Chapter 45: For the Republic
Cicero's mansion was located on Palatine Hill, the same as Crassus's.
Initially, Cicero did not live here. When he first came to Rome from the provinces, he stayed in a house provided by his family. However, after gaining a reputation as Rome's top lawyer, he was determined to acquire a home on Palatine Hill. Although he incurred significant debt to do so, Marcus's interest-free loan alleviated the financial burden.
"Heh, I didn't expect you to lend me money without any interest," Cicero remarked.
"It's the least I can do for you. Don't worry about it," Marcus replied.
Cicero was deeply touched by Marcus's generosity and frequently praised him.
Cicero's house was bustling daily with clients seeking advice, young intellectuals admiring him, and petitioners with grievances. However, today, the gate to his mansion was closed to outsiders, as he was hosting a special gathering of young intellectuals.
The attendees were impressive: many were children of prominent Roman families, and some were senators of Cicero's age. Despite some having failed in their careers, they eagerly accepted Cicero's invitation, a testament to his considerable fame in Rome.
In the spacious mansion, young men mingled, chatting and enjoying their meals. Cicero paid particular attention to a select few promising individuals and invited them to a separate banquet in the inner hall. Marcus was among those chosen.
The food at the banquet was fresh and of high quality but not as lavish as Cicero's reputation might suggest. This was not due to a lack of generosity or taste but a deliberate choice to suit the preferences of the nobles present.
Many attendees followed Stoic philosophy, which was not coincidental. Among young nobles attracted to republicanism, Stoicism was popular due to its emphasis on a restrained and frugal lifestyle over hedonism. While Cicero himself was not a Stoic, he was influenced by the New Academy, which shared some Stoic principles. This connection likely contributed to his strong relationships with Stoic philosophers.
Of course, Cicero didn't genuinely like the noble-born attendees, as he was a commoner and they were of high birth. Even among fellow senators, commoner senators were not seen as equal partners.
Despite his internal bitterness, Cicero maintained a good appearance. His efforts were crucial; without them, he wouldn't have had the influence necessary to host such an event.
One reason Cicero maintained a close relationship with Marcus was that a commoner with a weak political base needed a strong supporter. Marcus was an ideal partner: he had a solid character and was devoted to republicanism, which aligned well with Cicero's own ideals.
Cicero acted as Marcus's ideological mentor and introduced him to various nobles. Since Marcus had limited contact with his peers, he was receptive to Cicero's guidance.
"You must have heard a lot about Crassus's eldest son. He's been so busy that he couldn't attend such gatherings often, but now he's finally here," Cicero said.
"Cicero invited me personally. Of course, I had to drop everything and come," Marcus replied.
"Hahaha, you flatter me. Let me introduce you to some others. This is Decimus Brutus. He's an intelligent and decisive young man."
A young man, slightly younger than Marcus, extended his hand politely.
"I'm Decimus Brutus. I've heard a lot about you. It's nice to meet you."
Marcus smiled warmly and shook Decimus's hand.
"Nice to meet you too."
Marcus recalled that Decimus Brutus was known as a competent legion commander who fought in the Gallic War under Caesar. Although he was not the Brutus who led Caesar's assassination, he did participate in it. As a distant relative of Caesar, Decimus rose to prominence under Caesar's influence but later joined in Caesar's assassination, was denounced as a traitor, and fell from grace. His participation in Caesar's assassination indicated his support for the republican system, making his presence at the meeting understandable.
The next person Cicero introduced was someone Marcus knew well.
Without waiting for an introduction, Cassius Longinus approached with a friendly smile and placed his hand on Marcus's shoulder.
"Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Cassius, how many years has it been? I heard you went to study in Greece. Did you just return?"
"I studied in Rhodes until a year ago. Since returning to Rome, I've heard a lot about you."
Cassius Longinus had been a close friend of Marcus since childhood. He had accompanied Marcus to Capua to capture Spartacus. While he had once led a dissolute life, Cassius now appeared completely transformed, having immersed himself in Greek philosophy and becoming a fervent republican.
'Come to think of it, he was also one of the main conspirators in Caesar's assassination.'
Cassius wasn't from a particularly distinguished family, but he had remarkable abilities. His invitation to this gathering by Cicero indicated that his reputation among his peers was quite strong.
The two old friends moved to a quiet spot and began to talk. Cassius poured diluted wine into Marcus's cup himself.
"I'm really glad to see you again. And more than anything, I'm glad that neither of us is as immature as we once were."
"We were young then."
"Looking back, it was a pathetic time. But I'm glad I grew up eventually. From now on, I'll use all my abilities to protect the values of the republic. What about you? Being here means you share our views, right?"
A smile that concealed his true intentions appeared on Marcus's lips. He took a sip from his cup, then set it down confidently.
"I don't want to discuss this at length. It's enough to demonstrate our beliefs through actions."
"As expected, you've always been bold. Just being close with Cicero speaks volumes. I admit, I was short-sighted."
"What about you? How do you relate to Cicero?"
"He's someone I deeply respect. To be honest, I've felt a bit of an inferiority complex due to my less distinguished family background. But he's achieved so much on his own, despite not being a noble."
Cassius's eyes shone with envy and admiration as he spoke of Cicero. He clenched his fist and spoke with conviction.
"Isn't the success of someone like Cicero proof of the greatness of this republican system? If Rome were still a monarchy, commoners like Cicero or mediocre nobles like me wouldn't even have dreamed of rising up."
"Well… that's true."
Marcus didn't deny the advantages of republicanism. In fact, Rome's extreme republicans were divided into two groups.
The first group consisted of those born into the upper class, noble families with illustrious names. They were part of the faction known as the Optimates and were considered moderates.
The second group included newcomers without noble ancestry, like Cicero. These individuals, commonly known as novus homo, or new men, were surprisingly numerous among staunch republicans, despite mostly coming from common backgrounds.
The reason was simple: those who had risen to the upper class through their own abilities were naturally inclined to support the system that provided them with such opportunities. It was not uncommon for self-made wealthy individuals to exhibit conservative tendencies even in modern times.
For these republicans, dictators represented a threat to their hard-won status and power.
Cassius refilled Marcus's cup and asked quietly, "By the way, have you thought about getting married? Usually, by now, I hear rumors about everyone, but you're the only one without any news."
"I should. I'm considering it carefully right now."
"It must be challenging to choose, with so many families offering marriage proposals. By the way, is that Thracian girl you mentioned before still a candidate? She must have grown into a beautiful woman by now."
"Well…"
Even if a freed slave became a free citizen, it was rare for them to marry into a noble family. There were some exceptions, but they were quite rare.
"Some nobles might disapprove, but I don't think it's something to condemn. In fact, someone I admire has a great-grandmother who was a freed slave."
"She doesn't want to marry me anyway. To be precise, she feels she shouldn't."
"I see… Given your position, you need to be cautious in choosing your bride. If she's intelligent, she'll understand your situation."
Marcus nodded slightly, his expression awkward.
He was indeed considering marriage soon. He had already discussed the matter with Danae.
She had matured and shed her youthful demeanor, now displaying the charm of a mature woman.
Several men of the knight class were interested in marrying her, and even his brother Publius had shown interest.
Marcus had felt uneasy when he received her services during bathing.
To be honest, he was quite attracted to her, and his possessiveness intensified after Publius's incident.
Danae, meeting Marcus's gaze while serving him in the bath, seemed to sense his feelings. She was astute enough to recognize that monopolizing him was not a realistic expectation from the start. She understood it was impossible.
Feeling a sense of urgency after the incident with Publius, she expressed her honest feelings.
"I know I can't be your wife. But I wish you could consider me as your first. Can't you?"
Who could refuse such a request?
Marcus granted Danae's wish. The experience was so intense that it was a bit awkward to recall in front of Cassius. He quickly shifted the topic.
"By the way, wasn't your wife from a pretty prestigious family?"
"Yes, Junia. She changed my life. Oh, speaking of which, there's someone I wanted to introduce you to. He's over there."
Cassius stood up and waved at a young man passing by.
"Nephew, come here!"
The young man Cassius called "nephew" was handsome with noble features. Though his clothes weren't extravagant, they were of high quality, suggesting his noble status.
"Marcus, you're here."
The young man greeted Marcus with a bright smile and a dignified tone. Cassius handed him another cup.
"I mentioned before that this is the eldest son of Crassus. His name is also Marcus."
"I know. I followed the Verres trial closely."
The young man turned to Marcus and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Marcus Junius Brutus. I was very impressed by your testimony at the Verres trial. It's an honor to meet you."
His greeting was polite and courteous, reflecting his high class.
Marcus was more intrigued by the young man's name than anything else.
Marcus Junius Brutus.
The name had caught Marcus's attention when he received the invitation from Septimus. Brutus was a key figure who would play a major role in Caesar's assassination. Although Cassius also conspired with him, Brutus's name was more renowned in later generations.
Caesar's reputed last words, "Brutus, you too," were widely known, even in modern times, though some argue that Caesar didn't actually say them. Regardless, Caesar had cared deeply for Brutus, who was the son of Servilia, Caesar's most beloved lover.
Despite this favor, Brutus was often rumored to be Caesar's illegitimate son, which troubled him throughout his life.
Brutus came from the Junii family, one of the most prestigious noble families of the late Republic. He was a descendant of Lucius Junius Brutus, who had overthrown the Roman monarchy and established the Republic. This lineage gave Brutus a deep pride and drove him to become a staunch republican.
Marcus glanced between Brutus and Cassius, smiling inwardly.
'Decimus, Cassius, and Brutus. This is a gathering of future assassins.'
Indeed, the assembly of young republicans felt distinctly different from the start. It was a bit unsettling to see them together like this. Nonetheless, considering future events, Marcus knew he had to maintain a good relationship with them.
Marcus shook Brutus's hand and smiled warmly.
"It's an honor to meet the successor of the Junii family, the very root of republicanism."
"An honor? I haven't achieved much yet. I should be reprimanded for not living up to my great ancestors."
Brutus addressed Marcus as "Crassus," likely because of their shared first name.
"You're too modest. Cicero must see your talents since he invited you here."
"I'm grateful to Cicero for his support. I intend to work hard to meet his expectations."
"Have you known Cicero for a long time?"
"Yes, we have a personal friendship. However, there's some tension between him and my uncle… I'm considering trying to mediate between them."
Marcus knew that Brutus's uncle was Marcus Porcius Cato, also known as Cato Minor or Cato the Younger.
Cato Minor was a key figure Marcus was keeping an eye on. He was called Cato Minor to distinguish him from his ancestor, Marcus Porcius Cato, who was known as Cato Major.
Cato Major was a famous orator who challenged Scipio Africanus. He lived to be 80 and, in his later years, freed his slave Salonia and married her. The line descending from Salonia included Cato Minor.
Marcus recalled Cassius's earlier remark about someone he admired.
'Cassius must have been referring to Cato.'
Cato Minor was known for his strong belief in preserving the Republic, much like his ancestor. He was so dedicated to republican values that he even harshly criticized Sulla, who had strengthened the Republic through dictatorship.
"It's unfortunate that despite both Cicero and Cato sharing a commitment to the Republic, they have such tension between them. It's a shame."
"Yes, there seems to be a subtle clash of pride."
"Hmm… But given their shared dedication to the Republic, they'll likely find a way to cooperate eventually."
"Yes, I hope so too."
As Marcus spoke with Brutus, he found his image differed from his expectations. Brutus was more humble and had a good character, explaining why he was well-regarded in Rome, even though he had limited military experience.
It was hard to reconcile this sincere young man with the figure who would later partake in Caesar's assassination.
But on reflection, ideology often leads to extreme actions. In the grand scope of history, killing for ideological reasons is just one of many conflicts.
Humanity will continue to wage wars over ideological differences even 2,000 years later, resulting in millions of deaths. It is a bitter reality.
Marcus, Cassius, and Brutus discussed various topics for a long time. The most pressing issue was the pirate problem plaguing Rome at the moment.
Cassius sighed heavily and lamented, "Pirates have even appeared on the Appian Way recently. Of course, they were quickly dealt with, but it shows how bold they've become."
"As you said, nephew, the real concern is that there's no sign of their power diminishing. I'm worried about whether there will be enough wheat in Rome next year. People are buying up wheat as quickly as they can, no matter the price," Brutus added.
Marcus took a sip of his wine, pretending not to know the situation.
"Fortunately, we aren't facing shortages just yet."
"We're barely managing for now. But the future is worrisome," Brutus replied.
Most nobles in Rome were like Brutus, spending freely to prepare for any possible shortages, even if wheat was extremely expensive. This precautionary buying helped keep the price of wheat stable despite increased supply.
Cassius and Brutus, unaware of Marcus's wheat reserves, were anxious about the current situation.
"It's all because Lucullus couldn't finish off Mithridates," Cassius said.
"Exactly. How could Lucullus win so many battles but have his subordinates go on strike? How did he treat them?" Brutus added.
"Lucullus needs to defeat Mithridates and bring order to these pirates," Cassius concluded.
It was well known that Mithridates supported these pirates. Defeating him would cut off their funding and likely improve the situation. However, it wouldn't fully resolve the issue unless the pirates themselves were eradicated.
Marcus pointed out, "Cassius, even if Mithridates is defeated, the pirates' ships and sailors will still be out there. We need to deal with them directly."
"But how can we manage that? The pirates have established bases all over the Mediterranean. Removing them from every location seems impossible," Cassius responded.
"Well, I don't have a specific plan, but we all know who might," Marcus said.
Cassius's eyebrows lifted in realization. "Could it be…?"
"Yes. We'll have to rely on one hero again—Pompey Magnus, the great strategist," Marcus confirmed.
Brutus and Cassius's faces showed their concern, but they had no objections. Despite their reservations, the reality was that the political winds were favoring Pompey once more.
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