Free Masters of Rome by Robert Fabbri Page A

his background.
    â€˜But I’m not eligible to take my seat in the Senate until next year at the earliest; I’m not involved in politics yet.’
    Vespasian turned Pallas’ letter over in his hands. ‘Every Roman of your class is involved in politics sooner or later, Paetus, and I’m afraid your turn has arrived now whether you like it or not. Sit down and I’ll explain.’
    Paetus took a seat opposite Vespasian.
    Vespasian unfurled Pallas’ letter and scanned it again before raising his eyes to his young subordinate. ‘This letter is from one of the most powerful men in Rome, one whom I am lucky enough to call a friend but upon whose friendship I cannot presume. So, when I get a request from him, I know better than to refuse it because, however it’s been worded, I’m well aware that it’s an order.’
    â€˜Who’s it from?’
    â€˜It’s from Marcus Antonius Pallas, freedman of the late Lady Antonia. Upon her suicide he, quite naturally, transferred his allegiance to her only surviving son, the Emperor Claudius.
    â€˜Now, I don’t need to tell you what the Emperor is like; you have seen him for yourself and have no doubt formed your own opinion. I will not say anything treasonous about him to you nor will I get you to compromise yourself in that way by asking you to express your true opinion of the man. Do I make myself clear?’
    Paetus nodded slowly. ‘As clear as you can, sir; I believe from the phrasing of that sentence that our opinions are broadly similar.’
    Vespasian allowed himself a half-smile as he inclined his head in acknowledgement. ‘We understand each other; good. So therefore it won’t surprise you to learn that Claudius is not much more than a figurehead emperor who is subject, in the main, to the will of four, normally conflicting, forces.’
    â€˜I had heard that that was how the government worked at the moment although I don’t know the details – I haven’t been in Rome since before Caligula’s death and it’s not something to discuss in letters nor speak loosely about in the officers’ mess.’
    â€˜A very wise precaution and one which we shall now ignore in the privacy of this tent. Three of these four forces are Claudius’ freedmen: Pallas, the secretary to the Treasury; Callistus, whose sphere of influence is justice and the law courts; and then there’s his chief freedman, Narcissus, who’s been with him the longest and was responsible for keeping him safe during the reigns of Caligula and Tiberius – he’s the imperial secretary, in charge of Claudius’ correspondence and diary. That means he has complete control over all foreign and domestic policy as well as access to the Emperor; no one can get to Claudius except by going through him. No one, that is, except for the Empress, Messalina. Neither Narcissus nor Messalina are happy with this arrangement – both feel that the other exerts too much influence on their malleable Emperor; Callistus and Pallas meanwhile both squabble for second place behind Narcissus whilst supporting him in his feud for the mastery of Rome with the Empress. Now, whatever you might think of this and however outraged you may be that the Senate has no influence in the matter, it is best to be pragmatic and accept the situation because there is nothing that you or I can do to change it. Would you agree?’
    â€˜It would seem that we have little choice.’
    â€˜Very little indeed. The only choice most of us have is which one of these four people to support in order to gain advancement; but I’m afraid that in your case you’ve had that decision made for you.’
    Paetus frowned. ‘By whom?’
    â€˜By me, and I apologise for that, Paetus. I promised your father, who was my good friend, that I would look out for you. It was a promise that I did not keep that well and I’ve compounded that fault