those Praetorians, and much more powerful than I'd ever realized. Let Vitellius be warned.

  There has been an increase in spying, which is to be expected. Very few citizens will speak their minds, but the walls of every street in Rome reflect their discontent. Everywhere there are threats and slogans scrawled, and those who read them laugh and nod.

  The conflict with Otho must be settled quickly, as Rome is growing tired of rebellion and confusion. By no means should the current Caesar be allowed to fight from the city, so do not follow the plan you made to drive him back to Rome and kill him here. It would go badly for you that way. Otho must die away from the city, where there will be no chance for the Romans to take up sides. See that the Emperor falls on the battlefield in the north, so that there can be no disputing it within the city walls.

  I await the good day when you enter the ancient gates bringing a new and finer Emperor with you. I will work toward that day with all my capabilities. I have even hired sign writers to go about the streets and paint Vitellius' praises on the walls during the night.

  Caius Tuller

  Centurion, XI Legion on the fifth day of February

  in the 821st Year of the City

  P. S. There was a banquet two nights ago, with lavish entertainment, as in the days of Nero. Dancing girls from Egypt and musicians from somewhere in Africa to entertain. Greek wines served unwatered, fifteen dishes for each course. Very grand. Otho was as liberal a guest as he was a host, and after his fourth cup of wine, he threw his wig into the air and rubbed oil on his pate to make it shine. Everyone is still laughing about it. Except Otho, of course.