The Venus Throw: A Mystery of Ancient Rome (Novels of Ancient Rome)

THE VENUS THROW

To Rick

B Y

S T E V E N

S A Y L O R

ROMA SUB ROSA

consisting

of:

Roman Blood Arms of Nemesis C a t i l i n a ' s Riddle T h e Venus T h r o w

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O

N

T

E

N

T

S

C H R O N O L O G Y

Part O n e :

N E X [death, usually v i o l e n t death: murder]

Part Two:

N O X I A [a fault or offense: a c r i m e ]

Part T h r e e :

Part Four:

N o x [the goddess Night, sister of Eros; blindness; gloom]

N E X U S

[a b i n d i n g or t y i n g t o g e t h e r ]

A U T H O R ' S

N O T E

C

H

R

O

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O

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Listed below are s o m e significant events preceding t h e a c t i o n of The Venus Throw, w h i c h begins i n mid-January, 5 6 B . C . 90

B.C.

Gordianus in Alexandria. 80

B.C.

K i n g S o t e r o f Egypt dies; succeeded briefly b y A l e x a n d e r I I , t h e n b y P t o l e m y A u l e t e s . S u l l a d i c t a t o r in R o m e ; C i c e r o ' s first major s p e e c h , in defense of S e x t u s Roscius; t h e events of Roman Blood. 76 B . C . A p p i u s Claudius (father o f C l o d i a and C l o d i u s ) dies. 75

B.C.

First s e n a t o r i a l a t t e m p t t o a c t o n t h e alleged will o f A l e x a n d e r I I b e q u e a t h i n g Egypt t o R o m e . 72 B . C . S e c o n d year of S p a r t a c a n slave revolt; t h e events of Arms of Nemesis. 68

B.C.

C l o d i u s i n c i t e s mutiny in Lucullus's army. 65

B.C.

Crassus as c e n s o r makes a foiled a t t e m p t to declare Egypt a tributary province of R o m e .

63 B . C . C i c e r o ' s co n su l sh ip ; t h e events of Catilina's Riddle. C a e s a r and Pompey a t t e m p t to e x a c t Egyptian tribute w i t h R u l l a n Legislation, foiled by Cicero. 62 B . C . C l o d i a ' s h u s b a n d Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r governor o f C i s a l p i n e G a u l . C l o d i u s disrupts t h e c e l e b r a t i o n o f t h e G o o d Goddess. 61

B.C.

C l o d i u s tried for t h e G o o d G o d d e s s scandal and a c q u i t t e d . 59

B.C.

C a e l i u s prosecutes A n t o n i u s ( C i c e r o d e f e n d i n g ) . C a e s a r as c o n s u l arranges for K i n g Ptolemy to be recognized as " F r i e n d a n d A l l y of t h e R o m a n P e o p l e " in return for thirty-five m i l l i o n denarii. K i n g Ptolemy raises taxes in Egypt, angering t h e populace. C l o d i u s b e c o m e s a p l e b e i a n in order to run for t r i b u n e . C l o d i a widowed by t h e d e a t h of Q u i n t u s Metellus Celer. 58 B . C . C l o d i u s t r i b u n e . C i c e r o forced into e x i l e ( M a r c h ) . R o m a n takeover o f E g y p t i a n Cyprus. K i n g P t o l e m y flees t o R o m e . 57 B . C . C i c e r o returns from e x i l e ( S e p t e m b e r ) . C a e l i u s supports B e s t i a for praetor. T h e d e l e g a t i o n o f o n e hundred A l e x a n d r i a n s , h e a d e d b y D i o , arrives in Italy.

At dice I sought the Venus Throw. Instead: damned Dogs—the lose-all low! P R O P E R T I U S ,

Elegies

iv , v i i : 45-46

We've all heard about Alexandria, and now we know about it—the source of all trickery and deceit, where the plots of all the mimes come from. C I C E R O , Pro C. Rabirio Postumo, 35

Democritus disapproved of sexual intercourse as being merely the act whereby one human being springs from another—and by Hercules, the less of that the better! On the other hand, sluggish athletes find that sex rejuvenates them; sex can relieve hoarseness, cure pain in the loins, sharpen eyesight; sex can restore mental balance and banish melancholy. Natural History, x x v III , 58

P L I N Y ,

P A R T

NEX

O N E

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A

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E

Two visitors at t h e front door, M a s t e r . " B e l b o looked at me from under his brow a n d shifted from foot to foot u n c e r t a i n l y . "Their names?" " T h e y w o u l d n ' t say." "Familiar faces?" "I've n e v e r s e e n t h e m before, M a s t e r . " " D i d t h e y say w h a t t h e y w a n t e d ? " "No, Master." I p o n d e r e d this for a m o m e n t a n d stared i n t o t h e flames of t h e brazier. " I see. Two m e n — " " N o t exactly, Master . . . " " T w o visitors, you said. A r e t h e y b o t h m e n o r n o t ? " " W e l l , " B e l b o said, w r i n k l i n g his brow, " I ' m pretty sure t h a t o n e of t h e m is a m a n . At least I t h i n k so . . ." "And the other?" " A w o m a n — I t h i n k . O r m a y b e n o t . . . " H e looked thoughtfully but w i t h o u t m u c h c o n c e r n i n t o t h e middle d i s t a n c e , a s i f trying t o r e m e m b e r w h a t h e h a d e a t e n for breakfast. I raised an eyebrow a n d looked b e y o n d t h e flaming brazier, t h r o u g h t h e narrow w i n d o w a n d i n t o t h e garden, w h e r e t h e statue o f M i n e r v a kept w a t c h over a little fishpond. T h e sun was b e g i n n i n g to lower. Days in J a n u a r i u s are all t o o s h o r t , especially for a m a n of fifty-four like myself, old e n o u g h to feel t h e c o l d in his b o n e s . B u t t h e daylight was still strong

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e n o u g h t o see clearly, c e r t a i n l y clearly e n o u g h t o tell i f s o m e o n e a t t h e door was m a l e or f e m a l e . W a s B e l b o ' s sight b e g i n n i n g to fail? B e l b o i s n o t t h e cleverest o f slaves. W h a t h e lacks i n brains h e has always m a d e up for w i t h brawn. For a long t i m e this hulking mass of bulging muscles a n d straw-colored h a i r has b e e n my bodyguard, but in r e c e n t years his reflexes h a v e grown n o t i c e a b l y slower. I h a d t h o u g h t I m i g h t be able to start using h i m as a doorkeeper, reasoning t h a t his long s e r v i c e at my side would e n a b l e h i m to recognize most of my visitors a n d t h a t his size should i n t i m i d a t e t h o s e he didn't. A l a s , if he c o u l d n ' t e v e n tell t h e difference b e t w e e n a m a n and a w o m a n it would hardly do to h a v e h i m answering t h e door. B e l b o c e a s e d t o p o n d e r t h e middle d i s t a n c e a n d c l e a r e d his t h r o a t . " S h o u l d I show t h e m in, M a s t e r ? " " L e t me see if I understand you: two strangers of i n d e t e r m i n a t e s e x , w h o refuse to give t h e i r n a m e s , have c o m e to c a l l on a m a n w i t h a lifetime's w o r t h o f e n e m i e s , h e r e i n t h e most dangerous c i t y i n t h e world. S h o w t h e m in, you ask? W h y n o t ? " My sarcasm was apparently t o o subtle. B e l b o nodded a n d left t h e r o o m before I c o u l d c a l l h i m b a c k . A m o m e n t later he returned with my visitors. I stood to greet t h e m , a n d realized t h a t B e l b o ' s eyes were indeed still sharp, probably sharper t h a n my own. H a d I s e e n this couple across t h e street or walking through t h e F o r u m , I m i g h t have t a k e n t h e m to be e x a c t l y w h a t they appeared to b e , a r a t h e r small young m a n w i t h d e l i c a t e features, dressed in an illfitting toga a n d wearing a b r o a d - b r i m m e d h a t (despite t h e less t h a n sunny w e a t h e r ) , a n d a m u c h older, m u c h larger w o m a n wrapped in a stola t h a t m o d e s t l y covered h e r from h e a d t o t o e . B u t o n c l o s e r i n s p e c t i o n , t h e r e was s o m e t h i n g amiss. I c o u l d see n o t h i n g of t h e young m a n ' s body, obscured as it was by t h e loose folds of his oversize toga, but his face was n o t quite right; t h e r e was no sign of a beard on his c h e e k s , and his soft, beautifully m a n i c u r e d h a n d s m o v e d w i t h a d e l i c a c y t h a t was n o t m a s c u l i n e . A l s o , instead of lying flat around his ears a n d t h e b a c k of his n e c k , his h a i r appeared to h a v e b e e n pushed up under his h a t , w h i c h m e a n t it must be unusually long. T h e c o l o r of his h a i r was odd as w e l l — d a r k at t h e roots, but turning b l o n d w h e r e it was tucked up under t h e b r i m of his h a t , w h i c h he d e c l i n e d to take off. As for t h e w o m a n , a w o o l e n m a n t l e draped over h e r h e a d obscured m u c h o f h e r f a c e , but I c o u l d see that h e r c h e e k s h a d b e e n painted, a n d n o t t o o expertly, w i t h a rose-colored blush. T h e wrinkles o f h e r n e c k h u n g down in folds considerably looser t h a n t h e folds of t h e stola t h a t strained t o c o n t a i n h e r b u l k , especially around t h e middle. H e r shoulders

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s e e m e d a b i t t o o broad a n d h e r hips t o o narrow. N o r did h e r h a n d s s e e m quite right, for R o m a n m a t r o n s take pride in keeping their flesh as pale as possible, a n d hers were dark and weathered as if by many years of exposure t o t h e sun, a n d w h i l e any w o m a n vain e n o u g h t o c o l o r h e r c h e e k s m i g h t b e e x p e c t e d t o take good c a r e o f h e r f i n g e r n a i l s , t h o s e o f my visitor were ragged and b i t t e n down to t h e quick. T h e c o u p l e stood m u t e beside t h e brazier. "I understand t h a t you've c o m e to pay me a v i s i t , " I finally said. T h e y m e r e l y nodded. T h e young m a n pursed his lips and peered a t m e , his face stiff. T h e old w o m a n tilted h e r h e a d so t h a t t h e brazier lit up h e r eyes. B e t w e e n lashes stained b l a c k with a n t i m o n y I saw a flash of apprehension. I waved to B e l b o , w h o f e t c h e d a pair of folding chairs a n d p l a c e d t h e m opposite m y o w n . " S i t , " I offered. T h e y did, d e m o n s t r a t i n g even m o r e clearly t h a t things were n o t w h a t they seemed. T h e wearing of t h e toga is an art, as is t h e wearing of t h e stola, I i m a g i n e . F r o m their manifest awkwardness it s e e m e d highly unlikely t h a t t h e little m a n h a d ever worn a toga before, or t h a t his c o m p a n i o n h a d ever worn a stola. T h e i r clumsiness was a l m o s t comical. " W i n e ? " I offered. " Y e s ! " said t h e young m a n , sitting forward, his face suddenly anim a t e d . H i s v o i c e was h i g h a n d s o m e h o w t o o d e l i c a t e , like his h a n d s . T h e old w o m a n stiffened and whispered " N o ! " i n a hoarse v o i c e . S h e nervously f i d d l e d w i t h h e r f i n g e r s , t h e n b i t a t her t h u m b n a i l . I shrugged. " F o r myself, I feel t h e n e e d of s o m e t h i n g to stave off t h e c h i l l i n t h e air. B e l b o , ask o n e o f t h e serving girls t o bring s o m e water and w i n e . A n d s o m e t h i n g to eat, perhaps?" I looked inquiringly at my visitors. T h e young m a n b r i g h t e n e d a n d nodded eagerly. T h e w o m a n glowered a n d s t r u c k a t his arm, m a k i n g h i m w i n c e . " A r e you m a d ? " she whispered gruffly. I t h o u g h t I d e t e c t e d a slight a c c e n t , a n d was trying to p l a c e it w h e n I h e a r d h e r s t o m a c h growl. "Yes, o f course, e x a c t l y , " t h e young m a n muttered. H e t o o h a d a n a c c e n t , faint but vaguely eastern. T h i s was curious, for o n l y R o m a n citizens wear t h e toga. " N o food, p l e a s e , " h e said. " H o w u n f o r t u n a t e , " I said, "for we have some very good must-cakes left over from breakfast this m o r n i n g , flavored with h o n e y a n d pepper in t h e E g y p t i a n style. My wife c o m e s from A l e x a n d r i a , you see. I spent s o m e t i m e t h e r e myself as a young m a n — o h , t h a t must have b e e n over t h i r t y years ago. T h e Egyptians are famous for t h e i r soft breads, as I'm sure you know. My wife says it was a baker at t h e m o u t h of t h e N i l e w h o

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discovered t h e secret of leavening a n d dedicated his first l o a f to t h e great A l e x a n d e r w h e n h e founded t h e c i t y . " T h e w o m a n ' s m o u t h b e g a n t o t w i t c h . S h e pulled a t h e r m a n t l e t o shade h e r eyes, but I c o u l d feel h e r gaze on me as h o t as t h e flames of t h e brazier. T h e little m a n ' s face lost its a n i m a t i o n a n d turned stiff again. B e l b o returned w i t h a small folding table w h i c h he set b e t w e e n us. A serving girl followed w i t h t h r e e cups and two ewers, o n e of water a n d o n e o f w i n e . T h e girl poured w i n e i n t o e a c h cup a n d t h e n departed, leaving it to me to a p p o r t i o n t h e water. "For myself, in t h e c o l d m o n t h s I take it almost s t r a i g h t , " I said, leaning forward and adding o n l y a splash of water to t h e nearest c u p . " A n d y o u ? " I looked at t h e young m a n . He h e l d up his forefinger a n d pressed his t h u m b against t h e furthest j o i n t . " A k n u c k l e ' s w o r t h o f water," I said, pouring, t h e n looked a t his c o m p a n i o n . " A n d will you j o i n u s after a l l ? " S h e h e s i t a t e d , t h e n c o p i e d t h e little m a n ' s gesture. A g a i n I n o t i c e d h e r b i t t e n nails a n d t h e sunweathered flesh o f h e r h a n d s . "You w o n ' t regret i t , " I said. " T h i s c o m e s from my private s t o c k . I still h a v e s o m e jars of w i n e r e m a i n i n g from my b r i e f tenure as a farmer up in Etruria a few years ago. It was a very good y e a r — f o r t h e w i n e , anyway." I h a n d e d t h e m e a c h a cup. Before I c o u l d p i c k up my own, t h e w o m a n quickly put hers down a n d r e a c h e d for m i n e . "I c h a n g e d my m i n d , " s h e whispered hoarsely. "Less water will suit m e . If you d o n ' t mind." " O f course n o t . " I p i c k e d u p t h e cup she h a d a b a n d o n e d and h e l d it before my lips, p r e t e n d i n g to savor t h e b o u q u e t . S h e w a t c h e d me i n t e n t l y a n d put h e r cup b e n e a t h h e r fleshy n o s e , sniffing at it cautiously w i t h no p r e t e n s e of e n j o y m e n t , waiting for me to take a sip before s h e would do t h e s a m e . It was an absurd m o m e n t , like a s c e n e in s o m e h a c k n e y e d comedy, e x c e p t t h a t h a d we b e e n on a stage t h e a u d i e n c e would h a v e h o o t e d at us for playing our parts t o o broadly. At last I put t h e cup to my m o u t h and drank, l e t t i n g t h e red w i n e linger on my lips for a m o m e n t before licking t h e m c l e a n , to show h e r I h a d swallowed. O n l y t h e n did she sip cautiously from h e r c u p . H e r c o m p a n i o n , h a v i n g w a t c h e d this i n t e r c h a n g e as if awaiting permission, put his cup to his lips a n d drained it. " E x c e l l e n t ! " he e x c l a i m e d , his v o i c e slipping i n t o a h i g h e r register. He c l e a r e d his t h r o a t . " E x c e l l e n t , " he said again in a v o i c e t h a t was deeper but still distinctly f e m i n i n e . For a m o m e n t we sipped our w i n e in s i l e n c e , listening to t h e c r a c k ling of t h e brazier. "You s e e m cautious about stating your purpose," I finally said. "Perhaps you c o u l d b e g i n by telling me your n a m e s . " T h e little m a n looked a t t h e w o m a n , w h o t h e n turned away from

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t h e flames a n d hid h e r face in shadow. A f t e r a m o m e n t t h e little m a n looked b a c k t o m e . " N o n a m e s , " h e said softly. " N o t y e t . " I n o d d e d . " A s you wish. W h a t d o n a m e s matter, anyway? N a m e s are but a c l o a k , a g a r m e n t w h i c h m e n put on and take off. A disguise, if you will. D o n ' t you a g r e e ? " T h e little m a n looked a t m e w i t h gleaming eyes—was h e intrigued, or h a d he simply drained his cup t o o quickly? His c o m p a n i o n kept h e r face in shadow, b u t again I felt t h e h e a t of h e r gaze. "A name is n o t t h e same as a thing," she finally whispered. I n o d d e d . " S o I was taught long a g o — w h e n I lived in A l e x a n d r i a , as a m a t t e r of fact. A n d yet, w i t h o u t n a m e s , we have no way of discoursing with o n e a n o t h e r about t h e things those n a m e s represent." T h e w o o l e n m a n t l e nodded gravely u p and down. "A t h i n g is c a l l e d o n e n a m e in G r e e k , a n o t h e r in L a t i n , " I said. " T h e t h i n g remains t h e same. T h a t w h i c h applies t o things must also apply to persons. K i n g Ptolemy of Egypt, for e x a m p l e , is K i n g Ptolemy, w h e t h e r we give h i m t h e G r e e k title basileus or t h e L a t i n title rex." T h e figure in t h e stola drew a sharp b r e a t h and seemed on t h e verge o f speaking, but h e l d b a c k . " S o it is w i t h t h e gods t h e m s e l v e s , " I went o n . " R o m a n s c a l l t h e father of t h e gods Jupiter; G r e e k s call h i m Zeus. 'Jupiter' is an o n o m a t o p o e i a for t h e sound of lightning striking t h e earth, while 'Zeus' captures t h e sound of a t h u n d e r b o l t c u t t i n g through t h e air. T h u s do n a m e s c o n v e y to t h e ear w h a t t h e eye and t h e soul of m a n perceive, however imperfectly." " E x a c t l y ! " whispered my visitor. T h e head tilted to reveal t h e eyes, w h i c h were fixed upon me w i t h t h e e x c i t e m e n t of a t e a c h e r w h o hears his pupil repeating b a c k to h i m a lesson learned long ago but n e v e r forgotten. " S t i l l , n a m e s are n o t t h i n g s , " I said, "and while t h e study of n a m e s may fascinate us, it is t h e study of things, or m o r e precisely our h u m a n p e r c e p t i o n o f things, w h i c h must occupy anyone w h o cares t o discover philosophy. For e x a m p l e : I see t h e flame in this brazier, yet how do I k n o w t h a t it e x i s t s ? " T h e little m a n , w h o had availed h i m s e l f o f m o r e w i n e during m y discourse, laughed out loud. " S i m p l e — p u t your h a n d i n t o t h e flame!" I c l u c k e d my tongue disapprovingly. "You must be of t h e E p i c u r e a n S c h o o l , if you believe t h a t by sense p e r c e p t i o n a l o n e we c a n d e t e r m i n e t h e a c t u a l i t y of e x i s t e n c e . Epicurus taught that all sensations are true; still, t h e fact t h a t I am burned by t h e fire should be no p r o o f to you of its e x i s t e n c e , s i n c e you would feel no p a i n . "

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" A h , but I would h e a r you s c r e a m . " "Perhaps; b u t t h e r e are those w h o c a n endure such pain w i t h o u t s c r e a m i n g . If I didn't s c r e a m , would t h e fire be any m o r e or less real? W h a t if I did s c r e a m , and you h a p p e n e d to be d e a f and looking elsew h e r e — w o u l d I still have b e e n burned? T h e n again, if I were to s c r e a m , and if you were to h e a r m e , you still would have no way of k n o w i n g w h e t h e r my p a i n was real or a s h a m . " "You s e e m to k n o w a lot about such t h i n g s , " said t h e young m a n , w h o smiled and t o o k a n o t h e r sip. I n o t i c e d he had spilled a bit of w i n e o n his toga. " A l i t t l e . Philosophy i s t h e c r e a t i o n o f t h e G r e e k s , o f course, b u t a R o m a n may a t t e m p t to c o m p r e h e n d it. My old patron C i c e r o m a d e h i m s e l f s o m e t h i n g o f a n e x p e r t o n philosophy, t o h e l p his oratory. F r o m t h e S k e p t i c s he learned t h a t a proposition is always easier to disprove t h a n to p r o v e — a useful t h i n g for a lawyer to know, especially if he h a s n o scruples a b o u t defending guilty m e n . " I t o o k a long sip of w i n e . T h e m o o d in t h e r o o m h a d c h a n g e d c o m p l e t e l y . M y visitors' frosty suspicion had m e l t e d i n t o trust. T h e c o m forting c a d e n c e of p h i l o s o p h i c discourse was familiar ground, as I susp e c t e d it would b e . " B u t just as a n a m e is n o t a thing, so appearance is n o t existence," I w e n t o n . " C o n s i d e r : t w o visitors c o m e t o m y h o m e . A t f i r s t g l a n c e , they appear to be a m a n a n d a w o m a n , and this is clearly t h e impression they wish to give. B u t on closer scrutiny this is only an impression, n o t t h e truth; thus do my senses tell me and my powers of logic deduce. Q u e s t i o n s follow: if t h e m a n is n o t a m a n , and t h e w o m a n is n o t a w o m a n , t h e n what are they? W h o are they? W h y do they wish to be perceived as s o m e t h i n g t h e y are n o t ? W h o are they trying to fool, a n d why? A n d why d o they c o m e t o t h e house o f G o r d i a n u s t h e F i n d e r ? " " A n d do you k n o w t h e answers to all t h e s e q u e s t i o n s ? " rasped my visitor in t h e stola. " I t h i n k so, t o m o s t o f t h e m , anyway. T h o u g h some things a b o u t your c o m p a n i o n still puzzle m e . . . " I looked a t t h e little m a n , w h o smiled in a way I c o u l d n ' t a c c o u n t for, until I realized t h a t he was smiling n o t a t m e but a t s o m e o n e b e h i n d m e . I turned to see my daughter, D i a n a , in t h e doorway. H e r posture was t e n t a t i v e , as if she h a d merely paused to have a l o o k i n t o t h e r o o m and would move o n a t any m o m e n t . S h e wore t h e long-sleeved gown t h a t c h i l d r e n of b o t h sexes wear, b u t at t h i r t e e n s h e was already b e g i n n i n g to fill t h e g a r m e n t in ways unmistakably f e m i n i n e . H e r dark blue gown merged w i t h t h e dimness of t h e hallway, so t h a t h e r f a c e , lit up by t h e brazier, seemed to hover in t h e air. H e r skin, w h i c h

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h a d t h e creamy t e x t u r e a n d t h e rosy glow t h a t my visitor's p a i n t e d c h e e k s so crudely m i m i c k e d , m a d e t h e darkness of her long eyelashes a n d h e r t h i c k eyebrows all t h e m o r e p r o n o u n c e d . T h e flames c a u g h t t h e h i g h l i g h t s of h e r long b l a c k hair, w h i c h was parted in t h e middle a n d fell down h e r shoulders. H e r brown eyes peered at us curiously and w i t h a h i n t of a m u s e m e n t . H o w like h e r m o t h e r she h a d always b e e n , a n d how m o r e like h e r she b e c a m e every day! S o m e t i m e s it seemed to me t h a t I h a d n o t h i n g to do w i t h c r e a t i n g her, so c o m p l e t e l y was she cast in B e t h e s d a ' s image. S h e s m i l e d faintly and b e g a n t o move o n . " D i a n a , " I c a l l e d , " c o m e h e r e for a m o m e n t . " S h e stepped i n t o t h e r o o m , wearing t h a t mysterious smile she inh e r i t e d from h e r m o t h e r . "Yes, Papa?" " W e h a v e visitors, D i a n a . " "Yes, Papa, I know. I saw B e l b o let t h e m in at t h e front door. I was on my way to tell M o t h e r , b u t I t h o u g h t I'd have a closer l o o k first." " A closer look?" S h e gave me a bemused, exasperated look, s u c h as B e t h e s d a gives me w h e n I b e l a b o r t h e obvious. " W e l l , Papa! It's n o t every day t h a t a e u n u c h a n d a m a n dressed as a w o m a n c o m e calling on you, is i t ? " S h e looked at my visitors a n d smiled sweetly. T h e y d i d n ' t smile b a c k , b u t instead looked glumly a t e a c h o t h e r . "I t o l d you t h a t t h e pretense was worthless. E v e n a c h i l d saw t h r o u g h it!" g r u m b l e d t h e old m a n i n t h e stola, n o longer disguising his v o i c e o r his A l e x a n d r i a n a c c e n t . H e wearily pushed b a c k t h e m a n t l e from his h e a d . H i s silver h a i r was pulled b a c k from his face a n d k n o t t e d at t h e b a c k o f his n e c k . H i s forehead was w r i n k l e d and covered w i t h spots. T h e folds of flesh h a n g i n g from his c h i n quivered a n d he suddenly looked ridiculous, a n unhappy old m a n w i t h p a i n t e d c h e e k s a n d p a i n t e d eyes. T h e e u n u c h i n t h e toga covered his m o u t h and giggled tipsily. " B u t you l o o k so p r e t t y in m a k e u p ! " " E n o u g h o f t h a t ! " growled t h e old Egyptian. His m o u t h settled i n a deep frown a n d his jowls drooped as he stared bleakly i n t o t h e flames, his eyes full of despair.

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C

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A

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T

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T h i s is my daughter, G o r d i a n a , w h o m we call D i a n a . " I t o o k h e r soft, s m o o t h h a n d in m i n e . " D i a n a , we are h o n o r e d by t h e p r e s e n c e o f D i o o f A l e x a n d r i a : philosopher, teacher, e s t e e m e d m e m b e r o f t h e Academy, and currently t h e c h i e f ambassador t o R o m e from t h e people o f E g y p t . " W i t h t h e unstudied dignity of a distinguished m a n used to b e i n g formally introduced and h e a r i n g his titles r e c i t e d , D i o stood, clasping his h a n d s before h i m , pulling his shoulders b a c k . His self-possession s e e m e d peculiarly at odds w i t h his strange c o s t u m e ; w i t h his p a i n t e d face a n d his f e m i n i n e garments he looked like t h e priest of s o m e e a s t e r n c u l t — w h i c h was precisely what his c o m p a n i o n turned out to b e . " A n d t h i s , " said D i o , gesturing t o t h e little e u n u c h , w h o likewise stood, t h o u g h a b i t tipsily, "is T r y g o n i o n , a priest at t h e T e m p l e of C y b e l e here in R o m e . " T h e e u n u c h t o o k a little bow and pulled off his hat, from w h i c h t u m b l e d a mass of pale yellow hair. T h e c o l o r was a b l e a c h e d , unnatural shade of b l o n d . He r a n his fingers through his hair and s h o o k his h e a d t o u n t a n g l e t h e curls. "A p h i l o s o p h e r . . . and a gallus!" D i a n a said wonderingly. T h e last word gave me a start. Gallus is t h e L a t i n t e r m for a castrated priest o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r , C y b e l e . A l l t h e galli are foreigners, s i n c e b y law n o R o m a n c a n b e c o m e o n e . T h e word i s pious i n t h e m o u t h s o f t h e goddess's a d h e r e n t s , but others s o m e t i m e s use it as a vulgar e p i t h e t ("You filthy gallus!"); t h e idea o f m e n b e c o m i n g e u n u c h s , e v e n i n t h e service

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of t h e d i v i n e , r e m a i n s foreign a n d repulsive to most R o m a n s . I c o u l d n ' t r e m e m b e r ever h a v i n g taught t h e word to D i a n a , but t h e n she is always c o m i n g out w i t h things I n e v e r taught her. S h e learns t h e m from h e r mother, I suspect. " Y e s , " D i o said ruefully, "puzzle t h a t , G o r d i a n u s : w h a t c o u l d a philosopher a n d a gallus possibly h a v e in c o m m o n — t h e m a n w h o lives by reason, a n d t h e m a n whose life is t h e surrender of all reason? H a ! C i r c u m s t a n c e s m a k e strange b e d m a t e s . T h e more desperate t h e c i r c u m stances, t h e odder t h e b e d m a t e s . " He c a s t a sidelong, gloomy g l a n c e at t h e e u n u c h , t h e n suddenly looked doubtful. " I d o n o t i n t e n d this m e t aphor literally, of course. You do have this phrase in L a t i n , yes? A b o u t circumstances and bedmates?" " S o m e t h i n g close enough." H e n o d d e d , satisfied t h a t h e h a d m a d e h i m s e l f understood. H i s L a t i n was in fact i m p e c c a b l e , t h o u g h his a c c e n t was distinctly A l e x a n drian, w i t h t h e particular inflections o f t h o s e b o r n i n Egypt w h o s e a n cestry a n d primary tongue are G r e e k . H e a r i n g h i m speak freely, I n o w recalled his v o i c e from many years ago. It h a d grown coarser w i t h age, but was u n d e n i a b l y t h e same v o i c e I h a d listened to so a t t e n t i v e l y on t h e steps outside t h e t e m p l e of Serapis in A l e x a n d r i a w h e n I was a young m a n , eager to l e a r n all I c o u l d about t h e world. D i o ' s v o i c e t o o k me far b a c k in m e m o r y a n d far away from R o m e . I n t r o d u c t i o n s finished, we sat, e x c e p t for D i a n a , w h o e x c u s e d h e r self a n d left t h e r o o m , no doubt to go tell h e r m o t h e r . D i o c l e a r e d his throat. "You r e m e m b e r m e , t h e n ? " " T e a c h e r , " I said, for t h a t was w h a t I h a d always c a l l e d h i m in A l e x a n d r i a , a n d it now felt awkward to c a l l h i m by his n a m e , t h o u g h I was long past t h e age of d e f e r e n c e , " o f course I r e m e m b e r you. You'd be a h a r d m a n to forget!" "I h a d t h o u g h t , after so many years . . . A n d t h e n , w h e n t h e y told me your n a m e , h o w c o u l d I k n o w for sure t h a t it was t h e same G o r d i a n u s w h o m I h a d k n o w n so long ago? To be sure, t h e n a m e is unusual, a n d also t h e y s e e m e d to t h i n k t h a t you h a d b e e n to A l e x a n d r i a as a young m a n , a n d w h a t t h e y said of you sounded like t h e tree t h a t would h a v e grown from t h e s a p l i n g — t h i s expression you have also, yes? A n d I h a v e used t h e c o r r e c t tenses? G o o d . S t i l l , w i t h s o m u c h danger around m e , so many b e t r a y a l s — y o u understand why I c o u l d n o t c o m e to you o p e n l y ? W h y I h e s i t a t e d to reveal myself to you? W h y I h a d to be suspicious e v e n of your very fine w i n e ? " He looked at me uneasily and c h e w e d a fingernail. " E v e n w h e n I saw you, I was n o t quite sure t h a t you were t h e G o r d i a n u s I h a d k n o w n in A l e x a n d r i a . T i m e c h a n g e s us all, a n d you wear a sort of disguise as well, you k n o w . "

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He gestured to s o m e t h i n g on my face. I t o u c h e d my c h i n a n d realized t h a t h e m e a n t m y beard. I smiled. "Yes, I was c l e a n - s h a v e n b a c k t h e n . A l e x a n d r i a is t o o h o t for beards, a n d I was t o o young to grow a d e c e n t o n e anyway. Or do you m e a n all t h e gray a m o n g t h e b l a c k ? G r a y h a i r a n d wrinkles are a k i n d of involuntary disguise, I suppose, worn by a n y o n e w h o lives long enough." D i o n o d d e d a n d studied my face, still trying to decide w h e t h e r he c o u l d trust m e . " I have t o b e very careful," h e said. "Yes, I k n o w s o m e t h i n g about your s i t u a t i o n , " I said. "Your j o u r n e y from A l e x a n d r i a , t h e a t t a c k s on your entourage after you landed down i n N e a p o l i s , t h e threats against you h e r e i n R o m e , t h e fact t h a t t h e S e n a t e looks t h e o t h e r way. T h e r e ' s p l e n t y o f t a l k i n t h e F o r u m t h e s e days a b o u t w h a t p e o p l e c a l l ' t h e Egyptian s i t u a t i o n . ' " " S t i l l , how did you guess it was D i o ? " asked t h e little gallus, pouring h i m s e l f a n o t h e r cup o f w i n e . " O u r disguises got u s safely through t h e streets. G r a n t e d , t h e y may b e less c o n v i n c i n g a t s u c h c l o s e q u a r t e r s — " " Y e s , " said D i o , " h o w c o u l d you possibly h a v e k n o w n it was m e ? S u r e l y you didn't recognize my face, h i d d e n in shadow a n d p a i n t e d like a w o m a n ' s , a n d after all t h e s e years. A n d surely it was n o t my v o i c e , for I tried to speak like a w o m a n a n d as little as I c o u l d , and you have n o t h e a r d m e speak for s o l o n g . " " T e a c h e r , I ' m n o t sure e x a c t l y why you've c o m e to see m e , but I assume it has s o m e t h i n g to do w i t h t h e reputation I've made for myself: Finder, I ' m c a l l e d . I k n e w w h o you must be almost at o n c e . If I c o u l d n ' t figure o u t as small a t h i n g as that, c o m i n g to see me would be a waste o f your t i m e . " " E l u c i d a t e , " said D i o , in his expressionless t e a c h e r ' s v o i c e . "Yes, m a k e yourself c l e a r ! " laughed t h e little gallus, lifting his w i n e cup a n d s h a k i n g out his b l e a c h e d curls. "Very well. T h a t you were n o t what you wished to appear was i m m e d i a t e l y e v i d e n t to m e , as it was to D i a n a , and e v e n to B e l b o , my doorkeeper." " W h a t gave m e away?" said D i o . I shrugged. " L i t t l e t h i n g s . W h o c a n list all t h e differences b e t w e e n t h e ways t h a t m e n a n d w o m e n walk a n d talk a n d h o l d themselves? A n a c t o r o n t h e stage c a n c o n v i n c i n g l y portray a w o m a n , but a n a c t o r trains for t h e task. To simply p a i n t your face a n d put on a stola is hardly an impersonation." " T h e n t h e p r e t e n s e was n o t at all c o n v i n c i n g ? Be specific! I h a v e to know, b e c a u s e if I c a n n o t succeed w i t h this disguise, t h e n I must find

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a n o t h e r . It c o u l d m e a n t h e difference b e t w e e n — b e t w e e n life a n d . . ." He b i t at his fingernails again, but finding n o t h i n g left to gnaw at, pulled nervously at t h e w r i n k l e s t h a t h u n g from his n e c k . "Your fingernails gave you away, for a start. R o m a n m a t r o n s m a k e a ritual of t h e i r m a n i c u r e s . " " A h ! " H e looked a t his nails w i t h disgust. " A terrible h a b i t . It's c o m e b a c k to me o n l y s i n c e I arrived in Italy. I c a n n o t s e e m to stop myself." "You m i g h t grow b a c k your nails, but your hands would still give you away. S u c h brown, weathered h a n d s — n o R o m a n m a t r o n has h a n d s like yours, a n d n e i t h e r does any citizen of standing. O n l y slaves a n d farmers h a v e s u c h h a n d s — o r visitors from foreign c l i m e s w h e r e t h e sun stays h o t all year long a n d burns everyone brown as a nut, from K i n g P t o l e m y d o w n to t h e lowest field s l a v e . " " P t o l e m y ! " D i o spat t h e n a m e . "Yes, 1 saw your a g i t a t i o n earlier w h e n I spoke his n a m e , w h i c h gave further c o n f i r m a t i o n to w h a t I already suspected: t h a t D i o of A l e x a n d r i a h a d c o m e to pay me a v i s i t . " " B u t you still h a v e n ' t e x p l a i n e d h o w you c a m e to have s u c h a suspicion in t h e first p l a c e , " said t h e gallus. " 'Elucidate!' " he quipped, mimicking Dio. " B y steps, t h e n : My visitor is dressed as a w o m a n but is n o t a w o m a n . My visitor must be a m a n , t h e n , w i t h a reason for c o n c e a l i n g h i m s e l f — I confess t h a t I overlooked t h e possibility t h a t e i t h e r of you m i g h t be a e u n u c h . A m a n in trouble, perhaps in d a n g e r — t h a t s e e m e d likely from your nervous m a n n e r i s m s a n d t h e fact t h a t you refused any food, despite t h e fact t h a t your s t o m a c h was growling. F r o m your b r o w n h a n d s a n d your a c c e n t , I k n e w you must be foreign." I shrugged. " B u t there's a p o i n t w h e r e e x p l a i n i n g t h e discrete steps i n a logical progression o f t h o u g h t b e c o m e s t o o tedious t o b o t h e r w i t h — would you agree, T e a c h e r ? Like asking a weaver to e x p l a i n h o w a tapestry was m a d e by t a k i n g it apart thread by t h r e a d — w h a t a mess you'd h a v e ! Suffice it to say t h a t given w h a t I h a d already deduced, t h e supposition leaped t o m y m i n d t h a t m y visitor must b e D i o o f A l e x a n d r i a . I've h e a r d of your plight; r u m o r says t h a t you've b e e n h i d i n g in private houses h e r e on t h e P a l a t i n e H i l l ; suddenly it o c c u r r e d to me t h a t this foreign stranger w i t h a desperate d e m e a n o r m i g h t be D i o . To test t h e possibility, I felt you out. I spoke of philosophy, my days in A l e x a n d r i a , K i n g Ptolemy. Your r e a c t i o n s c o n f i r m e d my suspicions. T h i s is n o t philosophy or m a t h e m a t i c s , T e a c h e r , b u t I t h i n k you must see how my m i n d works, a n d h o w I h a v e put to use t h e ways of t h i n k i n g w h i c h you taught me long a g o . "

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D i o smiled a n d nodded. H o w curious, t h a t i n t h e fifth d e c a d e o f my life I c o u l d still be warmed by t h e approval of a t e a c h e r I h a d n ' t s e e n a n d h a d scarcely t h o u g h t about for thirty years! " A n d w h a t about T r y g o n i o n ? " D i o said. "Yes, w h a t did you make of m e ? " asked t h e little gallus, his eyes sparkling. (I say 'his eyes,' t h o u g h many people, perhaps most, would say 'her eyes'; as o f t e n as n o t , e u n u c h s are referred to as females, w h i c h seems t o please t h e m . ) "I confess, T r y g o n i o n , t h a t you stumped m e . I k n e w t h a t you w e r e n ' t w h a t you p r e t e n d e d to b e , but I got it wrong. I assumed you must be a young w o m a n in a toga a n d h a t , trying to pass h e r s e l f off as a m a n . " T h e gallus t h r e w b a c k his h e a d a n d let out a throaty laugh. " A logical b a l a n c e , I suppose, for t h o s e w h o t h i n k of things as o n e or t h e o t h e r : a young w o m a n in a toga, to m a t c h an old m a n in a s t o l a ! " I nodded. " E x a c t l y . T h e e x p e c t a t i o n o f symmetry seduced m e i n t o error." " S o you t o o k me for a w o m a n ! " said T r y g o n i o n , sitting low in his c h a i r a n d fixing me w i t h a feline gaze. " W h o did you t h i n k such a w o m a n m i g h t b e — t h e p h i l o s o p h e r ' s slave, his daughter, his wife?" H e r e a c h e d over a n d stroked t h e top o f D i o ' s wrinkled h a n d w i t h his fingertips; t h e p h i l o s o p h e r m a d e a face a n d drew b a c k at t h e t o u c h . " O r his A m a z o n bodyguard, perhaps?" T r y g o n i o n laughed. I shrugged. "Your features a n d your v o i c e confused m e . E u n u c h s are rare in R o m e ; I overlooked t h a t possibility. I saw t h a t you were u n a c c u s t o m e d to wearing a toga, as m i g h t be e x p e c t e d of a w o m a n — b u t also of a foreigner. I did n o t i c e your a c c e n t , b u t it's faint, a n d n o t Egyptian; Phrygian, I assume, n o w t h a t I k n o w you're a gallus. Your L a t i n is a l m o s t t h a t of a R o m a n . You must have lived h e r e a long t i m e . " " F o r t e n years. I c a m e to serve at t h e G r e a t M o t h e r ' s t e m p l e h e r e in R o m e w h e n I was fifteen, t h e very year t h a t I c o n s e c r a t e d myself to h e r w o r s h i p . " B y c o n s e c r a t e d , T r y g o n i o n m e a n t castrated; D i o w i n c e d . " S o , t h e gallus proved a harder riddle to solve t h a n t h e p h i l o s o p h e r , " t h e little priest said, l o o k i n g pleased w i t h himself. " A s is o n l y l o g i c a l , " said D i o irritably, "given t h a t philosophers strive for lucidity, w h i l e t h e priests of C y b e l e make a religion of mystifying the senses." " A n d yet our host's young daughter perceived t h e truth at a g l a n c e , " said T r y g o n i o n . " A beautiful g i r l , " said D i o softly, w r i n k l i n g his brow. " S u c h insight o n t h e part o f a c h i l d seems almost preternatural, d o n ' t you t h i n k , G o r d i a n u s ? " T r y g o n i o n looked at me shrewdly. "Perhaps your daughter is a w i t c h . "

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D i o scowled a n d shifted uneasily, but I decided to indulge t h e gallus's sense of h u m o r r a t h e r t h a n take offense. " D i a n a ' s m o t h e r grew up in Egypt, w h i c h has many e u n u c h s . D i a n a was b o r n w i t h Egypt i n h e r blood, so I suppose she knows a e u n u c h w h e n she sees o n e . I'd like to take credit for h e r cleverness, but c e r t a i n insights definitely c o m e from her m o t h e r . " "Perhaps t h e y are b o t h w i t c h e s , " said T r y g o n i o n . " E n o u g h o f your rudeness," growled D i o . " T h e s e galli t h i n k t h e y c a n say a n y t h i n g a n d b e h a v e however t h e y c h o o s e , under anyone's roof. T h e y have no s h a m e . " " T h a t ' s n o t all we l a c k , " said T r y g o n i o n w i t h a straight f a c e . W h a t e v e r t h e source o f h e r insight, D i a n a h a d also put h e r f i n g e r on t h e m o r e p e r p l e x i n g mystery t h a t lay b e y o n d t h e t h i n disguises of my guests: w h a t were t h e y doing t o g e t h e r ? It was clear t h a t t h e y h a d no love for e a c h o t h e r . " I f you've h a d e n o u g h w i n e , " I said, k n o w i n g t h a t T r y g o n i o n h a d drunk m o r e t h a n his share while D i o h a d barely t o u c h e d his cup, " a n d if we've talked e n o u g h of your disguises, perhaps we should speak of m o r e serious t h i n g s . W h y have you c o m e t o m e , T e a c h e r , and w h a t d o you want from m e ? " D i o c l e a r e d his t h r o a t . "You spoke a m o m e n t ago of w h a t you R o m a n s c a l l ' t h e Egyptian s i t u a t i o n . ' I take it, t h e n , t h a t you k n o w of t h e false will o f K i n g A l e x a n d e r , t h e s c h e m e s o f C a e s a r a n d Pompey t o get t h e i r h a n d s o n t h e wealth o f Egypt, t h e w h o l e s a l e murder o f m y colleagues w h o h a v e c o m e t o s e e k j u s t i c e from t h e S e n a t e o f R o m e — " I raised my h a n d . "Perhaps you should b e g i n at t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d e x p l a i n to me e a c h step t h a t brought you to my door. B u t to start, I want o n l y t h e simplest answers to t w o simple questions. First: why h a v e you c o m e t o m e ? " D i o looked at me for a long m o m e n t , t h e n gazed i n t o t h e flames of t h e brazier. H i s v o i c e t r e m b l e d . "I have c o m e to you b e c a u s e t h e r e is no o n e else in all R o m e to w h o m I c a n turn for h e l p , no o n e else I c a n t r u s t — i f i n d e e d I c a n trust e v e n y o u . " I n o d d e d . " A n d s e c o n d : w h a t do you want from m e , T e a c h e r ? " " I w a n t you t o h e l p m e t o — " H e c h o k e d o n t h e words. H e turned his gaze from t h e brazier to m e , so t h a t I saw t h e flames d a n c i n g in his eyes. H i s j a w quivered a n d t h e f l e s h y folds o f his n e c k s h o o k a s h e swallowed h a r d . " H e l p m e . P l e a s e ! I want you to h e l p me to . . ." " T o h e l p you d o w h a t ? " "Stay alive!"

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

H

R

E

E

W i t h his great m a n e of dark hair, his towering physique ( n o t yet g o n e t o f a t ) , and his a m i a b l e m a n n e r , t h e p h i l o s o p h e r D i o h a d b e e n a c o n s p i c u o u s figure in t h e A l e x a n d r i a o f m y youth. Like most o f t h e upper class o f Egypt, D i o was o f G r e e k b l o o d — w i t h a t o u c h o f t h e S c y t h i a n , h e h a d c l a i m e d , t o a c c o u n t for his h e i g h t , and a bit of t h e E t h i o p to a c c o u n t for his dark c o m p l e x i o n . H e h a d b e e n a familiar sight o n t h e steps o f t h e library a t t a c h e d t o t h e T e m p l e o f Serapis, where philosophers m e t t o d e b a t e o n e a n o t h e r a n d i n s t r u c t t h e i r pupils. As a young m a n I h a d e n d e d up in A l e x a n d r i a after a long j o u r n e y a n d h a d d e c i d e d to stay t h e r e for a w h i l e . T h a t was w h e r e I m e t my future wife, B e t h e s d a , or m o r e precisely, w h e r e I purchased her; s h e was a slave offered for sale at t h e great slave market, very young a n d very beautiful. ( A n d a troublemaker, t h e a u c t i o n e e r h a d begrudgingly adm i t t e d , w h i c h was why I was able to afford her; b u t if what she gave me was t r o u b l e , I o n l y craved m o r e of i t . ) T h u s I passed t h e h o t A l e x a n d r i a n n i g h t s in a haze of lust; a n d during t h e day, w h i l e B e t h e s d a kept h e r s e l f busy in my s h a b b y l i t t l e a p a r t m e n t or w e n t to t h e market, I gravitated to t h e library steps a n d sought out D i o . 1 was no student of p h i l o s o p h y — I lacked t h e m o n e y for formal e d u c a t i o n — b u t it was a tradition a m o n g A l e x a n d r i a n p h i l o s o p h e r s t o engage c o m m o n m e n i n c o n v e r s a t i o n from time to time, at no charge. N o w , t h i r t y years later, I c o u l d recall o n l y bits a n d pieces of t h o s e c o n v e r s a t i o n s , but I vividly r e m e m b e r e d how D i o h a d fanned my youthful

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passion for t r u t h i n t o w h i t e - h o t flames w i t h his r h e t o r i c a l c o n u n d r u m s , just as B e t h e s d a h a d f a n n e d my o t h e r passions. In t h o s e days I h a d everything I n e e d e d , w h i c h for a young m a n is n o t m u c h : an unfamiliar c i t y to e x p l o r e , a partner in my bed, a n d a m e n t o r . We do n o t forget the c i t i e s , o r t h e lovers, o r t h e t e a c h e r s o f our youth. D i o was a t t a c h e d t o t h e A c a d e m i c s c h o o l . His m e n t o r was A n t i ochus of A s c a l o n , w h o in a few years would b e c o m e t h e h e a d of t h e A c a d e m y ; D i o was o n e o f t h e great philosopher's leading proteges. I n my i g n o r a n c e I o n c e asked D i o w h e r e t h e A c a d e m y was, a n d he laughed, e x p l a i n i n g t h a t w h i l e t h e n a m e o r i g i n a t e d from a specific s i t e — a grove near A t h e n s w h e r e P l a t o t a u g h t — i t applied nowadays n o t to any particular p l a c e or building, but to a discipline, a s c h o o l of t h o u g h t . T h e A c a d e m y t r a n s c e n d e d borders; kings m i g h t be its patrons, b u t t h e y h a d n o h e g e m o n y over it. T h e A c a d e m y t r a n s c e n d e d language ( t h o u g h o f course all great works o f philosophy, including those o f t h e A c a d e m i c s , are w r i t t e n i n G r e e k ) . T h e A c a d e m y e m b r a c e d all m e n , and yet b e l o n g e d t o n o n e . H o w c o u l d i t b e o t h e r w i s e w i t h a n institution d e d i c a t e d t o discovering f u n d a m e n t a l truths? H o w does a m a n k n o w what he knows? How c a n he be sure of his own p e r c e p t i o n s , let a l o n e those o f others? D o t h e gods exist? C a n t h e i r e x i s t e n c e b e proven? W h a t i s t h e i r form a n d their nature, a n d how c a n m e n discern t h e i r will? H o w c a n w e d e t e r m i n e right and wrong? C a n right a c t i o n lead to an evil result, or wrong a c t i o n to a good o u t c o m e ? To a young R o m a n , barely twenty, in an e x o t i c , t e e m i n g m e t r o p o l i s like A l e x a n d r i a , these were heady questions. D i o h a d studied t h e m all, and his quest for knowledge was a profound inspiration to m e . D i o was hardly m o r e t h a n t e n years my senior, but to me he s e e m e d infinitely wise a n d worldly. In his p r e s e n c e I felt quite out of my depth, a n d I was i m m e n s e l y flattered t h a t he would take t h e t i m e and effort to e x p l a i n his ideas to m e . S i t t i n g on t h e steps of t h e library while his slaves shaded us w i t h parasols, we would discuss t h e differences b e t w e e n i n t e l l e c t a n d s e n s a t i o n , range t h e senses in order of reliability, a n d consider t h e specific ways t h a t m e n depend upon logic, smell, taste, sight, h e a r i n g a n d t o u c h t o m a k e sense o f t h e world. T h i r t y years h a d passed. D i o h a d c h a n g e d , o f course. H e h a d s e e m e d old t o m e t h e n , but now h e truly was old. T h e m a n e o f dark h a i r h a d turned to silver. H i s belly h a d grown big a n d his skin h a d grown loose and w r i n k l e d . B u t his broad b a c k was unstooped. U n u s e d t o h a v i n g his arms covered, he pulled up t h e sleeves of his stola to reveal a pair of muscular forearms as brown and weathered as his hands. He looked as h e a l t h y as myself, and given his size a n d robustness, he was probably stronger.

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You'd be a hard man to forget, I had told h i m . Now, as he implored me to help h i m stay alive, I almost said, You look like you'd be a hard man to kill. Instead, after a c o n s i d e r a b l e pause, I c h a n g e d t h e subject. " W h a t I find surprising, T e a c h e r , is that you should r e m e m b e r me after all t h e s e years. I was your pupil only in t h e most casual way, and my t i m e in A l e x a n d r i a was relatively brief. A f t e r I left, I heard that your m e n t o r A n t i o c h u s s u c c e e d e d P h i l o as h e a d of t h e A c a d e m y ; your life must have b e c o m e very busy after that, conversing w i t h kings, playing host to diplomats, advising t h e great and powerful. H o w curious, that you should r e m e m b e r m a k i n g t h e a c q u a i n t a n c e of a footloose young R o m a n w h o liked to loiter on t h e library steps, eavesdropping on t h e discourses of his elders a n d o c c a s i o n a l l y daring to converse w i t h t h e m . " "You were s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h a n t h a t , " D i o said. "You say that you would be a poor F i n d e r if you c o u l d n o t deduce t h e identity of a visitor like myself. W e l l t h e n , what sort of philosopher would I b e , if I c o u l d n o t recognize and r e m e m b e r a kindred spirit w h e n I m e t o n e ? " "You flatter m e , T e a c h e r . " "I most c e r t a i n l y do n o t . I never flatter anyone, n o t e v e n kings. N o t e v e n K i n g P t o l e m y ! W h i c h is o n e reason I find myself in this terrible s t a t e . " He smiled weakly, but in his eyes I saw t h e h a u n t e d l o o k of a m a n oppressed by c o n s t a n t fear. He stood and b e g a n to p a c e nervously around t h e small r o o m , hugging his arms to his c h e s t and shaking his h ead . T r y g o n i o n sat w i t h folded hands and w a t c h e d h i m w i t h a curious expression, c o n t e n t t o b e silent. " D o you r e m e m b e r t h e things we used to talk about on t h e library steps, G o r d i a n u s ? " " O n l y bits and pieces, I'm afraid. B u t I r e m e m b e r your e l o q u e n c e w h e n you spoke o f p e r c e p t i o n and truth, o f how t h e t e a c h i n g s o f P l a t o and t h e S t o i c s had b e e n clarified rather t h a n refuted b y t h e Academy—" "Is t h a t what you r e m e m b e r ? How strange! T h a t ' s n o t at all what I r e c a l l of our c o n v e r s a t i o n s . " " B u t w h a t else was t h e r e , e x c e p t talk o f philosophy?" D i o s h o o k his h e a d . " I d o n ' t r e m e m b e r talking o f philosophy w i t h you, though I suppose I must have. A l l those abstract fancies and highm i n d e d ramblings—-how pompous I must have s e e m e d to you!" "Not at a l l — " " N o , what I r e m e m b e r are t h e stories you told, G o r d i a n u s . " " W h a t stories?" " A b o u t your adventures out in t h e great world! A b o u t your long, roundabout j o u r n e y from R o m e to Egypt, and your visits to t h e S e v e n

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W o n d e r s a l o n g t h e way, a n d your e x p l o i t s in A l e x a n d r i a . H o w dull my own life s e e m e d by c o m p a r i s o n . H o w old you made me feel, as if life had passed me by! W h i l e my colleagues and I lounged under parasols, debating g o o d a n d evil, you were out in t h e streets, e n c o u n t e r i n g good and evil in t h e flesh, taking part in t h e whirling drama of life a n d death. W h o was I to speak of discerning truth from falsehood, w h e n sitting beside m e o n t h e steps o f t h e library was t h e young R o m a n w h o h a d solved t h e riddle o f t h e c a t murdered i n t h e R h a k o t i s district, w h i c h caused h a l f t h e populace o f t h e c i t y t o r i o t ? " "You r e m e m b e r t h a t s t o r y ? " I said, amazed. "I h a v e n e v e r forgotten it! E v e n n o w I c a n close my eyes a n d h e a r you telling t h e tale w h i l e philosophers a n d shopkeepers g a t h e r e d around t o listen i n a w e . " " T h e k i l l i n g of a m e r e cat caused t h e c i t y to r i o t ? " T r y g o n i o n turned a heavy-lidded, dubious gaze at e a c h of us in turn. "You obviously have n e v e r b e e n to A l e x a n d r i a , where cats are g o d s , " said D i o curtly. " O n l y a few years ago a similar i n c i d e n t o c c u r r e d . T h e culprit was a R o m a n , or so t h e y said. B u t given t h e p o l i t i c a l c l i m a t e in A l e x a n d r i a t h e s e days, any p r e t e x t will do to stir up t h e m o b to c h a s e a R o m a n t h r o u g h t h e streets, c a t killer o r n o t . " H e stopped his p a c i n g and t o o k a h a l t i n g breath, t h e n a n o t h e r . " D o you t h i n k we could retire t o a n o t h e r r o o m ? T h e brazier i s t o o h o t . T h e air grows stuffy." "I c o u l d c a l l B e l b o to unshutter a n o t h e r window," I suggested. " N o , n o , perhaps we could step outside for a m o m e n t ? " " A s you l i k e . " I led t h e m i n t o t h e garden. T r y g o n i o n made a show of shivering a n d hugging himself, flapping t h e folds of his toga in an undignified, decidedly u n - R o m a n fashion. D i o studied t h e fishpond w i t h a n abstracted air, t h e n gazed up at t h e darkening sky, t o o k several deep breaths and resumed his p a c i n g , w h i c h brought h i m to a startled h a l t before t h e statue o f M i n e r v a . T h e virgin goddess h e l d a n upright spear i n o n e h a n d a n d c l u t c h e d a shield i n t h e o t h e r . A n owl p e r c h e d o n h e r shoulder a n d a snake c o i l e d at h e r feet. T h e w h o l e statue was painted in s u c h lifelike c o l o r t h a t t h e goddess seemed to b r e a t h e and gaze down on us from b e n e a t h t h e visor o f h e r crested h e l m e t . " M a g n i f i c e n t , " h e whispered. T r y g o n i o n , loyal t o t h e G r e a t M o t h e r , gave t h e goddess of wisdom o n l y a cursory g l a n c e . I stepped alongside D i o a n d gazed up at t h e statue's familiar f a c e . " T h e o n l y f e m a l e i n t h e p l a c e w h o n e v e r talks b a c k t o m e . B u t t h e n , she n e v e r seems t o listen t o m e , e i t h e r . " " S h e must have c o s t a small f o r t u n e . " "Probably, t h o u g h I c a n ' t tell you t h e c o s t . I gained h e r by i n h e r -

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i t a n c e , m o r e o r less, like t h e rest o f this h o u s e . T h e tale o f h o w t h a t c a m e to pass would fill a b o o k . " * D i o surveyed t h e p o r t i c o t h a t surrounded t h e garden, clearly impressed. " T h o s e m u l t i c o l o r e d tiles above t h e d o o r w a y s — " " F i r e d by artisans in A r r e t i u m . So my late b e n e f a c t o r Lucius C l a u dius o n c e told m e , w h e n I was merely a visitor h e r e . " " A n d all t h e s e f i n e l y carved c o l u m n s — " " S a l v a g e d and b r o u g h t up w i t h great difficulty, so I was told, from a n o l d villa a t B a i a e , a s was t h e statue o f M i n e r v a . A l l are o f G r e e k design a n d w o r k m a n s h i p . Lucius Claudius h a d i m p e c c a b l e taste a n d c o n siderable r e s o u r c e s . " " A n d n o w all this is yours? You've d o n e well for yourself, G o r d i a n u s . Very well, i n d e e d . W h e n they said t h a t you lived in a fine h o u s e h e r e on t h e P a l a t i n e , I w o n d e r e d if it could be t h e s a m e m a n w h o ' d led a wanderer's life in A l e x a n d r i a , living from h a n d to m o u t h . " I shrugged. "I may have b e e n a wanderer, b u t I always h a d t h e h u m b l e h o u s e o f m y father t o c o m e b a c k t o h e r e i n R o m e o n t h e E s q u i l i n e Hill." " B u t surely t h a t c o u l d n ' t be as fine as this. You have prospered remarkably. You s e e , I judged you rightly w h e n I m e t you long ago in Alexandria.

I have k n o w n many wise m e n ,

philosophers w h o crave

k n o w l e d g e as o t h e r m e n crave fine wines or sumptuous c l o t h i n g or a beautiful s l a v e — a s a g l i t t e r i n g possession t h a t will bring t h e m c o m f o r t a n d e a r n o t h e r m e n ' s e s t e e m . B u t you sought after truth as if you wished to marry h e r . You y e a r n e d for truth, G o r d i a n u s , as if you c o u l d n o t live w i t h o u t b r e a t h i n g h e r perfume every m o r n i n g a n d n i g h t . You loved all h e r mysteries in equal m e a s u r e — t h e great mysteries of philosophy as well a s t h e p r a c t i c a l mystery o f discovering t h e killer o f a n A l e x a n d r i a n c a t . To s e a r c h for t r u t h is v i r t u e . For your virtue t h e gods have rewarded y o u . " I c o u l d t h i n k of no response but a shrug. In t h e t h i r t y years s i n c e I h a d last s e e n D i o I easily c o u l d have died a h u n d r e d t i m e s , for my labors h a d o f t e n b r o u g h t me i n t o danger, or I c o u l d have fallen i n t o ruin like so m a n y o t h e r m e n . Instead I o w n e d a fine house on t h e P a l a t i n e and c o u n t e d senators a n d wealthy m e r c h a n t s a m o n g m y n e i g h b o r s . D i o ' s e x p l a n a t i o n of my g o o d luck was as reasonable as any other, t h o u g h it seems t o m e t h a t e v e n philosophers c a n n o t say what causes F o r t u n e t o smile o n o n e m a n a n d show spite t o a n o t h e r . W a t c h i n g h i m resume his fitful p a c i n g , I c o u l d n ' t h e l p t h i n k i n g t h a t D i o , for all his years of d e v o t i o n t o f i n d i n g t h e t r u t h , h a d t h e haggard l o o k o f a m a n w h o m F o r t u n e h a d abandoned. 'Catilina's Riddle (St. Martin's Press, 1 9 9 3 ) .

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It h a d b e e n s o m e t i m e s i n c e I h a d conversed at l e n g t h w i t h a philosopher. I h a d forgotten how m u c h t h e y loved to talk, e v e n m o r e than p o l i t i c i a n s , a n d n o t always t o t h e p o i n t . W e had rambled far from the purpose of D i o ' s visit. It was b e g i n n i n g to grow c h i l l y in t h e garden. " C o m e , let's g o b a c k i n t o t h e house. I f t h e brazier i s t o o h o t , I'll have t h e serving girl bring you s o m e c o o l w i n e . " " H e a t e d w i n e for m e , " T r y g o n i o n said, shivering. "Yes, m o r e o f your very fine w i n e , " D i o murmured. " I ' m q u i t e thirsty." "Hungry, as w e l l ? " I said. My own s t o m a c h rumbled. " N o ! " h e insisted. B u t a s h e stepped through t h e doorway h e tripped and stumbled, a n d w h e n I r e a c h e d out to steady h i m I felt h i m t r e m b l i n g . " W h e n did you last e a t ? " H e s h o o k his h e a d . " I ' m n o t sure." "You c a n ' t r e m e m b e r ? " "Yesterday I dared to take a walk outside, disguised as you see me now, a n d b o u g h t s o m e bread i n t h e m a r k e t . " H e s h o o k his h e a d . " I should have b o u g h t m o r e t o eat this m o r n i n g — b u t o f course s o m e o n e could h a v e p o i s o n e d i t w h i l e I slept . . . " " T h e n you've e a t e n n o t h i n g a t all today?" " T h e slaves tried to p o i s o n me at t h e last p l a c e I stayed! E v e n at t h e h o u s e o f T i t u s C o p o n i u s I c a n ' t feel safe. I f o n e m a n ' s slaves c a n b e bribed to kill a houseguest t h e n so c a n a n o t h e r ' s . I eat n o t h i n g unless I see it prepared w i t h my own eyes, or unless I buy it myself in t h e markets where i t c o u l d n o t possibly have b e e n tampered w i t h . " " S o m e m e n have slaves to taste t h e i r food for t h e m , " I said, k n o w i n g t h e p r a c t i c e was especially c o m m o n i n D i o ' s A l e x a n d r i a , w h e r e t h e inbred, rival m o n a r c h s and t h e i r agents were forever a t t e m p t i n g secretly to do away w i t h o n e a n o t h e r . " O f course I h a d a taster!" said D i o . " H o w do you t h i n k I e s c a p e d t h e a t t e m p t to p o i s o n m e ? B u t t h e p r o b l e m w i t h tasters is t h a t t h e y must be replaced, a n d my stay in R o m e has e x h a u s t e d my resources. I d o n ' t e v e n h a v e m o n e y t o make m y way b a c k t o A l e x a n d r i a o n c e t h e w e a t h e r warms a n d t h e sailing season b e g i n s . " He stumbled again a n d almost fell against t h e brazier. " B u t you're faint w i t h h u n g e r ! " I protested, gripping his a r m a n d steering h i m toward a c h a i r . "I insist t h a t you eat. T h e food in my h o u s e is perfectly safe, a n d my w i f e — " I was about to add some e x t r a v a g a n t e s t i m a t i o n of B e t h e s d a ' s culinary skills, but h a v i n g just b e e n praised as a seeker of truth I said instead, " M y wife is n o t at all a bad c o o k , especially w h e n s h e prepares dishes i n t h e A l e x a n d r i a n s t y l e . " "Your wife c o o k s ? " said T r y g o n i o n . " I n such a grand h o u s e as t h i s ? "

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" T h e property's m o r e impressive t h a n my purse. Besides, she likes to c o o k , a n d she has a slave to h e l p her. H e r e she is n o w , " I added, for in t h e doorway stood B e t h e s d a . I was a b o u t to say m o r e by way of i n t r o d u c t i o n , but t h e l o o k on h e r face stopped m e . S h e looked from D i o t o T r y g o n i o n , t h e n b a c k a t D i o , w h o in his faint s e e m e d hardly to n o t i c e her, t h e n at m e , all w i t h a scowl t h a t after t h i r t y years of living w i t h h e r I could n o t a c c o u n t for. W h a t h a d I d o n e now? " D i a n a told me t h a t you h a d visitors," she finally said. H e r old Egyptian a c c e n t asserted itself and h e r t o n e was even h a u g h t i e r t h a n usual. S h e scrutinized my visitors so harshly t h a t T r y g o n i o n nervously dropped his eyes, a n d D i o , finally taking n o t i c e of her, b l i n k e d and drew b a c k a s i f h e h a d looked i n t o t h e sun. "Is s o m e t h i n g w r o n g ? " I said, secretly g r i m a c i n g at h e r w i t h t h e side of my f a c e . I t h o u g h t this m i g h t make h e r smile. I was mistaken. "I suppose you w a n t to eat s o m e t h i n g , " she said in a flat v o i c e . T h e way she twisted h e r m o u t h would have spoiled t h e looks of a less beautiful woman. A h , t h a t was it, I t h o u g h t — s h e ' d b e e n in t h e doorway longer t h a n I'd realized a n d h a d overheard my qualified e n d o r s e m e n t of h e r c u l i n a r y skills. E v e n so, a m e r e lifting of h e r eyebrow would have sufficed to express h e r displeasure. Perhaps it was t h e fact t h a t I h a d p a c k i n g to do for a trip t h e n e x t day a n d was leaving t h e work to h e r while I e n t e r t a i n e d visitors in my s t u d y — a n d dubious visitors at t h a t . I t o o k a n o t h e r l o o k at D i o , w i t h his rumpled stola and clumsy makeup, and at T r y g o n i o n , w h o played w i t h his b l e a c h e d hair and nervously fluttered t h e folds of his toga under B e t h e s d a ' s harsh gaze, a n d saw how they must appear to her. B e t h e s d a a c q u i e s c e d long ago t o t h e parade o f disreputable c h a r a c t e r s through our h o u s e , but she has n e v e r h i d d e n h e r disdain from those she dislikes. It was c l e a r t h a t she t h o u g h t very little of t h e Egyptian ambassador a n d his c o m p a n i o n . " S o m e t h i n g to e a t — y e s , I t h i n k s o , " I said, raising my v o i c e to capture m y visitors' a t t e n t i o n , for t h e y b o t h s e e m e d spellbound b y B e thesda's stare. " F o r you, T r y g o n i o n ? " T h e little gallus b l i n k e d and m a n a g e d t o n o d . " A n d for you, t o o , T e a c h e r — I insist! I w o n ' t allow you to leave my h o u s e w i t h o u t t a k i n g s o m e food to steady y o u . " D i o bowed his h e a d , looking tired and perplexed, t r e m b l i n g w i t h a g i t a t i o n and, n o doubt, hunger. H e m u t t e r e d s o m e t h i n g t o himself, t h e n finally looked up at me a n d nodded. " Y e s — a n A l e x a n d r i a n dish, you said?" " W h a t c o u l d we offer our visitors? B e t h e s d a , did you h e a r m e ? "

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S h e s e e m e d to wake from a daydream, t h e n c l e a r e d h e r t h r o a t . "I could make s o m e Egyptian flatbread . . . and perhaps s o m e t h i n g w i t h lentils a n d sausage . . . " " O h yes, t h a t would be very g o o d , " said D i o , staring at h e r w i t h a n odd expression. P h i l o s o p h e r h e m i g h t b e , but h u n g e r a n d h o m e s i c k ness c a n addle t h e m i n d o f any m a n . S u d d e n l y D i a n a appeared a t B e t h e s d a ' s side. D i o looked m o r e c o n fused t h a n ever as he gazed from m o t h e r to daughter. T h e i r r e s e m b l a n c e is striking. B e t h e s d a departed as abruptly as she h a d appeared. D i a n a lingered for a m o m e n t a n d s e e m e d to m i m i c h e r m o t h e r ' s scowl. T h e l o n g e r I live w i t h a w o m a n t h e m o r e mysterious t h e e x p e r i e n c e b e c o m e s , a n d now t h a t t h e r e are two of t h e m in t h e h o u s e h o l d , t h e mystery is d o u b l e d . D i a n a turned o n h e r h e e l a n d followed h e r m o t h e r w i t h t h e s a m e quick, h a u g h t y stride. I looked at my guests. In c o m p a r i s o n to c o m p r e hending a woman, I thought, comprehending another m a n — e v e n a philosopher in a stola or a gallus w h o h a d given up his s e x — w a s really n o t so difficult. T h e serving girl b r o u g h t us w i n e a n d some crusts of bread to stave off our h u n g e r until t h e m e a l was ready. A c h i l l h a d c r e p t in from t h e garden, so I c a l l e d on B e l b o to stoke t h e brazier while I closed t h e shutters. I g l a n c e d outside a n d saw t h a t t w i l i g h t h a d descended on t h e atrium, casting t h e f a c e o f M i n e r v a i n t o inscrutable shadow. W i t h m o r e w i n e in his s t o m a c h , as well as a b i t of bread, D i o at last found t h e fortitude t o r e c o u n t t h e events w h i c h had reduced h i m t o such a state of u n c e r t a i n t y and fear.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

F

O

U

R

B e s t to b e g i n at t h e b e g i n n i n g , " sighed D i o , "insofar as that's possible w i t h such a twisted tale. You k n o w s o m e t h i n g of t h e story a l r e a d y — " "Refresh my m e m o r y , " I said. "Very well. A l l my life, A l e x a n d r i a has b e e n in c o n s t a n t p o l i t i c a l upheaval. T h e m e m b e r s o f t h e royal P t o l e m y c l a n wage u n e n d i n g warfare against e a c h o t h e r . For t h e people of A l e x a n d r i a , this h a s m e a n t bloody massacres and crushing t a x e s . T i m e a n d again t h e p e o p l e h a v e risen up to drive ruler after ruler out of t h e c a p i t a l . O n e P t o l e m y goes i n t o e x i l e , a n o t h e r takes his p l a c e — I w o n ' t r e c i t e t h e list. W h o e v e r is w i n n i n g o c c u p i e s A l e x a n d r i a , w i t h its great granaries a n d royal treasury. W h o e v e r is losing flees to Cyprus a n d plots his return. F o r t u n e s reverse a n d t h e rulers c h a n g e places, while t h e p e o p l e endure. I forget w h i c h P t o l e m y was on t h e t h r o n e w h e n you were in Alexandria, Gordianus—" "Alexander, I believe." "Yes, that's right; a couple of years later he was c h a s e d out of t h e c i t y b y a n angry m o b a n d died i n suspicious c i r c u m s t a n c e s . T h e n A l e x ander's b r o t h e r S o t e r t o o k t h e t h r o n e . E i g h t years later S o t e r died, leaving n o l e g i t i m a t e sons. T h a t was twenty-four years a g o . " D i o put his f i n g e r t i p s together. " T h e o n l y legitimate m a l e h e i r o f P t o l e m a i c b l o o d was S o t e r ' s n e p h e w , n a m e d A l e x a n d e r like his father. H e h a p p e n e d t o b e residing h e r e i n R o m e a t t h e t i m e o f S o t e r ' s d e a t h , under t h e d i c t a t o r S u l l a ' s p r o t e c t i o n ; this i s w h e r e R o m e f i r s t enters t h e story. B a c k e d by R o m a n d i p l o m a c y — a n d by funds borrowed from R o m a n

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b a n k e r s — A l e x a n d e r II returned to Egypt to c l a i m t h e t h r o n e . To do so he h a d to marry his aunt, S o t e r ' s widow, b e c a u s e she refused to step down a s q u e e n . M a r r y h e r h e d i d — a n d summarily murdered her. T h e queen h a d b e e n well liked. H e r d e a t h ignited t h e fury o f t h e m o b . " " T h e s a m e m o b w h i c h r i o t e d over t h e d e a t h o f a c a t ? " T r y g o n i o n sniffed. "I shudder to imagine w h a t t h e y did over t h e murder of a popular queen! "You a n t i c i p a t e t h e story," said D i o , slipping i n t o his l e c t u r i n g voice. " A l e x a n d e r II t h e n a n n o u n c e d a rise in taxes so t h a t he c o u l d repay his R o m a n backers. T h a t was t h e final spark. N i n e t e e n days after he a s c e n d e d t h e t h r o n e , t h e n e w king was dragged from t h e royal p a l a c e and murdered b y t h e m o b . T h e y tore h i m l i m b from l i m b . " It was tales s u c h as this w h i c h R o m a n s like to c i t e to m a k e t h e m selves feel proud of t h e relative c i v i l i t y of our republic. As a young m a n I h a d admired t h e A l e x a n d r i a n s ' passion for politics, t h o u g h I c o u l d never a c c u s t o m myself to t h e i r propensity for sudden, e x t r e m e v i o l e n c e . A l e x a n d r i a n healers peddle a p o u l t i c e w i t h t h e Egyptian n a m e " c u r e f o r - a - h u m a n - b i t e - w h i c h - d r a w s - b l o o d , " a n d m o s t households keep a supply o n h a n d — a fact w h i c h says m u c h about t h e A l e x a n d r i a n s . " N o w w e c o m e t o t h e b e g i n n i n g s o f t h e current c r i s i s — t h e Egyptian situation, as you call it, G o r d i a n u s . A f t e r t h e b r i e f and inglorious reign o f t h e i r c o u s i n A l e x a n d e r II, two o f S o t e r ' s bastards c a m e forward t o press t h e i r c l a i m for t h e t h r o n e . " " B r a v e m e n ! " quipped T r y g o n i o n . " O n e bastard t o o k Cyprus. T h e o t h e r t o o k Egypt, a n d has s i n c e reigned for t w e n t y y e a r s — p r o o f t h a t a m a n c a n keep h i m s e l f on a t h r o n e w i t h o u t possessing a single kingly virtue. His full n a m e in t h e G r e e k " — D i o t o o k a n orator's b r e a t h — "is P t o l e m a i o s T h e o s P h i l o p a t o r P h i l a d e l phos N e o s D i o n y s o s . " " P t o l e m y , G o d : Father-Lover, Brother-Lover, t h e N e w D i o n y s u s , " I translated. D i o c u r l e d his lip. " I n A l e x a n d r i a , w e simply call h i m P t o l e m y A u l e t e s — t h e Flute-Player." " T h e P i p e r ! " T r y g o n i o n laughed. "Yes, K i n g P t o l e m y t h e Piper," said D i o grimly, "whose o n l y k n o w n a c c o m p l i s h m e n t is his skill on t h e flute, w h i c h he loves to play day a n d n i g h t , sober or drunk. He stages choruses in t h e royal p a l a c e a n d plays t h e a c c o m p a n i m e n t . H e debuts his own c o m p o s i t i o n s a t d i p l o m a t i c dinners. H e organizes c o n t e s t s a n d pits his t a l e n t against c o m m o n m u s i c i a n s . H o w did Egypt ever deserve s u c h a ruler? He epitomizes a n d exaggerates all t h e baser qualities o f his decrepit l i n e — i n d o l e n t , self-indulgent, luxury-loving, l i c e n t i o u s , lazy . . . "

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" H e should h a v e b e e n a gallus rather t h a n a k i n g , " laughed T r y gonion. D i o looked a t h i m sidelong. " I a m c o m p e l l e d t o agree w i t h y o u . " "I r e m e m b e r s o m e t h i n g C i c e r o said about h i m in a s p e e c h , " I said. " 'Nearly everyone agrees t h a t t h e m a n w h o o c c u p i e s t h e t h r o n e of Egypt today n e i t h e r by b i r t h n o r in spirit is like a k i n g . ' A n d t h e r e are t h o s e w h o say t h e Piper's reign is illegitimate and always has b e e n , b e c a u s e of a will t h a t was m a d e by his unfortunate predecessor." " A h , yes, a n d t h e r e you put your finger u p o n t h e h e a r t of t h e m a t t e r , " said D i o . " S h o r t l y after t h e d e a t h o f A l e x a n d e r I I a t t h e h a n d s of t h e m o b , from t h e very start of K i n g Ptolemy's reign, a rumor b e g a n to c i r c u l a t e to t h e effect t h a t A l e x a n d e r II h a d left a will, b e q u e a t h i n g all o f Egypt t o t h e S e n a t e and people o f R o m e . " T r y g o n i o n raised his eyebrows. " A splendid prize! T h e granaries! T h e treasure house! T h e c r o c o d i l e s ! B u t surely n o o n e could believe s u c h a t a l e . S u c h generosity is preposterous." D i o sighed, exasperated. "You show your i g n o r a n c e of b o t h politics a n d history, gallus. Preposterous as such an idea may b e , it is n o t w i t h o u t p r e c e d e n t . A t t a l u s o f Pergamum b e q u e a t h e d his k i n g d o m t o R o m e over seventy years ago; it b e c a m e a province of t h e empire and to this day supplies t h e people of this c i t y w i t h subsidized grain. Forty years ago A p i o n left C y r e n e to R o m e ; A p i o n was a Ptolemy a n d C y r e n e was o n c e a part of Egypt. A n d less t h a n t w e n t y years ago B i t h y n i a was left to R o m e by its last k i n g . " " B u t why would any king do such a t h i n g ? " asked T r y g o n i o n . " T o save his c o u n t r y from t h e b l o o d s h e d of a disputed succession; to spite his presumptive heirs; to p r o t e c t his people from being c o n q u e r e d by rival k i n g d o m s e v e n m o r e oppressive t h a n R o m e ; to bow to t h e tide o f R o m a n e x p a n s i o n . " D i o sighed. " I n m y lifetime, R o m e has gained Pergamum, C y r e n e a n d B i t h y n i a b y i n h e r i t a n c e , a n d Pontus a n d S y r i a by c o n q u e s t . T w o years ago R o m e seized Cyprus w i t h o u t a skirmish; K i n g Ptolemy's b r o t h e r c o m m i t t e d suicide. R o m e has overrun t h e East. O f all t h e k i n g d o m s t h a t grew out o f t h e empire o f A l e x a n d e r t h e G r e a t , o n l y one remains: Egypt." " A n d now t h e rumors are circulating again, about a will m a d e by A l e x a n d e r II b e q u e a t h i n g Egypt to R o m e , " I said. " K i n g Ptolemy's sleep must be uneasy." T r y g o n i o n n o d d e d sagely. "I wouldn't c a r e to be t h e slave w h o has t o c h a n g e his b e d s h e e t s . " "Vulgar, vulgar," D i o m u t t e r e d through c l e n c h e d t e e t h . " R o m e n o w d o m i n a t e s t h e East. T h i s i s a fact w h i c h n o o n e denies. B u t t h e p e o p l e of Egypt d e m a n d a ruler w h o will resist t h a t d o m i n a t i o n . O u r land was

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a n c i e n t b e y o n d imagining e v e n before A l e x a n d e r t h e G r e a t c a m e a n d founded A l e x a n d r i a . T h e k i n g d o m h e established flourished w i t h b e a u t y and learning w h i l e R o m u l u s a n d R e m u s were infants suckling t h e shewolf. W e h a v e n o n e e d o f R o m a n ways o r R o m a n g o v e r n m e n t . B u t instead o f standing firm against R o m a n d o m i n a t i o n , K i n g P t o l e m y quivers w i t h fright a n d offers whatever c o n c e s s i o n s are d e m a n d e d o f h i m . T h e p e o p l e o f A l e x a n d r i a d e m a n d t h a t h e r e d e e m Cyprus from R o m a n rule a n d restore i t t o t h e k i n g d o m ; instead h e plays host t o t h e R o m a n c o m m i s sioner s e n t t o plunder t h e island. T o quiet talk about t h e alleged will, he gives a 'gift' of thirty-five m i l l i o n denarii to C a e s a r a n d Pompey, so that C a e s a r c a n b r i b e t h e R o m a n S e n a t e and Pompey c a n pay off his own troops. T h e bill is passed along to t h e people of Egypt in t h e form o f h i g h e r t a x e s . O u r taxes g o directly i n t o t h e pockets o f R o m a n senators and s o l d i e r s — w e m i g h t as well be a R o m a n p r o v i n c e ! A n d w h a t does K i n g P t o l e m y r e c e i v e in return? A t e n t a t i v e a c k n o w l e d g m e n t by t h e R o m a n S e n a t e of his l e g i t i m a c y as king, and a plaque set up on t h e Capitoline Hill, inscribed to the h o n o r of Ptolemaios T h e o s Philopator P h i l a d e l p h o s N e o s Dionysos, ' F r i e n d a n d A l l y o f t h e R o m a n P e o p l e . ' T o be a friend a n d ally is all very well, but to pay for t h e privilege he bleeds his o w n p e o p l e w h i t e w i t h t a x e s . T h e people's anger finally drove P t o l e m y to flee t h e city, fearing for his life. He fled all t h e way h e r e to R o m e , w h e r e P o m p e y put h i m up in a great rambling villa w i t h a vast h o u s e h o l d o f slaves t o serve h i m . " " F o r thirty-five m i l l i o n denarii, he should e x p e c t s u c h royal treatm e n t ! " said T r y g o n i o n . D i o scowled. " H e spends his t i m e p r a c t i c i n g his flute a n d drafting letters t o t h e S e n a t e begging t h e m t o restore h i m t o his t h r o n e against t h e wishes of t h e Egyptian p e o p l e . B u t it is t o o late for t h a t . His daughter B e r e n i c e h a s already b e e n n a m e d q u e e n o f E g y p t . " " A w o m a n ? " said T r y g o n i o n , w h o s e e m e d genuinely intrigued. " I t was n o t my c h o i c e , " said D i o hastily. "Philosophers h a v e influe n c e in A l e x a n d r i a , but so do astrologers. It was t h e star-gazers w h o insisted t h a t t h e t i m e is right for a w o m a n of t h e P t o l e m a i c line to rule Egypt." " I t strikes m e t h a t you may b e t o o h a r d o n K i n g Ptolemy, T e a c h e r , " I said cautiously. " A l l his life h e ' s s e e n k i n g d o m after k i n g d o m swallowed up by R o m a n imperialism, s o m e t i m e s by war, s o m e t i m e s by statecraft. His p o s i t i o n h a s always b e e n precarious. He must know t h a t h e ' s kept his t h r o n e this long o n l y b e c a u s e t h e R o m a n s c a n ' t settle a m o n g t h e m selves w h o should reap t h e rewards w h e n Egypt is t a k e n over. I k n o w s o m e t h i n g o f t h e s e matters, T e a c h e r . A m a n c a n ' t live i n R o m e a n d b e e n t i r e l y i g n o r a n t o f w h a t goes o n i n t h e Forum. During Ptolemy's reign

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t h e r e h a v e b e e n several a t t e m p t s b y t h e S e n a t e t o a c t o n t h e alleged will o f A l e x a n d e r I I a n d t o stake a R o m a n c l a i m o n Egypt. O n l y t h e S e n a t e ' s i n t e r n a l b i c k e r i n g a n d rivalries have prevented t h o s e attempts from b e i n g c a r r i e d o u t . D u r i n g C i c e r o ' s consulship, I remember, C a e s a r a n d Pompey tried to put t h e m s e l v e s on a board of governors to oversee t h e takeover o f Egypt; C i c e r o killed t h e legislation w i t h o n e o f his b r i l l i a n t s p e e c h e s by c l a i m i n g , in so many words, t h a t C a e s a r and Pompey would ultimately make t h e m s e l v e s kings. N o w C a e s a r and Pompey have taken t o e x t o r t i n g m o n e y directly from K i n g P t o l e m y . " A g i t a t e d , D i o b e g a n to speak, but I h e l d up my h a n d . " H e a r me out, T e a c h e r . If P t o l e m y bends to R o m a n wishes so that he c a n stay in power, e v e n if he pays for t h e privilege w i t h silver to keep t h e R o m a n s at bay, h o w c a n you fault h i m for that? So far, by o n e m e a n s or a n o t h e r , h e ' s kept t h e R o m a n s from moving i n t o A l e x a n d r i a and taking over t h e imperial p a l a c e . T h a t indicates t o m e t h a t K i n g P t o l e m y must possess m o r e d i p l o m a t i c e x p e r t i s e t h a n you give h i m c r e d i t for." " H e b e n d s t o o far for t h e R o m a n s , " said D i o sternly. " W h a t does it m a t t e r w h e t h e r t h e y c o n q u e r us outright, if t h e y c a n use K i n g P t o l e m y as t h e i r private t a x c o l l e c t o r to drain our lifeblood?" "Perhaps; but I t h i n k I see a c o n t r a d i c t i o n , T e a c h e r . W h y do you resist R o m a n rule if you despise your o w n rulers so very m u c h ? " D i o sighed. " B e c a u s e , ultimately, t h e P t o l e m i e s rule over Egypt by t h e will o f t h e p e o p l e . W h e n they rule badly, t h e people rise u p a n d cast t h e m out. W h e n t h e y rule tolerably, t h e people tolerate t h e m . S u c h a system may l a c k t h e p e r f e c t i o n of Plato's ideal republic, but it suits t h e p e o p l e o f Egypt a n d h a s d o n e s o for hundreds o f years. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , if Egypt should b e c o m e a R o m a n p r o v i n c e under t h e sway of a R o m a n governor, its p e o p l e will b e c o m e m e r e vassals of R o m e , a n d we shall have no say at all over our destiny. We shall be drafted to fight in wars t h a t are n o t of our c h o o s i n g . We shall be forced to abide by laws d i c t a t e d to us by a S e n a t e of wealthy R o m a n s w h o live t o o far from A l e x a n d r i a t o h e a r t h e c o m p l a i n t s o f its p e o p l e . W e shall b e c o m e just a n o t h e r outpost o f R o m e ' s empire, w a t c h i n g our wealth b e c o m e R o m a n plunder. O u r statues a n d carpets and paintings will decorate t h e houses o f R o m e ' s r i c h ; our grain will fill t h e s t o m a c h s o f t h e R o m a n m o b , a n d you c a n be sure t h a t any payment will be far less t h a n fair. Egypt is a great a n d free n a t i o n ; w e will n o t b e c o m e m i n i o n s o f R o m e . " D i o t o o k a deep b r e a t h . A tear g l i n t e d in his eye, a n d t h e gravity of his expression was oddly h e i g h t e n e d by t h e f e m i n i n e c o s m e t i c s t h a t c o l o r e d his weathered, w r i n k l e d f a c e . T h e absurdity o f his c o s t u m e could n o t disguise t h e d e p t h o f his e m o t i o n . " B u t this is all a c a d e m i c , if you'll pardon t h e p u n , " said T r y g o n i o n

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blandly but w i t h a t w i n k l e of m i s c h i e f in his eyes. " I f t h e former king, A l e x a n d e r I I , really did leave a will b e q u e a t h i n g Egypt to R o m e — " D i o e x p l o d e d . " N o o n e i n Egypt believes i n t h e validity o f t h e socalled will, b e c a u s e n o o n e i n R o m e i s able t o produce it! T h e will o f A l e x a n d e r II is a fiction, a fraud, a p r e t e x t for t h e R o m a n S e n a t e to go meddling in Egyptian affairs, a d e v i c e to make w h o e v e r rules Egypt grovel at t h e i r feet. 'You may h o l d sway for t h e m o m e n t , ' they say, 'but you c a n n o t b e l e g i t i m a t e w i t h o u t our approval, a n d you c a n n e v e r b e a n y t h i n g but an impostor, for Egypt was left to us by our puppet A l e x a n d e r II a n d we may c h o o s e to e x e r c i s e our h e g e m o n y at any t i m e . ' T h e y wave an imaginary scrap of p a r c h m e n t in t h e air a n d c a l l it a will. K i n g P t o l e m y was a fool to play along w i t h s u c h a lie. ' F r i e n d and A l l y , ' indeed! T h e plaque o n t h e C a p i t o l i n e should read, 'Piper a n d Puppet o f t h e R o m a n People.' " " B u t n o w you've replaced t h e puppet," I said. " T h e Piper has b e e n b o o e d off t h e stage!" c r i e d T r y g o n i o n . D i o c l e n c h e d his t e e t h . " T h e crisis w h i c h revolves around Egypt's "throne may be a m a t t e r of a m u s e m e n t to you, gallus, but to t h e p e o p l e of Egypt I assure you it is n o t . R o m a n diplomats and m e r c h a n t s in A l e x a n d r i a s e l d o m go out of doors these days, for fear of b e i n g t o r n apart b y t h e m o b . Rabble-rousers make s p e e c h e s against R o m a n greed, a n d even my fellow philosophers n e g l e c t t h e i r t e a c h i n g to engage in h e a t e d debate a b o u t t h e R o m a n threat. T h a t is why I c a m e to R o m e , h e a d i n g a d e l e g a t i o n o f o n e hundred A l e x a n d r i a n s : t o d e m a n d t h a t t h e R o m a n S e n a t e stop meddling in Egyptian affairs a n d to ask for t h e i r r e c o g n i t i o n of Queen Berenice." "I see a c o n t r a d i c t i o n , T e a c h e r , " I said quietly. " T o request t h e S e n a t e ' s approval o f your n e w m o n a r c h implies, i n itself, t h a t t h e S e n a t e has a right to m e d d l e in your affairs." D i o c l e a r e d his t h r o a t . " I n philosophy w e seek t h e ideal. I n p o l i t i c s , as I h a v e l e a r n e d to my b i t t e r e n l i g h t e n m e n t , we seek w h a t e v e r a c c o m m o d a t e s . S o i t was t h a t I c a m e t o R o m e a t t h e h e a d o f t h e d e l e g a t i o n o f o n e h u n d r e d . S o many distinguished voices, w e t h o u g h t , simply c o u l d n o t be ignored, e v e n by your lofty senators. A n d t h a t is w h e r e this despicable farce turns to tragedy!" He put his h a n d s to his face a n d suddenly b e g a n to weep, so profusely t h a t e v e n T r y g o n i o n was s t u n n e d . Indeed, t h e little gallus s e e m e d deeply moved by t h e o l d philosopher's tears, b i t i n g his lips in sympathy, pulling at his b l e a c h e d hair a n d rubbing his h a n d s t o g e t h e r in a g i t a t i o n . I h a v e heard t h a t t h e galli, c u t off from t h e c i r c l e of earthly passion, are given t o sudden transports o f e x t r e m e a n d i n e x p l i c a b l e e m o t i o n . It t o o k D i o a m o m e n t to c o m p o s e himself. T h e fact t h a t a philos-

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o p h e r of his stature should have lost c o n t r o l a n d given v e n t to s u c h an outburst, e v e n briefly, testified to t h e d e p t h of his despair. " T h i s is h o w it was: we landed down in N e a p o l i s at t h e very e n d o f t h e a u t u m n sailing season. I h a d friends t h e r e , m e m b e r s o f t h e A c a d emy w h o offered us lodgings. T h a t n i g h t , m e n armed w i t h knives a n d clubs c a m e c r a s h i n g i n t o t h e houses w h e r e w e were staying. T h e y upturned furniture, set curtains afire, smashed priceless statues. We were roused from sleep, dazed, barely able to fend t h e m off. B o n e s were b r o k e n a n d b l o o d was spilled, b u t no o n e was killed, a n d t h e attackers escaped. T h e assault put s u c h fear i n t o s o m e of our party t h a t a few set sail for A l e x a n d r i a t h e n e x t day." D i o stiffened his jaw. " T h e attacks were well organized a n d p l a n n e d i n a d v a n c e . D o I h a v e p r o o f o f K i n g Ptolemy's c o m p l i c i t y ? N o . B u t o n e n e e d n o t see t h e sun to deduce its p r e s e n c e by t h e casting of a shadow. T h e m i d n i g h t a t t a c k s i n N e a p o l i s were e n g i n e e r e d b y K i n g Ptolemy, h a v e n o d o u b t . H e k n e w t h a t w e were c o m i n g t o dispute his right t o t h e t h r o n e . H i s agents were ready for us. " A f t e r t h a t we m o v e d on to safer quarters in Puteoli, to regroup a n d p l a n our strategy for approaching t h e S e n a t e . W e stayed c l o s e r t o g e t h e r a n d guarded ourselves at n i g h t , b u t we m a d e t h e error of t h i n k i n g t h a t we would be safe walking in t h e t o w n forum in broad daylight. O n e a f t e r n o o n a group of fifteen m e n , led by o n e of my A c a d e m i c colleagues, O n c l e p i o n , w e n t out t o buy provisions for our j o u r n e y u p t o R o m e . O u t of n o w h e r e t h e y were set u p o n by a group of small boys w h o b e g a n to pelt t h e m w i t h s t o n e s . T h e boys shouted curses. W h e n passersby stopped t o ask why, t h e boys t o l d t h e m t h a t t h e A l e x a n d r i a n s h a d b e e n defaming t h e h o n o r o f P o m p e y a n d his troops w i t h vicious slanders. S o m e m e m b e r s o f O n c l e p i o n ' s group, simply t o p r o t e c t themselves, b e g a n t o shove a t t h e boys a n d tried t o drive t h e m off b y throwing stones i n return. O n e o f t h e boys suddenly s c r e a m e d , c l u t c h e d his h e a d and collapsed i n t h e d u s t — o r feigned c o l l a p s e , as I suspect, for I ' m told t h a t his body was n o t found afterward. T h e crowd t h a t h a d g a t h e r e d was sparked i n t o a frenzy, a n d s o o n a m o b of grown m e n a n d w o m e n had j o i n e d t h e boys t o s t o n e t h e A l e x a n d r i a n s , w h o found themselves surrounded o n t h r e e sides a n d trapped against a wall. H a v e you ever witnessed a s t o n i n g , G o r d i a n u s ? " D i o shuddered. B e s i d e h i m , t h e little gallus shivered i n empathy. " T h i r t e e n o f t h e m were killed t h a t day, s t o n e d o r trampled t o d e a t h . O n l y O n c l e p i o n a n d his slave m a n a g e d t o escape. O n c l e p i o n b o o s t e d t h e slave o n t o t h e top o f t h e wall, a n d t h e slave m a n a g e d t o pull his m a s t e r after h i m . B u t O n c l e p i o n was b l i n d e d i n o n e eye, a n d his slave lost several t e e t h . " T h a t was t h e outrage a t P u t e o l i . M o r e m e n deserted t h e d e l e g a t i o n

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that n i g h t , u n t i l o n l y sixty of t h e original o n e hundred r e m a i n e d . I thought it best to h e a d i m m e d i a t e l y to R o m e , before s o m e further incident o c c u r r e d . T h e trip was n o t easy. T h e o x e n w e hired t o pull our wagons fell to t h e i r forelegs just outside C a p u a a n d died w i t h b l o o d flecked b i l e pouring from t h e i r m o u t h s — p o i s o n e d , I h a d no doubt, s i n c e they all died i n t h e span o f a n hour. M o r e o f t h e delegation deserted. "Halfway to R o m e , we stopped to spend a n i g h t off t h e A p p i a n Way at an e s t a t e o w n e d by my a c q u a i n t a n c e Palla. It was a rustic h o u s e in t h e woods w h i c h he kept for h u n t i n g boar, simple and w i t h o u t luxuries but w i t h provisions for a great many visitors. Palla h i m s e l f was a b s e n t , staying a t o n e o f his villas n o r t h o f R o m e , but his slaves h a d b e e n told to e x p e c t us. To a c c o m m o d a t e us all, t h e y crowded our sleeping c o u c h e s close together, b l o c k i n g t h e hallways. T h a t very nearly proved disastrous. " I t was a s c r e a m from O n c l e p i o n t h a t woke me in t h e n i g h t . At first I t h o u g h t he c r i e d out in pain, b e c a u s e of his ruined eye. T h e n I smelled t h e s m o k e . It was only by t h e will of t h e gods t h a t no o n e was burned alive t h a t n i g h t , for t h e doors h a d all b e e n b l o c k e d from t h e outside by h a n d c a r t s , t h e type t h a t slaves use for trundling bales of hay. T h e building q u i c k l y filled w i t h s m o k e . W e a t last m a n a g e d t o b r e a k through o n e o f t h e doors. T h e c a r t b l o c k i n g i t h a d b e e n loaded w i t h heavy s t o n e s ! S o m e h o w , we all escaped i n t o t h e woods, w h e r e we s t o o d and w a t c h e d as t h e house was c o n s u m e d by flames. I have n e v e r k n o w n such fear as I k n e w t h a t n i g h t , for at any m o m e n t I looked for K i n g Ptolemy's h e n c h m e n to d e s c e n d on us from out of t h e woods, forcing us t o c h o o s e b e t w e e n b e i n g h a c k e d t o d e a t h o r fleeing b a c k i n t o t h e b u r n i n g house. B u t t h e a t t a c k n e v e r c a m e . W h y should K i n g P t o l e m y m o u n t a full assault, w h e n a handful of agents c a n set a fire a n d possibly kill everyone a t o n c e ? Especially i f t h e y have t h e h e l p o f s o m e o n e i n s i d e . " " T h e n you t h i n k t h a t P t o l e m y h a d agents w i t h i n t h e d e l e g a t i o n ? " " F r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g ! O h yes, I have n o doubt o f t h a t , a s h a m e d a s I am to say it. H o w else c o u l d his m e n have k n o w n w h i c h houses to a t t a c k i n N e a p o l i s ? O r k n o w n w h e n O n c l e p i o n ' s party was setting out for t h e market in P u t e o l i , so as to set t h e little boys upon t h e m ? H o w else did s o m e o n e p o i s o n t h e o x e n ' s water trough t h a t m o r n i n g in C a p u a , w i t h o u t a n y o n e t a k i n g n o t i c e ? K i n g P t o l e m y has ruled Egypt t h e s e t w e n t y years by bribery, t r e a c h e r y a n d terror. His agents k n o w how to use t h e weak a n d s i l e n c e t h e strong. " O n t h e m o r n i n g after t h e destruction o f Palla's h o u s e , beside a stream in t h e woods, a n d w i t h Palla's slaves keeping w a t c h for an a t t a c k I still dreaded m i g h t c o m e , I c a l l e d a m e e t i n g of t h e delegation. I e x p e c t e d s o m e d e s e r t i o n s , but I was s h o c k e d at how few decided to c o n t i n u e on t o R o m e . O n l y fifteen! E v e n O n c l e p i o n j o i n e d t h e ranks o f t h o s e w h o

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m a d e up t h e i r minds to turn b a c k that m o r n i n g . I told t h e m that t h e y would find themselves trapped for t h e w i n t e r in Puteoli or N e a p o l i s , u n a b l e to find ships to carry t h e m h o m e , for t h e sailing season was over. B u t t h e y would n o t b e dissuaded. O n c e K i n g Ptolemy saw that they h a d turned b a c k from R o m e , and n o longer i n t e n d e d t o address t h e S e n a t e , he would stop his attacks against t h e m — s o they reasoned, and no arg u m e n t from m e c o u l d c h a n g e their minds. O n c l e p i o n even engaged m e in m o c k d e b a t e over t h e matter. I was appalled at t h e tawdry way he e x c u s e d his own cowardice w i t h sophistry. Even m o r e appalling was t h e fact t h a t after our d e b a t e was over, five of t h e m e n w h o had originally stood b y m e t h a t m o r n i n g c l a i m e d t o have b e e n w o n over b y O n c l e p i o n ' s e l o q u e n c e a n d j o i n e d t h e deserters! " O n l y t e n t h e n r e m a i n e d o f t h e o n e hundred w h o c a m e from A l e x a n d r i a t o c o n f r o n t t h e S e n a t e , armed w i t h righteous i n d i g n a t i o n a n d t h e c e r t a i n favor of t h e gods for a just cause. A t t e n d e d only by our slaves we m a d e our bedraggled way to R o m e . T h e r e was no grand e n t r a n c e for us! Instead we slunk through t h e gates like thieves, h o p i n g to escape n o t i c e . We dispersed ourselves about t h e city, staying with friends and a c q u a i n t a n c e s ; many turned us away, w h e n t h e y learned of t h e tribulations we h a d b r o u g h t upon our hosts in Neapolis and Puteoli, and t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of Palla's property! M e a n w h i l e , we p e t i t i o n e d t h e S e n a t e for a n a u d i e n c e — b u t t h e S e n a t e answered u s w i t h s i l e n c e . " He turned toward t h e brazier and stared i n t o t h e flames. " W h a t a w i n t e r ! No w i n t e r in A l e x a n d r i a was ever so c o l d . H o w do you R o m a n s stand it? I cover myself w i t h blankets at n i g h t and still I c a n ' t stop shivering. W h a t misery! A n d t h e murders . . . " H e b e g a n t o shake and c o u l d n ' t s e e m t o stop. " S h a l l I call a slave to bring you a b l a n k e t ? " I said. " N o , n o , it's n o t t h e c o l d . " H e hugged himself, and a t last m a n a g e d to take a deep b r e a t h a n d stopped shaking. " D u r i n g those terrible days in N e a p o l i s and P u t e o l i a n d on t h e road, I kept o n e t h o u g h t in my m i n d : When we reach Rome, I told myself, when we reach Rome . . . " B u t you see, t h e r e was a fallacy in my reasoning, for I n e v e r really f i n i s h e d t h a t t h o u g h t . W h e n w e r e a c h R o m e — t h e n what? Did I tell myself, W h e n we r e a c h R o m e , there shall be only t e n of us left? D i d I ever t h i n k t h a t t h e S e n a t e would snub us, and refuse e v e n to h e a r m e ? Or t h a t t h e r e would be still m o r e treachery and betrayals, until I would lose my faith e v e n in t h e m e n I most trusted w h e n we left A l e x a n d r i a ? Or t h a t we would be murdered o n e by o n e , until only a handful rem a i n e d — b y t h e very fact o f t h e i r survival, traitors and tools o f K i n g Ptolemy? D o you understand what has h a p p e n e d t o m e , G o r d i a n u s ? " H e h e l d out his hands in a gesture of supplication, and on his face I saw t h e

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full measure of his despair. "I left A l e x a n d r i a full of worry but also full o f hope. Now . . . " "Murders, you said. H e r e i n R o m e ? " "Yes. At least t h r e e s i n c e we arrived. We all stayed in different houses, under t h e roofs of m e n I t h o u g h t we could trust. I feared a n o t h e r full-scale a t t a c k , you s e e , until I realized t h a t R o m e is R o m e , n o t N e a p o l i s or Puteoli. E v e n K i n g P t o l e m y would n e v e r dare to stage a massive assault o r manufacture a riot i n t h e shadow o f t h e S e n a t e . T h e m e n w h o rule R o m e t o l e r a t e s u c h flagrant c r i m e s at a d i s t a n c e , but n o t in t h e i r p r e s e n c e . No foreign k i n g c o u l d be allowed to stir up t h e masses or set fires or practice o p e n warfare i n R o m e itself." "You're r i g h t . S e n a t o r s reserve t h o s e privileges for t h e m s e l v e s . " " S o t h e k i n g c h a n g e d his t a c t i c s . Instead o f trying t o kill u s all a t o n c e , h e turned t o assassinating u s o n e b y o n e . " " B y what means?" "Quietly. By poison. Suffocation. S t a b b i n g . " " W i t h the complicity of their hosts?" D i o paused. "Perhaps. Perhaps n o t . Slaves c a n s o m e t i m e s b e b r i b e d or b l a c k m a i l e d . B u t masters c a n be b r i b e d or b l a c k m a i l e d as well, especially w h e n t h e pressure c o m e s from t h e k i n d o f m e n allied w i t h K i n g Ptolemy." " M e n such as Pompey?" He n o d d e d . " A n d I suspect t h e r e are respectable R o m a n s — p e r h a p s even s e n a t o r s — w h o are n o t above c o m m i t t i n g a murder or two to g a i n Pompey's favor or repay some debt t h e y owe h i m . " " B e careful, D i o . S o far you've accused your own king o f b e i n g b e h i n d this slaughter. N o w you're implicating a m a n w h o happens to be R o m e ' s m o s t beloved general a n d very possibly h e r future d i c t a t o r . " "I tell you, t h e s e are t h e m e n b e h i n d t h e killings. K i n g P t o l e m y is n o t e v e n in R o m e any longer. He's retired to Ephesus for t h e winter, leaving e v e r y t h i n g in Pompey's hands. A n d why n o t ? Pompey has as m u c h to g a i n as P t o l e m y if t h e king c a n keep his t h r o n e , so Pompey has c o n t i n u e d t h e a t t a c k s against t h e delegation. S i n c e w e arrived i n R o m e , his agents h a v e snuffed us out o n e by o n e . " I s h o o k my h e a d . "You admit t h a t you have no proof of your allegations against K i n g Ptolemy, D i o . Do you have proof of w h a t you say against P o m p e y ? " He glared at me a n d was quiet for a long t i m e . "A few n i g h t s ago, i n t h e h o u s e o f Lucius L u c c e i u s , s o m e o n e tried t o p o i s o n m e . D o you want p r o o f o f t h a t ? M y slave died horribly, writhing and gasping o n t h e floor, o n l y m o m e n t s after tasting a p o r t i o n of soup t h a t was served to me in my private r o o m ! "

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"Yes, b u t — " " A n d my h o s t , Lucius L u c c e i u s , despite his knowledge of philosophy, despite t h e disdain he espouses for K i n g Ptolemy, is Pompey's friend." " D o you k n o w w h e r e t h e poison c a m e f r o m ? " " E a r l i e r t h a t day, a c e r t a i n Publius A s i c i u s paid a c a l l on L u c c e i u s . A h a n d s o m e young m a n — I h a p p e n e d to see h i m as he was leaving t h e h o u s e , a n d I asked L u c c e i u s his n a m e . T h a t n i g h t , my slave was p o i s o n e d . T h e n e x t m o r n i n g , after I fled from Lucceius's h o u s e , I made s o m e inquiries a b o u t his visitor. T h e y say this Publius A s i c i u s is a young m a n of easy morals w h o indulges in poetry a n d w i n e a n d dabbles in p o l i t i c s w i t h no fixed a g e n d a , willing to do a n y t h i n g to curry t h e favor of a n y o n e w h o c a n a d v a n c e his c a r e e r . " I sighed. "You h a v e just described a w h o l e g e n e r a t i o n of young R o m a n s , T e a c h e r . M a n y o f t h e m may b e c a p a b l e o f murder, including, q u i t e possibly, this Publius A s i c i u s . B u t m e r e p r o x i m i t y t o t h e s c e n e o f a c r i m e is n o t — " " A s i c i u s is also said to be in debt to Pompey, for s o m e very large loans w h i c h t h e general made t o h i m . " "Still . . . " "You see, you h a v e n o rejoinder for t h a t , G o r d i a n u s . T h e c h a i n goes b a c k t o Pompey a n d t h e n c e t o K i n g P t o l e m y . " "Your h o s t , L u c c e i u s — d i d you c o n f r o n t h i m w i t h your s u s p i c i o n s ? " " E v e n as my taster lay writhing on t h e floor! I insisted t h a t L u c c e i u s c o m e a n d witness t h e a t r o c i t y himself. I d e m a n d e d that he find out how t h e soup h a d b e e n p o i s o n e d . " " W h a t was his r e s p o n s e ? " " H e p r e t e n d e d t o b e appalled, o f course. H e said t h a t h e would interrogate e a c h o f his h o u s e h o l d slaves himself, and torture t h e m i f necessary. Perhaps he did, or perhaps n o t . I left t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , desperate to be away from t h e p l a c e . I told L u c c e i u s that I would be staying a t t h e h o u s e o f T i t u s C o p o n i u s , but h e has made n o effort t o contact me." T r y g o n i o n , w h o h a d b e e n silent for a w h i l e , cleared his t h r o a t . " H a v i n g escaped alive from t h e m a n ' s h o u s e , perhaps you would have b e e n wiser n o t t o tell L u c c e i u s w h e r e you were h e a d e d n e x t . " T h e gallus m a d e a wry face a n d s e e m e d to be in a m o o d to cause trouble again, but w h a t h e said m a d e s e n s e . " A m I t h e n to b e h a v e like a fugitive or a c r i m i n a l ? " d e m a n d e d D i o . " S k u l k i n g from shadow t o shadow, h o p i n g n o o n e sees m e , praying t h a t t h e world will simply forget my e x i s t e n c e ? A l r e a d y I put on this absurd disguise to go out during t h e d a y — i s t h a t n o t s h a m e e n o u g h ? I refuse

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to vanish a l t o g e t h e r . To do so would give K i n g Ptolemy u n c o n d i t i o n a l victory. D o n ' t you understand? I am all t h a t remains of t h e d e l e g a t i o n o f o n e h u n d r e d w h o c a m e t o speak for t h e people o f A l e x a n d r i a a n d their n e w q u e e n . If I allow fear to turn me invisible and m u t e , t h e n I might as well n e v e r have c o m e to R o m e . I m i g h t as well be dead!" W i t h t h a t , D i o gave a n o t h e r shudder and b e g a n to weep again. I watched h i m fight b a c k t h e tears and struggle to c o m p o s e himself. O v e r the last m o n t h s h e h a d endured m u c h misery and s e e n u n s p e a k a b l e tragedy, a n d for all his travails he h a d n o t h i n g to show but b i t t e r n e s s and s h a m e . I was awed by his p e r s e v e r a n c e . " T e a c h e r , " I said, " w h a t is it t h a t you want from m e ? I c a n ' t force the S e n a t e to h e a r your demands. I c a n ' t make Pompey waver in his support of K i n g Ptolemy. I c a n ' t resurrect t h e dead, or r e d e e m t h o s e w h o betrayed y o u . " I waited for D i o to answer, but he h a d n o t yet c o m p o s e d himself, so I w e n t o n . "Perhaps you wish for me to ferret out t h e truth, so t h a t justice c a n b e d o n e . T h a t ' s why m e n usually c o m e t o m e . B u t you s e e m satisfied t h a t you already k n o w t h e truth. I ' m n o t sure what good it will do you. T h a t ' s t h e odd t h i n g about truth, how m u c h o n e craves it, yet how useless it o f t e n is. If you're t h i n k i n g of bringing charges of murder against K i n g Ptolemy, I'm n o t sure t h a t a R o m a n court has j u r i s d i c t i o n over a friendly foreign m o n a r c h ; I am sure that n o t h i n g c o u l d be d o n e without t h e S e n a t e , a n d w e k n o w t h a t you c a n ' t rely o n t h e m . I f you're t h i n k i n g of b r i n g i n g a c h a r g e against Pompey, t h e n I would advise you t o t h i n k again. Pompey has e n e m i e s , t o b e sure, b u t n o t o n e o f t h e m would be willing to a t t a c k h i m o p e n l y in a court of law, no m a t t e r how c o m p e l l i n g t h e e v i d e n c e . Pompey is m u c h t o o s t r o n g . " I w r i n k l e d my brow. "Perhaps it's this Publius A s i c i u s against w h o m you w a n t to b r i n g c h a r g e s , for a t t e m p t i n g to poison you. If he did put Lucceius's slaves up to it, t h e n you m i g h t have a c a s e , provided t h a t Lucceius i s n o t t h e creature o f Pompey t h a t you suspect h i m t o b e , a n d is willing to let his slaves testify against A s i c i u s . S u c h a trial m i g h t be useful. T h i s Publius A s i c i u s c a n ' t b e t o o i m p o r t a n t i f I've n e v e r h e a r d o f h i m , a n d t h a t m e a n s h e m i g h t b e vulnerable. A trial against h i m could draw a t t e n t i o n t o your cause and e l i c i t sympathy. E v e n s o — " " N o , G o r d i a n u s , " D i o said. "It's n o t a trial I seek. Do you t h i n k I e x p e c t j u s t i c e from a R o m a n c o u r t ? I c o m e to you seeking merely to save my own life, so t h a t I c a n c o n t i n u e w i t h my m i s s i o n . " I b i t my lip. " T e a c h e r , I c a n ' t offer you a c c o m m o d a t i o n s under my roof. I c a n ' t g u a r a n t e e your safety, for o n e t h i n g . W h i l e I p l a c e great trust in my h o u s e h o l d slaves, this house would hardly be secure against assassins as d e t e r m i n e d as your e n e m i e s appear to b e . A n d t h e n there's

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t h e danger to my o w n family. I have a wife, T e a c h e r , a n d a young daughter—" " N o , G o r d i a n u s , I d o n ' t ask to spend a single n i g h t under t h e r o o f of your splendid h o u s e . W h a t I n e e d is your h e l p in deciding w h o m I c a n trust a n d w h o m I c a n n o t . T h e y say you have ways of finding t h e truth. T h e y say you h a v e a sense for it, as o t h e r m e n have a sense of smell or taste. You say t h a t truth is often useless, but it m i g h t save me now. C a n I trust my n e w h o s t , T i t u s C o p o n i u s ? I m e t h i m in A l e x a n d r i a . He is wealthy, e d u c a t e d , a student of p h i l o s o p h y — b u t c a n I entrust my life t o h i m ? W i l l h e betray m e ? I s h e a n o t h e r o f Pompey's tools? You must k n o w h o w to find out such t h i n g s . " " P e r h a p s , " I said cautiously, "but t h e task is m o r e c o m p l i c a t e d t h a n you may realize. If o n l y you h a d c o m e to me wanting to recover a s t o l e n ring, or trying to find out w h e t h e r a r i c h m e r c h a n t did or did n o t murder his wife, o r s e e k i n g t o t r a c e t h e origin o f a t h r e a t e n i n g letter. S u c h mysteries are s i m p l e , a n d relatively safe. B u t to ask t h e kinds of questions you would h a v e me ask, of t h o s e w h o would k n o w t h e answers, would a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y a t t r a c t t h e a t t e n t i o n o f powerful m e n . . . " "You m e a n P o m p e y , " said D i o . "Yes, perhaps e v e n Pompey h i m s e l f . " I nervously tapped at my c h i n . "I would h a t e for you to t h i n k me a coward, T e a c h e r , afraid to move for fear of offending powerful m e n . In years g o n e by, I've dared to beard a few lions w h e n t h e cause d e m a n d e d it. S u l l a t h e D i c t a t o r , for o n e , w h e n I looked for t h e truth b e h i n d t h e murder of S e x t u s R o s c i u s . M a r c u s Crassus, w h e n he sought to slay a w h o l e h o u s e h o l d of slaves. E v e n C i c e r o , w h e n he grew reckless w i t h power in t h e year of his consulship. Fortunately, so far, I've n e v e r crossed paths w i t h Pompey. I d o n ' t wish to do so now. As a m a n grows older, and presumably wiser, he grows m o r e cautious." "You w o n ' t h e l p m e , t h e n ? " T h e despair i n his v o i c e made m e feel a p r i c k l e of s h a m e . " T e a c h e r , I c a n ' t . E v e n if I were eager to do so, it would still be impossible, at least for a w h i l e , because I'm a b o u t to go on a long trip. I leave a t dawn. M y wife has b e e n busy all day p a c k i n g m y things . . . " I paused, surprised at h o w h o l l o w my words sounded. W h a t I said was true, a n d my trip h a d b e e n p l a n n e d for a long t i m e . W h y did I feel as if I were m a k i n g e x c u s e s ? " T h e n you c a n n o t h e l p m e , " said D i o , staring a t t h e floor. " I f t h e trip were less i m p o r t a n t , " I b e g a n , a n d shrugged. " B u t it's to see my s o n M e t o . H e ' s b e e n serving under C a e s a r in G a u l . I h a v e n ' t s e e n h i m for m o n t h s . N o w h e ' s at C a e s a r ' s w i n t e r quarters in Illyria,

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hardly c l o s e but considerably c l o s e r t h a n G a u l , and he may be t h e r e for only a short w h i l e . I c a n ' t miss t h e c h a n c e to see h i m . " " I s e e , " said D i o . " I n o t h e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s , I would r e c o m m e n d that you pay a c a l l on my elder son, E c o . H e ' s t w i c e as c l e v e r as I ever w a s — b u t h e ' s c o m i n g with m e t o visit M e t o . W e ' l l b o t h b e g o n e until a t t h e least t h e e n d o f the m o n t h , perhaps longer. T h e u n c e r t a i n t i e s o f traveling i n t h e winter, you understand . . . " A g a i n , t h e words sounded hollow i n m y ears. I shifted uneasily i n m y chair, a n d t h e r o o m suddenly s e e m e d h o t . " O f course, after t h e t r i p — t h a t is, w h e n I c o m e b a c k t o R o m e . . . " D i o fixed me w i t h a gaze t h a t pulled at t h e h a i r on t h e b a c k of my n e c k . I h a d s e e n such a glassy stare o n l y in t h e eyes of dead m e n , a n d for a m o m e n t I was so unnerved t h a t I c o u l d n ' t speak. I c l e a r e d my t h r o a t . " W h e n I c o m e b a c k to R o m e , I'll be sure to send a messenger to you at the house of Titus C o p o n i u s — " D i o lowered his eyes and sighed. " C o m e , gallus, it's t i m e to g o . W e ' v e wasted our t i m e h e r e . " " H a r d l y wasted, if t h a t smell is w h a t I t h i n k it i s , " said T r y g o n i o n cheerfully, as if oblivious to w h a t h a d just passed b e t w e e n D i o a n d myself. A m o m e n t later a serving girl passed in t h e hallway carrying a tray of food, followed by two others w h o carried little folding tables. W e retired t o t h e adjoining dining r o o m , where w e e a c h r e c l i n e d upon a c o u c h . T h e folding tables were p l a c e d before us. B e t h e s d a appeared, w i t h D i a n a following after her, but they did n o t j o i n us. T h e two of t h e m m a d e a p o i n t of carrying in t h e first course a n d serving it t h e m s e l v e s , ladling t h e first portions o f t h e lentils w i t h sausage o n t o t h e plates o f m y guests, t h e n o n t o m i n e , a n d t h e n watching w h i l e w e e a c h t o o k a b i t e . U n d e r t h e i r scrutiny, t h e philosopher, t h e gallus a n d I n o d d e d and m a d e n o i s e s o f approval. Satisfied, B e t h e s d a a n d D i a n a retired, leaving t h e s e r v i c e to t h e slave girls. M i s e r a b l e a n d desperate as he m i g h t b e , D i o was also a very hungry m a n . He swallowed great spoonfuls of food and c a l l e d to t h e serving girl for m o r e . B e s i d e h i m T r y g o n i o n ate w i t h e v e n greater relish a n d a n appalling l a c k o f m a n n e r s , using his t h u m b t o push food o n t o his s p o o n a n d popping his fingers i n t o his m o u t h . Barred from t h e ecstasies of s e x , t h e galli are said to be n o t o r i o u s gluttons.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

F

I

V

E

M i d w i n t e r n i g h t descended o n R o m e , c o l d , c l e a r and still. O n c e my guests h a d e a t e n , t h e y quickly departed. T e l l i n g his tale h a d e x h a u s t e d D i o . Stuffing his yawning belly h a d m a d e h i m sleepy. He was ready for an early b e d . S m a r t i n g from a t w i n g e of guilt, I almost r e l e n t e d from my earlier refusal to put h i m up and was ready to offer h i m a b e d , if only for t h e night; but D i o w i t h a few c u r t words made it quite c l e a r that he was set on m a k i n g his way b a c k t o t h e h o u s e o f T i t u s C o p o n i u s . I f h e was sharp with m e , how c o u l d I b l a m e h i m ? H e h a d c o m e t o seek t h e h e l p o f a n old a c q u a i n t a n c e a n d was leaving e m p t y - h a n d e d . Desperate m e n — e v e n p h i l o s o p h e r s — d o n o t a c c e p t r e j e c t i o n graciously. I insisted t h a t D i o take B e l b o along t o see h i m safely h o m e . T h i s s e e m e d t h e least I c o u l d do. T r y g o n i o n h i d his long h a i r in his h a t a n d adjusted his toga, D i o covered his h e a d w i t h t h e m a n t l e ; again t h e y b e c a m e impostors a t R o m a n m a n h o o d a n d w o m a n h o o d . U n d e r cover o f darkness t h e y departed as t h e y h a d c o m e . H a v i n g d i s p a t c h e d my guests, I was faced w i t h t h e c h o r e of finishing my p a c k i n g for t h e trip to Illyria to see M e t o . B e t h e s d a h a d d o n e m u c h , b u t c e r t a i n preparations c a n b e made o n l y b y t h e traveler. W i t h t h e s h o r t w i n t e r days allowing less daylight for travel, I p l a n n e d an early start a n d so h a d h o p e d to be a b e d early, but t h e preparations kept me up until m i d n i g h t . It was just as well; o n c e I finally did crawl i n t o bed I c o u l d n ' t sleep, t h i n k i n g about D i o and his plight. I r e a c h e d out to t o u c h B e t h e s d a ' s shoulder, but s h e turned away from m e , peeved a b o u t s o m e t h i n g .

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As I p o n d e r e d t h e strange visit, it occurred to me t h a t t h e r e were some things I h a d n e g l e c t e d to find out. S o m e o n e h a d r e c o m m e n d e d that D i o c o m e t o see m e . W h o ? A n d w h a t was h e doing i n t h e c o m p a n y o f t h e little gallus? T h e two o f t h e m s e e m e d like oil and water, a n d yet Dio obviously trusted T r y g o n i o n e n o u g h to go out w i t h h i m in disguise. Ah well, I t h o u g h t drowsily, t h e s e questions c o u l d wait until I returned from Illyria a n d saw D i o again. B u t as s o o n as this t h o u g h t crossed my m i n d , I r e m e m b e r e d t h e l o o k I h a d s e e n in t h e philosopher's e y e s — t h e l o o k of a m a n already dead. I gave a start and was suddenly wide awake. I turned on my side and r e a c h e d for B e t h e s d a . S h e e x h a l e d noisily and pulled away. I c a l l e d h e r n a m e softly, but she pretended to be asleep. W h a t h a d I d o n e wrong? At w h a t h a d she taken offense? A b i t of m o o n l i g h t strayed o n t o t h e bed, illuminating h e r hair. S h e h a d rinsed it with h e n n a t h a t m o r n i n g , to give it luster and to cover t h e gray. T h e smell was familiar, c o m f o r t i n g , e r o t i c . S h e could have h e l p e d me to fall asleep, I t h o u g h t , but s h e s e e m e d no m o r e willing to c o m f o r t me t h a n I had b e e n w i l l i n g to h e l p D i o . I stared i n t o t h e tangle of h e r hair, an i m p e n e t r a b l e forest, pathless and dark. I tossed a n d turned and at last rolled out of t h e b e d a n d o n t o my feet. I was already wearing a long t u n i c to keep warm. I stepped i n t o my shoes a n d r e a c h e d for a w o o l e n c l o a k . O u t in t h e atrium, b e n e a t h t h e shadowed gaze of M i n e r v a , I looked up at t h e firmament of bright t w i n k l i n g stars. T h e air was c o l d a n d c l e a r . I studied t h e c o n s t e l l a t i o n s , a n d to tire my m i n d I tried to r e m e m b e r all their n a m e s , b o t h L a t i n a n d G r e e k , w h i c h I h a d learned w h e n I was young i n A l e x a n d r i a : t h e G r e a t Bear, w h i c h H o m e r c a l l e d t h e W a g o n and o t h e r s c a l l t h e S e v e n Ploughing O x e n ; t h e L i t t l e Bear, w h i c h s o m e call t h e D o g ' s T a i l ; t h e G o a t , w h i c h s o m e say has t h e tail of a fish . . . S t i l l I c o u l d n ' t sleep. I n e e d e d to walk. A few circuits around t h e fountain in t h e atrium was hardly e n o u g h to drain my restlessness. I walked to t h e front door a n d u n b o l t e d it. I stepped over t h e t h r e s h o l d and o n t o t h e s m o o t h l y paved street. A t n i g h t , t h e Palatine i s probably t h e safest n e i g h b o r h o o d i n R o m e . W h e n I was a boy, it was as m i x e d as any o t h e r n e i g h b o r h o o d in t h e city, w i t h r i c h a n d poor, patricians a n d plebeians all crowded t o g e t h e r . T h e n R o m e ' s e m p i r e b e g a n its great e x p a n s i o n , a n d some families b e c a m e n o t m e r e l y wealthy but p h e n o m e n a l l y so, and it was t h e P a l a t i n e , w i t h its p r o x i m i t y to t h e Forum a n d its e l e v a t i o n above t h e less w h o l e s o m e airs o f t h e T i b e r a n d t h e c r a m p e d valleys, w h i c h b e c a m e t h e i r n e i g h b o r h o o d o f c h o i c e . O v e r t h e years tall t e n e m e n t s and c r a m p e d family dwellings were t o r n down b l o c k by b l o c k , and in t h e i r places were built

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great houses separated h e r e a n d t h e r e by strips of g r e e n and little gardens. T h e r e are still h u m b l e dwellings a m o n g t h e m a n s i o n s o n t h e P a l a t i n e , a n d o c c u p a n t s w h o are far from wealthy ( I ' m p r o o f of t h a t ) , but by a n d large it has b e c o m e an e n c l a v e of t h e r i c h a n d t h e powerful. I live on t h e s o u t h e r n side, just up t h e hill from t h e H o u s e of t h e Vestals down in t h e F o r u m . In a c i r c l e of no great c i r c u m f e r e n c e around my h o u s e — hardly further t h a n an arrow's f l i g h t — I c o u n t a m o n g my n e i g h b o r s C r a s sus, R o m e ' s w e a l t h i e s t m a n , and my old patron C i c e r o , w h o t h e previous S e p t e m b e r h a d m a d e a t r i u m p h a n t return from p o l i t i c a l e x i l e a n d was busy rebuilding t h e h o u s e w h i c h an angry m o b h a d destroyed t w o years before. S u c h m e n o w n bodyguards—plenty o f t h e m , and n o t merely brutes but well-trained g l a d i a t o r s — a n d such m e n d e m a n d order, at least in t h e i r i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i t y . T h e roving, drunken gangs o f troublemakers w h o terrorize t h e S u b u r a at n i g h t k n o w b e t t e r t h a n to bring t h e i r rowdiness t o t h e P a l a t i n e . Rapists and p e t t y thieves p r a c t i c e their c r i m e s i n o t h e r places o n m o r e v u l n e r a b l e prey. A n d so, after dark, t h e streets o f t h e Palatine are quiet a n d mostly deserted. A m a n c a n take a brisk stroll up t h e street on a c h i l l y winter's n i g h t b e n e a t h a waxing m o o n , a l o n e w i t h his t h o u g h t s , a n d n o t fear for his life. E v e n so, w h e n I h e a r d t h e sound of drunken voices approaching, I felt it p r u d e n t to c o n c e a l myself until t h e y passed. I stepped b a c k against a wall, b e n e a t h t h e d e e p shadow cast by t h e b r a n c h of a yew tree. I was just across t h e street from a venerable old three-story t e n e m e n t at t h e e n d o f m y b l o c k . T h e p l a c e was e x c e p t i o n a l l y well built and well m a i n t a i n e d , t h e property o f t h e C l o d i i , a n a n c i e n t a n d distinguished p a t r i c i a n family. It h a d w i t h s t o o d t h e c h a n g e s on t h e P a l a t i n e , and was still divided b e t w e e n shops o n t h e ground floor a n d a p a r t m e n t s above. T h e w h o l e o f t h e middle floor was r e n t e d t o M a r c u s C a e l i u s , t h e young m a n w h o h a d e m b r o i l e d me a few years before in C i c e r o ' s b a t t l e of wits w i t h C a t i l i n a . It was his v o i c e , t o g e t h e r w i t h a n o t h e r , t h a t I now heard a p p r o a c h i n g from t h e e a s t e r n e n d o f t h e street. I stayed h i d d e n in t h e shadows. I h a d n o t h i n g to fear from C a e l i u s , b u t I was in no m o o d for company, especially drunken company. As he a n d his friend drew closer, c a r e e n i n g up t h e street, I saw t h e i r shadows first, cast before t h e m by t h e m o o n l i g h t like spidery, elongated wraiths. T h e y walked w i t h t h e i r arms around e a c h other's shoulders, twisting this way a n d t h a t , laughing a n d conversing in shouts and whispers. It wasn't t h e first t i m e I'd c h a n c e d to see M a r c u s C a e l i u s c o m i n g h o m e in such a state. N o t m u c h m o r e t h a n thirty years old a n d u n c o m m o n l y goodl o o k i n g — r e m a r k a b l y h a n d s o m e , a c t u a l l y — C a e l i u s was o f t h a t particular class o f young R o m a n s w h o m D i o had spoken o f that a f t e r n o o n w h e n

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h e described Publius A s i c i u s , t h e m a n h e suspected o f trying t o p o i s o n him: c h a r m i n g , q u i c k - w i t t e d young m e n w i t h good backgrounds but uncertain prospects, n o t o r i o u s for t h e i r c o m p l e t e lack of scruples, witty and well e d u c a t e d w i t h a taste for hard drinking and scandalous poetry, affable, ingratiating, and never under any c i r c u m s t a n c e s to be trusted. Caelius and his friend were probably returning from a late-night party at some f a s h i o n a b l e house nearby. T h e only surprise was t h a t they h a d n ' t brought a young w o m a n or two w i t h t h e m , unless, of course, they were satisfied to m a k e do w i t h e a c h o t h e r for t h e night. T h e y stopped i n t h e street before t h e e n t r a n c e t o Caelius's private stairway. C a e l i u s b a n g e d on t h e door, and while they waited for a slave to c o m e o p e n it I overheard s o m e of t h e i r drunken conversation. W h e n I heard C a e l i u s say t h e n a m e ' A s i c i u s " I gave a start. Probably, I t h o u g h t , I merely i m a g i n e d it, putting it t o g e t h e r from a sigh and a hiss; I h a d just b e e n t h i n k i n g about D i o ' s description of Publius A s i c i u s , and so h a d the n a m e in my m i n d . B u t t h e n I heard it again. " A s i c i u s , " C a e l i u s said, "you ass, you very nearly flubbed it this t i m e as well! T w o disasters in a row!" " M e ? " c r i e d t h e o t h e r m a n . I c o u l d n ' t see h i m well for t h e darkness, but like C a e l i u s he appeared to be tall and broad-shouldered. His words were slurred, s o m e shouted, some muttered, so t h a t I could c a t c h o n l y fragments of w h a t he said. " I ' m n o t t h e o n e who . . . you n e g l e c t e d to tell me t h a t we'd have to . . . and t h e n , to find . . . already! . . . a n d the l o o k on his . . . oh go o n , off to Hades w i t h you, C a e l i u s , a l o n g with t h a t pitiful E g y p t i a n . . . " T h e door rattled and o p e n e d . C a e l i u s and his friend moved t o e n t e r simultaneously a n d bumped i n t o e a c h o t h e r . S o m e t h i n g c l a t t e r e d o n t h e pavement; m o o n l i g h t flashed on steel. C a e l i u s turned b a c k , stooped down and picked u p t h e dagger t h a t h a d b e e n dropped. T h a t was w h e n h e looked up a n d saw me in t h e shadows across t h e street. He s q u i n t e d drunkenly and turned his face sidelong, trying to decide w h e t h e r I was a m a n or merely a shadow. I h e l d my breath. He stepped slowly toward m e , h o l d i n g t h e dagger in his h a n d . " W h e r e i n H a d e s are you off t o n o w ? " m o a n e d A s i c i u s . " C o m e o n , Caelius, it's c o l d out h e r e . You said you'd warm me up!" " S h u t up!" C a e l i u s whispered hoarsely. He was halfway across t h e street, staring straight at m e . "Caelius, what—is someone there?" " S h u t up, A s i c i u s ! " T h e n i g h t was so still I t h o u g h t they might be able to h e a r t h e pounding of my h e a r t . Caelius's dagger glinted in t h e m o o n l i g h t . He stepped c l o s e r a n d tripped on a paving s t o n e . I flinched.

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"It's o n l y m e , n e i g h b o r , " I said, through gritted t e e t h . " O n l y — y o u , G o r d i a n u s ! " C a e l i u s g r i n n e d a n d lowered his dagger. I sighed w i t h relief. " W h o i s h e ? " d e m a n d e d A s i c i u s , swaggering u p b e h i n d C a e l i u s a n d r e a c h i n g inside his t u n i c . " T r o u b l e ? " " O h , probably n o t , " said C a e l i u s . I n t h e m o o n l i g h t , w i t h a smile o n his lips, h e looked like A p o l l o d o n e i n w h i t e m a r b l e . "You're n o t l o o k i n g for trouble t o n i g h t , are you, n e i g h b o r ? " " O u t for a w a l k , " I said. "I leave on a trip tomorrow. I c a n ' t s l e e p . " " C o l d for a walk, isn't i t ? " said A s i c i u s . " N o t t o o c o l d for you to be o u t , " I said. A s i c i u s growled, but C a e l i u s slapped h i m o n t h e shoulder a n d laughed. " G o h o m e a n d get s o m e sleep, G o r d i a n u s ! O n l y people u p t o n o good are o u t a t this t i m e o f n i g h t . C o m e o n , A s i c i u s . T i m e t o warm you u p . " He put his a r m around his c o m p a n i o n ' s shoulder a n d drew h i m b a c k t o t h e doorway. T h e y disappeared inside a n d t h e door s l a m m e d shut. In t h e stillness of t h e n i g h t , through t h e c l o s e d door, I h e a r d t h e i r muffled voices a n d t h e c l u m p o f t h e i r h e a v y footsteps o n t h e stairway. T h e s e sounds q u i c k l y faded, a n d t h e e m p t y street seemed almost preternaturally quiet. T h e c o l d suddenly p e n e t r a t e d m y c l o a k , m a k i n g m e shiver. I walked b a c k to my h o u s e taking q u i c k , careful steps. E v e r y t h i n g was b l a n d oyster-white and fathomless b l a c k shadow. C o l d m o o n l i g h t h a d turned t h e world t o s t o n e . I slipped b a c k i n t o bed. I m i g h t have stayed awake for a long t i m e , staring i n t o t h e darkness above, but B e t h e s d a rolled toward me a n d snuggled against m e , a n d I fell asleep almost at o n c e . A s p l a n n e d , m y s o n E c o c a m e c a l l i n g before daybreak. B e l b o b r o u g h t horses from t h e stable, a n d t h e t h r e e of us set out through t h e quiet gray streets o f t h e waking city. W e t o o k t h e F l a m i n i a n W a y a n d passed through t h e F o n t i n a l G a t e , leaving t h e dangers a n d deceits o f t h e c i t y b e h i n d us, at least for a w h i l e .

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

S

I

X

The j o u r n e y was w i t h o u t i n c i d e n t , e x c e p t for a b r i e f but wavetossed crossing from F a n u m F o r t u n a e , a t t h e terminus o f t h e F l a m i n i a n Way, across to t h e Illyrian shore. In w i n t e r t h e r e are o n l y a handful of b o a t m e n w h o will ferry passengers across t h e A d r i a t i c S e a , a n d on this trip we discovered why, for we very narrowly escaped a sudden squall t h a t easily could h a v e s e n t b o a t , B e l b o , horses, E c o and myself t o t h e b o t t o m o f the sea. Before we left F a n u m F o r t u n a e , I h a d insisted on visiting t h e famous grounds c o n s e c r a t e d to t h e goddess F o r t u n e and leaving a few c o i n s at her t e m p l e . " B e t t e r spent tipping t h e b o a t m a n , " E c o h a d m u t t e r e d under his b r e a t h . B u t after surviving t h e wet, windy crossing, it was E c o w h o suggested we give t h a n k s at t h e nearest t e m p l e of F o r t u n e . Pounding rain turned t h e w o o d e n r o o f i n t o a drum. Inside t h e rustic little t e m p l e i n c e n s e swirled, c o i n s j a n g l e d , a n d t h e goddess smiled, while t h e t r e m b l i n g in my k n e e s a n d t h e queasiness in my s t o m a c h gradually subsided. W i t h our feet b a c k o n solid ground, e v e n t h e arduous, rain-soaked journey up t h e rugged c o a s t l i n e a n d over t h e windswept hills to C a e s a r ' s winter quarters s e e m e d like a holiday.

A f t e r h e b e c a m e a soldier i n t h e legions o f G a i u s Julius C a e s a r i n G a u l , I didn't see my s o n M e t o for m o n t h s at a t i m e , though we conversed

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o f t e n by letter. T h i s was fortuitous in a way t h a t I c o u l d n e v e r h a v e foreseen. M e t o ' s letters c a m e to me by military messengers. T h i s is a c o m m o n way t o s e n d all sorts o f c o r r e s p o n d e n c e , s i n c e o n l y very wealthy m e n c a n afford to h a v e slaves m e r e l y for t h e purpose of carrying letters, w h i l e m i l i t a r y messengers r a n g e far a n d wide t h r o u g h o u t t h e e m p i r e a n d are m o r e r e l i a b l e t h a n m e r c h a n t s o r pleasure travelers. L e t t e r s leaving C a e sar's c a m p , as it t u r n e d out, were n o t e n t i r e l y private; t h e messengers w h o c a r r i e d t h e m usually read t h e m t o m a k e sure t h a t t h e y c o n t a i n e d n o c o m p r o m i s i n g i n f o r m a t i o n . O n e o f C a e s a r ' s m o s t trusted messengers, impressed by M e t o ' s style a n d observations, passed a copy along to o n e o f C a e s a r ' s m o s t trusted s e c r e t a r i e s , w h o t h o u g h t i t w o r t h w h i l e t o pass i t a l o n g t o C a e s a r h i m s e l f , w h o t h e n m o v e d M e t o out o f t h e t e n t w h e r e h e h a d b e e n ordered t o polish newly m i n t e d a r m o r and i n t o t h e c o m m a n d e r ' s staff. B e t w e e n c o n q u e r i n g G a u l a n d vying for c o n t r o l o f R o m e , i t seems t h a t t h e great m a n finds t i m e in his busy s c h e d u l e to keep a m i n u t e l y d e t a i l e d j o u r n a l . W h i l e o t h e r p o l i t i c i a n s leave t h e i r m e m o i r s a s m o n u m e n t s t o posterity, C a e s a r intends t o distribute his (so M e t o suspects) a s a t o o l i n h i s e l e c t i o n c a m p a i g n s . T h e people o f R o m e will read o f C a e s a r ' s e x t r a o r d i n a r y skills of leadership a n d his triumphs in spreading R o m a n c i v i l i z a t i o n , a n d t h e n rush t o support h i m a t t h e p o l l s — provided, o f course, t h a t t h i n g s c o n t i n u e t o g o a s C a e s a r wishes i n G a u l . C a e s a r h a s slaves t o take his d i c t a t i o n , o f c o u r s e — M e t o says t h e c o m m a n d e r o f t e n d i c t a t e s w h i l e o n h o r s e b a c k riding from c a m p t o c a m p , s o a s n o t t o waste t i m e — a n d h e has slaves t o assist i n t h e c o l l a t i o n a n d c o m p i l a t i o n o f his n o t e s , b u t a s m y own e x p e r i e n c e has often b o r n e out, t h e r i c h a n d powerful will m a k e use o f o t h e r m e n ' s t a l e n t s wherever t h e y find t h e m . C a e s a r h a p p e n s t o like M e t o ' s prose s t y l e — n e v e r m i n d t h a t M e t o was b o r n a slave, r e c e i v e d only sporadic tutoring in m a t h e m a t i c s a n d L a t i n after I a d o p t e d h i m , a n d has no e x p e r i e n c e at p r a c t i c i n g r h e t o r i c . I r o n i c , t o o , is t h e fact t h a t M e t o , w h o c h o s e to be a soldier against my wishes, n o w finds h i m s e l f a t e n t - b o u n d literary adjutant instead of a s u n b u r n e d , w i n d - b i t t e n legionary. It would be hard, I i m a g i n e , for o n e o f his h u m b l e origins t o rise m u c h higher, w i t h s o many p a t r i c i a n s a n d sons o f t h e r i c h vying for h o n o r a n d glory i n t h e upper ranks. W h i c h i s n o t t o say t h a t h e n o longer faces danger. C a e s a r h i m s e l f takes e x t r a o r d i n a r y r i s k s — t h i s i s said t o b e o n e o f t h e keys t o t h e h o l d h e h a s over his m e n , t h a t h e faces t h e e n e m y alongside t h e m — a n d n o m a t t e r w h a t his day-to-day duties, M e t o has s e e n p l e n t y o f b a t t l e . H i s role a s o n e o f C a e s a r ' s secretaries simply m e a n s t h a t during quiet t i m e s , i n s t e a d o f building c a t a p u l t s o r digging t r e n c h e s o r m a k i n g roads, M e t o

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labors over his c o m m a n d e r ' s rough drafts. Just as well; M e t o was n e v e r very good at working w i t h his h a n d s or his b a c k . B u t w h e n t h e crisis comes a n d t h e e n e m y must be faced, M e t o puts down his stylus a n d takes up his sword. M e t o h a d p l e n t y o f hair-raising tales t o thrill his older b r o t h e r a n d set his b r o o d i n g father's t e e t h on edge. A m b u s h e s at dawn, m i d n i g h t raids, battles against b a r b a r i a n tribes w i t h u n p r o n o u n c e a b l e n a m e s — I listened to t h e details a n d wished I c o u l d cover my ears, as images r a n riot through m y h e a d o f M e t o i n h a n d - t o - h a n d c o m b a t against s o m e hulking, hairy G a u l , or dodging a rain of arrows, or leaping off a c a t a p u l t c o n s u m e d by fire. M e a n w h i l e I w a t c h e d h i m wide-eyed, at o n c e amazed, appalled, proud a n d m e l a n c h o l y at how thoroughly t h e boy h a d v a n i s h e d and t h e m a n t a k e n his p l a c e . T h o u g h he was only t w e n t y - t w o , I c o u n t e d a few gray hairs a m o n g t h e s h o c k of unruly b l a c k curls on his h e a d , a n d his jaw was c o v e r e d w i t h stubble. His s p e e c h , especially in t h e e x c i t e m e n t of r e c o u n t i n g a b a t t l e , was salted w i t h crude soldier's s l a n g — c o u l d this really be t h e b o y w h o s e prose C a e s a r found so admirable? R e l a x i n g in his quarters, it was M e t o ' s c u s t o m to wear t h e same g a r m e n t day after day, a dark b l u e , m u c h - w a s h e d w o o l e n t u n i c . I raised an eyebrow at his slovenliness b u t said n o t h i n g , e v e n w h e n I n o t i c e d t h e numerous murky spots, large a n d small, w h i c h s t a i n e d t h e fabric i n various p l a c e s . T h e n I realized t h a t t h e stains were clustered w h e r e his armor j o i n e d a n d a r o u n d the edges o f his l e a t h e r c o a t . T h e spots were bloodstains, m a d e w h e r e the b l o o d o f o t h e r m e n h a d soaked through his b a t t l e gear. M e t o t o l d u s o f m o u n t a i n s h e h a d crossed a n d rivers h e h a d forded, o f G a l l i c villages w i t h t h e i r peculiar sights a n d smells, o f C a e s a r ' s genius a t o u t w i t t i n g t h e tribes a n d putting down t h e i r r e b e l l i o n s . ( M u c h o f t h e c o m m a n d e r ' s b e h a v i o r sounded like gratuitous cruelty and base t r e a c h e r y t o m e , b u t I k n e w b e t t e r t h a n t o say s o . ) H e confirmed t h a t t h e G a u l s were u n c o m m o n l y big, many o f t h e m veritable giants. " T h e y t h i n k o f us as a m i d g e t r a c e , a n d m a k e fun of us to our f a c e s , " he said. " B u t t h e y don't laugh for l o n g . " He was eager for news of R o m e . E c o a n d I shared w i t h h i m all t h e gossip we c o u l d r e m e m b e r , including t h e latest maneuvers regarding t h e Egyptian s i t u a t i o n . " P o m p e y a n d your beloved c o m m a n d e r s e e m e d t o have m a t c h e d scores i n t h e latest r o u n d , " E c o n o t e d , " e x t o r t i n g equal hoards of silver from K i n g P t o l e m y in return for b r i b i n g t h e S e n a t e to smile o n his c l a i m t o t h e Egyptian t h r o n e . It's Crassus who's b e e n left out." " A n d w h a t does Crassus n e e d from E g y p t ? " said M e t o , w h o h a d his o w n reasons to dislike t h e m i l l i o n a i r e quite apart from his loyalty to Caesar. "He's rich enough."

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"Crassus will n e v e r be r i c h e n o u g h for C r a s s u s , " I said. " I f h e wants t o keep his h a n d i n t h e c o n t e s t , " said M e t o , absently r e a c h i n g for his s h o r t sword a n d fiddling w i t h t h e h a n d l e , "Crassus will n e e d t o wrangle a n o t h e r military c o m m a n d from t h e S e n a t e and s c o r e s o m e v i c t o r i e s to impress t h e people. S i l v e r buys votes, but o n l y glory buys g r e a t n e s s . " I w o n d e r e d if these words c a m e from M e t o h i m s e l f or from Caesar, w h o s e finances b e c o m e m o r e precarious even w h i l e t h e list of his c o n q u e s t s grows longer. " B u t Pompey has pacified t h e East, a n d n o w C a e s a r is pacifying G a u l , " said E c o . " W h a t ' s left for Crassus?" " H e ' l l simply h a v e to l o o k further afield," said M e t o . " W e l l , Egypt is as far as I c a r e to cast my t h o u g h t s , " I said, a n d p r o c e e d e d to relate w h a t I h a d learned from D i o on t h e n i g h t before I left R o m e . F r o m his p r o x i m i t y t o C a e s a r a n d his staff, M e t o already k n e w a l i t t l e a b o u t t h e murders o f t h e A l e x a n d r i a n envoys, but h a d n o t realized t h e scale of t h e scandal. He s e e m e d genuinely appalled, a n d I found myself w o n d e r i n g how s o m e o n e w h o h a d b e c o m e s o inured t o t h e c a r n a g e o f b a t t l e c o u l d b e alarmed any longer b y mere murder. T h e t h o u g h t m a d e me uneasy, as I suddenly felt t h e growing d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n M e t o a n d myself. T h e n , as I c o n t i n u e d to describe t h e peculiar c i r c u m s t a n c e s of D i o ' s visit a n d my guests' absurd d i s g u i s e s — t h e p h i l o s o p h e r as a w o m a n , t h e gallus as a m a n — M e t o burst out laughing. His laughter e n c o u r a g e d m e t o pile o n m o r e details, w h i c h m a d e h i m laugh all t h e harder. S u d d e n l y t h e stubbly jaw and t h e bloodstains faded from my sight. T h e harrowing tales a n d t h e crude soldier's slang were forgotten. I saw t h e face of t h e laughing little boy I h a d adopted years ago, a n d found w h a t I h a d c o m e searching for.

As it turned out, E c o a n d I were g o n e from R o m e for almost a m o n t h , a n d did n o t return u n t i l after t h e Ides of Februarius. First a snowstorm d e t a i n e d us. T h e n I fell ill w i t h a c o u g h in my c h e s t . T h e n , just as I was well e n o u g h to travel, B e l b o fell ill w i t h t h e same c o m p l a i n t . W h i l e s o m e m e n m i g h t s c o f f at postponing a trip to coddle a slave, it m a d e no sense to me to go traveling over dangerous b a c k roads w i t h a sick bodyguard. Besides, I w e l c o m e d t h e e x c u s e to spend m o r e t i m e w i t h M e t o . O n t h e way b a c k , w e h a p p e n e d t o cross t h e A d r i a t i c using t h e s a m e intrepid b o a t m a n a n d in t h e s a m e boat as before. I h a d no trouble g e t t i n g E c o to pause for a few m o m e n t s in t h e t e m p l e of Fortune before we set sail. Happily for our crossing, t h e sky was c l e a r and t h e waters were c a l m . B a c k i n R o m e , B e t h e s d a seemed t o b e i n considerably b e t t e r spirits

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than w h e n I h a d left. Indeed, h e r a t t e n t i o n s t o m e o n t h e n i g h t o f m y return could h a v e stopped t h e h e a r t o f a weaker m a n . O n c e t h e r e h a d been a t i m e w h e n a m o n t h ' s separation was e n o u g h to build our appetites for e a c h o t h e r to a ravenous p i t c h ; I h a d t h o u g h t t h o s e days were long gone, b u t on t h a t n i g h t B e t h e s d a m a n a g e d to make me feel m o r e like a youth of twenty-four t h a n a bearded grandfather of fifty-four. D e s p i t e the a c h e s a n d pains of t h e previous days' long hours on h o r s e b a c k , I arose t h e n e x t m o r n i n g i n e x c e l l e n t spirits. As we a t e our breakfast of Egyptian flat bread a n d m i l l e t porridge with raisins, B e t h e s d a c a u g h t me up on t h e latest gossip. I sipped at a cup of h e a t e d h o n e y e d w i n e and listened w i t h only h a l f an ear as s h e explained t h a t t h e miserly s e n a t o r across t h e way was finally putting a new r o o f on his h o u s e , a n d t h a t a group of E t h i o p i a n prostitutes appeared to have t a k e n up residence at t h e h o m e of a r i c h widower w h o keeps an apartment up t h e street. W h e n she turned to affairs down in t h e F o r u m , I paid closer a t t e n t i o n . B e t h e s d a h a d a soft spot for our h a n d s o m e young n e i g h b o r M a r c u s Caelius, t h e o n e w h o m I h a d run i n t o on t h e n i g h t before my departure. A c c o r d i n g to B e t h e s d a , C a e l i u s h a d just finished prosecuting a case w h i c h had set t h e c i t y abuzz. " I w e n t d o w n t o w a t c h , " she said. " R e a l l y ? T h e trial, o r t h e p r o s e c u t o r ? " " B o t h , o f c o u r s e . A n d why n o t ? " S h e b e c a m e defensive. " I k n o w quite a lot a b o u t trials a n d t h e law, having lived w i t h you so l o n g . " "Yes, a n d M a r c u s C a e l i u s is e x c e p t i o n a l l y good-looking w h e n he gets h i m s e l f all w o u n d up w i t h an e x c i t i n g o r a t i o n — e y e s flashing, veins bulging o n his forehead a n d n e c k . . . " B e t h e s d a s e e m e d a b o u t t o respond, b u t t h o u g h t b e t t e r o f i t a n d stared at me straight-faced. " A p r o s e c u t i o n , " I finally said. " A g a i n s t w h o m ? " " S o m e o n e called B e s t i a . " "Lucius Calpurnius Bestia?" S h e nodded. "You must be m i s t a k e n , " I said, w i t h a m o u t h full of m i l l e t . " I t h i n k n o t . " H e r expression b e c a m e aloof. " B u t C a e l i u s supported old B e s t i a for t h e praetorship last fall. They're political allies." " N o t any l o n g e r . " T h i s was entirely c r e d i b l e , given Caelius's reputation for fickleness, b o t h in love a n d p o l i t i c s . E v e n w h e n he was publicly allied w i t h a c a n d i d a t e or c a u s e , o n e could n e v e r be quite sure of his real i n t e n t i o n s . " O n w h a t c h a r g e did h e prosecute B e s t i a ? "

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"Electoral bribery." " H a ! In t h e fall he c a m p a i g n s for B e s t i a , a n d in t h e spring he tries t h e m a n for illegal c a m p a i g n i n g . R o m a n p o l i t i c s ! " I s h o o k my h e a d . " W h o defended?" "Your o l d friend C i c e r o . " " O h , really?" T h i s added a n e w w r i n k l e to t h e matter. M a r c u s C a e l i u s h a d m a d e his e n t r y i n t o p u b l i c life as C i c e r o ' s pupil a n d protege. T h e n , during t h e turmoil o f C a t i l i n a ' s revolt, h e parted ways w i t h his m e n t o r — o r perhaps h e o n l y p r e t e n d e d t o d o so, i n order t o spy for C i c e r o . T h r o u g h o u t t h a t tumultuous episode, C a e l i u s ' s real a l l e g i a n c e r e m a i n e d a mystery, at least to m e . A f t e r w a r d , C a e l i u s left R o m e for a year of g o v e r n m e n t s e r v i c e in A f r i c a . O n his return h e s e e m e d t o have left t h e c a m p o f his old m e n t o r for good, going up against C i c e r o in c o u r t and actually getting t h e b e t t e r o f t h e m a s t e r orator. Later, w h e n t h e S e n a t e e x i l e d C i c e r o a n d his e n e m i e s w e n t on a rampage and destroyed C i c e r o ' s beautiful house on t h e P a l a t i n e , it was my n e i g h b o r M a r c u s C a e l i u s w h o c a m e k n o c k i n g at m y door w i t h t h e n e w s — c o m p l a i n i n g t h a t t h e windows o f his a p a r t m e n t afforded no view a n d asking if he could w a t c h t h e flames from my b a l c o n y ! T h e way t h e lurid glow d a n c e d on his h a n d s o m e face, it was impossible to tell w h e t h e r C a e l i u s was appalled or amused, or perhaps a little of both. A f t e r m u c h p o l i t i c a l wrangling, t h e S e n a t e h a d recalled C i c e r o from e x i l e , a n d h e was b a c k i n R o m e . His house o n t h e Palatine was b e i n g rebuilt. A n d now, a c c o r d i n g t o B e t h e s d a , h e h a d again m a t c h e d wits in a c o u r t of law w i t h his o n e - t i m e pupil M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " W e l l , d o n ' t keep me in suspense," I said. " H o w did t h e c a s e c o m e out?" " C i c e r o w o n , " B e t h e s d a said. " B e s t i a was a c q u i t t e d . B u t C a e l i u s says the jury was bribed and vows that he's going to prosecute Bestia again." I laughed. " T e n a c i o u s , isn't h e ? H a v i n g o n c e defeated C i c e r o in c o u r t , I i m a g i n e he simply c a n ' t stand b e i n g bested by his old t e a c h e r this t i m e . Or did a single s p e e c h n o t suffice for C a e l i u s to adequately slander B e s t i a ? " " O h , for t h a t purpose I t h i n k t h e s p e e c h did very w e l l . " "Full o f v e n o m ? " " D r i p p i n g w i t h it. In his s u m m a t i o n C a e l i u s brought up t h e d e a t h last year of B e s t i a ' s wife, a n d t h e d e a t h of his previous wife before t h a t . H e p r a c t i c a l l y a c c u s e d B e s t i a o f poisoning t h e m . " " M u r d e r i n g o n e ' s wives c a n ' t have m u c h t o d o w i t h e l e c t o r a l b r i b ery."

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"Perhaps n o t , but t h e way C a e l i u s brought it up, it s e e m e d entirely appropriate." " C h a r a c t e r assassination," I said, "is t h e c o r n e r s t o n e of R o m a n jurisprudence. T h e prosecutor uses any m e a n s possible to destroy t h e accused's reputation, to make it seem m o r e likely t h a t he's c o m m i t t e d whatever c r i m e he's accused of. It's so m u c h easier t h a n producing actual e v i d e n c e . T h e n t h e defender does t h e same t h i n g i n reverse, a c c u s i n g the accusers of various a b o m i n a t i o n s to destroy t h e i r credibility. S t r a n g e , to t h i n k t h a t o n c e upon a t i m e I actually h a d a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of respect and e v e n a d m i r a t i o n for advocates. Yes, well, I've heard t h e rumors t h a t Bestia did his wives in. B o t h died relatively young, w i t h no p r e c e d i n g illness and w i t h o u t a mark on t h e m , so naturally people say he p o i s o n e d them, t h o u g h e v e n poison usually leaves s o m e e v i d e n c e . " " T h e r e wouldn't have b e e n m u c h e v i d e n c e if it was d o n e t h e way that M a r c u s C a e l i u s i m p l i e d , " said B e t h e s d a . " A n d h o w was t h a t ? " S h e sat b a c k and c o c k e d h e r h e a d . " R e m e m b e r t h a t this was said in a c o u r t of law, before a m i x e d a u d i e n c e of m e n and w o m e n alike, n o t in a tavern or at o n e of his orgies. Marcus C a e l i u s is a very brazen young m a n . " S h e did n o t sound wholly disapproving. " A n d a brazen orator. W e l l , out w i t h it. W h a t did he say?" " A c c o r d i n g to C a e l i u s , t h e quickest of all poisons is a c o n i t u m . " I n o d d e d . M a n y years of investigating t h e sordid m e a n s of murder have given m e s o m e familiarity w i t h poisons. " A c o n i t u m , also c a l l e d panther's-death, harvested from t h e scorpion-root p l a n t . Yes, its v i c t i m s succumb very quickly. B u t w h e n swallowed in sufficient a m o u n t to cause death, t h e r e are usually n o t i c e a b l e r e a c t i o n s in t h e v i c t i m and plentiful e v i d e n c e o f foul play." " A h , b u t a c c o r d i n g to C a e l i u s , t h e poison was n o t swallowed." " I d o n ' t follow y o u . " " A c c o r d i n g to C a e l i u s , if a c o n i t u m t o u c h e s a woman's genitals, s h e will die w i t h i n a day." I raised an eyebrow. E v e n w i t h all my e x p e r i e n c e of poison, this bit of i n f o r m a t i o n was n e w to m e , and I was n o t sure I believed it. " W h a t Caelius says is possibly t r u e — t h o u g h I'm i n c l i n e d to wonder how anyone could ever h a v e discovered such a curious thing. But t h e n , I suppose there's n o t m u c h t h a t M a r c u s C a e l i u s doesn't know about female g e n i talia." " H a ! " B e t h e s d a ' s eyes sparkled. " E v e n C i c e r o didn't c o m e u p w i t h that o n e . " I turned up my palms to show modesty. " S o , C a e l i u s a c c u s e d B e s t i a

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o f h a v i n g p o i s o n e d his wives b y . . . " I left t h e s e n t e n c e unfinished. T h e r e s e e m e d n o d e l i c a t e way t o c o m p l e t e it. " H e did n o t a c c u s e B e s t i a outright. H a v i n g stated t h e properties of a c o n i t u m , and h a v i n g worked h i m s e l f up to a feverish p i t c h , C a e l i u s p o i n t e d his finger at B e s t i a and shouted, 'Judges, I do n o t p o i n t t h e finger of g u i l t — I p o i n t at the guilty finger!' " I c h o k e d on a mouthful of porridge. "Outrageous! Just w h e n I was b e g i n n i n g t o t h i n k t h a t R o m a n orators had degraded t h e i r craft t o t h e lowest level of i n d e c e n c y and bad taste, along c o m e s a n e w g e n e r a t i o n to push t h e limit e v e n further. Oh M i n e r v a , " I added under my b r e a t h , g l a n c i n g out t h e window at t h e statue in t h e garden, "preserve me from a day in court! 'I p o i n t at t h e guilty finger.' H a ! " B e t h e s d a sipped from h e r cup o f h o n e y e d w i n e . "Anyway, B e s t i a was a c q u i t t e d , finger a n d a l l . " "I suppose C i c e r o made a stirring s p e e c h for his d e f e n s e . " S h e shrugged. " I d o n ' t r e c a l l . " C i c e r o ' s s p e e c h would probably have m a d e a greater impression on her, I t h o u g h t , h a d t h e m a n delivering it b e e n as young and good-looking a s M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " F o r t u n e smiled o n Lucius Calpurnius B e s t i a , t h e n . " " T h o u g h n o t on his w i v e s , " said B e t h e s d a dryly. T h e r e was a flash of s o m e t h i n g like a n g e r in h e r eyes, but t h e n a smile crept across h e r lips. " S p e a k i n g o f young C a e l i u s reminds m e o f a n o t h e r bit o f gossip from t h e F o r u m , " s h e said. " A l s o involving C a e l i u s ? " " N o , involving his l a n d l o r d . " "I s e e . A n d w h a t fresh outrage has Publius Clodius perpetrated n o w ? " C l o d i u s o w n e d t h e a p a r t m e n t building down t h e street, t h e o n e in w h i c h C a e l i u s h a d his lodgings. In his mid-thirties and a p a t r i c i a n of i m p e c c a b l e l i n e a g e , C l o d i u s had made h i m s e l f m u c h feared i n r e c e n t years as a rabble-rouser and e x p l o i t e r of populist r e s e n t m e n t s . It was C l o d i u s , a s t r i b u n e , w h o h a d masterminded t h e R o m a n takeover o f C y prus in order to finance his s c h e m e to pass out free grain to t h e people o f R o m e . O n c e friendly t o C i c e r o , h e had almost single-handedly e n g i n e e r e d C i c e r o ' s e x i l e and was now his archenemy. His political t a c t i c s were crude, relentless and often v i o l e n t . Just as m e n like C a e l i u s were pushing t h e b o u n d a r i e s of oratory in t h e courts, m e n like C l o d i u s were pushing t h e b o u n d a r i e s o f political i n t i m i d a t i o n . N o t surprisingly, t h e relationship o f t h e two m e n went beyond t h a t o f landlord and t e n a n t . T h e y h a d b e c o m e frequent political allies, and they shared a personal b o n d as well. It was well k n o w n t h a t C a e l i u s was t h e lover, or at least o n e o f t h e lovers, o f t h e rabble-rouser's widowed older sister, C l o d i a . " W e l l , I didn't witness t h e i n c i d e n t myself, but I heard about it at

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the fish m a r k e t , " said B e t h e s d a , practically purring. " I t seems t h a t P o m pey was down in t h e Forum, arriving w i t h his retinue at s o m e trial or other t h a t was a b o u t to b e g i n . " " C o u l d this have b e e n t h e trial o f Pompey's confederate M i l o , for breach o f t h e p e a c e ? " B e t h e s d a shrugged. " W i t h C l o d i u s a c t i n g as p r o s e c u t o r ? " I added. "Yes, t h a t was it, b e c a u s e C l o d i u s was t h e r e w i t h a large r e t i n u e of his own, m a d e up of s o m e very rough types, apparently." To d e s c r i b e Clodius's n o t o r i o u s gang of troublemakers as " r o u g h " was to understate t h e c a s e . T h e s e were strong-armers of t h e lowest order, some hired, s o m e obligated to C l o d i u s for o t h e r reasons, some voluntarily in his s e r v i c e to sate t h e i r appetites for v i o l e n c e . For a m a n like C l o d i u s to be prosecuting anyone for b r e a c h of t h e peace s e e m e d i r o n i c , b u t in this case t h e c h a r g e was probably justified. T h e a c c u s e d , M i l o , h a d his own rival gang o f ruffians ready t o rampage through t h e streets supporting whatever p o l i t i c a l cause t h e i r m a s t e r h a p pened t o favor a t t h e m o m e n t . W h e r e great m e n like Pompey, C a e s a r and Crassus c o n t e s t e d o n e a n o t h e r i n e x a l t e d spheres o f f i n a n c i a l a n d military prowess, vying for mastery of t h e world, C l o d i u s a n d M i l o struggled w i t h o n e a n o t h e r for i m m e d i a t e c o n t r o l o f t h e streets o f R o m e . T h e greater powers allied themselves w i t h t h e s e lesser powers for t h e i r o w n purposes, a n d v i c e versa. A t t h e m o m e n t , M i l o was Pompey's e n f o r c e r in R o m e , so P o m p e y was obligated to speak in M i l o ' s defense. C l o d i u s , w h e t h e r a c t i n g for Caesar, or Crassus, or entirely on his own, appeared to be badgering M i l o chiefly to get at Pompey. C l o d i u s s e e m e d d e t e r m i n e d t o u n d e r m i n e Pompey's attempts t o take c o n t r o l o f t h e n o t o r i o u s E g y p t i a n situation . . . T h i s c h a i n o f t h o u g h t s caused m e t o r e m e m b e r m y visit from D i o the previous m o n t h , a n d I suddenly felt uneasy. " B y t h e way," I said, "do you r e m e m b e r t h e odd pair w h o visited me on t h e day before I left for Illyria? I was w o n d e r i n g if you h a d heard from t h e m , or if you knew—" B e t h e s d a gave m e h e r M e d u s a l o o k . H e r a n e c d o t e was n o t t o b e interrupted. " T h e r e was a great crowd gathered for M i l o ' s trial, t o o m a n y to fit i n t o t h e o p e n square w h e r e it was b e i n g h e l d , so t h e m o b spilled out i n t o t h e n e a r b y streets. W h e n Pompey appeared, t h e r e was m u c h c h e e r i n g from t h e crowd. You k n o w how t h e people adore P o m p e y . " " T h e Conqueror of the East." " E x a c t l y . B u t t h e n C l o d i u s appeared atop some h i g h p l a c e a n d b e g a n s h o u t i n g to t h e m o b below, w h i c h was apparently packed w i t h his supporters. M o s t p e o p l e were t o o far away to h e a r what he was s h o u t i n g ,

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b u t w h e n e v e r h e would pause t h e m o b below h i m would cry o u t w i t h o n e great v o i c e , ' P o m p e y ! ' E v e n those t o o far away to h e a r C l o d i u s or e v e n see h i m c o u l d h e a r t h e n a m e o f Pompey being shouted i n u n i s o n . It was like a slow c h a n t : 'Pompey!' A pause. 'Pompey!' A pause. 'Pompey!' W e l l , apparently P o m p e y h e a r d his n a m e being called, for they say he p r i c k e d up his ears and broke out in a broad grin, t h e n c h a n g e d his course a n d b e g a n m a k i n g his way toward t h e shouting, t h i n k i n g he was b e i n g lauded by t h e c r o w d . " "A t y p i c a l p o l i t i c i a n , " I remarked, " b e a t i n g a path toward his adoring supporters like a c a l f h e a d i n g for t h e t e a t . " " E x c e p t t h a t this m i l k was sour. As he drew closer, t h e smile vanished from Pompey's f a c e . First he saw C l o d i u s , pacing b a c k a n d forth atop t h e ledge, addressing t h e m o b below and c l u t c h i n g h i m s e l f w i t h laughter w h e n e v e r t h e y responded w i t h t h e cry o f 'Pompey!' W h e n P o m pey drew c l o s e e n o u g h to h e a r w h a t C l o d i u s was shouting, he turned t h e color of a h o t flame." " A n d w h a t set Pompey's c h e e k s ablaze?" " C l o d i u s was posing a series of questions, like riddles, over a n d over, and t h e answer was always t h e s a m e — ' P o m p e y ! ' " " A n d w h a t were t h e s e q u e s t i o n s ? " " L i k e his friend and t e n a n t M a r c u s C a e l i u s , C l o d i u s is a very brazen man . . . " " P l e a s e , wife, no false modesty. I've heard you blast dishonest v e n dors in t h e m a r k e t w i t h curses t h a t would make e v e n a m a n like C l o d i u s blush w i t h s h a m e . " "You e x a g g e r a t e , h u s b a n d . " " O n l y slightly. W e l l ? " S h e l e a n e d forward. " T h e c h a n t went s o m e t h i n g like this: W h a t ' s t h e n a m e o f t h e general who's generally o b s c e n e ? Pompey! W h o peeks u p his soldier's skirts w h e n they're m a r c h i n g o n parade? Pompey! W h o makes like a m o n k e y w h e n he s c r a t c h e s his skull? Pompey!" T h i s last was a reference to t h e great c o m m a n d e r ' s h a b i t w h e n deep i n t h o u g h t o f s c r a t c h i n g t h e b a c k o f his h e a d w i t h his forefinger, a n d was i n n o c u o u s e n o u g h , t h o u g h w i t h a bit of p a n t o m i m e I h a d no d o u b t t h a t C l o d i u s c o u l d m a k e i t quite s c a t h i n g . T h e o t h e r riddles were t y p i c a l invective o f t h e sort t h a t m i g h t have b e e n directed a t any p o l i t i c i a n or g e n e r a l . A l l in all, such doggerel was pretty t a m e stuff, and hardly

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in a league w i t h C a e l i u s ' s quip a b o u t Bestia's guilty finger. B u t t h e n , Pompey was n o t as a c c u s t o m e d as o t h e r p o l i t i c i a n s to t h e free-for-all of the Forum. He was used to being obeyed w i t h o u t question, n o t to b e i n g insulted in public by a R o m a n m o b . G e n e r a l s make t h i n - s k i n n e d politicians. " B u t i n t h e e n d , " said B e t h e s d a , leaning forward and lowering h e r voice, " i t was C l o d i u s w h o got t h e worst o f i t . " " H o w did t h a t c o m e a b o u t ? " " S o m e o f M i l o ' s m e n heard t h e shouting and c a m e r u n n i n g . S o o n there were e n o u g h o f t h e m t o drown o u t C l o d i u s and his gang. T h e i r chants were positively s h o c k i n g . " " O h , p r o b a b l y n o t all t h a t s h o c k i n g , " I said, idly shaping t h e last of my breakfast porridge i n t o little peaks and valleys, feigning indifference. B e t h e s d a shrugged. "You're right, t h e y weren't really s h o c k i n g at all, s i n c e o n e h a s h e a r d all those rumors before. T h o u g h I i m a g i n e h e a r i n g them c h a n t e d by a m o b in t h e Forum must have m a d e e v e n C l o d i u s squirm." " W h a t r u m o r s ? " I said, giving in. " A b o u t C l o d i u s and his older sister. Or h a l f sister, I should say." " C l o d i u s a n d C l o d i a ? O h , yes, I've heard whispers and a few nasty jokes. N e v e r h a v i n g m e t e i t h e r o f t h e doubtless c h a r m i n g siblings face to f a c e , I w o u l d n ' t presume to second-guess t h e secrets of t h e i r bedchamber. O r bedchambers." B e t h e s d a gave a d e l i c a t e snort. " W h y R o m a n s should m a k e s u c h a fuss over r e l a t i o n s b e t w e e n a b r o t h e r and sister makes no sense to me anyway. In Egypt, such unions b e g a n w i t h t h e gods and have a long and sacred t r a d i t i o n . " " N o s u c h t r a d i t i o n exists in R o m e , I c a n assure y o u , " I said. " W h a t e x a c t l y did t h e m o b c h a n t ? " " W e l l , i t started w i t h s o m e t h i n g a b o u t C l o d i u s selling h i m s e l f t o older m e n w h e n h e was a b o y — " " Y e s , I've h e a r d t h a t story: w h e n t h e i r father's early death left t h e m in financial straits, t h e C l o d i i boys rented out little b r o t h e r Publius as a c a t a m i t e , a n d w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e success. It could all be a spiteful lie, of course." " O f c o u r s e . B u t t h e c h a n t went s o m e t h i n g like this: Clodius played the girl While he was still a boy. Then Clodia made the man Into her private toy.

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A n d t h e n m o r e o f t h e same, only m o r e and m o r e e x p l i c i t . " " T h e G r e e k v i c e , coupled w i t h t h e Egyptian v i c e , " I observed. " A n d easterners c o m p l a i n t h a t w e R o m a n s a r e n ' t versatile' i n matters o f s e x . H o w did C l o d i u s r e a c t ? " " H e tried to k e e p up his c h a n t against Pompey, but w h e n M i l o ' s m e n b e g a n t o drown h i m out, h e disappeared pretty quickly, a n d n o t w i t h a smile on his f a c e . T h e c h a n t i n g finally broke i n t o a scuffle b e t w e e n Milo's and Clodius's gangs." " N o t h i n g t o o serious, I h o p e . " " N o t serious e n o u g h t o disrupt t h e t r i a l . " " P r o b a b l y o n l y a few heads split o p e n . A n d how did t h e trial turn out? W a s M i l o a c q u i t t e d o r found guilty o f disturbing t h e p e a c e ? " B e t h e s d a looked at me blankly, t h e n shrugged. "I don't r e c a l l . I'm n o t sure I ever h e a r d . " " P r o b a b l y b e c a u s e n o o n e cares a whit. W h a t t h e y all r e m e m b e r a n d w h a t t h e y ' l l k e e p talking about is t h e scandal of Clodius's reputed i n c e s t w i t h his sister b e i n g shouted aloud i n t h e Forum. W h a t ' s t h e difference in t h e i r ages—five years? W e l l , t h e widow C l o d i a does have a r e p u t a t i o n for liking younger m e n , like our n e i g h b o r M a r c u s C a e l i u s . I w o n d e r w h a t he t h i n k s of h a v i n g his lover's alleged i n c e s t m a d e i n t o a ditty b y t h e m o b ? " " A c t u a l l y , C a e l i u s and C l o d i a are n o longer lovers, a n d C a e l i u s isn't o n s u c h good terms w i t h C l o d i u s a n y m o r e , " said B e t h e s d a . " H o w c o u l d you possibly know t h a t ? " I s h o o k my h e a d in wonder. "You h a v e n ' t b e e n slinking off to some of these wild Palatine H i l l parties, m i x i n g w i t h t h e sophisticated young set in my a b s e n c e , h a v e you?" " N o . " S h e l e a n e d b a c k o n h e r c o u c h w i t h a smile a n d luxuriously s t r e t c h e d h e r arms above h e r h e a d . T h e gesture was unabashedly sensual, evoking m e m o r i e s of t h e night's pleasures, as if to d e m o n s t r a t e t h a t despite my teasing s h e would indeed fit in q u i t e well at a Palatine H i l l d e b a u c h , were she n o t so acutely aware a n d p r o t e c t i v e of h e r hard-won role as a r e s p e c t a b l e R o m a n m a t r o n . " O r has young C a e l i u s b e e n confessing t h e secrets of his love life w h e n e v e r t h e two of you h a p p e n to m e e t in t h e s t r e e t ? " I said. " N o t t h a t e i t h e r . B u t we have ways of sharing what we k n o w . " " 'We'?" " W e w o m e n , " said B e t h e s d a w i t h a shrug. S h e was always vague about h e r n e t w o r k of informants, e v e n to m e . I h a d spent a lifetime ferreting out secrets, b u t B e t h e s d a could s o m e t i m e s make me feel like an amateur. " W h a t caused t h e parting of t h e ways," I asked. " S u r e l y sophisti-

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cated lovers like C l o d i a and C a e l i u s d o n ' t a b a n d o n e a c h o t h e r over trifles like infidelity or a b i t of i n c e s t . " " N o , t h e y say it w a s — " B e t h e s d a abruptly frowned a n d creased h e r brow. S h e was teasing me again, I t h o u g h t , trying to add suspense to t h e telling. " W e l l ? " I finally said. " P o l i t i c s , o r s o m e t h i n g like t h a t , " she said hastily. " A falling out b e t w e e n C l o d i u s and C a e l i u s , a n d t h e n trouble b e t w e e n C a e l i u s a n d Clodia." "You're well on t h e way to m a k i n g a p o e m , like t h e m o b in t h e Forum: C l o d i u s a n d C a e l i u s , a n d C a e l i u s and C l o d i a . You n e e d o n l y insert a few o b s c e n e verbs. W h a t sort of falling out? O v e r w h a t ? " S h e shrugged. "You k n o w I d o n ' t follow p o l i t i c s , " she said, suddenly fascinated by h e r fingernails. " U n l e s s there's a good story involved. C o m e , wife, you k n o w m o r e than you're t e l l i n g . M u s t I r e m i n d you t h a t it's your duty, indeed your obligation under t h e law, to t e l l your h u s b a n d everything you k n o w ? I c o m m a n d you to speak!" I spoke playfully, m a k i n g a j o k e of it, but B e t h e s d a was n o t amused. " A l l r i g h t , t h e n , " she said. " I t h i n k i t was s o m e t h i n g t o d o w i t h what you c a l l t h e Egyptian situation. S o m e falling-out b e t w e e n C l o d i u s and C a e l i u s . H o w should I k n o w anything about t h e private dealings of m e n like t h a t ? A n d w h o should b e surprised i f a n aging w h o r e like C l o d i a suddenly loses h e r c h a r m s for a h a n d s o m e young m a n like C a e l i u s ? " I h a d long ago learned to weather B e t h e s d a ' s moods, as o n e must weather sudden squalls at sea, b u t I h a d n e v e r quite learned to c o m p r e h e n d t h e m . S o m e t h i n g h a d set h e r on edge, but what? I tried to r e c o l l e c t t h e phrase o r t o p i c t h a t h a d offended her, but t h e sudden c h i l l i n t h e r o o m n u m b e d my m i n d . I decided to c h a n g e t h e subject. " W h o cares a b o u t such p e o p l e , anyway?" I picked up my e m p t y cup, twisted my wrist to set t h e dregs aswirl, and stared i n t o t h e v o r t e x . "I was just w o n d e r i n g a m o m e n t ago, a b o u t those odd visitors I h a d on t h e day before my t r i p . " B e t h e s d a looked a t m e blankly. " I t was o n l y a m o n t h ago. You must r e m e m b e r — t h e l i t t l e gallus and t h e old A l e x a n d r i a n philosopher, D i o . H e c a m e seeking h e l p , but I wasn't able to h e l p h i m , at least n o t t h e n . D i d he c o m e c a l l i n g again while I was g o n e ? " I waited for an answer, but w h e n I looked up from my cup I saw t h a t B e t h e s d a was l o o k i n g elsewhere. "It's a simple e n o u g h q u e s t i o n , " I said mildly. " D i d t h e old philosopher c o m e asking for me w h i l e I was g o n e ? "

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" N o , " she said. " T h a t ' s odd. I t h o u g h t t h a t he would; he was so distraught. I worried about h i m w h i l e I was away. Perhaps he didn't n e e d my h e l p after all. H a v e you h e a r d any news of h i m , through your vast n e t w o r k of spies a n d informants?" " Y e s , " she said. "And? W h a t news?" " H e ' s d e a d , " said B e t h e s d a . "Murdered, I b e l i e v e , in t h e h o u s e w h e r e he was staying. T h a t ' s all I k n o w . " T h e swirling dregs in my w i n e cup slowed to a stop, t h e porridge in my s t o m a c h turned to s t o n e , a n d in my m o u t h I tasted ashes.

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It was n o t until several days after my return to R o m e t h a t I found t i m e to w r i t e a letter to M e t o . I r e c o u n t e d to h i m t h e e v e n t s w h i c h h a d transpired i n m y a b s e n c e — C i c e r o defeating C a e l i u s i n t h e trial o f B e s t i a despite t h e a c c u s a t i o n o f " t h e guilty finger" ( t h e p e r f e c t a n e c d o t e for M e t o t o share w i t h his t e n t m a t e s ! ) , Pompey's e m b a r r a s s m e n t on his way to M i l o ' s trial, t h e o b s c e n e c h a n t about Clodius and Clodia. S i n c e I h a d m a d e s u c h a story of T r y g o n i o n ' s a n d D i o ' s visit w h e n I saw M e t o in Illyria, I felt I should let h i m k n o w w h a t h a d b e c o m e of t h e p h i l o s o p h e r . M e r e l y a m a t t e r of keeping h i m informed, I t o l d myself, as I b e g a n s e t t i n g down t h e words. B u t as I wrote, I b e g a n to realize t h a t telling t h e t a l e was in fact my c h i e f reason for writing t h e letter. D i o ' s murder h a d left me w i t h a nagging sense of guilt, a n d writing down t h e gory facts for M e t o ' s perusal, painful t h o u g h it was, s o m e h o w eased my c o n s c i e n c e , as if describing an e v e n t could mitigate its awfulness. W h e n i t c o m e s t o c o r r e s p o n d e n c e , I a m n o t M e t o ; m y prose will n e v e r capture great C a e s a r ' s a d m i r a t i o n . N o n e t h e l e s s , I will c o p y down a b i t of w h a t I w r o t e to M e t o on t h a t last day of Februarius: A l s o , s o n , you will probably r e m e m b e r t h e tale I told you a b o u t my visit from D i o , t h e p h i l o s o p h e r I o n c e k n e w in A l e x a n d r i a , a n d t h e l i t t l e gallus n a m e d T r y g o n i o n . You laughed w h e n I described to you t h e i r absurd d i s g u i s e s — D i o dressed like a w o m a n , a n d t h e e u n u c h in a toga trying to pass h i m s e l f off as a R o m a n .

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T h e sequel, I fear, is quite t h e opposite of funny. W h a t D i o dreaded c a m e to pass, only hours after he left m e . T h a t very n i g h t , as I was m a k i n g ready for my j o u r n e y to see you, D i o was b e i n g viciously murdered in t h e house of his host, Titus Coponius. I learned t h e bare fact t h a t D i o h a d b e e n murdered from B e t h e s d a o n t h e m o r n i n g after m y return t o R o m e . S h e c l a i m e d to k n o w no details at all. B e t h e s d a t o o k a disliking to D i o t h e i n s t a n t she laid eyes on h i m , a n d you k n o w how she i s — f r o m t h a t m o m e n t o n h e m i g h t a s well n o t have existed; e v e n h e r appetite for gossip seems unstirred by his murder. I h a d to discover t h e details for myself, posing discreet questions in t h e proper quarters. T h i s was n o t difficult, t h o u g h it t o o k s o m e t i m e . It seems t h a t t h e r e h a d b e e n a previous, failed a t t e m p t t o p o i s o n D i o . H e m e n t i o n e d this t o m e h i m s e l f o n t h e n i g h t of his visit. A p p a r e n t l y s o m e slaves of his previous host, Lucius L u c c e i u s , were suborned (doubtless by agents of K i n g P t o l e m y ) to p o i s o n D i o ' s food, but s u c c e e d e d instead in killing his sole r e m a i n i n g slave, w h o h a d t a k e n o n t h e role o f food taster. D i o fled from Lucceius's house to t h a t of C o p o n i u s . I t was from t h e house o f C o p o n i u s t h a t D i o c a m e t o c a l l on m e , a n d to ask for my h e l p . If o n l y I h a d offered to let h i m spend t h e n i g h t in my house! B u t t h e n his assassins m i g h t have d o n e t h e i r bloody work h e r e , under my roof. I t h i n k of B e t h e s d a a n d particularly of D i a n a and I shudder at t h e thought. P o i s o n h a v i n g failed, D i o ' s e n e m i e s resorted to less subtle m e a n s . A f t e r leaving my h o u s e , D i o returned to C o p o n i u s ' s as q u i c k l y as he c o u l d — d a r k n e s s h a d fallen a n d D i o feared t h e streets, e v e n disguised as he was a n d w i t h B e l b o along for p r o t e c t i o n . A s for T r y g o n i o n , B e l b o says t h a t h e went along as far as C o p o n i u s ' s door a n d t h e n went his own way, perhaps returning t o t h e H o u s e o f t h e G a l l i , w h i c h i s also h e r e o n t h e P a l a t i n e , c l o s e b y t h e t e m p l e o f C y b e l e . N o o n e seems t o k n o w m u c h a b o u t this gallus, a n d n o o n e c a n e x p l a i n t o m e his relationship to Dio. W h a t follows i s s e c o n d h a n d information, some o f i t t h i r d h a n d — w h i c h makes it gossip, r e a l l y — b u t I t h i n k it's reliable. B a c k a t C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e , D i o shut h i m s e l f a l o n e i n his r o o m , refusing to take any dinner. ( H e h a d already e a t e n at

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m y h o u s e , a n d was very fearful o f b e i n g p o i s o n e d . ) T h e h o u s e h o l d of C o p o n i u s retires early, a n d soon after dark everyone was a b e d e x c e p t t h e slave w h o h a d b e e n posted inside t h e front d o o r t o keep w a t c h through t h e n i g h t . A t some p o i n t ( b e f o r e m i d n i g h t , a c c o r d i n g to t h e w a t c h m a n ) t h e r e was a n o i s e from t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e , where D i o was quartered. T h e w a t c h m a n w e n t t o investigate. Dio's door was l o c k e d . T h e slave c a l l e d his n a m e a n d rapped o n t h e door. F i n a l l y t h e slave pounded so loudly t h a t C o p o n i u s h i m s e l f ( i n t h e b e d r o o m a d j o i n i n g ) was awakened and c a m e to ask w h a t t h e m a t t e r was. A t l e n g t h t h e door was b r o k e n down and D i o was discovered o n his sleeping c o u c h , lying o n his b a c k w i t h his eyes a n d m o u t h wide o p e n , his c h e s t pierced by gaping wounds. H e h a d b e e n stabbed t o d e a t h i n his bed. A window in t h e r o o m o p e n e d o n t o a small courtyard. T h e shutters o f this window were o p e n a n d t h e l a t c h h a d b e e n forced from outside. T h e killer or killers apparently c r e p t over a h i g h wall, skulked across t h e t e r r a c e , broke i n t o D i o ' s r o o m t h r o u g h t h e window, murdered h i m , t h e n skulked away. T h e killer o r killers escaped u n s e e n . It was a w r e t c h e d e n d to a distinguished life. T h a t D i o foresaw his d e s t r u c t i o n a n d spent his final days in a c i t y far from h o m e , dreading every shadow, casts an e v e n g l o o m i e r pall over his fate. T h a t he c a m e to m e , asking for my h e l p on t h e very day of his murder, fills me w i t h agitation. C o u l d I have p r e v e n t e d t h e deed? A l m o s t c e r t a i n l y n o t , I tell myself, for t h e m e n w h o wished to see D i o dead have resources far b e y o n d a n y t h i n g I c o u l d forestall. Yet it seems a cruel j e s t of t h e gods to have b r o u g h t h i m b a c k i n t o my life after so many years a n d t h e n to have s n a t c h e d h i m away so violently. I have s e e n m u c h c a r n a g e and suffering in my life, yet it n e v e r b e c o m e s easier to bear. It o n l y b e c o m e s harder for me to f a t h o m . N o w every m e m b e r o f t h e embassy w h i c h arrived last fall from A l e x a n d r i a has b e e n murdered or has fled b a c k to Egypt or has o t h e r w i s e vanished from sight. ( T h e few still in R o m e , I am told, h a v e e i t h e r pledged t h e i r a l l e g i a n c e to K i n g P t o l e m y o r b e e n b r i b e d t o keep silent; n o doubt some o r all o f t h e m were t h e king's spies from t h e b e g i n n i n g . ) T h e people o f R o m e should b e a s h a m e d t h a t s u c h a n a t r o c i t y c o u l d o c c u r n o t just i n Italy b u t i n t h e very h e a r t o f t h e c i t y itself. T o b e sure, t h e r e are t h o s e w h o say t h a t D i o ' s murder is such an outrage t h a t t h e S e n a t e will b e s h a m e d i n t o taking some a c t i o n t o

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punish his slayers ( i f n o t K i n g Ptolemy, t h e n at least his h e n c h m e n ) . T h e S e n a t e may e v e n move t o repudiate t h e king a n d recognize Q u e e n B e r e n i c e , w h i c h was t h e o b j e c t o f D i o ' s mission. W h i l e h e lived, t h e S e n a t e would n o t e v e n allow h i m to officially address t h e m , but in d e a t h D i o may yet a c h i e v e w h a t he desired: an Egypt w i t h a new, i n d e p e n d e n t ruler. C a n j u s t i c e follow upon a tragedy s u c h as D i o ' s murder? C o n s i d e r i n g t h e state o f R o m e ' s courts a n d t h e persons whose interests are at stake, I strongly doubt it. B u t I refuse to brood o v e r m u c h c o n c e r n i n g this matter. H a d I a c c e p t e d D i o ' s c o m mission to e x p o s e his e n e m i e s , I m i g h t now feel s o m e oblig a t i o n t o pursue t h e m a t t e r o f bringing his killers t o j u s t i c e . Fortunately, my r e j e c t i o n of his c o m m i s s i o n was e x p l i c i t . I told h i m t h a t I c o u l d n o t h e l p h i m a n d gave h i m a good reason. M y c o n s c i e n c e i s clear. T h e task o f finding t h e blade w h i c h drew D i o ' s lifeblood, a n d punishing t h e h a n d t h a t wielded it, does n o t fall to m e . W h a t e v e r happens n e x t , it will n o t involve m e , a n d for t h a t I am glad. R e r e a d i n g t h a t l e t t e r now, I see t h a t my s t a t e m e n t s regarding t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of D i o ' s d e a t h are marred by a n u m b e r of errors, s o m e of t h e m quite significant. B u t n o s t a t e m e n t was m o r e i n error t h a n t h e f i n a l o n e , w h i c h I read n o w w i t h a shudder of a m a z e m e n t . H o w c o u l d I h a v e b e e n so blithely, smugly unforeseeing? W h a t a perilous world we m o v e through, like m e n blindfolded. T h e past a n d future are equally o b s c u r e , a n d broad daylight c a n h i d e as many dangers as t h e landscape of t h e night.

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Almost a m o n t h passed before I h a d o c c a s i o n to write t o M e t o again. T o m y beloved son M e t o , serving under t h e c o m m a n d o f G a i u s Julius C a e s a r i n G a u l , from his loving father in R o m e , may F o r t u n e be w i t h you. I write this letter on t h e t w e n t y - n i n t h day of M a r t i u s , an u n c o m m o n l y warm day for so early in t h e s p r i n g — w e have thrown o p e n all t h e windows and t h e aftern o o n s u n s h i n e is h o t on my shoulders. I wish you were h e r e beside m e . A l a s , you are n o t . N o r are you safely at ease in Illyria, w h e r e I last saw you. I learned in t h e Forum of your sudden move to G a u l n o t long after my visit. T h e y say t h a t C a e s a r was c a l l e d to put down a revolt by some tribe w i t h an unp r o n o u n c e a b l e n a m e — I w o n ' t e v e n try to spell it. I presume t h a t you h a v e g o n e along w i t h h i m . Take care, M e t o . G i v e n your m o v e m e n t s , I have no way of k n o w i n g if my l e t t e r of a m o n t h ago has r e a c h e d you, or will r e a c h you after this o n e , or will ever r e a c h you at all, but s i n c e o n e of Caesar's message bearers (a young soldier w h o has carried my letters to you before) is about to leave for G a u l and says he will take along a l e t t e r from me if I c a n finish it w i t h i n t h e hour, I am writing very quickly and will simply give you what news I c a n ,

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even at t h e risk of conveying events t h a t make little sense for l a c k o f c o n t e x t . ( D o n ' t show this letter t o your c o m m a n d e r , please. I fear t h a t a m a n w h o dictates his m e m o i r s on h o r s e b a c k would hardly a c c e p t being rushed as an e x c u s e for fashioning such awkward s e n t e n c e s . ) Hopefully, you did receive my last letter, and so you k n o w of t h e murder of D i o . I scoffed at t h o s e w h o said Dio's murder was t o o big a t h i n g to go w i t h o u t c o n s e q u e n c e and t h a t t h e scandal would result in s o m e o n e b e i n g punished, but it seems t h a t I was wrong a n d they were right, up to a p o i n t . T h e scandal has b e e n e n o r m o u s . D i o was even b e t t e r k n o w n a n d m o r e highly regarded t h a n I h a d r e a l i z e d — o r did murder make a m a r t y r of h i m and render h i m larger and more beloved in d e a t h t h a n he was in life? For a m a n w h o is now spoken of in such t o n e s of awe, he was c e r t a i n l y treated very shabbily in t h e final m o n t h s of his life, shuffling from o n e r e l u c t a n t (perhaps treacherous) host t o another, e x p e n d i n g his resources until his purse was empty. T h e senators w h o now speak of D i o as a s e c o n d A r i s t o t l e and weep at t h e m e n t i o n o f his n a m e are t h e same m e n w h o refused t o allow D i o t o speak i n t h e i r c h a m b e r s n o t long ago. (I've suddenly r e m e m b e r e d t h a t old c o n u n d r u m , w h i c h D i o posed to me as a young m a n in A l e x a n d r i a : Is it b e t t e r to be beloved in life and despised after d e a t h , or despised in life a n d revered after d e a t h ? ) S o t h e d e b a t e i n t h e S e n a t e over t h e Egyptian situation grinds o n , freshly fueled by this shameful outrage. M e a n w h i l e a c h a r g e of murder was r e c e n t l y brought against o n e Publius Asicius. I must say t h a t I was n o t surprised to see A s i c i u s accused o f D i o ' s murder. D i o h i m s e l f suspected this young m a n o f being involved in t h e failed poisoning a t t e m p t at t h e house of Lucius L u c c e i u s , and told m e a s m u c h w h e n h e visited m e . O n t h e very day t h a t D i o ' s food taster died of poison, A s i c i u s h a d paid a visit to L u c c e i u s . By itself, this is a merely c i r c u m s t a n t i a l c o n n e c t i o n . B u t t h e n , after D i o left my house, and probably n o t long after he was stabbed in his bed, I h a p p e n e d to e n c o u n t e r A s i c i u s a n d our n e i g h b o r M . C . i n t h e street, a n d w h i l e I overheard t h e m say n o t h i n g directly i n c r i m i n a t i n g , t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , at least in retrospect, struck me as highly suspicious. S o w h e n I h e a r d that t h e c h a r g e had b e e n brought against

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A s i c i u s , I felt greatly relieved, t h i n k i n g t h a t if he was guilty, t h e n perhaps t h e w h o l e ugly truth would be given a c h a n c e t o c o m e o u t — a n d w i t h o u t having t o b e c o m e involved myself. (I i m a g i n e you s o m e t i m e s feel t h e same relief in your work for C a e s a r , w h e n an odious task is u n e x p e c t e d l y a c c o m p l i s h e d w i t h o u t any effort on your part, as if some friendly god h a d decided to do you a favor.) B u t t h e gods c a n be fickle w i t h t h e i r favors. W h o d o you t h i n k stepped forward t o defend A s i c i u s ? Yes, t h e best defense advocate in R o m e , our old friend M a r c u s Cicero. W h e n I heard that news, my h o p e abruptly dwindled. M a n y t h i n g s may h a p p e n in a trial w h e r e C i c e r o is o n e of t h e advocates, but t h e e m e r g e n c e o f t h e truth i s seldom o n e o f t h e m . If j u s t i c e triumphs, it happens in spite of C i c e r o ' s smoke and mirrors, a n d will have n o t h i n g to do w i t h w h e t h e r or n o t t h e truth was spoken. T h e y say t h a t C i c e r o a n d A s i c i u s were b o t h away from R o m e , down t h e coast, w h e n A s i c i u s was a r r a i g n e d — C i c e r o in N e a p o l i s , A s i c i u s across t h e bay at his family's villa in B a i a e . T o discuss t h e c a s e , A s i c i u s went t o f e t c h C i c e r o and t o o k h i m b a c k to B a i a e in his magnificent litter. W e l l , n o t his, e x a c t l y , b u t a litter l e n t t o A s i c i u s b y — c a n you believe i t ? — K i n g Ptolemy. ( T h e c o m p l i c i t y is absolutely d a m n i n g ! You would t h i n k t h a t a m a n accused of murdering K i n g Ptolemy's enemy would h i d e his c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h t h e king rather t h a n flaunt t h e m , but like most m e n o f his g e n e r a t i o n , A s i c i u s c a n ' t s e e m t o resist any o p p o r t u n i t y to show off.) T h e litter was an e n o r m o u s e i g h t - m a n affair, elaborately d e c o r a t e d ( E g y p t i a n litters make t h e most e l e g a n t R o m a n c o n veyances l o o k plain) and a t t e n d e d by no fewer t h a n a hundred a r m e d bodyguards, also l e n t to A s i c i u s by K i n g Ptolemy. ( I f t h e k i n g supplied t h e bodyguards for Asicius's physical defense, w h o c a n h e l p but c o n c l u d e t h a t it was also t h e king w h o hired C i c e r o for Asicius's legal defense?) C a n you see it in your m i n d — C i c e r o a n d A s i c i u s discussing t h e upcoming murder trial w h i l e t h e y p r o c e e d along t h e shore b o r n e aloft in a litter, lolling a b o u t in Egyptian luxury w i t h a hundred swordsmen in t h e i r train? I missed t h e trial; a relapse of t h e c o u g h w h i c h plagued me in Illyria kept me from venturing down to t h e Forum.

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B e t h e s d a w e n t to w a t c h , b u t you c a n imagine t h e sort of report she c a m e b a c k w i t h — I was informed t h a t A s i c i u s is quite g o o d - l o o k i n g , if a bit wasted and pale ( B e t h e s d a has heard t h a t h e drinks t o e x c e s s ) ; t h a t Asicius's friend, our h a n d s o m e young n e i g h b o r M . C . , was n o w h e r e i n sight; and t h a t C i c e r o was as long-winded and boring as ever. A n d o h , yes, t h a t Asicius was acquitted of murdering D i o . I n o w regret h a v i n g missed t h e trial, for I should like to h a v e h e a r d w i t h my own ears t h e e v i d e n c e presented. B u t I do n o t regret h a v i n g missed whatever devious conjurer's tricks C i c e r o used to distract, disorient and ultimately persuade t h e judges. I d o n ' t n e e d t h e aggravation. S o , for b e t t e r or worse, t h e m a t t e r has c o m e to a c o n c l u s i o n . P o o r D i o shall go unavenged, but his legacy may yet prevail— I lifted my stylus from t h e p a r c h m e n t , distracted by a k n o c k . I turned in my c h a i r a n d saw B e l b o in t h e doorway. " T h e messenger's c o m e b a c k , Master. H e says h e must have your l e t t e r n o w if h e ' s to take it for y o u . " I grunted. " S h o w h i m in. N o n e e d t o make h i m wait i n t h e hallway." I returned to t h e letter. I must c l o s e abruptly. Caesar's message bearer has returned. I h a v e foolishly spent this precious h o u r r e c o u n t i n g F o r u m gossip a n d left myself no t i m e to speak of family matters. K n o w t h a t all is well. B e t h e s d a is as always, and D i a n a b e c o m e s m o r e like h e r m o t h e r every day ( m o r e beautiful, m o r e myst e r i o u s ) . E c o c o n t i n u e s to prosper, t h o u g h I often wish I could have taught h i m a less dangerous trade t h a n his father's, and his beloved M e n e n i a has proved herself a w o m a n of surpassing p a t i e n c e , especially in bringing up t h e u n c o n t r o l l a b l e twins. I m a g i n e h a v i n g two four-year-olds squabbling and stubbing t h e i r toes and c a t c h i n g colds. . . . I must c l o s e . T h e messenger has e n t e r e d t h e r o o m and stands before m e , g l a n c i n g over his shoulder at t h e statue of M i n e r v a in t h e sun-filled atrium, tapping his foot impatiently. Take c a r e , M e t o ! I dusted t h e p a r c h m e n t w i t h fine sand, t h e n pursed my lips and gently blew t h e sand away. I rolled t h e p a r c h m e n t , slipped it i n t o a

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leather j a c k e t a n d sealed t h e cylinder w i t h w a x . As I h a n d e d it r e l u c t a n t l y to t h e messenger, t h i n k i n g of things left unsaid, I t o o k a c l o s e r l o o k at the m a n . He was dressed in a soldier's regalia, all l e a t h e r straps a n d clinking steel a n d blood-red wool. His j a w was stiff a n d his c o u n t e n a n c e stern. " H o w o l d are you, soldier?" "Twenty-two." M e t o ' s age e x a c t l y ; no wonder t h e fellow looked to me like a c h i l d playing soldier. I studied his face, s e a r c h i n g for some sign of t h e horrors he must h a v e b e h e l d already in his young life, a n d saw o n l y t h e b l a n d i n n o c e n c e of youth framed by a soldier's h e l m e t . His s t e r n expression abruptly softened. He looked puzzled. I realized he was staring b e y o n d me at s o m e o n e in t h e doorway. As I swung a b o u t I h e a r d B e l b o bluster, "Master, a n o t h e r g u e s t — I told h i m to wait in t h e foyer, b u t he's followed me a n y w a y — " At first I hardly saw t h e visitor, b l o c k e d as he was by B e l b o ' s b u l k . T h e n h e slipped i n t o view, a n d w h a t h e lacked i n stature was m o r e t h a n made up for by t h e gaudy splendor of his garb. He was covered from t h e n e c k down in a gown of v i b r a n t red a n d yellow. S i l v e r b r a c e l e t s dangled from his wrists, a silver p e c t o r a l w i t h glass beads hung from his n e c k , and his ears a n d fingers sported silver rings. His c h e e k s were p a i n t e d white. On his h e a d was a m u l t i c o l o r e d turban, from w h i c h his b l e a c h e d hair h u n g down in wavy tresses. T h e last t i m e I h a d s e e n h i m he h a d b e e n dressed in a toga, n o t in t h e vestments of a priest of C y b e l e . " T r y g o n i o n , " I said. H e smiled. "You r e m e m b e r m e , t h e n ? " "I do. It's all r i g h t , " I said to B e l b o , w h o c o n t i n u e d to h o v e r uncertainly, ready to interpose h i m s e l f b e t w e e n t h e gallus a n d myself. B e l b o c o u l d easily h a v e lifted t h e little priest over his h e a d a n d c o u l d probably h a v e snapped h i m in t w o , b u t he kept his d i s t a n c e , afraid to lay his h a n d s on a h o l y e u n u c h . T r y g o n i o n h a d slipped i n t o my study w i t h o u t missing a step, while a m a n t h r e e times his size blustered for h i m t o stay b a c k . B e l b o gave t h e gallus a disgruntled l o o k a n d withdrew. B e h i n d me I h e a r d t h e c l e a r i n g of a t h r o a t a n d turned to see t h e soldier slipping my letter i n t o a l e a t h e r p o u c h . " I ' m off, t h e n , " he said, nodding to me a n d t h e n l o o k i n g at t h e e u n u c h w i t h a m i x t u r e of curiosity a n d distaste. " M a y M e r c u r y guide y o u , " I said. " A n d may t h e purifying b l o o d o f t h e G r e a t Goddess spring from b e t w e e n h e r legs and wash over you!" added T r y g o n i o n . He pressed his palms together, m a k i n g his b r a c e l e t s j i n g l e , and bowed his h e a d . T h e soldier w r i n k l e d his brow a n d hastily moved to depart, u n c e r t a i n w h e t h e r

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h e h a d just b e e n blessed o r cursed. A s h e moved t o slip out t h e narrow doorway, he turned sideways to avoid t o u c h i n g t h e e u n u c h , but T r y g o n i o n deliberately shifted his s t a n c e so t h a t t h e i r shoulders brushed, and I saw t h e soldier shudder. T h e c o n t r a s t was striking, b e t w e e n t h e stern, virile young R o m a n in his military garb and t h e d i m i n u t i v e , g r i n n i n g , foreignb o r n gallus in his priestly gown. H o w odd, I t h o u g h t , t h a t t h e larger, stronger o n e , t r a i n e d t o kill a n d defend himself, should b e t h e o n e t o shiver in fear. T r y g o n i o n s e e m e d to be t h i n k i n g t h e s a m e t h i n g , for as t h e soldier s t o m p e d down t h e hallway t h e e u n u c h looked after h i m a n d m a d e a trilling laugh. B u t as he turned b a c k to me his smile quickly faded. " G o r d i a n u s , " he said softly, bowing his h e a d in greeting. "I am again h o n o r e d t o b e a d m i t t e d i n t o your h o m e . " " I t would s e e m I h a d little c h o i c e over w h e t h e r to admit you or n o t , c o n s i d e r i n g h o w giants give way before you a n d soldiers flee in panic." H e laughed, b u t n o t i n t h e trilling way h e h a d used t o m o c k t h e soldier. It was a t h r o a t y c h u c k l e , such as m e n e x c h a n g e over a w i t t i c i s m in t h e F o r u m . T h e gallus s e e m e d able to c h a n g e his persona at will, from f e m i n i n e t o m a s c u l i n e , n e v e r seeming wholly o n e o r t h e o t h e r but s o m e t h i n g w h i c h was n e i t h e r . "I've b e e n sent to fetch you." "Oh?" "Yes, i m a g i n e t h a t — a priest of C y b e l e , dispatched like a messenger b o y . " H e c o c k e d a n eyebrow. "Dispatched by whom?" " B y a c e r t a i n lady." " D o e s s h e have a n a m e ? " " O f course she d o e s — m a n y n a m e s , t h o u g h I'd advise you t o avoid t h e m o r e scandalous o n e s a n d c a l l h e r b y t h e n a m e h e r father gave her, unless you wish to h a v e your face slapped. T h a t is, until you get to k n o w her better." " W h a t name is that?" " S h e lives h e r e on t h e P a l a t i n e , o n l y a few steps away." He gestured toward t h e door w i t h an ingratiating smile. " S t i l l , before I go off to see her, I t h i n k I should like to k n o w h e r n a m e a n d w h a t business she m i g h t have with m e . " " H e r business involves a c e r t a i n mutual a c q u a i n t a n c e . T w o m u t u a l a c q u a i n t a n c e s , actually. O n e living; o n e . . . d e a d . " He looked coy, t h e n s o m b e r . N e i t h e r e x p r e s s i o n seemed quite g e n u i n e , a s i f h e h a d e x c h a n g e d o n e m a s k for a n o t h e r . " T w o mutual a c q u a i n t a n c e s , " h e repeated. " O n e , a m u r d e r e r — t h e other, t h e murderer's v i c t i m . O n e w h o e v e n now moves

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through t h e Forum, laughing w i t h his friends and flinging o b s c e n i t i e s at his e n e m i e s , w h i l e t h e o t h e r moves through Hades, a shadow a m o n g shadows. Perhaps he will m e e t A r i s t o t l e there and debate h i m face to face, and t h e dead c a n decide w h i c h o f t h e m k n e w m o r e about l i v i n g . " " D i o , " I whispered. "Yes, I speak of D i o — a n d D i o ' s killer. T h a t ' s t h e business I've c o m e about." " W h o s e business?" " T h e business of my lady. S h e has m a d e it h e r business." " W h o is s h e ? " I said, growing i m p a t i e n t . " C o m e a n d see. S h e longs to m e e t you." He raised an eyebrow and leered like a p i m p procuring for a w h o r e . " T e l l me h e r n a m e , " I said slowly, trying to keep my temper. T r y g o n i o n sighed and rolled his eyes. " O h , very well. H e r n a m e is C l o d i a . " H e paused, saw t h e expression o n m y face, and laughed. " A h , I see t h a t you've already heard of h e r ! "

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

N

I

N

E

On our way out, we passed B e t h e s d a a n d D i a n a in t h e h a l l way. " W h e r e are you g o i n g ? " B e t h e s d a cast a c h i l l y g l a n c e o f r e c o g n i t i o n a t T r y g o n i o n , crossed h e r arms a n d gave m e t h e M e d u s a l o o k . H o w c o u l d such a w o m a n ever have b e e n anyone's slave, least of all m i n e ? D i a n a stood alongside a n d slightly b e h i n d h e r m o t h e r . S h e t o o drew b a c k h e r shoulders a n d crossed h e r arms, affecting t h e s a m e imperious gaze. " O u t , " I said. B e t h e s d a ' s arms r e m a i n e d crossed; t h e answer did n o t suffice. " T h e gallus may h a v e s o m e work for m e , " I added. S h e stared at t h e little priest so i n t e n t l y t h a t I would hardly h a v e b e e n surprised t o see h i m turn t o s t o n e . Instead, h e smiled a t her. T h e t w o o f t h e m s e e m e d impervious t o e a c h o t h e r . T r y g o n i o n was n o t i n t i m idated; B e t h e s d a was n o t c h a r m e d . "You'd b e t t e r take B e l b o w i t h you" was all s h e h a d to say before uncrossing h e r arms a n d proceeding down t h e hallway. D i a n a followed, m i m i c k i n g h e r m o t h e r ' s m o v e m e n t s w i t h u n c a n n y p r e c i s i o n — u n t i l I swung around a n d t i c k l e d h e r under h e r arms. S h e let out a s c r e a m of l a u g h t e r a n d ran forward, s t u m b l i n g i n t o B e t h e s d a . T h e y b o t h turned and looked b a c k a t m e , D i a n a laughing, B e t h e s d a w i t h o n e eyebrow raised a n d t h e merest h i n t of a smile on h e r lips. "Take B e l b o ! " she repeated before turning h e r b a c k a n d walking o n . N o w I understand, I t h o u g h t : she r e m e m b e r s T r y g o n i o n from his visit w i t h D i o , s h e knows a b o u t D i o ' s murder, a n d now, seeing me leave w i t h T r y g o n i o n , she fears for m e . H o w t o u c h i n g ! T h e t h r e e o f u s — t h e gallus, B e l b o a n d myself—stepped out i n t o

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the bright a f t e r n o o n s u n s h i n e . T h e warmth in my study h a d s e e m e d mild and t h e air sweet, like early springtime; h e r e in t h e street, t h e sun h a d heated t h e paving stones a n d t h e air was h o t . T r y g o n i o n produced a tiny yellow parasol from t h e folds of his r o b e , o p e n e d it up a n d h e l d it aloft. "Perhaps I should have brought my b r o a d - b r i m m e d h a t , " I said, squinting up at t h e cloudless sky. "It's o n l y a short w a l k , " said t h e gallus. " S t r a i g h t a h e a d for a b l o c k or two, t h e n off to t h e r i g h t . " We walked up t h e street a n d passed t h e a p a r t m e n t building w h e r e Marcus C a e l i u s lived. T h e shutters o f all t h e upper-story windows were closed, despite t h e h e a t . C o u l d h e b e sleeping, a t this t i m e o f day? W h a t a life! T h e building was o w n e d by t h e rabble-rouser Publius C l o d i u s ; now I was on t h e way to see his sister. W h a t a small town R o m e is, I t h o u g h t , and growing smaller w i t h e a c h passing year. I h a d never m e t e i t h e r of the n o t o r i o u s C l o d i i . T h e y were distant cousins o f m y old patron Lucius Claudius, but our paths h a d never crossed. T h a t h a d suited m e . I n r e c e n t years I've grown increasingly selective b o t h of those I c h o o s e to h e l p a n d of those I c h o o s e to offend. F r o m w h a t o n e heard about t h e m , C l o d i a and C l o d i u s were t h e sort it was best simply to avoid. A n obscure citizen l a m e n t i n g t h e theft o f his family's silver; a n old a c q u a i n t a n c e t h r e a t e n e d by anonymous letters; a young wife unfairly accused of adultery by h e r vindictive m o t h e r - i n - l a w — i n my semiretirement, t h e s e s t r u c k me as t h e sort of people to w h o m I should l e n d my expertise. M e n w h o deal in raw power, w h o c o n t r o l vast n e t w o r k s of secret operatives, w h o dispatch strong-armers to crush t h e i r o p p o n e n t s — the Pompeys a n d K i n g P t o l e m i e s o f this w o r l d — t h e s e struck m e a s m e n I should take e x t r e m e c a r e to avoid offending, even if it m e a n t passing up t h e c h a n c e to h e l p an old friend; even though it h a d m e a n t turning my back on Dio of Alexandria. N o w I found myself on t h e way to t h e h o u s e of C l o d i a , supposedly to discuss s o m e m a t t e r relating to t h e murder of D i o , following a priest of C y b e l e carrying a b r i g h t yellow parasol through t h e sunny streets of the P a l a t i n e . T h e gods delight i n surprising m e n with t h e u n e x p e c t e d — and are n o t o r i o u s for t h e cruelty of their m i r t h .

Clodia's h o u s e was situated at t h e lane. Like t h e houses b e l o n g i n g to and showed an unassuming face to stained w i t h a m u t e d yellow wash.

e n d of a little cul-de-sac off a quiet most p a t r i c i a n families, it looked old t h e street. T h e windowless front was T h e doorstep was paved w i t h glazed

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red a n d b l a c k tiles. T w i n cypress trees framed t h e rustic o a k door. T h e trees soared to a great h e i g h t ; I h a d often n o t i c e d t h e m from t h e balcony at t h e b a c k of my h o u s e , but h a d n e v e r k n o w n e x a c t l y where t h e y were l o c a t e d . Like t h e h o u s e , t h e cypresses h a d obviously b e e n t h e r e for many years. T h e slave w h o answered t h e door was a burly young m a n w i t h a n e a t l y t r i m m e d b l a c k beard a n d bushy eyebrows t h a t grew t o g e t h e r above soulful b r o w n eyes. He o p e n e d t h e door only halfway and smirked w h e n h e saw T r y g o n i o n . H e hardly looked a t m e o r B e l b o . " S h e ' s g o n e o u t , " he said, crossing his arms and slouching against t h e door frame. " G o n e o u t ? " said t h e gallus. " B u t I o n l y just left her, to go fetch this fellow." T h e doorkeeper shrugged. " W h a t c a n I tell you? You k n o w how she is." " B u t s h e k n e w I was c o m i n g straight b a c k , " said T r y g o n i o n in a p e t u l a n t v o i c e . " W h e r e has she g o n e ? " " D o w n t o t h e river." " W h a t , to the markets?" T h e slave narrowed his eyes. " O f course n o t . You k n o w she never goes to t h e p u b l i c markets anymore. Afraid M i l o ' s m e n will be t h e r e to start up t h e c h a n t s a b o u t her. Pretends she doesn't c a r e , but you k n o w h o w she h a t e s t h a t . " T h e slave a r c h e d his right eyebrow, w h i c h c r e a t e d a striking effect, s i n c e his eyebrows were j o i n e d . " S h e ' s g o n e down to h e r p l a c e on t h e T i b e r . S a i d it was t h e o n l y spot to be on a beautiful day like this. ' E v e r y o n e will be at t h e river,' she said. L o o k i n g to c a t c h an eyeful, I i m a g i n e — t h e s w i m m e r s . " A sudden t w i t c h at t h e c o r n e r of his m o u t h turned i n t o a s m i l e , as a h a n d b e l o n g i n g to s o m e o n e hidden b e h i n d t h e door slipped across t h e gap a n d made its way o n t o t h e slave's b a c k s i d e . T h e visible p a t c h of wrist moved in a sinuous fashion, like a wriggling snake. T h e young doorkeeper gave a ticklish start a n d flexed his muscular forearms. " S h e should have taken m e w i t h h e r , " h e sighed, " b u t I'm m a n a g i n g to stay busy." " D i d s h e leave any word for m e ? " asked T r y g o n i o n , exasperated. " S h e must h a v e ! " F r o m just b e y o n d t h e door I h e a r d a w o m a n ' s laugh, t h e n a smiling face appeared, pressed c h e e k t o c h e e k w i t h t h e burly doorkeeper. " D o n ' t worry, she didn't forget y o u , " t h e w o m a n trilled. H e r voice h a d a cultured a c c e n t a n d h e r c h e s t n u t h a i r was extravagantly put up, t h o u g h a few stray tendrils h a d escaped t h e pins and c o m b s . T h e lines around h e r eyes a n d m o u t h h a d b e e n skillfully softened w i t h makeup, but I c o u l d see she was no l o n g e r young. " B a r n a b a s is teasing you! A r e n ' t you, B a r n a b a s ? W i c k e d ! " S h e playfully bit t h e slave's ear.

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B a r n a b a s laughed brusquely and jerked away, freeing his ear from the woman's g l e a m i n g w h i t e t e e t h and his b u t t o c k s from h e r grip. " O f f with you, t h e n ! " she said, laughing and snapping h e r fingers. " G o o n ! I'll tend to you l a t e r . " S h e growled deep in h e r throat and c l i c k e d h e r teeth. T h e door slave departed. "It's a H e b r e w n a m e , you k n o w , " she said, turning b a c k to us. "Barnabas, I m e a n . C l o d i a says it m e a n s ' c o n s o l a t i o n . ' S h e should k n o w ! " T h e w o m a n laughed, a n d I c a u g h t t h e smell o f w i n e o n h e r b r e a t h . " W h a t did C l o d i a say about m e ? " d e m a n d e d t h e gallus. " A b o u t you, T r y g o n i o n ? H m m , well, we all know where your n a m e comes from, d o n ' t w e ? " S h e looked at h i m knowingly. " N e v e r m i n d ! " snapped t h e gallus. " W h a t did she say before s h e left?" T h e w o m a n ' s expression soured, undoing t h e illusion o f h e r makeup. " O h , all right, t h e n . S h e said she simply c o u l d n ' t stay indoors for a n o t h e r instant, and she's b e e n dying to get down to h e r place on t h e river for days, so she t o l d C h r y s i s to call for h e r litter bearers and p a c k up a few things and off t h e y went in a cloud of dust. S h e asked me to c o m e along, but I told h e r I was t o o , t o o despondent and in great n e e d of consolation. H a ! " S h e barked out a laugh, showing perfect white t e e t h . " S o , s i n c e I was staying, C l o d i a asked me to please give you a message if you should happen to c o m e around, to tell you t h a t you and y o u r " — s h e looked at B e l b o a n d me blearily, as if n o t i c i n g us for t h e first t i m e — " y o u r friends, or whatever, should trot down to t h e river and m e e t h e r t h e r e . Is t h a t clear e n o u g h ? " "Yes, t h a n k y o u , " said T r y g o n i o n curtly. H e turned around a n d hurriedly strode away, taking t h e longest steps his short legs would allow. " C u t off t h e i r balls and see what pests they turn i n t o , " t h e w o m a n muttered b e t w e e n c l e n c h e d t e e t h . S h e shrugged and s l a m m e d t h e door. " H o r r i b l e w o m a n ! " T r y g o n i o n said as B e l b o and I c a u g h t up w i t h him. " S l o w d o w n , " I c o m p l a i n e d . " W h o is s h e ? " "Just a n e i g h b o r . Nobody. A cousin or s o m e t h i n g . I d o n ' t have money for a litter, do you? I suppose we c a n walk."

W h i c h we did. As we made our way down t h e western slope of t h e Palatine, t h r o u g h t h e c a t t l e markets, across t h e bridge and up t h e west bank of t h e T i b e r , at several points I considered telling T r y g o n i o n t h a t I had c h a n g e d my m i n d and was turning b a c k . W h a t was I doing, after all, c o m i n g at t h e s u m m o n s of a w o m a n I had happily avoided until now,

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to discuss a m a t t e r from w h i c h I had deliberately distanced myself? B l a m e it on C y b e l e , I t h o u g h t , as I followed h e r priest, his parasol h e l d resolutely aloft. It is a sign of w e a l t h and good taste to own a green p a t c h on t h e b a n k s of t h e T i b e r . S u c h estates are s o m e t h i n g of a cross b e t w e e n a park and a garden; t h e owners call such grounds horti. T h e r e is usually a structure of s o m e s o r t — s o m e t i m e s no m o r e t h a n a rustic retreat with quarters for t h e groundskeeper and a few guests, sometimes a whole c o m p l e x o f buildings. T h e grounds themselves are often a m i x o f wilderness and c u l t i v a t i o n , depending on t h e size of t h e property, t h e owner's proclivities and t h e gardener's skill; p a t c h e s of tall grass and woodland may be interspersed w i t h rose gardens, fishponds, fountains, and stonepaved walkways adorned w i t h statuary. C l o d i a ' s h o r t i were unusually close in. A hundred years ago, t h e property must have b e e n well out in t h e countryside, but t h e c i t y had greatly e x p a n d e d s i n c e t h e n . It was an enviable l o c a t i o n for a p i e c e of riverfront property a n d must have b e e n in h e r family for generations. T h e impression of great age was reinforced by t h e grounds t h e m selves, w h i c h on such a warm, windless day had t h e feeling of a place w h e r e t i m e stopped long ago. T h e i m m e d i a t e approach was a long, narrow l a n e bordered by sprawling berry bushes w h i c h m e t overhead, shading t h e way. T h i s t u n n e l l i k e path opened o n t o a broad field of grass kept closely m o w n by a pair of goats w h i c h b l e a t e d at our approach. Facing t h e meadow and perpendicular to t h e river, w h i c h was almost entirely obscured by an i n t e r v e n i n g stand of dense trees, was a long narrow house w i t h a red-tiled r o o f and a p o r t i c o r u n n i n g along t h e w h o l e front. T h e o p e n meadow was as private as any walled garden in t h e city, for t h e view on all sides was shielded by tall cypress trees and majestic yews. " S h e w o n ' t be in t h e house, but I suppose we c a n take a l o o k all t h e s a m e , " said T r y g o n i o n . W e crossed t h e meadow and stepped under t h e shade o f t h e p o r t i c o . T r y g o n i o n rapped on t h e nearest door, t h e n pushed it o p e n and stepped over t h e threshold, b e c k o n i n g t o B e l b o and m e . E a c h r o o m o f t h e long house o p e n e d o n t o t h e n e x t , and every r o o m had its own door o n t o t h e long p o r t i c o , so t h a t o n e could walk from e n d to e n d of t h e house either a l o n g t h e shaded o u t d o o r walkway or through e a c h r o o m in succession. I c o u l d tell at o n c e t h a t t h e house was empty. It had t h e feeling of a p l a c e left u n o c c u p i e d all winter, w h i c h h a d n o t yet b e e n brought b a c k to life. T h e air was still and c o o l inside, t h e walls and t h e sparse furnishings e x h a l e d a slightly musty, odor, and every surface had a t h i n c o a t i n g o f dust. We followed T r y g o n i o n slowly from r o o m to r o o m as he called

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Clodia's n a m e . I n s o m e o f t h e rooms, dropcloths covered every o b j e c t . In o t h e r r o o m s t h e c l o t h s h a d b e e n pulled away, apparently quite recently, for they still lay carelessly crumpled on t h e floor. H a v i n g acquired a furnished h o u s e on t h e Palatine, I k n o w a few things about furniture. T h e pieces I saw in C l o d i a ' s h o u s e on t h e T i b e r were of t h e sort w h i c h fetch a s t o n i s h i n g prices at a u c t i o n nowadays, especially a m o n g our burgeoning empire's n e w r i c h w h o have n o s u c h treasures i n t h e i r o b s c u r e f a m i l i e s — s l e e p i n g c o u c h e s saved from t h e flames of C a r t h a g e , t h e i r plush cushions so faded t h a t t h e e x o t i c patterns c a n barely be made out; gilded cabinets a n d trunks w i t h massive iron h i n g e s of a sort no longer m a d e ; a n c i e n t folding chairs t h a t t h e S c i p i o s o r t h e G r a c c h i brothers m i g h t have sat o n . T h e r e were paintings as well, in every r o o m , and n o t t h e a t r i c a l wall paintings s u c h as are fashionable a m o n g t h e wealthy nowadays, but portraits a n d h i s t o r i c a l s c e n e s p a i n t e d in e n c a u s t i c on wood a n d m o u n t e d in elaborate frames. T h e s e were darkened by age, t h e i r s m o o t h surfaces covered by a skein of very fine c r a c k s . C o l l e c t o r s set great store by t h e s e qualities, w h i c h t i m e a l o n e creates a n d w h i c h c a n n o t b e m i m i c k e d b y human artists. T h e r e were also tiny sculptures m o u n t e d h e r e a n d t h e r e on pedestals, n o n e of t h e m taller t h a n a m a n ' s forearm, in keeping w i t h the small scale o f t h e r o o m s , a n d all o f rustic subjects t o m a t c h t h e rustic mood of t h e p l a c e — l i t t l e statues of Pan a n d S i l e n u s , of a slave boy pulling a t h o r n from his foot, of a wood nymph k n e e l i n g on a r o c k . W e c a m e t o t h e e n d o f t h e h o u s e a n d stepped b a c k o n t o t h e covered portico. T r y g o n i o n peered toward t h e woods on t h e opposite side of the meadow, where I could see nothing. " N o , she wouldn't be over at t h e k i t c h e n s o r t h e slave quarters o r t h e s t a b l e , " h e said. " S h e ' s down b y t h e water, of c o u r s e . " We set out across t h e meadow again, toward t h e grove of trees along t h e river. In their shade, we c a m e upon a statue of V e n u s — not a small, d e c o r a t i v e o b j e c t like t h o s e in t h e house, but a m a g n i f i c e n t , towering bronze upon a marble pedestal. T h e goddess looked out on t h e water w i t h an expression of almost smug c o n t e n t m e n t on h e r face, as if the river flowed merely to give music to h e r ears, a n d t h e c i t y on its further b a n k h a d b e e n e r e c t e d for n o o t h e r purpose t h a n t o amuse her. " E x t r a o r d i n a r y , " I whispered. Beside me B e l b o stared up at t h e statue dumbly, a l o o k of religious awe on his face. " D o you t h i n k s o ? " said T r y g o n i o n . "You should see t h e o n e at h e r house i n t h e c i t y . " H e turned a n d walked o n , h u m m i n g a h y m n t o C y b e l e . His m o o d s e e m e d t o l i g h t e n w i t h e a c h step t h a t brought h i m c l o s e r t o the river, a n d t o t h e red and w h i t e striped t e n t p i t c h e d o n t h e b a n k . We stepped out of t h e trees and i n t o t h e sunlight. A mild breeze stirred t h e lush grass. T h e t e n t stood out in dazzling relief against t h e

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b r i g h t g r e e n grass, t h e darker green of t h e river beyond, and t h e glaring azure sky a b o v e . Its fine silk panels shivered in t h e delicate breeze. T h e red stripes wavered like slithering snakes against a field of w h i t e , t h e n , by a t r i c k of t h e eye, t h e illusion was reversed a n d t h e stripes b e c a m e w h i t e snakes against a field of red. F r o m s o m e w h e r e I h e a r d t h e sound of splashing, but t h e t e n t and t h e h i g h trees o n e i t h e r side b l o c k e d m y view o f t h e river. " W a i t h e r e , " said T r y g o n i o n . He stepped inside. A little later he s t u c k his h e a d o u t t h e flap. " C o m e in, G o r d i a n u s . B u t leave your bodyguard o u t s i d e . " As I m o v e d toward t h e flap it was pulled aside by an u n s e e n slave w i t h i n . I stepped i n t o t h e t e n t . T h e first t h i n g I n o t i c e d was t h e s c e n t , a perfume I h a d never smelled b e f o r e — e l u s i v e , subtle and intriguing. T h e instant I first smelled it, I k n e w I would n e v e r forget it. T h e red a n d w h i t e silk softened t h e b r i g h t sunlight, f i l l i n g t h e t e n t w i t h a warm glow. T h e panels facing t h e river h a d b e e n rolled up, letting in t h e view a n d framing it like a picture. S u n l i g h t d a n c e d on t h e green water a n d c a s t lozenges o f light i n t o t h e t e n t , w h e r e t h e y flitted and d a n c e d across my h a n d s a n d f a c e . I h e a r d t h e sound of splashing again a n d now I saw its s o u r c e , a group of young m e n a n d boys, fifteen or m o r e , w h o frolicked i n t h e water just b e y o n d t h e t e n t . S o m e o f t h e m wore b r i g h t - c o l o r e d scraps of c l o t h about t h e i r loins, but most were naked. B e a d s o f water c l u n g t o t h e i r sleek flesh; i n t h e sunlight t h e y g l i m m e r e d a s i f c h a s e d w i t h j e w e l s . W h e n t h e y moved i n t o t h e shade b e n e a t h trees t h e y b e c a m e dappled, like spotted fauns. T h e i r splashing caused t h e lozenges o f light t o d a n c e wildly inside t h e t e n t . I walked toward t h e c e n t e r of t h e t e n t , w h e r e T r y g o n i o n awaited me w i t h a b e a m i n g smile on his f a c e . He stood beside a h i g h c o u c h strewn w i t h red a n d w h i t e striped pillows, h o l d i n g t h e h a n d o f t h e w o m a n w h o r e c l i n e d u p o n it. T h e w o m a n was turned so t h a t I c o u l d n o t see her face. Before I r e a c h e d t h e c o u c h a figure suddenly appeared before m e . S h e looked hardly o l d e r t h a n a c h i l d b u t wore h e r auburn h a i r c o i l e d atop h e r h e a d a n d was dressed in a long g r e e n gown. " M i s t r e s s ! " she c a l l e d , k e e p i n g h e r eyes on m i n e . " M i s t r e s s , your guest is h e r e to see you." " S h o w h i m t o m e , C h r y s i s . " T h e v o i c e was sultry a n d unhurried, deeper t h a n T r y g o n i o n ' s but u n m i s t a k a b l y f e m i n i n e . "Yes, M i s t r e s s . " T h e slave girl t o o k m y h a n d and led m e before t h e c o u c h . T h e s m e l l o f perfume grew stronger.

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" N o , n o , C h r y s i s , " h e r mistress said, laughing gently. " D o n ' t put him directly i n front o f m e . H e ' s b l o c k i n g t h e v i e w . " Chrysis tugged playfully at my h a n d a n d pulled me to o n e side. " T h a t ' s better, Chrysis. N o w run along. You, t o o , T r y g o n i o n — l e t go of my h a n d , little gallus. Go find s o m e t h i n g for Chrysis to do up at the house. Or go l o o k for pretty stones along t h e riverbank. B u t d o n ' t let o n e o f t h o s e river satyrs c a t c h e i t h e r o n e o f you o r w h o knows w h a t might h a p p e n ! " C h r y s i s a n d T r y g o n i o n departed, leaving m e a l o n e with t h e w o m a n on the high c o u c h .

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

E

N

The young m e n you see in t h e river wearing l o i n c l o t h s are m i n e . M y slaves, t h a t i s — m y litter bearers a n d bodyguards. I let t h e m wear l o i n c l o t h s h e r e at t h e h o r t i . A f t e r all, I c a n see t h e m naked a n y t i m e I wish. A l s o , it makes it easier for m e t o p i c k out t h e others. A n y young R o m a n w o r t h b e i n g s e e n n a k e d knows t h a t he's allowed t o c o m e s w i m m i n g along m y s t r e t c h o f t h e T i b e r a n y t i m e h e w i s h e s — s o long a s h e does it in t h e n u d e . T h e y c o m e down from t h e road along a little pathway h i d d e n b e y o n d t h o s e trees a n d leave t h e i r t u n i c s h a n g i n g o n b r a n c h e s . A t t h e h e i g h t o f s u m m e r o n a h o t a f t e r n o o n t h e r e are s o m e t i m e s m o r e t h a n a h u n d r e d o f t h e m out t h e r e , diving, splashing e a c h other, s u n n i n g t h e m s e l v e s o n t h e r o c k s — n a k e d b y m y d e c r e e . L o o k a t t h e shoulders o n that one . . . " I found myself staring at a w o m a n of no few y e a r s — k n o w i n g t h a t s h e was a b o u t five years older t h a n h e r b r o t h e r Publius C l o d i u s , I c a l c u l a t e d t h a t s h e was probably forty, give or take a year. It was h a r d to say w h e t h e r s h e looked h e r age or n o t . However old she looked, it suited her. C l o d i a ' s skin was c e r t a i n l y finer t h a n t h a t o f most w o m e n o f forty, t h e c o l o r of w h i t e roses, very creamy a n d s m o o t h ; perhaps, I t h o u g h t , t h e filtered light o f t h e t e n t flattered her. H e r h a i r was b l a c k a n d lustrous, arranged b y s o m e h i d d e n m a g i c o f pins a n d c o m b s i n t o a n i n t r i c a t e maze o f curls atop h e r h e a d . T h e way t h a t h e r h a i r was pulled b a c k from h e r forehead gave e m p h a s i s t o t h e striking angles o f h e r c h e e k b o n e s a n d t h e proud line o f h e r n o s e , w h i c h was almost, but n o t quite, t o o large. H e r lips were a sumptuous red w h i c h surely c o u l d n o t have b e e n n a t u r a l .

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Her eyes s e e m e d to glitter w i t h flashes of blue and yellow b u t mostly of green, t h e c o l o r o f emeralds, sparkling a s t h e sunlight sparkled o n t h e green T i b e r . I h a d h e a r d of h e r eyes; C l o d i a ' s eyes were famous. " L o o k a t t h e gooseflesh o n t h e m ! " S h e laughed. "It's a w o n d e r they can stand to go in t h e water at all. T h e river must still be frigid so early in t h e year, no m a t t e r h o w warm t h e s u n s h i n e . L o o k how it shrivels t h e i r manhoods; a pity, for t h a t c a n be h a l f t h e fun of watching. B u t n o t i c e , not o n e o f t h e m i s shivering. T h e y d o n ' t want m e t o see t h e m shiver, the dear, brave, foolish b o y s . " S h e laughed again, a low, throaty c h u c k l e . C l o d i a r e c l i n e d o n h e r divan w i t h h e r b a c k against a pile o f c u s h i o n s and h e r legs folded to o n e side b e n e a t h her. A long stola of s h i m m e r i n g yellow silk, b e l t e d below h e r breasts and again at h e r waist, covered h e r from h e r n e c k down. O n l y h e r arms were naked. E v e n so, n o o n e c o u l d have c a l l e d t h e c o s t u m e modest. T h e fabric was so sheer as to be transparent, so t h a t it was h a r d to tell, in t h e glittering light from t h e sunspangled river, h o w m u c h o f t h e s h e e n o f h e r c o n t o u r s c a m e from t h e shiny silk a n d h o w m u c h from t h e sleek flesh b e n e a t h . I had n e v e r s e e n a dress like it. T h i s must have shown on my face, for C l o d i a laughed again, a n d n o t a t t h e young m e n i n t h e river. " D o you like i t ? " S h e looked steadily i n t o my eyes as s h e s m o o t h e d her palm over h e r h i p and down h e r t h i g h t o t h e b e n d o f h e r k n e e . T h e silk s e e m e d to ripple like water before t h e advancing edge of h e r h a n d . "It c o m e s all t h e way from C o s . S o m e t h i n g n e w from a famous silkmaker there. I d o n ' t t h i n k any o t h e r w o m a n in R o m e has a dress like it. Or perhaps they're like m e , n o t quite brave e n o u g h to wear such a g a r m e n t i n p u b l i c . " S h e smiled demurely and r e a c h e d u p t o t h e silver n e c k l a c e at h e r t h r o a t . S h e spread h e r fingers, and I could clearly see, t h a n k s to the transparency o f t h e silk, t h a t w h i l e s h e rolled o n e o f t h e lapis baubles between h e r forefinger a n d t h u m b , w i t h h e r little finger she delicately stroked o n e of h e r large, pale nipples until it b e g a n to grow e x c i t e d . I c l e a r e d my throat and g l a n c e d over my shoulder. T h e young m e n in t h e water were now throwing a l e a t h e r ball b a c k and forth a m o n g themselves, m a k i n g a g a m e of it, but every now and t h e n t h e y s h o t glances toward t h e t e n t . N o wonder they had c o m e t o t h e river o n t h e first warm day of t h e year, I t h o u g h t . T h e y c a m e to l o o k at h e r no less than s h e c a m e to l o o k at t h e m . I c l e a r e d my throat again. "Is your t h r o a t dry? Did you walk all t h e way from t h e P a l a t i n e ? " S h e sounded g e n u i n e l y curious, as if walking for any d i s t a n c e outdoors was a feat s h e h a d w a t c h e d h e r litter bearers perform but w h i c h s h e h a d never a t t e m p t e d o n h e r own. "Yes, I w a l k e d . " " P o o r dear, t h e n you must be thirsty. H e r e , l o o k , before s h e left,

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Chrysis put out cups for us. T h e clay p i t c h e r holds fresh water. T h e wine in t h e silver d e c a n t e r is Falernian. I never d r i n k anything e l s e . " T h e vessels were set on a little table beside her. T h e r e was no chair, however. It appeared t h a t visitors were m e a n t to stand. My m o u t h was in fact quite dry, and n o t entirely from t h e h e a t of t h e day. C l o d i a ' s cup was already full of w i n e , so I r e a c h e d for t h e p i t c h e r of water and poured myself a cup, drinking it slowly before I poured myself another. " N o w i n e ? " S h e sounded disappointed. "I t h i n k n o t . It's bad for a m a n my age to d r i n k w i n e after exerting h i m s e l f in t h e h e a t of t h e day." If n o t bad for my bowels, I t h o u g h t , t h e n bad for my j u d g m e n t in such company. W h a t would t h e transparent silk dress b e g i n to l o o k like after a cup or two of strong Falernian? " A s you w i s h . " S h e shrugged. T h e silk pooled above h e r shoulders, t h e n rippled like a s h e e t of water over h e r breasts. I finished t h e s e c o n d cup of water and put it down. " T h e r e was a reason you s e n t t h e gallus for m e ? " "Yes, t h e r e w a s . " S h e turned h e r gaze from me and fixed it on the young m e n in t h e river. I w a t c h e d h e r eyes flit b a c k and forth, following t h e l e a t h e r b a l l . H e r face r e m a i n e d impassive. " T r y g o n i o n said it had s o m e t h i n g to do w i t h D i o . " S h e nodded. "Perhaps I should close t h e t e n t flaps," I said. " T h e n w h a t would t h e young m e n i n t h e river t h i n k ? " T h e idea o f scandal s e e m e d to amuse her, as did my growing c o n s t e r n a t i o n . " I f we n e e d a c h a p e r o n , call b a c k your h a n d m a i d e n . " " D o we n e e d a c h a p e r o n ? " T h e l o o k in h e r eyes was u n n e r v i n g . "You obviously d o n ' t k n o w Chrysis; s h e would hardly qualify for t h e role." "Trygonion, then." A t t h a t she laughed aloud and o p e n e d h e r m o u t h t o speak, t h e n t h o u g h t b e t t e r of it. "Forgive m e , " she said. " W h e n I have business to c o n d u c t w i t h a good-looking m a n , I like to indulge in a little teasing first. It's a fault of m i n e . My friends have learned to overlook it. I h o p e t h a t you'll overlook t h e fault as well, G o r d i a n u s , now t h a t I've confessed it." I nodded. "Very well. Yes, I wanted to consult you regarding t h e untimely d e a t h o f our mutual friend, D i o o f A l e x a n d r i a . " " O u r mutual friend?" "Yes, m i n e as well as yours. D o n ' t look so surprised, G o r d i a n u s . T h e r e are probably a great many things about D i o that you didn't know.

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For that matter, t h e r e are probably a great many things about me t h a t don't know, despite all you may have heard. I'll try to be b r i e f a n d to the p o i n t . It was I w h o suggested to D i o t h a t he should go to your house to seek your h e l p on t h e n i g h t he was murdered." "You?" "Yes." " B u t you d o n ' t k n o w m e . " " E v e n so, I k n o w of you, just as you undoubtedly k n o w of m e . Your reputation goes b a c k a long way, Finder. I was a girl of s e v e n t e e n , still living at h o m e , w h e n C i c e r o made s u c h a splash defending t h a t m a n accused of parricide. I r e m e m b e r my father talking about t h e c a s e for long afterward. I didn't k n o w of t h e role you played until many years later, of course, w h e n I learned t h e details from C i c e r o h i m s e l f — h o w C i c e r o loved to rehash t h a t old c a s e , again a n d again, until his t r i u m p h over C a t i l i n a finally gave h i m s o m e t h i n g e v e n bigger to crow about! C i c e r o used to speak of you often to my late husband; on a few o c c a s i o n s he even r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t Q u i n t u s seek out your services, but Q u i n t u s was always s t u b b o r n about using his own m e n for snooping a n d s u c h . I shall be h o n e s t w i t h you: C i c e r o didn't always speak highly of you. T h a t is to say, from t i m e to t i m e w h e n your n a m e was brought up, he s o m e t i m e s used words t h a t should n o t be repeated aloud by a r e s p e c t a b l e R o m a n matron s u c h as myself. B u t we've all h a d our fallings-out w i t h C i c e r o , have we n o t ? T h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g is t h a t e v e n w h e n he was infuriated with you, C i c e r o always made a p o i n t of praising your h o n e s t y a n d integrity. I n d e e d , w h e n Q u i n t u s was governor up in C i s a l p i n e G a u l , C i c e r o a n d his wife T e r e n t i a c a m e for a visit, and o n e n i g h t after d i n n e r we all played a g a m e of questions and answers; w h e n Q u i n t u s asked C i c e r o what m a n he would trust to tell t h e truth, no m a t t e r what, do you k n o w whom he n a m e d ? Yes, G o r d i a n u s , it was you. So you see, w h e n D i o asked u s t o w h o m h e m i g h t turn for h e l p , t h e n a m e o f G o r d i a n u s t h e Finder c a m e to my m i n d at o n c e . I didn't k n o w at t h e t i m e t h a t you a n d Dio already k n e w e a c h o t h e r ; T r y g o n i o n told m e about t h a t after t h e i r visit to y o u . " "I suppose I ' m flattered," I said. "You know, t h e n , t h a t I m e t D i o in A l e x a n d r i a , years a g o ? " "Trygonion explained it to m e . " " B u t h o w is it t h a t you k n e w D i o ? " " B e c a u s e o f his dealings w i t h m y b r o t h e r Publius, o f c o u r s e . " " W h a t dealings?" " T h e y m e t shortly after D i o arrived i n R o m e . T h e two o f t h e m h a d much t o talk a b o u t . " "I should t h i n k t h a t D i o a n d Publius C l o d i u s would have h a d a

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hard t i m e finding c o m m o n ground, c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t it was your b r o t h e r w h o e n g i n e e r e d t h e R o m a n takeover o f Egyptian C y p r u s . " " W a t e r under t h e bridge, as t h e Etruscans say. Far m o r e i m p o r t a n t to D i o was my b r o t h e r ' s opposition to Pompey. Publius offered D i o a m u c h - n e e d e d ally in t h e S e n a t e . D i o offered Publius a m e a n s to c h e a t Pompey o f his a m b i t i o n s i n E g y p t . " " A n d your p l a c e i n all t h i s ? " " T h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g about sharp-witted older m e n t h a t I find simply irresistible." S h e gave m e a n o t h e r o f h e r u n n e r v i n g looks. " A n d w h a t did D i o see in you?" I asked bluntly. "Perhaps it was my well-known love of poetry." C l o d i a shrugged elegantly, causing t h e s h e e r silk to c a t c h and drag across h e r nipples. " I f you a n d your b r o t h e r were such great friends and supporters of D i o , why d i d n ' t he stay at your house where h e ' d be safe, instead of m o v i n g from o n e dubious host to another, staying barely ahead of his killer?" " D i o c o u l d n ' t stay at my house for t h e s a m e reason t h a t you may n o t lower t h e flaps of this t e n t , G o r d i a n u s . A m a n and a w o m a n together, you understand. D i o ' s p o s i t i o n w i t h t h e S e n a t e was precarious enough w i t h o u t h a v i n g it further eroded by sexual i n n u e n d o s . N o r could he have stayed w i t h Publius; imagine t h e rumors t h a t would have set off, about t h e Egyptian t r o u b l e m a k e r h a t c h i n g plots w i t h t h e famous rabble-rouser. N o t o r i e t y e x a c t s a p r i c e . S o m e t i m e s our friends must stay at arm's length, for t h e i r o w n g o o d . " "Very well, D i o was your friend, or ally, or whatever, and you sent h i m to me for h e l p . I h a d to refuse h i m . A few hours later he was dead. You a n d your b r o t h e r didn't do a very good j o b of p r o t e c t i n g h i m , did you?" H e r lips t i g h t e n e d and h e r eyes flashed. " N o r did y o u , " s h e said icily, " w h o h a d k n o w n h i m far longer t h a n I had, and whose obligations must h a v e run far d e e p e r . " I w i n c e d . "Just so. B u t e v e n if I h a d agreed to D i o ' s request, I would've b e e n t o o late to save h i m . By t h e t i m e I woke up t h e n e x t m o r n i n g — n o , e v e n before I fell asleep t h a t n i g h t — h e was already dead." " B u t w h a t if you h a d said yes to D i o ? W h a t if you h a d agreed to b e g i n l o o k i n g after his safety t h e n e x t m o r n i n g , helping h i m decide w h o m to trust a n d w h o m to fear? W o u l d n ' t you have felt s o m e o b l i g a t i o n after his d e a t h , to try to bring his murderer to j u s t i c e ? " "Perhaps . . . " " A n d do you feel no s u c h o b l i g a t i o n now, simply out of respect for a n old friendship? W h y d o you h e s i t a t e t o answer?" " D o e s n ' t everyone k n o w w h o was b e h i n d D i o ' s murder?"

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"Who?" " K i n g Ptolemy, o f c o u r s e . " " W a s it K i n g P t o l e m y w h o slipped poison i n t o D i o ' s soup in t h e house o f L u c c e i u s ? W a s i t P t o l e m y h i m s e l f w h o stole i n t o D i o ' s r o o m and stabbed h i m t o d e a t h ? " " N o , o f course n o t . I t was s o m e o n e a c t i n g o n t h e king's b e h a l f — " " E x a c t l y . A n d do you feel no o b l i g a t i o n to see that this person is punished, if o n l y to give solace to D i o ' s s h a d e ? " " A s i c i u s h a s already b e e n tried for t h e c r i m e — " " A n d a c q u i t t e d , t h e s w i n e ! " H e r eyes flashed. " N e m e s i s will h a v e t o deal w i t h h i m i n h e r own fashion. B u t there's a n o t h e r m a n , e v e n more c u l p a b l e t h a n A s i c i u s , w h o has yet to be brought to j u s t i c e . You could h e l p , G o r d i a n u s . " T h o u g h t h e r e was n o c h a n c e t h a t t h e m e n i n t h e river c o u l d overhear, still I lowered my v o i c e . " I f you m e a n P o m p e y — " " P o m p e y ! Do you t h i n k I would send you against Pompey? T h a t would be like sending a o n e - a r m e d gladiator i n t o t h e a r e n a to take on an e l e p h a n t . " H e r laughter was like sand in my f a c e . " N o , G o r d i a n u s , what I want from you is very simple, a n d well w i t h i n your c a p a b i l i t i e s . How many t i m e s have you investigated t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s of a murder? How many t i m e s have you h e l p e d an advocate find e v i d e n c e t h a t would prove a m a n guilty or i n n o c e n t of such a c r i m e ? T h a t ' s all I want from you. I ' m n o t asking you to topple a king from his t h r o n e or pull down a colossus. O n l y h e l p m e bring down t h e wrath o f t h e law o n t h e m a n who killed D i o b y his own h a n d . H e l p m e punish t h e c o l d - b l o o d e d k i l l e r who plunged a dagger i n t o D i o ' s breast!" I e x p e l l e d a h e a v y b r e a t h and turned to stare at t h e sunlight on t h e river. " W h y do you h e s i t a t e , G o r d i a n u s ? I'll pay you for your labors, of course, a n d generously. B u t I e x p e c t e d you to leap at this opportunity, out of your respect for D i o . Is his shade n o t whispering in your ear e v e n now, pleading for v e n g e a n c e ? He asked for your h e l p o n c e before, w h i l e he was still a l i v e — " " T h e s e days, in a c a s e such as t h i s — i n a m a t t e r of m u r d e r — I usually defer to my s o n E c o . H e ' s younger, stronger, quicker. T h o s e things often matter w h e n t h e stakes are so h i g h . S h a r p ears and eyes c a n m e a n t h e difference b e t w e e n life a n d d e a t h . An old fellow like m y s e l f — " " B u t your s o n n e v e r k n e w D i o , did h e ? " " E v e n so, I t h i n k it's E c o you w a n t . " " W e l l , n e v e r h a v i n g s e e n h i m , it's hard for me to say w h e t h e r I would want h i m or n o t . D o e s he l o o k like a younger version of y o u ? " S h e looked me up and down, as if I were a slave on t h e a u c t i o n b l o c k .

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I b i t my lip for h a v i n g m e n t i o n e d E c o , imagining h i m in my p l a c e , a l o n e w i t h s u c h a c r e a t u r e . W h a t was I t h i n k i n g , r e c o m m e n d i n g h i m to her? " B o t h of my sons are a d o p t e d , " I said. " T h e y l o o k n o t h i n g like me." " T h e y must be ugly, t h e n , " she said, affecting a frown of disapp o i n t m e n t . " W e l l , t h e n , you're t h e m a n I want, G o r d i a n u s , a n d there's n o way around it. W i l l you h e l p m e o r n o t ? " I hesitated. "For Dio's sake?" I sighed, seeing no way out. "You want me to find out w h o murdered Dio?" " N o , n o ! " S h e s h o o k h e r h e a d . " D i d n ' t I m a k e myself clear? W e already k n o w t h a t . W h a t I n e e d from you is your h e l p in c o l l e c t i n g evidence to convict the man." "You k n o w w h o murdered D i o ? " " O f c o u r s e . You k n o w h i m , t o o , I'm sure. U n t i l a few days ago, he lived just up t h e street from you. His n a m e is M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " I stared at h e r blankly. " H o w do you k n o w t h a t ? " S h e l e a n e d forward, absently running h e r h a n d s over h e r thighs. T h e m o v e m e n t pressed h e r breasts t o g e t h e r a n d caused t h e s h e e r c l o t h w h i c h o u t l i n e d h e r nipples t o s h i m m e r . " U n t i l recently, M a r c u s C a e l i u s a n d I were on r a t h e r i n t i m a t e terms. He a n d my b r o t h e r were also c l o s e . You m i g h t say t h a t C a e l i u s was almost like a b r o t h e r to b o t h of u s . " T h e way s h e said it, t h e i m p l i c a t i o n was vaguely o b s c e n e . " G o o n . " " N o t long before t h e p o i s o n a t t e m p t was m a d e o n D i o i n t h e h o u s e of Lucius L u c c e i u s , C a e l i u s c a m e to me asking to borrow a c o n s i d e r a b l e sum o f m o n e y . " "So?" " H e told m e h e n e e d e d t h e m o n e y t o pay for some games b e i n g h e l d i n his h o m e t o w n , I n t e r a m n i a . A p p a r e n t l y C a e l i u s has a n h o n o r a r y post o n t h e l o c a l c o u n c i l t h e r e . I n return, there's a n o b l i g a t i o n t o h e l p pay for l o c a l festivals; t h a t ' s t h e way C a e l i u s e x p l a i n e d it to m e , anyway. I t wasn't t h e f i r s t t i m e h e asked t o borrow m o n e y from m e . " " D i d you always o b l i g e h i m ? " "Usually. You m i g h t say I h a d developed a h a b i t of indulging M a r c u s C a e l i u s . H e always repaid m e , but seldom w i t h m o n e y . " " T h e n how?" " W i t h favors." " P o l i t i c a l favors?" C l o d i a laughed. "Hardly. Let's just say t h a t I h a d an i t c h a n d C a e l i u s k n e w how to s c r a t c h it. B u t I'm digressing. As I said, t h e sum of m o n e y

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he asked to borrow was rather l a r g e — c o n s i d e r a b l y larger t h a n h e ' d ever requested b e f o r e . " " E n o u g h to pay for an awful lot of s c r a t c h i n g , " I said. H e r eyes flashed. " W h y , yes, perhaps that's what I was t h i n k i n g when I foolishly agreed to give C a e l i u s t h e l o a n . Afterward, I b e c a m e apprehensive, a n d m a d e s o m e inquiries. I m a g i n e my displeasure w h e n I discovered t h a t t h e games at I n t e r a m n i a are h e l d in t h e a u t u m n , n o t t h e spring. C a e l i u s ' s pretense for t h e l o a n was a c o m p l e t e f i c t i o n . " " H e would hardly be t h e first young m a n to lie to a beautiful w o m a n to get h e r m o n e y . " C l o d i a smiled at this, a n d I realized t h a t I h a d c a l l e d h e r beautiful without e v e n t h i n k i n g ; I h a d m e a n t to say 'an older w o m a n , ' surely. T h e flattery was all t h e m o r e s i n c e r e for b e i n g spontaneous, a n d I t h i n k she sensed this. H e r smile faded. " I b e l i e v e M a r c u s C a e l i u s used t h e m o n e y t o o b t a i n poison a n d t h e n t o b r i b e o n e o r m o r e o f Lucceius's slaves t o try t o kill Dio with i t . " "You said it was a large sum of m o n e y . " "Poison isn't c h e a p ; t h e stuff has to be reliable, and so does t h e person selling it. N o r is it c h e a p to b r i b e t h e slaves of a r i c h m a s t e r to c o m m i t such a c r i m e . " C l o d i a spoke w i t h authority, as if she h a d personal knowledge o f s u c h matters. " T h e c o n n e c t i o n o c c u r r e d t o m e o n l y later, after D i o was dead. L i t t l e t h i n g s — t h e t o n e o f Caelius's v o i c e a n d t h e look o n his face w h e n e v e r t h e subject o f D i o arose, cryptic c o m m e n t s he would m a k e , my own i n t u i t i o n . " " T h e s e are hardly e v i d e n c e . " " E v i d e n c e is w h a t I want from you, G o r d i a n u s . " " W h a t e v e r t h e truth o f t h e matter, i t wasn't t h e poison a t t e m p t that killed D i o . W h a t about t h e s t a b b i n g ? " "Early on t h e e v e n i n g of t h e murder, C a e l i u s was at my h o u s e , w h i c h isn't far from t h a t of T i t u s C o p o n i u s , w h e r e D i o was killed. C a e l i u s was carrying a k n i f e , c o n c e a l e d inside his t u n i c . " " I f i t was c o n c e a l e d , h o w — " "I assure you, n o t h i n g on M a r c u s Caelius's person was h i d d e n from me t h a t n i g h t , " s h e said w i t h a b r i t t l e smile. " H e was carrying a dagger. He was also nervous a n d fretful, in a state such as I h a d n e v e r s e e n h i m in before, a n d d r i n k i n g m o r e t h a n was good for h i m . I asked w h a t was wrong; h e said t h e r e was a n unpleasant task ahead o f h i m , a n d t h a t h e would be relieved w h e n it was d o n e . I pressed h i m to tell me w h a t it was, b u t he refused. You m e n , w i t h your little secrets. I said, ' T h i s unpleasant task w h i c h you dread so m u c h — I h o p e it's n o t t h e task I

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asked you h e r e t o p e r f o r m . ' ' O f course n o t ! ' h e said, and p r o c e e d e d t o d e m o n s t r a t e as m u c h . B u t our lovemaking t h a t n i g h t was a disappointm e n t , to say t h e least. C a e l i u s was about as effectual as o n e of our shriveled friends in t h e river today. Later, w h e n his friend A s i c i u s c a m e by to c o l l e c t h i m , C a e l i u s was eager to leave. W e l l t h e n , I t h o u g h t , let t h e boys go off a n d play w i t h e a c h other. A little later that n i g h t — o n l y m o m e n t s after t h e two of t h e m left my doorstep, I i m a g i n e — D i o was stabbed to death." I paused for a long m o m e n t before speaking, puzzled n o t by t h e details of C l o d i a ' s story b u t by h e r w h o l e m a n n e r of speaking. I had n e v e r h e a r d a w o m a n t a l k of h e r sexual relations in such frank terms, a n d w i t h s u c h a c i d in h e r v o i c e . "You realize t h a t everything you've told m e c o n n e c t i n g C a e l i u s w i t h D i o ' s murder i s merely c i r c u m s t a n t i a l . " " T h e n here is another circumstance: the n e x t night, when Caelius c a m e c a l l i n g o n m e , h e brought m e a little g i f t — a silver n e c k l a c e w i t h lapis a n d c a r n e l i a n b a u b l e s — a n d boasted t h a t he c o u l d now repay every sesterce o f t h e m o n e y h e h a d borrowed from m e . " " A n d did h e repay y o u ? " S h e laughed. " O f course n o t . B u t from t h e way h e talked, I h a d n o doubt t h a t h e h a d c o m e i n t o some m o n e y . H e h a d performed his task, you see, a n d b e e n h a n d s o m e l y paid off." "Is this merely your a s s u m p t i o n ? " C l o d i a wasn't listening. S h e stared a t t h e r o o f o f t h e t e n t , r e m e m b e r i n g . " O u r l o v e m a k i n g t h a t n i g h t was quite t h e reverse o f t h e previous e v e n i n g . C a e l i u s was a veritable M i n o t a u r — h o r n s r a m p a n t , eyes aflame, his flanks glossy w i t h sweat . . . " I o p e n e d my m o u t h to speak, but before I c o u l d interrupt h e r it was d o n e for me by t h e approaching sound of a m a n ' s laughter, deep and throaty, a c c o m p a n i e d b y splashing footsteps. C l o d i a snapped out o f h e r reverie a n d sat forward on h e r c o u c h . On h e r face was a l o o k of pure joy. I turned to see a m a n taking h i g h steps through t h e shallows along t h e riverbank, striding toward t h e t e n t . Like t h e o t h e r m e n i n t h e river h e was naked. T h e light o f t h e lowering sun glittered o n t h e water b e h i n d h i m , c a s t i n g h i m i n s h i m m e r i n g silhouette; beads o f water o n his shoulders a n d limbs sparkled like points of w h i t e flame o u t l i n i n g t h e dark mass o f his body. A s h e e m e r g e d from t h e river h e raised his hands a n d pressed t h e water from his hair, showing t h e sleek muscularity of his shoulders a n d arms. On dry l a n d his stride b e c a m e a swagger, and t h o u g h his features were still shadowed in s i l h o u e t t e , I c o u l d see t h e flash of a broad smile o n his face. " D a r l i n g ! " T h e word emerged from C l o d i a ' s lips like a b r e a t h m a d e

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audible, as u n c a l c u l a t e d as a m o a n or a sigh. T h e r e was no p r e t e n s e or teasing i n h e r v o i c e , n o slyness o r i n n u e n d o . S h e sprang from t h e c o u c h to m e e t t h e m a n as he stepped i n t o t h e t e n t . It was hard to say w h i c h o f t h e m looked m o r e naked, t h e sinewy, l o n g - l i m b e d m a n wearing n o t h ing but beads of water, or C l o d i a in h e r gown of transparent yellow silk. T h e y e m b r a c e d a n d kissed e a c h o t h e r o n t h e m o u t h . A f t e r a m o m e n t C l o d i a drew b a c k a n d t o o k his hands in hers. W h e r e h e r gown h a d b e c o m e wet from b e i n g pressed against his body, the silk was e v e n m o r e transparent a n d was m o l d e d to h e r like a s e c o n d skin. S h e turned h e r h e a d , saw m e gaping a n d laughed. T h e m a n did likewise, as if he were h e r mirror image. " B u t d a r l i n g , " she said, squeezing his hands and giggling like a girl, "why d i d n ' t you simply c o m e i n through t h e t e n t flap? W h a t o n e a r t h were you doing out in t h e water w i t h t h e others? A n d w h e n did you j o i n them? H o w c o u l d I n o t have n o t i c e d ? " "I o n l y just arrived," he said, w i t h a laugh deeper t h a n C l o d i a ' s but u n c a n n i l y similar. "I t h o u g h t it would be fun to slip in a m o n g your admirers a n d see if I c o u l d a t t r a c t your n o t i c e . W h i c h I didn't, apparently!" " B u t I was distracted, darling, by s o m e t h i n g very i m p o r t a n t ! " S h e nodded toward me a n d affected a sober expression. T h e teasing t o n e h a d returned to h e r v o i c e . S h e was performing again, but for w h o m ? "It's about D i o , darling, and t h e trial. T h i s is G o r d i a n u s , t h e m a n I t o l d you about. H e ' s g o i n g to h e l p us punish M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " T h e m a n t u r n e d his b e a m i n g smile o n m e . I recognized h i m now, of course. I h a d s e e n h i m at a d i s t a n c e in t h e Forum on many o c c a s i o n s , haranguing his m o b of followers or keeping c o m p a n y w i t h t h e great powers o f t h e S e n a t e , b u t n e v e r naked a n d wet w i t h his h a i r slicked b a c k . H o w very m u c h like his sister Publius C l o d i u s looked, especially w h e n o n e saw t h e t w o of t h e m together, side by side.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

E

L

E

V

E

N

I r e m e m b e r s o m e t h i n g you used to tell m e , Papa, w h e n I was starting out on my own: ' N e v e r a c c e p t a c o m m i s s i o n w i t h o u t o b t a i n i n g s o m e sort of retainer, no m a t t e r how s m a l l . ' " E c o c o c k e d his h e a d a n d gave me a p e n e t r a t i n g look. " W h a t is your p o i n t ? " I said. " W e l l , w h e n you left C l o d i a ' s h o r t i this a f t e r n o o n , was your purse h e a v i e r t h a n w h e n you arrived?" T h i s was his way of asking i f I h a d a c c e p t e d C l o d i a ' s c o m m i s s i o n t o investigate t h e murder o f D i o — h o w typical o f E c o t o get directly t o t h e h e a r t o f t h e matter! D e s p i t e t h e summerlike warmth of t h e day, darkness h a d fallen early; it was still t h e m o n t h of M a r t i u s , after all. By t h e t i m e I left C l o d i a ' s h o r t i , shortly after h e r brother's arrival, t h e sun was already sinking, turning t h e T i b e r i n t o a s h e e t of flaming gold. It was twilight by t h e t i m e B e l b o a n d I r e a c h e d h o m e , trudging b a c k across t h e bridge, through t h e shut-down c a t t l e markets and b a c k up t h e Palatine. N i g h t fell, w i t h a slight c h i l l in t h e air. A f t e r a hurried m e a l w i t h B e t h e s d a a n d D i a n a , despite t h e tiredness of my legs I again set out w i t h B e l b o across t h e c i t y to take c o u n s e l w i t h my elder son. W e sat i n t h e study o f t h e house o n t h e Esquiline H i l l , w h i c h h a d o n c e b e e n my house a n d my father's before that. N o w it b e l o n g e d to E c o a n d his b r o o d . His wife M e n e n i a was elsewhere, probably trying to put t o b e d t h e squabbling t w i n s , whose h i g h - p i t c h e d screams o f laughter o c c a s i o n a l l y r e n t t h e c o o l e v e n i n g air. I h a d just described to E c o my interview w i t h C l o d i a , up to t h e arrival of h e r b r o t h e r a n d my departure shortly thereafter.

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" W h e n I left t h e lady's h o r t i , " I said, "my purse was substantially heavier." " S o you did a c c e p t h e r c o m m i s s i o n ? " I nodded. " T h e n you d o believe t h a t M a r c u s C a e l i u s murdered D i o ? " "I didn't say t h a t . " " B u t you'll b e l o o k i n g for e v i d e n c e t o c o n v i c t h i m . " " I f such e v i d e n c e e x i s t s . " " C l o d i a ' s reasons for suspecting h i m seem to me tenuous, at b e s t , " said E c o . " B u t t h e n , you've b e g u n investigations w i t h less to go on and still m a n a g e d to dig up t h e t r u t h . " "Yes. B u t to be h o n e s t , I'm a little uneasy about t h e w h o l e affair." " I should t h i n k s o ! " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " W e l l , Papa, everyone knows t h a t C a e l i u s and C l o d i a were lovers. A n d C a e l i u s a n d C l o d i u s are political allies and drinking partners, or used to b e . For t h a t matter, t h e r e may have b e e n s o m e t h i n g m o r e t h a n friendship b e t w e e n t h e two o f t h e m . O r t h e t h r e e o f t h e m , I should say." "You m e a n t h e t h r e e o f t h e m i n o n e b e d ? " E c o shrugged. " D o n ' t l o o k surprised. A w o m a n like C l o d i a — w e l l , you said yourself t h a t t h e r e wasn't a p i e c e of furniture in t h e t e n t e x c e p t for h e r c o u c h . " "So?" "Papa! You assumed t h a t you were m e a n t to stand. F r o m w h a t I've heard, t h e w o m a n i s m o r e h o s p i t a b l e t h a n that. I f t h e r e was n o chair, only a single c o u c h , perhaps t h a t m e a n t t h a t you were invited to recline." "Eco!" " W e l l , from t h e dress you say she was w e a r i n g — " "I should h a v e b e e n less d e s c r i p t i v e . " "You should have taken me along w i t h you. T h e n I could h a v e s e e n for myself." "You're well i n t o your thirties now, son. You should be able to t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n g besides s e x . " " M e n e n i a never c o m p l a i n s . " H e g r i n n e d . I tried to m a k e a grunt of disapproval, w h i c h c a m e out sounding m o r e like a h u m of curiosity. E c o had c h o s e n a b l a c k - h a i r e d b e a u t y n o t unlike B e t h e s d a for his wife. In how many o t h e r ways was she like B e thesda? I had w o n d e r e d about this from t i m e to t i m e , in t h e perfectly natural way t h a t a m a n of my years ponders t h e younger g e n e r a t i o n and t h e i r goings-on. E c o and M e n e n i a . . . naked Clodius and his sister in h e r transparent gown . . .

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A t just t h a t m o m e n t , o n e o f t h e twins let o u t a s c r e a m from elsew h e r e in t h e h o u s e . I was j o l t e d from my reverie, rudely r e m i n d e d t h a t physical pleasure c a n have c o n s e q u e n c e s . " W e stray from t h e s u b j e c t , " I said. "I told you I felt uneasy a b o u t a c c e p t i n g this c o m m i s s i o n from C l o d i a , and you said, 'I should t h i n k so.' " " W e l l , it all seems r a t h e r unsavory, d o n ' t you t h i n k ? Perhaps e v e n suspicious. I m e a n , there's an odd smell to it. L o o k , Papa, all you really l e a r n e d a b o u t C a e l i u s from your interview w i t h C l o d i a is t h a t he borrowed s o m e m o n e y from an older, r i c h e r w o m a n — u n d e r false pretenses, to be s u r e — a n d failed to repay her. O h , and t h a t he happens to carry a knife on his person, w h i c h is t e c h n i c a l l y illegal inside t h e c i t y walls b u t d o n e by m o s t people w i t h any c o m m o n sense these days. U n t i l very r e c e n t l y t h e s e t w o were lovers, a n d now she's after e v i d e n c e t o c o n v i c t h i m o f murder. W h a t are we to m a k e of that? Caelius was h e r brother's confidant, and n o w t h e two C l o d i i a c c u s e h i m of being a hired assassin for K i n g Ptolemy, or for Pompey, w h i c h is t h e same t h i n g . W h y , Clodius is C a e lius's l a n d l o r d — C a e l i u s lives in t h a t a p a r t m e n t just up t h e street from you." I s h o o k my h e a d . " N o t anymore. Clodius k i c k e d h i m o u t . " "When?" "A few days ago. I d i d n ' t know about it until today w h e n C l o d i u s told m e h i m s e l f — s t a n d i n g there naked i n t h e t e n t , dripping wet, n o n c h a l a n t l y discussing his real estate w i t h m e . Funny, t h e gallus and I walked by t h e p l a c e on our way to C l o d i a ' s house and w h e n I saw t h a t all t h e shutters were c l o s e d on such a warm day, I t h o u g h t C a e l i u s must be inside sleeping off a hangover. Instead it turns out t h a t t h e a p a r t m e n t is empty. C a e l i u s has g o n e b a c k to live at his father's house on t h e Q u i r i n a l H i l l — w h e r e h e ' l l undoubtedly stay, until his trial is finished." " T h e n they're definitely bringing charges against h i m ? " " O h yes, charges h a v e already b e e n filed. B u t not by C l o d i u s . " " T h e n by whom?" " C a n you guess?" E c o s h o o k his h e a d . " M a r c u s C a e l i u s has t o o many e n e m i e s for m e to hazard a guess." " T h e charges were filed b y t h e seventeen-year-old s o n o f Lucius Calpurnius Bestia." E c o laughed and m i m e d w i t h his o u t s t r e t c h e d arm. " 'Judges, I do n o t p o i n t t h e finger of g u i l t — I p o i n t at the guilty finger!' " " S o you k n o w t h a t story?" " O f course, Papa. Everyone knows about C a e l i u s accusing B e s t i a o f p o i s o n i n g his wives. I only regret t h a t you a n d I were g o n e visiting M e t o

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when t h a t trial t o o k p l a c e . I h e a r d about it s e c o n d h a n d from M e n e n i a . " " I t was B e t h e s d a w h o told me about it. W e l l , it looks as if B e s t i a may s o o n e x a c t his revenge o n C a e l i u s . " " H a s t h e date for t h e trial b e e n s e t ? " "Yes. T h e charges were actually filed five days ago. G i v e n t h e customary t e n days allowed for t h e two sides to prepare their arguments, that puts t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e trial only five days from n o w . " " S o s o o n ! You d o n ' t have m u c h t i m e . " " I s n ' t t h a t always t h e way? T h e y c o m e to us t h i n k i n g we c a n pull e v i d e n c e out o f t h i n a i r . " E c o c o c k e d his h e a d . " B u t wait, you're saying t h e trial will start two days after t h e N o n e s of A p r i l i s . If it goes on for m o r e t h a n a day it would overlap w i t h t h e o p e n i n g o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival." I n o d d e d . " T h e trial will go on despite t h e holiday. Lesser courts are suspended during t h e festival, but n o t t h e court for p o l i t i c a l terrorism. " P o l i t i c a l terrorism? T h e n it's n o t a simple murder t r i a l ? " "Hardly. T h e r e are four charges against C a e l i u s . T h e first t h r e e accuse h i m o f organizing t h e a t t a c k s o n t h e A l e x a n d r i a n e m b a s s y — t h e m i d n i g h t raids in N e a p o l i s , t h e s t o n i n g in Puteoli a n d t h e fire at t h e estate o f Palla. I'll take n o part i n investigating those matters. M y o n l y c o n c e r n is t h e fourth c h a r g e , w h i c h relates directly to D i o . It accuses Caelius o f a t t e m p t i n g t o poison D i o a t t h e house o f L u c c e i u s . " " W h a t a b o u t t h e a c t u a l murder, t h e stabbing a t C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e ? " " T e c h n i c a l l y , that's also included. B u t Publius A s i c i u s has already b e e n a c q u i t t e d , a n d t h e p r o s e c u t i o n is wary of trying to prove t h e s a m e case against C a e l i u s . Instead, t h e y want t o c o n c e n t r a t e o n t h e earlier poisoning a t t e m p t . Of course, I'll find out w h a t I c a n about t h e s t a b b i n g at C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e , as a corroborative d e t a i l . " " A n d to satisfy your own c u r i o s i t y . " " O f course." E c o pressed his fingertips t o g e t h e r . " A politically c h a r g e d trial, h e l d during a holiday w h e n R o m e will be packed w i t h visitors, w i t h C i c e r o ' s estranged protege as t h e accused a n d a scandalous w o m a n in t h e b a c k g r o u n d — t h i s c o u l d turn i n t o a s p e c t a c l e , P a p a . " I g r o a n e d . " A l l t h e m o r e reason for my misgivings. A l l I n e e d n o w is for s o m e of Pompey's or K i n g Ptolemy's strong-armers to c o m e b a n g i n g at my door, warning me to b a c k away from t h e investigation." E c o raised a n eyebrow. " D o you t h i n k that's likely t o h a p p e n ? " "I h o p e n o t . B u t I have a bad feeling about t h e w h o l e affair. As you said, there's an odd smell to it. I d o n ' t like i t . " " T h e n why n o t b a c k away? You d o n ' t owe C l o d i a any f a v o r s — o r

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do you? A r e you t e l l i n g me everything that h a p p e n e d in h e r t e n t today?" H e affected a n i n s i n u a t i n g s m i l e . " D o n ' t be absurd. I owe t h e w o m a n n o t h i n g b u t t h e retainer I left w i t h . B u t I do feel an o b l i g a t i o n . " H e n o d d e d . " T o D i o , you m e a n . " "Yes. I refused h i m to his face w h e n he asked me for h e l p . T h e n I talked myself out o f going t o t h e trial o f A s i c i u s — " "You were s i c k , P a p a . " "Yes, b u t was I that s i c k ? A n d t h e n , w h e n A s i c i u s was a c q u i t t e d , I told myself t h a t was t h e e n d of it. B u t how could it be t h e end, w i t h no o n e c o n v i c t e d o f t h e c r i m e ? H o w could D i o b e a t rest? S t i l l , I m a n a g e d to s h u n t h e o b l i g a t i o n I felt, to shove such thoughts to t h e b a c k of my m i n d — u n t i l yesterday, w h e n t h e gallus arrived to bring me face to face w i t h my o w n responsibility. It was C l o d i a w h o s u m m o n e d m e , but it wasn't only h e r . " "Her brother Clodius as well?" " N o , I m e a n to say t h a t t h o s e two are only t h e agents of s o m e t h i n g larger. It begins w i t h D i o , but where it ends only t i m e will tell. S o m e greater power s e e m s d e t e r m i n e d to pull me i n t o this m a t t e r . " "Nemesis?" " I was t h i n k i n g o f a n o t h e r goddess: C y b e l e . I t was o n e o f h e r priests w h o a c c o m p a n i e d D i o t o m y house, and t h e same priest w h o c a m e for me yesterday. Do you t h i n k it's only a c o i n c i d e n c e t h a t t h e trial will be h e l d during t h e G r e a t M o t h e r f e s t i v a l — t h e c e l e b r a t i o n c o n s e c r a t e d t o C y b e l e ? You know, it was o n e of C l o d i a ' s ancestresses w h o saved t h e statue of C y b e l e from b e i n g lost in t h e T i b e r w h e n it was brought from t h e East long ago. D o you sense t h e l i n k ? " "Papa, you grow m o r e religious as you grow older," said E c o quietly. "Perhaps. M o r e fearful of t h e gods, anyway, if n o t m o r e respectful. L e a v e t h e m out of it, t h e n . S a y t h a t this is merely b e t w e e n myself and t h e shade o f D i o . M y sense o f o b l i g a t i o n runs deeper t h a n m y misgivings." E c o n o d d e d gravely. A s usual, h e understood m e completely. " W h a t do you want from m e , P a p a ? " " I ' m n o t sure yet. Perhaps n o t h i n g . Perhaps only to listen to my doubts, and n o d if I say s o m e t h i n g t h a t r e m o t e l y makes s e n s e . " H e t o o k m y h a n d i n h i s . " T e l l m e i f you n e e d m o r e t h a n t h a t , Papa. Promise m e . " " I promise, E c o . " He released me a n d sat b a c k . F r o m elsewhere in t h e house I heard o n e of t h e t w i n s s h r i e k i n g . Surely it was t i m e for t h e m to be in bed, I t h o u g h t . T h r o u g h t h e gaps in t h e shutters I could see that t h e world outside was dark.

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" W h a t does B e t h e s d a t h i n k ? " said E c o . I smiled. " W h a t makes you t h i n k I told h e r a n y t h i n g ? " "You must h a v e told h e r s o m e t h i n g w h e n you ate d i n n e r w i t h h e r tonight." " Y e s — a s o m e w h a t expurgated version o f m y visit t o C l o d i a ' s horti." " H a ! B e t h e s d a would have appreciated t h e detail o f t h e naked b a t h ers, I t h i n k . " E c o laughed. "Perhaps, b u t I left t h e m o u t of it. Just as I left out t h e d e s c r i p t i o n of t h e dress w h i c h seems to have intrigued you so m u c h . " " I t h i n k i t intrigued you f i r s t , Papa. A n d Clodius's e m e r g e n c e from the river, as n a k e d as a fish from t h e s e a ? " " O m i t t e d — t h o u g h I did leave in t h e siblings' e m b r a c e . " " A n d t h e i r kiss?" " A n d t h e kiss. W e l l , I had to give B e t h e s d a some grist for g o s s i p . " " A n d w h a t does s h e t h i n k o f t h e a c c u s a t i o n against M a r c u s C a e lius?" " B e t h e s d a stated quite flatly t h a t it was absurd." "Really?" " ' I m p o s s i b l e ! ' she said. ' M a r c u s C a e l i u s could never have c o m mitted t h e c r i m e . T h e w o m a n is defaming h i m ! ' I asked h e r upon w h a t she based h e r o p i n i o n , but t h e Medusa l o o k was t h e only answer I g o t . B e t h e s d a h a s always h a d a weakness for our dashing young n e i g h b o r . Or e x - n e i g h b o r , I should now say." " S h e ' l l miss h a v i n g h i m living just up t h e s t r e e t . " " W e shall all miss t h e o c c a s i o n a l s p e c t a c l e o f w a t c h i n g C a e l i u s stumble out his front door in t h e middle of t h e day w i t h tousled hair and b l o o d s h o t eyes, or seeing h i m carouse through t h e street w i t h a prostitute from t h e Subura, or h e a r i n g his drunk friends r e c i t e o b s c e n e poetry from his window at n i g h t — " "Papa, s t o p ! " E c o c h o k e d w i t h laughter. " I t ' s no j o k i n g matter, I suppose," I said, suddenly grim. " T h e young man's w h o l e future is at stake. If he's c o n v i c t e d , t h e best t h a t M a r c u s C a e l i u s c a n h o p e for will be a c h a n c e to flee into e x i l e . His family will be s h a m e d , his c a r e e r e n d e d , all his prospects r u i n e d . " " I t hardly seems p u n i s h m e n t e n o u g h , if he's guilty." "If h e ' s guilty," I said. " W h i c h it's up to me to find o u t . " " A n d i f you f i n d t h a t he's n o t guilty?" " I ' l l report t h a t t o C l o d i a . " " A n d will t h a t m a k e any difference t o h e r ? " said E c o shrewdly. "You k n o w as well as I do, E c o , t h a t R o m a n trials are only i n c i dentally a b o u t guilt and i n n o c e n c e . "

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"You m e a n t h a t C l o d i a may be m o r e interested in destroying C a e l i u s than in punishing Dio's killer?" " T h a t t h o u g h t has crossed my m i n d . A w o m a n s c o r n e d — " " U n l e s s it was she w h o s c o r n e d him, P a p a . " " I suppose that's o n e o f t h e things I'll n e e d t o find o u t . " " I f you b e l i e v e t h e rumors, C a e l i u s wouldn't be t h e first m a n she's destroyed," said E c o . " T h o u g h I suppose e x i l e and h u m i l i a t i o n are more merciful t h a n p o i s o n . " "You refer to t h e gossip t h a t she murdered h e r husband t h r e e years ago." H e n o d d e d . " T h e y say t h a t Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r was h e a l t h y o n e day a n d dead t h e n e x t . T h e y say t h a t his marriage to C l o d i a was always s t o r m y — a n d m o r e o v e r t h a t C e l e r and h e r b r o t h e r C l o d i u s h a d b e c o m e fierce e n e m i e s . T h e rift was ostensibly over p o l i t i c s — b u t w h a t m a n c o u l d abide h a v i n g a b r o t h e r - i n - l a w for a rival in his b e d ? " " B u t w h i c h b r o t h e r - i n - l a w was t h e usurper—Clodius . . . o r Celer?" He shrugged. "I suppose t h a t was up to C l o d i a to decide. C e l e r was t h e loser; h e lost his life. A n d now C a e l i u s ? Perhaps any m a n w h o c o m e s b e t w e e n this b r o t h e r a n d sister is risking m o r e t h a n he realizes." I s h o o k my h e a d . "You repeat t h e s e scandalous charges as if you k n e w t h e m t o b e true, E c o . " " O n l y b e c a u s e I t h i n k you should c o n s i d e r very carefully w h a t sort of p e o p l e you're dealing w i t h . You've made up your m i n d to go through w i t h this, t h e n ? " " T o try to find t h e truth about D i o ' s murder, y e s . " " U n d e r C l o d i a ' s auspices?" " I t was she w h o h i r e d m e . C i r c u m s t a n c e led h e r t o m e — c i r c u m stance, or Cybele." " B u t t h e p o l i t i c a l danger of associating yourself in any way w i t h Clodius—" " I ' v e m a d e up my m i n d . " He stroked his c h i n thoughtfully. " T h e n I t h i n k at t h e very least we should review w h a t we k n o w about these C l o d i i , before you go off pursuing t h e i r interests or p o c k e t i n g any m o r e of t h e i r silver." "Very well, w h a t do we k n o w about t h e m ? A n d let us be careful to separate fact from s l a n d e r . " E c o nodded. He spoke deliberately, carefully framing his t h o u g h t s . " T h e y are p a t r i c i a n s . T h e y c o m e from a very old, very distinguished family. T h e y h a v e many r e n o w n e d ancestors, many o f w h o m served a s consuls, w h o s e public works are scattered all over I t a l y — r o a d s , aqueducts, t e m p l e s , basilicas, gates, p o r t i c o e s , a r c h e s . T h e i r relatives are

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intermarried w i t h families of equal stature in such a tangle t h a t e v e n a silkmaker c o u l d n e v e r unravel all t h e threads. T h e C l o d i i are a t t h e h e a r t o f R o m e ' s ruling c l a s s . " " A s fractured a n d at odds w i t h itself as t h a t class may b e . Yes, t h e respectability o f t h e i r ancestry a n d t h e i r c o n n e c t i o n s i s beyond q u e s t i o n , " I agreed. " T h o u g h o n e always has to wonder how t h e r i c h a n d powerful b e c a m e so in t h e first p l a c e . " E c o s h o o k his finger at m e . "Now, Papa, you've already b e n t your own r u l e — m i x i n g facts w i t h i n n u e n d o . " " F a c t s o n l y , " I c o n c e d e d . " O r at least, anything n o t a fact must be clearly identified as hearsay," I a m e n d e d , realizing that it m i g h t o t h e r w i s e be impossible to talk about C l o d i a a n d C l o d i u s at all. " W e l l t h e n , " E c o c o n t i n u e d , " t o b e g i n with, there's t h e spelling of t h e i r n a m e . T h e p a t r i c i a n form is Claudius, and t h e i r father was A p p i u s Claudius. B u t C l o d i u s and all t h r e e of his sisters c h a n g e d t h e i r spelling o f t h e family n a m e t o t h e m o r e c o m m o n form some years ago, w i t h a n o, n o t t h e posh-sounding au. T h a t must have b e e n w h e n C l o d i u s decided to cast his lot as a populist p o l i t i c i a n a n d a rabble-rouser. I suppose it helps t o give h i m t h e c o m m o n t o u c h w h e n he's c o n s o r t i n g w i t h his hired strong-armers a n d b r i c k throwers, or canvassing for votes a m o n g t h o s e w h o live off t h e grain dole h e e s t a b l i s h e d . " "Yes, but w h a t advantage does it give to C l o d i a ? " I wondered. " F r o m your d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e goings-on a t h e r h o r t i this a f t e r n o o n , I'd i m a g i n e she craves t h e c o m m o n t o u c h as well. G o s s i p , I c o n f e s s ! " E c o hurriedly added, as I raised a finger. " A n o t h e r fact, t h e n , " I said. " T h e y ' r e n o t full-blooded s i b l i n g s . " "I thought they were." " N o , C l o d i a is t h e eldest of t h e lot, and she h a d a different m o t h e r from t h e rest. H e r m o t h e r died giving b i r t h to her, I believe. S o o n after, Appius C l a u d i u s married his s e c o n d wife and sired t h r e e boys a n d two m o r e girls, t h e youngest of t h e boys b e i n g Publius Claudius, now C l o d i u s . C l o d i u s must be about your age, E c o , thirty-five or so, a n d C l o d i a is about five years older t h a n h i m . " " T h e y ' r e o n l y h a l f siblings, t h e n , " E c o said. " S o any c o p u l a t i o n — c o n j e c t u r a l or o t h e r w i s e — w o u l d be o n l y h a l f incest, I suppose." " N o t t h a t such a d i s t i n c t i o n would m a t t e r to anyone this side of E g y p t , " I said. " A c t u a l l y — m o r e g o s s i p — o n e hears t h a t C l o d i u s has b e e n t h e lover o f all t h r e e o f his sisters, t h e two full-blooded, younger o n e s as well as his big sister C l o d i a . Just as o n e hears that C l o d i u s was g r o o m e d as a c a t a m i t e by his older brothers w h e n he was a boy, to sell his sexual favors to wealthy rakes." " B u t I t h o u g h t C l o d i u s a n d his family were wealthy to b e g i n w i t h . "

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"Fabulously wealthy by our standards, E c o , but n o t by t h o s e of t h e i r peers. D u r i n g t h e c i v i l wars, w h e n C l o d i a a n d C l o d i u s were c h i l d r e n , t h e i r father A p p i u s was o n t h e side o f S u l l a . W h e n Sulla's fortunes e b b e d , A p p i u s h a d to flee R o m e for several years. His c h i l d r e n h a d to fend for t h e m s e l v e s in a c i t y full of e n e m i e s . C l o d i a , t h e oldest, was barely i n t o h e r t e e n s . I t c a n ' t h a v e b e e n easy for t h o s e c h i l d r e n . T h o s e were hard years for e v e r y o n e . " T h i s was s o m e t h i n g I hardly n e e d e d to tell E c o ; it was in t h o s e years of c h a o t i c c i v i l strife t h a t his o w n father h a d died and his m o t h e r h a d b e e n reduced t o such poverty t h a t she eventually a b a n d o n e d h i m to fend for h i m s e l f in t h e streets, until I t o o k h i m i n t o my h o m e and adopted h i m . " W h e n S u l l a eventually t r i u m p h e d a n d b e c a m e dictator, Appius C l a u d i u s r e t u r n e d a n d for a short while thrived. He was e l e c t e d c o n s u l i n t h e year t h a t S u l l a retired. T h e n h e t o o k his reward, a p r o v i n c i a l g o v e r n o r s h i p — o f M a c e d o n i a , I t h i n k — w h e r e h e c o u l d b l e e d t h e locals for t a x e s , c o l l e c t t r i b u t e from t h e i r chieftains a n d thus provide his sons b a c k h o m e w i t h silver t o start t h e i r p o l i t i c a l careers and his daughters w i t h dowries. So it goes for a R o m a n w i t h a successful p o l i t i c a l career. B u t n o t i n t h e c a s e o f A p p i u s Claudius. H e died i n M a c e d o n i a . T h e t a x e s a n d tributes were c o l l e c t e d by his successor, and t h e o n l y t h i n g t h e c h i l d r e n o f A p p i u s Claudius got b a c k from M a c e d o n i a were t h e ashes o f t h e i r father. T h e y must h a v e g o n e t h r o u g h a b a d p a t c h after t h a t . T h e y were n e v e r s o p o o r t h a t t h e y dropped from sight, but o n e c a n i m a g i n e t h e m s c r i m p i n g a n d c u t t i n g c o r n e r s t o keep u p a p p e a r a n c e s — t h e k i n d o f p e t t y h u m i l i a t i o n s t h a t privileged p a t r i c i a n s f i n d s o galling. " A n d w i t h o u t a father in t h e house, t h e c h i l d r e n must have m a d e t h e i r o w n rules. D i d young C l o d i u s and his sisters carry on like rutting s h e e p w i t h o u t a s h e p h e r d to separate t h e m ? I d o n ' t know, but growing up in a turbulent, o f t e n h o s t i l e c i t y w i t h t h e i r father a b s e n t for years at a t i m e , a n d t h e n losing h i m w h i l e t h e y were still quite young, must have b r o u g h t t h e siblings c l o s e t o g e t h e r — p e r h a p s u n c o m m o n l y o r e v e n unnaturally c l o s e . A n d w h i l e I seriously doubt t h a t young C l o d i u s was ever a prostitute i n t h e strictly c o m m e r c i a l s e n s e — t h a t k i n d o f talk reeks o f s l a n d e r — g i v e n t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , it's n o t hard t o imagine h i m using w h a t e v e r attributes he possessed to curry favor w i t h t h o s e w h o c o u l d h e l p h i m a n d his b r o t h e r s get a h e a d . It's also n o t hard t o imagine t h a t t h e r e were t h o s e w h o found h i m desirable. E v e n now C l o d i u s still has t h e l o o k of a b o y — s l e e k - l i m b e d , slender-hipped, b r o a d - c h e s t e d . S m o o t h skin. A f a c e like his sister's . . . " "Yes, I was forgetting t h a t you've just s e e n h i m n a k e d , " said E c o , raising his eyebrows. I ignored h i s teasing. " T h e third n a m e a t t a c h e d t o t h e i r b r a n c h o f

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the C l a u d i a n l i n e is Pulcher, you k n o w — ' b e a u t i f u l . ' Clodius's full n a m e is Publius C l o d i u s Pulcher, and his sister is C l o d i a Pulcher. I d o n ' t k n o w how far b a c k t h e n a m e goes, or w h i c h of t h e i r ancestors was vain e n o u g h to add it, b u t it c e r t a i n l y fits t h e c u r r e n t g e n e r a t i o n . Pulcher, indeed! A n d yes, I speak advisedly, h a v i n g just s e e n b o t h of t h e m naked, or n e a r e n o u g h — f a c t , n o t gossip! You know, I c a n well imagine t h a t t h e r e are those, h a v i n g s e e n t h e two o f t h e m together, w h o rather like t o picture C l o d i a a n d C l o d i u s m a k i n g love, w h e t h e r it's true or n o t . " "Papa, your eyes are glazing over!" " T h e y m o s t c e r t a i n l y are n o t . B u t never m i n d all t h a t . E v e r y o n e knows t h a t t h e C l o d i i are good-looking, a n d everyone suspects t h a t t h e y b o t h have far t o o m u c h sex for anyone's good. W h a t else do we k n o w about t h e m ? I t h i n k t h e first t i m e t h a t I ever heard of C l o d i u s was w h e n he a c t e d as a prosecutor in t h e trials of t h e Vestal V i r g i n s . " " A h , yes, w h e n h e accused C a t i l i n a o f seducing t h e Vestal F a b i a . " " B u t w h e n b o t h C a t i l i n a a n d t h e Vestal were a c q u i t t e d , t h i n g s got so h o t for C l o d i u s in R o m e that he h a d to flee down to B a i a e until t h e furor c o o l e d down. He burned his fingers on t h a t o n e . I d o n ' t suppose he was e v e n t w e n t y at t h e t i m e . I could never make out w h a t his o b j e c t was, e x c e p t to stir up trouble. Perhaps he wasn't quite sure himself, just testing his powers." " T h e n e x t t h i n g I r e m e m b e r a b o u t h i m h a p p e n e d a few years later," said E c o . " S o m e t h i n g about stirring up that mutiny a m o n g t h e troops." " A h , yes, w h e n he went off to serve in t h e East as a l i e u t e n a n t under his b r o t h e r - i n - l a w Lucullus. C l o d i u s styled h i m s e l f as t h e soldiers' c h a m p i o n . T h e y were already dissatisfied with t h e way Lucullus was driving t h e m from c a m p a i g n t o c a m p a i g n w i t h n o e n d i n sight a n d n o sure prospect of a reward, while Pompey's troops were already r e c e i v i n g farms a n d s e t t l e m e n t s for fewer years of s e r v i c e . C l o d i u s m a d e a famous speech to t h e troops, saying they deserved m o r e from t h e i r general t h a n t h e c h a n c e to lay down t h e i r lives p r o t e c t i n g his personal c a r a v a n of c a m e l s laden w i t h gold. ' I f we must n e v e r have an e n d to fighting, shouldn't we reserve what's left of our bodies and souls for a c o m m a n d e r who will r e c k o n his c h i e f glory to be t h e wealth of his soldiers?' " "Papa, w h a t a h e a d you've always h a d for r e m e m b e r i n g s p e e c h e s , even t h o s e you've h e a r d only s e c o n d h a n d ! " " S u c h a m e m o r y is as m u c h a curse as a blessing, E c o . Anyway, you c a n see t h a t C l o d i u s was a rabble-rouser even t h e n , m a k i n g h i m s e l f t h e a d v o c a t e of t h e masses against t h e i r rulers, setting h i m s e l f up in o p p o s i t i o n t o t h e status quo. N o wonder h e switched t o t h e p l e b e i a n form o f his n a m e . "

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" A n d t h e n m o r e s c a n d a l , " said E c o . " T h e affair o f t h e G o o d G o d dess." "Yes. W a s it o n l y six years ago? I r o n i c t h a t t h e m a n w h o started o u t by prosecuting a Vestal V i r g i n and h e r alleged lover should have g o t t e n h i m s e l f i n t o s u c h a sacrilegious scandal. T h e hearsay—gossip, n o t f a c t — w a s t h a t C l o d i u s was carrying on w i t h C a e s a r ' s wife, Pompeia, but C a e s a r h a d c a u g h t on a n d set his m o t h e r to w a t c h Pompeia like a hawk, so t h a t it b e c a m e impossible for t h e lovers to m e e t . N e v e r o n e to let his appetites b e d e n i e d , C l o d i u s c o n c o c t e d a s c h e m e t o r e a c h Pompeia. H e d e c i d e d t o s n e a k i n t o t h e w o m e n ' s festival o f t h e G o o d Goddess, Fauna, w h i c h was b e i n g h e l d t h a t year i n Caesar's h o u s e . N o m e n allowed, o f course. H o w c o u l d C l o d i u s get in? By dressing up as a w o m a n ! I m a g i n e h i m all f a n c i e d up as a singing girl in a saffron robe with purple h o s e a n d s l i p p e r s — I wonder if his sisters h e l p e d dress h i m up." "Perhaps it wasn't his first t i m e in a s t o l a , " said E c o . " I suppose h e c o u l d n ' t resist t h e idea o f taking P o m p e i a i n Caesar's o w n b e d , w i t h C a e s a r ' s o w n m o t h e r a n d scores o f o t h e r w o m e n c h a n t i n g a n d lighting i n c e n s e in t h e n e x t r o o m . I wonder if C l o d i u s p l a n n e d to keep his stola o n w h i l e h e did i t ? " "Papa, I o b j e c t ! You're letting your lurid i m a g i n a t i o n seduce you i n t o a c c e p t i n g hearsay, a n d t h e n c o m p o u n d i n g t h e slander." " G r a n t e d , E c o . I shall try to get b a c k to t h e facts. T h e story goes t h a t C l o d i u s a l m o s t pulled i t off. I n t h e haze o f t h e i n c e n s e and t h e c o n f u s i o n o f t h e c h a n t i n g and d a n c i n g — w h o knows w h a t sort o f rituals t h e s e w o m e n engage i n b e h i n d c l o s e d d o o r s ? — C l o d i u s m a n a g e d t o make his way i n t o t h e h o u s e a n d to find o n e of Pompeia's slave girls, w h o was e x p e c t i n g h i m . S h e w e n t t o f e t c h h e r mistress, but w h e n she failed t o return, C l o d i u s b e c a m e i m p a t i e n t and started wandering through t h e h o u s e on his own, staying o u t of t h e light as m u c h as he could, observing the proceedings." " W o u l d n ' t you love t o k n o w what h e saw?" " W o u l d n ' t every m a n , E c o ? B u t it was Clodius's bad fortune to be spotted by a n o t h e r serving girl, w h o saw his h e s i t a n t m a n n e r a n d inn o c e n t l y asked h i m w h o he was looking for. He told h e r he was looking for Pompeia's serving girl, but he was u n a b l e to disguise his deep v o i c e . T h e girl let out a s h r i e k . C l o d i u s m a n a g e d to h i d e in a storage r o o m , but t h e w o m e n lit t o r c h e s a n d s e a r c h e d t h e house until they rooted h i m o u t a n d drove h i m i n t o t h e s t r e e t . " " W e l l , " said E c o wryly, " i f n o t h i n g else, C l o d i u s disproved t h e old superstition we all l e a r n e d as boys, t h a t any m a n w h o witnesses t h e secret c e r e m o n i e s o f t h e G o o d G o d d e s s will b e instantly struck b l i n d . " " C l o d i u s c o u l d still s e e , granted, but he m i g h t have wished to be

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struck deaf, so as n o t to h e a r t h e c l a m o r he set off. T h e w o m e n went home and told t h e i r husbands, and you k n o w how m e n are w i t h gossip. By the n e x t m o r n i n g , t h e scandal was t h e talk of every tavern and street c o m e r i n R o m e . T h e pious were outraged, t h e impious were amused, and I have no doubt t h a t some from b o t h camps were m o r e t h a n a little envious. T h e m a t t e r was m u c h talked about for a season and t h e n put aside for m o n t h s , until some of Clodius's e n e m i e s decided to bring h i m to trial for sacrilege. " A t t h e trial, C l o d i u s c l a i m e d that h e was i n n o c e n t and t h a t t h e women were m i s t a k e n , because during t h e festival o f t h e G o o d G o d d e s s he had b e e n fifty miles from R o m e . C l o d i u s and C i c e r o were still on friendly terms b a c k t h e n , and w h e n t h e prosecution c a l l e d C i c e r o t o testify, C l o d i u s e x p e c t e d h i m to b a c k up his alibi. Instead, C i c e r o dutifully affirmed t h a t he h a d seen Clodius in R o m e on t h e day in q u e s t i o n . Clodius was infuriated. T h a t was t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e bad b l o o d b e t w e e n them." " B u t C l o d i u s was a c q u i t t e d n o n e t h e l e s s , " said E c o . "Yes, by a slim majority of t h e fifty-odd jurors. S o m e say t h e r e was outright bribery by b o t h sides; o t h e r s say t h a t t h e jurors simply voted along p o l i t i c a l lines. At any rate, C l o d i u s was v i n d i c a t e d and e m e r g e d stronger t h a n ever. He b e c a m e bolder about using t h e street gangs he had b e e n organizing to swell his retinue and intimidate his e n e m i e s . As for Caesar, t h e c u c k o l d e d husband, his o n l y response was to divorce Pompeia, e v e n t h o u g h h e publicly insisted t h a t n o t h i n g untoward h a d occurred b e t w e e n h e r and C l o d i u s . W h e n t h e paradox was p o i n t e d out to h i m — w h y divorce P o m p e i a if she h a d b e e n f a i t h f u l ? — h e said, 'I h a v e no doubt w h a t s o e v e r about h e r fidelity, b u t Caesar's wife c a n n o t be • tainted e v e n b y suspicion!' W e l l , C a e s a r c a n ' t have b e e n t o o offended b y C l o d i u s . T h e t w o o f t h e m have turned o u t t o b e close a l l i e s . " " A s d e m o n s t r a t e d by t h e way C a e s a r helped Clodius get his tribunate." " E x a c t l y . C l o d i u s wanted to be e l e c t e d tribune, but was barred from doing so, s i n c e it's a strictly p l e b e i a n office, off-limits to patricians. W h a t was Clodius's s o l u t i o n ? W i t h C a e s a r pushing t h e paperwork, h e m a n a g e d to get h i m s e l f adopted by a p l e b e i a n almost young e n o u g h to be his son, and so got h i m s e l f officially enrolled as a plebeian—which outraged his fellow p a t r i c i a n s and delighted t h e m o b , w h o e l e c t e d h i m t r i b u n e . A t last C l o d i u s was a c o m m o n e r in fact as well as in n a m e . " "I see a p a t t e r n , " said E c o . " I f a m a n c a n ' t witness t h e rites of t h e G o o d G o d d e s s , C l o d i u s will make h i m s e l f a w o m a n . If a p a t r i c i a n c a n ' t run for t r i b u n e , t h e n C l o d i u s , w h o has t h e most patrician pedigree in R o m e , will m a k e h i m s e l f a p l e b e i a n . "

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" N o t a m a n to let h i m s e l f be stymied by t e c h n i c a l i t i e s , " I agreed. " D u r i n g his year as t r i b u n e he m a n a g e d to get a lot d o n e — i n t r o d u c i n g a grain dole to please t h e m o b , arranging for t h e R o m a n takeover of E g y p t i a n Cyprus to pay for t h e dole, and passing a law to send C i c e r o into exile." E c o n o d d e d . " B u t n o w C i c e r o i s b a c k i n R o m e , and Clodius's ally C a e s a r is off c o n q u e r i n g G a u l . T h e big p o l i t i c a l issue of t h e m o m e n t is t h e E g y p t i a n crisis, w h i c h brings us up to Dio's ill-fated mission. If we b e l i e v e C l o d i a , C l o d i u s m a d e h i m s e l f a friend of poor D i o before he was k i l l e d — a n d n o w they want you to find e v i d e n c e against C l o d i a ' s lover M a r c u s C a e l i u s t o c o n v i c t h i m o f t h e murder." " A n a d m i r a b l e summing up," I said. "I t h i n k we've m a n a g e d to sort o u t a few truths from t h e slanders and c o m e up w i t h a few c o n c l u sions a b o u t Clodius's c h a r a c t e r , though I ' m n o t sure where it all leaves us. I h a v e n ' t c h a n g e d my m i n d . In t h e past I've worked for m e n whose m e a n s and morals were at least as q u e s t i o n a b l e as his. I see no p o i n t in refusing a c o m m i s s i o n from C l o d i u s if it leads me to t h e truth of Dio's murder." " W h a t about Clodia, t h e n ? " " W h a t a b o u t her? A l l right, let's take a l o o k a t C l o d i a . T h e same rules: truth only, e x c e p t for gossip identified as g o s s i p — t h o u g h I t h i n k t h e rule will b e e v e n h a r d e r t o observe w i t h C l o d i a t h a n w i t h C l o d i u s . I t h i n k we've probably heard m o r e about h e r and know less. B u t I'll begin. S h e was t h e first c h i l d of Appius Claudius, raised by a s t e p m o t h e r a m o n g younger h a l f s i b l i n g s — d i d this c i r c u m s t a n c e m a k e h e r stronger, m o r e responsible, m o r e i n d e p e n d e n t ? M e r e speculation. W e d o k n o w t h a t she m a r r i e d young, before h e r father died a n d left t h e family in financial straits, so she m a n a g e d to bring a good dowry to h e r marriage w i t h a c o u s i n , Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r — w h i c h may help t o e x p l a i n h e r indep e n d e n c e w h e n i t c a m e t o butting heads w i t h h e r husband over family squabbles and p o l i t i c a l differences. In any dispute, e v e n w i t h C e l e r , she appears always to have sided w i t h h e r siblings." " T h e C l o d i i against t h e world?" said E c o . " I t sounds admirably R o m a n w h e n you put it like t h a t . C o u l d all t h o s e rumors of i n c e s t merely reflect t h e jealousy of less beautiful, less beloved outsiders? W h y n o t give C l o d i a t h e benefit o f t h e doubt, a n d put down t h e rumors of h e r adulteries and incest to malicious tongues?" "You're t h e o n e w h o spent t h e afternoon a t h e r h o r t i , Papa, watching h e r ogle n a k e d m e n . " "Yes, well, it's true t h a t she doesn't do m u c h to stamp out t h e lies a b o u t her, i f t h e y are lies. A n d there's n o doubt t h a t h e r marriage t o

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Celer was stormy. T h e r e are p l e n t y of witnesses to that, including C i c e r o , who used to be t h e i r frequent houseguest b a c k w h e n he was on friendly terms w i t h t h e C l o d i i . B u t it should c o u n t for s o m e t h i n g t h a t despite t h e i r troubles, C l o d i a and C e l e r did stay married for t w e n t y years—" " U n t i l C e l e r mysteriously died three years a g o . " "Yes, well, we've already talked about t h e rumor t h a t she p o i s o n e d him. It's w o r t h n o t i n g t h a t no o n e ever brought charges against her, as s o m e o n e in C e l e r ' s family m i g h t well have d o n e , had t h e r e b e e n any e v i d e n c e . A n y t i m e anybody n o t a b l e i n R o m e dies o f anything but a n a c c i d e n t , there's s o m e o n e who'll say it was poison. Just as t h e r e are t h o s e who will always whisper t h a t any e x c e p t i o n a l l y beautiful w o m a n — o r man, for t h a t m a t t e r — i s a w h o r e . W h i l e we've b o t h heard p l e n t y of rumors, w h e n it c o m e s down to it, we d o n ' t really know very m u c h at all about C l o d i a , do w e ? " E c o l e a n e d b a c k and pressed his fingers together. "I t h i n k , Papa, that you are l e t t i n g t h e transparent yellow gown cloud your b e t t e r judgment. "Nonsense!" " I t covers your eyes like a v e i l . " "Eco!" " I ' m serious, Papa. You told me to be h o n e s t w i t h you, so I will b e . I t h i n k t h a t C l o d i a is probably a very dangerous w o m a n , and I d o n ' t like it t h a t you're working for her. If you must do so, for Dio's sake, t h e n I h o p e you'll see as little of h e r as p o s s i b l e . " " I ' v e already seen quite a bit of h e r . " "I m e a n w h a t I say, Papa." T h e r e was no levity in his v o i c e . "I don't like i t . " " N o r do I. B u t s o m e paths a m a n must walk, taking whatever ways are o p e n e d to h i m by t h e gods." " W e l l , " said E c o w i t h an edge in his v o i c e , "I suppose a religious argument c a n put an e n d to any d i s c u s s i o n . " A n d i f i t didn't, t h e n what h a p p e n e d n e x t did, for a t t h a t m o m e n t two tiny h u m a n missiles c a m e hurtling through t h e r o o m like fireballs hurled from a catapult. O n e c h a s e d t h e o t h e r at such a speed t h a t I c o u l d n ' t tell w h i c h was t h e pursuer and w h i c h t h e pursued; I often found i t hard t o tell t h e twins apart e v e n w h e n they were standing still. A t t h e age o f four t h e r e was n o t m u c h t o distinguish t h e m . G o r d i a n a ( w h o m M e t o h a d c a l l e d T i t a n i a from birth, because she was so big) was perhaps slightly larger t h a n h e r b r o t h e r T i t u s , but t h e two o f t h e m were dressed for b e d in i d e n t i c a l , long-sleeved tunics t h a t went down to t h e i r a n k l e s , and t h e y h a d t h e same long, golden l o c k s — a legacy from t h e i r m o t h e r ' s

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side of t h e family, w h i c h was perhaps why M e n e n i a h a d so far refused to c l i p a single curl. N e v e r slowing down, t h e two of t h e m tore across t h e study and disappeared i n t o t h e n e x t r o o m . A m o m e n t later t h e i r m o t h e r followed after t h e m . S h e s e e m e d quite c a l m and was e v e n smiling. " A r e you m e n finally finished w i t h your serious discussion?" she asked. M e n e n i a c o m e s from a very old p l e b e i a n family, as respectable as i t i s o b s c u r e . S o m e o f h e r ancestors m a n a g e d t o o b t a i n t h e consulship hundreds of years ago; t h a t will always c o u n t for s o m e t h i n g , but it hardly puts food o n t h e t a b l e . S t i l l , E c o was lucky t o make t h e m a t c h , considering his adopted father's far less distinguished ancestry, a n d M e n e n i a h e r s e l f is above r e p r o a c h in every way, t h e m o d e l of a R o m a n m a t r o n . S h e e v e n knows h o w to h a n d l e h e r m o t h e r - i n - l a w w i t h effortless t a c t ; I o n l y wish t h a t I c o u l d do as well at staying on B e t h e s d a ' s good side. "Yes, w i f e , " said E c o , "I b e l i e v e we're d o n e w i t h discussing life and d e a t h a n d j u s t i c e a n d t h e gods, and o t h e r such trivial m a t t e r s . " " G o o d . T h e n perhaps you b o t h have a m o m e n t to spare for your offspring. T h e o n l y r e a s o n t h e twins have b e e n flying about in s u c h a frenzy is b e c a u s e t h e y refuse to go to b e d w i t h o u t a last c h a n c e to say g o o d n i g h t t o t h e i r grandfather." " W e l l , t h e n , m a k e t h e m wait no l o n g e r , " I said, laughing, and before I h a d a c h a n c e to b r a c e myself, out of n o w h e r e two fair-haired fireballs c a m e h u r t l i n g straight toward my lap.

T h e h o u r h a d grown late; B e t h e s d a would b e e x p e c t i n g m e h o m e . I said a q u i c k farewell to E c o a n d M e n e n i a a n d finally e x t r i c a t e d myself from t h e surprisingly strong grips of T i t u s a n d T i t a n i a — n o easy task, for e a c h t o o k h o l d of o n e of my hands a n d refused to let go. W h e n I yelled for B e l b o to c o m e h e l p m e , I was hardly j o k i n g . B e l b o a n d I m a d e our way down t h e E s q u i l i n e Hill b e n e a t h t h e light o f t h e waxing m o o n , b a c k through t h e S u b u r a , where t h e streets were busy e v e n at this hour, a n d across t h e Forum, where t h e temples were quiet a n d t h e b r o a d , m o o n l i t squares almost deserted. A b o v e our heads t h e c o l d sky was full of stars. As we passed t h e House of t h e Vestals I shivered a n d pulled my c l o a k m o r e tightly about my t h r o a t , t h i n k i n g it was t h e n i g h t air seeping i n t o my b o n e s . Just b e y o n d t h e H o u s e o f t h e Vestals, n e a r t h e steps o f t h e T e m p l e o f C a s t o r , w e turned sharply t o t h e n o r t h , o n t o t h e broad footpath c a l l e d t h e R a m p , t h e best s h o r t c u t from t h e Forum u p t h e steep face o f t h e P a l a t i n e H i l l to t h e residential district. T h e R a m p is well traveled, but

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even in daylight it c a n s e e m secluded and secretive, h e m m e d in at its lower p o r t i o n by t h e stony base of t h e Palatine a n d t h e h i g h rear walls of the H o u s e of t h e Vestals, a n d shielded along b o t h sides of its upper course by c l o s e - s e t rows of cypress trees. At n i g h t t h e R a m p is a p l a c e of deep shadows, e v e n w h e n t h e m o o n is full. " T h e perfect p l a c e for a murder," B e t h e s d a h a d o n c e e x c l a i m e d before turning around in midcourse a n d refusing ever to take t h e p a t h again. I felt a n o t h e r sudden c h i l l and k n e w t h a t it h a d n o t h i n g to do w i t h the n i g h t air. W e were b e i n g followed o n t h e path, and n o t b y c h a n c e but stealthily, for w h e n I signaled B e l b o to stop, I heard b e h i n d us t h e faint sound of footsteps t h a t stopped a m o m e n t later. I turned a n d peered down t h e m o s t l y straight p a t h but c o u l d make out no m o v e m e n t a m o n g the dense shadows. " O n e m a n o r t w o ? " I whispered t o B e l b o . He w r i n k l e d his brow. " O n e , I t h i n k , M a s t e r . " "I agree. T h e footsteps stop all at o n c e , w i t h o u t any shuffling or whispering. Do you suppose t h e two of us have anything to fear from one man, B e l b o ? " B e l b o p e e r e d at me thoughtfully. A bit of m o o n l i g h t i l l u m i n a t e d his furrowed brow. " N o t unless he has a friend waiting at t h e top of t h e path, M a s t e r . T h a t would make it e v e n odds." " A n d w h a t i f h e has m o r e t h a n o n e friend u p t h e r e ? " " D o you w a n t t o turn around, M a s t e r ? " I peered i n t o t h e darkness below, t h e n i n t o t h e shadows a h e a d . "No. W e ' r e a l m o s t h o m e . " B e l b o shrugged. " S o m e m e n have t o g o all t h e way t o G a u l t o die. Others c a n d o i t o n t h e i r own d o o r s t e p . " "Just keep your h a n d on t h e dagger inside your t u n i c , a n d I'll do the same. K e e p to a steady p a c e . " As we n e a r e d t h e top of t h e p a t h I realized what a perfect p l a c e of ambush it would provide. O n c e u p o n a t i m e I could take t h e steep p a t h without missing a b r e a t h , but n o t any longer; a winded m a n makes an easy target. E v e n B e l b o was b r e a t h i n g harder. I listened for t h e steps behind us, or for any sound from ahead, but I heard only t h e b e a t i n g of my h e a r t a n d t h e rush of air in my nostrils. A s w e n e a r e d t h e t o p o f t h e R a m p t h e cypress trees t h i n n e d o n either side a n d t h e way o p e n e d up, dispersing t h e shadows w i t h m o o n l i g h t and allowing glimpses of t h e houses up a h e a d . I could e v e n see a b i t of the r o o f of my o w n h o u s e , w h i c h m a d e me feel at o n c e reassured a n d uneasy. Reassured to be so c l o s e to safety, uneasy because t h e gods s o m e times resort to t h e most appalling ironies in discharging t h e fates of mortals. W e were almost c l e a r o f t h e p a t h but t h e r e were still p l e n t y o f

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shadows w h e r e any n u m b e r of assassins c o u l d be c o n c e a l e d . I steeled myself a n d peered i n t o t h e pockets o f darkness. At last we stepped from t h e R a m p o n t o t h e paved street, only a few doors from my h o u s e . T h e way was c l e a r on e i t h e r side. T h e street was deserted a n d q u i e t . F r o m an upper story nearby I heard t h e quiet singing of a w o m a n c r o o n i n g a lullaby. A l l was tranquil. "Perhaps we should play a m b u s h e r s , " I whispered to B e l b o after I c a u g h t my b r e a t h , for now I could h e a r t h e sound of our follower's footsteps a p p r o a c h i n g . " I f s o m e o n e is after us, I should like to have a look at h i m . " W e drew b a c k i n t o t h e shadows a n d waited. T h e footsteps grew nearer, until at any m o m e n t t h e m a n would c a t c h up with us and emerge into the moonlight. B e s i d e me B e l b o gasped. I stiffened, wondering what was the matter. T h e n B e l b o sneezed. It was o n l y a partial sneeze, for he did his best to stifle it, but in t h e stillness it m i g h t as well have b e e n a t h u n d e r c l a p . T h e footsteps stopped. I peered i n t o t h e darkness and was able to discern t h e man's vague o u t l i n e , a s i l h o u e t t e a m o n g m o t t l e d shadows. F r o m his posture he s e e m e d t o b e p e e r i n g b a c k a t m e , trying t o m a k e out w h e r e t h e sneeze h a d c o m e from. A n i n s t a n t later h e vanished, and I heard footsteps r u n n i n g down t h e R a m p . B e l b o gave a j e r k . " S h a l l we go after h i m , M a s t e r ? " " N o . H e ' s younger t h a n u s — p r o b a b l y a lot faster." " H o w d o you k n o w ? " " D i d you h e a r h i m b r e a t h i n g h a r d ? " "No." " E x a c t l y . N e i t h e r did I, and he was c l o s e e n o u g h t h a t we would h a v e h e a r d , h a d h e b e e n winded. H e has strong lungs." B e l b o h u n g his h e a d , c h a g r i n e d . "Master, I ' m sorry I s n e e z e d . " " S o m e t h i n g s e v e n t h e gods c a n ' t stop. Perhaps it was for the best." " D o you really t h i n k he was following us?" "I d o n ' t know. B u t he gave us a scare, didn't h e ? " " A n d we gave h i m a s c a r e ! " " S o perhaps we're even, and that's t h e e n d of i t , " I said, but I felt uneasy. We walked hurriedly up t h e street to my h o u s e . B e l b o rapped on t h e door. W h i l e we waited for t h e slave to o p e n it I pulled h i m aside. " B e l b o , w h e t h e r we were followed or n o t — d o n ' t m e n t i o n this to your mistress. N o n e e d asking for trouble. D o you understand?"

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" O f course, M a s t e r , " h e said gravely. I t h o u g h t for a m o m e n t . " A n d d o n ' t tell D i a n a , e i t h e r . " " T h a t goes w i t h o u t saying, M a s t e r . " B e l b o smiled. T h e n his j a w suddenly b e g a n to quiver and his face c o n t o r t e d . I gripped his shoulder, alarmed. B e l b o threw b a c k his h e a d and sneezed again.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

W

E

L

V

E

The n e x t m o r n i n g I rose early, ate a frugal breakfast of honey and bread, offered my beard to B e l b o for a t r i m (I trust no o n e else to use anything sharp n e a r my n e c k ) , d o n n e d my toga, s i n c e I i n t e n d e d to pay s o m e formal visits, and stepped out of t h e h o u s e . T h e fresh, dewy air was bracing; t h e lingering c h i l l of t h e night was t e m p e r e d by t h e morning's warm s u n s h i n e . I filled my lungs w i t h a deep b r e a t h a n d headed u p t h e street w i t h B e l b o beside m e . T h e P a l a t i n e s e e m e d t o m e particularly lovely t h a t m o r n i n g . O f late, w h e n e v e r I left t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i t y of my h o u s e , I h a d been struck by h o w dirty a n d grubby so m u c h of R o m e h a d begun to seem, especially t h e S u b u r a w i t h its brothels a n d taverns and foul-smelling little side streets, and t h e Forum w i t h its toga-clad hordes of p o l i t i c i a n s and financiers going a b o u t t h e i r frenzied business. H o w m u c h m o r e pleasant t h e P a l a t i n e was, w i t h its shaded, well-paved streets, its quaint little shops, orderly a p a r t m e n t s and h a n d s o m e houses. O n e could b r e a t h e in s u c h a n e i g h b o r h o o d , and walk even in t h e busiest part of t h e day without k n o c k i n g elbows w i t h a h u n d r e d rude, shoving strangers. I h a d g o t t e n used to living in a r i c h m a n ' s n e i g h b o r h o o d , I realized, a n d t h e adjustment h a d n o t b e e n difficult at all. W h a t would my father say, w h o h a d lived all his life in t h e Subura? Probably, I thought, he would be proud of his son's m a t e r i a l success, however unconventionally I h a d acquired it. He would also probably r e m i n d me t h a t I should keep my wits a b o u t me a n d n e v e r be deceived by appearances. T h e rare and beautiful things t h a t w e a l t h and power c a n buy are often o n l y decorations

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to c o n c e a l t h e way t h a t such wealth and power were a t t a i n e d . Yes, a m a n can b r e a t h e freely on t h e airy, spacious P a l a t i n e — a n d a m a n c a n also stop b r e a t h i n g . S o m e t h i n g m o r e awful t h a n k n o c k i n g elbows w i t h strangers h a d h a p p e n e d t o D i o . T h e quality o f a m a n ' s bedsheets c o u n t s for n o t h i n g if his sleep is forever.

T h e way to t h e h o u s e of Lucius Lucceius t o o k us past t h e a p a r t m e n t building from w h i c h M a r c u s C a e l i u s h a d r e c e n t l y b e e n e v i c t e d . A s w e passed I paused to take a l o o k . N o t o n l y was t h e upper story deserted, but a sign h a d b e e n p a i n t e d in h a n d s o m e b l a c k letters on t h e c o r n e r of the building: FOR SALE PUBLIUS

BY OWNER,

CLODIUS

PULCHER.

B e n e a t h this was a drawing of some sort. I stepped across t h e street for a c l o s e r l o o k a n d saw t h a t it was a crudely rendered graffito showing a m a n a n d w o m a n e n t a n g l e d in sexual intercourse. At first g l a n c e , it struck m e t h a t t h e i r positions were absurdly a c r o b a t i c ; o n c l o s e r e x a m ination I d e c i d e d t h a t t h e y were physically impossible. R u n n i n g from t h e woman's gaping m o u t h was a scrawled c a p t i o n , w i t h almost all t h e words misspelled: T H E R E ' S N O T H I N G LIKE A BROTHER'S LOVE! T h e artist was t o o p o o r a draftsman to have captured any r e c o g nizable features, but I h a d no doubt w h o m t h e copulating figures were meant t o represent. T h e graffito h a d probably b e e n left b y o n e o f M i l o ' s rabble, I t h o u g h t , t h o u g h C l o d i u s a n d his sister h a d p l e n t y of o t h e r enemies. C o n s i d e r i n g t h e misspellings, t h e vandalism could hardly b e attributed to M a r c u s C a e l i u s . Or c o u l d it? C a e l i u s was wickedly c l e v e r enough to deliberately disguise his h a n d i w o r k as that of a lesser i n t e l l e c t . B e l b o a n d I moved o n . A f t e r numerous twistings and turnings down smaller side streets we r e a c h e d t h e house of Lucius L u c c e i u s . As befitted the d o m i c i l e of a wealthy a n d respected senior senator, it p r e s e n t e d an i r r e p r o a c h a b l e facade. T h e o n l y o r n a m e n t a t i o n was t h e massive w o o d e n door, w h i c h looked very old and was carved w i t h elaborate swirls a n d bound w i t h massive iron clasps t h a t h a d t h e savage look of t h e finest C a r t h a g i n i a n h a n d i w o r k . It was n o t unlikely t h a t t h e door h a d b e e n

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b r o u g h t b a c k from t h e sack of C a r t h a g e itself; I have s e e n many such trophies i n t h e h o m e s o f t h o s e whose families c o n q u e r e d R o m e ' s rivals. B e l b o , unawed by its history or design a n d seeing only a door, k n o c k e d upon it. It was q u i c k l y answered by t h e door slave, w i t h w h o m B e l b o exc h a n g e d t h e requisite formalities. A m o m e n t later I was a d m i t t e d into t h e foyer, a n d t h e n i n t o a sparsely furnished study. T h e walls were decorated w i t h C a r t h a g i n i a n war trophies—spears, swords, pieces of armor a n d e v e n a pair o f e l e p h a n t tusks. T h e w h i t e - h a i r e d master o f t h e house sat before a t a b l e littered w i t h scrolls, styluses, wax writing tablets and bits o f p a r c h m e n t . "I c a n allow you o n l y a m o m e n t , " he said, w i t h o u t l o o k i n g up. "I k n o w w h o you are, of course, a n d I c a n guess w h a t you're doing here. T h e r e ' s t h e c h a i r . S i t d o w n . " A t last h e put down t h e scroll over w h i c h he h a d b e e n p o r i n g a n d squinted at m e . "Yes, I r e m e m b e r your face. First t i m e I saw it was w h e n C i c e r o p o i n t e d you out to me in t h e F o r u m — must have b e e n fifteen years ago during t h e trials of t h e Vestal V i r g i n s . D a m n e d C a t i l i n a , corrupting a Vestal a n d g e t t i n g away w i t h it! It was I w h o p r o s e c u t e d h i m for murder, you know, t h e year before he staged his little uprising. D i d n ' t w i n t h a t c a s e , did I? Probably would have b e e n b e t t e r for e v e r y o n e c o n c e r n e d if I had, C a t i l i n a i n c l u d e d — h e c o u l d be off s o m e w h e r e e n j o y i n g his e x i l e right now, buggering all t h e pretty boys in Massilia or wherever. By H e r c u l e s , you l o o k fit! I'd have t h o u g h t you'd g o t t e n as old as me by n o w ! " W i t h that, Lucius L u c c e i u s smiled broadly a n d pushed h i m s e l f from t h e t a b l e . He was a remarkably ugly m a n with great bristling eyebrows a n d a n u n k e m p t m a n e o f w h i t e hair. He l e a n e d b a c k a n d rubbed his eyes. " N e e d a break anyway. W o r k i n g o n m y history o f t h e C a r t h a g i n i a n wars. Great-great-great-grandfather h e l p e d S c i p i o A f r i c a n u s put an e n d to H a n n i b a l , left t h e family a pile of scrolls n o b o d y ' s read in years. Fascinating stuff. W h e n I've finished writing it I'll b r o w b e a t all t h e friends and family i n t o buying copies. T h e y w o n ' t b o t h e r to read it, but t h e work keeps me busy. G o r d i a n u s , G o r d i a n u s , " he mused, staring at me and w r i n k l i n g his brow. " T h o u g h t you were retired, n o t e v e n living i n R o m e anymore. S e e m s somebody t o l d me you'd left it all for a farm in S i c i l y . " " E t r u r i a , actually. B u t t h a t was a w h i l e ago. I've b e e n b a c k in R o m e for several years n o w . " "Still retired?" "Yes a n d n o . I take on simple cases now a n d t h e n , just to keep myself busy. R a t h e r like you writing your history, I i m a g i n e . " F r o m t h e flash in his squinting eyes, I saw t h a t Lucceius t o o k his role a s h i s t o r i a n m o r e seriously t h a n his self-deprecation i n d i c a t e d . " S o , '

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he said curtly, " C i c e r o has sent you around to c o l l e c t my s t a t e m e n t . Afraid it's n o t ready." I stared at h i m blankly. " W e l l , s o m u c h else t o d o , " h e said. " T h a t i s why you're h e r e , isn't it? T h i s business about young M a r c u s C a e l i u s b e i n g brought to trial by those rascals c l a i m i n g he tried to do in D i o ? " " Y e s , " I said slowly. " T h a t is why I'm h e r e . " "Surprised m e — w e l l , surprised everybody, I i m a g i n e — w h e n I heard t h a t C i c e r o was going to h a n d l e t h e boy's defense. T h o u g h t t h o s e two h a d fallen out for good, but t h e r e you have it. T h i n g s get dicey a n d the n a u g h t y s c h o o l b o y goes r u n n i n g b a c k to his tutor. R a t h e r t o u c h i n g , really." "Yes, it i s , " I said quietly. W a s it really possible t h a t C i c e r o h a d taken o n C a e l i u s ' s defense? T h e news was startling, but m a d e perfect sense. C i c e r o h a d successfully defended A s i c i u s , probably to please P o m pey. Pompey would be pleased to see C a e l i u s a c q u i t t e d as well, a n d C i c e r o was t h e m a n t o d o it. A s for t h e feud b e t w e e n C a e l i u s a n d C i c e r o , t h e same pragmatism t h a t c a n make friends i n t o e n e m i e s i n t h e b l i n k o f a n eye c a n do t h e reverse as well. " S o your s t a t e m e n t for C i c e r o isn't ready yet?" I said. " N o . C o m e b a c k tomorrow. A c t u a l l y , surprised h e sent you t o f e t c h i t instead o f t h a t secretary o f his, t h e o n e w h o picks over all t h e tiny details." "Tiro?" " T h a t ' s the o n e . Clever slave." "Yes, well, I suspect T i r o will be t h e o n e w h o c o m e s to c o l l e c t your statement eventually. B u t as long as I'm h e r e , perhaps I c o u l d ask you a few q u e s t i o n s . " "Go on." "About Dio." H e waved his h a n d . " I t will all b e i n t h e s t a t e m e n t . " " S t i l l , perhaps it c o u l d save us all s o m e t i m e — y o u , m e , T i r o , C i c e r o — i f you c o u l d give m e a n idea o f what e x a c t l y will b e i n t h e statement." "Just w h a t I told C i c e r o . D i o was my houseguest for a w h i l e , a n d t h e n m o v e d o n . A s simple a s t h a t . A l l this n o n s e n s e about p o i s o n i n g — 'Nasty rumors spread like olive o i l , and leave a stain like red w i n e . ' " " B u t t h e r e was a d e a t h in this h o u s e , wasn't t h e r e ? D i o ' s slave, his taster—" " W o r t h l e s s slave died o f natural causes, a n d that's t h e e n d o f i t . " " T h e n why did D i o move o n t o t h e house o f T i t u s C o p o n i u s ? " " B e c a u s e D i o was frightened by his o w n shadow. S a w a s t i c k on

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t h e ground, swore it was a s n a k e . " L u c c e i u s snorted. " D i o was as safe h e r e as a virgin in t h e House of t h e G a l l i . T h a t ' s t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d end of it." " A n d yet, D i o believed t h a t s o m e o n e i n this house tried t o poison him." " D i o h a d n o d a m n e d sense. L o o k what h a p p e n e d t o h i m a t C o ponius's h o u s e , t h e n tell me w h e r e he was safer!" "I see your p o i n t . You were good friends, t h e n , you a n d D i o ? " " O f course! W h a t d o you t h i n k , I'd ask a n e n e m y t o sleep under my roof? H e ' d sit h e r e during t h e day, where you're sitting now, a n d we'd talk about A r i s t o t l e , o r A l e x a n d r i a , o r C a r t h a g e i n t h e days o f H a n n i b a l . G a v e me s o m e g o o d ideas for my history." L u c c e i u s looked aside a n d bit his lip. " W a s n ' t a b a d fellow. S o r r y to see h i m g o . Of course he did have s o m e nasty h a b i t s . " He smiled grimly. " P i c k i n g t h e fruit before it's ripe a n d all t h a t . " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " N e v e r m i n d . N o p o i n t gossiping about t h e d e a d . " " ' P i c k i n g t h e fruit . . . ' ? " " L i k e d t h e m young. O n e o f t h o s e . N o t h i n g wrong i n t h a t , e x c e p t a m a n should keep his hands off what belongs to his host. I'll say no m o r e . " F r o m his face I c o u l d see that he m e a n t it. "You said t h a t D i o ' s slave died o f natural causes. W h a t killed h i m ? " " H o w should I k n o w ? " " B u t a d e a t h in t h e h o u s e — " " T h e d e a t h of a slave, a n d a n o t h e r m a n ' s slave at t h a t . " "Surely someone noted the symptoms." " W h a t do you t h i n k , I s u m m o n a fancy G r e e k physician every time a slave has a s t o m a c h a c h e ? Slaves take ill every day, a n d s o m e t i m e s they die." " T h e n you c a n ' t b e sure t h a t i t wasn't poison. D i o t h o u g h t s o . " " D i o t h o u g h t lots o f things. H a d quite a n i m a g i n a t i o n — m a d e a better philosopher than historian." " S t i l l , i f s o m e o n e i n t h e h o u s e h o l d c o u l d tell m e e x a c t l y how t h e slave died, w h a t h e c o m p l a i n e d o f before t h e e n d — " I was stopped by t h e l o o k on Lucceius's f a c e . He stared at me for a long m o m e n t . H i s bushy eyebrows gathered above his squinting eyes. " W h o s e n t you h e r e ? " " I ' d r a t h e r n o t say." " W a s n ' t C i c e r o , was i t ? " "I c o m e as a friend of D i o ' s . " " M e a n i n g t h a t I wasn't? G e t o u t . "

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" M y o n l y interest is discovering t h e truth about Dio's d e a t h . If you were truly his f r i e n d — " " G e t out! W e l l , g o o n . U p ! O u t ! " Lucius Lucceius picked u p a stylus and waved it like a dagger, glowering at me as I stood a n d walked to the door. I left h i m b e n t over his scrolls, m u t t e r i n g angrily to himself. T h e slave w h o h a d shown me in was waiting in t h e hallway to show me out, but before we r e a c h e d t h e foyer a formidably large w o m a n stepped into the hallway a n d b l o c k e d our path. " G o o n , C l e o n , " s h e said t o t h e slave. " I ' l l show t h e visitor o u t myself." F r o m t h e t o n e o f h e r v o i c e she was clearly t h e mistress o f t h e house, and from t h e slave's obsequious m a n n e r as he b a c k e d away I gathered she was n o t t h e sort of R o m a n m a t r o n w h o allowed h e r slaves much latitude. Lucceius's wife was as ugly as h e r husband, though she looked nothing like h i m . Instead of bristling eyebrows she h a d o n l y t w o lines painted above h e r eyes. H e r h a i r m i g h t have b e e n as w h i t e as his, h a d it not b e e n dyed red w i t h h e n n a . S h e wore a voluminous green stola a n d a n e c k l a c e of g r e e n glass w i t h m a t c h i n g earrings. " S o , you're G o r d i a n u s the Finder," s h e said abruptly, appraising me w i t h a caustic gaze. "I h e a r d the slave a n n o u n c e you to my h u s b a n d . " " W h a t else did you h e a r ? " I said. S h e appreciated my bluntness. " E v e r y t h i n g . You and I should t a l k . " I looked over my shoulder. " D o n ' t worry," she said, " n o o n e eavesdrops o n m e i n this h o u s e . They k n o w b e t t e r . C o m e this way." I followed h e r i n t o a n o t h e r wing of t h e house. I m i g h t as well h a v e entered a n o t h e r world. W h e r e Lucceius's study h a d b e e n a n austere museum of war trophies a n d musty d o c u m e n t s , his wife's quarters were flamboyantly d e c o r a t e d w i t h i n t r i c a t e l y embroidered hangings a n d precious o b j e c t s of m e t a l a n d glass. O n e long wall was painted to show a spring garden in b l o o m , all pale greens a n d soft pinks and yellows. "You d e c e i v e d my h u s b a n d , " she said wryly. " H e t h o u g h t I c a m e from C i c e r o . I d i d n ' t c o n t r a d i c t h i m . " " S o you m e r e l y let h i m believe what h e w a n t e d t o b e l i e v e . Yes, that's t h e b e s t way to h a n d l e Lucius. He wasn't i n t e n t i o n a l l y lying to you, you know. H e ' s c o n v i n c e d h i m s e l f t h a t n o t h i n g untoward t o o k p l a c e in this h o u s e . Lucius has a hard t i m e dealing w i t h t h e truth. Like m o s t men, m o s t o f t h e t i m e , " she said under h e r breath. S h e walked a b o u t the r o o m , p i c k i n g things up and putting t h e m down. " P l e a s e , go o n , " I said. " A p p e a r a n c e s m a t t e r m o r e t h a n facts to Lucius. To have h a d a

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houseguest poisoned under his roof, or even a houseguest's slave, is t h i n k a b l e to h i m . So it simply never h a p p e n e d , you see. Lucius will! never, ever a d m i t o t h e r w i s e . " " B u t such a t h i n g did h a p p e n ? " S h e stepped to a small table covered w i t h a n u m b e r of identical clay figurines. T h e y were about t h e size of a child's fist and brightly painted. S h e picked o n e of t h e m up and idly turned it over in h e r hand. " W h o s e n t you h e r e asking q u e s t i o n s ? " " A s I told your husband, a friend of D i o ' s . " S h e snorted. " N e v e r m i n d . I c a n guess w h o sent y o u . " " C a n you?" " C l o d i a . Am I right? D o n ' t b o t h e r to answer. I c a n read your face as easily as I c a n read L u c i u s ' s . " " H o w c o u l d you possibly guess w h o hired m e ? " S h e shrugged and twirled t h e little clay figurine b e t w e e n h e r forefinger and t h u m b . It was a votive statue of A t t i s , t h e e u n u c h c o n s o r t of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r , C y b e l e , standing w i t h his hands on his plump belly and wearing his red Phrygian cap w i t h its rounded, forward-sloping peak. " W e have ways of sharing w h a t we k n o w . " " 'We'?" "We women." I felt a p r i c k l i n g sensation in my spine, a sense of h a v i n g had the same c o n v e r s a t i o n b e f o r e — w i t h B e t h e s d a , w h e n she told m e t h a t Clodia and C a e l i u s were no longer lovers, and I asked h e r how she could possibly know such a thing: We have ways of sharing what we know. For an instant I h a d a g l i m m e r of insight, as if a door had b e e n o p e n e d just e n o u g h to let me c a t c h a glimpse of an unfamiliar r o o m . T h e n she started to talk again and t h e door was shut. " T h e r e ' s no doubt t h a t Dio's slave was poisoned. You should have seen t h e poor w r e t c h . If Lucius had kept his eyes o p e n instead of looking away w h e n t h e m a n was dying, he m i g h t have a harder t i m e m a k i n g that glib p r o n o u n c e m e n t about 'natural causes.' B u t t h e n Lucius has always b e e n squeamish. H e c a n write his little a c c o u n t s o f w o m e n b e i n g spitted on stakes and c h i l d r e n b e i n g c h o p p e d into pieces at t h e fall of C a r t h a g e , but he c a n ' t s t o m a c h w a t c h i n g a slave throw up." "Was that o n e of the symptoms?" "Yes. T h e m a n turned a s w h i t e a s m a r b l e and went i n t o c o n v u l sions." " B u t if t h e slave was poisoned by tasting food i n t e n d e d for Dio, h o w did t h e p o i s o n get i n t o t h e food?" " I t was put t h e r e by s o m e of t h e k i t c h e n slaves, of course. I think I know which o n e s . "

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"Yes?" " J u b a a n d L a c o . T h o s e two fellows were always up to s o m e t h i n g . Too smart for t h e i r own good. H a d fantasies of buying t h e i r freedom some day. J u b a must have sneaked out of t h e house t h a t a f t e r n o o n , because I c a u g h t h i m sneaking b a c k in, a n d w h e n I q u e s t i o n e d h i m he tried to get o u t of it by playing stupid and spouting a lot of d o u b l e - t a l k , the way slaves do. He said h e ' d g o n e to t h e market to f e t c h s o m e t h i n g , I don't r e m e m b e r what, and even h e l d up a little bag to show m e . W h a t nerve! It was probably t h e poison. L a t e r I c a u g h t h i m whispering to L a c o in the k i t c h e n a n d I wondered w h a t t h e y were up t o . T h e y ' r e t h e o n e s who prepared t h e dish t h a t killed Dio's s l a v e . " " D i o t o l d me your h u s b a n d h a d a visitor t h a t day." "Publius A s i c i u s . He's t h e o n e w h o was later accused o f s t a b b i n g Dio at C o p o n i u s ' s house, t h o u g h they c o u l d n ' t prove it at t h e trial. Yes, he c a m e by to visit Lucius at just about t h e t i m e J u b a must have b e e n sneaking out. B u t I d o n ' t t h i n k A s i c i u s delivered t h e poison, if that's what you t h i n k . H e didn't g o n e a r t h e k i t c h e n slaves." " B u t he c o u l d have b e e n h e r e as a distraction, to keep your h u s b a n d busy w h i l e J u b a sneaked out of t h e house to get t h e poison from s o m e o n e else." " W h a t an i m a g i n a t i o n you h a v e ! " she said wryly. " W h e r e i s J u b a now? W o u l d you let m e speak t o h i m ? " "I would if I c o u l d , but he's g o n e . J u b a and L a c o are b o t h g o n e . " " G o n e where?" " A f t e r h i s taster died, D i o was quite upset. He screamed a n d r a n t e d and d e m a n d e d t h a t Lucius d e t e r m i n e w h i c h of t h e slaves h a d tried to poison h i m . I p o i n t e d out t h e suspicious b e h a v i o r of J u b a a n d L a c o , b u t Lucius wouldn't h e a r of any suggestion t h a t there was poison involved. Even so, a few days later he decided t h a t J u b a and L a c o — t r a i n e d k i t c h e n slaves—would be of m o r e use doing m a n u a l labor in a m i n e . Lucius owns an interest in a silver m i n e up in P i c e n u m . So off t h e slaves w e n t , out of reach, out of mind." S h e h e l d u p t h e clay figurine o f A t t i s and stroked i t w i t h h e r forefinger. " B u t this is t h e most curious fact: w h e n Lucius m a d e his p r o n o u n c e m e n t about sending J u b a and L a c o t o P i c e n u m , t h e y suddenly offered to buy t h e i r freedom. S o m e h o w , from t h e few coppers Lucius gave t h e m every year t o c e l e b r a t e t h e S a t u r n a l i a , t h e two o f t h e m h a d m a n a g e d to save up t h e i r o w n worth in silver." "Was that possible?" " A b s o l u t e l y n o t . Lucius accused t h e m o f pilfering from t h e household c o f f e r s . " " C o u l d t h e y have d o n e t h a t ? "

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" D o you t h i n k I ' m t h e sort of w o m a n whose slaves could steal from h e r ? " S h e gave me a l o o k c a l c u l a t e d to make a slave soil himself. "But t h a t was t h e e x p l a n a t i o n Lucius decided o n , a n d n o t h i n g will ever sway h i m from it. He t o o k t h e silver away from t h e m , sent t h e m off to an early d e a t h in t h e m i n e s , and t h a t was t h e e n d of i t . " " W h e r e do you t h i n k t h e slaves o b t a i n e d t h e silver?" " D o n ' t b e c o y , " she said. " S o m e o n e b r i b e d t h e m t o poison D i o , o f course. P r o b a b l y t h e y received only partial payment, s i n c e t h e y didn't finish t h e j o b . If I were t h e master of this house I'd have tortured them until t h e truth c a m e out. B u t t h e slaves b e l o n g t o L u c i u s . " " T h e slaves k n o w t h e t r u t h . " " T h e slaves k n o w s o m e t h i n g . B u t they're far away from R o m e now." " A n d t h e y c a n ' t be c o m p e l l e d to testify anyway w i t h o u t t h e i r master's c o n s e n t . " " W h i c h Lucius will n e v e r g i v e . " " W h o gave t h e m t h e silver?" I muttered. " H o w c a n anyone find out?" "I suppose that's your j o b , " she said bluntly. S h e walked b a c k to t h e little t a b l e a n d replaced t h e clay figurine of A t t i s . I drew alongside h e r a n d studied t h e tiny statues. " W h y so many, all a l i k e ? " I asked. " B e c a u s e o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival, o f course. T h e s e are images o f A t t i s , h e r c o n s o r t . For gift-giving." "I n e v e r h e a r d of such a c u s t o m . " " W e e x c h a n g e t h e m a m o n g ourselves." " 'We'?" "It has nothing to do with you." I r e a c h e d to p i c k up o n e of t h e figurines, but she seized my wrist w i t h a startlingly strong grip. " I t h a s n o t h i n g to do w i t h you, I s a i d . " A f t e r a m o m e n t she released m e , t h e n c l a p p e d h e r hands. A girl c a m e running. " N o w you h a d better g o . T h e slave will show you o u t . "

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

H

I

R

T

E

E

N

The easiest route to t h e h o u s e of T i t u s C o p o n i u s , w h e r e D i o h a d died, t o o k me b a c k t h e way I h a d c o m e . Passing t h e former r e s i d e n c e of M a r c u s C a e l i u s again, I n o t i c e d t h a t t h e F O R S A L E a n n o u n c e m e n t was u n t o u c h e d , but t h e o b s c e n e graffito b e n e a t h it h a d already b e e n daubed over w i t h p a i n t . Clodius's h e n c h m e n c o u l d b e accused o f many things, b u t n o t idleness. T i t u s C o p o n i u s saw me at o n c e , a n d s o o n I was seated in his study with a cup of w i n e in my h a n d . If t h e study of Lucius L u c c e i u s was a hoary h o m a g e t o t h e c o n q u e s t o f C a r t h a g e , t h e study o f T i t u s C o p o n i u s was a t r i b u t e to t h e enduring t r i u m p h of G r e e k culture. B l a c k - o n - r e d drinking cups, t o o a n c i e n t a n d precious for use, were displayed on shelves. Small statues of t h e great h e r o e s and busts of t h e great thinkers were displayed on pedestals against t h e walls. A p i g e o n h o l e scroll c a s e was full of c y l i n d r i c a l l e a t h e r slipcases, and on t h e little c o l o r e d tags h a n g i n g from e a c h c y l i n d e r I glimpsed t h e n a m e s of t h e old G r e e k playwrights and h i s t o r i a n s . T h e r o o m itself was i m p e c c a b l y appointed, w i t h h i g h backed G r e e k chairs a n d a G r e e k carpet w i t h a g e o m e t r i c a l design, all harmoniously i n p r o p o r t i o n t o t h e space t h e y o c c u p i e d . C o p o n i u s was a tall m a n w i t h a long rectangular face and a h a n d some n o s e ; e v e n seated he h a d an imposing air. His h a i r was clipped short a n d was very curly, b l a c k on top but gray on t h e sides. His c l o t h i n g and m a n n e r were as e l e g a n t as t h e r o o m in w h i c h we sat. "I suppose you've c o m e a b o u t D i o , " h e b e g a n . " W h a t makes you t h i n k s o ? "

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" C o m e now, G o r d i a n u s . I know you by reputation. I also k n o w that Bestia's s o n has b r o u g h t charges against M a r c u s C a e l i u s for trying to poison D i o , a m o n g o t h e r things. It hardly takes a philosopher to figure out your reason for c o m i n g to t h e house w h e r e D i o died. W h a t I don't k n o w is w h o s e n t y o u — B e s t i a ' s boy for t h e prosecution, or C a e l i u s for his d e f e n s e . " "Neither, actually." " N o w that's a puzzle." " N o t to e v e r y o n e , apparently," I said, t h i n k i n g of Lucceius's wife. " D o e s it m a t t e r w h o s e n t m e , so long as I seek t h e t r u t h ? " " M o s t m e n have s o m e ulterior m o t i v e , e v e n in seeking for truth. Revenge, vindication, power—" " J u s t i c e . For D i o . " C o p o n i u s put down his w i n e cup a n d folded his long, e l e g a n t hands in his lap. " S o m e day, w h e n we b o t h have a great deal m o r e t i m e , we should discuss t h a t word, ' j u s t i c e , ' a n d see if we c a n c o m e up w i t h a mutually a c c e p t a b l e definition. For t h e short t e r m , I assume you m e a n you seek t h e truth in order to identify D i o ' s killer. A straightforward e n o u g h a m b i t i o n — b u t I d o n ' t t h i n k I c a n h e l p you." "Why not?" "I c a n ' t tell you what I d o n ' t k n o w . " "Perhaps you k n o w m o r e t h a n you realize." "A conundrum, Gordianus?" " L i f e is full of t h e m . " C o p o n i u s c o n t e m p l a t e d me with a catlike gaze. " A s I understand it, t h e charges against C a e l i u s involve attacks on t h e Egyptian entourage on its way to R o m e , a n d an alleged a t t e m p t to poison D i o at Lucceius's h o u s e . W h a t h a p p e n e d in this house isn't even c i t e d in t h e formal list of charges." " T e c h n i c a l l y , it is. B u t t h e p r o s e c u t i o n intends to c o n c e n t r a t e on t h e a t t e m p t e d p o i s o n i n g , a n d use t h e actual murder of D i o as a corroborative d e t a i l . " " T h e n you do c o m e from t h e p r o s e c u t i o n . " C o p o n i u s gave me a b r i t t l e s m i l e . " D o n ' t misunderstand. I d o n ' t m i n d you c o m i n g around asking q u e s t i o n s . I w e n t through all this before, w h e n A s i c i u s was prose c u t e d . I shared all I k n o w w i t h b o t h sides, a n d in t h e e n d I helped n e i t h e r . T h e simple fact is t h a t t h e killers left n o t h i n g b e h i n d to give themselves away. A s i c i u s was prosecuted on hearsay, n o t e v i d e n c e . Yes, 'everyone k n o w s ' t h a t he was s o m e h o w involved, just as 'everyone knows' t h a t K i n g P t o l e m y must be at t h e b a c k of it, but t h e proof was n e v e r put forward, a n d you w o n ' t find it in this h o u s e . "

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" S t i l l , I should like to k n o w what h a p p e n e d h e r e . " C o p o n i u s t o o k a sip of w i n e a n d turned his catlike gaze on me again. " I k n e w D i o i n A l e x a n d r i a , " h e finally said. " A few years ago, my b r o t h e r a n d I spent s o m e t i m e t h e r e . G a i u s , always t h e p r a c t i c a l o n e , was i n t e r e s t e d in studying t h e financial workings of t h e grain markets. I found myself drawn instead to t h e steps of t h e library at t h e T e m p l e of Serapis, w h e r e philosophers discussed t h e very things we're t a l k i n g a b o u t — t r u t h , j u s t i c e , c o n u n d r u m s . T h a t was how I m e t D i o . " " T h a t was h o w I m e t h i m as w e l l , " I said. C o p o n i u s raised an eyebrow. "You k n e w D i o in A l e x a n d r i a ? " "Briefly, a n d long ago. I was quite young. My i n s t r u c t i o n from D i o was strictly i n f o r m a l . " C o p o n i u s understood a t o n c e . " A h , you were o n e o f t h o s e young men t o o p o o r t o afford a n e d u c a t i o n w h o linger o n t h e steps h o p i n g t o c a t c h t h e eye o f o n e o f t h e philosophers. M e n d i c a n t s for wisdom, D i o called s u c h young m e n . " " S o m e t h i n g like t h a t . " " T h e r e i s n o s h a m e a t t a c h e d t o such begging. T h e m o r e o n e must struggle for wisdom, t h e m o r e h o n o r a t t a c h e s t o its a t t a i n m e n t . M y relationship w i t h D i o was m o r e formal t h a n yours, I i m a g i n e . By t h e time I m e t h i m h e h a d b e e n elevated t o t h e highest ranks o f t h e A c a d e m y , and s e l d o m appeared on t h e steps of t h e library; it was o n l y by c h a n c e that I h a p p e n e d to m e e t h i m t h e r e . I invited h i m to d i n e on several o c c a s i o n s w i t h G a i u s and myself at t h e house we h a d r e n t e d in t h e imperial district. D i o k n e w all t h e G r e e k thinkers b y h e a r t . H e c o u l d discourse for hours on t h e laws of p e r c e p t i o n and rational t h o u g h t . G a i u s would yawn a n d go to b e d early, but I would stay up until dawn l i s t e n i n g . " "Your b r o t h e r doesn't c a r e for p h i l o s o p h y ? " C o p o n i u s smiled. " N o t particularly. B u t G a i u s and D i o m a n a g e d to find c o m m o n interests. I was t h e o n e left out w h e n t h e two of t h e m went l o o k i n g for adventure in t h e R h a k o t i s d i s t r i c t . " He raised a suggestive eyebrow. " D i o n e v e r struck me as particularly adventurous." " T h e n you d i d n ' t k n o w h i m as I did, and c e r t a i n l y n o t as G a i u s did." " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " D i o was considerably older t h a n m y b r o t h e r a n d m e , b u t h e still had appetites. R a t h e r strong appetites, actually. He enjoyed showing Gaius w h a t h e c a l l e d ' t h e secrets o f A l e x a n d r i a . ' " " ' P i c k i n g t h e fruit before it's r i p e , ' " I said to myself. "What?"

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" S o m e t h i n g t h a t s o m e o n e else said about D i o . " " R i p e n e s s is a m a t t e r of taste. W i t h D i o it was m o r e a question of bruising t h e fruit, I would say." "I don't understand." C o p o n i u s fixed me again w i t h his feline gaze. " T h e r e are t h o s e who would say t h a t D i o ' s particular appetites were a flaw in his c h a r a c t e r , a sign of s o m e i m b a l a n c e in his humors. I myself have n e v e r b e e n a slave to t h e flesh; my life is of t h e m i n d , a n d this seems to me ideal. G i v e n my t e m p e r a m e n t , I ' m often t e m p t e d to pass j u d g m e n t on o t h e r men's weaknesses, but for friends I forgo such j u d g m e n t s . We must r e m e m b e r t h a t w h i l e D i o ' s b l o o d was G r e e k , his spirit was Egyptian. T h e s e people are m o r e worldly t h a n we are, earthier, in many ways cruder and more primitive. T h e y m a k e greater allowance for things we m i g h t c o n s i d e r out o f b o u n d s . O n t h e o n e h a n d , D i o was a paragon o f logic and reason; but on t h e other, he c o u l d release h i m s e l f i n t o a state of ecstasy beyond reason. If his pleasure s o m e t i m e s depended on acts w h i c h you or I might consider to be cruel or e x c e s s i v e — " "I don't understand." C o p o n i u s shrugged. " W h a t does it m a t t e r ? T h e m a n is dead. His t e a c h i n g s are his legacy, along w i t h his efforts on b e h a l f of his countrym e n . Few m e n c a n c l a i m as fine a m o n u m e n t . " He stood and b e g a n to slowly p a c e , r u n n i n g t h e p a l m o f his h a n d over t h e tops o f t h e busts that l i n e d t h e wall. " B u t you c a m e t o t a l k about D i o ' s d e a t h , n o t his life. W h a t is it you w a n t to know, G o r d i a n u s ? " " I already k n o w t h e b a r e facts o f t h e m u r d e r — w h a t everyone knows, as you say. B u t water from t h e m o u t h of t h e spring is freshest. I want to h e a r w h a t e v e r you o r anyone else i n t h e h o u s e h o l d c a n tell m e a b o u t the exact circumstances of that night." " L e t m e t h i n k b a c k . . . " H e paused before a bust o f A l e x a n d e r . "I was h e r e in my study w h e n D i o c a m e in t h a t evening. I h a d just finished eating my supper, a l o n e , a n d h a d c o m e h e r e to do some reading. I h e a r d a c o u p l e of t h e slave girls t i t t e r i n g out in t h e hallway. I c a l l e d t h e m in a n d asked t h e m w h a t they were laughing at. T h e y said t h a t my houseguest h a d c o m e in dressed as a w o m a n ! " " H a d n ' t h e w o r n t h e same c o s t u m e b e f o r e ? " " A p p a r e n t l y so, slipping in and out of t h e house w i t h o u t my seeing h i m , a c c o m p a n i e d by t h a t little gallus w h o was always visiting h i m . D i o b e h a v e d very secretively in this h o u s e . He kept to his r o o m w i t h his door l o c k e d . H e w o u l d n ' t e v e n j o i n m e for meals. W h e n h e asked t o stay w i t h m e , I h a d h o p e d t h a t t h e two of us would share some civilized c o n v e r s a t i o n as we h a d in A l e x a n d r i a , t h a t we would d i n e t o g e t h e r a n d discuss phi-

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losophy or p o l i t i c s . I was rather disappointed at his aloofness, a n d a l i t t l e irritated." " H e was a very frightened m a n . " "Yes, I realized t h a t . W h i c h is why I stayed out of his way. If he wished to h i d e in his r o o m all day, or slip in and out of t h e h o u s e w i t h o u t telling m e , I decided to say n o t h i n g . I wish now t h a t I h a d s o m e h o w taken steps to i n t e r v e n e , t h o u g h I'm n o t sure what I c o u l d have d o n e . " " D i o was a h u n t e d m a n . You must have k n o w n he was in terrible danger." " O f c o u r s e . T h a t ' s why I kept a w a t c h m a n posted inside t h e door every n i g h t . E v e n so, I never imagined t h a t anyone would actually b r e a k into this h o u s e a n d c o m m i t s u c h a n atrocity. I t seemed u n t h i n k a b l e . " " W o u l d you show m e w h e r e this u n t h i n k a b l e t h i n g o c c u r r e d ? " C o p o n i u s led me down a long hallway to t h e b a c k of t h e h o u s e . " T h e w a t c h m a n was posted i n t h e foyer a t t h e front o f t h e h o u s e . W h e n the assassins broke i n t o D i o ' s r o o m , he didn't h e a r it. I myself was sleeping i n t h e r o o m n e x t door a n d h e a r d n o t h i n g . " " D i d D i o cry o u t ? " " N o o n e heard him if he did." " W o u l d you have h e a r d h i m ? " "I was sleeping, as I said, but I should t h i n k a s c r e a m would have awakened m e . T h e walls aren't t h a t t h i c k . O n o t h e r nights I was able to hear—well, never mind." "You were about to say s o m e t h i n g ? " " T h i s is t h e r o o m . " C o p o n i u s pushed o p e n e d a door a n d gestured for me to e n t e r . It was a small r o o m , sparsely furnished w i t h a sleeping c o u c h , a chair, a n d a c o u p l e of small tables. A carpet covered t h e floor. M e t a l hooks were m o u n t e d in t h e walls for h a n g i n g c l o t h i n g a n d lamps. " H o w did t h e assassins get i n ? " I said. " T h r o u g h t h a t window, b y t h e c o u c h . T h e shutters were drawn a n d l a t c h e d , I ' m sure. D i o would h a v e s e e n to that, if only to shut out t h e cold. T h e l a t c h has b e e n repaired, but you c a n still see w h e r e t h e wood was s p l i n t e r e d w h e n t h e shutters were forced o p e n . " " W a s t h e old l a t c h made o f bronze, like this o n e ? " " T h i s is t h e very same l a t c h , h a m m e r e d straight by a s m i t h a n d r e a t t a c h e d in a different p l a c e . " " T h i s seems to be a rather strong l a t c h . I should t h i n k t h a t forcing it from t h e outside would have made s o m e n o i s e . " "I suppose." " A considerable noise."

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" I t c o u l d n ' t have b e e n t h a t l o u d — " "Perhaps n o t a loud e n o u g h noise to awaken you in t h e n e x t r o o m , or e v e n to be h e a r d by your w a t c h m a n at t h e front door, but surely loud e n o u g h for D i o to h e a r if he was lying on this c o u c h . " "You m i g h t t h i n k so, yes. B u t as I told you, no o n e heard D i o cry out. I suppose he was a very sound sleeper. Or perhaps t h e breaking of t h e l a t c h didn't make as m u c h noise as you seem to t h i n k . " " W e c o u l d argue t h e p o i n t forever," I said. " O r shall we make an empirical test?" " D o you m e a n — ? " " I f you'll let m e . " C o p o n i u s shrugged. " G o o n . " I u n l a t c h e d t h e window and stepped through it, i n t o t h e courtyard beyond, w h i c h was surrounded by a high wall. Inside the r o o m , C o p o n i u s l a t c h e d t h e shutters. I pushed on t h e m , testing t h e i r strength, and realized it would take a c o n s i d e r a b l e effort to force t h e m o p e n . I looked around and spotted a loose s t o n e . C l u t c h i n g it in my fist, I struck a hard blow against t h e shutters. W i t h a sound of splintering wood t h e shutters flew o p e n a n d t h e m e t a l l a t c h went flying across t h e r o o m and landed o n t h e carpet. I c l i m b e d t h r o u g h t h e window. " T e l l m e , was t h e b r o k e n l a t c h found across t h e r o o m like t h a t , lying on t h e floor?" " W h y , yes. I ' m sure of it. I remember, b e c a u s e w h e n I c a m e i n t o this r o o m I stepped on t h e l a t c h and c u t my bare f o o t . " " T h e n we c a n assume t h a t t h e shutters were forced o p e n w i t h at least as m u c h force on t h a t n i g h t , and must have made as m u c h n o i s e . I would say t h a t was noisy e n o u g h to wake anyone in this r o o m . " " Y e s , " C o p o n i u s agreed, fretfully tapping his forefinger against his lips. " A n d yet, D i o d i d n ' t cry o u t . " "Perhaps he was awakened from a deep sleep, u n a b l e to c o m p r e h e n d . Or perhaps he c o m p r e h e n d e d only t o o well a n d was paralyzed w i t h fright." "Perhaps. W a s his t h r o a t c u t ? " " N o . A l l t h e wounds were i n his c h e s t . " " H o w many w o u n d s ? " " I ' m n o t sure, e x a c t l y . Q u i t e a few." " T h e r e must have b e e n a great deal of b l o o d . " " S o m e blood, yes." " A struggling m a n , stabbed repeatedly i n t h e c h e s t — t h e r o o m must have b e e n covered w i t h b l o o d . " C o p o n i u s w r i n k l e d his brow. " W h e n we c a m e in t h e r o o m , it was

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very dark, of course. T h e slaves h e l d lamps. Shadows swung all about. I r e m e m b e r seeing b l o o d — I d o n ' t k n o w how m u c h . D o e s it m a t t e r ? " " P r o b a b l y n o t . You don't still have t h e sleeping t u n i c D i o was wearing, o r t h e cushions h e was sleeping o n ? " " O f course n o t . T h e y were b u r n e d . " I looked around t h e r o o m , imagining D i o on t h e c o u c h , silent, terrified, b e i n g s t a b b e d repeatedly in t h e c h e s t . S o m e h o w t h e image did not m a k e s e n s e . "Your w a t c h m a n finally did h e a r s o m e t h i n g , a n d c a m e to investigate." "Yes." " W o u l d you let m e speak t o h i m ? " " O f c o u r s e . " C o p o n i u s s u m m o n e d t h e slave, a sturdy young G r e e k n a m e d P h i l o , w h o looked k e e n e n o u g h . I asked h i m e x a c t l y w h a t h e h a d heard o n t h e n i g h t t h a t D i o died. " A n o i s e , c o m i n g from this r o o m . " " W h a t kind of noise?" "A banging kind of noise." " N o t a s c r e a m , or a m o a n ? " "No." " S p l i n t e r i n g wood, c r a c k e d h i n g e s ? " " N o , m o r e like s o m e t h i n g being k n o c k e d o n t o t h e floor." " W h e n w e c a m e i n , " C o p o n i u s i n t e r j e c t e d , "everything was i n disarray. T h e tables were upended, t h e c h a i r o n its side. T h e scrolls D i o kept by his bedside were scattered a b o u t . " " W h e n you h e a r d t h e banging n o i s e , " I said to P h i l o , " h o w q u i c k l y did you c o m e ? " " R i g h t away. I h e a r d m o r e noises w h i l e I was r u n n i n g down t h e hallway." " H o w did you k n o w w h e r e t h e noises were c o m i n g f r o m ? " " A s I got c l o s e r I c o u l d tell t h a t t h e y were c o m i n g from inside this room." " S o you tried t o o p e n t h e d o o r ? " T h e slave h e s i t a t e d . " N o t right away." " B e c a u s e you were f r i g h t e n e d ? " "No . . . " " N o ? I would have b e e n . It takes nerve to o p e n a door w i t h strange sounds c o m i n g from t h e o t h e r side, especially i n t h e middle o f t h e n i g h t . " "I wasn't scared. E x c i t e d in a way, my h e a r t b e a t i n g fast, b u t n o t scared." " T h e n why didn't you try t o o p e n t h e door, P h i l o ? " " I c a l l e d out D i o ' s n a m e i n s t e a d . " " D i d h e answer?"

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" N o . T h e r e was a n o t h e r banging n o i s e . " " T h e n you tried t h e d o o r ? " " N o t right away . . . " " W h a t were you waiting for?" " F o r t h e m t o f i n i s h ! " P h i l o said, exasperated. " T o f i n i s h killing D i o ? " " O f course n o t ! For D i o t o f i n i s h his business, i f that's w h a t h e was up t o . " T h e slave m a d e a face and looked away. " T h e master knows what I mean." I looked at C o p o n i u s , w h o looked b a c k at me blandly and pursed his lips. " P h i l o m e a n s that such noises could have m e a n t s o m e t h i n g besides . . . d a n g e r . " " D a n g e r to D i o , anyway," said P h i l o under his b r e a t h . " T h a t ' s e n o u g h , P h i l o , " said C o p o n i u s sharply. " G e t b a c k t o whatever you were d o i n g . " T h e slave left us. I turned to C o p o n i u s . " T h e s e n o i s e s — " He sighed. " S h o r t l y after D i o c a m e to stay h e r e , h e — h o w shall I say t h i s ? — h e appropriated o n e of my slaves for his own u s e . " I n o d d e d . " T h e last slave he o w n e d h a d died tasting his f o o d . " " T h a t ' s n o t w h a t I m e a n . " C o p o n i u s s h o o k his h e a d . " H e was a troubled m a n , in great distress. If ever a m a n n e e d e d s o m e t h i n g to take his m i n d off his p r o b l e m s , it was D i o . T h e r e was a young serving girl w h o c a u g h t his eye. He decided to make use of her. For his pleasure. He used h e r a l m o s t every n i g h t . " " W i t h your p e r m i s s i o n ? " "I was n e v e r asked, actually. It was presumptuous of D i o to simply take w h a t he w a n t e d , to be sure, but under t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s I decided I would be a selfish h o s t if I w i t h h e l d t h e use of a slave from a guest, especially s i n c e I h a d no plans to use t h e girl myself, at least n o t in t h a t way." " I see. T h e n P h i l o t h o u g h t h e m i g h t simply b e h e a r i n g t h e sounds o f D i o using t h e g i r l . " "Exactly." " A l l t h e b u m p i n g and t h u m p i n g — s u r e l y you heard it, t o o . " " E v e n t u a l l y it woke m e . At first, I made t h e same assumption t h a t P h i l o m a d e . ' A t it again!' I t h o u g h t . I shut my eyes and tried to get b a c k to sleep." " D i d D i o always make s o m u c h n o i s e ? " " N o t always." " W h a t o n e a r t h would h e d o t o t h e girl?" "I hardly see h o w that's any of your business, G o r d i a n u s . I've b e e n

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indiscreet in telling you as m u c h as I h a v e . May D i o ' s shade forgive m e . I begin to grow tired of this i n t e r v i e w — " " B u t eventually P h i l o realized t h a t s o m e t h i n g was terribly w r o n g , " I said, pressing o n . "Yes. W h e n t h e bumps a n d k n o c k s stopped, things got a b i t t o o quiet. H e c a l l e d out D i o ' s n a m e , louder a n d l o u d e r — I c o u l d h e a r h i m calling, so D i o should have b e e n able t o . I could also h e a r h i m rattling Dio's door, w h i c h was l o c k e d , of course. I got up t h e n and told P h i l o to fetch some o t h e r s . T h e y brought t o r c h e s a n d t o g e t h e r m a n a g e d t o b r e a k down t h e door. Inside we found t h e shutters o p e n , t h e r o o m a mess . . . and D i o dead o n his c o u c h . " " A n d t h e slave g i r l ? " " S h e wasn't in t h e r o o m at all, as it turned out. S h e was in t h e slaves' sleeping q u a r t e r s . " I walked to t h e window a n d peered out. " H o w did t h e assassins get onto t h e t e r r a c e in t h e first p l a c e ? It seems to be surrounded by a h i g h wall." " T h e y must h a v e scaled it. T h e y c o u l d n ' t have c o m e i n t h e front because of P h i l o , a n d t h e side walls were set flush against t h e houses on either side. T h e wall e n c l o s i n g t h e little courtyard out b a c k runs along a little alley. T h e r e ' s a gate in t h e wall, b u t it was securely locked. T h e y had to h a v e c l i m b e d over from t h e alley." I n o d d e d . "It's a h i g h w a l l — t o o h i g h for a m a n to c l i m b w i t h o u t help, I should t h i n k . " " D o you want to test t h a t as w e l l ? " C o p o n i u s raised an eyebrow. " N o . I t h i n k we c a n assume t h a t t h e r e were at least two assassins, to h e l p e a c h o t h e r over t h e wall. D i d your n e i g h b o r s see a n y t h i n g ? " " N o n e o f m y n e i g h b o r s c a n see i n t o t h e courtyard b e h i n d t h e h o u s e . T h e alley is p r a c t i c a l l y unused. I doubt t h a t anyone c o u l d have s e e n anything, unless t h e y h a p p e n e d to be standing on a rooftop, w h i c h would have b e e n unlikely on a c h i l l y Januarius n i g h t . Besides, if anyone h a d seen s o m e t h i n g , I'd h a v e b e e n told. I'm on good terms w i t h my n e i g h b o r s . T h e y were all q u i t e upset by t h e murder." I walked a b o u t t h e r o o m , idly tapping my forefinger against t h e metal h o o k s set i n t o t h e walls. " S o t h e slave girl wasn't w i t h D i o w h e n the murder o c c u r r e d ? " " A s I told you, she was asleep in t h e slave quarters." " C o u l d I talk to h e r ? " C o p o n i u s s h o o k his head. " N o t possible." "Why not?" "I sold h e r to a slave dealer here in t h e c i t y . "

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" W a s t h e r e s o m e t h i n g wrong w i t h her? C o p o n i u s h e s i t a t e d . " A f t e r t h e use D i o made of her, she was no l o n g e r suitable to serve in my h o u s e . " "You d o n ' t m e a n she was crippled? " O f course n o t . O h , a few strap marks a n d bruises, perhaps, but n o t h i n g t h a t wouldn't fade w i t h t i m e . Possibly a scar or t w o , but nothing t h a t would show unless she was naked. N e v e r t h e l e s s , she was damaged property. It simply wouldn't do to keep her in t h e household; m u c h better to pass h e r o n . I ' m sure s o m e o t h e r master will find her suitable—perhaps e v e n find h e r value e n h a n c e d by t h e i n s t r u c t i o n D i o gave h e r . " He shrugged. "I n e v e r i n t e n d e d for t h e girl to b e c o m e a pleasure slave, but i t must have b e e n t h e will o f t h e F a t e s . " " O r o f D i o . " M y m o u t h was dry. " T h e s u b j e c t is distasteful to m e , " said C o p o n i u s . " I n d e e d , this w h o l e c o n v e r s a t i o n has begun to tire m e . I should t h i n k t h a t you've already found o u t m o r e t h a n you n e e d to k n o w . " " M o r e t h a n I i n t e n d e d to, anyway." " T h e n perhaps you should be going. H e r e , I'll s u m m o n a slave to show you o u t . " He clapped his hands. T h e slave w h o c a m e r u n n i n g was P h i l o . C o p o n i u s didn't n o t i c e . H a v i n g dismissed m e , his m o o d abruptly darkened. H e didn't e v e n bid me farewell as he walked to t h e window a n d gazed out at t h e sunny courtyard, idly fingering t h e newly b r o k e n l a t c h w i t h o n e h a n d . In t h e foyer I put my h a n d on Philo's shoulder and drew h i m aside. " T h e slave girl w e were talking a b o u t — w h a t ' s h e r n a m e ? " " Z o t i c a . B u t she's n o t here a n y m o r e . " "I know. Your master sold h e r to a dealer. You wouldn't k n o w w h i c h dealer, would y o u ? " T h e slave h e s i t a t e d , scrutinizing m e . H e peered u p t h e hallway and b i t his lip. " T h e master sold h e r t o a m a n down o n t h e street o f t h e S c y t h e m a k e r s , " h e finally said. " I d o n ' t k n o w his n a m e . " I nodded. " L e t me make sure I understand: w h e n you broke into his r o o m a n d found h i m dead, D i o was a l o n e . Z o t i c a wasn't w i t h h i m . " "That's right." " W h a t about earlier t h a t n i g h t ? " H e looked a t m e a n d t h e n peered u p t h e hallway again. " O h , all right, why n o t tell you? S h e ' s g o n e now, anyway, t h e poor c h i l d . Yes, Z o t i c a was w i t h D i o earlier t h a t night. H e c a m e i n wearing t h a t ridiculous outfit, dressed up in a stola, if you c a n believe it, and in a foul m o o d , e v e n fouler t h a n usual. He snapped his fingers at Z o t i c a and told h e r to c o m e t e n d t o h i m i n his r o o m . ' T o h e l p h i m take off his m a k e u p , ' quipped o n e o f t h e o t h e r serving girls. ' N o , just t o h e l p h i m take off!" said o n e

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of the o t h e r s . T h e y were always m e a n to Z o t i c a because she was t h e youngest, a n d t h e prettiest, but I t h i n k t h e y were also glad t h a t D i o h a d settled o n using h e r instead o f t h e m . " " S o D i o w e n t t o his r o o m a n d t o o k t h e girl with h i m . " "Yes, b u t later he must have sent h e r away." " W h y do you say t h a t ? " " T h e rest of t h e h o u s e h o l d h a d g o n e to b e d . I was standing w a t c h at the front door. I h e a r d s o m e t h i n g in t h e hallway and w e n t to h a v e a look. It was Z o t i c a walking up t h e h a l l , away from Dio's r o o m . S h e was naked, c l u t c h i n g h e r gown and hiding h e r face in h e r hands, s o b b i n g . " " C l u t c h i n g h e r gown? W h y wasn't s h e wearing i t ? " " W h y do you t h i n k ? I figured t h e old m a n h a d ripped it off of h e r and t o r n it t o o badly to wear. I asked h e r what was wrong, but s h e just shook h e r h e a d a n d ran toward t h e slave quarters. I figured h e ' d finished with h e r early, a n d b e e n even rougher t h a n usual." " H o w long was this before t h e noise you h e a r d later, w h e n t h e assassins c a m e ? " " O h , quite a while before." " B u t w h e n you h e a r d t h o s e noises and went to investigate, you told m e you t h o u g h t t h e y m i g h t have b e e n t h e sounds o f D i o a n d Zotica . . . " H e shrugged. " I t h o u g h t she m i g h t have slipped b a c k i n t o his r o o m . But she h a d n ' t . W h e n w e were breaking down t h e door t o D i o ' s r o o m , Zotica was off in t h e slave quarters w i t h t h e o t h e r girls. T h e r e ' s no question a b o u t t h a t . S h e woke s o m e o f t h e slaves w i t h h e r weeping w h e n she c a m e in, t h e n kept t h e m awake w i t h h e r sobbing, e v e n w h e n t h e y threatened t o b e a t her. T h e r e ' s n o doubt t h a t she was w i t h t h e o t h e r slaves w h e n D i o was s t a b b e d . " " S t i l l , I should dearly like to have a talk w i t h her. Tell m e , w h e n you broke i n t o t h e r o o m , what e x a c t l y did you s e e ? " P h i l o was thoughtful. " C h a i r and tables overturned. W i n d o w shutters o p e n . D i o o n t h e c o u c h , d e a d . " " H o w did you k n o w he was d e a d ? " " T h e l o o k o n his f a c e ! " P h i l o turned pale, r e m e m b e r i n g . " S u c h a l o o k — h i s eyes a n d m o u t h wide o p e n w i t h a look of pure horror, as if he'd s e e n t h e face o f C e r b e r u s h i m s e l f . " "Pure h o r r o r — a n d yet you n e v e r h e a r d h i m cry o u t ? " "Never." " B u t to h a v e s u c h a look on his face, he must have k n o w n he was under a t t a c k , h e must have felt t h e blows. W h y did h e n o t s c r e a m ? " "I d o n ' t know. I o n l y k n o w I never heard h i m . " " D i d you see t h e wounds?"

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"Very clearly. I h e l p e d undress h i m later, w h e n t h e m e n from the n e c r o p o l i s c a m e t o take h i m away." " H o w many t i m e s was he s t a b b e d ? " " S i x or seven t i m e s , I t h i n k . M a y b e m o r e . A l l in t h e c h e s t , close together." "How close?" He h e l d up his palms side by side. " T w o hands could have covered the wounds." " B u t surely he thrashed about. A frightened m a n startled from sleep, horrified. H e ' s stabbed t h e first t i m e — s u r e l y he cries out. Surely he thrashes and twists to avoid t h e n e x t b l o w . " "Perhaps his arms were h e l d down and his m o u t h was c o v e r e d . " " H o w many m e n would t h a t t a k e ? " " T h e r o o m was a mess. Perhaps there was a whole gang of them milling around i n t h e r e . " "Perhaps. I suppose there was b l o o d everywhere, on t h e walls and carpet?" P h i l o w r i n k l e d his brow. " N o t really." " A n d t h e sleeping tunic h e w o r e — t h a t must have b e e n soaked with blood." " A r o u n d t h e wounds, y e s . " "But n o t — " " P h i l o ! I t h o u g h t you were showing G o r d i a n u s to t h e d o o r . " C o ponius appeared at t h e far e n d of t h e hall. He crossed his arms. "Yes, M a s t e r ! " " T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g I forgot to ask h i m , " I said. "Just a small detail—" "Farewell, Gordianus." I t o o k a deep b r e a t h . "Farewell, T i t u s C o p o n i u s . " B e l b o was waiting for me outside t h e front door, sitting in a patch of warm s u n s h i n e . T o g e t h e r we t o o k a silent walk through t h e streets of t h e P a l a t i n e , b r e a t h i n g i n t h e smells o f midday c o o k i n g , listening t o t h e noises t h a t e c h o e d up from t h e Forum. I walked merely to walk, with no particular goal. I n e e d e d to t h i n k . I was b e g i n n i n g to discover a side to D i o t h a t I had never guessed at. T h i s disturbed m e . I had also begun to p i e c e together t h e s e q u e n c e of his final days a n d hours. T h e gory drama of his death seemed forthright e n o u g h ; it o n l y r e m a i n e d to d e t e r m i n e w h o h a d broken into his room t h a t fateful n i g h t . Yet I could n o t put aside a nagging feeling t h a t somet h i n g was very, very wrong.

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C

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A

P

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R

F

O

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R

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E

N

The girl is i m p o r t a n t . I'm n o t sure how, but I c a n ' t h e l p thinking so." " W h a t girl?" said E c o . " T h e slave girl, Z o t i c a . T h e o n e D i o was . . . " " I m p o r t a n t ? " said E c o . " B u t how? I f she'd b e e n i n t h e r o o m w h e n t h e killers broke in, she'd be a witness, t h o u g h I doubt t h e y would have left h e r alive. U n l e s s of course she was in on t h e i r plan, in w h i c h case they'd have h a d no n e e d to b r e a k in t h e s h u t t e r s — s h e ' d have let t h e m in. B u t t h e n they'd have b r o k e n the shutters a n d killed h e r anyway, to keep h e r from talking . . . but all this takes away from w h a t we know, w h i c h is that t h e girl was not in t h e room w h e n D i o was k i l l e d . " "Still . . . " I h a d finally tired of walking and t h i n k i n g and h a d g o n e h o m e for s o m e t h i n g to eat, to find t h a t E c o and his family h a d dropped by. W h i l e t h e w o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n visited i n t h e garden a t t h e h e a r t o f t h e h o u s e , E c o a n d I sat in t h e little atrium just off t h e foyer, basking in a narrow shaft of warm sunlight. I told h i m all I h a d learned t h a t m o r n i n g from my visits to L u c c e i u s and C o p o n i u s . "It's t o o b a d t h a t C i c e r o ' s e n t e r e d t h e p i c t u r e , " said E c o . H e s h o o k his h e a d . " I m a g i n e , C i c e r o taking o n M a r c u s Caelius's defense, after t h e bad b l o o d b e t w e e n t h e m ! " " T h e r e ' s a lot at s t a k e , " I said. " T h e charges are s e r i o u s — s e r i o u s e n o u g h to send e v e n a brash fellow like C a e l i u s running b a c k to his old t e a c h e r . I ' m sure C i c e r o made h i m promise to be a good boy from now

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on a n d always support t h e status quo. It must have b e e n quite a coup for C i c e r o , b r i n g i n g t h e errant sheep b a c k i n t o t h e fold." " A n d , provided C i c e r o gets h i m off t h e h o o k , C a e l i u s will get a c h a n c e t o betray his old m e n t o r all over a g a i n , " observed E c o . I laughed. " E x a c t l y . I suppose t h e two of t h e m deserve e a c h o t h e r . " " S t i l l , t o o b a d it's C i c e r o for t h e defense. E v e n if you do find c o m p e l l i n g e v i d e n c e against C a e l i u s — " " — C i c e r o will probably make it go up in a puff of smoke while he takes t h e judges down s o m e c o m p l e t e l y irrelevant p a t h to C a e l i u s ' s acq u i t t a l . Yes, I was t h i n k i n g t h e same t h i n g myself. H a v i n g worked for C i c e r o , we k n o w just h o w thoroughly unscrupulous and damnably persuasive h e c a n b e . It's n o t m u c h fun, b e i n g o n t h e opposing s i d e . " E c o c l o s e d his eyes and l e a n e d b a c k against a pillar, letting t h e sun warm his f a c e . " B u t t h e really bad news is about t h e slaves in Lucceius's k i t c h e n b e i n g s e n t off t o work t h e m i n e s i n P i c e n u m . I f Lucceius's wife is right, t h o s e t w o are at t h e very h e a r t of t h e matter. If they were bribed t o a d m i n i s t e r p o i s o n , t h e y must have s o m e idea o f w h o paid t h e m , o r should at least be able to yield up a c l u e . T h e y ' r e t h e link in t h e c h a i n , t h e o n e s you n e e d to go to n e x t . B u t t h e r e t h e y are, away up in P i c e n u m , a n d no m a t t e r w h a t t h e y know, it d o e s n ' t sound like Lucceius would ever let t h e m testify." "Yes, it's frustrating. B u t I suppose s o m e o n e could trek up to Pic e n u m a n d try to get at t h e m . E v e n if t h e y c a n ' t testify, they m i g h t lead us to someone who could." E c o h a l f o p e n e d o n e eye and peered a t m e sidelong. " I have n o pressing business for t h e n e x t few days, and it's always n i c e to get out of R o m e . Just say t h e word, P a p a . " I smiled a n d n o d d e d . "Perhaps. I suppose it is t h e n e x t logical step. S t i l l , I keep t h i n k i n g about t h e girl . . . " " T h e girl?" " T h e slave girl, Z o t i c a . I should have a t a l k w i t h her. S h e m i g h t know something." " I ' m sure she knows a great deal, Papa. B u t do you really want to hear it?" " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " E c o peered at me shrewdly, narrowing his eyes in t h e b r i g h t suns h i n e . " T e l l m e , Papa, do you want to talk to this Z o t i c a to find w h a t she knows about t h e murder, w h i c h is probably n o t h i n g — o r do you wish to t a l k to h e r to satisfy your own prurient curiosity about t h e things t h a t D i o did t o h e r ? " "Eco!"

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" I f she told you t h a t h e r t r e a t m e n t from D i o was n o t nearly as cruel as you've b e e n led to t h i n k , you'd be relieved, wouldn't y o u ? " I sighed. " Y e s . " " A n d w h a t i f t h e opposite happened? W h a t i f t h e things t h a t D i o did to h e r were quite as appalling as you fear, and even worse? I k n o w how you felt a b o u t D i o , P a p a — t h e way he died, t h e fact t h a t he c a m e to you for h e l p . B u t I also k n o w how strongly you feel about t h o s e w h o abuse slaves in s u c h a f a s h i o n . " " C o p o n i u s may have b e e n slandering D i o , " I said. " I t hardly sounds like it. F r o m t h e way you tell it, C o p o n i u s talked about D i o ' s b e d r o o m h a b i t s o n l y reluctantly, and he was m o r e e m b a r rassed t h a n j u d g m e n t a l , as if he was telling you t h a t D i o was flatulent or snored. A n d w h a t about t h e slave, P h i l o ? H e told t h e same story." " S l a v e s like to gossip as m u c h as t h e i r m a s t e r s . " I s h o o k my h e a d . "I d o n ' t like h a v i n g my m e m o r i e s of D i o t a i n t e d by hearsay." " A h , b u t from t h e girl's lips it wouldn't be hearsay." " S o you t h i n k I want to find this girl for no o t h e r r e a s o n t h a n to put my m i n d at rest a b o u t D i o ? " " I s n ' t t h a t it, Papa?" His s y m p a t h e t i c gaze made me feel suddenly unsure of myself. "Partly, yes. B u t that's n o t t h e o n l y r e a s o n , " I insisted. " T h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g else, s o m e t h i n g I c a n ' t quite put my finger o n . " " A n o t h e r i n t u i t i o n from t h e goddess C y b e l e , guiding you o n ? " " I ' m serious. I c a n ' t h e l p b u t feel t h a t this Z o t i c a knows s o m e t h i n g , o r did s o m e t h i n g . . . " " O r h a d s o m e t h i n g d o n e t o h e r , " said E c o under his b r e a t h . " E c o , you said I c o u l d c a l l on you if I n e e d e d h e l p . T h i s is w h a t I want you t o do: f i n d this slave dealer o n t h e S t r e e t o f t h e S c y t h e m a k e r s . Find out w h a t b e c a m e o f Z o t i c a . " " A r e you sure, Papa? It seems to me t h a t my t i m e would be b e t t e r spent trying t o c o n t a c t Lucceius's k i t c h e n slaves. A n d i f I'm t o d o t h a t , I should get started. It will take me a day to get to P i c e n u m , a n o t h e r day to get b a c k , plus t h e t i m e spent t h e r e . S i n c e t h e trial is o n l y four days a w a y — " " N o , find out about t h e girl first. You c a n get started this a f t e r n o o n . It's t o o late to leave for P i c e n u m today, anyway." E c o s h o o k his h e a d at my stubbornness. "Very well, Papa. I'll go and see if I c a n t r a c k down this Z o t i c a for you. If her story is awful e n o u g h , I suppose it may save me t h e b o t h e r of n e e d i n g to go up to Picenum." " W h a t d o you m e a n b y t h a t ? "

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" W e l l , " E c o b e g a n , but h e was interrupted. " I f D i o was s u c h a bad m a n , why are you b o t h e r i n g to find t h e person w h o killed h i m , anyway?" " D i a n a ! " I turned a n d saw my daughter standing in t h e doorway. " C a n ' t I c o m e a n d b e w i t h you, Papa?" S h e walked t o m e and t o o k m y h a n d . H e r long straight hair glittered b l u e - b l a c k i n t h e sunlight. " T h e o n l y t h i n g M o t h e r a n d M e n e n i a talk about i s t h e twins, a n d all t h e twins want to do is pull my hair and s c r e a m in my ears. T h e y ' r e such little m o n s t e r s ! I'd m u c h rather b e w i t h you a n d E c o . " " D i a n a , why did you say t h a t ? " " B e c a u s e t h e t w i n s are m o n s t e r s — T i t a n i a is a harpy a n d T i t u s is a cyclops!" " N o , why did you say w h a t you said about D i o ? No o n e said he was a bad m a n . " D i a n a looked at me blankly. " I t h i n k , " said E c o , " t h a t s o m e o n e has b e e n eavesdropping, and for quite a w h i l e . " " N o I haven't!" "It's a very b a d h a b i t , D i a n a , especially w h e n your b r o t h e r and I are discussing b u s i n e s s . " " B u t I told you, I wasn't eavesdropping." S h e stepped b a c k and crossed h e r arms, a n d gave me h e r version of t h e Medusa l o o k . "Diana . . . " " B e s i d e s , Papa, isn't eavesdropping what you and E c o do for a living? I d o n ' t see why you should pick on me for doing it, even if I was, w h i c h I wasn't." "It's a m a t t e r of showing respect to P a p a , " said E c o . " N o o n e in this house seems to have any respect for m e , " said D i a n a . " W h e n e v e r t h e monsters c o m e over I m i g h t as well be m a d e of s t o n e . " S h e turned a n d left t h e r o o m . " M y , my," said E c o . "Is t h a t what it's like to have a thirteen-yearold daughter i n t h e h o u s e ? " "Just w a i t , " I sighed. "Perhaps you've b e e n ignoring D i a n a . " " I probably h a v e . S h e ' s b e c o m i n g difficult." " I t was t h e s a m e w i t h M e t o , r e m e m b e r ? " " I t started later w i t h M e t o , and t h a t was different. T h a t I understood, w h e t h e r I liked it or n o t . B u t w i t h D i a n a , I d o n ' t understand. N o t at all. S h e ' s t h e o n l y o n e of you who's actually of my own flesh and b l o o d , but s o m e t i m e s I t h i n k B e t h e s d a c r e a t e d h e r all by h e r s e l f . " " S h e ' s m o r e like you t h a n you realize, P a p a . " "Yes, I ' m sure you're r i g h t . " I tried to r e m e m b e r what we h a d b e e n

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talking about, b u t found myself musing instead o n t h e s c e n t o f j a s m i n e that lingered in t h e warm air. D i a n a h a d r e c e n t l y begun to use t h e s a m e fragrant oil t h a t B e t h e s d a used to s c e n t h e r hair, just as she h a d b e g u n to o c c a s i o n a l l y use h e r m o t h e r ' s jewelry a n d scarves. I closed my eyes. I breathed i n t h e fragrance; i t m i g h t have c o m e from e i t h e r o f t h e m . D i a n a was b e c o m i n g so m u c h like h e r m o t h e r . . . I was interrupted by t h e sound of a c l e a r e d throat. I o p e n e d my eyes, b l i n k i n g at t h e b r i g h t s u n s h i n e . " W h a t is it, B e l b o ? " " A caller, M a s t e r . T h e little gallus again. H e says t h a t you must come w i t h h i m a t o n c e . " " C o m e w i t h h i m ? " I turned my face b a c k to t h e sun and c l o s e d my eyes again. M y legs a c h e d from t o o m u c h walking. T h e s u n s h i n e was making me sleepy. "Yes, you must!" piped a familiar v o i c e . I o p e n e d my eyes to see T r y g o n i o n slipping past B e l b o i n t o t h e atrium. His silver b r a c e l e t s j a n g l e d and glittered in t h e sunlight, a n d his red a n d yellow robes were dazzling. E c o raised his eyebrows. B e l b o stamped his foot in frustration. " C l o d i a n e e d s y o u , " said T r y g o n i o n . " A t o n c e ! It's a m a t t e r of life and d e a t h ! " " L i f e a n d d e a t h ? " I said skeptically. " A n d p o i s o n ! " said T r y g o n i o n , exasperated. " T h e m o n s t e r i s planning t o p o i s o n h e r ! " "Who?" "Caelius! Clodia!" " T r y g o n i o n , w h a t are you talking a b o u t ? " "You must c o m e at o n c e . T h e r e ' s a litter waiting o u t s i d e . " I wearily got to my feet. " D o you w a n t m e t o c o m e w i t h you, Papa?" said E c o . " N o . I'd r a t h e r you got started finding Z o t i c a . " " T a k e B e l b o w i t h you, P a p a . " " N o n e e d t o take along t h a t hulking b r u t e , " said T r y g o n i o n . "You'll be in t h e litter. It's well guarded." " S h a l l I tell B e t h e s d a you'll be b a c k for d i n n e r ? " said E c o , raising an eyebrow. " B a i t me all you like, E c o . I ' m n o t letting you c o m e a l o n g , " I said. His laughter followed me out of t h e atrium. T h e l i t t e r in front of my h o u s e was far more impressive t h a n I would have e x p e c t e d e v e n C l o d i a to send for a mere hireling. T h e b o x was draped w i t h red a n d w h i t e striped silk, like C l o d i a ' s t e n t on t h e T i b e r . T h e poles were of polished o a k , b o r n e aloft by a t e a m of b a r e - c h e s t e d slaves w i t h o x l i k e shoulders, dressed in w h i t e l o i n c l o t h s a n d t h i c k - s o l e d sandals. Every o n e o f t h e m was b l o n d — S c y t h i a n s , perhaps, o r captured

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G a u l s from C a e s a r ' s c o n q u e s t s . I h a d seen t h e m before, a m o n g t h e young m e n c a v o r t i n g in t h e river at C l o d i a ' s h o r t i . A small retinue of bodyguards stood b e h i n d , probably recruited from Clodius's gang. I didn't like the looks of t h e m , w h i c h m e a n t t h e y had t h e right l o o k for a bodyguard. T r y g o n i o n snapped his f i n g e r s . W i t h well-practiced efficiency, the bearers lowered t h e b o x . A slave put down a b l o c k of wood so t h a t we c o u l d step inside. I gestured for T r y g o n i o n to e n t e r but he s h o o k his h e a d . "I have business e l s e w h e r e . G o a h e a d , c l i m b i n ! " I stepped o n t o t h e b l o c k a n d parted t h e curtains. A m e l a n g e of e x o t i c s c e n t s issued from w i t h i n . J a s m i n e was a m o n g t h e m , along with f r a n k i n c e n s e a n d sandalwood and m o r e elusive s c e n t s — C l o d i a ' s smell. T h e i n n e r draperies were o f some heavy, opaque fabric, m a k i n g t h e i n t e r i o r o f t h e b o x s e e m very dark after t h e b r i g h t sunlight o f t h e street. I was already inside, settling b a c k against t h e cushions a n d b e i n g lifted aloft, before I realized t h a t I was n o t a l o n e . " T h a n k you for c o m i n g . " A h a n d t o u c h e d my arm. I sensed her p r e s e n c e , s m e l l e d h e r s c e n t , felt t h e warmth o f h e r body. "Clodia!" S h e stirred beside m e . H e r leg brushed against m i n e . S h e laughed softly a n d I s m e l l e d h e r b r e a t h , warm and m o i s t against my face and vaguely s m e l l i n g o f cloves. "You sound surprised to see m e , G o r d i a n u s . " "I t h o u g h t t h e litter was e m p t y . " As my eyes adjusted to t h e dimness I saw t h a t t h e r e was yet a n o t h e r o c c u p a n t . A c r o s s from us, settled against t h e c u s h i o n s a t t h e front o f t h e b o x , was t h e auburn-haired h a n d m a i d e n , C h r y s i s . S h e smiled a n d nodded. "A w o m a n learns early n e v e r to step i n t o a litter w i t h o u t k n o w i n g w h o ' s i n s i d e , " said C l o d i a . " I should t h i n k m e n c o u l d profit from t h e s a m e rule, t h o u g h t h e danger may be different." T h e ride was i m p e c c a b l y s m o o t h . I parted t h e nearest c u r t a i n and saw t h a t our p a c e was very quick. F r o m b e h i n d us I could h e a r t h e sound of t h e bodyguards trotting to keep up. " W e d o n ' t s e e m t o b e h e a d e d toward your h o u s e , C l o d i a . " " N o . W h a t I h a v e to tell you is best discussed away from curious e a r s . " S h e saw m e g l a n c e a t h e r h a n d m a i d e n . " D o n ' t worry about C h r y s i s . N o o n e i s m o r e loyal t h a n s h e . " C l o d i a e x t e n d e d her leg a n d t o u c h e d h e r bare foot against t h e slave's. S h e l e a n e d forward, as did C h r y s i s . W h e n t h e i r faces m e t C l o d i a gave t h e girl a kiss upon t h e forehead a n d g e n t l y stroked h e r c h e e k . C l o d i a l e a n e d b a c k . I felt h e r warmth n e x t t o m e again. "It's t o o d a r k , " she murmured. " C h r y s i s , beloved, o p e n t h e i n n e r c u r t a i n s . "

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T h e slave girl moved n i m b l y about t h e c o m p a r t m e n t , pulling b a c k the heavy i n n e r curtains and tying t h e m t o h o o k s a t e a c h c o r n e r . T h e box r e m a i n e d private, c o n c e a l e d by t h e t r a n s l u c e n t red and w h i t e striped curtains, w h i c h wavered i n t h e breeze. T h e sounds o f t h e street rose a n d fell as we swiftly passed by. F r o m t i m e to t i m e t h e c h i e f of t h e l i t t e r bearers whistled to signal a turn or a stop or a c h a n g e in p a c e , b u t t h e box never p i t c h e d or swayed. A lethargic sense of luxury c r e p t over m e , the feeling of b e i n g b o r n e effortlessly aloft in a private world from w h i c h the squalor of t h e street was e x c l u d e d . T h e sudden, u n e x p e c t e d nearness o f C l o d i a ' s body was i n t o x i c a t i n g . S h e was so c l o s e t h a t I could see h e r only in sidelong g l a n c e s , n e v e r all at o n c e ; like an o b j e c t h e l d t o o c l o s e before t h e eyes, she d o m i n a t e d my senses e v e n w h i l e she eluded t h e m . In t h e filtered glow of sunlight t h r o u g h silk curtains, t h e flesh of h e r arms a n d face appeared as s m o o t h as wax, but radiant w i t h an i n n e r warmth. H e r stola was as transparent as t h e one she h a d w o r n before, but was of a different shade, a creamy w h i t e the e x a c t c o l o r o f h e r flesh. A s w e passed through dappled p a t c h e s o f sunlight a n d shadow, t h e illusion t h a t she was naked was s o m e t i m e s uncanny, until s h e moved, w h e r e u p o n t h e dress moved w i t h a life of its own, as if t h e s h i m m e r i n g fabric, provoked by h e r t o u c h , sought to caress all t h e h i d d e n places of h e r body. T h e b o x was suspended so as to stay level w h e n t h e poles were tilted, but I c o u l d tell w h e n we b e g a n t h e sharp d e s c e n t down t h e western slope o f t h e P a l a t i n e toward t h e Forum B o a r i u m . T h e noises from outside grew louder as we passed through t h e great c a t t l e market. T h e c o n g e s t e d streets forced t h e bearers t o c o m e t o numerous stops, and t h e smells o f roasted flesh a n d live beasts for sale intruded on C l o d i a ' s perfume. T h e spell w i t h i n t h e b o x slackened. I felt as if I were waking from a dream. " W h e r e are we g o i n g ? " I said. " T o a p l a c e w h e r e we c a n talk privately." " T o your h o r t i o n t h e T i b e r ? " "You'll see. Tell me w h a t you discovered today." As we passed through t h e c a t t l e market, a n d t h e n t h r o u g h a gate in t h e old c i t y wall a n d i n t o t h e Forum H o l i t o r i u m , t h e great vegetable market, I t o l d h e r what I h a d learned at t h e houses of L u c c e i u s a n d C o p o n i u s . M y a c c o u n t was m o r e businesslike and c i r c u m s p e c t t h a n t h e o n e I h a d given E c o ; s h e was n o t paying m e , after all, to l o o k i n t o D i o ' s sexual h a b i t s . "You see why it would be difficult to pursue t h e c h a r g e against C a e l i u s for killing D i o , " she said. " T h e c r i m e c o u l d n ' t b e proved against A s i c i u s , a n d probably c a n ' t be proved against C a e l i u s , t h o u g h everyone knows t h e t w o o f t h e m were a c c o m p l i c e s . T h e a t t e m p t e d p o i s o n i n g i s

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t h e key. B u t you're right, Lucceius will never allow his slaves to testify H e ' d have t h e m put to d e a t h first, rather t h a n lose face at a public trial W h a t a h y p o c r i t e ! A true host would want to see a c r i m e against his guest avenged, r a t h e r t h a n p r e t e n d it never h a p p e n e d . " S h e stirred beside m e , and it s e e m e d to me t h a t h e r body had grown warmer. "I wonder if we could s o m e h o w t r i c k L u c c e i u s i n t o selling t h e two slaves to m e ? " "Possibly," I said. " N o t likely." " T h e n I c o u l d c o m p e l t h e m to testify. T h e court would insist that t h e i r testimony be e x t r a c t e d by torture, of course, w h i c h would take it out o f m y c o n t r o l . . . " " A m I h e r e to discuss strategy? T r y g o n i o n a c t e d if t h e r e was some terrible crisis at h a n d . S o m e t h i n g about poison . . . " I parted t h e nearest c u r t a i n a b i t to c a t c h a glimpse of t h e m a r k e t p l a c e . Vendors were selling plucked c h i c k e n s a n d bundles of early asparagus. C l o d i a put a finger to h e r lips. " A l m o s t t h e r e . " A few m o m e n t s later t h e litter stopped. I t h o u g h t we h a d merely c o m e to a n o t h e r c o n g e s t e d spot until I felt t h e b o x b e i n g lowered and Chrysis sprang up to o p e n t h e outer curtains. S h e produced a hooded cape w h i c h s h e deftly draped over h e r mistress as C l o d i a stepped out of t h e b o x . I stayed w h e r e I was, u n c e r t a i n w h e t h e r I should follow. We appeared t o b e a t t h e southwestern foot o f t h e C a p i t o l i n e H i l l , o n the fringes of t h e vegetable markets, still very m u c h in t h e h e a r t of t h e city. W h a t sort of privacy c o u l d such a spot offer? C h r y s i s sat b a c k against t h e c u s h i o n s . S h e smiled a n d raised a n eyebrow. " W e l l , go o n ! D o n ' t be shy. You w o n ' t be t h e first m a n to pass through t h o s e gates w i t h h e r . " I stepped from t h e litter. C o v e r e d by h e r c a p e , C l o d i a was waiting, a n d at my a p p e a r a n c e s h e turned and walked quickly to a h i g h b r i c k wall w h i c h appeared to e n c l o s e a c o r n e r of land against t h e craggy base of t h e C a p i t o l i n e . T h e r e was a wooden door in t h e wall, for w h i c h she produced a key. T h e hinges creaked as she pushed t h e door o p e n . I followed h e r inside a n d she closed t h e door b e h i n d us. A l l around us were sepulchers of weathered marble, adorned w i t h plaques a n d i n s c r i p t i o n s , carved tablets a n d statues. Cypress a n d yew trees reared u p from t h e j u m b l e o f m a r b l e . T h e b r i c k wall shut off t h e t e e m i n g c i t y b e h i n d us. T h e sheer base o f t h e C a p i t o l i n e l o o m e d before us, w i t h blue sky above. " T h e r e ' s n o m o r e secluded spot anywhere i n t h e c i t y , " said C l o d i a . " W h a t i s this p l a c e ? " " T h e a n c i e n t burial ground of t h e C l a u d i i . It was granted to us b a c k i n t h e days o f R o m u l u s w h e n our ancestors moved t o R o m e from t h e S a b i n e lands. W e were e n r o l l e d a m o n g t h e patricians and given this

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parcel, just outside t h e old c i t y boundaries, to be our family burial ground. Over t h e c e n t u r i e s it's b e c o m e filled with shrines and sepulchers. C l o d i u s and I used to play h e r e as c h i l d r e n , imagining it was a little c i t y all to itself. We h i d from e a c h o t h e r in t h e sepulchers and walked down t h e pathways in m a k e - b e l i e v e processions. T h e sepulchers were great palaces and temples a n d fortresses, a n d t h e pathways were broad avenues a n d secret passages. I c o u l d always scare h i m , pretending to raise t h e lemures of our a n c e s t o r s . " C l o d i a laughed. "Five years is such a difference b e t w e e n children." S h e pushed t h e c a p e from h e r shoulders and carelessly laid it atop a s t o n e b e n c h . T h e westering sunlight, reflected off t h e stony face o f t h e C a p i t o line, cast a faintly orange glow over everything, including C l o d i a a n d her s h i m m e r i n g stola. Trying n o t to stare, I found myself p o n d e r i n g t h e wall of a n e a r b y t o m b , on w h i c h a carved tablet depicted t h e s t a i n e d and weathered faces of a husband and wife long dead. " T h e n , w h e n I was older, I would c o m e h e r e to be a l o n e , " C l o d i a said. S h e walked a m o n g t h e m o n u m e n t s , running h e r hands over t h e pitted s t o n e . " T h o s e were t h e bad years, w h e n my father was always away, either e x i l e d by his e n e m i e s or off fighting for S u l l a . My s t e p m o t h e r a n d I didn't get a l o n g . L o o k i n g b a c k now I k n o w t h a t she was sick w i t h worry, b u t t h e n , I c o u l d n ' t stand to be in t h e house w i t h her, so I would come h e r e . D o you have c h i l d r e n , G o r d i a n u s ? " " T w o sons a n d a daughter." "I have a daughter. Q u i n t u s always wanted s o n s . " T h e r e was an edge of b i t t e r n e s s in h e r v o i c e . " H o w old is your girl?" " T h i r t e e n . S h e ' l l b e fourteen i n A u g u s t . " " M y M e t e l l a is just t h e s a m e ! Just b e g i n n i n g t h a t difficult age, w h e n most parents are glad to shuttle a girl off i n t o marriage so t h a t she c a n b e c o m e s o m e o n e else's p r o b l e m . " " W e ' v e m a d e n o plans yet for D i a n a . " " S h e ' s lucky to be h o m e , a n d lucky to have a father t h e r e . G i r l s need t h a t , you know. Everyone always talks about boys and t h e i r fathers. It's o n l y t h e m a l e c h i l d r e n anyone cares about. B u t a girl needs a father as well, to d o t e on her, to t e a c h her. To p r o t e c t h e r . " S h e was lost in t h o u g h t for a long m o m e n t , t h e n seemed to wake to h e r surroundings. S h e smiled. " A n d of course, w h e n I got a little older still, I b r o u g h t boys h e r e . My s t e p m o t h e r allowed my b r o t h e r s to do whatever t h e y wished, but she was strict with h e r daughters a n d w i t h me, o r tried t o b e , t h o u g h i t brought h e r n o t h i n g but grief. O h , t h e r e was many a s e c r e t tryst in this p l a c e , b e n e a t h these trees, on t h a t very b e n c h . O f c o u r s e , all t h a t ended w h e n m y father b e t r o t h e d m e t o c o u s i n Q u i n t u s , " s h e said glumly.

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" A n d n o w t h a t you're a widow, do you still bring suitors h e r e ? " C l o d i a laughed. " W h a t a n absurd idea. W h y d o you a s k ? " " S o m e t h i n g C h r y s i s said as I was leaving t h e l i t t e r . " " N a u g h t y C h r y s i s . S h e was teasing you, I ' m sure. O h , I suppose t h e gossips say s u c h things about m e — ' C l o d i a m e e t s h e r lovers at midn i g h t i n t h e C l a u d i a n graveyard! S h e drags t h e young m e n i n t o the sepulchers a n d deflowers t h e m while h e r ancestors gasp in s h a m e ! ' But these days I really m u c h prefer a c o u c h and pillows. D o n ' t you?" S h e stood sideways a n d turned h e r face to look at me straight o n . T h e reflected sunlight s e e m e d to turn h e r stola to a t h i n mist t h a t clung to h e r naked flesh a n d c o u l d have b e e n dispelled w i t h a puff of breath. I looked away, a n d found myself n o s e to n o s e with a stately basr e l i e f of a horse's h e a d , t h e a n c i e n t symbol of d e a t h . D e a t h as departure; d e a t h as s o m e t h i n g m o r e powerful t h a n m a n . "You were going to explain this t a l k o f p o i s o n . " S h e sat on t h e b e n c h , using h e r c a p e for a c u s h i o n . " M a r c u s Caelius is p l o t t i n g to murder me before t h e t r i a l . " S h e allowed this s t a t e m e n t to reverberate for a m o m e n t , t h e n went o n . " H e knows t h a t I have e v i d e n c e . He knows t h a t I'm p l a n n i n g to testify against h i m . He wants me dead, a n d if he had his way, I'd be j o i n i n g t h e shades of my ancestors before sundown tomorrow. Fortunately, t h e slaves w h o m C a e l i u s t h o u g h t h e c o u l d seduce have r e m a i n e d loyal t o m e , a n d have informed m e o f his p l o t . " " W h a t plot?" " T h i s very m o r n i n g C a e l i u s o b t a i n e d t h e poison h e plans t o use. He b o u g h t a slave to test it o n . T h e w r e t c h e d m a n died in h o r r i b l e agony w h i l e C a e l i u s w a t c h e d . It t o o k o n l y m o m e n t s . C a e l i u s wanted a quicka c t i n g p o i s o n , you s e e , a n d h a d to make sure it would do t h e j o b . " " H o w d o you k n o w t h i s ? " " B e c a u s e I have spies in Caelius's h o u s e , of course. Just as he thinks h e has spies i n m i n e . " S h e stood u p a n d b e g a n t o p a c e . " T h i s was his plot: to h a v e a friend of his m e e t some of my slaves tomorrow afternoon a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s a n d h a n d over t h e p o i s o n t o t h e m , w h e r e u p o n they would bring t h e p o i s o n h o m e a n d Chrysis would put it i n t o my food. His a g e n t a p p r o a c h e d t h e slaves yesterday, including Chrysis. T h e slaves p r e t e n d e d t o agree, b u t instead t h e y c a m e t o m e a n d told m e e v e r y t h i n g . " " W h a t m a d e C a e l i u s t h i n k h e could suborn your slaves?" " M a r c u s C a e l i u s used to be a w e l c o m e guest in my h o m e . He got t o k n o w s o m e o f t h e slaves, including C h r y s i s , r a t h e r w e l l — w e l l e n o u g h , I suppose, t h a t he t h o u g h t he c o u l d sway t h e m w i t h promises of silver a n d freedom if t h e y would h e l p h i m murder t h e i r mistress. He undere s t i m a t e d t h e i r loyalty t o m e . "

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I stared at her, trying to decide w h e t h e r I should believe her, a n d found myself studying t h e shape of her body instead. I s h o o k my h e a d . " S o t h e plot has b e e n uncovered. You've nipped it in t h e bud. W h y all this secrecy? W h y tell me about it at a l l ? " " B e c a u s e M a r c u s C a e l i u s doesn't k n o w t h a t his plot has b e e n spoiled. He t h i n k s my slaves have agreed to follow his orders. He still plans to go t h r o u g h w i t h it. Tomorrow a f t e r n o o n , his agent will arrive a t the S e n i a n b a t h s , carrying t h e little b o x o f poison. M y slaves will b e there t o r e c e i v e i t from h i m — a l o n g w i t h witnesses. W e shall seize t h e poison, e x p o s e t h e agent, produce t h e e v i d e n c e in c o u r t , and add a n o t h e r count o f a t t e m p t e d murder t o t h e charges against M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " " A n d you w a n t me to be t h e r e ? " I said. S h e drew c l o s e t o m e . "Yes, t o h e l p seize t h e poison. T o witness everything t h a t h a p p e n s . " " A r e you so sure you c a n trust your slaves, C l o d i a ? " " O f course." "Perhaps they're n o t telling you e v e r y t h i n g . " " W e all have to trust our slaves in t h e end, d o n ' t w e ? " " T h e n why h a v e you brought me h e r e , away from your h o u s e , away from your bodyguards a n d litter bearers, where e v e n Chrysis c a n ' t h e a r ? " S h e lowered h e r eyes. "You see through m e . Yes, I c a n ' t be c e r t a i n . No o n e c a n ever be c e r t a i n of a n y t h i n g in this world. Yes, I'm a little f r i g h t e n e d — e v e n of my slaves. B u t for s o m e reason I trust you, G o r d i anus. I i m a g i n e you've b e e n told t h a t b e f o r e . " W i t h h e r h e a d bowed and h e r eyes lowered, I n o t i c e d t h e r e m a r k a b l e line of h e r eyebrows, like t h e wings of a bird in flight. T h e n she turned her face up a n d all I c o u l d see were h e r deep, luminous green eyes. " C l o d i a , you asked me to find e v i d e n c e t h a t M a r c u s C a e l i u s tried to kill D i o . W h e t h e r you're pursuing this m a t t e r for t h e sake of j u s t i c e , or for p o l i t i c a l gain, or simply to hurt C a e l i u s , I don't know, n o r do I really c a r e . I agreed to take part for o n e reason: to do what I c a n to put Dio's shade at rest. T h i s warfare b e t w e e n yourself and C a e l i u s — b r o k e n love affair, festering hatred, w h a t e v e r — i s o f n o c o n c e r n t o m e . " S h e stepped e v e n c l o s e r and looked steadily i n t o my eyes. I felt t h e heat of h e r body, as I h a d felt it in t h e litter. H e r eyes s e e m e d impossibly huge. " L o v e a n d h a t r e d have n o t h i n g to do w i t h it. D o n ' t you s e e , Gordianus, it's all tied to Dio's murder. T h a t ' s why C a e l i u s wants to kill me, n o t b e c a u s e I loved h i m o n c e a n d d o n ' t anymore, but b e c a u s e I ' m trying to prove w h a t he did to D i o . T h a t ' s why I want you to go to t h e S e n i a n b a t h s tomorrow, to h e l p foil his plot against me and e x p o s e it for all of R o m e to see. T h i s is all a part of t h e case against C a e l i u s , which is t h e o n l y way to bring D i o ' s killer to j u s t i c e . "

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I stepped b a c k from her. " T h e S e n i a n b a t h s , " I said ruefully. "I suppose I c o u l d do w i t h a h o t plunge. At w h a t t i m e ? " A smile barely registered on h e r lips. " I ' l l send a litter to take you t h e r e t o m o r r o w a f t e r n o o n . Chrysis will go along, to give you m o r e details o n t h e way." S h e p i c k e d u p h e r c a p e a n d h a n d e d i t t o m e , t h e n turned so t h a t I c o u l d drape it over h e r shoulders. S h e l e a n e d b a c k , barely pressing h e r body against m i n e . " O h , and t o n i g h t I'll send over t h e silver you may be n e e d i n g . " " S i l v e r for w h a t ? " " T o buy t h o s e two k i t c h e n slaves o f Lucceius's, o f course, t h e ones w h o t o o k part in t h e plot against D i o . T h a t is, if you're able to track t h e m down. You'll n e e d ready silver if you're to buy t h e m from under t h e n o s e o f L u c c e i u s ' s f o r e m a n a t t h a t m i n e u p n o r t h , o r b r i b e him i n t o l e t t i n g you have t h e m . H o w m u c h silver do you t h i n k t h a t would take? W e l l , let me k n o w before we part, and I'll send it to you tonight." " I ' l l send b a c k a r e c e i p t w i t h t h e same c o u r i e r , " I said. S h e pulled t h e c a p e about h e r n e c k a n d smiled. " N o n e e d for that. I ' m sure you'll return any silver that's still unspent after t h e trial. You s e e , G o r d i a n u s , I really do trust y o u . "

" W o u l d you m i n d if we t o o k a little side t r i p ? " said C l o d i a , w h e n we were b a c k i n t h e b o x a n d aloft. " A s long as I ' m b a c k in t i m e for my d i n n e r , " I said, t h i n k i n g of Bethesda. " I t will take o n l y a few m o m e n t s . I have an urge to go up on the C a p i t o l i n e , just to take in t h e view. T h e air is so c l e a r today, a n d the sun will b e setting i n t h e w e s t . " S h e nodded t o Chrysis, w h o s t u c k her h e a d out o f t h e c u r t a i n s a n d gave instructions t o t h e c h i e f o f t h e litter bearers. W e passed b a c k through t h e vegetable a n d c a t t l e markets, crossed t h e valley b e t w e e n t h e Palatine and C a p i t o l i n e hills, a n d e n t e r e d the F o r u m . T h e day was waning, but a glimpse outside showed me t h a t the squares were still t h r o n g e d w i t h m e n in togas going about t h e i r business. I appreciated t h e privacy of a closed l i t t e r — h o w else c o u l d a m a n cross t h e busiest spot in R o m e side by side w i t h a scandalous w o m a n , without anyone seeing h i m ? C l o d i a ' s e n t o u r a g e did n o t g o u n n o t i c e d , however. A t o n e point we crossed paths w i t h some of M i l o ' s gang, w h o must have recognized t h e d i s t i n c t i v e red a n d w h i t e striped curtains o f t h e b o x .

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" B r i n g o u t t h e w h o r e ! " o n e o f t h e m shouted. " A r e you i n t h e r e w i t h her, C l o d i u s ? " " W e t t h e b e d again a n d g o n e r u n n i n g to your big sister?" " S h e ' l l kiss it a n d make it all b e t t e r ! " " O r bigger!" T h e r e was a sudden j o l t as t h e litter c a m e to a h a l t . F r o m outside we heard m o r e o b s c e n e taunts, t h e n t h e sounds of a skirmish. T h e m o m e n t h a d a peculiar, n i g h t m a r i s h quality; inside t h e b o x we were hidden, but also b l i n d to t h e outside world, so that t h e o b s c e n i t i e s s e e m e d to c o m e from d i s e m b o d i e d voices and t h e scuffling noises were all t h e more alarming, t h e i r causes u n s e e n . I h e a r d t h e slither of steel pulled from scabbards, t h e n m o r e shouts. Beside me C l o d i a ' s body s e e m e d to radiate h e a t . I g l a n c e d at h e r face, w h i c h r e m a i n e d expressionless. I thought I saw h e r ears turn red, but it m i g h t have b e e n a t r i c k of t h e light w i t h i n t h e b o x . T h e l i t t e r b e g a n t o move again, t h e n abruptly stopped. " T u r n i t over!" s o m e o n e shouted. " M a k e a bonfire o f t h e b i t c h ! " S t a r i n g straight ahead, C l o d i a r e a c h e d for my h a n d a n d squeezed it. I gritted my t e e t h a n d sucked in a b r e a t h . F r o m outside c a m e t h e sounds of c l a s h i n g steel, along w i t h yells a n d grunts. F i n a l l y t h e l i t t e r b e g a n m o v i n g again and rapidly picked up speed, leaving a c h o r u s of o b s c e n e taunts b e h i n d us. C l o d i a stared straight ahead. G r a d u a l l y she relaxed h e r grip a n d let go of my h a n d . S h e let out a barely audible sigh, t h e n gave a start w h e n a gruff v o i c e c a l l e d h e r name from outside. " T h e c h i e f o f t h e bodyguard," she said t o m e , regaining h e r c o m posure. S h e pulled b a c k t h e c u r t a i n . A straw-haired gladiator w i t h a crooked n o s e t r o t t e d alongside t h e litter. " S o r r y a b o u t t h a t , " h e said. " N o t h i n g t o worry about. T h e y got the worst of it. M i l o ' s m e n w o n ' t try a stunt like t h a t again a n y t i m e soon!" C l o d i a n o d d e d . T h e m a n g r i n n e d , showing r o t t e n t e e t h , a n d C l o d i a let t h e c u r t a i n drop. W e turned sharply t o t h e left and t h e n t o t h e right again, going u p t h e long steep ramp t h a t ascends t o t h e summit o f t h e C a p i t o l i n e . W e passed b y t h e c h i e f m o n u m e n t s , t h e Auguraculum a n d t h e great Temple of Jupiter, and h e a d e d past t h e Tarpeian R o c k to t h e less builtu p s o u t h e r n e n d o f t h e h i l l . T h e litter c a m e t o a stop. C l o d i a d o n n e d her c a p e a n d we stepped from t h e b o x . T h e spot was deserted a n d s i l e n t e x c e p t for t h e sound of wind in my ears. T h e sky above us swirled w i t h t h e orange and purple clouds of a

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s p e c t a c u l a r sunset. T h e T i b e r was a s h e e t of gold a n d t h e w h o l e western h o r i z o n was aflame. "You s e e ? " said C l o d i a , wrapping h e r s e l f in h e r cape. " I k n e w i t would b e m a r v e l o u s ! " I s t o o d beside her, staring at t h e sunset. S h e p o i n t e d at something directly b e l o w us. " I f you l o o k straight down, over t h e edge of t h e cliff, you c a n see just a b i t of t h e b r i c k wall t h a t closes off t h e C l a u d i a n burial ground, w h e r e we were. You s e e , there? A n d just b e y o n d t h a t , t h e Temple o f B e l l o n a , b u i l t o n t h e same parcel o f land b y o n e o f m y ancestors, the A p p i u s Claudius w h o was victorious against t h e Etruscans two hundred years ago. I n s t e a d of h o l d i n g a t r i u m p h a l parade, he built a t e m p l e at his o w n e x p e n s e a n d d e d i c a t e d it to t h e war goddess B e l l o n a , a n d gave i t t o t h e p e o p l e o f R o m e t o b e his m o n u m e n t . S u l l a was especially fond of B e l l o n a , you know. He gave h e r credit for his v i c t o r i e s . I remember h i m o n c e telling Father, ' T h a n k your a n c e s t o r for m e , t h e n e x t time you t a l k to h i m , for building B e l l o n a such a fine p l a c e to live h e r e in Rome.' " S h e smiled a n d turned h e r b a c k o n t h e sunset, walking slowly until s h e c a m e to t h e opposite side of t h e h i l l . A c r o s s from us t h e Palatine l o o m e d w i t h its great j u m b l e of rooftops. A little m o r e to t h e south the view o p e n e d up. I n t h e valley b e t w e e n t h e Palatine and t h e A v e n t i n e hills lay t h e vast e x p a n s e of t h e C i r c u s M a x i m u s w i t h its long r a c e t r a c k . C l o d i a p o i n t e d t o t h e regions b e y o n d . " O v e r t h e r e t h e A p p i a n Way begins, a n d runs s o u t h all t h e way t o C a m p a n i a a n d beyond. A n d there, crossing t h e A p p i a n Way, j o i n i n g t h e wall for a s t r e t c h , is t h e A p p i a n aqueduct, w h i c h has b e e n b r i n g i n g water i n t o t h e c i t y for almost three h u n d r e d years. T h e s e works are t h e legacy o f m y family. A n d t h o s e m e n i n t h e F o r u m dare t o c a l l m e such n a m e s ! " S h e stared at t h e view for a w h i l e , b l i n k i n g as if t h e w i n d had b l o w n dust in h e r eyes, t h e n looked over h e r shoulder. A stone's throw away was t h e s o u t h e r n m o s t of t h e temples t h a t crowd t h e C a p i t o l i n e . "I n e e d to go inside, just for a m o m e n t , " she said. S h e strode toward the t e m p l e steps a n d left me b e h i n d , wondering w h e t h e r I h a d just s e e n a p a t r i c i a n ' s pious desire to b u r n a bit of i n c e n s e for h e r ancestors, or a w o m a n ' s n e e d to h i d e a sudden burst of tears. T h e l i t t e r bearers rested. T h e bodyguards threw d i c e . Chrysis rem a i n e d w i t h i n t h e c a n o p i e d b o x . I shuffled about t h e paved square in front of t h e t e m p l e , staring at t h e flagstones. S u d d e n l y I realized w h i c h t e m p l e i t was, t h e T e m p l e o f P u b l i c F a i t h , and r e m e m b e r e d t h e inscript i o n t h a t h a d b e e n added s o m e t i m e ago t o t h e marble parapet i n front o f t h e building. T h e i n s c r i p t i o n wasn't hard to find. In t h e fading light I read t h e c h i s e l e d letters w i t h a feeling of odd d e t a c h m e n t :

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PTOLEMAIOS THEOS FRIEND

PHILOPATOR PHILADELPHOS NEOS

AND ALLY

OF THE

ROMAN

DIONYSOS

PEOPLE

W h e n all else was said a n d d o n e , K i n g Ptolemy was t h e r e a s o n behind e v e r y t h i n g : D i o ' s j o u r n e y t o R o m e and his gruesome d e a t h , t h e Egyptian m a c h i n a t i o n s o f Pompey and C l o d i u s and t h e rest o f t h e R o m a n Senate, t h e i m p e n d i n g trial o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s . B u t a s t h e philosophers point out, t h e single t r u n k of a t r e e , so c l e a r to see at its b a s e , b e c o m e s increasingly o b s c u r e t h e farther o n e proceeds i n t o t h e b r a n c h e s . I didn't h a v e to l o o k up to k n o w t h a t C l o d i a h a d finished h e r business in t h e t e m p l e a n d was silently d e s c e n d i n g t h e steps toward m e . I smelled h e r perfume.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

F

I

F

T

E

E

N

I stepped from C l o d i a ' s litter o n t o t h e street in front of my house just as t h e last of t h e day's light was retreating from t h e rooftops i n t o t h e e t h e r . T h e red and w h i t e striped litter departed. T h e stamping feet of C l o d i a ' s bodyguards left a haze of dust in their wake, w h i c h m a d e t h e empty, twilit street even murkier. I rapped on my door, but B e l b o was slow in o p e n i n g it. S o m e a p p r e h e n s i o n — a tap o n t h e shoulder from Fortune, as they s a y — c a u s e d me to g l a n c e over my shoulder. A c r o s s t h e street I saw t h e figure of a m a n . He wore a toga, and from his pose he appeared to be standing still a n d w a t c h i n g m e . I turned and rapped on t h e door again. I tried t h e l a t c h , just in case t h e door might have b e e n left unbarred. It had not. I looked over my shoulder again. T h e figure h a d moved closer, i n t o t h e middle o f t h e street. I n the dimness a n d dust I c o u l d make out n o t h i n g but a s i l h o u e t t e . W h e r e was B e l b o w h e n I n e e d e d h i m ? No need to take along the hulking brute, T r y g o n i o n had told me w h e n I left t h e house. You'll be in the litter. It's well guarded. N o w I found myself a l o n e on my own doorstep, w i t h o u t a bodyguard, w i t h o u t a weapon. I rapped on t h e door again, t h e n turned to face t h e m a n . If I was to be stabbed, I'd prefer to look h i m i n t h e eye rather t h a n have m y b a c k turned. O f course, t h e m a n was probably just s o m e passing stranger, I told myself, e v e n as I went through t h e c a t a l o g u e in my m i n d of all those w h o might want to put a stop to any further investigation into t h e murder of D i o — K i n g Ptolemy, Pompey, M a r c u s C a e l i u s , Clodius's e n e m y M i l o , whose gang h a d just t h r e a t e n e d C l o d i a in t h e F o r u m — m e n n o t o r i o u s for using whatever m e a n s were necessary to snuff out t h e i r opposition.

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T h e figure drew nearer, taking h a l t i n g steps. It was t h e way he walked t h a t frightened m e . If he k n e w m e , why didn't he simply walk up to m e , or c a l l my n a m e ? If he was merely passing by, crossing t h e street on his way to s o m e d e s t i n a t i o n , why did he approach in s u c h a hesitant fashion? I suddenly r e m e m b e r e d t h e stalker w h o h a d followed us up t h e R a m p on the previous n i g h t , t h e figure w h o h a d abruptly turned a n d fled b a c k into the darkness. " C i t i z e n , " I said, finding my v o i c e . " D o I k n o w you?" A puff of w i n d caused t h e dust t h a t h u n g in t h e air to swirl a n d disperse. S o m e w h e r e far above t h e e a r t h a b i t of c l o u d c a u g h t a dying ray of light a n d c a s t a faint glow i n t o t h e gloomy street, a n d I c a u g h t a glimpse of t h e stranger's f a c e . Surely n o t an assassin, I t h o u g h t . N o t w i t h a face like t h a t . . . S t i l l , my h e a r t b e g a n to p o u n d in my c h e s t . T h e door rattled. F r o m inside I h e a r d t h e sound o f t h e bar b e i n g lifted. T h e door swung o p e n and I quickly stepped b a c k , c o l l i d i n g w i t h something a n d turning to see B e l b o smiling down at me sheepishly. " S o r r y to take so long, M a s t e r . T h e mistress insisted t h a t I c o m e h e l p h e r — " " N e v e r m i n d , B e l b o . D o you k n o w t h a t m a n ? " " W h a t man, Master?" T h e figure h a d vanished, as quickly a n d surely as t h e dust in t h e air swirled a n d vanished at t h e least puff of wind. I peered up a n d down the street. " W h o was it, M a s t e r ? " " I d o n ' t k n o w , B e l b o . Perhaps n o b o d y . " "Nobody?" "A stranger, I m e a n . A m a n w h o just h a p p e n e d to be passing by. N o o n e at a l l . " E v e n so, later t h a t n i g h t I found myself r e m e m b e r i n g t h e young man's f a c e — a dark, gaunt face w i t h a scraggly beard a n d p i e r c i n g eyes. It was a face m a r k e d by s o m e terrible c a t a s t r o p h e , w i t h t h e k i n d of l o o k one sees on m e n of a fallen city, n u m b w i t h despair e x c e p t for eyes suffused w i t h a hopeless longing t o o p o i g n a n t to bear. T h e m e m o r y of it made me shiver. It was n o t a face I would c a r e to see again.

I was in t i m e for d i n n e r . B e t h e s d a received my c o m p l i m e n t s on h e r ragout of l a m b w i t h l e n t i l s w i t h a barely p e r c e p t i b l e n o d and c o m m e n t e d t h a t Diana h a d d o n e m o s t o f t h e c o o k i n g . A c o u r i e r from C l o d i a arrived s o m e t i m e later, b e a r i n g t h e silver

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she h a d promised. S h e must have c o u n t e d out t h e c o i n s herself. They smelled faintly o f h e r perfume. As we prepared for b e d , B e t h e s d a asked me how my work was going. S u s p e c t i n g t h a t D i a n a h a d reported everything she h a d overheard me discussing w i t h E c o , I gave as perfunctory an answer as I could without telling a n u n t r u t h . " A n d w h a t did t h a t w o m a n want w i t h you this a f t e r n o o n ? " she said, u n b e l t i n g h e r stola. " S h e wanted to hear what I had to report." I said nothing about the alleged new poison plot or Clodia's scheme to send me to the S e n i a n baths. " T h a t w o m a n has sent you down t h e wrong path, you k n o w . " " T h e wrong p a t h ? " " G o i n g after M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " " B u t B e t h e s d a , 'everybody knows' t h a t C a e l i u s is involved." B e t h e s d a let t h e stola fall and stepped out of it, standing nude for a m o m e n t . "You tease me by pretending that I would believe a thing simply b e c a u s e it's gossip. W h y ? B e c a u s e I'm a w o m a n ? You're t h e one paying h e e d to g o s s i p . " S h e r e a c h e d for h e r sleeping gown and pulled it o n . I tried to i m a g i n e h e r in a gown made of transparent silk from Cos. B e t h e s d a saw t h e l o o k on my face and softened a bit. "You have no reason to suspect C a e l i u s , o n l y t h a t w o m a n ' s word for it. It would be a terrible t h i n g for a young m a n to be punished for a c r i m e he did n o t c o m m i t . " " A n d i f h e did c o m m i t t h e c r i m e ? " S h e s h o o k h e r h e a d a n d began to pull out t h e various pins and clasps t h a t h e l d h e r h a i r up. S h e sat down in front of h e r mirror at the little t a b l e t h a t h e l d h e r b o x e s o f c o s m e t i c s a n d unguents, and b e g a n t o brush h e r hair. S h e s e e m e d a little surprised but made no protest when I t o o k t h e brush a n d b e g a n to do it for her. N o r did she protest when I put down t h e brush a n d ran my hands over h e r shoulders, t h e n bent down to press my lips to h e r throat. We made love t h a t n i g h t with a h e a t t h a t staved off t h e c h i l l in t h e r o o m . I tried very hard n o t to t h i n k of C l o d i a . I m i g h t have succeeded h a d it n o t b e e n for h e r perfume. It h a d p e r m e a t e d my c l o t h i n g and my skin. It h a d g o t t e n o n t o my hands from t o u c h i n g h e r silver a n d thus o n t o B e t h e s d a . T h e smell was faint, elusive, insidious. As s o o n as I would forget a b o u t it, lost in t h e tangle of B e t h e s d a ' s hair, t h e r e it would be again, filling my h e a d and c o n j u r i n g up images beyond my c o n t r o l .

T h e n e x t m o r n i n g E c o c a m e b y w i t h news o f t h e slave girl Z o t i c a . T h e previous a f t e r n o o n , w h i l e I h a d traversed t h e c i t y in C l o d i a ' s litter, he

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had made his way t o t h e S t r e e t o f t h e S c y t h e m a k e r s and l o c a t e d t h e slave dealer. " Z o t i c a i s n o longer i n R o m e , " h e said. " T h e dealer c l a i m s h e tried to place h e r in a r i c h m a n ' s h o u s e h o l d , figuring he could f e t c h t h e h i g h e s t price by returning h e r to t h e type of p l a c e she c a m e from. B u t apparently the marks on h e r body were a little m o r e apparent t h a n C o p o n i u s let on. N o b o d y w a n t e d her for a serving girl or a h a n d m a i d e n . T h e m a n ended up selling h e r to a n o t h e r dealer w h o specializes in pleasure slaves." " S o she e n d e d up in a b r o t h e l ? " " M a y b e , b u t n o t i n R o m e . T h e s e c o n d dealer h e m m e d and hawed and h e l d out his h a n d for s o m e c o i n s a n d finally r e m e m b e r e d t h a t he had her s e n t w i t h a c o n s i g n m e n t of slaves down to an e s t a b l i s h m e n t in Puteoli." " I ' l l repay you for t h e b r i b e , E c o . M e a n w h i l e , what do you t h i n k it would c o s t to buy such a slave girl?" I produced t h e little bag of silver that C l o d i a h a d l e n t m e . " C o n s i d e r a b l y less t h a n t h a t , " said E c o . " W h e r e did i t c o m e from?" I explained. " C l o d i a is a sharp w o m a n , " he said. " M o r e and more I long to m e e t her. If o n l y my father didn't keep getting in t h e way." " C l o d i a c o u l d eat us b o t h for breakfast, suck out t h e marrow a n d turn our k n u c k l e b o n e s i n t o dice w i t h o u t b a t t i n g an e y e . " " T h a t might be a memorable experience." " I advise you t o stick w i t h M e n e n i a , a n d also t o stick t o t h e s u b j e c t . " " T h e n I'll say it again: C l o d i a is a sharp w o m a n . It's a c l e v e r idea, trying to buy t h o s e slaves from under Lucceius's n o s e . Of course, a fellow could get killed trying to do s o m e t h i n g like t h a t . " "You n e e d n ' t worry about i t . " "Papa, I was j o k i n g . Of course I'll go up to P i c e n u m to see if I c a n find these slaves, a n d find out w h a t they know. A n d if it's at all possible, I'll bring t h e m b a c k w i t h me for t h e t r i a l . " " N o , you w o n ' t . " "Papa, you're n o t t h i n k i n g of doing it yourself?" "No." " T h e n it's up to m e . I dread t h e saddle sores, but M e n e n i a has a treatment for t h a t w h i c h I'll look forward t o . " " N o , E c o , you w o n ' t be going up to P i c e n u m . B u t you c a n get just as saddle-sore riding down to Puteoli a n d b a c k . " " P u t e o l i ? Papa, surely you d o n ' t want me to go chasing after Z o t i c a instead of finding t h e k i t c h e n slaves w h o may hold t h e key to e v e r y t h i n g ? T h e r e ' s no way t h a t I c a n do b o t h . P i c e n u m is n o r t h , P u t e o l i is south,

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and t h e trial starts in three days. I'll barely have t i m e to get to e i t h e r of those places and b a c k . It's o n e o r t h e o t h e r . " "Yes. W e l l , t h e n , it's Z o t i c a . " "Papa!" " E c o , you must do as I a s k . " "Papa, you're letting s e n t i m e n t cloud your j u d g m e n t . " " S e n t i m e n t has n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h i t . " He s h o o k his h e a d . "Papa, I know how your m i n d works. You think for s o m e reason t h a t it's up to you to r e d e e m this slave girl. Very w e l l — but there'll be p l e n t y of t i m e for t h a t after t h e trial is over. R i g h t now it's those two slaves up in P i c e n u m that we n e e d . T h a t ' s a dubious enough prospect, given all t h e c o m p l i c a t i o n s that c o u l d arise, but at least it makes sense. At least it wouldn't be a waste of my t i m e . " " S o you t h i n k you'll be wasting your t i m e if you go down to Puteoli to find Z o t i c a and find out what she k n o w s . " "Yes, a terrible waste of t i m e , considering how little we have. W h a t could this Z o t i c a possibly k n o w about Dio's d e a t h ? " " F i n d h e r for m e , E c o . " I placed t h e bag of silver in his hands. " H e r e , I'll prove to you t h a t s e n t i m e n t has n o t h i n g to do w i t h it. If the girl knows n o t h i n g , if she has n o t h i n g to tell us about w h o killed Dio, t h e n d o n ' t b o t h e r to buy her. Leave h e r where she is. B u t if she does have s o m e t h i n g to say, buy h e r and bring h e r b a c k w i t h y o u . " He bit his lips and tossed t h e bag from h a n d to h a n d . " N o t fair, Papa. You k n o w t h a t I'll buy h e r no m a t t e r what, to please y o u . " " A s you t h i n k best, E c o . O n l y I'd suggest t h a t you get started. T h e days are still short, a n d you're missing t h e best hours for r i d i n g . "

In t h e a f t e r n o o n a litter c a m e for m e , just as C l o d i a had said. It was a considerably less conspicuous affair t h a n h e r grand litter w i t h its red and w h i t e canopy. T h i s litter h a d plain w o o l e n curtains and was just big e n o u g h for two people to sit face to face. B e l b o j o i n e d the handful of bodyguards while I c l i m b e d i n t o t h e b o x and sat opposite Chrysis, w h o stared b a c k a t m e with a n e n i g m a t i c smile o n h e r face, idly c o i l i n g h e r auburn hair around a forefinger. I found myself thinking t h a t she could n o t possibly be as young and naive as she looked. T h e litter rose in t h e air a n d b e g a n to move. " S o , " I said, " e x a c t l y w h a t is it t h a t C l o d i a wishes me to do at the baths t o d a y ? " C h r y s i s stopped playing w i t h h e r hair and ran t h e forefinger over

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her Hps as if erasing h e r s m i l e , leaving an e v e n m o r e e n i g m a t i c e x p r e s s i o n o n her f a c e . T h e gesture r e m i n d e d m e o f h e r mistress. "It's very simple. A l m o s t n o t h i n g , really. You're to wait in t h e changing r o o m . O n e o f C l o d i a ' s m e n will find y o u . " " H o w will I k n o w h i m ? " " H e ' l l k n o w you. Now, Caelius's agent, t h e m a n who's b r i n g i n g the poison, is n a m e d Publius L i c i n i u s . Do you know h i m ? " "I don't think so." " N o m a t t e r . C l o d i a ' s m a n will p o i n t out Licinius t o you w h e n h e arrives." "And then what?" " C a e l i u s ' s s c h e m e calls for L i c i n i u s to pass t h e poison to o n e of Clodia's slaves. B u t as s o o n as L i c i n i u s hands over t h e b o x of p o i s o n , some of C l o d i a ' s friends are going to seize h i m a n d make a public s c e n e . T h e y ' l l o p e n t h e b o x t o show everyone what's inside. T h e n t h e y ' l l twist Licinius's a r m until he confesses w h a t he was up to and w h o s e n t h i m . " " W h y should h e c o n f e s s ? " " S o m e of C l o d i a ' s friends are very good at twisting arms. I m e a n that literally." Chrysis laughed at h e r own wit. " W h a t am I to do? I'm a finder, n o t an arm-twister." "You're t h e r e to witness what takes p l a c e . " "Why?" " C l o d i a says you have a reputation for being a good observer." W e t o o k a winding path down t h e eastern face o f t h e Palatine a n d were s o o n in t h e square in front of t h e S e n i a n baths, j o s t l i n g for space with all t h e o t h e r litters. " I ' l l wait h e r e , " said Chrysis. " B r i n g m e news as s o o n as a n y t h i n g happens. A n d don't do anything n a u g h t y w i t h t h e other b o y s . " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " P l e a s e ! W e know t h e sort o f things you m e n like t o d o w i t h e a c h other i n t h e b a t h s . " S h e raised a n eyebrow, recalling a n o t h e r o f C l o d i a ' s gestures. " A r e all t h e slaves in your mistress's h o u s e h o l d as i n s o l e n t as y o u ? " " O n l y h e r f a v o r i t e s . " W h e n Chrysis giggled she looked e v e n m o r e like a c h i l d . I walked up t h e steps, signaling for B e l b o to follow. I paid t h e a t t e n d a n t in t h e foyer, w h o h a n d e d B e l b o a towel. We walked down a hallway a n d i n t o t h e long, narrow c h a n g i n g r o o m w i t h its elaborately coffered c e i l i n g a n d rows of w o o d e n b e n c h e s . Patrons c a m e and w e n t in various stages of undress. A n u m b e r of fully dressed slaves stood idly a b o u t , a l o n e or in small groups, waiting while t h e i r masters

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t o o k t h e i r plunges. W h e n e v e r t h e h e a v y w o o d e n door t o t h e bathing rooms o p e n e d , from b e y o n d c a m e e c h o e s o f conversation and laughter a n d t h e sound o f lapping water. T h e distinctive odor o f t h e baths washed over m e — a m i x t u r e o f sweat and s t e a m a c c e n t e d b y t h e tang o f wood smoke from t h e furnaces, w i t h a musty h i n t of mildew. I l o i t e r e d for a bit, waiting for s o m e o n e to approach m e , t h e n began to feel c o n s p i c u o u s in my street c l o t h e s . I t o o k off my t u n i c and handed it to B e l b o , w h o found an e m p t y n i c h e for it a m o n g t h e c u b b y h o l e s that l i n e d t h e walls. I lifted my arms and B e l b o wrapped t h e towel around my waist. I slipped off my shoes and let out a little sigh as my bare feet t o u c h e d t h e floor, w h i c h was h e a t e d to just t h e right temperature by the h o t - w a t e r pipes u n d e r n e a t h . "I k n o w t h a t sigh!" said a voice beside m e . " L i k e a p o e m : t h e sound a m a n makes t h e m o m e n t his bare toes settle o n t o a h e a t e d floor." I turned my h e a d a n d barely nodded, t h i n k i n g t h e m a n was simply a n o t h e r patron. T h e n I saw his face. T h e l o o k of despair was g o n e , replaced by a sardonic smile. It was a h a n d s o m e face despite its gauntness a n d t h e scraggly beard, but there was a k e e n n e s s a b o u t his brown eyes t h a t m a d e t h e m hard to l o o k into. "You were outside my house last n i g h t , " I said. "I suppose I w a s . " T h a t e x p l a i n e d it, t h e n — h e was C l o d i a ' s m a n , t h e o n e I was to m e e t . S t i l l , why h a d he followed me up t h e R a m p and t h e n run away? W h y h a d h e lingered outside m y house t h e n i g h t before, a n d t h e n vanished w i t h o u t i n t r o d u c i n g h i m s e l f ? " T h e S e n i a n b a t h s are still t h e best i n R o m e , " h e said, toweling his damp hair. He was naked and still wet from t h e h o t plunge, with wisps of s t e a m rising from his flesh. His limbs were slender and his c h e s t narrow. T h e r e was no fat on h i m at all. I c o u l d have c o u n t e d his ribs a n d tapped a drumbeat on his hip b o n e s . " T h e y keep t h e c o l d water cold a n d t h e h o t water piping h o t . It's c l o s e by t h e Forum, so there's always s o m e o n e interesting to talk to. B u t it's n o t t o o far from t h e S u b u r a , so there's usually a b i t of trash about to liven things up. Like t h a t lecherous serpent V i b e n n i u s . " "Vibennius?" H e n o d d e d toward t h e opposite side o f t h e r o o m . " S e e t h o s e three fellows over t h e r e ? V i b e n n i u s is that rakish-looking fellow w i t h t h e fleshy rope h a n g i n g down to his k n e e s , leaning against t h e wall w i t h his arms crossed a n d n o t h i n g to h i d e . Busy Fingers, h e ' s called, for m o r e t h a n o n e reason. L o o k a t t h a t smarmy expression o n his f a c e — y o u c a n tell h e ' s up to s o m e t h i n g r o t t e n . T h a t ' s his son, t h e young fellow w i t h t h e remarkably hairy b u t t o c k s , l e a n i n g over at t h e b e n c h taking off his shoes.

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Have you ever s e e n s u c h a woolly b o t t o m ? Really, it makes me queasy to look at it, like a beard growing at t h e wrong e n d . A p p r o p r i a t e , I suppose, s i n c e he uses t h e h o l e down t h e r e like a m o u t h . F r o m t h e way he's flexing a n d wriggling his b u t t o c k s , you'd t h i n k he was c h e w i n g on something t o u g h . T h a t ' s obviously w h a t t h a t third fellow has o n his mind, t h e b a l d sap sitting t h e r e o n t h e b e n c h staring a t J u n i o r ' s hairy rear e n d w i t h t h a t slack-jawed expression. I don't see t h e p o i n t of t h e towel on his lap, do you? It's n o t hiding what's on his m i n d . L i k e a soldier at a t t e n t i o n in a t e n t ! Do you suppose t h e sap is waiting for a kiss from J u n i o r ' s bearded lips?" I looked at t h e stranger beside m e , trying to make out his express i o n — d i s d a i n , a m u s e m e n t , envy? W h a t e v e r , his p r e o c c u p a t i o n s s e e m e d far removed from our i m m e d i a t e reason for b e i n g at t h e b a t h s , a n d I was about to say so, w h e n he gripped my a r m and nodded intently. " S e e there, J u n i o r ' s finished undressing. He bends over to p i c k up his s h o e s — well, really, he m i g h t as well m a k e h i m s e l f i n t o a hairpin. N o w he unbends, p i c k s up his c l o t h e s , turns to t h e wall. Do you suppose he really has to s t a n d on tiptoes like t h a t to r e a c h t h e c u b b y h o l e , or is he j u s t showing off his shapely thighs? T h e bald sap c e r t a i n l y appreciates t h e s h o w — o h , Eros, h e ' s actually groping himself! L o o k a t t h a t smirk o n Papa V i b e n n i u s ' s f a c e . N o w J u n i o r regally strides toward t h e door to t h e tubs, a r c h i n g his shoulders, thrusting out his backside, walking just a b i t o n t i p t o e — c o u l d a n Egyptian c a t a m i t e d o i t b e t t e r ? S u r e e n o u g h , t h e sap takes t h e b a i t . H e ' s on his feet, h e a d i n g after t h o s e hairy b u t t o c k s like a h o u n d trailing a rabbit. H e ' s at t h e door; he's t h r o u g h t h e door. A n d n o w l o o k a t Busy Fingers!" W h i l e w e w a t c h e d , V i b e n n i u s looked discreetly right a n d left, uncrossed his arms, turned around a n d b e g a n rooting about i n o n e o f t h e cubbyholes. " O h really, this i s t o o m u c h ! " T h e m a n beside m e t h r e w down his towel a n d strode across t h e r o o m . I followed, with B e l b o trailing b e h i n d . T h e m a n walked u p b e h i n d V i b e n n i u s and tapped h i m o n t h e shoulder. V i b e n n i u s gave a start and swung around w i t h a guilty l o o k on his f a c e . " S t i l l up to your old tricks, Busy Fingers? R o b b i n g randy b a t h g o e r s while your boy leads t h e m on a c h a s e ? " " W h a t ? " T h e m a n was dumbfounded for a m o m e n t , t h e n flashed an u n c e r t a i n s m i l e . " C a t u l l u s ! W h a t in Hades are you doing h e r e ? I t h o u g h t you were off playing imperial governor s o m e w h e r e . " " S o m e w h e r e , yes, a n d sort of. A year in B i t h y n i a under G a i u s M e m m i u s was q u i t e e n o u g h . I t h o u g h t he was going to make me r i c h , but M e m m i u s just t o o k m e along t o read m y p o e m s t o h i m . C o u l d n ' t

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b l a m e h i m for c r a v i n g a t o u c h of culture; B i t h y n i a ' s a h e l l h o l e . C o u l d n ' t wait to get out of t h e p l a c e ; c a m e b a c k early, as soon as t h e weather allowed. It's so g o o d to be b a c k in a truly civilized p l a c e like R o m e , w h e r e a fellow's likely to get r o b b e d w h i l e lusting after a pair of hairy buttocks." " W h a t are you talking a b o u t ? " V i b e n n i u s giggled nervously and looked a b o u t , shifty-eyed. " V i b e n n i u s , you disgust m e . For C y b e l e ' s sake, leave t h e p o o r sap's things a l o n e . W h a t did you e x p e c t to find t h a t would be w o r t h taking? His smelly l o i n c l o t h ? " " C a t u l l u s , you j e s t . I was just looking to m a k e sure t h a t my s o n put his shoes away. O h , b u t t h a t explains i t — I must have g o t t e n m i x e d up. I've b e e n l o o k i n g in t h e wrong n i c h e . I wondered why everything looked so unfamiliar!" C a t u l l u s laughed scornfully and s h o o k his h e a d . " V i b e n n i u s , I should report you to t h e m a n a g e m e n t . B u t they'd probably c u t off your busy little fingers a n d throw t h e m in t h e furnace, and t h e n we'd all have to suffer t h e s t e n c h . W h y d o n ' t you go see w h a t your boy is up to? T h e n t h e t w o o f you c a n pull your o t h e r b a t h h o u s e t r i c k . " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " "You k n o w , t h e o n e w h e r e J u n i o r finds a dark c o r n e r a n d grabs his ankles to lure t h e unsuspecting sap, and as s o o n as he's got h i m in a d e a t h grip w i t h t h a t bearded m o u t h , you s n e a k up b e h i n d a n d start goosing t h e fellow w i t h your busy fingers, l o o s e n i n g h i m up for what's to c o m e . " " C a t u l l u s , you slander m e ! " " O n t h e contrary, V i b e n n i u s , your 'massages' are quite f a m o u s . " V i b e n n i u s crossed his arms and looked smug. " F r o m your foul m o o d , I'd say you c o u l d use a good 'massage,' C a t u l l u s . " " G e t any c l o s e r t o m e w i t h t h a t ugly t h i n g , V i b e n n i u s , a n d I'll tie it in a k n o t . " " A n d w h a t i f t h e rope isn't slack e n o u g h for t y i n g ? " V i b e n n i u s smirked. C a t u l l u s stepped toward h i m . I retreated toward B e l b o , e x p e c t i n g blows. I n s t e a d C a t u l l u s g r i n n e d . " O h , V i b e n n i u s , it is good to be b a c k . " V i b e n n i u s o p e n e d his arms. "You wicked goat, how we've all missed your sharp t o n g u e , " he said, e m b r a c i n g Catullus and slapping his b a c k . I b l i n k e d , n o t sure w h a t to m a k e of this display, t h e n gave a start w h e n a h a n d t o u c h e d my shoulder. " G o r d i a n u s ? " said a v o i c e b e hind me. I turned a n d saw t h e vaguely familiar face of a burly young m a n w i t h a n e a t l y t r i m m e d beard a n d soulful brown eyes. It was t h e way his

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eyebrows grew t o g e t h e r i n t o a single l i n e t h a t jarred my m e m o r y — h e was t h e slave w h o h a d answered C l o d i a ' s door. He stood before me fully dressed a n d slightly out of b r e a t h . " B a r n a b a s , " I said. " H e b r e w for ' c o n solation.' " " T h a t ' s r i g h t . " H e nodded a n d lowered his v o i c e . " C h r y s i s said you were already h e r e . Publius L i c i n i u s is on his way now, w i t h t h e b o x . " I frowned. "You're t h e o n e I'm supposed to m e e t ? " "Yes." " T h e n w h o — ? " I turned toward Catullus a n d c a u g h t just a glimpse of his e n i g m a t i c grin before B a r n a b a s pulled me b a c k and hissed in my ear. " L i c i n i u s just walked in! C o m e w i t h m e . " H e t o o k m e b y t h e a r m and led m e across t h e r o o m w i t h B e l b o lumbering b e h i n d . " I n t h e g r e e n t u n i c , " B a r n a b a s whispered. T h e young m a n did l o o k familiar, t h o u g h I h a d never m e t h i m — I had s e e n h i m in t h e Forum, a n d walking through t h e streets of t h e Palatine i n t h e c o m p a n y o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s . H e was nervously g l a n c i n g from side to side and fiddling w i t h s o m e t h i n g in his h a n d . " W e part n o w , " whispered B a r n a b a s . "Just stand aside a n d w a t c h . Make sure you k e e p your eyes on t h e pyxis!" By this he m e a n t t h e tiny box L i c i n i u s c a r r i e d i n his h a n d , o n e o f those elaborately d e c o r a t e d c o n t a i n e r s w i t h a h i n g e d lid and a l a t c h , so favored by ladies for keeping their powders a n d u n g u e n t s — a n d by poisoners for keeping t h e i r poisons. T h e pyxis L i c i n i u s carried appeared t o b e made o f bronze w i t h raised knobs a n d inlays of ivory. He turned it over a n d over in his p a l m . L i c i n i u s spotted B a r n a b a s a n d sighed w i t h relief. He stepped forward to m e e t t h e slave, but B a r n a b a s signaled w i t h a n o d t h a t t h e y should withdraw to a c o r n e r of t h e r o o m . As B a r n a b a s turned, his eyes very briefly m e t m i n e , m a k i n g sure I would follow. I g l a n c e d over my shoulder, wondering w h e r e C a t u l l u s a n d V i b e n n i u s h a d got to, but I c o u l d n ' t find t h e m i n t h e t h r o n g o f c l o t h e d a n d naked flesh. T h e dressing r o o m suddenly s e e m e d to have g o t t e n considerably m o r e crowded. B a r n a b a s arrived a t t h e c o r n e r a n d turned. Licinius r e a c h e d h i m and b e g a n to e x t e n d his h a n d , obviously eager to pass along t h e pyxis. T h e n t h e m a d s c r a m b l e and t h e shouting b e g a n . S i n c e I h a d arrived in t h e c h a n g i n g r o o m I h a d b e e n studying t h e crowd, trying to spot C l o d i a ' s arm-twisters. I h a d marked down several likely c a n d i d a t e s , judging by t h e i r brawniness, a n d sure e n o u g h , t h e s e were a m o n g t h e m e n w h o suddenly rushed L i c i n i u s . B u t t h e r e were m o r e of t h e m t h a n I would have e x p e c t e d , at least t e n . A m o n g t h e m , to my surprise, was t h e busy-fingered V i b e n n i u s . T h e y m o v e d t o a p p r e h e n d L i c i n i u s t h e m o m e n t t h e pyxis c h a n g e d hands, b u t t h e i r t i m i n g was premature. S o m e o n e shouted a n i n s t a n t t o o

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early, or s o m e o n e b o l t e d toward t h e b o x before he should have, or perhaps L i c i n i u s was simply so nervous that he froze in m i d t r a n s a c t i o n and panicked before t h e b o x r e a c h e d Barnabas's h a n d . W h a t e v e r t h e e x a c t seq u e n c e of e v e n t s , t h e pyxis was n e v e r h a n d e d over. It r e m a i n e d in Licinius's possession as he w h e e l e d about in alarm and b e g a n to dodge a n d dart around t h e r o o m , slipping through t h e grasp of his would-be captors. I c a u g h t a glimpse of his face and t h o u g h t I h a d n e v e r seen a m a n w h o looked so m u c h like a rabbit, a n d a frightened rabbit at that. B u t t h e pyxis r e m a i n e d tightly grasped in his w h i t e - k n u c k l e d grip. T h e brawny arm-twisters would have made persuasive captors, but w h a t t h e y h a d in m u s c l e t h e y lacked in agility. A r m s closed on empty air as t h e rabbit scurried by. Heads b a n g e d t o g e t h e r as Licinius slipped through t h e i r p i n c e r s . It was like a c o m i c s c e n e performed by mimes, but m o r e e l a b o r a t e l y c h o r e o g r a p h e d t h a n a n y t h i n g I'd ever seen on a stage. T h e rabbit m a d e for t h e m a i n e x i t , b u t t h e way was b l o c k e d . " H a n d over t h e pyxis!" s o m e o n e shouted. "Yes, t h e p y x i s ! " " H a n d it over!" "Poison! Poison!" T h e bystanders witnessing this s p e c t a c l e wore various expressions of c o n f u s i o n , outrage a n d m i r t h . S o m e seemed to t h i n k it was merely a g a m e , w h i l e a few s c r a m b l e d for safety under t h e wooden b e n c h e s . In t h e t h r o n g I spotted t h e sharp-tongued C a t u l l u s , w h o w a t c h e d w i t h wideeyed surprise. L i c i n i u s , u n a b l e t o get out through t h e b l o c k e d e n t r a n c e , wheeled about a n d h e a d e d for t h e unguarded door i n t o t h e b a t h i n g rooms. Just as he r e a c h e d it, t h e door was o p e n e d by an old m a n draped in a towel. L i c i n i u s k n o c k e d h i m to t h e floor. W i t h a great w h o o p , C l o d i a ' s armtwisters followed, leaping over t h e old m a n like hounds over a log. " D a m n a t i o n ! " m u t t e r e d B a r n a b a s as he rushed by m e , grabbing my arm. We followed in t h e rabbit's wake, past a giant tub full of shouting a n d laughing b a t h e r s . O n e o f t h e arm-twisters h a d fallen o n t h e wet floor and kept slipping as he tried to get up. We angled past h i m a n d ran through a n o t h e r door i n t o t h e i n n e r m o s t r o o m , where t h e air was t h i c k w i t h s t e a m from t h e h o t pool. C o n f u s i o n reigned as a tumult of splashing a n d a c h o r u s of shouts e c h o e d through t h e dimly lit r o o m . " B l o c k t h e door! H e ' l l try t o slip b a c k o u t ! " "Poison!" " D o n ' t let h i m throw t h e pyxis i n t o t h e p o o l ! " " D i d s o m e o n e say 'poison in t h e p o o l ' ? "

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" P o i s o n ? L e t m e out!" T h e r e was a great deal of r u n n i n g a n d slipping and c o l l i d i n g as t h e arm-twisters tried t o find L i c i n i u s . S o m e o f t h e m stepped i n t o t h e pipinghot p o o l w i t h hisses o f discomfort and poked about. " H e must b e h e r e ! " said B a r n a b a s . " T h e door's b l o c k e d a n d there's n o o t h e r way o u t . " " O f course t h e r e i s , " I said, p o i n t i n g to a dark c o r n e r . " T h e door t o t h e furnace r o o m . " B a r n a b a s g r o a n e d a n d r a n to pull t h e door o p e n . S w e l t e r i n g air poured o u t from t h e dark passage beyond. B a r n a b a s t o o k a few h e s i t a n t steps, tripped against s o m e t h i n g a n d let o u t a gasp. " H a d e s ! A c o r p s e ! " T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g in t h e darkness at his feet, b u t n o t a corpse, unless corpses have t w o heads a n d w r i t h e about. " G e t l o s t ! " m o a n e d o n e o f t h e heads. " G o find your o w n ! " wheezed t h e other. B a r n a b a s gave a start. " W h a t — ? " " I t ' s w o o l l y - b o t t o m a n d t h e bald sap!" I said. T h i s m e a n t n o t h i n g t o B a r n a b a s , but h e c a u g h t o n q u i c k l y e n o u g h . " D i d s o m e o n e else pass this way?" " Y e s , " gasped o n e o f t h e voices. " T h e idiot stepped o n m y h a n d ! H e ' l l h a v e passed through t h e furnace r o o m a n d be out in t h e alley by now. S o — i f you d o n ' t — m i n d — " B a r n a b a s groaned. T h e w r i t h i n g figures o n t h e floor thrashed, gasped a n d b l e a t e d i n ecstasy. I pulled B a r n a b a s b a c k i n t o t h e b a t h i n g r o o m a n d shut t h e door b e h i n d us. N o w t h e farce h a d everything, including a c l i m a x .

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A R T

T

N o x

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H

R

E

E

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

S

I

X

T

E

E

N

Chrysis fretted all t h e way b a c k to C l o d i a ' s h o u s e . S h e insisted t h a t I c o m e along t o e x p l a i n what h a d h a p p e n e d . I t h i n k she was afraid to b r e a k t h e bad news to h e r mistress a l o n e . T h e l i t t e r bearers turned down t h e little c u l - d e - s a c , w i t h t h e bodyguards a n d B e l b o following b e h i n d , a n d deposited us in front of t h e h o u s e . B e l b o a n d I waited on t h e red a n d b l a c k tiled doorstep, l o o k i n g up at t h e towering cypress trees o n e i t h e r side w h i l e Chrysis rapped o n t h e door a n d t h e n c l u t c h e d my h a n d to draw me inside. B e l b o followed. " W h a t do you m e a n , she's n o t h e r e ? " I h e a r d h e r say to t h e slave who o p e n e d t h e door. " S h e ' s g o n e off," said t h e old m a n . " I d o n ' t k n o w w h e r e . " "For what? For how long?" H e shrugged. " N o b o d y tells m e anything. B u t — " " S u r e l y s h e didn't d e c i d e t o g o down t o t h e S e n i a n baths h e r s e l f , " m u m b l e d C h r y s i s , nipping at a fingernail. " N o , she would h a v e s e e n m e . Unless we passed e a c h o t h e r on t h e way. O h , A t t i s ! " C h r y s i s m a d e a little yelp of frustration. " W a i t h e r e , " she c a l l e d to me as she disappeared down a hallway. " O r in t h e g a r d e n , " she added, waving vaguely toward the c e n t e r o f t h e h o u s e . W h i l e B e l b o stayed in t h e foyer, I walked through t h e a t r i u m b e yond, down a wide hallway, through a c o l o n n a d e d archway a n d finally down a s h o r t flight of steps i n t o t h e o p e n air and sunlight. T h e garden was square, surrounded by a covered p o r t i c o . T h e r e was a low platform at t h e o p p o s i t e e n d , w h i c h appeared to be a stage, for b e h i n d it was a

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wall p a i n t e d w i t h a j u m b l e d c i t y s c a p e , like a t h e a t r i c a l backdrop. In front of t h e platform t h e r e was a small lawn w i t h r o o m for several rows o f c h a i r s . A t e a c h o f t h e four corners o f t h e garden were cypress trees taller t h a n t h e roof. In t h e c e n t e r of t h e garden was a small fountain w i t h a statue of a n a k e d A d o n i s . Bronze fish b e n e a t h his feet emptied water i n t o t h e p o o l from t h e i r gaping m o u t h s . I walked closer to have a l o o k a t t h e m o s a i c s t h a t l i n e d t h e b o t t o m . B e n e a t h t h e splashing water t h e images of d o l p h i n s a n d o c t o p i quivered against a s h i m m e r i n g field of blue. T h e A d o n i s was captured i n t h e a c t o f k n e e l i n g — k n e e s bent, upraised palms e x t e n d e d , his face turned upward w i t h a radiant express i o n . It was o b v i o u s to w h o m he was showing o b e i s a n c e , for on the stairway w h i c h I h a d just descended, atop a h i g h pedestal looking out over t h e w h o l e garden, was an e n o r m o u s bronze statue of V e n u s , even m o r e m a g n i f i c e n t a n d m o r e opulently detailed t h a n t h e o n e w h i c h decorated C l o d i a ' s h o r t i o n t h e T i b e r . T h e goddess was naked above the waist; t h e folds of c l o t h gathered about h e r hips seemed frozen in the a c t o f fluttering t o t h e ground. T h e curves o f h e r body were sumptuous, a n d t h e p a i n t e d bronze gave t h e illusion of p l i a n t flesh, but t h e size of t h e statue was out of s c a l e , d i s c o n c e r t i n g l y large, m o r e i n t i m i d a t i n g than beautiful. H e r h a n d s were captured in gestures of e l o q u e n t tenderness, m o r e m o t h e r l y t h a n e r o t i c , but this was at odds w i t h h e r face, which was strangely impassive, severe in its beauty. H e r u n b l i n k i n g lapis lazuli eyes stared down at m e . As I s t o o d before t h e fountain, studying t h e Venus from Adonis's p o i n t o f view, I b e g a n t o n o t i c e t h e e c h o i n g sounds o f c h a n t i n g and m u s i c from s o m e w h e r e nearby, rising a n d falling and obscured by the splashing of t h e f o u n t a i n , but now growing abruptly louder and faster. I h e a r d t h e piping o f flutes, t h e rattling o f t a m b o u r i n e s a n d t h e jangling of b e l l s , a l o n g w i t h a strange ululation t h a t was n o t h i n g like normal singing. I t h o u g h t I h e a r d words, but t h e splashing fountain kept me from m a k i n g t h e m o u t . T h e music grew louder, t h e t e m p o a c c e l e r a t e d . I stared at t h e face of V e n u s . T h e longer I looked i n t o h e r lapis lazuli eyes t h e m o r e it s e e m e d as if t h e statue m i g h t actually move or speak. S h e b l i n k e d — o r I b l i n k e d — a n d I felt a sudden t r e m o r of apprehension. 1 was n o t a l o n e . B u t i t was n o t t h e goddess w h o h a d j o i n e d m e . T h e v o i c e b e h i n d me was decidedly m a s c u l i n e . " T h e y ' r e at it a g a i n ! " I turned a r o u n d to see a m a n on t h e low stage, dressed in a toga. He h a d b e e n n a k e d t h e last t i m e I saw h i m . "Every year it's t h e s a m e . " C l o d i u s shrugged a n d m a d e a f a c e . " I f

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I were C l o d i a , I'd c o m p l a i n , but I suppose my dear sister is t o o fascinated by t h e galli to w a n t to stop t h e i r fun. A n d it is only o n c e a year." " W h a t ' s only o n c e a year?" " T h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival, o f course. T h e T e m p l e o f C y b e l e i s just over t h e r e , " C l o d i u s said, p o i n t i n g b e h i n d h i m . " T h e H o u s e o f t h e G a l l i is r i g h t beside it. For days before t h e festival t h e y p r a c t i c e , p r a c t i c e , p r a c t i c e . It all sounds hopelessly wild a n d discordant to a R o m a n ear, doesn't it? A n d t h e s i n g i n g — h a r d l y b e t t e r t h a n screaming. B u t t h e n , I'd s c r e a m t o o i f t h e y ' d c u t m y balls off." H e h o p p e d off t h e stage o n t o the lawn a n d sauntered toward m e . "You know, it's absurd, b u t I've forgotten your n a m e . " "Gordianus." " O h yes. C l o d i a ' s n e w m a n , t h e o n e t o get t h e goods o n M a r c u s Caelius. B e e n busy?" "Busy enough." " C l o d i a ' s n o t h e r e a t t h e m o m e n t . S o m e errand o r o t h e r . T h e door slave should h a v e told you. H e ' s getting o l d . " " H e did say s o m e t h i n g , actually. B u t Chrysis suggested I wait h e r e . " "I s e e . O h , that's right, today was to be t h e little drama down at t h e S e n i a n b a t h s . H o w did i t g o ? " " T h a t ' s why I c a m e . T o tell C l o d i a . " He stared at me w i t h g r e e n eyes u n c a n n i l y like those of his sister. " A n d ? W h a t h a p p e n e d ? " W h e n I h e s i t a t e d , h e scowled, w h i c h m a d e his face impossible to read. W a s he feigning boyish p e t u l a n c e , or showing g e n u i n e anger? T h e scowl did n o t h i n g to spoil his good looks; it m e r e l y rearranged t h e m . " O h , I s e e , " he said. "You're h e r e to report to Clodia, n o t t o m e . S h e said you were t h e loyal type. R a r e e n o u g h i n R o m e t h e s e days. B u t my sister a n d I have no secrets from e a c h other. No secrets at all. A n d I s h o u l d h o p e you h a v e n o t h i n g to hide from m e , G o r d i a n u s . I've c e r t a i n l y h i d d e n n o t h i n g from y o u . " He gave me a k n o w i n g l o o k . W h e n I said n o t h i n g , he laughed. " T h a t ' s a j o k e . A b o u t w h a t I was wearing t h e day we m e t . " He s h o o k his h e a d . " S h e also said t h a t you have n o sense o f h u m o r . " "You s e e m to have discussed me at l e n g t h . " " M y sister likes t o get m y o p i n i o n o f t h e m e n she's dealing w i t h . S h e c o u l d use s o m e a d v i c e ! C l o d i a h a s n ' t always exercised t h e best judgm e n t , c h o o s i n g w h o m t o trust. A s i n t h e case o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s , w h i c h brings us b a c k to t h e S e n i a n b a t h s . H o w did it go? H e r e , we'll sit on t h e b e n c h i n t h e shade, a n d i f we're lucky Chrysis will c o m e walking b y and I'll send h e r for s o m e w i n e . " As we sat I n o t i c e d t h a t a n o t h e r m a n had stepped o n t o t h e stage,

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a giant w h o s e face g l i n t e d like a broken shard of ebony in t h e sunlight. He l e a n e d against t h e p a i n t e d wall w i t h his arms crossed, w a t c h i n g us from a d i s t a n c e . He was incredibly ugly, w i t h a bullish n e c k a n d enormous arms. Beside h i m B e l b o would have looked like a c h i l d . He curled his upper lip in a snarl t h a t made my b l o o d turn c o l d . C l o d i u s saw my r e a c t i o n a n d g l a n c e d over his shoulder. " T h a t ' s the E t h i o p . C l o d i a gave h i m to me last year. G o e s everywhere I go. Keeps a n eye o n m e . T h e loyal type, like you. A c o u p l e o f m o n t h s ago, o n e of M i l o ' s m e n c a m e up to me in t h e Forum a n d waved a knife at m e . He n e v e r saw t h e E t h i o p c o m i n g — d o n ' t let his size fool you, h e ' s fast a s l i g h t n i n g . T h e E t h i o p grabbed t h e fellow from b e h i n d and broke b o t h of his arms, just like t h a t . " C l o d i u s snapped his fingers t w i c e . " N o one's t h r e a t e n e d m e i n t h e F o r u m ever s i n c e . B u t d o n ' t worry, h e ' s c o m p l e t e l y harmless t o m y friends. O h , t h a t n o i s e ! I f t h o s e galli aren't m a d already, t h e y ' l l surely drive e a c h o t h e r crazy by nightfall. C a n you imagine being i n t h e s a m e r o o m w i t h t h e m ? W h a t sort o f goddess would want t o g o i n t o a t e m p l e w i t h s u c h a racket going o n ? Now, about t h e b a t h s . . . " I told C l o d i u s a b o u t t h e farce I h a d witnessed. He listened in s i l e n c e , m a k i n g expressions o f disgust a n d a m u s e m e n t . " S o Licinius got c l e a n away?" he finally said. "Yes." " A n d t h e pyxis w i t h h i m ? " " I ' m afraid s o . " He sneered. "I wish I'd b e e n t h e r e . I'd have grabbed L i c i n i u s by t h e balls a n d squeezed until h e croaked out everything h e knew. T h e n I'd h a v e stuffed t h e p o i s o n down his t h r o a t , pyxis a n d all. H u n g t h e corpse up by t h e h e e l s a n d dragged it i n t o t h e trial that w a y — a n e x h i b i t for t h e p r o s e c u t i o n ! You want e v i d e n c e , C i c e r o ? Here's our e v i d e n c e ! " U p o n t h e stage, t h e E t h i o p heard t h e anger i n his master's voice a n d looked at me as if mulling over w h i c h arm to break. I shifted uneasily o n t h e b e n c h . " I suppose your sister will b e quite displeased." Clodius's d e m e a n o r c h a n g e d i n t h e b l i n k o f a n eye. H e laughed. " D o n ' t c o u n t on it. S h e adores a b i t of drama, you know. Loves c o m e d y e v e n m o r e . W e l l , just l o o k at what she's d o n e to this garden. M a d e it i n t o h e r private t h e a t e r so she c a n bring in m i m e s from Egypt to amuse h e r friends, a n d h o s t recitals for whatever p o e t has c a u g h t h e r eye lately. N o , o n c e C l o d i a has t h r o w n a priceless vase or two across t h e r o o m a n d given a few slaves a g o o d b e a t i n g , I t h i n k she'll see t h e h u m o r in it. W e l l , l o o k w h o ' s h e r e — a n d just w h e n my throat was getting dry." C h r y s i s appeared a t t h e top o f t h e steps, b e n e a t h t h e Venus. W h e n she saw us she b e g a n to turn b a c k , but C l o d i u s clapped his h a n d s a n d waved h e r over.

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" C h r y s i s , darling, bring u s s o m e h o n e y e d w i n e — I ' m i n t h e m o o d for s o m e t h i n g sweet. A n d perhaps s o m e dates. A n d some o f t h o s e little seed cakes t h a t C l o d i a ' s c o o k always keeps in t h e k i t c h e n . W i l l t h a t suit you, G o r d i a n u s ? " I nodded. " W i l l t h a t b e a l l ? " said Chrysis, lowering h e r eyes. C l o d i u s growled. " D o n ' t tease m e , little o n e . " "I d o n ' t i n t e n d to tease y o u , " said Chrysis, keeping h e r h e a d bowed. "Harpy! G o o n a n d f e t c h t h e w i n e , before I grab you a n d ravish you right h e r e , in front of t h e guest. Or b e t t e r yet, I'll put t h e E t h i o p to the j o b a n d G o r d i a n u s and I will w a t c h while t h e two of you m a k e a baby u p o n t h e s t a g e . " Chrysis turned pale and quickly departed. " S o young," C l o d i u s murmured, gazing after her. " T h a t auburn hair, t h a t pale flesh. D e l i c i o u s — I should like to pour h o n e y e d w i n e all over h e r and l i c k it up. B u t C l o d i a forbids it. W o n ' t let me t o u c h t h e girl. I suppose she t h i n k s it would spoil her. Or maybe Chrysis is in love w i t h a n o t h e r of t h e slaves; C l o d i a is s e n t i m e n t a l that way. Anyway, I keep my hands to myself. My sister a n d I always respect o n e a n o t h e r ' s property." I n o t i c e d t h a t t h e c h a n t i n g of t h e galli h a d stopped for a m o m e n t . Suddenly it started up again w i t h shrill piping and a clashing of c y m b a l s . Clodius m a d e a f a c e . " W e l l , I suppose we c a n s o m e h o w work around t h e loss of t h e p y x i s , " he said, gazing abstractedly at t h e statue of A d o n i s . " T h i s crazy a t t e m p t to poison C l o d i a is just further c o r r o b o r a t i o n of t h e charge t h a t C a e l i u s tried t o d o t h e same t o D i o a t Lucceius's h o u s e . H e used C l o d i a ' s m o n e y to buy t h e poison a n d b r i b e Lucceius's slaves, s h e c a m e to suspect h i m , and now h e ' s trying to stop h e r from telling w h a t she knows by p o i s o n i n g her. A reckless, desperate m a n — t h a t ' s t h e p i c t u r e we'll p a i n t for t h e judges. C l o d i a says you've tracked down s o m e slaves that L u c c e i u s has h i d d e n away in a m i n e s o m e w h e r e . " "Perhaps." " D i d n ' t s h e give you s o m e silver, in case you're able to find t h e s e slaves a n d buy t h e m ? " " T h a t was m e n t i o n e d , " I said uneasily. " I t may n o t yield a n y t h i n g worthwhile." " I t h a d b e t t e r . W e n e e d stronger e v i d e n c e . It's our j o b , you see, C l o d i a ' s a n d m i n e , t o get t h e goods o n C a e l i u s c o n c e r n i n g t h e poison a t t e m p t o n D i o . O t h e r s are c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n t h e c r i m e s C a e l i u s perpetrated against t h e Egyptians on t h e i r way up to R o m e . Let's h o p e they've c o m e u p w i t h s o m e t h i n g stronger. W i t n e s s e s ! T h a t ' s w h a t w e n e e d . C r e d i b l e w i t n e s s e s — w e could walk through t h e Forum right n o w a n d find t e n m e n w h o ' d swear to Caelius's guilt, but they'd be a b o u t as reputable as a drunken general; bad witnesses merely water down a good

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o r a t i o n . T h e strongest t h i n g in our favor is t h e t h o u g h t that's on every, o n e ' s m i n d : i f M a r c u s C a e l i u s didn't murder D i o , w h o did?" " I ' v e b e e n p o n d e r i n g t h a t myself." " W e d o n ' t w a n t t h e judges t o ponder t o o m u c h . T h e y m i g h t c o m e up w i t h s o m e o n e e l s e ! " C l o d i u s smirked. "You d o n ' t b e l i e v e C a e l i u s is guilty?" " O f course I d o , " he said sharply. "You really d o n ' t have a sense of humor, do y o u ? " " H o w is it t h a t you're b o t h involved in this affair, you a n d your sister?" " W e e a c h h a v e reasons t o want t o see M a r c u s C a e l i u s get what h e deserves. A s d o y o u . " "I?" " C a e l i u s murdered your old t e a c h e r . Isn't t h a t why you're h e r e ? Your reason is p e r s o n a l , like C l o d i a ' s . M i n e is p o l i t i c a l . E a c h has his own i n c e n t i v e . W h a t d o t h e judges c a r e ? " I n o d d e d . " W h a t I m e a n is, do you a n d your sister do everything t o g e t h e r ? " T h e double m e a n i n g struck me as s o o n as I spoke, w h i c h was t o o late t o c a l l b a c k t h e words. "I b e l i e v e t h a t our w i n e a n d seed cakes have arrived," said Clodius. C h r y s i s d e s c e n d e d t h e steps bearing a tray, followed by a n o t h e r slave w h o c a r r i e d a folding t a b l e . W h i l e t h e y set t h e food a n d drink before us, t h e c h a n t i n g from t h e House of t h e G a l l i stopped for a m o m e n t , t h e n resumed at a different p i t c h and t e m p o . T h e priests were singing a n e w song, if i n d e e d t h e k e e n i n g noises c o n s t i t u t e d a song. C l o d i u s sipped from his cup and looked thoughtful. "I never drink h o n e y e d w i n e w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g o f t h e bad old days." " T h e b a d old days?" C l o d i a h a d used a similar phrase. " A f t e r Papa died. T h e l e a n years. W e were e x p e c t i n g h i m t o c o m e h o m e from M a c e d o n i a w i t h wagons full of gold, and instead he left us saddled w i t h debts. W e l l , t h a t sort o f crisis c a n h a p p e n e v e n i n t h e best families. A g o o d t h i n g in t h e e n d : it sharpened our wits. You do what you must. You prove to yourself t h a t you c a n get by on your own, and you're n e v e r afraid of t h e world again. It m a d e us closer; we learned we c o u l d d e p e n d o n e a c h o t h e r . C l o d i a was t h e oldest, and t h e keenest. L i k e a m o t h e r to t h e rest of us." "You already h a d a m o t h e r . " " C l o d i a was c l o s e r t h a n a m o t h e r . A t least t o m e s h e w a s . " H e gazed i n t o his c u p . " B u t I was talking about t h e h o n e y e d w i n e . We were poor, you know, b u t t h e d i n n e r parties n e v e r stopped. T h a t was our i n v e s t m e n t in t h e future, t h o s e d i n n e r parties. My sisters n e e d e d husbands. M y older b r o t h e r s n e e d e d t o l a u n c h t h e i r careers. A n d s o t h e

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dinner parties, every n i g h t . For t h e guests, h o n e y e d w i n e . B u t n o t for us. I n t o our cups t h e slaves would secretly pour t h e c h e a p e s t w i n e . We drank it w i t h a s m i l e . T h e guests were fooled, and never k n e w t h a t we couldn't afford h o n e y e d w i n e for e v e r y o n e . T h a t was e x c e l l e n t t r a i n i n g for a c a r e e r in t h e Forum, learning to put on a pleasant face e v e n w h e n s o m e t h i n g disagreeable is going down your t h r o a t . " He put t h e cup to his lips and drank. I did t h e s a m e . " T h e w i n e is e x c e l l e n t , " I said. " B u t if your sister isn't h e r e , there's really no reason for me to stay." H e shrugged. " S h e may c o m e b a c k a t any m o m e n t . " " W h e r e is she?" " P r o b a b l y g o n e t o h e r h o r t i , o r off t o visit s o m e o n e . S h e t o o k Metella with her." " H e r d a u g h t e r ? " It s e e m e d hard to imagine C l o d i a as a m o t h e r , or to i m a g i n e w h a t h e r daughter would be like. " M y dear n i e c e . W i l l f u l , like h e r m o t h e r . B u t also beautiful, like her m o t h e r . A n d she adores h e r u n c l e . " "Like her mother does?" H e t o o k a b i t o f seed c a k e . "Perhaps n o t quite t h a t m u c h . D a m n a t i o n , t h e y ' v e started singing a g a i n ! " "I t h i n k I ' m getting used to i t , " I said. " T h e r e ' s o n e phrase t h e y keep repeating that's rather pretty. T h e r e , that's i t . " T h e music floated above our h e a d s . C l o d i u s laughed and s h o o k his h e a d . " W a t c h out, o r t h e n e x t t h i n g you k n o w you'll have a strange urge to run off to Phrygia to have your balls lopped o f f . " H e poured h i m s e l f a n o t h e r cup and insisted o n pouring a n o t h e r for m e . T h e w i n e spread through me w i t h a delicious warmth. " A s long as I'm h e r e , t h e r e is s o m e t h i n g I should ask y o u , " I said. "Go on." "A few days ago I was out after dark a n d n o t i c e d s o m e o n e following m e . I t h i n k I spotted t h e s a m e m a n outside my house last n i g h t , a n d today h e spoke t o m e a t t h e b a t h s . I'd decided h e was o n e o f C l o d i a ' s m e n , b u t t h e n found I was m i s t a k e n . W o u l d you k n o w a n y t h i n g about it?" " A b o u t a m a n following you? N o . " "You s e e m to be rather p r o t e c t i v e of your sister. I t h o u g h t perhaps—" " T h a t I'd h a v e you followed, to investigate my sister's h i r e l i n g ? D o n ' t be ridiculous. I offer C l o d i a a d v i c e w h e n she asks for it, but she deals w i t h w h o m e v e r s h e c h o o s e s . I have no c o n t r o l over h e r associates, friends or lovers. W h a t did this fellow look l i k e ? "

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" Y o u n g — n o t q u i t e thirty, I'd say. M e d i u m h e i g h t . Slender, dark. A scraggly beard, b u t h e ' s just b a c k from a trip; maybe he was at the b a t h s to h a v e it shaved. G o o d - l o o k i n g , in a hungry sort of way. His e y e s — t h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g sad a b o u t t h e m , almost tragic. B u t today at the b a t h s h e s e e m e d a n y t h i n g but sad. S h a r p - t o n g u e d . " C l o d i u s looked a t m e curiously. " D i d h e tell you his n a m e ? " " N o , but I overheard s o m e o n e c a l l h i m — " " C a t u l l u s , " said C l o d i u s . " H o w did you k n o w ? " " T h e r e ' s o n l y o n e : G a i u s Valerius C a t u l l u s . S o he's b a c k already?" " H i s friend at t h e b a t h s said s o m e t h i n g a b o u t h i m returning early from a g o v e r n m e n t post out E a s t . " " I k n e w h e ' d h a t e it. C a t u l l u s loves R o m e t o o m u c h . T h o s e country boys always do, o n c e they've g o t t e n a taste of t h e big c i t y . " " H e wasn't b o r n i n R o m e ? " "Hardly. F r o m s o m e b a c k w a t e r up n o r t h ; V e r o n a , I t h i n k . C l o d i a m e t h i m t h e year Q u i n t u s was governor o f C i s a l p i n e G a u l a n d t h e y were s t u c k up t h e r e . " " T h e n t h e r e i s a c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n C l o d i a a n d this m a n C a t u l lus?" " T h e r e used to b e . T h a t was finished before C a t u l l u s left R o m e last spring. F i n i s h e d on C l o d i a ' s side, anyway. You t h i n k he was following you?" "Yes. A n y idea w h y ? " C l o d i u s s h o o k his h e a d . " H e ' s a strange o n e . H a r d to m a k e out. N o interest i n p o l i t i c s ; t h i n k s h e ' s a p o e t . C l o d i a t h o u g h t s o t o o ; h a l f o f his p o e m s were a b o u t her. W o m e n love t h a t sort o f crap, especially from fools like C a t u l l u s . T h e sort w h o bleeds from love; a walking h e m orrhage, a n d b i t t e r a b o u t it t o o . I r e m e m b e r h i m r e c i t i n g from this very stage o n e s u m m e r n i g h t , standing w h e r e t h e E t h i o p is standing now, w i t h t h e beautiful young poets a n d t h e i r starry-eyed admirers gathered around, c r i c k e t s c h i r p i n g , m o o n above. H e ' d lull t h e m w i t h words like h o n e y , t h e n stir t h e p o t a n d show t h e m t h e worms a t t h e b o t t o m . Selfr i g h t e o u s , f o u l - m o u t h e d , long-suffering. H e even m a d e o n e a b o u t m e . " "A poem?" C l o d i u s ' s j a w t i g h t e n e d . " N o t m u c h b e t t e r t h a n t h e doggerel M i l o ' s gang c o m e s u p w i t h , a n d considerably nastier. S o h e ' s b a c k ? C l o d i a will h e a r from h i m s o o n e n o u g h , I i m a g i n e . If you c a t c h h i m following you again, my a d v i c e is to give h i m a good blow to t h e jaw. H e ' s no fighter. His t o n g u e is his w e a p o n . G o o d for m a k i n g insults and p o e m s , a n d n o t for m u c h else, a c c o r d i n g t o m y — a c c o r d i n g t o t h o s e w h o have r e a s o n t o

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know. L o o k , this little b i t o f food has o n l y made m e hungrier, a n d t h e sun's getting low. I ' m n o t leaving until I see C l o d i a . S t a y a n d h a v e a proper d i n n e r w i t h m e . " I hesitated. "I told you, she may show up at any m o m e n t . S h e ' l l want to k n o w exactly w h a t h a p p e n e d at t h e b a t h s , from your lips. If I try to tell her, I'll e i t h e r get angry and c h o k e or else laugh in all t h e wrong p l a c e s . " Slaves c a m e to c l e a r away t h e w i n e a n d cakes. I asked o n e of t h e m to fetch B e l b o from t h e foyer. He c a m e lumbering down t h e steps, p e e r i n g up at t h e m o n s t r o u s statue of Venus w i t h a proper expression of awe. T h e n h e spotted t h e E t h i o p across t h e way. T h e two o f t h e m flexed t h e i r shoulders, dilated t h e i r nostrils a n d e x c h a n g e d suspicious g l a n c e s . "Yes, M a s t e r ? " "Take a message to B e t h e s d a , " I told h i m . "Tell h e r I'll be d i n i n g elsewhere t o n i g h t . " "Here, Master?" "Yes, h e r e , at C l o d i a ' s h o u s e . " I w i n c e d , realizing h o w it would sound to B e t h e s d a . If s h e o n l y k n e w t h a t I was dining a l o n e w i t h a n o t h e r man to t h e s o u n d of singing e u n u c h s , w i t h a giant E t h i o p playing c h a p eron! " A n d t h e n shall I c o m e b a c k , M a s t e r ? " B e f o r e I c o u l d answer, C l o d i u s raised his h a n d . " N o n e e d , G o r d i anus. I'll see t h a t you get h o m e safely." He gave me a c o o l l o o k , c h a l l e n g i n g me to show distrust. I shrugged and n o d d e d . " N o n e e d to c o m e b a c k afterward, B e l b o , " I said. " I ' l l find my way h o m e . " B e l b o c a s t a final suspicious g l a n c e at t h e E t h i o p , t h e n turned, c r a n i n g his n e c k to take in t h e full, frightful splendor of t h e V e n u s as he walked up t h e steps.

T w i l i g h t fell. W i t h a m a d c r e s c e n d o of t a m b o u r i n e s and shrill piping, t h e c h a n t i n g of t h e galli abruptly ceased. A serene s i l e n c e followed. " W e l l , " said C l o d i u s , "I suppose e v e n e u n u c h s have to e a t . It's a warm n i g h t . N o w t h a t t h e racket's over, shall we stay in t h e garden to eat?" C o u c h e s were brought, along w i t h lamps. T h e d i n n e r was simple but e x q u i s i t e . C l o d i a ' s pleasures apparently included t h o s e to be h a d from o w n i n g a fine c o o k . It was a m e a l to be e a t e n slowly a n d savored, a c c o m p a n i e d by leisurely conversation.

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" T h e g a l l i ! " said C l o d i u s , sipping noisily at his fish soup. " W h a t d o you k n o w a b o u t t h e c u l t o f C y b e l e , G o r d i a n u s ? " " N o t a lot. I s o m e t i m e s see t h e galli in t h e streets on t h e days of t h e year w h e n t h e y ' r e allowed to go begging in public. I've heard the i n v o c a t i o n s t o C y b e l e a t t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival. A n d o f course I've m e t your sister's friend T r y g o n i o n . B u t I've n e v e r h e a r d anything like the m u s i c I h e a r d h e r e this a f t e r n o o n . " " T h e c u l t h a s b e e n i n R o m e a long t i m e , yet most people don't k n o w m u c h a b o u t it. It's an interesting story, how C y b e l e first c a m e to Rome." T h e w i n e a n d food h a d put me at ease. I was almost able to forget t h e glowering p r e s e n c e o f t h e E t h i o p , w h o stood cross-armed o n t h e stage and watched us eat. "Tell m e . " " I t h a p p e n e d b a c k in t h e days w h e n H a n n i b a l was rampaging t h r o u g h Italy, a n d n o o n e c o u l d drive h i m out. T h e C o l l e g e o f Fifteen Priests c o n s u l t e d t h e S i b y l l i n e B o o k s , a n d found an o r a c l e : if an invader should take r o o t in Italy, t h e o n l y way to e x p e l h i m would be to bring t h e G r e a t M o t h e r goddess t o R o m e from h e r s h r i n e i n Phrygia. A t that t i m e K i n g A t t a l u s ruled Phrygia, and h a p p e n e d to be our ally. S t i l l , the goddess h e r s e l f h a d t o b e c o n s u l t e d . W h e n h e r Phrygian priests put the q u e s t i o n t o her, s h e s h o o k t h e e a r t h and told t h e m , ' L e t m e go! R o m e is a worthy p l a c e for any deity!' So K i n g A t t a l u s agreed to m a k e a gift o f t h e statue o f C y b e l e , along w i t h t h e great b l a c k r o c k w h i c h fell from t h e sky at t h e dawn of t i m e a n d first inspired m e n to worship h e r . " " H o w do you k n o w all t h i s ? " I said. " G o r d i a n u s , you impious m a n . D o n ' t you k n o w t h a t I'm a m e m b e r o f t h e C o l l e g e o f Priests? I ' m privileged t o look a t t h e S i b y l l i n e B o o k s . I sit on t h e c o m m i t t e e t h a t regulates t h e galli a n d t h e worship of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r . W h i c h is fitting, s i n c e there's a family c o n n e c t i o n going all t h e way b a c k t o C y b e l e ' s arrival i n R o m e . " "You m e a n t h e tale o f C l a u d i a Q u i n t a , " I said. "You k n o w t h e s t o r y ? " " O n l y vaguely, a n d n e v e r as told by o n e of t h e great woman's descendants." C l o d i u s smiled. " T h e ship b e a r i n g t h e sky-stone and t h e statue o f C y b e l e arrived a t t h e m o u t h o f t h e T i b e r and sailed inland t o R o m e , a t t e n d e d by great crowds along t h e riverbank. B u t w h e n t h e ship pulled alongside t h e d o c k to u n l o a d its d i v i n e cargo, it sprang a leak a n d b e g a n t o founder. T h e dignitaries o n t h e d o c k were t h r o w n i n t o a p a n i c . Just i m a g i n e : a group of p o l i t i c i a n s out for a day of impressing t h e masses suddenly find t h e m s e l v e s in t h e midst of a c a t a s t r o p h i c o m e n — t h e

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M o t h e r G o d d e s s sent to save R o m e from H a n n i b a l is about to sink i n t o the T i b e r ! M o r e h o n e y e d w i n e ? " " N o t for m e . " "A bit m o r e , surely." He gestured to o n e of t h e slaves to fill my cup- "Anyway, it was my ancestress C l a u d i a Q u i n t a w h o saved t h e day. Only t h e purest virgins and most upstanding wives were allowed to welcome t h e G r e a t M o t h e r t o R o m e , and there had apparently b e e n s o m e grumbling a b o u t letting C l a u d i a Q u i n t a take part i n t h e ceremony. S o m e thing about h e r loose morals and t h e bad c o m p a n y she k e p t — d o e s this sound like s o m e o n e we know? B u t t h a t day she was v i n d i c a t e d . S h e stepped forward and seized t h e m o o r i n g rope, and miraculously t h e ship began to rise again. T h u s C y b e l e showed h e r divine approval of C l a u d i a Q u i n t a . T h e pious say this proved h e r purity. O f course, w h e n you actually picture t h e s c e n e — a w o m a n r e a c h i n g out and grasping a slick rope, t h e big b o a t b o b b i n g up like a swollen w i n e s k i n — w e l l , C l a u d i a Q u i n t a must have h a d an amazingly skillful t o u c h . " T h e mud-spattered sky-stone and t h e statue were unloaded from the ship and c l e a n e d u p — t h e ritual b a t h i n g of t h e statue is still a part o f t h e a n n u a l festival. T h e T e m p l e o f C y b e l e was built h e r e o n t h e P a l a t i n e and dedicated w i t h great ceremony, w i t h C l a u d i a Q u i n t a as t h e guest of honor. Just as t h e o r a c l e had promised, H a n n i b a l was driven from Italy. A n d today, g e n e r a t i o n s later, we have to put up w i t h t h e singing of t h e galli h e r e in C l o d i a ' s garden! " W h a t must t h e y have t h o u g h t , our staid, dour ancestors, w h e n they got t h e i r first l o o k at t h e Phrygian priests who arrived w i t h C y b e l e , with t h e i r o u t l a n d i s h c o s t u m e s and jewelry, t h e i r long b l e a c h e d h a i r a n d high, lisping voices? Or w h e n they saw how t h e priests worshiped C y b e l e , with whirling d a n c e s and wild frenzies, and secret c e r e m o n i e s in t h e middle o f t h e n i g h t ? O r w h e n they learned t h a t t h e c o n s o r t o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r was a beautiful, castrated youth c a l l e d A t t i s ? N o t t h e k i n d of consort to give a female m u c h pleasure, I should t h i n k . Perhaps C y b e l e prefers a w o m a n w i t h a skilled h a n d , like C l a u d i a Q u i n t a . I prefer Venus myself. T h e r e ' s no ambiguity about w h a t Venus wants from A d o n i s , is t h e r e ? " He gazed up at t h e towering statue. " W h e n they got a taste of what t h e G r e a t M o t h e r ' s cult was really like, our stern, stiff-jawed a n c e s tors must have felt rather queasy. " B u t t h e n , R o m e has a way of gobbling up anything t h a t lands on her plate and s h i t t i n g it o u t as s o m e t h i n g a c c e p t a b l y R o m a n — a r t , customs, h a b i t s , e v e n gods a n d goddesses. T h a t is R o m e ' s genius, to c o n q u e r the world and adapt it to h e r c o n v e n i e n c e . T h e cult of C y b e l e was simply c l e a n e d up for popular c o n s u m p t i o n . T h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival is just

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like every o t h e r festival, w i t h plays and c h a r i o t races a n d a n i m a l shows i n t h e C i r c u s M a x i m u s . N o n e o f t h o s e inscrutable rites t h a t Cybele's followers p r a c t i c e in t h e E a s t — e c s t a t i c riots by worshipers in t h e streets, a l l - n i g h t vigils o f m e n a n d w o m e n t o g e t h e r i n t h e t e m p l e , t h e c h o s e n faithful crawling t h r o u g h t u n n e l s t h a t drip b l o o d . W e R o m a n s d o n ' t care m u c h for t h a t sort o f t h i n g , whatever t h e religious p r e t e x t . A n d n o m e n t i o n , ever, o f A t t i s ! W e ' d rather n o t t h i n k about t h e castrated lover. S o t h e official c e l e b r a t i o n o f C y b e l e b e c a m e a n o t h e r c h a n c e for state priests a n d p o l i t i c i a n s to put on plays and circuses for t h e people. Of course, w h a t t h e galli a n d t h e i r i n n e r c i r c l e of worshipers do b e h i n d c l o s e d doors is a n o t h e r m a t t e r . . . O h , I d o n ' t believe it!" W i t h a shiver o f t a m b o u r i n e s , t h e music h a d r e c o m m e n c e d . " T h e y must h a v e finished t h e i r d i n n e r and now they're at it again," said C l o d i u s glumly. " D o you suppose t h e y eat like n o r m a l m e n ? " " T r y g o n i o n showed a h e a r t y appetite t h e n i g h t he ate at my h o u s e . " " W h e n was t h a t ? " " W h e n h e c a m e w i t h D i o , asking for m y h e l p . T h e n i g h t o f the murder." " A h , yes. W h e n h e talked t h e poor old m a n i n t o playing dress-up w i t h h i m . C l o d i a t o l d me about it. D i o , going out in a s t o l a — i t ' s too painful for m e t o i m a g i n e . T h a t ' s T r y g o n i o n , longing t o b e something h e ' s n o t a n d pulling o t h e r s i n t o his fantasy w o r l d . " " T h e gallus seems to have a curious r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h your sister." C l o d i u s smirked. " A n o t h e r e x a m p l e o f C l o d i a ' s q u e s t i o n a b l e judgm e n t . Like C a t u l l u s , like M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " "You're n o t saying t h a t she a n d T r y g o n i o n . . . ?" " D o n ' t be stupid. B u t in some ways he's no different from t h e m e n w h o ' v e c o m e a n d g o n e in this house w i t h t h e i r balls i n t a c t : t h e y all let C l o d i a treat t h e m like slaves—for a w h i l e , anyway. We h a v e n ' t seen m u c h of T r y g o n i o n lately. H e ' s busy preparing for t h e festival w i t h the o t h e r galli. T h a t m i g h t b e h i m w e h e a r now, blowing o n his flute." H e frowned. "You d o n ' t suppose C l o d i a c o u l d be over at t h e House of G a l l i , c o n c o c t i n g s o m e sort o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t for h e r p a r t y ? " "Her party?" " C l o d i a always throws a party on t h e eve of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival. It's t h e first social e v e n t of t h e spring. T h r e e nights from now." " B u t that's t h e o p e n i n g day o f t h e t r i a l . " "Purely b y c o i n c i d e n c e . O n e m o r e reason t o c e l e b r a t e , i f all goes well. T h i s garden will be full of people, a n d up on t h e s t a g e — w e l l , every year C l o d i a has to o u t d o herself. M a y b e this year T r y g o n i o n will play his i n s t r u m e n t for u s . " He laughed crudely. "I w o n ' t be able to c o m e . I got

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myself e l e c t e d aedile this year, so I ' m in charge of overseeing t h e official events of t h e f e s t i v a l — t o o busy for pleasure. I'll probably have to miss the trial as well. T o o bad. I should like to w a t c h C a e l i u s squirm. I love a good t r i a l . " His green eyes glittered. In t h e lamplight he looked uncannily like his sister. "I e v e n enjoyed my own trial. You r e m e m b e r t h a t , don't you, G o r d i a n u s ? " "I wasn't t h e r e , " I said cautiously. " B u t I t h i n k t h a t everyone remembers t h e G o o d Goddess affair." He d r a n k deeply of t h e h o n e y e d w i n e . " F r o m t h a t ordeal I l e a r n e d three things. First, never trust C i c e r o to b a c k you up. S t a b you in t h e back, m o r e likely! S e c o n d , w h e n bribing a jury, a c c o u n t for a c o m f o r t a b l e margin of victory. You'll sleep b e t t e r t h e n i g h t before. I d i d . " " A n d third?" " T h i n k t w i c e before putting o n w o m e n ' s c l o t h i n g , for w h a t e v e r reason. It did me no good at a l l . " " I t did D i o no good e i t h e r , " I said. C l o d i u s m a d e a dry little laugh. "Perhaps you have a sense of h u m o r after a l l . "

T h e older I get, t h e m o r e easily I fall asleep w i t h o u t m e a n i n g t o . A t t h e e n d o f our m e a l C l o d i u s got up, saying h e h a d t o relieve himself. I r e l a x e d and closed my eyes, listening to t h e c h a n t i n g of t h e galli. T h e pleasing phrase I h a d heard before recurred, and I followed it along u n t i l it s e e m e d t h a t I was floating on t h e strange music, rising above C l o d i a ' s garden, levitating face to face w i t h t h e monstrous Venus, then flying e v e n higher. R o m e was a toy c i t y b e n e a t h m e , m o o n l i t , h e r temples m a d e of little b l o c k s . T h e music rose and fell, and I was carried along like a b u b b l e on a wave, like a feather in a mist, until s o m e o n e whispered in my ear: " I f Marcus C a e l i u s didn't murder D i o , who did?" I woke w i t h a start. T h e v o i c e had b e e n so clear, so c l o s e , t h a t I was puzzled to find myself a l o n e . T h e lamps h a d died. T h e sky above was spangled w i t h stars. T h e garden was dark a n d quiet, e x c e p t for t h e soft splashing of t h e fountain. S o m e o n e had put a b l a n k e t over m e . T h e b l a n k e t smelled o f C l o d i a ' s perfume. T o o m u c h h o n e y e d w i n e , I t h o u g h t . T o o m u c h r i c h food. Yet I felt clear-headed a n d refreshed. H o w long had I slept? I pushed away t h e b l a n k e t . T h e n i g h t was t o o warm for it. I stood, stretched my arms and looked around, still n o t quite c e r t a i n I was a l o n e . But t h e r e was no o n e in t h e garden, e x c e p t for t h e suppliant A d o n i s a n d

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t h e towering V e n u s , huge a n d b l a c k in s i l h o u e t t e . H e r eyes glittered dully in t h e starlight. A g a i n I h a d t h e u n n e r v i n g feeling t h a t t h e statue was about to c o m e to life. I shivered a n d was suddenly eager to leave the garden. A t t h e top o f t h e steps 1 paused t o quietly c a l l o u t — " C l o d i u s ? C l o d i a ? C h r y s i s ? " — b u t n o o n e answered. T h e house was absolutely still. I m i g h t h a v e b e e n in an e m p t y t e m p l e , shut up for t h e n i g h t . I walked t h r o u g h t h e hallway a n d t h e atrium, i n t o t h e foyer. Surely t h e r e would be a slave at t h e door, perhaps t h e s a m e old m a n w h o h a d let us in that afternoon. B u t t h e slave at t h e door was B a r n a b a s , fast asleep. He sat on the floor, l e a n i n g against t h e wall, his h e a d tilted b a c k so t h a t by t h e faint starlight w h i c h seeped in from t h e atrium I c o u l d see his face with its j o i n e d eyebrows. T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g gathered about h i m o n t h e floor, a puzzling shape w h i c h I slowly realized was t h e body of C h r y s i s , asleep w i t h h e r h e a d n e s t l e d on his lap. In t h e utter stillness I c o u l d h e a r their quiet b r e a t h i n g . C l o d i u s h a d promised to see an e s c o r t . It was o n l y reasonable a n d tell t h e m w h a t I n e e d e d . B u t t o m o v e , n o t w a n t i n g t o disturb

me safely h o m e , w h i c h I t o o k to mean t h a t I should wake Chrysis or Barnabas t h e i r repose was so perfect t h a t I feared them.

A h a n d t o u c h e d my shoulder. I turned and stared i n t o t h e darkness. T h e E t h i o p was so dark t h a t for a m o m e n t I c o u l d n ' t see h i m at all. " M y m a s t e r said I was to take c a r e of you if you woke u p , " he said, w i t h an a c c e n t I c o u l d barely understand. " C l o d i u s is still h e r e ? " T h e giant n o d d e d . "And Clodia?" " S h e c a m e , w h i l e you s l e p t . " "Perhaps I should see h e r before I l e a v e . " "They've gone to bed." " A r e they asleep?" " W h a t difference does t h a t m a k e ? " By t h e faint light, I couldn't tell w h e t h e r t h e giant was g r i n n i n g down at me or gritting his t e e t h . T h e garlic o n his b r e a t h was overpowering. G l a d i a t o r s a n d strong-armers e a t it raw to give t h e m s e l v e s strength. He u n b o l t e d t h e door a n d swung it o p e n , letting it bang against t h e sleeping figures on t h e floor w i t h a smirk of disdain. Chrysis let out a sleepy w h i m p e r . B a r n a b a s grunted. " P o o r e x c u s e for a door s l a v e , " t h e E t h i o p sneered. " S h e ' s t o o soft o n h e r slaves. W e l l , g o o n . I'll b e right behind you." " N o , " I said. " I ' l l g o a l o n e . " T h e m a n m a d e m e uneasy.

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T h e E t h i o p crossed his arms a n d looked a t m e grimly. " T h e master gave me specific orders." " I ' l l see myself h o m e , " I said. It was suddenly a battle of wills. At last t h e E t h i o p made a face of disgust and shrugged his brawny shoulders. " S u i t yourself," h e said a n d closed t h e door o n m e . It was s u c h a s h o r t way to my h o u s e , and t h e n i g h t was so silent and so d e e p , surely t h e r e was n o t h i n g to fear.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

S

E

V

E

N

T

E

E

N

R o m e slept. T h e great houses and a p a r t m e n t buildings o f the P a l a t i n e were dark. T h e streets were silent, e x c e p t for the sound of my own footsteps. W h a t was t h e hour? Dusk and dawn s e e m e d equally distant, like opposite shores impossible to m a k e out from t h e middle of a vast, b l a c k sea. I felt utterly a l o n e , t h e last m a n awake i n R o m e . T h e n I heard footsteps b e h i n d m e . I stopped. T h e footsteps stopped a h e a r t b e a t later. I t o o k a few steps. T h e footsteps b e h i n d me resumed. G o r d i a n u s , I whispered to myself, you've finally d o n e it, t a k e n t h e final risk of a lifetime full of foolish risks. You've fallen i n t o t h e lazy h a b i t of relying on F o r t u n e ' s favor, always assuming that t h e goddess will m a k e allowances for your foolishness a n d shield you at t h e last m o m e n t b e c a u s e t h e singular drama of your life for s o m e reason intrigues h e r and she wishes it to c o n t i n u e . N o w Fortune's interest has waned; she's turned h e r a t t e n t i o n e l s e w h e r e for as long as it takes to b l i n k an eye, a n d you will be snuffed out, removed from t h e world's story for good. A part of me b e l i e v e d this and steeled for t h e worst. B u t a n o t h e r part of me k n e w t h a t it was impossible for me to die just yet, and merely gave lip s e r v i c e to t h e possibility, to let F o r t u n e k n o w t h a t I wasn't taking h e r for granted, a n d to gently r e m i n d h e r she h a d b e t t e r do s o m e t h i n g , a n d quickly. T h e footsteps b e h i n d me speeded up. I fought t h e urge to run and instead turned around. I refused to e n d up as o n e of t h o s e corpses found w i t h knife wounds i n t h e b a c k .

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T h e street was narrow, t h e shadows deep. T h e figure moved toward me w i t h a slightly unsteady gait. T h e m a n was a l o n e , a n d unless I was mistaken, h a d b e e n drinking t o o m u c h w i n e . It's t h e poet C a t u l l u s after all, I t h o u g h t , t h e m a n w h o m C l o d i u s t o l d me n o t to fear. U n l e s s , of course, it was M a r c u s C a e l i u s , drunk and c o m i n g after m e w i t h a k n i f e . O r s o m e n a m e l e s s h e n c h m a n o f K i n g Ptolemy. O r a garlic-eating gladiator s e n t by Pompey. Or s o m e o n e else w i t h a r e a s o n to kill m e , t h i n k i n g I k n e w s o m e t h i n g I didn't. He stopped several paces away. I still c o u l d n ' t make out his f a c e , but i t obviously wasn't t h e E t h i o p ; t h e m a n wasn't big e n o u g h . H e appeared t o b e o f m e d i u m h e i g h t , w i t h a slender build. W h e n h e spoke, I recognized Catullus's v o i c e . " S o she's g o t t e n tired o f p i c k i n g apples off t h e tree t h e m o m e n t they're ripe. N o w she's poking around i n t h e m u l c h h e a p . " H e sounded only slightly drunk, sarcastic but n o t particularly t h r e a t e n i n g . " I ' m afraid I d o n ' t follow y o u , " I said. " A r e n ' t you awfully old to be warming a spot in h e r b e d ? " " W h o s e bed? I d o n ' t k n o w what you're talking a b o u t . " He c a m e a few steps closer. " W e should find a p a t c h of light so I c a n w a t c h your face w h i l e you lie to m e . You k n o w whose b e d . " " M a y b e . B u t you're m i s t a k e n . " " A m I ? T h e d a m n e d gallus carries messages b a c k and forth b e t w e e n you, takes you to h e r h o r t i . You go riding around in h e r litter w i t h t h e curtains c l o s e d , a n d stay a t h e r h o u s e until t h e middle o f t h e n i g h t . You must b e h e r n e w lover." " D o n ' t b e absurd." He b a c k e d off a b i t a n d b e g a n to c i r c l e around m e . I suddenly realized t h a t h e m i g h t b e m o r e frightened o f m e t h a n I was o f h i m . H e was t h e o n e w h o h a d turned t o flee o n t h e R a m p . " A t least she's finished w i t h C a e l i u s , t h o u g h I c a n ' t see why she'd throw h i m over for t h e likes of y o u . " "You insult m e , " I said. " S h a l l I go on insisting on t h e t r u t h — t h a t I'm n o t C l o d i a ' s l o v e r — a n d let t h e slur against m y m a n h o o d stand? O r shall I tell a lie to refute t h e insult, say t h a t C l o d i a is my lover a n d tells m e n i g h t l y t h a t I ' m t w i c e t h e m a n C a e l i u s is, a n d four times t h e m a n t h a t you are, G a i u s Valerius C a t u l l u s . " I t h o u g h t I m i g h t have pushed h i m t o o far, but my i n s t i n c t was true: he c a m e to a stop a n d barked out a laugh. "You must be a n i t p i c k i n g orator, like C a e l i u s . O n e o f t h o s e word-murdering, t r u t h - t w i s t i n g advocates from t h e F o r u m . W h y h a v e n ' t I heard of you before, old man?" " B e c a u s e I ' m n o t an orator. I'm a Finder, C a t u l l u s . "

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" W e l l , you found out my n a m e . W h a t ' s yours?" "Gordianus." He nodded. I saw h i m m o r e clearly now. He still h a d t h e scraggly beard on his jaw, despite his trip to t h e baths. T h e tragic look had returned t o his eyes, e v e n w h e n h e smiled. " A r e you thirsty, G o r d i a n u s ? " " N o t particularly." "I am. C o m e with m e . " "Where?" "It's t i m e we talked. A b o u t h e r . " "I didn't say why. I said where." " W h e r e else, a t this t i m e o f n i g h t ? "

Take a w i n d i n g pathway to t h e foot of t h e Palatine, to a spot just behind t h e T e m p l e o f C a s t o r a n d Pollux. T u r n left. P r o c e e d down t h e narrow alley ( s t i n k i n g of u r i n e , and b l a c k as p i t c h at n i g h t ) t h a t runs behind t h e buildings o n t h e n o r t h side o f t h e Forum. A s t h e slope o f t h e P a l a t i n e curves away on t h e left-hand side, letting t h e alley o p e n a b i t , you wi c o m e to a c l u t t e r e d area of little workshops and warehouses south of the Forum, east of t h e c a t t l e markets and t h e river. L o o k for t h e little pillar w h i c h n a m e t h e shops a n d businesses. A s you draw n e a r t o t h e n i n t h signpost you will see t h e pool of light cast by t h e lamp h u n g outside w e l c o m i n g t h o s e w h o c a n n o t o r will n o t sleep, and w h o c a n n o t o r w i n o t stop d r i n k i n g , w h o r i n g a n d gambling. T h i s i s t h e p l a c e w h i c h C a tullus c a l l e d t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern. A c t u a l l y , t h e p l a c e has n o n a m e , o r n o n e t o b e read o n t h e s i g n p o s t outside. A t o p t h e little pillar, instead of an inscription, is an upright m a r b l e phallus. T h e lamp w h i c h casts such a lurid glow is carved in similarly suggestive shape. Perhaps inspired by t h e s e fine e x a m p l e s o craftsmanship, less skilled artists have drawn crude graffiti on t h e wall outside, graphically d e p i c t i n g various uses to w h i c h such phalli m i g h t b put. Catullus rapped on t h e door. A little trap o p e n e d . A b l o o d s h o t eye peered a t us. T h e d o o r swung o p e n . " T h e y k n o w m e h e r e , " said Catullus. " A n d I know t h e m . T h e win is w r e t c h e d , t h e whores are lice-ridden, and t h e patrons are t h e lowest of t h e low. I should know. I've c o m e h e r e every n i g h t s i n c e I go back." We stepped i n t o a long narrow r o o m partitioned h e r e and there b

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folding s c r e e n s . T h e r o o m was packed w i t h patrons w h o stood in groups or sat on chairs a n d b e n c h e s around little tables. T h e lamps were fueled by an inferior o i l t h a t c r e a t e d as m u c h smoke as light, filling t h e r o o m with an a m b e r haze t h a t made my eyes water. I heard laughter a n d cursing and t h e c l a t t e r of d i c e followed by h o o t s of t r i u m p h and groans of despair. T h e crowd was m a d e u p almost entirely o f m e n . T h e few w o m e n were obviously t h e r e to ply t h e i r trade. O n e o f t h e m suddenly emerged from t h e haze a n d wrapped h e r s e l f around C a t u l l u s like a c l i n g i n g v i n e . I b l i n k e d my watery eyes a n d t h e vine resolved i n t o a supple r e d h e a d w i t h a heart-shaped f a c e . " G a i u s , " s h e purred. " O n e o f t h e girls told m e you were b a c k . A n d with a beard! H e r e , let me kiss i t . " Catullus stiffened a n d drew b a c k w i t h a pained expression. " N o t tonight, I p s i t h i l l a . " " W h y n o t ? It's b e e n a w h o l e year s i n c e I've made a m e a l of you. I'm f a m i s h e d . " Catullus m a n a g e d t o smile. " N o t t o n i g h t . " S h e drew b a c k , lowering h e r eyes. " S t i l l pining for your L e s b i a ? " H e w i n c e d a n d t o o k m y arm, leading m e t o a b e n c h t h a t h a d just been v a c a t e d . A slave brought us w i n e . Catullus was right; t h e q u a l i t y was w r e t c h e d , especially after t h e h o n e y e d w i n e t h a t C l o d i u s h a d given me. B u t C a t u l l u s drank w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n . N e x t to us, clustered around a little t a b l e , a group of r o u g h - l o o k i n g young m e n were playing w i t h d i c e of t h e old-fashioned k i n d , m a d e from the rectangular a n k l e b o n e s o f a s h e e p , w i t h n u m b e r s — I , I I I , IV, V I — painted o n e a c h o f t h e four long sides. E a c h m a n i n turn would s c o o p the four d i c e up in a c u p , rattle t h e m , cry out t h e n a m e of a deity or his mistress, a n d c a s t t h e m on t h e t a b l e . A referee figured out t h e c o m bination a n d s h o u t e d t h e n a m e o f t h e throw, w h i c h would b e followed by cries of gloating or derision. " W h e n I was young, t h e laws against gambling were m o r e strictly enforced," I said, " e x c e p t of course during t h e S a t u r n a l i a . " "It's always S a t u r n a l i a inside t h e S a l a c i o u s T a v e r n , " quipped C a tullus. " H e r c u l e s ! " s h o u t e d o n e o f t h e gamblers. T h e b o x rattled, t h e b o n e s clattered. " A Taurus T h r o w ! " declared t h e r e f e r e e — t h r e e o n e s a n d a six. T h e n e x t g a m b l e r c r i e d a w o m a n ' s n a m e and tossed t h e d i c e . 'Dogs!" c r i e d t h e referee. "Four o n e s — n o t h i n g lower!" T h e player groaned a t s u c h b a d fortune, a n d cursed t h e mistress whose n a m e h e h a d called out for l u c k .

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C a t u l l u s stared blearily at t h e crowd. T h e haze was so t h i c k I could hardly m a k e out faces, let a l o n e recognize a n y o n e . "You wanted to talk " I said. " I ' v e lost my t o n g u e for it. I want m o r e w i n e . " " T h e n I'll talk. W a s it you w h o followed me up t h e R a m p two nights ago?" "Yes." " W h o sent you?" "No one." " T h e n why follow m e ? " "I was following you before that. Perhaps you're n o t as sharp as you t h i n k . I was outside h e r house w h e n you c a m e calling t h a t afternoon w i t h T r y g o n i o n . I'd just g o t t e n b a c k i n t o t o w n . " "You'd just arrived and you went straight to C l o d i a ' s h o u s e ? " He put a finger to his lips. " I n this p l a c e , c a l l h e r L e s b i a . " "Why?" "It's my s e c r e t n a m e for her. In t h e p o e m s . In places like t h i s . " " W h y 'Lesbia'?" " L e s b o s was t h e island of S a p p h o , w h o understood love b e t t e r than any p o e t before o r s i n c e . A n d H o m e r c a l l e d t h e w o m e n o f Lesbos 'the most beautiful w o m e n in t h e world.' " "Wasn't Homer blind?" He gave me a sour l o o k . " A g a m e m n o n speaks t h e l i n e . " "Very well: L e s b i a . W h e n you w e n t to Lesbia's house t h a t day, didn't t h e y tell you s h e ' d g o n e o u t ? " " N o . I d i d n ' t k n o c k on t h e door. I was waiting. W a t c h i n g . I wasn't ready t o see h e r again, n o t face t o f a c e . " " W a i t i n g a n d w a t c h i n g from where? It's a dead-end s t r e e t . " " T h e r e are doorways deep e n o u g h t o hide in. T h e n you c a m e along w i t h your bodyguard a n d t h e little gallus. I was c l o s e e n o u g h to overhear t h e word ' h o r t i , ' so w h e n you h e a d e d off, I followed. W h a t did t h e two o f you get u p t o , a l o n e inside h e r t e n t ? " " I d o n ' t t h i n k that's any o f your b u s i n e s s . " " M o r e to t h e p o i n t , w h a t did t h e t h r e e of you do after Lesbius showed up, naked a n d dripping from t h e river?" "Lesbius?" "You k n o w w h o m I m e a n . " "You saw h i m c o m e i n t o t h e t e n t ? " " I h i d a m o n g t h e trees and bushes o n t h e r i v e r b a n k . " H e grinned bleakly. "You must t h i n k I ' m a n utter f o o l . " " D i d you follow me w h e n I l e f t ? " " A l l t h e way to your h o u s e , t h e n over to t h a t o t h e r house in the

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Subura, t h e n back. You never k n e w until t h e R a m p , did you? You set a trap for me at t h e top, you and your bodyguard, so I m a d e like a rabbit. If you're like m o s t of t h e low-lifes she takes for lovers, I figured you m i g h t be pretty d a n g e r o u s . " "I told you, I'm n o t h e r lover. Just h e r 'hireling,' as C l o d i u s calls me." " L e s b i u s ! " h e insisted. T h e c h e a p w i n e was b e g i n n i n g t o take effect. "Anyway, you c o u l d be h e r lover and h e r hireling b o t h . S h e ' s far above the likes of you, but she's b e e n k n o w n to b e n d over for l o v e . " " T h e Venus T h r o w ! " shouted t h e referee, setting off a n uproar n e x t to us. S o m e o n e s l a m m e d his fist on t h e t a b l e , making t h e d i c e j u m p , and shouted a n a c c u s a t i o n o f c h e a t i n g . T h e others closed ranks t o c a l m him down. " T h e Venus T h r o w , " said Catullus. " W h e n all four d i c e c o m e u p different. N o t t h e highest total, just t h e luckiest. W h y do you suppose that i s ? " " B e c a u s e Venus craves v a r i e t y ? " " L i k e L e s b i a . E x c e p t w h e n she craves h e r own flesh: Lesbius is P u l c h e r — P u l c h e r m e a n i n g b e a u t i f u l — and he must b e , because Lesbia loves h i m far b e t t e r t h a n Catullus and all his c l a n , w h o m Lesbius would sell down t h e river t o pay t h r e e upright m e n willing t o let h i m blow t h e m . . . a kiss!" I smiled and nodded. " C l o d i u s said you made b e t t e r poems t h a n Milo's m e n . A n d n a s t i e r . " "Lesbius," insisted Catullus, " d e m e a n s me w i t h such p r a i s e . " "You s e e m to be talkative after a l l . " " B u t as thirsty as ever. W h e r e is that serving slave?" He b a n g e d his cup against t h e b e n c h , but t h e n o i s e was lost in t h e h u b b u b . "I suppose you'll see h e r again, eventually," I said. H e stared bleakly i n t o t h e a m b e r haze. " I already h a v e . " " I m e a n face t o face. T o speak t o h e r . " "I spoke to h e r today. I spent t h e afternoon w i t h h e r . " "What?" " T h i s m o r n i n g I finally k n o c k e d on h e r door. T h e old slave told me she'd g o n e o u t early, taking h e r daughter to visit s o m e c o u s i n . So I wandered around and ended up at t h e S e n i a n baths. It was only c o i n c i d e n c e that I h a p p e n e d to see you t h e r e , and that ridiculous c h a s e after Caelius's friend. What was it all a b o u t ? " " I ' l l tell you later. Go o n , about . . . L e s b i a . "

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"I finally left t h e baths and h e a d e d b a c k to h e r house. On t h e way I recognized h e r litter outside t h e house of o n e of t h e M e t e l l i . S h e was just leaving, w i t h h e r daughter. T h e two o f t h e m were stepping out the door. B e f o r e I c o u l d turn, she saw m e . It was hard to read h e r face. It always has b e e n . A face unlike any other, e x c e p t o n e . Do you suppose t h a t L e s b i a and Lesbius c a n read e a c h o t h e r at a g l a n c e ? Like looking in a mirror? T h e rest of us study t h e i r faces for hours and still c a n ' t be sure what's b e h i n d t h e m . S o m e t h i n g about h e r e y e s — l i k e a p o e m in a foreign tongue. B u t m o r e perfect t h a n any p o e m . M o r e painful. " S h e invited me i n t o h e r litter. ' T o go w h e r e ? ' I said. ' H o m e . I'm e x p e c t i n g a m a n to b r i n g me s o m e n e w s , ' she said. I suppose she meant you? 'I d o n ' t w a n t to go t h e r e if there'll be s o m e o n e e l s e , ' I told her. S h e paused for a long t i m e , looking at m e . Finally she said, ' M e t e l l a can stay h e r e w i t h h e r cousins a while longer. You and I will go to the horti.' " T h a t was a mistake, of course. On a warm day like this, w i t h all t h e naked toads j u m p i n g about in t h e water and leering at h e r while L e s b i a leered b a c k at t h e m . Did she flirt w i t h t h e m merely to hurt me? Or do I flatter myself? At least Chrysis wasn't there to f e t c h t h e comeliest toad i n t o h e r t e n t , w h i c h is t h e i r usual g a m e . S h e invited me to her u p c o m i n g party. S h e was very polite. 'You must have s o m e new poems you c a n read for us, s o m e t h i n g inspired by your travels.' As if I was an a c q u a i n t a n c e she c o u l d call on to e n t e r t a i n h e r admirers. But do you k n o w w h a t ? " He smiled grimly. " I t so happens that I do have a new p o e m , and I will be reading it at h e r party. S o m e t h i n g to fit t h e t h e m e of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival. I suppose you'll be t h e r e . " " M e ? I h a v e n ' t b e e n invited. S t r a n g e , isn't it, considering t h a t I'm h e r n e w lover and a l l . " " D o n ' t n e e d l e m e , Finder. I've b e e n pricked e n o u g h for o n e day. At sundown she decided it was time to leave t h e h o r t i , just w h e n I'd m a d e up my m i n d to say w h a t I n e e d e d to say to her. S h e had to pick up M e t e l l a , s h e said, a n d she was e x p e c t i n g h e r b r o t h e r t o n i g h t . 'You're w e l c o m e to c o m e a l o n g , ' she said—as if I could s t o m a c h being w i t h b o t h of t h e m at o n c e . I told h e r I'd walk b a c k i n t o town by myself." " B u t you e n d e d up outside h e r door a g a i n . " " L i k e a m o t h to a flame, e x c e p t t h a t this flame freezes instead of burns." T h e serving slave suddenly appeared and at Catullus's insistence poured fresh w i n e i n t o our cups. I sampled it and was t e m p t e d to spit it out, but Catullus d r a n k w i t h o u t c o m p l a i n t . " S o , w h a t e x a c t l y h a p p e n e d a t t h e baths today?" h e said. " A t t h e h o r t i , w h e n I told L e s b i a I'd b e e n at t h e S e n i a n baths, she was suddenly

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all ears, pressing me for everything I'd s e e n of t h a t ridiculous c h a s e . S h e k n e w w h a t it was about, d i d n ' t s h e ? B u t she was as tight-lipped as you." N o w o n d e r C l o d i a h a d n ' t b o t h e r e d t o wake m e w h e n she c a m e in, I thought. F r o m C a t u l l u s a n d t h e n from B a r n a b a s she h a d probably h e a r d more t h a n e n o u g h details about t h e b o t c h e d capture o f L i c i n i u s a n d t h e pyxis. O r h a d s h e b e e n t o o eager t o b e w i t h h e r b r o t h e r t o b o t h e r w i t h the hireling's report? "You k n o w about charges p e n d i n g against M a r c u s C a e l i u s ? " I said. " I t ' s all I've h e a r d about s i n c e I got b a c k to R o m e . T h e y say h e ' s up to his n e c k in it this t i m e . " "Your L e s b i a and Lesbius have a h a n d in t h e p r o s e c u t i o n . N o t officially, but t h e y ' r e eager to g a t h e r e v i d e n c e against h i m on a p a r t i c u l a r charge o f a t t e m p t e d murder." " S o I've h e a r d . Is t h a t w h a t she's hired you for?" "Yes." " T h e n it's c o m e t o t h a t , b e t w e e n h e r a n d C a e l i u s . I've loved t h e m both. T h e g l i t t e r i n g Venus o f R o m a n society, t h e p e t u l a n t A d o n i s . W h o could b e surprised w h e n t h e two o f t h e m decided t o love e a c h o t h e r a n d turn t h e c o u n t r y b u m p k i n from V e r o n a out o f t h e i r beds? T h o s e t w o together, w i t h o u t m e — t h a t was m o r e t h a n I c o u l d s t a n d . " T h e w i n e was b e g i n n i n g to slur his s p e e c h . " I t was b e t t e r w h e n h e r h u s b a n d was still alive. G o o d old Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r , t h e stodgy goat. S h e was faithful t o m e t h e n ! B u t after C e l e r died, she b e c a m e h e r o w n w o m a n , and everyone else's w o m a n as well. E v e n t h a t was b e t t e r t h a n h a v i n g h e r c h o o s e a favorite a n d shut me out a l t o g e t h e r . B u t t h e n she p i c k e d C a e l i u s and I b e c a m e just a n o t h e r of h e r multitude of used-up lovers. T h i s tavern is full of t h e w r e t c h e s . I c o u l d p o i n t out a dozen m e n who've h a d h e r . I t h o u g h t a year away would dull t h e pain. B u t t h e wound still bleeds, and I still crave t h e knife t h a t c u t m e . " " S h e d o e s n ' t love C a e l i u s a n y m o r e , " I said. " H e r e j e c t e d her, as far as I c a n tell. S h e ' s bitter. S h e ' s d e t e r m i n e d to see h i m destroyed, obsessed with it, if that's any c o m f o r t to y o u . " " C o m f o r t ? T o k n o w t h a t a n o t h e r m a n truly got inside her, m a d e her c a r e e n o u g h t o feel pain w h e n h e turned away, m a d e h e r a c h e e n o u g h to want to destroy h i m ? Me she dismissed w i t h a flick of h e r w r i s t — n o more scraps for t h e dog! C a e l i u s deserts h e r and she goes crazy. W h e r e ' s the comfort in that?" " T h e desire for d e s t r u c t i o n is mutual, at least a c c o r d i n g to L e s b i a . T h a t ' s w h a t t h e i n c i d e n t at t h e b a t h s was about. Caelius's friend L i c i n i u s was t h e r e t o deliver p o i s o n t o s o m e o f h e r slaves, b e c a u s e C a e l i u s t h o u g h t h e c o u l d b r i b e t h e m t o murder t h e i r mistress."

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" M u r d e r C l o d i a ? " C a t u l l u s was startled e n o u g h , or drunk enough to forget t h e pseudonym. " N o , C a e l i u s would n e v e r do t h a t . I don't believe it." " S h e c l a i m s he tested t h e p o i s o n on a slave first, and w a t c h e d the m a n die before his e y e s . " "I c a n b e l i e v e t h a t . C a e l i u s c o u l d kill a slave w i t h o u t a twinge of guilt. B u t I c a n ' t b e l i e v e t h a t he would use t h e same p o i s o n on her." " N o t e v e n out o f desperation? T h e charges against h i m are serious. H e ' l l be r u i n e d for life if he's found guilty. H u m i l i a t e d , forgotten, exiled from R o m e . " " E x i l e d from R o m e — I k n o w t h a t l o n e l i n e s s . " C a t u l l u s stared into his c u p . " T o save himself, d o n ' t you believe t h a t C a e l i u s would destroy your Lesbia?" " D e s t r o y Lesbia? N o , n o t her. N e v e r . " "Perhaps he n e v e r loved h e r quite as you d i d . " " N o n e of t h e m ever loved h e r as I d i d . " Catullus stared bleakly i n t o t h e crowd, t h e n stiffened. " H a d e s ! " h e whispered. " L o o k w h o just came in." I s q u i n t e d t h r o u g h t h e haze at t h r e e n e w c o m e r s w h o stood near t h e e n t r a n c e , s e a r c h i n g t h e r o o m for a p l a c e to sit. " M a r c u s Caelius h i m s e l f , " I said. " A c c o m p a n i e d , if I ' m n o t m i s t a k e n , by his friends Asicius and Licinius." C a e l i u s saw C a t u l l u s . His face registered simple surprise, followed by a l i g h t n i n g flash of e m o t i o n . T h e n a mask fell i n t o p l a c e , w h i c h lifted for o n l y a n i n s t a n t t o show his confusion w h e n h e saw m e . H e hesitated, t h e n gestured for his c o m p a n i o n s to follow as he approached us. " C a t u l l u s ! " he said, flashing a sardonic grin. " H o w long h a v e you been back?" " A few days." " A n d you h a v e n ' t c o m e t o c a l l o n m e ? M y feelings are h u r t . " " A c t u a l l y , I did drop by your p l a c e , " said C a t u l l u s . "Your old p l a c e . T h e n e i g h b o r s said C l o d i u s h a d k i c k e d you out a n d put t h e building up for sale. T h e y said I'd find you b a c k at your father's hovel on t h e Q u i r i n a l Hill." "You should drop b y . " Caelius's smile n e v e r wavered. " T h e Q u i r i n a l is a little out of my usual orbit. Besides, I shouldn't t h i n k t h a t your father's h o u s e would be a suitable p l a c e for e n t e r t a i n i n g guests in your a c c u s t o m e d s t y l e . " " I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t you m e a n . " " T h e w i n e , t h e singing, t h e whores, t h e inventive sleeping arrangem e n t s . I c a n ' t see your papa approving."

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" A l l that's b e h i n d m e n o w , " said C a e l i u s . " A t least u n t i l after your trial. T h e n you may have to leave everything b e h i n d w h e t h e r you want t o o r n o t . " T h e m a s k a l m o s t c r a c k e d . "I m e a n to say t h a t I've s e e n fit to put aside s o m e of t h e m o r e boisterous h a b i t s of my youth, and to sever s o m e of my m o r e q u e s t i o n a b l e associations. Perhaps you were right n o t to c o m e calling o n m e after all, C a t u l l u s . O n e does have t o h o l d t o c e r t a i n standards w h e n inviting a guest i n t o t h e h o u s e of o n e ' s father. It was thoughtful o f you t o spare m e t h e e m b a r r a s s m e n t o f shutting t h e door in your f a c e . " T h e r e was a long pause, during w h i c h Catullus swirled t h e dregs in his cup a n d w a t c h e d t h e m spin, pursing his lips thoughtfully. "I t h i n k , " he finally said, in a hard, low v o i c e t h a t m a d e me h o l d my b r e a t h , " t h a t for you to insult me in t h a t way, M a r c u s C a e l i u s — " C a e l i u s stiffened, as did his friends. " F o r you t o h a v e insulted m e i n t h a t f a s h i o n , " Catullus w e n t o n , "by w h i c h I m e a n building an a r g u m e n t o u t of c o m p l i c a t e d s e n t e n c e s by logical s t e p s — w e l l , w h a t I t h i n k about that, M a r c u s C a e l i u s , is t h a t you h a v e n ' t d r u n k e n o u g h w i n e t o n i g h t ! " C a e l i u s ' s face w e n t b l a n k , t h e n h e laughed. " N o t nearly e n o u g h . A n d for you to do such a sloppy j o b of insulting m e , G a i u s C a t u l l u s , I think you must h a v e already h a d far t o o m u c h to drink!" "I c a n ' t argue w i t h t h a t , " said C a t u l l u s , g r i n n i n g a n d swallowing the dregs. " N o m a t t e r , " said C a e l i u s . " T h e night's still young. P l e n t y o f t i m e for me to get s t i n k i n g drunk, a n d for you to sober u p . " "I take it t h a t you k n o w my friend h e r e , G r a t i d i a n u s , " said C a t u l l u s . " G o r d i a n u s , " I c o r r e c t e d h i m . "Yes, M a r c u s C a e l i u s and I are a c quainted. W e used t o b e n e i g h b o r s . " " A n d a few times our paths have crossed in t h e c o u r t s , " added Caelius. " T h o u g h n e v e r quite as they are crossing n o w . " I shrugged. " I ' m n o t sure I — " " B u t isn't it true, G o r d i a n u s , t h a t a c e r t a i n lady has h i r e d you, a n d not for t h e purpose t h a t she usually hires m e n ? " "You a r e n ' t worthy of kissing h e r middle finger," said C a t u l l u s , no longer friendly. "You c e r t a i n l y a r e n ' t worthy o f insulting h e r . " L i c i n i u s , w h o h a d b e e n peering a t m e , suddenly spoke up. " W a i t , now I r e m e m b e r w h e r e I've s e e n this m a n before. He was t h e r e today, at the baths, when I — " " S h u t up, L i c i n i u s , " growled C a e l i u s . " I t isn't true, is it, C a e l i u s ? " C a t u l l u s l e a n e d forward earnestly, his m o o d h a v i n g shifted i n t h e b l i n k o f a n eye. " I t isn't true, what G r a t i d i a n u s

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tells m e — y o u wouldn't actually do h e r h a r m , would you? N o t to her. N o t for any reason. A n d c e r t a i n l y n o t b y — " " S h u t up, C a t u l l u s , " I said, c l e n c h i n g my t e e t h . "Say, 1 recognize him, too!" Asicius stepped closer, peering at me. "He's the one who was hiding in the shadows across the street from your old a p a r t m e n t on t h e Palatine, C a e l i u s , on t h e night t h a t we t o o k care of the o l d — " " S h u t up, A s i c i u s ! " c r i e d C a e l i u s , loudly e n o u g h to startle the gamblers n e x t t o us. O n e o f t h e m s c r a t c h e d his throw, sending t h e dice flying o n t o t h e f l o o r — a bad o m e n w h i c h caused some of t h e players to vacate t h e t a b l e at o n c e , whereupon those w h o r e m a i n e d b e g a n to shout a c c u s a t i o n s of bad faith at t h e quitters. Catullus stood, a little unsteadily. " A r e you looking for a place to sit, C a e l i u s ? H e r e , take my seat. T h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern just b e c a m e a little t o o salacious for e v e n my tastes. A r e you c o m i n g , G r a t i d i a n u s ? " " G o r d i a n u s , " I said under my breath, getting to my feet. Asicius a n d L i c i n i u s shoved past me and sat on t h e b e n c h . As I stepped by him, C a e l i u s seized my arm and put his m o u t h to my ear. "You're mistaken, you know. I didn't kill D i o , I swear." " T h a t ' s only o n e o f t h e charges against you, M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " He gripped my arm painfully hard and kept his voice low. "But you're only c o n c e r n e d w i t h D i o , aren't you? You want to put his spirit to rest, b e c a u s e you k n e w h i m in A l e x a n d r i a b a c k in t h e old days." His h a n d s o m e face was no longer n o n c h a l a n t . A reckless, desperate man, C l o d i u s h a d c a l l e d h i m . I looked i n t o his eyes and saw fear. " H o w do you k n o w t h e s e things, M a r c u s Caelius? H o w do you know about D i o and m e , a n d about C l o d i a hi r i ng m e ? " " N e v e r m i n d . W h a t matters is t h a t you're mistaken. It wasn't me. I didn't kill t h e old Egyptian. I swear to you by t h e shades of my ancestors!" " A n d your friend A s i c i u s ? " " H e didn't kill D i o , e i t h e r . " " W h o did?" " I d o n ' t know. B u t i t wasn't m e . " " A n d t h e n i g h t o f t h e m u r d e r — w h e r e had you b e e n w i t h Asicius, before I saw you? W h a t were t h e t w o of you up to? Tell me that, and swear by your a n c e s t o r s . " " T h a t ' s m o r e t h a n I c a n tell y o u . " " B u t still n o t e n o u g h . " C a e l i u s squeezed my arm. " G o r d i a n u s — " " G r a t i d i a n u s ! " said Catullus, seizing my o t h e r arm. C a e l i u s released

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me a n d I found myself b e i n g pulled toward t h e e n t r a n c e , my h e a d reeling from t h e s t e n c h o f oil smoke a n d c h e a p w i n e . B e h i n d me I h e a r d a stranger cry out, " B y Venus! I wager e v e r y t h i n g and put my trust in t h e goddess of love!" T h e n a c l a t t e r of d i c e , a n d then t h e s a m e v o i c e , e x u l t a n t a m i d groans o f defeat: " T h e Venus T h r o w ! T h e Venus T h r o w ! I t c o n q u e r s a l l ! "

O u t in t h e street I b r e a t h e d t h e fresh air and looked up at a c l e a r sky spangled w i t h stars. " W h y such a rush to get me out of t h a t p l a c e ? " "I c o u l d n ' t leave you b e h i n d to tell t h e m everything I'd just t o l d you . . . a b o u t h e r . " " I w o u l d n ' t have d o n e t h a t . A n d please, stop calling m e G r a t i d i anus. M y n a m e — " "I k n o w w h a t you c a l l yourself. B u t for me you'll always h a v e a n o t h e r n a m e , t h e o n e I give you. Just as she has a n o t h e r n a m e . In case I should write a p o e m a b o u t y o u . " " I c a n ' t i m a g i n e w h a t sort o f p o e m t h a t would b e . " "No? G r a t i d i a n u s t h i n k s h e ' s clever, a n d h e must b e , b e c a u s e L e s b i a loves h i m , far b e t t e r t h a n Catullus a n d all his c l a n — " " S t o p , C a t u l l u s . You're t o o drunk to k n o w w h a t you're s a y i n g . " " A m a n i s n e v e r t o o drunk t o make a p o e m . " "Just t o o drunk to make sense. I t h i n k I'd b e t t e r find my way h o m e . " I l o o k e d up t h e alley. B e y o n d t h e lurid glow cast by t h e phallic lamp above t h e door, t h e way was swallowed up by an unreassuring darkness. " I ' l l walk you h o m e , " offered Catullus. A d r u n k e n p o e t for a bodyguard! W h a t would h a p p e n if C a e l i u s and his friends d e c i d e d to c o m e after us? " Q u i c k l y t h e n . Do you k n o w a n o t h e r route? W h e r e n o o n e would t h i n k t o follow?" " I k n o w every p a t h leading t o a n d from t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern. Follow me." He led me on a circuitous route, slipping b e t w e e n warehouses set so c l o s e t h a t I h a d to walk sideways to get through, p i c k i n g a way around trash heaps w h e r e rats scurried a n d squeaked, a n d finally a s c e n d i n g a steep f o o t p a t h up t h e western slope of t h e P a l a t i n e . It s e e m e d a g o o d

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route for avoiding assassins, but rather t r e a c h e r o u s for a m a n w h o had b e e n d r i n k i n g as m u c h as C a t u l l u s . I e x p e c t e d h i m to fall a n d break his n e c k a t any m o m e n t , taking m e with h i m , but h e attacked t h e climb w i t h o n l y a n o c c a s i o n a l misstep. T h e c l i m b s e e m e d t o sober h i m . His lungs were c e r t a i n l y strong e n o u g h . W h i l e I labored for breath, he had p l e n t y left over to give vent to his thoughts. " I f o n l y w e c o u l d all b e c o m e e u n u c h s ! " h e declared. " W h a t man wouldn't b e h a p p i e r ? " "I suppose we c o u l d b e c o m e e u n u c h s , if we w a n t e d . " " H a ! T h e a c t is harder t h a n you m i g h t t h i n k . I know, I've seen it w i t h my own eyes. W h i l e I was in B i t h y n i a , I t o o k a j o u r n e y to t h e ruins of old Troy, to find t h e p l a c e where my brother's buried. So far from h o m e ! On t h e way b a c k a stranger asked me if I'd like to see t h e initiation rites o f t h e galli. H e w a n t e d money, o f course. T o o k m e t o a t e m p l e o n t h e slopes of M o u n t Ida. T h e priests w a n t e d m o n e y , t o o . I felt quite the gawking tourist, dropping c o i n s i n t o all those eager hands, just a n o t h e r crass, t h r i l l - s e e k i n g R o m a n looking for a taste of t h e 'real' East. T h e y t o o k me to a r o o m so smoky w i t h i n c e n s e I c o u l d hardly see, and so loud w i t h flutes a n d t a m b o u r i n e s I t h o u g h t I'd go deaf. T h e rite was u n d e r way. T h e galli c h a n t e d and whirled in a weird d a n c e , like fingers o f t h e goddess keeping t i m e . T h e young i n i t i a t e h a d worked h i m s e l f into a frenzy, n a k e d , covered w i t h sweat, undulating w i t h t h e music. S o m e o n e put a shard of b r o k e n pottery i n t o his h a n d — ' S a m i a n pottery,' t h e guide whispered in my ear, ' t h e only k i n d sure to avoid a putrid wound.' W h i l e I w a t c h e d , t h e fellow turned h i m s e l f i n t o a gallus before my eyes. A l l by h i m s e l f — n o o n e h e l p e d h i m . It was quite a t h i n g to see. Afterward, w h e n t h e b l o o d was r u n n i n g down his legs a n d he c o u l d n ' t stand any longer, t h e o t h e r s swarmed around h i m , swaying, c h a n t i n g , shrieking. T h e guide sniggered a n d poked me in t h e ribs a n d made a show of covering his balls. I r a n o u t of t h e p l a c e in a p a n i c . " Catullus fell s i l e n t for a w h i l e . We r e a c h e d t h e top of t h e p a t h and e n t e r e d t h e maze o f dark, silent streets. " I m a g i n e t h e f r e e d o m , " Catullus whispered. " T o leave t h e appetites of the flesh behind." " T h e galli have a p p e t i t e s , " I said. " T h e y eat like m e n . " "Yes, but a m a n eats a n d is d o n e w i t h it. T h e craving I'm talking about feeds on itself. T h e m o r e it's fed, t h e h u n g r i e r it grows." " A R o m a n c o n t r o l s his appetites, n o t v i c e versa." " T h e n perhaps we a r e n ' t R o m a n s any longer. S h o w me a m a n in R o m e who's larger t h a n his a p p e t i t e s . " I t h o u g h t a b o u t this w h i l e we made our way through t h e w i n d i n g , deep-shadowed streets.

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" B u t e v e n castration c a n ' t guarantee a n e n d t o p a s s i o n , " Catullus resumed. " L o o k at T r y g o n i o n ! " " W h a t about h i m ? " " D o n ' t you k n o w where his n a m e c o m e s from? T h e famous epitaph by P h i l o d e m u s ? " " S h o u l d I recognize t h a t n a m e ? " " B a r b a r i a n ! Philodemus o f G a d e r a . Probably t h e greatest living p o e t of the G r e e k tongue." " O h , that P h i l o d e m u s . An epitaph, you say?" " W r i t t e n years and years ago for a dead gallus c a l l e d T r y g o n i o n . C a n you follow t h e G r e e k ? " " I ' l l translate in my h e a d . " "Very well: H e r e lies t h a t tender creature of ladylike limbs, T r y g o n i o n , p r i n c e o f t h e s e x - n u m b emasculates, Beloved of the Great Mother, Cybele, He a l o n e of t h e galli was seduced by a w o m a n . H o l y e a r t h , give to this h e a d s t o n e a pillow O f budding white violets. " T h a t old p o e m is how our T r y g o n i o n got his n a m e . I d o n ' t rem e m b e r w h a t he was called before, s o m e t h i n g Phrygian and unpron o u n c e a b l e . O n e t i m e , teasing h i m about his weakness for L e s b i a , I called h i m our little T r y g o n i o n , t h e gallus w h o fell for a w o m a n . T h e n a m e stuck to T r y g o n i o n t h e way T r y g o n i o n sticks to Lesbia. I t h i n k of h i m w h e n e v e r I c o n s i d e r castrating myself. It might do no good, you see. A useless gesture. S o m e t i m e s passion is stronger t h a n flesh. Love c a n last b e y o n d d e a t h , and in s o m e rare instances a man's weakness for b e a u t y c a n e v e n outlive his t e s t i c l e s . " " T r y g o n i o n is t h a t devoted to L e s b i a ? " " H e suffers as I suffer, but w i t h o n e great d i f f e r e n c e . " " W h i c h is?" " T r y g o n i o n suffers w i t h o u t h o p e . " " A n d you?" " W h i l e a m a n still has his balls, he has h o p e ! " Catullus laughed his peculiar, barking laugh. " E v e n slaves have h o p e , as long as they have t h e i r balls. B u t a gallus in love w i t h a beautiful w o m a n — " " S o m u c h i n love t h a t h e would d o anything for h e r ? " " A n y a t all, w i t h o u t q u e s t i o n . " " S o m u c h i n love t h a t h e m i g h t b e blinded b y j e a l o u s y ? " " D r i v e n m a d b y it!"

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" H e c o u l d b e dangerous. U n p r e d i c t a b l e . . . " " N o t nearly as dangerous as L e s b i a . " C a t u l l u s was suddenly giddy, t r o t t i n g a h e a d of me a n d c i r c l i n g b a c k , leaping up to swing at lamps h u n g from upper-story windows along t h e street. " D a m n e d b i t c h ! T h e Medea of the Palatine!" " M e d e a was a w i t c h , as I recall, a n d rather w i c k e d . " " O n l y b e c a u s e she was 'sick at heart, w o u n d e d by cruel love,' as t h e playwright says. A w i t c h , yes, a n d w o u n d e d — o n l y it's me she's b e w i t c h e d , a n d C a e l i u s w h o wounded her. M e d e a o f t h e Palatine! Clytemnestra-for-a-quadrans!" " A quadrans? A s c h e a p a s t h a t ? " " W h y n o t ? T h e p r i c e o f admission t o t h e S e n i a n b a t h s . " " B u t C l y t e m n e s t r a murdered h e r h u s b a n d . " " A g a m e m n o n deserved it!" He whirled like a frenzied gallus. " M e dea o f t h e P a l a t i n e ! Clytemnestra-for-a-quadrans!" h e c h a n t e d . " W h o calls h e r s u c h t h i n g s ? " "I d o ! " said C a t u l l u s . He abruptly stopped his whirling and staggered a h e a d of m e , gasping for b r e a t h . "I just made t h e m up, out of my h e a d . W h a t do you t h i n k ? I'll n e e d some fresh invectives if I'm to get her attention again." "You're a strange suitor, C a t u l l u s . " "I love a strange w o m a n . Do you want to k n o w a secret about her? S o m e t h i n g t h a t no else in all t h e world knows, n o t even Lesbius? I wouldn't k n o w myself, if I h a d n ' t spied on h e r o n e n i g h t . Do you k n o w t h a t giant m o n s t r o s i t y of a Venus in h e r g a r d e n ? " " I h a p p e n e d t o n o t i c e it, y e s . " " T h e pedestal appears to be solid, but it's n o t . T h e r e ' s a b l o c k t h a t slides out, o p e n i n g a s e c r e t c o m p a r t m e n t . It's w h e r e she keeps h e r trophies." "Trophies?" " M e m e n t o s . Keepsakes. O n e n i g h t i n b e d w i t h her, happily dozing after hours of m a k i n g love, I felt a t i c k l i n g at my groin. I o p e n e d o n e eye to see h e r c l i p p i n g away a b i t of my pubic hair! S h e stole out of t h e r o o m w i t h it. I followed h e r to t h e garden. F r o m t h e shadows I w a t c h e d h e r o p e n t h e pedestal a n d put what she h a d t a k e n from m e inside. L a t e r I w e n t b a c k a n d figured out how to o p e n t h e c o m p a r t m e n t , a n d I saw w h a t she kept t h e r e . P o e m s I h a d s e n t her. Letters from h e r o t h e r lovers. B i t s of jewelry, clippings of hair, c h i l d i s h gifts h e r b r o t h e r must have given h e r w h e n they were little. H e r love t r o p h i e s ! " He suddenly staggered against a wall a n d c l u t c h e d his face. "I w a n t e d to destroy it a l l , " he whispered hoarsely. "I w a n t e d to s c o o p up all h e r

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treasures a n d throw t h e m o n t h e brazier a n d watch t h e m burst i n t o flame. B u t I c o u l d n ' t . I felt t h e eyes of t h e goddess on m e . I stepped b a c k from t h e pedestal a n d looked up at h e r f a c e . I left h e r m e m e n t o s a l o n e . If I destroyed t h e m , I k n e w she would n e v e r forgive m e . " " W h o would n e v e r forgive y o u — V e n u s o r L e s b i a ? " He looked at me w i t h tragic eyes. "Is there any d i f f e r e n c e ? "

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

E

I

G

H

T

E

E

N

The wrath of A c h i l l e s would pale beside t h e wrath of B e t h e s d a . H e r anger runs c o l d , n o t h o t . It freezes rather t h a n scalds. It is invisible, secretive, insidious. It makes itself felt n o t b y blustering a c t i o n , but b y c o l d , c a l c u l a t e d i n a c t i o n , by words unspoken, glances unreturned, pleas for m e r c y unh e e d e d . I t h i n k B e t h e s d a shows h e r anger in this passive way b e c a u s e she was b o r n a slave, a n d r e m a i n e d a slave for m u c h of h e r life, until I m a n u m i t t e d and married h e r to bear our daughter in freedom. H e r way is t h e way of slaves ( a n d t h e h e r o of H o m e r ' s Iliad): she sulks, a n d broods, a n d bides h e r t i m e . It was bad e n o u g h t h a t I h a d sent B e l b o h o m e a l o n e from C l o d i a ' s h o u s e , leaving myself w i t h o u t a bodyguard to cross t h e Palatine by night. B a d e n o u g h , t o o , t h a t I eventually c a m e h o m e smelling o f c h e a p wine a n d t h e r a n c i d smoke o f tavern lamps. B u t t o have spent t h e n i g h t with that w o m a n ! T h i s was ridiculous, of course, a n d I said so, especially as I h a d n ' t e v e n s e e n C l o d i a all n i g h t . H o w t h e n did I e x p l a i n t h e lingering smell of perfume on m e ? A s m a r t e r m a n ( o r even myself, less worn out a n d sleepy) would h a v e t h o u g h t t w i c e before e x p l a i n i n g t h a t t h e perfume c a m e from a b l a n k e t t h a t t h e lady i n q u e s t i o n must have put over h i m w h e n h e unwittingly dozed off i n h e r g a r d e n T h a t was t h a t . I spent w h a t little r e m a i n e d of t h e n i g h t trying to find a c o m f o r t a b l e p o s i t i o n on a c r a m p e d dining c o u c h in my study. I'm used to sleeping w i t h a warm body n e x t to m e .

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I ' m also used to sleeping until at least daybreak, especially after having stayed up h a l f t h e n i g h t . T h i s was n o t to b e . It wasn't t h a t B e t h e s d a woke m e ; s h e simply made it impossible for me to go on sleeping. W a s it really necessary to send t h e scrub m a i d to c l e a n my study before dawn? O n c e I was awake, B e t h e s d a didn't refuse to feed m e . B u t t h e millet porridge was lumpy a n d c o l d , and there was no c o n v e r s a t i o n to warm it up. A f t e r breakfast, I s h o o e d t h e scrub maid from my study a n d shut the door. It was a good m o r n i n g , I decided, to w r i t e a letter. T o m y beloved son M e t o , serving under t h e c o m m a n d o f G a i u s Julius C a e s a r in G a u l , from his loving father in R o m e , may F o r t u n e be w i t h you. I w r i t e this l e t t e r o n l y t h r e e days after my last; M a r t i u s is g o n e a n d t h e Kalends of Aprilis is upon us. M u c h has h a p p e n e d i n t h e m e a n t i m e , all revolving about t h e murder o f Dio. O u r n e i g h b o r M a r c u s C a e l i u s ( n o w our former n e i g h b o r ; C l o d i u s e v i c t e d h i m ) has b e e n accused o f t h e murder o f D i o , a n d r e l a t e d c r i m e s having t o d o w i t h t h e h a r a s s m e n t o f t h e E g y p t i a n envoys, as well as a previous a t t e m p t ( b y p o i s o n ) on D i o ' s life. I have b e e n hired by friends of t h e p r o s e c u t i o n to h e l p find e v i d e n c e against C a e l i u s . My only interest is to d e t e r m i n e w h o killed D i o , so t h a t I c a n put this nagging affair to rest, for my own p e a c e of m i n d if n o t for justice's sake. I will a t t e m p t to e x p l a i n t h e details later. (Perhaps after t h e trial, w h i c h begins t h e day after tomorrow.) W h a t is forem o s t in my m i n d now, w h a t I would long to discuss if you were h e r e w i t h m e , is s o m e t h i n g else. W h a t is this madness w h i c h poets call love? W h a t power c o m p e l s a m a n to thrust h i m s e l f against t h e l a c e r a t i n g indifference of a w o m a n w h o no longer loves h i m ? W h a t drives a w o m a n to seek t h e absolute d e s t r u c t i o n of a m a n w h o r e j e c t s her? W h a t cruel appetite makes a m a n o f r a t i o n a l i n t e l l e c t crave t h e d e b a s e m e n t o f his helpless partners in sex? H o w does a e u n u c h , supposedly impervious to love, b e c o m e e n a m o r e d of a beautiful w o m a n ? Is it natural for a b r o t h e r a n d sister to share a bed, as we are told t h e gods a n d goddesses o f Egypt s o m e t i m e s do? W h y d o t h e worshipers o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r e m a s c u l a t e themselves i n religious ecstasy? W h y would a w o m a n steal a l o c k of h e r lover's pubic h a i r to c h e r i s h as a keepsake?

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You must w o n d e r if I ' m m a d to pose s u c h questions. B u t in fact t h e y may h a v e as m u c h to do w i t h t h e murder of D i o a n d t h e u p c o m i n g trial o f C a e l i u s a s d o t h e intrigues o f Egypt i a n p o l i t i c s , a n d I find myself baffled. I fear I have b e c o m e t o o old for this k i n d of work, w h i c h requires a m i n d in empathy w i t h t h e world a r o u n d it. I like to t h i n k I am wiser t h a n I used to b e , but w h a t use is wisdom in m a k i n g sense of a world t h a t follows t h e dictates of m a d passion? I feel like a sober m a n on a ship of drunkards. W e say i t i s t h e h a n d o f Venus t h a t c o m p e l s these strange b e h a v i o r s , as if t h a t put t h e m a t t e r to rest, w h e n in fact we say " t h e h a n d of V e n u s " precisely b e c a u s e we do not understand t h e s e passions a n d c a n n o t e x p l a i n t h e m , o n l y suffer t h e m w h e n w e must a n d w a t c h , perplexed, t h e suffering o f o t h ers . . . T h e r e was a rapping at t h e door. I steeled myself for a c h i l l wind a n d c a l l e d , " C o m e i n . " B u t i t was n o t B e t h e s d a w h o e n t e r e d . I t was Diana. S h e c l o s e d t h e door b e h i n d h e r and sat in t h e c h a i r across from my w r i t i n g t a b l e . T h e r e was a shadow on h e r f a c e . S o m e t h i n g was troubling her. " M o t h e r is angry at y o u , " she said. "Is she? I h a d n ' t n o t i c e d . " " W h a t are you d o i n g ? " " W r i t i n g a letter to M e t o . " " D i d n ' t you w r i t e to h i m just a few days a g o ? " "Yes." " W h a t does t h e l e t t e r say?" "This and that." "Is it a b o u t your w o r k ? " " I n a way. Yes, it's about my w o r k . " "You're writing to M e t o b e c a u s e you've s e n t E c o on a trip, a n d you n e e d s o m e o n e t o t a l k t o . Isn't t h a t i t ? " "You're very p e r c e p t i v e , D i a n a . " S h e lifted h e r h a n d a n d pushed b a c k a strand o f h a i r t h a t h a d fallen over h e r c h e e k . W h a t r e m a r k a b l y lustrous hair she had, like h e r mother's before t h e strands of gray b e g a n to dull it. It fell past h e r shoulders almost to h e r breasts, framing h e r face a n d throat. In t h e soft m o r n i n g light her skin s h o n e like dusky rose petals. " W h y d o n ' t you share your troubles with m e , Papa? M o t h e r does. S h e tells m e e v e r y t h i n g . "

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"I suppose that's t h e way of t h e world. M o t h e r s a n d daughters, fathers a n d s o n s . " S h e looked at me steadily. I tried to l o o k b a c k at her, b u t found myself l o o k i n g away. " T h e boys are older t h a n you, D i a n a . T h e y ' v e shared my work, my travels." I smiled. " H a l f t h e t i m e w h e n I b e g i n a s e n t e n c e , E c o finishes i t . " "And Meto?" " M e t o i s different. You're old e n o u g h t o r e m e m b e r s o m e o f w h a t h a p p e n e d w h i l e w e were o n t h e f a r m — C a t i l i n a , t h e trouble b e t w e e n M e t o a n d m e , M e t o ' s d e c i s i o n to b e c o m e a soldier. T h a t was a great test of t h e b o n d b e t w e e n us. H e ' s his own m a n now and I d o n ' t always understand h i m . E v e n so, I c a n always tell h i m w h a t I t h i n k . " " B u t E c o a n d M e t o aren't even your flesh. You adopted t h e m . I carry your b l o o d , P a p a . " "Yes, D i a n a , I k n o w . " W h y t h e n are you so mysterious, I t h o u g h t , and why is t h e r e s u c h a gulf b e t w e e n us? A n d why do I keep t h e s e thoughts to myself instead of speaking t h e m aloud? " C a n I read t h e letter, Papa?" T h i s t o o k me a b a c k . I looked down at t h e p a r c h m e n t , scrutinizing t h e words. " I ' m n o t sure you'd understand, D i a n a . " " T h e n you c o u l d e x p l a i n . " " I ' m n o t sure I'd want t o . If you were older, perhaps." " I ' m n o t a c h i l d anymore, P a p a . " I s h o o k my h e a d . " M o t h e r says I ' m a w o m a n n o w . " I c l e a r e d my throat. "Yes, well, t h e n I suppose you have every right to read your m o t h e r ' s personal l e t t e r s . " " T h a t ' s c r u e l , Papa. You k n o w t h a t M o t h e r c a n ' t read o r w r i t e , w h i c h i s hardly h e r fault. I f she h a d b e e n raised a s a R o m a n girl . . . " I n s t e a d of an Egyptian slave, I t h o u g h t . W a s t h a t w h a t was disturbing D i a n a , h e r m o t h e r ' s origins, t h e fact t h a t she was t h e c h i l d of a w o m a n b o r n in slavery? D i a n a a n d I h a d n e v e r really talked about this, but I assumed t h a t B e t h e s d a h a d discussed it with her, in s o m e way. T h e y c e r t a i n l y s p e n t e n o u g h t i m e talking t o e a c h o t h e r i n private. D i d D i a n a bear s o m e r e s e n t m e n t against m e , for h a v i n g b o u g h t h e r m o t h e r i n a n A l e x a n d r i a n slave market? B u t I was also t h e m a n w h o h a d freed B e thesda. It all s e e m e d terribly c o m p l i c a t e d , suddenly. " E v e n m o s t R o m a n w o m e n d o n ' t learn t o read, D i a n a . " " T h e w o m a n you're working for c a n read, I i m a g i n e . " " I ' m sure s h e c a n . " " A n d you m a d e sure I was taught to r e a d . " "Yes, I d i d . "

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" B u t w h a t good is t h e skill, if you forbid me to use i t ? " S h e looked a t t h e l e t t e r i n front o f m e . It was u n c a n n y , t h e way she used h e r m o t h e r ' s stratagems to get w h a t she w a n t e d — c i r c u l a r logic, stubborn p e r s i s t e n c e , t h e uncovering of guilts I h a d n ' t k n o w n I felt. T h e y say t h e gods c a n put on t h e guise of s o m e o n e we k n o w a n d move a m o n g us w i t h o u t anyone guessing. For a brief, strange m o m e n t a veil seemed to drop, a n d I sensed t h a t it was B e t h e s d a h e r s e l f i n t h e r o o m w i t h m e , disguised t o c o n f o u n d m e . W h o was this creature D i a n a , after all, and w h e r e h a d she c o m e from? I h a n d e d h e r t h e l e t t e r a n d w a t c h e d h e r read it. S h e read slowly, m o v i n g h e r lips slightly. S h e h a d n o t b e e n taught as well as M e t o . I e x p e c t e d h e r to ask t h e identity of t h e people I referred t o , or perhaps for a c l e a r e r e x p l a n a t i o n of t h e passions I described, but w h e n she put down t h e l e t t e r s h e said, " W h y do you want so badly to find the person w h o k i l l e d D i o , Papa?" " W h a t is it I say in t h e letter? 'For my o w n p e a c e of m i n d . ' " " B u t why should your m i n d b e u n s e t t l e d ? " " D i a n a , if s o m e o n e w h o was c l o s e to you h a d b e e n hurt, wouldn't you w a n t to avenge t h a t person, to redress t h e wrong d o n e to t h e m , if you c o u l d ? " S h e t h o u g h t a b o u t this. " B u t D i o wasn't c l o s e t o y o u . " " T h a t ' s presumptuous o f you, D i a n a . " "You hardly k n e w h i m . " " I n a way, that's true. B u t in a n o t h e r w a y — " S h e picked u p t h e letter. "Is h e t h e o n e you m e a n , w h e n you speak of the 'man of rational intellect'?" "Yes, as a m a t t e r of f a c t . " "Wasn't he a cruel man, t h e n ? " " I d o n ' t really k n o w . " " B u t i n t h e letter, you s a y — " "Yes, I k n o w w h a t I say." I c r i n g e d at t h e idea of h e a r i n g h e r read it aloud. " H o w do you k n o w s u c h a t h i n g about h i m ? " S h e peered at me intently. I sighed. " F r o m c e r t a i n things I was told by t h e m e n w h o played h o s t t o h i m . D i o apparently t o o k liberties w i t h s o m e o f t h e i r slave girls. He may h a v e b e e n r a t h e r abusive. B u t I d o n ' t really know. People don't like t o t a l k a b o u t t h a t sort o f t h i n g . " " H e wasn't t h a t way w h e n you k n e w h i m i n A l e x a n d r i a ? " " I f he was, I k n e w n o t h i n g about it. I saw a very different side of him." S h e looked at me thoughtfully for a long m o m e n t . It was n o t a l o o k

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she h a d l e a r n e d from B e t h e s d a . It was a k e e n , pensive l o o k , very deep and entirely h e r o w n — o r perhaps she h a d picked it up from m e , I thought, flattering myself. H o w foolish a n d r e m o t e it suddenly s e e m e d , that strange, d i s o r i e n t e d m o m e n t w h e n I had imagined she was h e r m o t h e r in disguise. S h e stood a n d nodded gravely. " T h a n k you for letting me read t h e letter, Papa. T h a n k you for talking t o m e . " T h e n she left t h e r o o m . I picked up t h e letter and read it through again. I w i n c e d at t h e catalogue I h a d m a d e of o t h e r people's passions, and especially at w h a t I had said of D i o : What cruel appetite makes a man of rational intellect crave the debasement of his helpless partners in sex? W h a t h a d I b e e n t h i n k i n g , to put such thoughts in a letter? I would wait until after t h e trial to write to M e t o , w h e n I h a d s o m e t h i n g of s u b s t a n c e to relate. I called on o n e of t h e slaves to light a taper from t h e fire in t h e k i t c h e n and bring it to m e . W h e n she returned I t o o k t h e taper from her, put t h e p a r c h m e n t i n t o t h e e m p t y brazier a n d burned it to ashes.

I spent t h e day s n o o p i n g . I f C a e l i u s h a d indeed p l o t t e d t o poison b o t h D i o and C l o d i a , w h e r e had h e o b t a i n e d t h e poison? Poisonings have b e c o m e l a m e n t a b l y c o m m o n i n R o m e , and i n rec e n t years I h a v e b e c o m e m o r e familiar w i t h deadly potions and powders t h a n I would h a v e d r e a m e d possible. F r o m t i m e to t i m e c o n s i d e r a b l e quantities of various kinds of poison pass through my own hands, a n d I have a s t r o n g b o x especially for storing t h e m ; c l i e n t s , h a v i n g seized a q u a n t i t y of p o i s o n as e v i d e n c e , prefer to safeguard t h e stuff w i t h me rather t h a n in t h e i r own h o m e s , especially if they suspect a family m e m b e r or a slave of wanting to do t h e m in. For a p r i c e , anyone c a n o b t a i n poison in R o m e , but t h e reliable, discreet s o u r c e s — t h e sort to w h i c h I imagined C a e l i u s would g o — a r e relatively few. O v e r t h e years my work has a c q u a i n t e d me w i t h m o s t of t h e m to o n e degree or a n o t h e r . I n t e r v i e w i n g these creatures was a j o b I would rather h a v e left to E c o , but s i n c e E c o was away I set out to do it myself, w i t h a purse full of c o i n s for bribes and B e l b o for p r o t e c t i o n . It was a m i s e r a b l e task, rather like h u n t i n g for snakes under rocks. S i n c e I h a p p e n e d to k n o w w h i c h stones t h e snakes preferred, I simply w e n t from o n e to t h e n e x t , lifting t h e m up and bracing myself for a succession of unpleasant e n c o u n t e r s . T h e s e a r c h t o o k m e t o a n u m b e r o f disreputable shops o n t h e

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outskirts of t h e Forum; over to t h e old, run-down b a t h s n e a r t h e Circus Flaminius; to t h e waterfront shipyards a n d warehouses of t h e Navalia; a n d finally, following t h e advice o f a n informant, b a c k t o t h e p l a c e that C a t u l l u s h a d c a l l e d t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern. By t h e light of day it h a d an air m o r e d e c r e p i t t h a n salacious; t h e gamblers were g o n e a n d t h e whores looked t e n years older. T h e o n l y patrons were a few unshaven drunkards w h o looked i n c a p a b l e of getting up from t h e i r b e n c h e s ; s o m e , w h o m I recognized from t h e previous n i g h t , h a d apparently never left. I h a d b e e n t o l d to seek out a m a n w h o c a l l e d h i m s e l f S a l a x ( " T h e tavern is n a m e d after h i m , " my source h a d j o k e d ) . He was easy enough to spot, s i n c e in p l a c e of a real nose he wore a l e a t h e r o n e . ( " W h a t e v e r you do, d o n ' t ask h i m h o w he lost his n o s e ! " I h a d b e e n warned.) He a d m i t t e d readily e n o u g h t o k n o w i n g M a r c u s C a e l i u s — a frequent visitor t o t h e t a v e r n — b u t a b o u t poisons h e declared h i m s e l f c o m p l e t e l y ignorant, a n d b e c a m e no m o r e knowledgeable even w h e n I rattled my c o i n purse. I n s t e a d he p o i n t e d toward t h e idle whores a n d suggested a n o t h e r way to l i g h t e n my purse. I h a d looked under all t h e rocks I knew. T h e snakes h a d all bared t h e i r fangs a n d hissed, but for b e t t e r or worse n o t o n e of t h e m had produced any p o i s o n . It was possible, e v e n likely, t h a t C a e l i u s h a d o b t a i n e d poison n o t o n his o w n b u t from t h e same source w h i c h h a d hired o r c o m p e l l e d h i m to harass t h e A l e x a n d r i a n e n v o y s — d i r e c t l y from K i n g Ptolemy, or perhaps from t h e king's friend Pompey. In t h a t case I could e x p e c t no luck a t all i n t r a c k i n g t h e poison. T h e n e t w o r k o f spies and lackeys who worked for P o m p e y a n d t h e king would reveal n o t h i n g to an outsider. I f C a e l i u s killed D i o a t t h e bidding o f D i o ' s e n e m i e s , why h a d h e d o n e so? B e c a u s e he was in debt to Pompey? T h a t s e e m e d distinctly possible. If so, I m i g h t be able to find s o m e o n e w h o at least k n e w of t h e d e b t . I r e t u r n e d to t h e Forum a n d sought out a different set of sources, m o r e c o n v e r s a n t w i t h politics t h a n poison. It was easy e n o u g h to find m e n willing to talk, b u t impossible to find hard facts. It was as C l o d i u s h a d said: p l e n t y o f p e o p l e professed t o 'know' t h e 'truth' ( C a e l i u s tried t o p o i s o n D i o a n d failed, t h e n C a e l i u s a n d A s i c i u s t o g e t h e r stabbed D i o ) , b u t n o o n e s e e m e d t o have any real e v i d e n c e . I found m e n w h o h a d a t t e n d e d t h e trial o f A s i c i u s a n d talked with t h e m a t l e n g t h . T h e c o m m o n knowledge was t h a t A s i c i u s was guilty and everyone k n e w it, b u t a m o n g t h e judges t h e weak-minded h a d b e e n dazzled by C i c e r o ' s defense a n d t h e weak-willed b r i b e d by K i n g Ptolemy's g o l d — t o g e t h e r , a safe majority. Yet, w h e n I q u e s t i o n e d these m e n about t h e trial itself, a b o u t t h e speeches a n d t h e witnesses w h o h a d given e v i d e n c e , i t s e e m e d t o m e t h a t t h e p r o s e c u t i o n h a d b e e n able t o c o m e

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up w i t h l i t t l e m o r e t h a n I h a d — h e a r s a y and i n n u e n d o . Perhaps t h e judges h a d simply a c q u i t t e d A s i c i u s for l a c k of proof. It was a frustrating day. T h e sun was b e g i n n i n g to set as B e l b o and I trudged up t h e R a m p . I suddenly realized t h a t I h a d s e e n n o t h i n g of Catullus all day. Perhaps I had finally c o n v i n c e d h i m that I was n o t his rival in love. T h e absurdity o f t h e n o t i o n m a d e m e smile. B u t m y smile stiffened w h e n w e r e a c h e d t h e top o f t h e R a m p a n d I saw w h a t was in front of my h o u s e . " B e l b o , I must be seeing things. I h o p e s o . " " W h a t d o you m e a n , M a s t e r ? " " D o you see a group of idle bodyguards lounging outside my front door?" "Yes, M a s t e r . " " A n d d o t h e i r faces l o o k f a m i l i a r ? " " T h e y d o , M a s t e r . A n ugly l o t . " " A n d is t h a t n o t a litter in t h e i r midst, set against t h e wall w h i l e the bearers r e l a x i n t h e s t r e e t ? " " I t is, M a s t e r . " " A n d does t h e litter n o t have red a n d w h i t e striped c u r t a i n s , drawn back so t h a t we c a n see t h a t t h e b o x is e m p t y ? " " T h a t i s so, M a s t e r . " " D o you k n o w w h a t this m e a n s , B e l b o ? " H e quailed a t t h e realization. " I t h i n k so, M a s t e r . . . " " C y b e l e , spare my m a n h o o d ! C l o d i a is in my h o u s e — a n d so is Bethesda."

O n e o f C l o d i a ' s bodyguards h a d t h e t e m e r i t y t o c h a l l e n g e m e outside my o w n front door. F o r t u n a t e l y t h e m a n ' s c a p t a i n recognized m e . He berated his underling a n d t h e n actually h a d t h e m a n n e r s t o apologize t o m e . N o t all o f C l o d i u s ' s gangsters were c o m p l e t e l y uncivilized, but every o n e o f t h e m looked c a p a b l e o f killing a m a n w i t h o u t b l i n k i n g . S e e i n g t h e m g a t h e r e d outside my h o u s e set my t e e t h on edge. O n c e inside, I drew aside a slave girl w h o was passing t h r o u g h t h e foyer. "Is your mistress h e r e ? " "Yes, M a s t e r . I n t h e g a r d e n . " " S h h h . K e e p your v o i c e down. Do I have a v i s i t o r ? " " T h e r e is a visitor, Master, yes." " T e l l me t h a t your mistress is napping in t h e garden, a n d t h a t my visitor is quietly secluded in my study."

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T h e slave looked a t m e , perplexed. " N o , Master. T h e mistress i s e n t e r t a i n i n g t h e visitor i n t h e little garden a t t h e b a c k o f t h e h o u s e . " " O h , dear. H a s t h e visitor b e e n h e r e l o n g ? " " Q u i t e s o m e t i m e , M a s t e r . L o n g e n o u g h to have finished t h e first ewer o f w i n e a n d s e n t for a n o t h e r . " " H a v e you h e a r d . . . s h o u t i n g ? " "No, Master." " H a r s h words?" S h e frowned. " P l e a s e , Master, I n e v e r eavesdrop." " B u t you'd n o t i c e if your mistress had, say, strangled t h e other w o m a n , o r v i c e versa?" T h e girl looked a t m e strangely, t h e n m a n a g e d a n uneasy laugh. " O h , you're m a k i n g a j o k e , a r e n ' t you, M a s t e r ? " "Am I?" " S h a l l I go t e l l t h e mistress that you're h o m e ? " " N o ! J u s t go on about your business, as if I'd never c o m e i n . " I quietly m a d e my way to t h e b a c k of t h e h o u s e . It was possible, from a little passageway off my b e d r o o m , to l o o k through a s c r e e n of ivy i n t o t h e small private garden where B e t h e s d a a n d C l o d i a were sitting. T h e y were n o t a l o n e . C h r y s i s sat on a pillow at h e r mistress's feet. D i a n a was seated n e x t to h e r m o t h e r , holding h e r h a n d . T h e i r voices were low, hardly m o r e t h a n a murmur. T h e i r t o n e was somber. T h e y seemed to be deep in serious discussion. T h a t was t h e last t h i n g I h a d e x p e c t e d . W h a t o n e a r t h c o u l d t h e s e w o m e n have i n c o m m o n ? I r e a c h e d o u t w i t h my forefinger and pushed aside an ivy l e a f to get a b e t t e r l o o k at C l o d i a . E v e n in an unassuming stola of soft gray wool s h e was s t u n n i n g l y beautiful. At least she'd h a d t h e sense to put on d e c e n t c l o t h i n g before she c a m e calling at my h o u s e . I looked at B e t h e s d a , e x p e c t i n g to see jealousy on h e r face. Instead h e r expression was pensive a n d m e l a n c h o l y , mirroring t h a t o f t h e o t h e r w o m e n . C l o d i a ' s v o i c e was so low t h a t I h a d to strain to hear. " W i t h m e , i t was a n u n c l e , n o t b l o o d - k i n , but o n e o f m y stepm o t h e r ' s b r o t h e r s . L i k e you, I kept it a secret. I was fifteen, a b i t older t h a n your D i a n a . M y father h a d just b e t r o t h e d m e t o m y cousin Q u i n t u s , b u t w i t h F a t h e r away from R o m e t h e wedding h a d to wait. T h a t was quite all r i g h t by m e . I wasn't eager for marriage, like some girls. B u t of course, i f I had b e e n married, t h e n perhaps . . . " S h e t o o k a b r e a t h and w e n t o n . " U n c l e M a r c u s h a d always looked at me in a c e r t a i n way. You k n o w w h a t I m e a n . " T h e o t h e r w o m e n nodded sympathetically. "Perhaps it was t h e b e t r o t h a l t h a t set h i m off, t h i n k i n g t h a t o n c e Q u i n t u s t o o k m e h e would n e v e r h a v e t h e c h a n c e again. O n e day, a t t h e family h o r t i ,

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h e c a u g h t m e a l o n e . " S h e t o o k a deep b r e a t h . "Afterward, o n e wonders how t h e gods c o u l d allow s u c h a t h i n g to h a p p e n . " "You n e v e r told your s t e p m o t h e r ? " said B e t h e s d a . " I h a t e d h e r t h e n . I h a t e d h e r even m o r e after what U n c l e M a r c u s did. He was h e r brother, after all. I didn't trust her. I t h o u g h t s h e m i g h t take his s i d e . " " W h a t a b o u t your own b r o t h e r s ? " said D i a n a . "I s h o u l d h a v e told t h e m . I did tell Publius, but n o t u n t i l many years later, after U n c l e M a r c u s was d e a d . " " B u t your sisters—surely you told t h e m , " said B e t h e s d a . " M y h a l f sisters were c l o s e r to t h e i r m o t h e r t h a n to m e . I c o u l d n ' t trust t h e m n o t to tell her. N o , t h e o n l y person I told was an old slave w o m a n w h o h a d b e e n w i t h my father s i n c e long before I was b o r n , a n d I told h e r o n l y w h e n I b e g a n to realize t h a t U n c l e M a r c u s h a d p l a n t e d a b a b y in m e . S h e showed me w h a t to do, but she warned me t h a t if I a b o r t e d t h e c h i l d I m i g h t n e v e r be able to have s o n s . " " A R o m a n superstition!" B e t h e s d a clucked h e r t o n g u e . " S t i l l , it proved to be true. T h a t was a n o t h e r reason I n e v e r told my h u s b a n d a b o u t what U n c l e M a r c u s did to m e , and w h a t followed; Q u i n t u s would have b l a m e d me for giving h i m a daughter instead of a son. H e would probably have b l a m e d m e for tempting U n c l e M a r c u s . It's t h e way m e n t h i n k . Q u i n t u s k n e w h e wasn't t h e first, but h e n e v e r k n e w a b o u t U n c l e M a r c u s . H e died, n e v e r k n o w i n g . " I l i s t e n e d , disturbed, a n d t h e n a s t o n i s h e d by what C l o d i a did n e x t : she l e a n e d forward a n d t o o k B e t h e s d a ' s h a n d , t h e o n e D i a n a was n o t already h o l d i n g , a n d pressed it b e t w e e n h e r palms. " B u t you said t h a t it was t h e s a m e w i t h you, B e t h e s d a — t h a t you kept it a s e c r e t . " B e t h e s d a lowered h e r eyes. " W h o could I have told? A free R o m a n girl m i g h t h a v e recourse to law or f a m i l y — b u t an Egyptian slave girl in A l e x a n d r i a ? T h e m a n h a d d o n e t h e t h i n g often t o m y m o t h e r w h i l e she lived; she t o l d me t h a t t h e master's abuse would kill her in t h e e n d , a n d it finally did. A f t e r s h e died, he turned to m e . I was m u c h younger t h a n you were, C l o d i a , n o t e v e n old e n o u g h to bear a c h i l d . He did t h e t h i n g to me o n l y o n c e , or tried to. I suppose he t h o u g h t I would be d o c i l e , like my m o t h e r , but after t h e things s h e h a d told me I k n e w w h a t to e x p e c t a n d I d e c i d e d I would die before I let h i m have his way w i t h m e . He tied my wrists w i t h a rope, t h e way he h a d tied h e r so many t i m e s . He liked to h a n g h e r on a h o o k on t h e wall. I h a d s e e n h e r like t h a t , s e e n w h a t h e did t o her, a n d w h e n h e tried t o d o t h e same things t o m e a k i n d o f m a d n e s s c a m e i n t o m e , t h e madness t h e gods put i n t o m e n a n d w o m e n to give t h e m s t r e n g t h beyond their bodies. I was m o r e l i m b e r

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t h a n he realized. I wriggled free. It turned i n t o a b a t t l e . I bit h i m as hard as I c o u l d . He threw me against t h e wall, so hard I thought I'd b e e n c r u s h e d like a b e e t l e . I c o u l d n ' t b r e a t h e . My h e a r t stopped beating. H e c o u l d h a v e h a d his way w i t h m e t h e n . H e c o u l d have killed m e . H e was a powerful, r e s p e c t e d m a n . No o n e would have t h o u g h t t h e less of h i m for t h e d e a t h of a slave. No o n e q u e s t i o n e d t h e death of my mother. N o o n e would h a v e q u e s t i o n e d m y d e a t h . " " O h , M o t h e r ! " D i a n a drew c l o s e r t o her. C l o d i a b i t h e r lip. Chrysis bowed h e r h e a d . B e t h e s d a ' s eyes glittered, but h e r c h e e k s r e m a i n e d dry. "I lay on t h e floor, s t u n n e d . I c o u l d n ' t m o v e , n o t e v e n a finger. I waited for t h e sky to fall. B u t do you k n o w w h a t he did? He turned as w h i t e as a c l o u d , m u m b l e d a curse a n d left t h e r o o m . I t h i n k t h e shade of my m o t h e r must have spoken in his ear, s h a m i n g h i m . Instead of h a v i n g me killed, he simply got rid of m e . He s e n t me to t h e slave market. I was n o t a very satisfactory slave, apparently." S h e m a n a g e d a b r i t t l e smile. " M e n would buy me a n d return me before t h e day was d o n e . I was sent b a c k to be resold so many times that t h e m a n at t h e slave market made a j o k e of it. I was still young. I suppose I was b e a u t i f u l — a l m o s t as beautiful as you, D i a n a . B u t word spread a m o n g t h e buyers t h a t I was poison, and n o o n e would bid o n m e . Finally, o f course, t h e right m a n c a m e for m e . I t h i n k it must have b e e n a w h i m of t h e goddess t h e R o m a n s c a l l Venus t h a t s e n t h i m to t h e slave market t h a t day, w i t h barely e n o u g h c o i n s in his purse. I was t h e c h e a p e s t slave on t h e b l o c k , a n d still he c o u l d barely afford m e ! " T h e o t h e r w o m e n laughed a t t h a t , e v e n a s t h e y wiped t h e i r eyes. " A n d your h u s b a n d knows n o t h i n g o f w h a t h a p p e n e d t o you before you m e t ? O f w h a t t h e m a n did t o you, and your m o t h e r ? " said C l o d i a . " N o t h i n g . I n e v e r told h i m , a n d I t h i n k I never will. I told my daughter, b e c a u s e I t h o u g h t she should k n o w w h a t befell h e r grandm o t h e r . A n d now I have told y o u . " I was appalled, bewildered, d u m b f o u n d e d — n o t only at w h a t B e thesda h a d said, a n d t h e fact t h a t she h a d kept such a secret from m e , but at t h e u n a c c o u n t a b l e i n t i m a c y b e t w e e n t h e w o m e n in my garden. W h a t strange a l c h e m y h a d transpired t o make t h e m s o unguarded w i t h o n e a n o t h e r ? W h e r e were t h e n o r m a l barriers o f slavery and status t h a t should h a v e separated t h e m ? T h e world seemed t o t r e m b l e b e n e a t h m y feet, just as my fingers t r e m b l e d as I c l o s e d my spy-hole in t h e ivy a n d silently fled to my study.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

N

I

N

E

T

E

E

N

At l e n g t h , I s e n t a slave girl to inform B e t h e s d a t h a t I h a d returned a n d was in my study. C l o d i a appeared s o o n after, a l o n g w i t h Chrysis. T h e y were b o t h smiling, a s i f t h e y h a d just shared a good laugh. T h e visit w i t h B e t h e s d a a n d D i a n a h a d apparently e n d e d on a happy n o t e , w h i c h confused me all t h e m o r e — h o w c o u l d t h e y speak o f such dreadful things a n d t h e n part laughing? " I dropped b y t o see i f you h a d a n y t h i n g t o report, a n d you w e r e n ' t h e r e , " said C l o d i a , feigning p e t u l a n c e . " I trust you've b e e n busy o n m y behalf, o u t scraping up s o m e t h i n g useful about C a e l i u s — p e r h a p s s o m e fresh news a b o u t t h o s e slaves h e b r i b e d t o p o i s o n D i o ? " " N o t h i n g as useful as t h a t , I'm afraid. H a v e you b e e n h e r e l o n g ? " " A while." " I h o p e you w e r e n ' t b o r e d . " " N o t at all. Your wife made me feel very w e l c o m e . " "Did she?" "Yes." "Good." T h a t was t h e gist o f t h e interview, and C l o d i a and C h r y s i s s o o n departed.

D a r k n e s s fell. D i n n e r was served. I was uneasy, u n a b l e to l o o k at B e t h e s d a or at D i a n a in q u i t e t h e usual way. I asked B e t h e s d a what she h a d t h o u g h t o f our visitor. " A n interesting w o m a n " was all she said.

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"I take it s h e put your m i n d to rest, c o n c e r n i n g my whereabouts last n i g h t . " " Y e s . " B e t h e s d a did n o t elaborate. " W e l l , good. A l l ' s b a c k t o n o r m a l , t h e n ? " "I was never aware of any disruption to our r o u t i n e , " said Bethesda. I bit i n t o a crust of bread. T h i s saved me from biting my tongue. It was a q u i e t m e a l . As t h e last course of savory o n i o n s with wine was served, B e t h e s d a c l e a r e d h e r throat. " O u r visitor invited us to a party." " A party?" " T h e day after tomorrow. C l o d i a says she has a party every year, to mark t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival." " A n d she invited you?" B e t h e s d a bristled a t m y skepticism. " S h e invited b o t h o f us." " I don't t h i n k t h e sort o f parties C l o d i a throws are likely t o b e — " "I shall be h a r d pressed to find a suitable stola for t h e o c c a s i o n . " S h e peered thoughtfully i n t o t h e middle d i s t a n c e , c o n t e m p l a t i n g her wardrobe. I sighed. For B e t h e s d a , a personal invitation from a p a t r i c i a n like C l o d i a must have s e e m e d almost t o o good to be true, an opportunity n o t to be missed, an a c c e p t a n c e i n t o Palatine society. I was surprised myself, t h o u g h I was b e g i n n i n g to learn n o t to be surprised by anything C l o d i a did. L a t e r t h a t n i g h t , in bed, B e t h e s d a pressed herself against me and asked me to h o l d her. As I t o o k h e r in my arms, I longed to tell h e r that I k n e w h e r s e c r e t , t h a t I understood h e r s i l e n c e , that it made no differe n c e . B u t t h e words did n o t c o m e . Instead, I used my hands and lips and t o n g u e to show h e r what I felt. Afterward, c o n t e n t e d , she fell into a deep sleep. B u t I r e m a i n e d awake long i n t o t h e night, staring into the darkness above, w o n d e r i n g how a m a n c a n ever t h i n k he knows the w h o l e truth o f a n y t h i n g .

T h e n e x t m o r n i n g I sent a messenger to E c o ' s house, to see if he had returned. T h e messenger c a m e b a c k with t h e news I e x p e c t e d : E c o was n o t yet b a c k . He would c o m e to me as s o o n as he arrived, I thought, n o m a t t e r w h a t t h e hour. I f h e didn't arrive s o o n , anything h e discovered would b e o f n o use. T h e trial would b e g i n t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . I decided to spend t h e day in my study rather t h a n to go down to t h e Forum again to search for e v i d e n c e c o n c e r n i n g C a e l i u s and poison.

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I had spoken in e n o u g h ears; word of what I was seeking would c o n t i n u e to spread w i t h o u t m e . Perhaps a limb t h a t was barren yesterday would bear fruit today. If so, it would be wise to stay where any messenger could b e sure t o f i n d m e . A n d o f course, E c o m i g h t arrive a t any m o ment. I b e g a n a n o t h e r letter to M e t o , a n d ended by burning it, as I h a d the last. T h e t h i n g on my m i n d was n o t s o m e t h i n g I c o u l d share w i t h him in a letter. B e t h e s d a a n d D i a n a spent t h e day sewing in t h e garden. T h e y s e e m e d to be in good spirits, talking to o n e a n o t h e r in low voices and laughing. I w a t c h e d in s i l e n c e , c o n t e n t merely to observe, like a guardian k e e p i n g w a t c h on t h e living.

It was n o t an informer, but T r y g o n i o n w h o finally c a m e k n o c k i n g at my door t h a t a f t e r n o o n , so frantically t h a t B e l b o made no effort at all to restrain t h e l i t t l e gallus from rushing i n t o my study. " C o m e ! " h e c r i e d , t r e m b l i n g and gasping for b r e a t h . " C o m e a t once!" " W h a t now, T r y g o n i o n ? " I sighed. " H e ' s d o n e it! H e ' s actually d o n e it! Despite all h e r p r e c a u t i o n s . O h , C y b e l e , d a m n his eyes!" H e c l u t c h e d his face and stamped his feet. "Trygonion! What's happened?" " H e ' s p o i s o n e d her. S h e ' s dying! O h , please, c o m e a t o n c e ! " I t was n o w o n d e r t h a t T r y g o n i o n was out o f breath; h e h a d run all the way from C l o d i a ' s h o u s e , a n d e x p e c t e d me to run all t h e way b a c k with h i m . W e arrived i n t h e little dead-end street like gasping runners after a m a r a t h o n . T h e door to C l o d i a ' s house was n o t e v e n shut, but stood o p e n as T r y g o n i o n h a d left it. "Hurry!" H e grabbed m y h a n d a n d pulled m e after h i m . H e was surprisingly strong for o n e w h o looked so d e l i c a t e . I tried to keep up, but he was faster, and e n d e d up dragging me through t h e foyer a n d t h e atrium, across t h e c e n t r a l garden, under t h e p o r t i c o and down a long hallway. O u t s i d e a doorway h u n g w i t h a h e a v y c u r t a i n a group of slaves were g a t h e r e d , m u r m u r i n g a m o n g themselves. T h e y parted for T r y g o n i o n , w h o pulled m e past t h e c u r t a i n i n t o t h e r o o m beyond. O u t s i d e was b r i g h t s u n s h i n e , but inside t h e r o o m it m i g h t h a v e b e e n m i d n i g h t . T h e windows, like t h e door, were covered w i t h h e a v y curtains. T h e o n l y i l l u m i n a t i o n c a m e from a few lamps, w h i c h b u r n e d very low. As my eyes adjusted to t h e darkness, I saw C l o d i a r e c l i n i n g on a sleeping c o u c h w i t h ornately carved ivory legs and plush pillows. S h e

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was covered w i t h a w o o l e n b l a n k e t . H e r face a n d hands looked pale and w a x e n i n t h e d i m light. " T r y g o n i o n ? " she whispered. " M i s t r e s s ! " he c r i e d , addressing h e r as if he were h e r slave. He ran to h e r side a n d t o o k h e r h a n d . "I c a m e b a c k as quickly as I c o u l d . " "Is G o r d i a n u s w i t h y o u ? " "Yes. S a v e your b r e a t h , p l e a s e . " " W h y ? D o you t h i n k I have s o little l e f t ? " S h e laughed weakly. T h e gallus c o n t o r t e d his f a c e . " T r y g o n i o n t h i n k s I'm going to d i e , " she said, turning h e r glittering eyes to m e . " W h a t happened, Clodia?" "I t h i n k it must have b e e n s o m e t h i n g I a t e . " S h e made an arch expression, t h e n w i n c e d . " H a v e you s u m m o n e d a p h y s i c i a n ? " " M y b r o t h e r owns a very skilled h e a l e r w h o happens to know a great deal a b o u t p o i s o n s . Publius has reason to be c o n c e r n e d about poison, as you c a n i m a g i n e . T h e physician c a m e w h i l e T r y g o n i o n was gone. H e ' s outside t h e door now, I imagine; I c o u l d n ' t stand h a v i n g h i m in the room with m e . " " W h a t did h e say?" asked T r y g o n i o n frantically. " H e said, 'I t h i n k it must have b e e n s o m e t h i n g you a t e . ' " S h e smiled wanly. " H e w a n t e d to k n o w how m u c h of t h e powder I swallowed, a n d w h e n . Early this m o r n i n g , I told h i m , but I felt no ill effects until a l m o s t midday. He says I'm very lucky to have e a t e n so little of it. As it is—" " W h a t powder?" I said. "Didn't Trygonion explain?" " N o t i m e . W e r a n all t h e way," t h e gallus said. " T h e powder t h a t I c a m e across i n t h e k i t c h e n , " she said. " I m a g i n e t h a t ! H o w many m o r n i n g s have I ventured i n t o t h e k i t c h e n before my breakfast is ready? N e v e r . B u t today, for some reason, I was awake early, a n d hungry, and w h e n I c a l l e d for Chrysis she didn't c o m e , so I went to t h e k i t c h e n myself. You should have s e e n how Chrysis j u m p e d w h e n I stepped i n t o t h e r o o m . S h e stood by a little t a b l e , a n d on t h e table was a bowl of h o n e y e d m i l l e t . 'Is t h a t for m e ? ' I said. Chrysis said n o t h i n g . I walked to t h e bowl a n d saw t h e little b o x beside it, and t h e crumbly yellow powder inside t h e b o x . ' S o m e sort of spice?' I said. I suspected n o t h i n g , you s e e . " " A c r u m b l y yellow powder?" "Yes, n o t like any spice I k n o w of. I t o u c h e d my finger to my tongue, d a b b e d it in t h e powder a n d t o u c h e d my t o n g u e again. I did it w i t h o u t t h i n k i n g . T h e powder didn't taste at all bad, really, only a b i t earthy. T h e n I saw t h e l o o k on Chrysis's f a c e . A l l at o n c e I k n e w . "

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I h e a r d a strange w h i m p e r i n g b e h i n d m e . I turned my h e a d . T h e whimpering s e e m e d t o c o m e from t h e opposite c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m , from near t h e floor. I t h o u g h t it m i g h t be a dog. T h e n my eyes c a u g h t a slight m o v e m e n t , h i g h e r up. I peered i n t o t h e deep-shadowed g l o o m , confused, then suddenly perceived t h e shape of a body suspended upside down from the roof. It was a nude w o m a n h a n g i n g from a rope tied around h e r ankles, twisting very slightly. S h e whimpered again. " S i l e n c e ! " s h o u t e d C l o d i a . S h e sat upright, t h e n fell b a c k against her pillows. T r y g o n i o n fretted over h e r until she slapped his fawning hands away. "I s e n t for T r y g o n i o n at o n c e . He c a m e running from t h e House o f t h e G a l l i . H e was t h e o n e w h o t h o u g h t o f sending for Publius's physician. I waited a n d waited for t h e m a n to c o m e ; it turned out he was down a t t h e h e r b market a n d n o o n e k n e w where h e h a d g o n e . A t first I wasn't worried. I felt fine. T h e n at midday t h e discomfort b e g a n , and t h e p h y s i c i a n still h a d n ' t arrived. I t o o k to my bed, a n d T r y g o n i o n kept fretting over me until I t h o u g h t to send h i m for you, G o r d i a n u s . " "Why me?" "You must k n o w m o r e t h a n m o s t m e n about poisons. I t h o u g h t you might b e able t o tell m e s o m e t h i n g about t h e yellow powder. F e t c h it, Trygonion." He t o r e h i m s e l f from h e r side a n d w e n t to a little t a b l e crowded with tiny b o x e s a n d b o t t l e s . A burnished mirror was hung on t h e wall above t h e t a b l e , reflecting t h e s o m b e r light of t h e lamps a n d affording a startling glimpse of C h r y s i s h a n g i n g from t h e c e i l i n g across t h e r o o m . T r y g o n i o n r e t u r n e d w i t h a little pyxis. I stepped to t h e nearest lamp a n d studied t h e c o n t e n t s . "Is it t o o dark to s e e ? " said C l o d i a . "I c a n ' t have t h e lamps any brighter. T h e light hurts m y e y e s . " "I c a n see well e n o u g h . I may be wrong, but I suspect this is a substance c a l l e d gorgon's hair. It c o m e s from t h e root of a p l a n t t h a t grows wild on t h e shores of M a u r e t a n i a . It used to be quite rare in R o m e , but o n e sees it m o r e a n d m o r e nowadays. It's very p o t e n t , acts fairly quickly, a n d has almost no flavor, so t h a t it c a n be m i x e d w i t h almost any k i n d o f f o o d . " C l o d i a c l o s e d h e r eyes and nodded. "You see, T r y g o n i o n , I t o l d you that G o r d i a n u s would know. T h e physician said t h e same t h i n g . " " D i d h e e x p l a i n t h e effects?" " H e hardly n e e d e d t o . I've discovered t h e m for myself." "Dizziness, nausea, a s e n s a t i o n of coldness, a painful sensitivity to light?" S h e nodded, keeping h e r eyes shut. " H o w m u c h did you swallow?"

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" O n l y t h a t single small taste. O n c e I saw t h e look on Chrysis's face I k n e w w h a t I'd d o n e . " A g a i n , I h e a r d t h e w h i m p e r i n g from t h e c o r n e r o f t h e r o o m . " S i lence!" cried Clodia. " I f you swallowed n o m o r e t h a n t h a t — " " T h e n I'll survive, yes? T h a t ' s w h a t t h e physician s a i d . " It would be a stupid physician w h o told a powerful, dangerous w o m a n t h a t s h e was going to die, if t h e r e was e v e n t h e slightest possibility t h a t she m i g h t survive. T h e powerful do n o t appreciate b e i n g given bad news, especially if it turns out to be false. B e t t e r for t h e physician to assure his master's sister t h a t she would live; if she didn't, she would be i n n o p o s i t i o n t o v e n t h e r d i s a p p o i n t m e n t o n h i m . B u t t h e physician was probably right. I k n e w s o m e t h i n g of gorgon's h a i r a n d its effects, a n d s u c h a small dose s e e m e d unlikely to kill her. " I f t h e p h y s i c i a n said you'll b e better, t h e n I'm s u r e — " " D o n ' t you h a v e your o w n o p i n i o n ? " H e r v o i c e was sharp. "You recognized t h e p o i s o n . You must k n o w how it w o r k s . " "I k n o w many poisons by sight, b u t it's o t h e r s w h o use t h e m , not me." " O f course you're n o t going t o d i e ! " T r y g o n i o n insisted. C l o d i a allowed h i m to fuss w i t h h e r b l a n k e t a n d caress h e r h a n d s . "I t h o u g h t you'd forestalled t h e p o i s o n plot against y o u , " I said. " S o did I . B u t t h a t farce a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s must have b e e n only a diversion staged by C a e l i u s . He w a n t e d me to t h i n k I h a d got t h e better of h i m , w h e n all t h e t i m e his viper was already at my breast. T h e slave I trusted m o r e t h a n any o t h e r ! " O v e r in t h e corner, Chrysis w h i m p e r e d and twisted in space. My eyes h a d grown used to t h e darkness and I was able to see h e r more clearly. H e r s m o o t h , naked flesh was scored w i t h m o t t l e d stripes. " T h e l i t t l e spy weeps b e c a u s e I h a d h e r b e a t e n , " said C l o d i a in a low v o i c e . " H e r p u n i s h m e n t has o n l y b e g u n . " " S h e confessed t o y o u ? " " N o t yet. B u t C a e l i u s must have spies in my house, just as I have spies i n h i s . W h o b e t t e r t h a n Chrysis? A n d I c a u g h t h e r i n t h e a c t o f p o i s o n i n g my food! If I h a d n ' t h a p p e n e d to step i n t o t h e k i t c h e n at that moment—" " W h y d o you t h i n k this poison c a m e from C a e l i u s ? " C l o d i a gave me s u c h a w i t h e r i n g l o o k t h a t I sucked in my breath. H a d C a t u l l u s ever k n o w n t h a t look? T h e n she shuddered and w i n c e d a n d shut h e r eyes. " W h o e l s e ? " she d e m a n d e d in a weak v o i c e . " W e k n o w he already h a d t h e p o i s o n . W h a t I didn't k n o w was t h e slave he would use to get t h e stuff i n t o my h o u s e . C h r y s i s , n o t B a r n a b a s ! "

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"You t h i n k this is t h e same p o i s o n t h a t he tested on his o w n s l a v e ? " " O f course." "It's n o t . " S h e b i t h e r lips a n d shifted b e n e a t h t h e b l a n k e t . " W h a t d o you mean?" " T h e p o i s o n C a e l i u s administered t o his slave a c t e d very quickly. You t o l d me so yourself, a n d I assume t h a t your spies gave you an a c c u r a t e report. T h e slave died in agony, you said, w h i l e C a e l i u s w a t c h e d . 'It t o o k only m o m e n t s , ' you said. T h i s c a n ' t b e t h e same poison. T h e M a u r e tanians say t h a t gorgon's hair is like 'a c o i l e d snake in t h e belly.' O n c e ingested, it bides its t i m e before striking. T h e v i c t i m feels no ill effects for a w h i l e , t h e n t h e symptoms c o m e on suddenly. You told me t h a t you tasted t h e powder in t h e m o r n i n g but felt no effects until midday. T h a t hardly sounds like Caelius's ' q u i c k - a c t i n g ' p o i s o n . " " S o ? He d e c i d e d to use a different p o i s o n . " "Perhaps. If you'd let m e , I'd like to take what's left of this p o i s o n with m e . If I r e m e m b e r correctly, I h a p p e n to have a b i t of gorgon's h a i r at my h o u s e , l o c k e d in a b o x w h e r e I k e e p such t h i n g s . " My s o n E c o had b e e n given t h e stuff m o n t h s ago, by a m a n whose wife was trying t o p o i s o n h i m . E c o passed i t o n for safekeeping t o m e ; h e w o n ' t h a v e poison in his h o u s e b e c a u s e of t h e twins. I'd almost forgotten a b o u t it. "I should like to c o m p a r e this powder w i t h t h e b i t I have at h o m e — " C l o d i a h e s i t a t e d . " B e sure t o return i t , " she whispered, c l o s i n g h e r eyes. " I t ' s e v i d e n c e against C a e l i u s . " T h e i n t e r v i e w s e e m e d t o b e over. C l o d i a turned u n c o m f o r t a b l y o n t h e b e d . C h r y s i s twisted from t h e ropes. T h e n T r y g o n i o n b e n t c l o s e t o C l o d i a ' s ear a n d said in a low v o i c e , " T h e o t h e r b o x . " S h e frowned. " M i s t r e s s , t h e o t h e r b o x , " h e said again. T h e g r i m a c e she m a d e c a m e from s o m e t h i n g o t h e r t h a n physical discomfort. "Yes, show h i m . L e t h i m see for h i m s e l f . " T r y g o n i o n t o o k t h e b o x o f poison from m e . H e w e n t t o t h e little c o s m e t i c s t a b l e a n d c a m e b a c k h o l d i n g a different pyxis i n t h e p a l m o f his h a n d , w i t h his n o s e w r i n k l e d a n d his arm e x t e n d e d , as if to k e e p t h e t h i n g as far from h i m s e l f as possible. I recognized it at o n c e . "It's t h e same pyxis Licinius was carrying at t h e S e n i a n b a t h s , " I said. " A r e you sure?" whispered C l o d i a . " B r o n z e , w i t h raised k n o b s a n d inlays o f ivory. E x a c t l y t h e s a m e . " " T h e b r u t e ! T h e m o n s t e r ! " said T r y g o n i o n , thrusting t h e b o x a t me. " G o on, look inside." " I t arrived this m o r n i n g , " said C l o d i a . "Left by a messenger on t h e front doorstep. W h a t was h e t h i n k i n g ? T o torture m e w i t h this o b s c e n e

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j o k e w h i l e I lay dying? Is he laughing e v e n n o w ? " S h e sucked in a shuddering b r e a t h a n d b e g a n t o sob. I t o o k t h e tiny b o x from T r y g o n i o n a n d o p e n e d t h e lid. W i t h i n was a pearly, o p a l e s c e n t liquid, perhaps a k i n d of l o t i o n or c r e a m , I t h o u g h t . I t o u c h e d my finger to it and gave such a start t h a t I dropped t h e b o x , spilling its c o n t e n t s on t h e floor. T r y g o n i o n stared at t h e globules o f c o n g e a l e d s e m e n w i t h fascinated revulsion. " D a m n h i m ! " C l o d i a thrashed o n t h e b e d . T r y g o n i o n rushed t o her. I b a c k e d away a n d b u m p e d i n t o t h e c o s m e t i c s table. I turned and stared blindly at t h e unguents and philters. A m o n g t h e m I n o t i c e d a little clay figurine o f A t t i s , C y b e l e ' s e u n u c h c o n s o r t , e x a c t l y like the o n e s I h a d s e e n i n t h e r o o m o f Lucius Lucceius's wife. T h e d i m lamplight c a u g h t his red cap a n d lit up his serenely smiling face. C l o d i a c o n t i n u e d t o m o a n a n d curse. T r y g o n i o n hovered over her. T h e dropped pyxis lay on t h e floor, its spattered c o n t e n t s glistening in the lamplight. I b a c k e d away again. O n e of t h e lamps b e g a n to gutter a n d the r o o m grew darker. I b u m p e d i n t o s o m e t h i n g solid but yielding. T h e rope m a d e a c r a c k i n g n o i s e above a n d b e h i n d m e . A low w h i m p e r i n g rose from below. W i t h a start I turned and realized I h a d c o l l i d e d w i t h the suspended body of C h r y s i s . S e e n upside down in t h e flickering light, her staring eyes a n d nostrils were so grotesque t h a t h e r face b e c a m e i n h u m a n , u n r e a d a b l e . H e r lips moved. I b e n t my h e a d , straining to hear, but her whisper was drowned by C l o d i a ' s sobbing cry b e h i n d m e . " P u n i s h h e r ! P u n i s h h e r again!" B e y o n d t h e h e a v y c u r t a i n t h a t b l o c k e d t h e door I h e a r d a murmur and a rustling a m o n g t h e slaves gathered in t h e h a l l . I stared at Chrysis's soundlessly m o v i n g lips, hardly k n o w i n g w h a t I was seeing, t h e n finally c a m e to my senses. I stepped toward t h e door a n d pushed my way past the curtain. T h e slaves in t h e hallway scattered a n d regrouped like brooding h e n s . As I m a d e my way down t h e hall a figure a p p r o a c h e d a n d passed m e , t a k i n g l o n g , q u i c k steps toward C l o d i a ' s r o o m . It was t h e slave B a r n a b a s , c l u t c h i n g a l e a t h e r whip b e t w e e n his fists. He stared straight a h e a d , his j a w tightly c l e n c h e d . His face was drained of all e m o t i o n e x c e p t for his eyes, in w h i c h I glimpsed a strange m i x t u r e of d e t e r m i n a t i o n a n d dread.

A t h o m e , I found B e t h e s d a going through h e r wardrobe, trying t o f i n d s o m e t h i n g suitable to wear for C l o d i a ' s party. " W h a t do you t h i n k , t h e

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blue stola or t h e g r e e n o n e ? A n d for a n e c k l a c e — t h e c a r n e l i a n beads, or t h e lapis lazuli o n e s you gave me last y e a r ? " " I ' m afraid it's rather unlikely t h a t t h e r e ' l l be a party after a l l . " " B u t why n o t ? " " C l o d i a is i l l . " To e x p l a i n what h a d just transpired at C l o d i a ' s h o u s e was b e y o n d my energy. "Perhaps s h e ' l l feel b e t t e r in t h e m o r n i n g , " said B e t h e s d a , frowning. "Perhaps. W e ' l l see w h e t h e r she shows up at t h e trial t o m o r r o w morning." "Yes, t h e trial! S h e w o n ' t miss t h a t . S h e ' l l have t o feel better, a n d t h e n she'll h a v e t h e party after all. S h e ' s put s o m u c h p l a n n i n g i n t o i t . " "Into the trial?" " I n t o t h e party, silly." I n o d d e d . " N o word from E c o ? " "None." I suddenly realized t h a t I h a d forgotten t h e b o x of gorgon's h a i r w h i c h I h a d i n t e n d e d to borrow from C l o d i a , to c o m p a r e w i t h t h e p o i s o n stored in my o w n s t r o n g b o x . I h a d no desire to go b a c k for it. F o r t h e m o m e n t , I forgot about it.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

W

E

N

T

Y

B e t h e s d a was p r e s c i e n t . In t h e m o r n i n g , w h e n we w e n t down to t h e F o r u m to w a t c h t h e trial, C l o d i a was already there in t h e great square in front of t h e R o s t r a , seated b e h i n d the prosecutors in t h e midst of a great many of her retainers. S h e was pale a n d h e r eyes were listless, but t h e crisis h a d apparently passed. S h e looked in our d i r e c t i o n a n d smiled w a n l y — n o t at m e , I realized, but at B e t h e s d a , w h o nodded and smiled in return. For me C l o d i a h a d no smile, o n l y a raised eyebrow, as if to ask if I h a d any last b i t of i n f o r m a t i o n to give her. I pursed my lips a n d shook my h e a d . E c o h a d still n o t returned, a n d n o n e of my nets h a d snagged a fish. It was t h e day before t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival. For six days R o m e would c e l e b r a t e with games a n d c o m p e t i t i o n s , religious processions a n d plays, private parties a n d public c e r e m o n i e s . A f t e r the festival, m e m b e r s of t h e S e n a t e would briefly r e c o n v e n e before taking t h e i r t r a d i t i o n a l A p r i l i s holiday at t h e i r c o u n t r y estates. R o m e would shut down, like a great gristmill grinding to a h a l t . On t h e eve of all this, t h e m o o d in t h e Forum was a c o m b i n a t i o n of rush and r e l a x a t i o n — h e c t i c hurry to take c a r e of final business t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e delicious a n t i c i p a t i o n o f t h e c o m i n g days o f i n d o l e n c e and pleasure. T h i s giddy m o o d was h e i g h t e n e d e v e n m o r e by t h e raucous atmosphere w h i c h always attends a major trial, especially a trial as r i c h with t h e promise o f scandal a s this o n e . W i t h n o o t h e r courts i n session, every advocate in R o m e was in a t t e n d a n c e , a n d w i t h so m u c h r e c e n t debate over t h e Egyptian situation a n d Dio's death, m o s t o f t h e S e n a t e had

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c o m e t o w a t c h . T h o s e wise e n o u g h t o plan ahead had sent slaves t o t h e Forum at dawn to put down folding chairs and h o l d places for t h e m . I had s e n t B e l b o to do just t h a t for B e t h e s d a and myself. I s c a n n e d t h e cluttered rows a n d spotted h i m waving to us from an e x c e l l e n t p l a c e n e a r the front, just b e h i n d t h e b e n c h e s w h e r e t h e seventy-odd judges would sit. We m a d e our way to our seats. Before B e l b o withdrew to t h e great crowd of gawkers a n d idlers t h a t c o n t i n u e d to gather at t h e periphery, I told h i m to keep an eye out for E c o , w h o m i g h t still show up at t h e last moment. B e f o r e us, beyond t h e judges' b e n c h e s , was t h e o p e n square, from w h i c h t h e advocates would deliver t h e i r s p e e c h e s . To t h e left sat t h e prosecutors w i t h t h e i r assistants a n d witnesses. T h i s was w h e r e C l o d i a sat. B a r n a b a s sat n e x t to her, a n d nearby I recognized "Busy F i n g e r s " V i b e n n i u s a n d several others w h o h a d taken part in t h e fruitless c h a s e at the S e n i a n baths. D i r e c t l y opposite t h e prosecutors, t o our right, were t h e b e n c h e s of t h e defendant, a c c o m p a n i e d by his advocates, family, supporters a n d c h a r a c t e r witnesses. T h e parents o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s were dressed all i n b l a c k , as if in m o u r n i n g . His m o t h e r ' s eyes were puffy and red a n d h e r c h e e k s were wet w i t h tears; his father had w h i t e stubble on his j a w a n d unkempt hair, giving h i m t h e look of a m a n h a l f crazy w i t h worry. T h e parents of every a c c u s e d m a n show up in c o u r t looking just t h e s a m e . If C a e l i u s h a d c h i l d r e n , t h e y would have b e e n standing in rags, weeping. S u c h t r a d i t i o n a l m e a n s of evoking pity in t h e judges b e g a n so long ago that no a d v o c a t e would consider allowing his c l i e n t ' s family to show up looking less t h a n w r e t c h e d . S e a t e d beside C a e l i u s were his two advocates. C i c e r o was l o o k i n g leaner a n d sharper t h a n w h e n I h a d seen h i m last; a year of b i t t e r e x i l e had t r i m m e d his belly, t a k e n in his jowls and polished his eyes to a fine glitter. G o n e was t h e fat c o m p l a c e n c y t h a t h a d settled o n h i m after his year as c o n s u l a n d his triumph over C a t i l i n a . In its p l a c e was a l o o k at o n c e h a u n t e d a n d e a g e r — h a u n t e d because h e had learned t h a t R o m e could turn viciously against h i m , eager b e c a u s e he h a d successfully lashed b a c k at his e n e m i e s a n d was again in t h e a s c e n d a n t . T h e eagerness in his eyes r e c a l l e d t h e headstrong young advocate I h a d first m e t many years ago, but t h e hard set of his jaw and t h e b i t t e r line of his lips b e l o n g e d t o a m u c h older m a n . A s a n advocate C i c e r o h a d b e e n a m bitious, unscrupulous a n d b r i l l i a n t from t h e very b e g i n n i n g — a dangerous m a n to take on in a c o u r t of law. N o w he looked m o r e formidable t h a n ever. A s for M a r c u s Crassus, t h e r i c h e s t m a n i n R o m e seemed t o have stopped aging in r e c e n t years. He was a few years older t h a n I, but looked

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c l o s e r to forty t h a n sixty. S o m e joked t h a t Crassus had made a deal with t h e gods to let h i m grow r i c h e r w i t h passing t i m e instead of older. If so, e v e n t h a t deal was n o t sweet e n o u g h to satisfy h i m ; he looked as stern a n d d i s c o n t e n t e d as ever. Crassus was a m a n w h o c o u l d n e v e r succeed e n o u g h for his o w n satisfaction. T h i s restlessness drove h i m from triumph to t r i u m p h in t h e arenas of finance a n d politics, setting a p a c e that his less gifted colleagues c o u l d n o t h o p e to m a t c h a n d bitterly resented. B e s i d e t h e s e t w o old foxes, M a r c u s C a e l i u s looked strikingly young and fresh, almost boyish. A good night's sleep or some o t h e r t o n i c had erased t h e s l a c k dissolution I h a d s e e n on his face at t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern. C a e l i u s h a d always b e e n a m i m e of sorts, able to put on roles a n d shrug t h e m off t o suit t h e m o m e n t , and for this o c c a s i o n h e m i m e d t h e brighteyed i n n o c e n c e o f youth w i t h u n c a n n y precision. His cleverness had g o t t e n h i m i n t o trouble before; in r e c e n t years he h a d strayed from his m e n t o r s Crassus a n d C i c e r o , perhaps even betrayed t h e m in t h e pursuit o f his o w n fortunes. T h e y m i g h t reasonably have turned t h e i r backs o n h i m now, but all differences h a d apparently b e e n r e c o n c i l e d . T h e y were t h r e e foxes sitting in a row. I turned my eyes from t h e defense to t h e prosecution. L e a d i n g t h e m was young Lucius S e m p r o n i u s A t r a t i n u s . If C a e l i u s looked fresh beside his w e a t h e r e d advocates, A t r a t i n u s looked positively c h i l d l i k e . He was only s e v e n t e e n , barely a m a n in t h e eyes of t h e law. B u t youthful passion c a n c o u n t for m u c h w i t h R o m a n judges, w h o have sat through t o o many s p e e c h e s to be m u c h impressed by false i n d i g n a t i o n or tired blustering, n o m a t t e r h o w e x p e r i e n c e d t h e advocate. Young Atratinus's interest i n prosecuting C a e l i u s was t h e e x t e n s i o n of a family feud; it was Atratinus's father, B e s t i a , against w h o m C a e l i u s made his n o t o r i o u s pun about the "finger of g u i l t . " A t r a t i n u s ' s pursuit of Caelius's destruction was a virtuous a c t in t h e eyes of a R o m a n c o u r t , w h e r e loyalty to fathers c o u n t s for so much. F l a n k i n g A t r a t i n u s were his fellow prosecutors. I k n e w little about t h e m . Lucius H e r e n n i u s Balbus was a friend of Bestia's and m o r e familiar to me by sight t h a n by ear; I h a d never h e a r d h i m argue a c a s e , but t h e sight of his well-fed body scurrying b a c k a n d forth in t h e Forum (like a giant egg wearing a toga, E c o h a d o n c e said) was impressed on my memory. Publius C l o d i u s was t h e third p r o s e c u t o r — n o t C l o d i a ' s brother, but o n e o f his f r e e d m e n , w h o accordingly bore t h e same n a m e ; thus t h e C l o d i i were r e p r e s e n t e d a m o n g t h e prosecutors in an indirect way, as t h e y n o doubt preferred, b y n a m e but n o t b y b l o o d . G n a e u s D o m i t i u s , t h e presiding magistrate, m o u n t e d his tribunal. T h e judges were sworn in. T h e trial c o m m e n c e d w i t h t h e reading o f t h e formal c h a r g e s .

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T h e r e were five charges i n all. T h e f i r s t f o u r dealt w i t h i n c i d e n t s o f v i o l e n c e against foreign dignitaries, whose persons were s a c r o s a n c t ; v i o l e n c e against t h e m was t e c h n i c a l l y v i o l e n c e against t h e i r protector, t h e R o m a n s t a t e , a n d so qualified for p r o s e c u t i o n under t h e law against p o l i t i c a l terror. T h e charges were grave: that M a r c u s C a e l i u s masterm i n d e d a t t a c k s at N e a p o l i s to i n t i m i d a t e t h e newly arrived A l e x a n d r i a n delegation; t h a t he instigated a riot against t h e delegation at P u t e o l i ; t h a t he perpetrated arson against t h e delegation during t h e i r stay at t h e property o f Palla, o n t h e i r way t o R o m e ; that h e a t t e m p t e d t o p o i s o n t h e h e a d o f t h e delegation, D i o , and subsequently t o o k part i n D i o ' s murder. To t h e s e was added another, n e w allegation: t h a t C a e l i u s h a d att e m p t e d t o p o i s o n C l o d i a . T h e r e were r e a c t i o n s o f surprise a m o n g many i n t h e crowd, i n c l u d i n g B e t h e s d a . " W h a t are they talking a b o u t ? " she whispered. I shrugged a n d tried to l o o k ignorant. "You t o l d me she was ill, n o t p o i s o n e d ! " I put a finger to my lips a n d n o d d e d toward t h e defendant's b e n c h , w h e r e Crassus h a d risen to make a s t a t e m e n t . " I t should be n o t e d by our presiding magistrate G n a e u s D o m i t i u s a n d by t h e judges t h a t this final c h a r g e is a n e w o n e , appended by t h e p r o s e c u t i o n only yesterday, in fact. T h e defense has hardly b e e n given t h e customary a m o u n t o f t i m e t o prepare an a r g u m e n t in response to so serious an a c c u s a t i o n . T h u s we would be w i t h i n our rights to protest t h e i n c l u s i o n of this c h a r g e , indeed, to insist t h a t it be t h r o w n out a n d argued in a separate trial, or, if it is to be i n c l u d e d , to d e m a n d a p o s t p o n e m e n t of this trial. Further, given t h a t this is a c o u r t c o n v e n e d solely to try cases of p o l i t i c a l v i o l e n c e , it hardly seems suitable to include a c h a r g e of a t t e m p t e d p o i s o n i n g against a private c i t i z e n . However, as t h e p r o s e c u t i o n seems to b e l i e v e t h a t this c h a r g e is in fact related to t h e o t h e r s , a n d as my e s t e e m e d friend a n d c o l l e a g u e M a r c u s C i c e r o assures me t h a t he is fully prepared to defend our c l i e n t against it, we make no o b j e c t i o n to its i n c l u s i o n in this trial." Crassus n o d d e d gravely to t h e presiding magistrate a n d t h e judges a n d sat. On C i c e r o ' s face I saw t h e quiver of a smirk, barely repressed. It was a l o o k I k n e w well; t h e great orator was feeling smug a b o u t s o m e t h i n g . C o u l d i t b e t h a t h e was secretly pleased t o have t h e c h a r g e o f t h e a t t e m p t e d p o i s o n i n g o f C l o d i a included a m o n g t h e rest? W h a t c o n j u r e r ' s t r i c k was he p l a n n i n g this t i m e ? F o r m a l i t i e s c o n c l u d e d , t h e trial c o u l d b e g i n . T h e t h r e e prosecutors would speak first, t h e n C a e l i u s a n d his advocates would respond. A f t e r t h e o r a t i o n s , witnesses for b o t h sides would deliver t h e i r s t a t e m e n t s .

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G i v e n t h e n u m b e r of speakers and t h e numerous charges to be discussed t h e trial would surely last for m o r e t h a n o n e day. A R o m a n trial is only ostensibly about establishing guilt or innoc e n c e . At R o m e , all trials are to s o m e e x t e n t political, and a trial for p o l i t i c a l v i o l e n c e is overtly so. R o m a n judges are n o t merely citizens seeking t h e truth about a specific act; they are a c o m m i t t e e of t h e state and t h e i r purpose is to m a k e a political as well as a moral judgment. A trial typically deals w i t h t h e w h o l e life of t h e a c c u s e d — h i s reputation family c o n n e c t i o n s , p o l i t i c a l affiliations, sexual p r a c t i c e s , virtues, vices. J u d g m e n t is rendered n o t merely on w h e t h e r t h e accused did or did not c o m m i t a specific c r i m e , but on t h e entire c h a r a c t e r of t h e accused, and for t h e good of t h e body p o l i t i c as a w h o l e . C i c e r o h i m s e l f put it plainly at a trial h e l d t h e year before his own e x i l e : " W h e n rendering their verdict, judges must c o n s i d e r t h e good of t h e c o m m u n i t y and t h e needs of the state." Moreover, everyone knows t h a t judges are m o r e influenced by the orations o f t h e advocates t h a n b y t h e testimony o f t h e witnesses who follow. " A r g u m e n t s c o u n t for m o r e t h a n witnesses," as C i c e r o has often said. T h e deductions a good orator draws from t h e i n t e r n a l evidence of a case (asserting, " B e c a u s e of this, it stands to reason that . . . " ) are m o r e persuasive t h a n t h e bald s ta te m e n ts of any given witness, no matter t h a t t h e witness testifies under o a t h (or in t h e case of slaves, under torture). A t r a t i n u s rose to deliver t h e first s p e e c h . His c l e a r young voice carried e x c e e d i n g l y well, a n d his oratorical delivery, if n o t polished to a dazzling s h i n e , h a d t h e ring of sincerity. A t r a t i n u s dwelled exclusively on Caelius's c h a r a c t e r — h i s wellk n o w n dissipation, his e x t r a v a g a n c e , t h e disreputable haunts he was k n o w n to frequent. Atratinus's righteous indignation would have sounded forced and false c o m i n g from many older advocates, but A t r a t i n u s was young and unsullied e n o u g h to be credible w h e n he frowned on Caelius's excesses. C a e l i u s was untrustworthy, said A t r a t i n u s . No wise m a n would turn his b a c k on C a e l i u s , or else C a e l i u s was likely to slander and m o c k him, as he h a d slandered a n d m o c k e d his own m e n t o r s b e h i n d their backs, chose who were at this very moment closest to him; his notorious lack of respect for t h e s e m e n was sadly e v i d e n t to everyone else in t h e court e x c e p t themselves, apparently. N o w that h e had finally g o t t e n himself i n t o m o r e trouble t h a n he could h a n d l e , t h e crass opportunist was only t o o happy to m a k e use of t h e elders he h a d betrayed, n o t only his mentors, but his own father, w h o m he had a b a n d o n e d to go live by h i m s e l f in a Palatine a p a r t m e n t w h e r e he could indulge all his vices away from paternal

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and make fun o f t h e h u m b l e h o u s e o n t h e Q u i r i n a l H i l l from w h i c h he had fled, a n d to w h i c h he h a d now unwillingly returned in his distress. There were m o r e s i n c e r e ways to show respect to one's father, A t r a t i n u s insisted, pausing w i t h a meaningful smile so t h a t no o n e would miss t h e example h e h i m s e l f presented. N o r would it be wise for any w o m a n to turn her b a c k on C a e l i u s , he said, for t h e fellow was c a p a b l e of far worse t h a n m o c k e r y and s l a n d e r — as we would see w h e n t h e c h a r g e of t h e a t t e m p t e d poisoning of C l o d i a was dealt w i t h by a n o t h e r speaker. A t r a t i n u s played o n these t h e m e s o f dissipation a n d disreputable conduct, turning t h e m over a n d over as a m a n turns a j e w e l in his h a n d , to see t h e various ways it c a t c h e s t h e light. By turns he sought to outrage the judges, to appeal to s e n t i m e n t , to make t h e m laugh. Politically, h e said, C a e l i u s h a d flirted w i t h t h e cause o f t h e depraved revolutionary C a t i l i n a . Sexually, h e h a d assaulted t h e wives o f R o m a n citizens; witnesses would be c a l l e d to verify these charges. W i t n e s s e s would also be c a l l e d to attest to Caelius's v i o l e n t nature; t h e r e was t h e case of a s e n a t o r n a m e d Fufius w h o m C a e l i u s h a d b e a t e n up at t h e pontifical e l e c t i o n s in front of a crowd of horrified onlookers. A n d if these i n d i c a t i o n s o f C a e l i u s ' s c h a r a c t e r were n o t d a m n i n g e n o u g h , c o n sider t h e way he swaggered a n d strutted and spat out his speeches w h e n playing t h e p r o s e c u t o r at o t h e r m e n ' s trials, or debating in t h e S e n a t e . A n d t h e appalling c o l o r o f t h e stripe o n his senatorial toga! W h e r e everyone else's was traditionally somber, almost b l a c k , his was a garishly bright, b o l d purple. At t h e reminder of this impropriety, I saw q u i t e a few judges n o d t h e i r gray heads. W o r s t of a l l — b e c a u s e it was this v i c e w h i c h most seriously t h r e a t ened t o destroy t h e r e p u b l i c — w a s C a e l i u s ' s e x t r a v a g a n c e w i t h m o n e y . In this C a e l i u s r e p r e s e n t e d t h e very worst aspect of his g e n e r a t i o n , w h i c h was set so firmly apart from wiser, m o r e senior m e n such as t h e judges, as well as from less e x p e r i e n c e d but m o r e virtuous young m e n of A t r a tinus's age, w h o looked o n t h e spendthrift h a b i t s o f m e n like C a e l i u s with dread a n d dismay. W h a t would b e c o m e o f t h e R e p u b l i c i f s u c h m e n were n o t stopped? T h e y squandered fortunes o n licentious b e h a v i o r a n d spent h u g e sums on e l e c t o r a l bribery, corrupting everyone a n d everything they t o u c h e d . T h e n , finding themselves bankrupt, as t h e y i n e v i t a b l y must, a n d stripped by t h e i r own d e b a u c h e r y of all moral sense, such m e n resorted w i t h o u t h e s i t a t i o n t o t h e most fiendish c r i m e s t o replenish t h e i r coffers. To get his h a n d s on Egyptian gold, C a e l i u s h a d covered his h a n d s with E g y p t i a n b l o o d . In so doing he h a d cast a bloody stain on t h e dignity a n d h o n o r o f t h e R o m a n state. " I f ever t h e r e was a case w h i c h proved t h e sad n e c e s s i t y for courts

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s u c h as this o n e , this is t h a t c a s e . If ever t h e r e was a m a n who full deserved t h e c o n d e m n a t i o n of this court, M a r c u s C a e l i u s is that man." So Atratinus concluded. I turned to B e t h e s d a a n d asked what she t h o u g h t . " R a t h e r too young for my t a s t e , " she said. " B u t a pleasant v o i c e . " T h e freedman Publius C l o d i u s spoke n e x t . His speech dealt with t h e first t h r e e charges against C a e l i u s . W h e r e A t r a t i n u s h a d shown a k i n d of p r i m distaste at h a v i n g to pollute h i m s e l f w i t h cataloguing Caelius's c r i m e s , C l o d i u s a t t a c k e d w i t h t h e relish of a m a n wielding a redh o t poker. He did n o t hesitate to make crude jabs and thrusts, but he also pulled b a c k from t i m e to t i m e , confident in his weapon's power to inflict damage e v e n from a d i s t a n c e . Paroxysms of disgust were punctuated w i t h abrupt full stops, during w h i c h , standing stock-still and emotionless, C l o d i u s would deliver s o m e of his most acid c o m m e n t s , eliciting gasps a n d laughter from t h e crowd. It was a t e c h n i c a l l y dazzling speech. T h e virtues o r v i c e s o f Caelius's c h a r a c t e r might ultimately b e matters of o p i n i o n , he c o n c e d e d , especially in a t i m e w h e n so many R o m a n s h a d b e c o m e sadly confused about such things, but t h e outrages c o m m i t t e d against t h e A l e x a n d r i a n envoys were simple matters of fact. A h u n d r e d of t h e most respected m e n in Egypt h a d c o m e to R o m e to p e t i t i o n t h e S e n a t e . A s ambassadors, they carried t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f the gods a n d t h e state. Yet t h e y h a d b e e n m e t w i t h u n r e m i t t i n g violence, i n t i m i d a t i o n , fire and ultimately murder. W o r d of this scandal h a d spread from t h e Pillars o f H e r c u l e s t o t h e borders o f Parthia, u n d e r m i n i n g Rome's prestige w i t h h e r subjects a n d allies a n d inflaming h e r already precarious relations w i t h t h e volatile k i n g d o m o f Egypt. T h e places and dates o f these attacks were well d o c u m e n t e d . T h e p r o s e c u t i o n would produce witnesses w h o would swear t h a t in e a c h ins t a n c e — a t N e a p o l i s , at P u t e o l i , and at Palla's e s t a t e — M a r c u s Caelius h a d b e e n s e e n i n t h e v i c i n i t y shortly before t h e a t t a c k , i n t h e company of k n o w n assassins. Further, as o t h e r witnesses would attest, C a e l i u s had b e e n heard shamelessly bragging in public about his part in t h e massacres. W h a t sort of m a n was so imprudent as to boast of e n g i n e e r i n g such atrocities? C l e a r l y , a m a n w i t h t h e depraved c h a r a c t e r of M a r c u s Caelius. C l o d i u s p r o c e e d e d to give a vivid a c c o u n t of e a c h a t t a c k , piling on gory details, p a i n t i n g tableaus of pity and terror, invoking t h e shades of t h e unavenged dead. W h y , h e asked, h a d M a r c u s C a e l i u s perpetrated such v i o l e n c e ? T h e reason was obvious: for financial gain. A m a n like M a r c u s C a e l i u s , from a h u m b l e b u t r e s p e c t a b l e family, could hardly engage in t h e h i g h living he was famous for w i t h o u t incurring massive debts. W i t n e s s e s would be c a l l e d to d o c u m e n t his reckless spending h a b i t s . If C a e l i u s wished to

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dispute these witnesses, and if he h a d n o t h i n g to h i d e , let h i m o p e n his private a c c o u n t b o o k s for t h e court. W a s h e willing t o d o that? I f n o t , why n o t ? B e c a u s e , C l o d i u s alleged, t h o s e a c c o u n t b o o k s would reveal t h e payments C a e l i u s h a d received t o m o u n t his c a m p a i g n o f terror against the A l e x a n d r i a n envoys. To finance his own disgusting pleasures, C a e l i u s had sold out t h e good n a m e o f t h e w h o l e R o m a n people. C l o d i u s ' s indignation c a m e t o a n appropriately thunderous c l i m a x t h a t h a d t h e crowd stamping t h e i r feet w i t h appreciation. H e returned t o t h e b e n c h mopping sweat from his forehead like a b o x e r . I turned to B e t h e s d a a n d raised an eyebrow. " W e l l ? " "Everybody knows t h a t freedmen try harder," she said. " B u t all t h a t blustering a n d waving of arms o n l y makes me n e r v o u s . " "I n o t i c e d you fidgeting. Afraid for your precious M a r c u s C a e l i u s ? " " ' O r a t o r y is all very well w h e n t h e r e are no facts to go o n , ' " s h e said. I looked at h e r amazed, as I always am w h e n she u n e x p e c t e d l y quotes s o m e old R o m a n proverb. It's natural o f course t h a t s h e should pick up s u c h t h i n g s from me and from going to trials, but there's s o m e thing j a r r i n g a b o u t h e a r i n g t h e m repeated w i t h a n Egyptian a c c e n t . " A n d so far," she said, " t h e y ' v e said n o t h i n g about t h e death of D i o , n o r a b o u t any a t t e m p t to p o i s o n C l o d i a . " " I suspect t h a t will c o m e n e x t . " Lucius H e r e n n i u s Balbus m o u n t e d t h e R o s t r a t o c o n c l u d e for t h e prosecution. If A t r a t i n u s h a d played outraged youth, H e r e n n i u s was t h e stern, a d m o n i s h i n g u n c l e , castigating C a e l i u s ' s c h a r a c t e r from an older, wiser, but no less scandalized perspective. He b e g a n and ended his s p e e c h b y r e c i t i n g t h e litany o f Caelius's v i c e s . I n b e t w e e n , h e dealt w i t h t h e death o f D i o a n d t h e "bare e s c a p e " o f a c e r t a i n R o m a n lady w h o h a d the misfortune to k n o w m o r e about C a e l i u s ' s c r i m e s t h a n was h e a l t h y for her. T h a t lady, he said, would testify about a loan w h i c h she h a d m a d e to C a e l i u s , ostensibly to put on games in his h o m e t o w n for t h e sake of his p o l i t i c a l c a r e e r — w h e n i n fact n o such games h a d taken p l a c e . T h e m o n e y s h e l e n t h i m h a d b e e n used t o b r i b e slaves i n t h e house o f Lucius Lucceius, in an a t t e m p t to murder D i o by poison, and thus put an e n d o n c e a n d for all to t h e d e c i m a t e d A l e x a n d r i a n delegation by destroying its leader. T h a t particular plot h a d failed, but D i o , alerted to t h e danger, had fled to a n o t h e r h o u s e , and it was t h e r e t h a t he eventually m e t his end. By w h o s e h a n d , everyone in t h e court must know: t h e assassin Publius A s i c i u s . N e v e r m i n d t h a t A s i c i u s h a d b e e n a c q u i t t e d a t his o w n trial; it was c o m m o n knowledge t h a t t h e p r o s e c u t i o n a n d defense h a d conspired t o g e t h e r to throw t h e case in Asicius's favor. C a e l i u s a n d A s i c i u s , partners in so many o t h e r v i c e s , h a d b e e n partners in this outrage

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as w e l l — w i t n e s s e s would be called w h o would p l a c e t h e two very close to t h e h o u s e w h e r e D i o was staying on t h e n i g h t of his murder. Like a tree w i t h many b r a n c h e s , t h e A l e x a n d r i a n d e l e g a t i o n h a d b e e n ruthlessly h a c k e d away, l i m b by l i m b , until o n l y t h e trunk r e m a i n e d . Caelius had n o t b e e n satisfied until t h a t , t o o , was destroyed. H e r e H e r e n n i u s delivered an e n c o m i u m to D i o , reciting his many h o n o r s a n d a c h i e v e m e n t s , n a m i n g t h e m e n w h o h a d bravely given him s h e l t e r in his days of despair, m o u r n i n g t h e loss of so b r i l l i a n t a philosopher, l a m e n t i n g t h e s h a m e t h a t h a d b e e n visited upon R o m e by his murder. W h a t o f t h e final c h a r g e against C a e l i u s , t h a t o f ruthlessly seeking t h e d e a t h by p o i s o n of a great R o m a n lady, t h e d e s c e n d a n t of o n e of the c i t y ' s oldest a n d proudest families, t h e widow of o n e of h e r most distinguished citizens? T h e lady was present and would, strength permitting, testify h e r s e l f to t h e outrage plotted against her. A t o n e p o i n t , C a e l i u s h a d aligned h i m s e l f w i t h t h e lady's b r o t h e r — just o n e m o r e o f his fickle, never-to-be-trusted a l l i a n c e s — a n d this brought h i m i n t o t h e lady's a c q u a i n t a n c e . S a d day for her! Young and g o o d - l o o k i n g , C a e l i u s was a quite charmer, to be s u r e — p r o o f of that was t h e fact t h a t h e ' d talked t w o m e n h e ' d stabbed i n t h e b a c k i n t o representing h i m today! U s i n g all his skills he h a d c h a r m e d t h e lady out of a rather large l o a n . Later, she h a d cause to regret h e r trust in t h e scoundrel, n o t o n l y b e c a u s e t h e l o a n was n e v e r r e p a i d — t y p i c a l , p r e d i c t a b l e ! — but b e c a u s e w i t h m o u n t i n g horror she realized t h e use to w h i c h Caelius h a d put t h e m o n e y . H i s Egyptian coffers h a d run dry, but his mission was n o t yet finished, so he used h e r gold to b r i b e a n o t h e r m a n ' s slaves t o p o i s o n D i o . T h e realization shocked t h e lady t o h e r senses. Disgusted w i t h C a e l i u s ' s i n d e c e n c y a n d his murderous b e n t , outraged t h a t she had b e e n duped i n t o financing his c r i m e s , she decided to do s o m e t h i n g about it; she agreed to appear as a witness at this trial. A brave a c t , to make h e r s e l f t h e e n e m y of a m u r d e r e r — a n d almost fatal, as it turned out. To s i l e n c e her, C a e l i u s d e c i d e d to poison her. " T h o s e of us w h o h a v e a t t e n d e d all t o o many trials for murder know t h e sad p a t t e r n , " said H e r e n n i u s , lowering his v o i c e to a confidential t o n e . " L e t a m a n o n c e d e s c e n d t o using poison o n a n o t h e r h u m a n being and, s o o n e r or later, he will try t h e same t h i n g again. Poisoning b e c o m e s a h a b i t , a secret v i c e , like c e r t a i n o t h e r things m e n do in t h e dark. U n t i l he is stopped, by t h e law or by t h e gods, a p o i s o n e r will repeat his vile c r i m e over a n d over a g a i n . " T h u s , h a v i n g fallen i n t o this v i c e w i t h his a t t e m p t o n D i o — i f indeed it was his first p o i s o n i n g ! — C a e l i u s n o t surprisingly resorted to poison to rid h i m s e l f of t h e troublesome lady. He tested t h e stuff first on

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one o f his own slaves. ( N o t o n o n e o f his old, trusted slaves, t o b e sure; Caelius h a d purchased a slave specifically to test his poison, as o n e m i g h t buy a c h e a p g a r m e n t i n t e n d i n g to use it as a rag and t h e n throw it away. If he c a r e d to deny t h e fact, let C a e l i u s produce t h a t slave in c o u r t alive and w e l l . ) T h e n C a e l i u s approached some of t h e lady's slaves (like a typical poisoner, repeating t h e same m o d e o f o p e r a t i o n ) a n d tried t o bribe t h e m to a d m i n i s t e r t h e poison. B u t t h e loyal slaves betrayed t h e plot to t h e i r mistress, a n d she cleverly sought to trap Caelius's a g e n t in the a c t of h a n d i n g over t h e deadly stuff. H e r e n n i u s p r o c e e d e d to give a c o m p l e t e l y straight-faced a c c o u n t of the disaster a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s , w h i c h provoked some snickering a m o n g the spectators; t h e story h a d made t h e rounds. To verify t h e i n c i d e n t , he said, t h e slaves w h o m C a e l i u s h a d t h o u g h t to suborn would testify. S o t h a t t h e y would n o t have t o suffer t h e indignities o f torture, a n d t o reward t h e m for t h e i r loyalty, these slaves h a d b e e n m a n u m i t t e d a n d would testify as freedmen. H e r e n n i u s sighed w i t h e x a s p e r a t i o n . "Caelius's a t t e m p t t o p o i s o n D i o failed. So did his first a t t e m p t on t h e lady. B u t still C a e l i u s did n o t give up! O n l y hours ago, t h e lady c a m e very close to d e a t h , t h a n k s to Caelius's relentless, insidious efforts to do h e r in. L o o k at h e r now, at her pale face a n d languid eyes, a t h e r helpless trembling! O n e n e e d o n l y see h e r to k n o w t h a t s o m e t h i n g truly terrible has transpired. ' W h a t awful thing was d o n e to h e r ? ' you ask. B u t n o , I shall refrain from relating t h e sordid details of this latest, almost successful a t t e m p t to murder her. S i n c e t h e gods h a v e seen fit to spare h e r from Caelius's murderous plots, let h e r t e l l t h e story. L e t t h e tale o f h e r h a i r b r e a d t h escape e m e r g e from h e r o w n s h o c k i n g testimony. I o n l y pray to t h e gods t h a t she will c o n t i n u e to recover a n d be strong e n o u g h to testify!" Regarding this latest outrage, t h e judges would also h e a r t h e w r i t t e n c o n f e s s i o n of t h e w r e t c h e d slave girl C a e l i u s h a d seduced i n t o betraying h e r mistress. H e r t e s t i m o n y was e v e n now b e i n g e x t r a c t e d under torture, as t h e law required. T h e r e would also be a third, surprise witness to c o r r o b o r a t e . H e r ennius cast a c h i l l y smile at t h e b e n c h opposite. " T h a t m a n ' s t e s t i m o n y should b e o f s p e c i a l interest t o t h e defense, I imagine. T h e e s t e e m e d M a r c u s C i c e r o h i m s e l f has declared this witness t o b e ' t h e m o s t h o n e s t m a n in R o m e . ' W a i t until you h e a r w h a t t h a t fellow has to tell us a b o u t t h e a t t e m p t s to poison this lady, C i c e r o ! I wonder what you'll h a v e to say t h e n a b o u t t h e depraved murderer sitting beside you!" T h i s struck me as a clever but dangerous ploy on t h e part of H e r e n n i u s , to leave a damaging revelation to his witnesses so t h a t it c o u l d e m e r g e as a surprise at t h e very e n d of t h e trial, rather t h a n to i n c l u d e

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it in his o r a t i o n , w h e r e he c o u l d shape and deliver t h e a c c u s a t i o n himself T h e advantage was t h e sympathy to be stirred by a p o i s o n survivor telling h e r own story; t h e defense would be hard-pressed to a n t i c i p a t e and neutralize a h e a d of t i m e any surprises t h a t m i g h t e m e r g e from such testimony. W h o , I wondered, was this alleged " m o s t h o n e s t m a n in R o m e " ? I looked a t C i c e r o t o c a t c h his r e a c t i o n and found h i m , oddly e n o u g h , staring straight at m e .

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C

H

A

P

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O

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I d o n ' t b e l i e v e for a m o m e n t t h a t he poisoned h e r , " said B e t h e s d a , "any m o r e t h a n I believe t h a t he killed t h e E g y p t i a n . " A f t e r t h r e e long orations, t h e c o u r t h a d adjourned early so t h a t t h e defense advocates c o u l d present t h e i r responses in s u c c e s sion on t h e following day. B e t h e s d a a n d I i m m e d i a t e l y h e a d e d h o m e , w h e r e she p r o c e e d e d to get ready for C l o d i a ' s party, e v e n t h o u g h nightfall was still hours away. " B u t C l o d i a insists t h a t h e d i d . " " S h e ' s m i s t a k e n , " B e t h e s d a frowned a t t h e burnished mirror she held i n h e r h a n d . " T h i s n e c k l a c e will n e v e r do. H a n d m e t h e silver one." " I t c a n ' t be b o t h ways," I said. " O n e of t h e m is lying. W h a t a pity that you have t o c h o o s e b e t w e e n C l o d i a a n d C a e l i u s . W h a t a c h o i c e for anyone t o have t o m a k e ! " " R i g h t now, I am trying to c h o o s e a n e c k l a c e , " she said. " T h e silver o n e , p l e a s e . " I s e a r c h e d h e r dresser for a silver n e c k l a c e and found myself lost amid t h e clay jars of unguents a n d little glass vials of perfume. My eye c a u g h t a flash of b r i g h t red. " W h a t ' s t h i s ? " "What?" I picked up t h e little clay figure of A t t i s , identical to t h e o n e s I h a d s e e n i n t h e r o o m o f Lucceius's wife a n d o n C l o d i a ' s dresser. T h e smiling e u n u c h s t o o d w i t h his hands on his fat belly, w i t h a b r i g h t red Phrygian c a p on his h e a d . B e t h e s d a glimpsed its reflection and put down h e r mirror. "You s h o u l d n ' t t o u c h t h a t . "

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" W h e r e did i t c o m e f r o m ? " " I t c a m e while we were at t h e trial today." "I asked where it c a m e from, n o t w h e n . " " I t ' s a gift." " W h o sent i t ? " " W h o d o you t h i n k ? " B e t h e s d a t o o k t h e statue from m e . S h e put it b a c k on t h e dresser, t h e n scooped up a long silver n e c k l a c e and reached for h e r mirror. "You're hopeless. Go away and tell D i a n a to c o m e help m e dress."

W e arrived a t C l o d i a ' s d o o r a t t h e last m o m e n t o f twilight, w h e n the hard edges of t h e world begin to soften and grow hazy like t h e mind of a m a n ready for sleep. B u t while t h e world m i g h t be drowsy, t h e partygoers at C l o d i a ' s house were wide awake. T h e brightly lit dining room off h e r garden was alive w i t h music and conversation. Slaves were jus b e g i n n i n g to show t h e guests to their places at t h e dining c o u c h e s when we arrived. It was an odd m i x t u r e of i m p e c c a b l y dressed patricians and scruffy-looking young poets, of radical politicians and aging courtesans, of e x o t i c - l o o k i n g foreigners and e v e n a few galli. T h e air was heavy with t h e world-weary s o p h i s t i c a t i o n that passes for style in R o m e these days. B e t h e s d a c l u t c h e d my arm. On h e r face was a look so unlike her t h a t it t o o k me a m o m e n t to figure out what it was: p a n i c . " W h a t are we doing h e r e ? " she whispered. " A t t e n d i n g what appears to be a very fashionable party, w i t h very fashionable p e o p l e . " "Why?" "I t h i n k it was you w h o insisted that we c o m e , " I said dryly. " I must have b e e n o u t o f m y m i n d . Take m e h o m e a t o n c e . " " B u t w e h a v e n ' t e a t e n y e t . " T h e smells wafting from t h e k i t c h e n m a d e my m o u t h water. " W e h a v e n ' t e v e n said h e l l o to our h o s t e s s . " " T h a t is e x a c t l y why we should go this instant. It will be as if we never c a m e . " "Bethesda—" " T h i s i s absurd. L o o k a t m e . " I stepped b a c k and did just that. "Yes? I see a beautiful w o m a n , i m m a c u l a t e l y dressed and m a d e up. S h e looks like n o o n e else h e r e . " " E x a c t l y ! A n y o n e c a n tell I d o n ' t b e l o n g . " "Why not?" "I'm not even R o m a n . " " O f course you are. You're m y w i f e . "

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"We're not rich." " N o o n e c o u l d tell from t h e jewelry you're w e a r i n g . " "My accent!" " I t gives you an air of mystery." " I ' m t h e oldest w o m a n h e r e . " "You're t h e m o s t beautiful w o m a n h e r e . " " H e ' s absolutely right, you k n o w . " I turned to see Catullus at my elbow, h o l d i n g a cup of w i n e a n d wearing a slack grin. " G r a t i d i a n u s , I didn't e x p e c t to see you h e r e . " " C l o d i a invited u s , " said B e t h e s d a , a little t o o insistently. " S h e invited m e , t o o , d o you b e l i e v e i t ? " said Catullus. " A g a i n s t her b e t t e r j u d g m e n t , I ' m sure, or against h e r brother's j u d g m e n t , anyway. But h e ' s n o t h e r e — b u s y w i t h tomorrow's f e s t i v i t i e s — a n d I a m , so to Hades w i t h h i m ! L e t n o t h i n g spoil my t r i u m p h a n t return to P a l a t i n e society! W h a t a b u n c h o f l e e c h e s , l e c h e r s and losers." Catullus surveyed the crowd, his grin dripping w i t h acid. " W h a t a bizarre m e n a g e r i e C l o dia's put t o g e t h e r : t h e worst poets and t h e crookedest politicians in R o m e ; bankrupt n o b l e s a n d o b s c e n e l y wealthy ex-slaves; beautiful boys a n d h o m e l y prostitutes. D i d I say h o m e l y ? U g l y e n o u g h to turn a m a n to s t o n e — n o o b s c e n e pun i n t e n d e d . A n d h e r e before m e , t h e most h o n e s t m a n i n R o m e , a c c o m p a n i e d b y — " H e paused a n d his expression sobered a b i t . "Just as you put it, G o r d i a n u s : t h e most beautiful w o m a n h e r e . " " M y w i f e , " I said. " A n d this, B e t h e s d a , is G a i u s Valerius C a t u l l u s , just b a c k from a year of g o v e r n m e n t service in B i t h y n i a . " B e t h e s d a n o d d e d knowingly. " T h e p o e t , " she said. H e raised a n eyebrow. " A m I t h a t famous? O r have you b e e n talking about m e b e h i n d m y b a c k , G o r d i a n u s ? " " N o t m e , " I said, trying t o make s o m e t h i n g o f t h e cryptic smile o n B e t h e s d a ' s face a n d w o n d e r i n g what else C l o d i a confided to h e r a b o u t Catullus a t t h e i r first and o n l y m e e t i n g . A t least B e t h e s d a s e e m e d t o b e getting h e r bearings, for w h i c h I was glad. A serving slave arrived to show us to our places. C o u c h e s were gathered in U - s h a p e d groups around serving tables. T h e seating was t w o to a c o u c h , allowing p l e n t y of r o o m to sit up or r e c l i n e . As it turned out, C a t u l l u s was put at t h e c o u c h n e x t to ours, at my right. For t h e m o m e n t t h e r e was n o o n e else t o share his c o u c h . H a d C l o d i a p l a c e d us t o g e t h e r on purpose, or simply b e c a u s e we were t h e last guests to be invited? O u r group of c o u c h e s was situated in a c o r n e r of t h e r o o m , t h e farthest away from t h e hostess's. T h a t suited m e ; it would allow B e t h e s d a to feel less c o n s p i c u o u s . B u t C a t u l l u s was n o t pleased. " B a n i s h e d b a c k to B i t h y n i a , " I h e a r d h i m grumble. A s e n a t o r n a m e d Fufius was shown to t h e c o u c h at B e t h e s d a ' s left.

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H e was t h e m a n w h o m A t r a t i n u s h a d accused C a e l i u s o f assaulting during an e l e c t i o n , a n d would be testifying as a p r o s e c u t i o n witness. Fufius was a c c o m p a n i e d by a very young c o u r t e s a n . B e t h e s d a raised an eyebrow, and I c o u l d read h e r m i n d : t h e girl was hardly older t h a n D i a n a . B u t Bethesda s e e m e d s o m e w h a t mollified w h e n t h e s e n a t o r gave h e r an appraising look a n d a n appreciative s m i l e . C l o d i a h a d n o t yet appeared and h e r c o u c h was u n o c c u p i e d . C a tullus s c a n n e d t h e faces o f t h o s e w h o still stood a n d m i l l e d about. " W h o will take t h e p l a c e o f h o n o r beside our hostess t o n i g h t ? L e t m e see: h u s b a n d Q u i n t u s is down in Hades, b r o t h e r Publius is off m a k i n g lastm o m e n t a r r a n g e m e n t s for tomorrow's festival, a n d lover C a e l i u s — a h , h e ' s on trial for murder, isn't h e ? Poison, wasn't it? W e l l , I suppose we w o u l d n ' t want a p o i s o n e r at our d i n n e r party, no m a t t e r how superior his stud s e r v i c e . S t i l l , s o m e o n e will have to share t h e c o u c h w i t h our q u e e n . N o t o n e of h e r o t h e r brothers, I t h i n k ; Publius would go crazy w i t h jealousy. Perhaps t h a t r a n t i n g freedman w h o spoke at t h e trial today. H e has Publius's n a m e , i f n o t his looks, a n d we've s e e n t h a t h e c a n fill in for his ex-master, in p u b l i c speaking anyway. B u t it's rather hard to i m a g i n e t h e likes o f h i m lying w i t h his h e a d o n h e r lap w h i l e she dabbles sauteed sparrow brains i n t o his m o u t h , isn't it? A h , t h e r e she is, our L e s b i a . A l m i g h t y V e n u s ! W h e r e o n earth did she get t h a t dress?" "You c a n see right t h r o u g h i t , " murmured B e t h e s d a . "I h a p p e n to k n o w t h a t t h e fabric c o m e s from C o s , " I said, showing off. " S o m e t h i n g n e w from a famous silkmaker t h e r e . " " I t h o u g h t you w e r e n ' t h e r lover," growled C a t u l l u s . W a s h e teasing me again, or truly angry? S u d d e n l y he let out a barking laugh, so loud t h a t several heads turned t o l o o k . " O h n o , n o t E g n a t i u s ! " h e whispered. " I t h o u g h t she was d o n e w i t h h i m . " C l o d i a t o o k h e r p l a c e at h e r c o u c h . J o i n i n g h e r was a tall, muscular young m a n w i t h a full b l a c k beard and a dazzling smile. I recognized his face from t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern. "Very h a n d s o m e , " said B e t h e s d a . " I f a stud h o r s e c o u l d stand upright a n d grin h e ' d l o o k like Egnatius, a n d w o m e n would c a l l h i m h a n d s o m e , I suppose." Catullus curled his upper lip. " T h e f o u l - m o u t h e d S p a n i a r d w i t h t h e sparkling smile. B u t t h e n , d o n ' t S p a n i a r d s always have t h e whitest t e e t h ? You k n o w h o w they get s u c h w h i t e t e e t h , d o n ' t y o u ? " B e t h e s d a i n c l i n e d h e r h e a d inquiringly. " I f Egnatius is t h e lord of t h e feast, all I c a n say is: c h e c k your wine cup before you take a s w i g . " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " asked B e t h e s d a . C a t u l l u s c l e a r e d his t h r o a t a n d began:

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" E g n a t i u s is forever smiling to show off that dazzling grin. Go to a trial—" H e started t o laugh a n d covered his m o u t h until h e c o u l d stop. T h e senator a n d his c o u r t e s a n l e a n e d closer t o listen. " N o , wait, let m e start over. I'll c h a n g e i t u p a bit, especially for t o n i g h t . L e t m e t h i n k . . . " H e clapped his h a n d s . "Yes: Egnatius is forever smiling to show off t h a t dazzling grin. In c o u r t tomorrow, C i c e r o will have everyone weeping: 'Pitiful poisoner, er, p r i s o n e r ! ' — e x c e p t for Egnatius, who'll grin. A n d w h e n C a e l i u s i s run out o f town, his m o t h e r m o u r n i n g , ' O n l y son! G o o d a s d e a d ! ' — f o r h e r sake, Egnatius will grin. It's a s i c k n e s s , t h a t grin: everywhere, everywhen. S o c i a l grace? S o c i a l disease, I'd call it! L o o k Egnatius, listen up: H a d you b e e n b o r n R o m a n , O r S a b i n e , o r T i b u r t i n e , obese E t r u s c a n o r U m b r i a n slob, Or a swarthy L a n u v i a n w i t h t e e t h just as perfect, Or a T r a n s p a d a n e from my own dear, sweet V e r o n a , O r any m a n w h o c l e a n s his t e e t h i n t h e regular way, Still I'd curse t h a t grin. It's i n a n e . It offends! A h , b u t you c o m e from S p a i n — a n d Spaniards every m o r n i n g , As we know, scrub t h e i r t e e t h w h i t e a n d rub t h e i r gums rosy W i t h t h e stuff t h a t squirts out o f t h e i r bladders. Yellow c l e a n s e r ! S o flash t h a t perfect g r i n — i t o n l y goes t o show how m u c h You've b e e n guzzling from your own c h a m b e r - p o t . I'd r a t h e r my o w n t e e t h should rot!" T h e old s e n a t o r clapped. His c o u r t e s a n giggled. B e t h e s d a grudged a c r o o k e d s m i l e a n d whispered in my ear: " A r e all his p o e m s so vulgar?" " A l l t h e bits I've h e a r d . " " S u r e l y his love p o e m s are different," she sighed, l o o k i n g puzzled. C l o d i a ' s a t t r a c t i o n t o M a r c u s C a e l i u s made perfect sense t o her, b u t Catullus's appeal eluded her. A t t h a t m o m e n t , Catullus's c o u c h partner arrived. I should have k n o w n w h o it would b e ; his p r e s e n c e added t h e final measure of perverse i m b a l a n c e to our little d i n i n g group. " H a v e I just arrived at t h e end of o n e o f your p o e m s ? " quipped T r y g o n i o n , sliding o n t o t h e c o u c h . " W h a t fortunate t i m i n g . " C a t u l l u s scowled a n d snorted, but o n l y to hide a deeper r e a c t i o n . His j a w stiffened a n d quivered. H e blinked uncontrollably. N o t o n l y h a d C l o d i a b a n i s h e d h i m b a c k t o B i t h y n i a ; she h a d seated h i m side b y side

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w i t h h e r e m a s c u l a t e d p e t . N o o n e but m e s e e m e d t o n o t i c e t h a t Catullus was barely m a n a g i n g to fight b a c k tears.

W h e n everyone was seated, C l o d i a w e l c o m e d h e r guests w i t h a very brief s p e e c h and t h e promise t h a t she would strive to greet everyone more personally as t h e e v e n i n g progressed; this evoked a low, suggestive whistle from a young m a n w i t h a scraggly beard a n d a very bad haircut at a table nearby. H i s c o m p a n i o n s m a d e a playful show of slapping h i m down for his presumptuousness. I saw Catullus w i n c e . T h e e v e n i n g c o m m e n c e d w i t h t h e arrival of t h e first course, a gooseliver paste fit for t h e gods of O l y m p u s . An e x q u i s i t e F a l e r n i a n wine washed away all c a r e s . S o o n B e t h e s d a was c h a r m i n g S e n a t o r Fufius with stories o f h e r native A l e x a n d r i a , while his n e g l e c t e d young courtesan played w i t h h e r food a n d pouted. T h e s e n a t o r s e e m e d genuinely fascin a t e d by e v e r y t h i n g B e t h e s d a h a d to say. "I've n e v e r b e e n to Egypt myself," he wheezed, " b u t of course with all this d e b a t e a n d controversy of l a t e , o n e has to w o n d e r w h a t all t h e fuss is a b o u t . " E v e n T r y g o n i o n a n d C a t u l l u s b e g a n to converse in fits a n d starts, if o n l y b e c a u s e n e i t h e r o f t h e m c o u l d keep his m o u t h shut for long. T h e y traded barbs and c o m p e t e d a t c a s t i n g aspersions o n various people i n t h e r o o m . T h e y kept s i l e n t a b o u t t h o s e w i t h i n e a r s h o t — t h e c h i e f advantage o f sitting n e x t to t h e m , I d e c i d e d . A t l e n g t h t h e d i n n e r ended, o r a t least t h e first d i n n e r o f the e v e n i n g ; t h e r e would b e m o r e food and w i n e later. T h e t i m e for entert a i n m e n t h a d arrived. T h e guests moved t o t h e garden, w h e r e folding chairs a n d c o u c h e s h a d b e e n p l a c e d in front of t h e little stage. I was happy to take my leave of C a t u l l u s and T r y g o n i o n , but t h e s e n a t o r stayed c l o s e t o B e t h e s d a , w i t h his c o u r t e s a n following b e h i n d . Slaves c o n t i n ued to m o v e a m o n g t h e guests, offering tidbits a n d d e l i c a c i e s to those w i t h b o t t o m l e s s s t o m a c h s a n d m a k i n g sure t h a t n o cup stayed e m p t y for l o n g . T h e e n t e r t a i n m e n t b e g a n w i t h a m i m e show, o n e o f t h o s e perform a n c e s w i t h a single unmasked a c t o r speaking all t h e roles. T h e performer was n e w t o R o m e ("Just arrived i n t o w n , " a n n o u n c e d C l o d i a , "after spreading laughter from Cyprus to S i c i l y " ) , but t h e little playlets he performed were t h e old standards, raunchy skits about a slave talking b a c k to his master, a n d a m a t c h m a k e r trying to c o n v i n c e a h u s b a n d he needs a s e c o n d wife, a n d a d o c t o r accidentally treating t h e wrong p a t i e n t w i t h a series of hilariously painful cures. T h e a c t o r suggested c o s t u m e c h a n g e s i n a n i n s t a n t w i t h t h e barest t h e a t r i c a l d e v i c e s — a s c a r f trans-

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formed h i m i n t o a bashful young m a i d e n , a hideously exaggerated b r a c e l e t made h i m a r i c h lady, a child's w o o d e n play-sword turned h i m i n t o a swaggering g e n e r a l . T h e crowd t i t t e r e d at every o b s c e n i t y , groaned at t h e terrible puns, and roared w i t h laughter a t t h e c l i m a x o f e a c h skit. T h e a c t o r was quite extraordinary; C l o d i a k n e w how t o c h o o s e a n e n t e r t a i n e r . I n t h e gaps b e t w e e n skits, B e t h e s d a informed t h e old s e n a t o r t h a t m i m e s h a d originated in t h e streets a n d squares of A l e x a n d r i a , where wandering actors would set down t h e i r b o x e s of props a n d put on impromptu shows for whatever c o i n s t h e crowd m i g h t toss t h e i r way. T h a t was still t h e o n l y real way to see a m i m e , B e t h e s d a insisted, t h o u g h she supposed t h a t t h e m a n C l o d i a h a d found was c l e v e r e n o u g h for a R o m a n a u d i e n c e . T h e a c t o r c o n c l u d e d his final skit t o great applause. C l o d i a stepped o n t o t h e stage. " A n d now, s o m e t h i n g very s p e c i a l , " she said. " A n old friend has returned from his wanderings i n t h e E a s t — " " L i k e O d y s s e u s ? " said s o m e o n e . I looked around and saw t h a t it was t h e young m a n w i t h t h e b a d h a i r c u t . " I f C a t u l l u s is Odysseus, does t h a t m e a n C l o d i a is P e n e l o p e ? " said o n e o f his friends. " I h o p e n o t , " said a n o t h e r . "You k n o w what Odysseus did t o Pen e l o p e ' s s u i t o r s — h e c r a s h e d a party a n d killed t h e m a l l ! " " A s I was saying," said C l o d i a , raising h e r v o i c e above t h e laughter, " a n old friend is b a c k . W i s e r , o n e presumes; c e r t a i n l y older, if o n l y by a year; a n d w i t h n e w p o e m s to share w i t h us. I m e a n our dear friend from V e r o n a , G a i u s Valerius C a t u l l u s , w h o s e words have t o u c h e d us a l l . " " A n d w o u n d e d a few of us!" yelled s o m e o n e . " W h i l e h e was i n t h e East, C a t u l l u s tells m e , h e t o o k a j o u r n e y t o l o o k a t t h e ruins o f a n c i e n t Troy. H e c l i m b e d pine-covered M o u n t Ida, w h e r e J u p i t e r sat t o w a t c h t h e G r e e k s a n d T r o j a n s d o b a t t l e o n t h e p l a i n below. He saw t h e p l a c e w h e r e his beloved b r o t h e r is buried, a n d performed a funeral r i t e . A n d w h i l e he was t h e r e , he saw s o m e t h i n g t h a t few m e n h a v e ever s e e n . He was invited to witness t h e secret rites at t h e T e m p l e of C y b e l e , including t h e c e r e m o n y by w h i c h a m a n b e c o m e s a gallus i n t h e s e r v i c e o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r . " I e x p e c t e d to h e a r m o r e lewd c o m m e n t s at this p o i n t , but i n s t e a d a h u s h fell over t h e crowd. " T h i s e x p e r i e n c e , Catullus tells m e , moved h i m t o c o m p o s e a p o e m i n h o n o r o f A t t i s , t h e c o n s o r t o f C y b e l e , t h e lover w h o gave u p his sex i n h e r worship, t h e inspiration o f all t h e galli s i n c e . O n t h e eve o f t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival, w h a t c o u l d b e m o r e appropriate t h a n t h e first public r e c i t a t i o n o f this p o e m ? "

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S h e left t h e platform. Catullus t o o k h e r p l a c e . H i s lids looked heavy, his eyes bleary a n d he s e e m e d to barely avoid falling as he stepped o n t o t h e stage. I h e l d my b r e a t h , wondering how he c o u l d possibly perform before a n a u d i e n c e . H e was t o o drunk, t o o bitter, t o o unsure o f himself, t o o weak. He s e e m e d to be t h i n k i n g t h e same t h i n g . For a long time he stood c o m p l e t e l y still, his shoulders slumped, staring first at his feet, t h e n a t s o m e t h i n g above t h e heads o f t h e a u d i e n c e . W a s h e bemused b y t h e giant V e n u s b e h i n d us, or simply gazing i n t o space? B u t w h e n h e finally o p e n e d his m o u t h t o speak, t h e voice that e m e r g e d was unlike a n y t h i n g I h a d ever h e a r d before. It was light and airy yet strangely powerful, like a glittering n e t t h r o w n over t h e audience, like a whisper in a d r e a m . I h a v e h e a r d c o u n t l e s s orators in t h e Forum, listened to many actors o n t h e stage. T h e i r voices are t h e i r tools, skilled a t shaping utterances suitable to t h e o c c a s i o n ; words emerge at t h e i r d e c r e e like slaves suited to a particular task. B u t w i t h C a t u l l u s , everything s e e m e d reversed. T h e words were in c o n t r o l ; t h e p o e m ruled t h e p o e t , a n d used n o t just his v o i c e but his w h o l e body for its delivery, shaping his face, gesturing with his h a n d s , causing his feet to p a c e t h e stage all to t h e poem's purpose. T h e p o e m would h a v e e x i s t e d w i t h o r w i t h o u t t h e p o e t . His presence was m e r e l y a c o n v e n i e n c e , s i n c e he h a p p e n e d to have a t o n g u e w h i c h t h e p o e m c o u l d use t o deliver itself t o t h e ears o f C l o d i a ' s guests o n that warm spring n i g h t i n h e r garden o n t h e Palatine:

" A t t i s sailed his swift vessel through t h e deep waves A n d set his eager feet u p o n t h e Phrygian shore. H e e n t e r e d t h e sunless forest, w h e r e his m i n d b e c a m e As dark as t h e dense woods around h i m . M o v e d by madness, he picked up a sharp s t o n e . H e sliced off his m a n h o o d . H e rose u p transfigured: A w o m a n , t h e b l o o d dripping from b e t w e e n h e r legs G i v i n g life t o t h e d a n k , p u n g e n t e a r t h . A t t i s s n a t c h e d up a drum a n d b e a t it, m a k i n g music T o t h e G r e a t M o t h e r a n d h e r mysteries, S i n g i n g rapturous falsetto t o t h e servants o f C y b e l e : ' C o m e galli, all together, t o t h e groves o n t h e m o u n t a i n . S e a salt stings t h e w o u n d — t u r n away from t h e sea. T u r n away from Venus. R i d yourselves o f m a n h o o d . Leave t h a t l o a t h s o m e sort o f love b e h i n d you, E m b r a c e t h e ecstasies of u n s e x e d passion . . .' "

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It was a l o n g , strange p o e m . At times it b e c a m e a c h a n t , a n d t h e poet a dancer, moved to sway a n d stamp his feet by t h e p o e m t h a t possessed h i m . T h e a u d i e n c e w a t c h e d a n d listened, spellbound. I t was t h e story o f A t t i s , a n d t h e madness o f A t t i s , w h i c h m o v e d h i m on a dark n i g h t , in a dense forest, far from h o m e , to castrate h i m s e l f and c o n s e c r a t e his e x i s t e n c e t o t h e G r e a t M o t h e r , C y b e l e . S t i l l b l e e d i n g from his w o u n d , he s u m m o n e d t h e followers of t h e goddess a n d led t h e m in a wild, e c s t a t i c procession up t h e slopes of M o u n t Ida to h e r t e m p l e . T h e y sang shrill c h a n t s , b e a t o n drums, c l a n g e d cymbals, whirled a b o u t in frenzied, delirious d a n c e s w i t h A t t i s leading t h e m , until at last t h e y fell e x h a u s t e d i n t o a deep, dreamless sleep. W h e n A t t i s woke, his madness h a d passed. H e saw w h a t h e h a d d o n e . He was horrified. He ran to t h e seashore and gazed at t h e h o r i z o n , sorry t h a t he h a d ever left his h o m e l a n d . As a boy he h a d b e e n a c h a m p i o n of t h e games, a d e c o r a t e d a t h l e t e , a wrestler. W i t h his beard he b e c a m e a m a n of t h e c i t y , k n o w n , respected, c a l l e d upon. W h a t was he now? A shipwrecked soul u n a b l e ever t o return t o his h o m e , n e i t h e r m a n n o r w o m a n , a fragment of his former self, sterile, miserable, terribly a l o n e . His f a n a t i c d e v o t i o n h a d c u t h i m off from all t h a t m a t t e r e d t o h i m , h a d cost h i m e v e r y t h i n g , e v e n his h u m a n i t y . U p o n M o u n t Ida, C y b e l e h e a r d his w r e t c h e d l a m e n t . S h e looked down t o see A t t i s weeping o n t h e b e a c h . D i d C y b e l e take m e r c y o n A t t i s , o r was she o n l y b e i n g p r a c t i c a l w h e n she sent h e r l i o n down t o t h e b e a c h , n o t just t o f e t c h A t t i s b a c k , but t o rend A t t i s ' s m i n d a n d make h i m m a d o n c e a n d for all? A t t i s in his sanity was t o o m i s e r a b l e for a life of worshiping C y b e l e , b u t in his u n s e x e d state what o t h e r life was he fit for? So t h e roaring l i o n w e n t crashing down t h e m o u n t a i n s i d e and drove A t t i s b a c k i n t o t h e forest, b a c k i n t o t h e madness a n d raving ecstasy, b a c k i n t o a life of loyal, u n s e x e d slavery to t h e G r e a t M o t h e r . C a t u l l u s shivered, as if t h e p o e m were slowly releasing h i m from its grip. H i s v o i c e b e g a n to fade, until t h e final lines were barely audible: " G o d d e s s , G r e a t M o t h e r C y b e l e , guardian o f Ida, M a d d e n o t h e r m e n — n o t m e ! G i v e o t h e r s your raving dream. Avert your furies from my h o u s e . Draw others i n t o your s c h e m e ! " Catullus was transformed. M o u n t i n g t h e stage, he h a d looked like a m a n stupefied by w i n e a n d self-pity, all soft a n d u n c e r t a i n . N o w his face was haggard a n d his eyes glowed, like a m a n emerging from a terrible ordeal, w i n n o w e d to his essential c o r e . He stumbled a bit leaving t h e stage, n o t like a d r u n k e n m a n but like a m a n drained of all energy.

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T h e garden was s i l e n t . A r o u n d me I saw raised eyebrows, uncertain frowns, thoughtful nods, g r i m a c e s of distaste. S i t t i n g c l o s e by t h e stage C l o d i a stared u n b l i n k i n g at t h e spot Catullus h a d vacated. H e r face was b l a n k . D i d she c o n s i d e r t h e p o e m a tribute to her, or t h e opposite, an insult? Or c o u l d she n o t see h e r s e l f in a young m a n ' s p o e m about inesc a p a b l e obsession, t h e o b l i t e r a t i o n of dignity and freedom by overwhelming passion, a n d t h e u n e q u a l , disastrous u n i o n of a mere m o r t a l with an aloof, u n c a r i n g goddess? B e h i n d me I h e a r d a stifled sob, like t h e sound of a w o m a n weeping, so soft t h a t e x c e p t for t h e utter quiet I would n e v e r h a v e n o t i c e d . I turned my h e a d . Away from t h e o t h e r guests, on t h e steps leading down into t h e garden, a figure sat by t h e pedestal of t h e monstrous Venus, c o n c e a l e d in its shadow. He hugged his ankles as if to keep from shivering and hid his face against his k n e e s , but by his dress I k n e w it was T r y g o n i o n .

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C

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After Catullus's p e r f o r m a n c e , t h e party n e v e r regained q u i t e t h e s a m e air o f levity, despite t h e relentless parade o f e n t e r t a i n m e n t s t h a t followed. T h i s included several o t h e r poets, better known than Catullus, who had been placed at t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h e e v e n i n g as a sort of warm-up for t h o s e w h o followed. B u t n o o t h e r p o e t w h o r e c i t e d t h a t e v e n i n g left any lasting impression, at least n o t on my ears. T h e r e were also d a n c e r s a n d jugglers a n d a c o n c l u d i n g set of e x cruciatingly c r u d e but very funny skits by t h e m i m e . During a b r e a k in all this e n t e r t a i n m e n t our hostess found h e r way to our c o m e r . S h e greeted B e t h e s d a w i t h o u t s t r e t c h e d arms a n d a kiss. " D i d you r e c e i v e the gift?" "Yes, t h a n k you. It arrived at t h e h o u s e while we were down at t h e F o r u m . " B e t h e s d a gave me a sidelong g l a n c e . C l o d i a n o d d e d . " G o o d . N o w you're o n e of us. Yes, I saw you b o t h at t h e trial. W h a t do you t h i n k , G o r d i a n u s ? H o w did it go for us t o d a y ? " "I suppose B e t h e s d a said it best: ' O r a t o r y is all very well w h e n t h e r e are no facts to go o n . ' " C l o d i a gave me a quizzical smile. " W a s it B e t h e s d a w h o said t h a t ? I t h o u g h t it my a n c e s t o r A p p i u s Claudius, t h e o n e w h o . . . well, n e v e r m i n d . M a y I t a l k to you privately? S e n a t o r , amuse this lady for a m o m e n t while I take h e r h u s b a n d away on b u s i n e s s . " S h e led m e o u t o f t h e garden, i n t o a private c h a m b e r . T h e walls were p a i n t e d a r i c h red, d e c o r a t e d w i t h rustic scenes of satyrs a n d n y m p h s . "You're l o o k i n g m u c h b e t t e r today," I said.

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" A m I? I t h o u g h t I looked rather h o r r i b l e w h e n I saw myself in t h e mirror this m o r n i n g . I considered calling off t h e party, but it would h a v e b e e n t h e first t i m e I ever missed giving a party on t h e eve of the G r e a t M o t h e r festival. E v e n w h e n Q u i n t u s a n d I were up in Cisalpine Gaul—" " D i d you h a v e C h r y s i s tortured today?" S h e looked at me b l a n k l y for a m o m e n t . E v e n by t h e lamplight reflected off t h e red walls her face looked pale. " A c t u a l l y , I took you aside to t a l k a b o u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t matters. B u t s i n c e you ask, Gordia n u s — y e s , C h r y s i s was tortured today. N o t by m e , of course. By officials of t h e c o u r t . S u r e l y you k n o w t h a t a slave c a n ' t give a s t a t e m e n t in a trial w i t h o u t b e i n g tortured? O t h e r w i s e she m i g h t simply say whatever h e r mistress t o l d h e r t o say." " S o t h e logic g o e s . " " T h e b i t c h was a b o u t t o poison m e . I c a u g h t h e r i n t h e a c t . " " D i d she c o n f e s s ? " "Yes." " D i d she i m p l i c a t e C a e l i u s ? " " O f course. You c a n h e a r h e r s t a t e m e n t read tomorrow, just before my own t e s t i m o n y . " " T h e s t a t e m e n t w h i c h she gave under t o r t u r e . " "You s e e m t o h a v e a n u n w h o l e s o m e f i x a t i o n o n torture tonight, G o r d i a n u s . I should t h i n k you'd h a d e n o u g h of torture listening to that awful p o e m o f Catullus's! Really, w h e n h e told m e t h a t h e h a d a n ideal p o e m for t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival . . . " S h e gave a little shudder, then b r i g h t e n e d . " B u t I w o n ' t h a v e to use torture to get you to testify tomorrow, I hope." "Me?" " O f course. W h o else c o u l d H e r e n n i u s have m e a n t w h e n h e said t h e m a n C i c e r o c a l l e d ' t h e most h o n e s t m a n i n R o m e ' would b e testifying against C a e l i u s ? You n e e d only tell what you witnessed w i t h your own eyes at t h e S e n i a n b a t h s , and h e r e in my h o u s e yesterday, w h e n you saw w h a t was d o n e t o m e . " " W h a t if I d e c l i n e to testify?" S h e s e e m e d surprised. " N o o n e c a n c o m p e l you. B u t I t h o u g h t you w a n t e d to see C a e l i u s p u n i s h e d . " " I w a n t e d t o discover D i o ' s k i l l e r . " "It's t h e s a m e t h i n g , G o r d i a n u s . Everyone else i n R o m e has f i g u r e d t h a t out, so why h a v e n ' t you? O h , yes, I know, you're a m a n w h o demands proof. W e l l t h e n , you should have c o m e up w i t h t h o s e slaves of Lucceius's, t h e o n e s involved in t h e p o i s o n plot. You were going to track t h e m down a n d buy t h e m for m e , you said. D i d anything ever c o m e o f t h a t ? "

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"No." " T o o bad. T h e y would have made superb witnesses. I gave you silver t o buy t h e m , d i d n ' t I ? " " I ' l l return t h e silver." " T h e trial's n o t over yet. T h e r e ' s n o hurry." " I ' l l h a v e t o wait until m y son E c o gets b a c k t o R o m e — " "Forget a b o u t t h e silver, G o r d i a n u s . T h e r e ' s n o n e e d t o return it. Do you u n d e r s t a n d ? " "I'm not sure." " C o n s i d e r it part of your fee. Now, of course you'll testify tomorrow. You m u s t . " "Must I ? " " I f you c a r e about j u s t i c e at all. If you want to put D i o ' s shade to rest." " I f o n l y i t was c l e a r t o m e e x a c t l y how D i o d i e d . " S h e sighed, exasperated. " A s i c i u s a n d C a e l i u s broke i n t o C o p o n i u s ' s house a n d s t a b b e d t h e p o o r w r e t c h . " I ignored her, c o u n t i n g days in my h e a d . " T h e r e ' s still a c h a n c e that E c o m i g h t arrive t o n i g h t , o r t o m o r r o w — " " G o o d . I f h e does, a n d i f h e brings word o f t h o s e slaves, t h e n perhaps we c a n add t h e i r testimony. B u t I told you, forget about t h e silver." We were speaking at such cross-purposes t h a t I hardly heard her. " T h e r e was s o m e t h i n g e l s e , " I said. " S o m e t h i n g I'd forgotten. W h e n I left your h o u s e yesterday, I i n t e n d e d to take with me t h a t bit of gorgon's hair, to c o m p a r e it to s o m e of t h e same poison in my s t r o n g b o x at h o m e . I forgot it, s o m e h o w . . . " I shuddered, r e m e m b e r i n g t h e ugliness o f Chrysis's degradation a n d my flight from C l o d i a ' s b e d c h a m b e r . " C o u l d I take t h e gorgon's h a i r h o m e w i t h me t o n i g h t ? " C l o d i a h e s i t a t e d . " I ' m afraid n o t . H e r e n n i u s has it. H e said h e m i g h t w a n t to produce it as e v i d e n c e tomorrow, w h e n I give my testimony. T h o u g h I d o n ' t suppose showing t h e judges a lump of poison is likely to be as s h o c k i n g as showing t h e m a bloody dagger or whatever. Is it important?" " N o , I suppose n o t . I only w a n t e d to make sure t h a t I k n e w w h a t the stuff was, for my own satisfaction." " I f it would h e l p c o n v i n c e you to testify, t h e n I wish I still h a d it. I suppose I c o u l d s o m e h o w arrange to get t h e stuff b a c k from H e r e n n i u s , t h o u g h it's r a t h e r late. I n t h e m o r n i n g t h e r e ' l l hardly b e t i m e — " I s h o o k my h e a d . " D o n ' t b o t h e r . " " N o ? G o o d ! " S h e laughed weakly. " I d o n ' t t h i n k I could stand t o deal w i t h o n e m o r e t r o u b l e s o m e detail t o n i g h t . I really am awfully tired.

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Clodius's physician says t h a t I shouldn't e x p e c t to feel completely Well for quite s o m e t i m e . To tell you t h e truth, I feel q u i t e awful. I couldn't e a t a b i t e of anything t h a t was put in front of me t o n i g h t . I'll simply have to trust t h a t t h e c o o k was up to his usual standard. Now, Gordianus assure me t h a t you will testify tomorrow. D o n ' t make me go to bed fretting a b o u t it. As I said, you n e e d only tell t h e court w h a t you've seen with your own e y e s . " I looked at h e r for a long m o m e n t , at h e r huge green eyes made all t h e m o r e lustrous by illness, at t h e s m o o t h w h i t e flesh of h e r throat c u r v i n g down to h e r breasts and t h e sleek lines of h e r body wrapped in t h e transparent silk. I b r e a t h e d in h e r perfume. W h a t if Caelius had s u c c e e d e d in p o i s o n i n g h e r ? S h e would be dead now, already beginning to rot. T h e idea was appalling, intolerable: t h e glittering eyes shut forever, t h e perfect body e a t e n by worms, t h e perfume overpowered by t h e stench o f putrefaction. "Yes, I'll testify. I d o n ' t see why n o t . " S h e smiled and kissed m e , full on t h e m o u t h , a n d pressed her body against me as if she h a d read my thoughts and wanted to show me that s h e was still very m u c h alive and warm to t h e t o u c h . F r o m t h e garden I h e a r d t h e sound of a p o e t d e c l a i m i n g , punctuated by laughter and applause. C l o d i a broke t h e kiss and stepped b a c k . " I ' d b e t t e r take you back to B e t h e s d a before s h e c o m e s looking for you. Egyptian w o m e n are uncommonly jealous, I'm told."

T h e party h a d no formal ending, or at least n o n e t h a t I stayed for. After t h e m i m e ' s e n c o r e , a n o t h e r m e a l c o m m e n c e d w i t h t h e guests seated i n n e w c o m b i n a t i o n s . Eventually, those w h o had e a t e n and conversed and laughed and drunk e n o u g h began to wend t h e i r ways to t h e front door. B e t h e s d a a n d I were a m o n g t h e first to leave. Catullus and Trygonion s e e m e d to have disappeared. "You l o o k very t h o u g h t f u l , " said B e t h e s d a on t h e way h o m e . " A n d you l o o k r a t h e r smug. Did you enjoy yourself t h a t m u c h ? " " E n j o y m e n t was n o t really t h e p o i n t , " she said, suddenly haughty. " W h a t did C l o d i a m e a n b y w h a t she said t o you?" "When?" " S h e asked if you h a d g o t t e n t h e little statue of A t t i s . You said yes, and t h e n she said, ' G o o d , now you're o n e of us.' " " D i d s h e say t h a t ? " " B e t h e s d a , I'm i n n o m o o d t o b e t e a s e d . "

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" S h e only m e a n t that I had been accepted by the other women here o n t h e P a l a t i n e . T h e w o m e n w h o matter, anyway. T h a n k s t o Clodia." "Is t h a t all s h e m e a n t ? " " W h a t do you m e a n , is t h a t all? T h i n k of it, of where I c o m e from, who I a m . I dreaded it w h e n we moved from t h e farm b a c k to R o m e , into s u c h a h o u s e , s u c h a n e i g h b o r h o o d . I n e v e r let you see h o w I felt, of course, b u t it was just as I feared. T h e y treated me very badly at first." " T r e a t e d you b a d l y ? " " I g n o r e d m e , shut m e out. B u t after t o n i g h t , things will c h a n g e . T h e o t h e r s will treat m e differently. A s i f I were o n e o f t h e m . " T h i s struck me as highly unlikely, but I shrugged. " W h y n o t ? A l m o s t anything seems to be possible in R o m e these days." For s o m e r e a s o n B e t h e s d a t o o k offense a t this c o m m e n t a n d d i d n ' t say a n o t h e r word to me all t h e way h o m e . D i a n a h a d stayed up for us. S h e d e m a n d e d that h e r m o t h e r tell h e r everything a b o u t t h e party. W h i l e t h e y settled i n D i a n a ' s r o o m , t a l k i n g of w h a t t h e w o m e n h a d worn a n d how t h e y h a d dressed t h e i r hair, I escaped to our b e d r o o m . I stripped off my toga and put on a shabby t u n i c . I kept a lamp burning so t h a t B e t h e s d a c o u l d find h e r way around t h e r o o m . I lay down on t h e sleeping c o u c h a n d shut my eyes against t h e flickering light, b u t I c o u l d n ' t sleep. I h a d drunk t o o m u c h , e a t e n t o o m u c h , heard t o o m u c h poetry. F r o m down t h e h a l l I c o u l d h e a r D i a n a ' s and B e t h e s d a ' s muffled laughter. T h e sound r e m i n d e d m e o f t h e sound o f distant laughter i n the garden, w h e n C l o d i a h a d kissed me . . . I h a d asked h e r for s o m e t h i n g , h a d n ' t I? T h e poison, t h a t was it! T h e gorgon's hair, so t h a t I c o u l d c o m p a r e it to t h e same stuff t h a t E c o had given m e t o safeguard. A g a i n , I h a d c o m e h o m e w i t h o u t it. O f course, I didn't really n e e d C l o d i a ' s sample to make t h e c o m p a r i s o n ; I r e m e m b e r e d clearly e n o u g h what t h e stuff h a d looked like. I h a d h e l d it up to t h e l a m p l i g h t , w h i l e Chrysis twisted in t h e c o r n e r and sobbed . . . I shifted on t h e sleeping c o u c h , d e t e r m i n e d to fall asleep, but t h e laughter from D i a n a ' s r o o m kept me up, a n d my thoughts kept twisting endlessly in s p a c e , like Chrysis suspended upside down from t h e c e i l i n g . Finally I got up a n d r e a c h e d for t h e lamp. T h e r e was a little storage r o o m down t h e hallway from our b e d r o o m , cluttered w i t h rolled rugs a n d folded chairs a n d w o o d e n b o x e s . A f t e r a brief s e a r c h I found t h e s t r o n g b o x a m i d t h e j u m b l e . I tried to r e m e m b e r where I h a d h i d d e n t h e key, a n d t h e n realized I didn't n e e d it. T h e l i t t l e lock o n t h e s t r o n g b o x h a d b e e n broken.

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I t o o k t h e b o x i n t o t h e b e d r o o m a n d set down t h e lamp so that it would light t h e inside. T h e r e wasn't m u c h inside t h e b o x — a b l o o d - e n c r u s t e d dagger that h a d b e e n i m p o r t a n t at a n o t h e r trial, a few letters and some o t h e r mem e n t o s t h a t I didn't w a n t anyone else to t o u c h . A m o n g t h e m was the little pyxis o f p o i s o n t h a t E c o h a d asked m e t o keep for h i m , n o t wanting to h a v e it in his own h o u s e w i t h t h e twins. I picked up t h e pyxis by t h e r i m of t h e lid, w h i c h c a m e open. I gave a j e r k , t h i n k i n g I h a d clumsily spilled t h e c o n t e n t s , t h e n realized t h e r e were n o c o n t e n t s t o b e spilled. T h e pyxis was empty. O n l y a few traces of p o i s o n remained, comp a c t e d against t h e inside corners o f t h e b o x , i d e n t i c a l t o t h e crumbly yellow powder t h a t C l o d i a h a d shown m e . W h a t did i t m e a n ? I set t h e pyxis aside a n d looked in t h e s t r o n g b o x again, thinking t h e p o i s o n must h a v e spilled inside. I saw no yellow powder, but I did see s o m e t h i n g else, a small o b j e c t easily overlooked: an earring. It was a simple design, a l i t t l e silver c r o o k w i t h a green glass bead for ornament. I recognized it at o n c e ; it was o n e of B e t h e s d a ' s old earrings. T h e c r o o k of t h e earring was b e n t . I looked again at t h e broken l o c k o f t h e s t r o n g b o x . T h e m e t a l facing was scored w i t h tiny scratches. T h e aperture was small; t h e c r o o k o f t h e earring would have b e e n ideal for p o k i n g inside. W h a t h a d h a p p e n e d was obvious: t h e earring h a d b e e n used to force the lock. I sat a n d stared dumbly at t h e earring, t h e s t r o n g b o x a n d t h e empty pyxis, at first puzzled, t h e n s t u n n e d , t h e n furious. D i a n a a n d h e r m o t h e r gave a start w h e n I pushed aside t h e curtain a n d stepped i n t o t h e r o o m . I h e l d t h e e m p t y pyxis in my outstretched hand. " C a n you e x p l a i n t h i s ? " I said, trying to keep my v o i c e steady. T h e y b o t h looked at me as if they hardly k n e w m e . W o u l d I have k n o w n myself in a mirror at t h a t m o m e n t ? N e i t h e r of t h e m spoke. "I asked if you c o u l d e x p l a i n t h i s . " I said. T h e y stared a t m e dumbly. "Very well. It needs no e x p l a i n i n g . " I h e l d up t h e earring. "You must have b e e n in a c o n s i d e r a b l e hurry, B e t h e s d a , to have left this b e h i n d . T h a t was careless, very careless. D i d n ' t you realize I'd find eventually?" S h e stared b l a n k l y a t t h e earring. " P l e a s e , B e t h e s d a , d o n ' t p r e t e n d t h a t you d o n ' t recognize it. E v e n I recognized it, and you c l a i m I neve n o t i c e jewelry! It's o n e of a pair t h a t you've h a d for years." I sighed

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suddenly m o r e sad t h a n angry. " D i d gaining h e r favor m e a n so m u c h to you? D i d you n o t k n o w how she would use t h e p o i s o n — n o t just to fool t h e c o u r t , but to m a k e a fool of m e ! " I snapped t h e pyxis shut a n d t h r e w t h e earring on t h e floor. D i a n a gave a start a n d drew against h e r m o t h e r , frightened. For a m o m e n t I felt a s h a m e d , but t h e n my anger returned. I p a c e d t h e floor. " S h e ' s m a d e a fool of you as well, c a n ' t you see that? Inviting you to h e r party, giving you t h a t a b o m i n a b l e statue, m a k i n g you t h i n k you could b e l o n g t o h e r c i r c l e . S h a r i n g shameful secrets w i t h you, whispering b e h i n d m y b a c k i n t h e garden! S h e m a d e u p whatever you w a n t e d t o hear, I i m a g i n e . S h e ' s h a d a lot of p r a c t i c e at t h a t . It's what s h e does with h e r lovers, so why n o t w i t h you? D i d you really t h i n k she w a n t e d to be your friend, a w o m a n w h o talks about h e r ancestors as if t h e y were gods, s t o o p i n g to share gossip w i t h a w o m a n w h o was b o r n a slave?" I stopped my p a c i n g , trying to quiet my rage, but I only grew angrier. I c l u t c h e d t h e pyxis so hard t h a t t h e corners cut t h e p a l m of my h a n d . " W i f e , you h a v e t a k e n part in d e c e i v i n g m e ! Do you deny i t ? " B e t h e s d a m a d e n o answer. "You h a v e deliberately d e c e i v e d m e ! Do you deny i t ? " " M o t h e r — " said D i a n a , c l u t c h i n g a t B e t h e s d a ' s arm. B e t h e s d a c o v erd t h e girl's f a c e a n d pulled D i a n a against h e r breast to quiet her. " D o you deny i t ? " I shouted. B e t h e s d a looked steadily i n t o my eyes, shrewd and unflappable to the last. " N o , h u s b a n d . I do n o t deny i t . " "You t o o k part i n d e c e i v i n g m e ? " "Yes." W e stared a t e a c h o t h e r for a long m o m e n t . B e t h e s d a n e v e r b l i n k e d . I threw t h e pyxis on t h e floor and left t h e r o o m in a rage. My s h o u t i n g had roused B e l b o , w h o rushed after me as I raced out t h e door a n d up the n i g h t - d a r k street.

T h e p o l i t e m a n n e r of k n o c k i n g on a door is w i t h t h e foot, but t h a t n i g h t I used my fist to b a n g on C l o d i a ' s door. T h e banging reverberated in t h e still n i g h t air, loud e n o u g h to wake n e i g h b o r s , I t h o u g h t , but t h e slaves took a long t i m e to answer. D i d t h e n o i s e frighten t h e m , or did t h e y simply t h i n k me rude? At last a slotted p e e p h o l e slid o p e n a n d two eyes peered o u t . E v e n in t h e darkness I recognized t h e m by t h e single brow above t h e m . "I want to see your mistress, B a r n a b a s . " "It's late. You c a n see h e r tomorrow at t h e t r i a l . "

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" N o , I must see h e r t o n i g h t . " T h e eyes studied me dispassionately. I realized how I must look, wearing my sleeping t u n i c , my hair mussed. T h e p e e p h o l e closed. I paced b a c k a n d f o r t h o n t h e narrow doorstep w h i l e B e l b o stood i n t h e street b e h i n d m e , yawning a n d b l i n k i n g . At last t h e door o p e n e d . I slipped inside, but B a r n a b a s closed the door i n B e l b o ' s f a c e . He led me t h r o u g h t h e foyer, down t h e steps a n d across t h e garden By t h e light of a few low-burning lamps I was able to see t h a t t h e garden was n o t e n t i r e l y deserted. C o u p l e d figures moved a n d whispered in the shadows. Suddenly, like a fawn in t h e forest, a naked girl w e n t running across our path, t a k i n g great b o u n d i n g strides. It was t h e girl w h o had d i n e d w i t h S e n a t o r Fufius. S h e turned h e r h e a d a n d gave a startled laugh as s h e passed, t h e n vanished. A m o m e n t later Fufius, naked and drunk, w e n t c h a s i n g after her. B a r n a b a s led me i n t o t h e red-paneled r o o m off t h e garden. He set a lamp on a small t a b l e a n d left. I h a d p l e n t y of t i m e to study t h e nymphs a n d satyrs on t h e walls before C l o d i a appeared in t h e doorway. H e r hair was u n p i n n e d a n d h u n g down past h e r shoulders. S h e wore a transparent w h i t e r o b e b e l t e d o n l y at t h e waist, so t h a t it was o p e n b e t w e e n her breasts. T h e n a k e d p a t c h o f flesh s h i m m e r e d i n t h e red light reflected off t h e walls. S h e smiled wearily. " I f you w a n t e d to stay, G o r d i a n u s , why did you leave? Ah yes, to take B e t h e s d a h o m e . B u t n o w you're b a c k . D i d s o m e o n e a t t h e party c a t c h your e y e ? " S h e m o v e d sinuously toward m e , h e r eyes heavy-lidded, a faint smile on h e r lips. "You h a d a slave tortured today for no r e a s o n . " T h e lids b e c a m e h e a v i e r . T h e smile stiffened. " T h a t again? Please, G o r d i a n u s , surely a m a n of your age has a c c u s t o m e d h i m s e l f to t h e ways of the world." " S o m e t h i n g s a m a n n e v e r gets used t o . L i e s , d e c e p t i o n s , c o n spiracy. " " W h a t are you t a l k i n g a b o u t ? " " A n d bribery, of course. T h a t ' s what t h e silver was for, wasn't it? N o t for purchasing slaves to testify, but an o u t r i g h t b r i b e , n o t h i n g more or l e s s — s o t h a t w h e n t h e t i m e c a m e I would do w h a t e v e r you wanted. T h e m a n w h o s e h o n e s t y was boasted o f b y C i c e r o h i m s e l f — t h a t ' s why you w a n t e d me in t h e first p l a c e , t h i n k i n g I'd c o m e in handy s o m e h o w or o t h e r . A h , yes: we'll throw t h e fellow in C i c e r o ' s face on t h e last day o f t h e trial. L e t C i c e r o spin out his o r a t i o n , t h e n have this fellow w h o C i c e r o says is h o n e s t y personified take t h e stand a n d make C i c e r o l o o k like an idiot. D i d you t h i n k you could buy me w i t h silver? Or have you

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never m e t a m a n w h o m silver, or t h a t smile of yours, c o u l d n ' t p u r c h a s e ? " "Really, G o r d i a n u s , it's awfully late in t h e e v e n i n g — " " — a n d late i n t h e trial for m e t o b e upsetting your s c h e m e . T h e supposed delivery o f t h e p o i s o n a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s — w e r e you b e h i n d that as w e l l ? " " D o n ' t b e absurd!" "Perhaps it was a part of your s c h e m e , perhaps it wasn't. B u t whatever your i n t e n t i o n , s o m e t h i n g went wrong. T h e e v i d e n c e against C a e l i u s that you h o p e d to capture, or manufacture, n e v e r c a m e t o g e t h e r . You realized t h a t t h e m e r e a l l e g a t i o n t h a t C a e l i u s w a n t e d to p o i s o n you was too t h i n t o impress t h e judges. S o you c a m e u p w i t h this further s c h e m e . How did you k n o w t h e r e would be p o i s o n in my house? Or did B e t h e s d a just h a p p e n to v o l u n t e e r t h e knowledge, a n d you instantly saw h o w to make use o f i t ? " "I d o n ' t k n o w w h a t you're t a l k i n g about. I told you, G o r d i a n u s , it's late—" " D i d you m e r e l y fake t h e symptoms? Your brother's physician c o u l d have told you h o w t o d o t h a t , o n c e you showed h i m what k i n d o f p o i s o n you'd c o m e up w i t h . Or did you actually swallow a bit of t h e stuff, l e t t i n g him advise you o n t h e d o s e — n o t e n o u g h t o k i l l you, certainly, but just enough to m a k e you s i c k , to make your p e r f o r m a n c e perfect, to be sure that you fooled me a n d everyone else. Yes, I t h i n k t h a t would be m o r e like you, to e x e r c i s e your d r a m a t i c flair to t h e limit, to court a b i t of danger, to play for t h e h i g h e s t possible stakes. B u t to h a n d t h a t p o o r slave girl over to t h e torturers for t h e sake of a u t h e n t i c i t y — t h a t was really going t o o far, C l o d i a , e v e n for you. Of course, you c o u l d be sure that she'd tell t h e m t h e story e x a c t l y as you wanted, s i n c e t h e y ' l l o n l y h a n d h e r b a c k t o you o n c e they're finished, a n d i f she h a s n ' t d o n e h e r j o b properly you c a n m a k e things e v e n worse for her. T h i s absurdity o f torturing slaves to get at t h e t r u t h — " "You've g o n e c o m p l e t e l y m a d , G o r d i a n u s . You're r a v i n g . " " T h e n why do I suddenly feel so perfectly lucid, for t h e first t i m e since I m e t you, really. It's just as t h e y say: you cast a spell. I t h o u g h t I'd be i m m u n e , b u t o n l y a fool c o u l d t h i n k t h a t , a n d that's w h a t you've played me for. B u t n o w my eyes are o p e n , a n d I have to wonder just h o w deeply you've dug yourself i n t o this c a m p a i g n of d e s t r u c t i o n against M a r cus C a e l i u s . If t h e p o i s o n charges are a fake, t h e n what about t h e murder charges? W h a t a b o u t D i o — ' t h a t p o o r w r e t c h , ' a s you c a l l h i m ? M i g h t you h a v e h a d s o m e h a n d i n murdering h i m — f o r n o b e t t e r reason t h a n to incriminate Marcus Caelius?" " R i d i c u l o u s ! W h e n D i o died, C a e l i u s a n d I were s t i l l — " " T h e n perhaps C a e l i u s did take part i n t h e murder. B u t who's t o

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say t h a t your b r o t h e r isn't ultimately b e h i n d it all, if he and Caelius were still allies t h e n , just as you a n d C a e l i u s were still lovers? A n d this money you l o a n e d to C a e l i u s , t h a t you c l a i m he used in his poison plot against D i o — p e r h a p s you k n e w all along what t h e m o n e y was for; perhaps the plot was your idea to b e g i n w i t h , a n d C a e l i u s just a n o t h e r of your puppets My eyes are o p e n , C l o d i a , yet everything b e c o m e s m o r e and m o r e obscure to m e . In light of my growing confusion, I t h i n k I should decline to testify at t h e trial tomorrow, don't you? N o t for t h e prosecution, anyway. Perhaps I m i g h t testify for t h e d e f e n s e — y e s , let C i c e r o call t h e most h o n e s t m a n i n R o m e t o t a l k about how C l o d i a set h i m u p t o make Marcus C a e l i u s l o o k like a would-be p o i s o n e r . " "You w o u l d n ' t d a r e ! " " W o u l d n ' t I? T h e n I suggest t h a t you drop everything to do with this fake p o i s o n i n g . T e a r up t h e deposition t h a t C h r y s i s gave under torture. D o n ' t whisper a word about t h e gorgon's h a i r p o i s o n i n g w h e n you testify. Do you understand? B e c a u s e if you do, I'll give testimony myself a n d refute e v e r y t h i n g you say. H o w will your case against C a e l i u s look t h e n , w i t h your o w n s c h e m e exposed? S o m u c h for t h e s h o c k i n g revelations t h a t H e r e n n i u s promised as a c l i m a x to t h e t r i a l ! " C l o d i a ' s eyes flashed. H e r lips trembled. Fury flared on h e r face and t h e n d i m m e d as s h e struggled to c o n t a i n it. O n c e again I was struck by h e r wan a n d haggard l o o k — w a s she really m a d e n o u g h to have poisoned h e r s e l f deliberately? W a s s h e so totally, relentlessly c o n s u m e d with destroying C a e l i u s ? W h a t was such a love like, to e n d in such hatred and degradation? A n d m o s t puzzling o f all, a t least t o m e : a t t h a t m o m e n t — h e r body ravaged by self-induced poisoning, h e r duplicity exposed, her s c h e m e to use me in t a t t e r s — h o w could C l o d i a still look so breathtakingly beautiful to my eyes? So beautiful t h a t I c o u l d n ' t stand to look at her, but h a d to turn my b a c k and look elsewhere, at t h e rutting nymphs a n d satyrs w h o c a v o r t e d w i t h mindless, guiltless, sterile passion on the walls. " O u t r a g e o u s , " s h e finally muttered. " W h a t you say is utterly outrageous. W h e r e do I b e g i n ? It's absurd. It's mad. H a s C a e l i u s somehow g o t t e n t o you? O r C i c e r o ? W h y have you turned against m e , G o r d i a n u s ? ' "I told you in t h e b e g i n n i n g , my o n l y interest was to find Dio's killer. I w o n ' t be used as a t o o l to h e l p satisfy your spite against an exlover. I suppose you're a c c u s t o m e d to using m e n a n d h a v i n g t h e m enjoy it, but I h a v e no appetite for t h a t sort of t h i n g , C l o d i a . " "Yes, I c o u l d tell t h a t from t h e b e g i n n i n g . " H e r voice was low and weary. T h o u g h my b a c k was turned, I sensed h e r approach. I felt her warm b r e a t h against t h e b a c k of my n e c k . " T h a t ' s why I n e v e r tried to use t h a t sort of persuasion w i t h you. You'd only h a v e seen through it,

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resented it. You're an unusual m a n , G o r d i a n u s . I'm n o t used to s u c h strength, s u c h i n t e g r i t y — y e s , just as C i c e r o said. Lucky B e t h e s d a ! So I never c o n s i d e r e d seducing you, G o r d i a n u s . I r e j e c t e d t h e t h o u g h t , k n o w ing it would o n l y offend you. E v e n t h o u g h I was t e m p t e d , m o r e t h a n once . • • I t o o k a deep b r e a t h a n d turned to face her. T h e expression on h e r face was d e j e c t e d , p o i g n a n t , utterly c o n v i n c i n g . " C l o d i a . You are a remarkable w o m a n . You n e v e r give up, do you?" I e x p e c t e d a flash of anger or t h e h i n t of a smirk, but h e r expression only b e c a m e m o r e perplexed, m o r e pained. " R e m a r k a b l e ! " I whispered. I stepped past her, suddenly anxious to leave, t h i n k i n g t h a t I m i g h t yet do s o m e t h i n g I would later regret. B u t t h e doorway was filled by a tall, imposingly m u s c u l a r young m a n w h o stood w i t h his arms crossed, wearing o n l y a tiny l o i n c l o t h . Catullus's l a m p o o n was u n c a n n i l y , unerringly a c c u r a t e . E v e n as he m a d e a p o i n t of b l o c k i n g my e x i t , Egnatius the S p a n i a r d h a d a grin on his face. " W h o is this w o r m ? " he said. " S h o u l d I smash his face i n ? " " S h u t up, you f o o l , " growled C l o d i a . " G e t out o f his way." Egnatius stepped aside. As I passed I w r i n k l e d my n o s e . It was stale wine I s m e l l e d , b u t I p r e t e n d e d o t h e r w i s e . "Is t h a t urine on your b r e a t h ? " T h e S p a n i a r d ' s grin finally c r a c k e d .

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C

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B e l b o was waiting for me outside t h e front door. W i t h o u t a word I started walking down t h e street, t h e n realized I h a d no idea w h e r e t o go. G o i n g h o m e t o B e t h e s d a was out o f t h e question. I m i g h t have imposed on M e n e n i a , but w h a t would my daughter-in-law have t h o u g h t if I c a m e begging for a p l a c e to sleep in t h e middle of t h e n i g h t ? If o n l y E c o would c o m e b a c k . . . S u d d e n l y B e l b o grunted a n d pulled me aside. His alarm was caused by a figure w h o stood c o n c e a l e d in t h e shadows of a doorway. Poor B e l b o t h o u g h t t h e m a n m i g h t be a t h i e f or killer. I knew better. I s h o o k my h e a d , partly in disgust, partly in relief. " C a t u l l u s ! D o n ' t you h a v e any b e t t e r p l a c e to be at this t i m e of n i g h t ? " " N o . A n d n e i t h e r d o you, apparently." H e stepped from t h e doorway to show a face t h a t looked as haggard a n d p a i n e d as my final glimpse of C l o d i a ' s f a c e . W e stared a t e a c h o t h e r i n t h e m o o n l i g h t . " I h o p e I don't l o o k as w r e t c h e d as you d o , " said Catullus. "I was about to say t h e same t h i n g to y o u . " He m a n a g e d a c r o o k e d smile. " W h a t shall we d o ? " " W a i t for t h e sun to c o m e up, I suppose." " A n d u n t i l t h e n ? W h e r e shall w e g o ? " " W h e r e else?"

T h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern was doing great business o n t h e eve o f t h e festival. W e were lucky t o f i n d places t o sit.

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" I d o n ' t like t h e look o f this p l a c e , M a s t e r , " said B e l b o . " A h , but s o m e o f t h e girls s e e m t o like t h e looks o f you, big fellow," said C a t u l l u s . B e l b o looked around uncertainly. "I d o n ' t suppose we'll run i n t o M a r c u s C a e l i u s a n d his friends again." I surveyed t h e crowd through t h e a m b e r haze of lamplight a n d smoke. " H e r e ? In t h e middle of his t r i a l ? " C a t u l l u s barked a laugh. " N o t likely. D o n ' t you i m a g i n e he's h o m e w i t h papa a n d m a m a , h u m m i n g funeral dirges a n d l o o k i n g through his wardrobe for s o m e t h i n g suitably shabby to wear tomorrow? ' O h , Papa, I k n o w I'm supposed to l o o k downtrodden, b u t c a n I h e l p it if I look s t u n n i n g in everything?' " E v e n B e l b o c r a c k e d a smile. W i n e was brought. C a t u l l u s drank greedily a n d wiped his m o u t h . " W h a t were you doing in h e r h o u s e tonight, wearing n o t h i n g but a n old sleeping t u n i c ? " " C a t u l l u s , please! No more of this n o n s e n s e about h e r . . . a n d me. " T h e n why?" " T h e r e was s o m e unfinished business b e t w e e n u s . " " I n the middle of the night?" "It couldn't wait." H e s n o r t e d , t h e n c a l l e d t o t h e serving slave for m o r e t o d r i n k . I swirled t h e u n t o u c h e d w i n e in my c u p . " I f C a e l i u s is guilty of all those c r i m e s against t h e A l e x a n d r i a n envoys, isn't t h a t e n o u g h ? W h y would she feel c o m p e l l e d to manufacture n e w charges against h i m ? You know h e r b e t t e r t h a n I do. W o u l d she actually poison h e r s e l f in order t o make o t h e r s t h i n k t h a t C a e l i u s h a d poisoned h e r ? " "You're distracting m e w i t h riddles," grumbled Catullus. "It's C l o d i a w h o ' s driven us b o t h to d i s t r a c t i o n . " " L e s b i a ! " h e insisted. I stared at my w i n e a n d felt queasy. " I f I'm going to drink any of this, I'll n e e d t o c u t i t w i t h p l e n t y o f water." " W e l l , t h e n , we'll have t h e m a n f e t c h you s o m e fresh water from the Appian aqueduct!" "You m e a n t h e o n e t h a t her a n c e s t o r built for us?" I said. " E x a c t l y ! " C a t u l l u s smirked. " T h e n w e c a n h e a d out o n o n e o f t h e roads h e r a n c e s t o r s so thoughtfully laid down for u s — " " A n d pour a l i b a t i o n to a god in o n e of t h e temples they e r e c t e d for u s . " C a t u l l u s laughed. "I see she's given you t h e grand s p e e c h a b o u t t h e feats o f h e r a n c e s t o r s a n d t h e i r i n c o m p a r a b l e largesse. R o m e would still be a pigsty beside t h e T i b e r if it h a d n ' t b e e n for all t h o s e Appius C l a u d i i a t t h e dawn o f h i s t o r y . "

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" S o Clodia—Lesbia—seems to think." " B u t I'll wager she didn't tell you about t h e Appius Claudius who tried to rape V e r g i n i a . " " N o . A scandal?" " W e l l , it's n o t o n e o f those edifying a n c e s t o r legends t h e Clodii like to repeat to every stranger t h e y m e e t . B u t t h e story's just as true a n d it tells m o r e a b o u t L e s b i a t h a n all that crowing about aqueducts and roads." "Tell m e . " C a t u l l u s paused to h o l d out his cup to t h e serving slave, but provided s u c h a wobbly target t h a t t h e w i n e spilled all over t h e floor. "Perhaps you've h a d e n o u g h , " I said. "Perhaps you're r i g h t . " " W h a t I n e e d is a b e d under my b a c k . " C a t u l l u s burped a n d nodded. " M e , t o o . " " W h e r e are you staying i n t h e c i t y ? " "I keep s o m e rooms in a p l a c e up on t h e P a l a t i n e . Just a bed and s o m e b o o k s . D o you want t o g o t h e r e ? " "You'd share your b e d w i t h m e ? " "You wouldn't be t h e first!" Catullus laughed. " B r i n g along your slave to play w a t c h d o g . He c a n sleep on t h e floor in t h e a n t e r o o m and start barking if he hears you cry 'rape!' "

Catullus's p l a c e on t h e P a l a t i n e was as sparsely furnished as he h a d said. A g a i n s t o n e wall was a large sleeping c o u c h . A g a i n s t t h e o t h e r was a p i g e o n h o l e b o o k c a s e filled w i t h scrolls. He saw me squinting at t h e little tags in t h e d i m lamplight. " G r e e k poetry, mostly," h e e x p l a i n e d , taking off his toga. " B o o k s and bed. A l l a m a n n e e d s . A n y t h i n g m o r e would only distract from t h e e x p e r i e n c e . " " O f reading t h e b o o k s ? " " O r using t h e b e d . " H e slipped i n t o a t u n i c a n d fell b a c k o n t o the sleeping c o u c h . " C o m e o n , there's r o o m e n o u g h for t w o . T h o u g h I warn you, I ' m drunk e n o u g h t h a t I m i g h t a t t a c k y o u . " " I ' m an old m a n w i t h stiff j o i n t s and a grizzled b e a r d . " "Yes, b u t you smell irresistible." "What?" "You smell o f h e r p e r f u m e . " " A n d you s t i n k o f w i n e , Catullus. B e t t e r t h a n urine, I suppose." "What?" I told h i m briefly of my e n c o u n t e r with Egnatius, t h i n k i n g it would

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amuse h i m t h a t I h a d b e e n able to use s o m e t h i n g from his p o e m for my own parting s h o t , n o t realizing until I was well i n t o t h e story t h a t telling it was a m i s t a k e . " T h e n h e ' s w i t h h e r right n o w , " h e said, gritting his t e e t h . "Egnatius and L e s b i a . D a m n t h e m b o t h ! " "You started telling me a story at t h e t a v e r n , " I said, t h i n k i n g to distract h i m . " A story?" " A scandal a b o u t o n e o f h e r ancestors. A n Appius Claudius. N o t the builder o f t h e t e m p l e , o r t h e a q u e d u c t — " " O h yes, t h e o n e w h o tried t o rape Verginia. T h e o n l y a n c e s t o r they don't like to t a l k about. Yet he exemplifies t h e c u r r e n t g e n e r a t i o n better t h a n any of t h o s e virtuous paragons on t h e i r pedestals. You asked me if s h e would do s o m e t h i n g as m a d as p o i s o n i n g herself, just to spite a lover. Of course she would. It's in h e r b l o o d . " "Her blood?" " H e r e , I'll t e l l you t h e story. T h i s was long ago, in t h e first days of the republic, after t h e kings h a d b e e n t h r o w n down but before t h e patricians a n d p l e b e i a n s found a way to live t o g e t h e r in p e a c e . T h e chronology's r a t h e r vague to m e — I ' m a p o e t , n o t a h i s t o r i a n ! — b u t at some p o i n t a group of t e n s t r o n g m e n m a n a g e d to seize c o n t r o l of t h e state. T h e c a l l e d t h e m s e l v e s decemvirs a n d set off a reign of terror. For the good o f R o m e , o f c o u r s e — t o solve t h e c u r r e n t crisis, i n response t o the growing e m e r g e n c y , e t c e t e r a , e t c e t e r a . " " A n d A p p i u s Claudius was o n e o f these d e c e m v i r s ? " "Yes. N o w t h e r e was also in R o m e at this t i m e a beautiful young girl n a m e d V e r g i n i a , t h e daughter of Verginius. S h e was a virgin, b e trothed to a rising young p o l i t i c i a n . B u t o n e day Appius Claudius h a p pened to see h e r on h e r way to t h e girls' s c h o o l in t h e Forum a n d fell head over h e e l in lust for her. He followed h e r everywhere, in t h e streets and markets, trying to lure h e r away from t h e watchful eyes of h e r nurse, d e t e r m i n e d to seduce her. B u t Verginia was a virtuous girl a n d w a n t e d n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h t h e l e c h e r . S h e spurned h i m outright, but t h e m o r e she r e j e c t e d h i m , t h e m o r e d e t e r m i n e d h e was t o have her. " F i n a l l y he h a t c h e d a s c h e m e to get his h a n d s on her, if o n l y for long e n o u g h to give h e r a poke. He waited until her father was away on military duty, t h e n gave instructions to o n e of his lackeys, a m a n n a m e d M a r c u s . O n e m o r n i n g , w h e n Verginia was e n t e r i n g t h e Forum w i t h h e r nurse t o a t t e n d t h e girls' s c h o o l , M a r c u s a n d s o m e o f his m e n seized her. T h e p e o p l e a r o u n d were s h o c k e d a n d wanted t o k n o w what was h a p pening. M a r c u s said t h a t t h e girl was his slave and he was r e c l a i m i n g her. People k n e w perfectly well t h a t Verginia was t h e daughter of Ver-

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ginius, but t h e y also k n e w t h a t M a r c u s was Appius Claudius's lackey a n d t h e y were afraid of h i m , so w h e n he made s u c h a show of blustering a b o u t j u s t i c e a n d t h e law a n d his rights they allowed h i m to take Verginia off to t h e tribunal to d e c i d e t h e m a t t e r legally. " O f course t h e sole presiding judge was n o n e o t h e r t h a n the dec e m v i r A p p i u s Claudius. H i s lackey M a r c u s r e c i t e d a preposterous story t h a t V e r g i n i a was n o t Verginius's daughter at a l l — s h e was actually the daughter of o n e of his o w n slaves and h a d b e e n s t o l e n from his house as an infant a n d p a l m e d off on Verginius as his own flesh a n d blood. Marcus c l a i m e d he c o u l d produce t h e e v i d e n c e for all this later. T h e point was t h a t t h e girl was actually a slave, his slave, a n d he was reclaiming her as was his legal r i g h t . " U p o n t h e t r i b u n a l , Appius Claudius pretended t o consider all this as if h e ' d just h e a r d it for t h e first t i m e , w h e n of course he was the a u t h o r o f t h e plot. You c a n imagine h i m m o v i n g his lips along with M a r c u s as t h e m a n r e c i t e d t h e lines Appius h a d w r i t t e n for h i m ! Finally he declared t h a t o n l y a formal h e a r i n g c o u l d d e t e r m i n e t h e girl's status. V i r g i n i a ' s friends e x p l a i n e d that h e r father was away on military duty, b u t c o u l d be b a c k in R o m e t h e n e x t day. Appius Claudius agreed to hear t h e c a s e t h e n . In t h e m e a n t i m e , he ruled, t h e girl would r e m a i n in the custody o f M a r c u s . V e r g i n i a shrieked! T h e crowd shouted i n protest and t h e girl's nurse fainted dead away, but Appius Claudius p o i n t e d out that a c c o r d i n g to t h e law M a r c u s c o u l d n ' t be made to h a n d t h e girl over to t h e custody of anyone but h e r father, and s i n c e Verginius was n o t present, she would therefore have to r e m a i n in Marcus's custody until such time as h e r father arrived to c l a i m her. Verginia would be in Marcus's h a n d s — i n A p p i u s Claudius's power—for t h e w h o l e n i g h t t o c o m e . C a n ' t you see t h e fox l i c k i n g his c h o p s up on t h e t r i b u n a l , playing w i t h himself b e n e a t h his toga? " T h e ruling was crazy, and t h e r e was p l e n t y of m u t t e r i n g and ind i g n a t i o n , but n o b o d y ventured to speak o p e n l y against it. T h a t ' s how cowed t h e people were under t h e rule of t h e decemvirs. M a r c u s started t o leave t h e c o u r t , hustling t h e weeping Verginia along w i t h h i m . At this p o i n t Verginia's b e t r o t h e d young lover, t h e rising politician, arrived on t h e s c e n e , a n d delivered an outraged s p e e c h about how Appius C l a u d i u s was using t h e law to make slaves of everyone in R o m e just for t h e purpose of satisfying his own lust. He would die himself, t h e young m a n vowed, before he would let his b e t r o t h e d spend a n i g h t away from h e r father's h o u s e . T h e girl was a virgin, a n d it was a virgin he i n t e n d e d to marry. " H e stirred t h e crowd to a frenzy. Appius Claudius called for armed lictors to keep order, a n d t h r e a t e n e d to have t h e young orator arrested

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for starting a r i o t . B u t to keep t h e situation from getting c o m p l e t e l y out of hand, Appius Claudius agreed to let t h e girl go h o m e w i t h h e r u n c l e for t h e n i g h t and m a d e t h e m a n post a huge b o n d in silver to make sure Verginia would show up for h e r h e a r i n g . " A t dawn t h e n e x t m o r n i n g t h e c i t y woke i n a fever o f e x c i t e m e n t . Verginius, b a c k from his military duty, appeared in t h e Forum leading his daughter by t h e h a n d — h e in mourning, she in rags, followed by all the w o m e n of t h e family m a k i n g l a m e n t a t i o n s . T h e r e was a trial, or something r e s e m b l i n g a trial, w i t h e a c h of t h e sides presenting arguments and Appius Claudius presiding as sole judge. E v i d e n c e and c o m m o n sense c o u n t e d for n o t h i n g . T h e verdict was decided before t h e trial b e g a n . As s o o n as t h e arguments were finished, Appius Claudius a n n o u n c e d that V e r g i n i a was t h e slave of M a r c u s , n o t t h e daughter of Verginius. Marcus was free to c l a i m his property. " T h e crowd was stupefied. N o b o d y uttered a word. M a r c u s b e g a n pushing his way t h r o u g h t h e crowd, h e a d i n g for Verginia. T h e w o m e n around h e r burst i n t o tears. Verginius s h o o k his fist at Appius a n d c r i e d out, 'I m e a n t my daughter for a bridal bed, n o t for your b r o t h e l ! No m a n who owns a sword will put up w i t h this sort of outrage!' " A p p i u s C l a u d i u s was prepared for this. H e ' d received alarming reports o f a n uprising being p l a n n e d against t h e decemvirs, h e c l a i m e d , and so just h a p p e n e d to h a v e a troop of armed lictors on h a n d to keep order. He c a l l e d t h e m out a n d told t h e m to draw t h e i r swords and c l e a r the way so t h a t M a r c u s c o u l d c l a i m his property. A n y o n e w h o o b s t r u c t e d this a c t of j u s t i c e would be killed on t h e spot as a disturber of t h e p e a c e . Marcus strode forward through t h e c o r d o n of steel and laid his hands on Verginia. "Verginius finally s e e m e d to lose heart. W i t h tears in his eyes he called to Appius Claudius: 'Perhaps I have b e e n terribly mistaken all t h e s e years. Yes, perhaps you're right and t h e girl isn't really my daughter after all. L e t me take t h e c h i l d and h e r nurse aside for just o n e m o m e n t so t h a t I c a n talk to t h e m b o t h privately. If I c a n r e c o n c i l e myself to this mistake, I c a n give h e r up w i t h o u t v i o l e n c e . ' Appius granted this request, t h o u g h in retrospect o n e has to wonder why. Perhaps he wanted to savor t h e actual m o m e n t o f acquiring t h e girl, o f seeing h e r fall i n t o M a r c u s ' s c l u t c h e s , a n d didn't m i n d an e x c u s e for s t r e t c h i n g out t h e ordeal just a bit longer. "Verginius t o o k his daughter to a little street off t h e Forum. He ran i n t o a b u t c h e r ' s s h o p , grabbed a knife, and ran b a c k to Verginia. B e f o r e anyone c o u l d stop h i m , h e stabbed h e r i n t h e heart. S h e died i n his arms, convulsing a n d spitting blood, w h i l e he stroked h e r hair and whispered to h e r over a n d over, 'It was t h e only way to set you free, my c h i l d ,

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t h e o n l y way.' He staggered b a c k i n t o t h e Forum carrying h e r body. The crowd parted for h i m , s t u n n e d i n t o s i l e n c e , so t h a t Verginius's cries e c h o e d through t h e F o r u m . ' T h i s b l o o d is on your hands, Appius Claudius! T h e curse of my virgin daughter's b l o o d is on your head!' " C a t u l l u s fell s i l e n t . I stared i n t o t h e darkness above us. " Q u i t e a story," I finally said. " W h a t h a p p e n e d n e x t ? " "Verginius a n d t h e young m a n w h o was to have b e e n his son-inlaw led an uprising. T h e decemvirs were brought down. Appius Claudius was arrested." "Was he punished?" " H e killed h i m s e l f i n prison, awaiting t r i a l . " " N o wonder t h e C l o d i i d o n ' t brag about h i m . B u t I don't see how t h e story relates to your L e s b i a . " " D o n ' t you? You s e e , there's this particular strain of madness in t h e i r b l o o d . Yes, t h e C l o d i i have a h e r i t a g e of building, creating, rising to glory a n d t r i u m p h . B u t there's also this o t h e r aspect, this unwholesome t e n d e n c y to obsess, this inability to see beyond a t h i n g they desire but c a n n o t h a v e . If t h e y c o m e to want a t h i n g , they'll do anything to get it. A n y t h i n g ! A n d i f t h e i r skewed j u d g m e n t takes t h e m down t h e wrong p a t h , d o n ' t e x p e c t t h e m t o realize t h e error and turn b a c k . O h n o , o n c e set u p o n it, t h e y ' l l run t h e course, even straight i n t o disaster. A n d all i n t h e n a m e o f love! T h e y ' l l wager everything o n t h e slim c h a n c e that w h e n t h e d i c e are cast t h e y ' l l score t h e Venus T h r o w . " " A r e you sure you're speaking of C l o d i a ? Or c o u l d it be yourself you're describing, C a t u l l u s ? " He was s i l e n t for a long m o m e n t . "I suppose I wouldn't love her as I do if we w e r e n ' t alike in c e r t a i n ways." He was quiet t h e n for so long that I t h o u g h t he must have fallen asleep, until h e murmured, " C i c e r o speaks t o m o r r o w . " "What?" " A t the trial." "Yes." " S h e should have k n o w n b e t t e r t h a n to take h i m o n . C i c e r o is a dangerous m a n . " "I know. I saw w h a t he did to C a t i l i n a w h e n he made up his mind to destroy h i m . A l l it t o o k were words." " C l o d i a t h i n k s everything c o m e s down t o bodies, and s e x . S h e d o e s n ' t understand t h e power of words. It's why she t h i n k s my poetry is w e a k . " He was quiet, t h e n said, " C i c e r o was in love w i t h h e r o n c e . Did you k n o w t h a t ? " "I o n c e h e a r d a very vague rumor of s o m e such t h i n g , but it sounded like n o n s e n s e t o m e . C i c e r o , i n love w i t h anyone but h i m s e l f ? "

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"Infatuated, anyway. He was great friends with h e r husband, Q u i n tus. Always visiting t h e i r house, b a c k w h e n Q u i n t u s was alive a n d t h e p l a c e was . . . well, r e s p e c t a b l e e n o u g h for a m a n like C i c e r o to feel at h o m e . C l o d i a was a lot m o r e restrained b a c k t h e n ; more discreet, anyway. I t h i n k s h e r a t h e r liked h a v i n g to carry on h e r affairs b e h i n d s o m e o n e else's b a c k — t h e s e c r e t m e e t i n g s , t h e danger o f getting caught, t h e wicked thrill o f c u c k o l d i n g h e r husband. A n d o f course, a married w o m a n c a n simply turn h e r b a c k o n a lover t h e m o m e n t she tires o f h i m . . . " " B u t C i c e r o ? Preposterous. H e despises people like h e r . " " A r e t h e r e o t h e r people like C l o d i a ? " "You k n o w w h a t I m e a n . " "Perhaps he despises h e r now, but b a c k t h e n . . . this was during t h e worst part of C l o d i a ' s marriage, t h e last few years before Q u i n t u s died, w h e n t h e t w o o f t h e m fought all t h e t i m e , even i n front o f company. Especially i n front o f company. T h e y fought about e v e r y t h i n g — C l o d i a ' s affairs, h e r b r o t h e r ' s career, m o n e y , politics. I've always t h o u g h t that's w h a t intrigued C i c e r o — s e e i n g h e r a t h e r most argumentative. H e c o u l d ignore t h e fact t h a t she was beautiful, but she was also clever a n d sharptongued. A voluptuous b e a u t y w h o c o u l d argue a m a n like Q u i n t u s i n t o t h e g r o u n d — w e l l , C i c e r o developed quite a fascination for her. T h a t happens t o m e n like h i m s o m e t i m e s , w h o keep t h e i r natural appetites all b o t t l e d up. S u d d e n l y they find themselves madly in love w i t h t h e most inappropriate person. I suspect C l o d i a was a bit intrigued by h i m — t h e perverse a t t r a c t i o n of opposites. I'm n o t sure w h e t h e r t h e y ever did a n y t h i n g a b o u t it. S h e told me t h e y did, but I figured she was just lying to hurt m e . T h i s was years ago, but it makes h i m all t h e m o r e dangerous to h e r n o w . " " D a n g e r o u s ? " I said, n o t quite sure w h a t he m e a n t . I was g e t t i n g very sleepy. " M e n like C i c e r o d o n ' t like t o dwell o n that sort o f memory. T h e y see it as weakness. T h e y prefer to stamp it o u t . " I tried to i m a g i n e C i c e r o as a l o v e r — p r i m , dyspeptic C i c e r o — b u t I was t o o sleepy to make t h e m e n t a l effort, or t o o afraid it would give m e bad dreams. " T o m o r r o w — o h , n o , light's c o m i n g through t h e shutters. T h e sky's b e g i n n i n g t o l i g h t e n already," Catullus groaned. " N o t tomorrow, t h e n : today. Today t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival begins, and down in t h e F o r u m , s o m e o n e will b e destroyed." " H o w c a n you b e c e r t a i n ? " He tapped his e a r l o b e . " T h e gods whisper in a poet's ear. Today, s o m e o n e will b e publicly a n n i h i l a t e d . H u m i l i a t e d . R u i n e d forever." "You m e a n M a r c u s C a e l i u s . "

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"Do I?" " W h o else?" He s t r e t c h e d his body in a paroxysm of yawning. " T h i n g s could go o n e way or t h e o t h e r . E v e n t h e gods will have to wait and s e e . " " W h a t do you m e a n ? " I murmured. T h e n I must have fallen asleep or else C a t u l l u s did, b e c a u s e I n e v e r heard h i m answer.

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P A R T

F

NEXUS

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O

U

R

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

W

E

N

T

Y

-

F

O

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R

After a fitful h o u r or t w o of sleep I o p e n e d my eyes. M o r n i n g light was c r e e p i n g in around t h e shuttered windows, b u t 1 t h i n k it was Catullus's snoring t h a t woke m e . I c r e p t to t h e a n t e r o o m , k i c k e d B e l b o awake, a n d t o l d h i m to run h o m e as fast as he could and f e t c h my b e s t toga. He was b a c k before I h a d finished washing my f a c e . "I suppose s o m e o n e was m i n d i n g t h e door," I said, w h i l e h e h e l p e d m e dress. "Yes, M a s t e r . " " W a s t h e r e any word o f E c o ? " "No, Master." "Nothing at all?" "Nothing, Master." " W a s your mistress u p ? " "Yes, M a s t e r . " " W h a t did s h e h a v e t o say? A n y message for m e ? " " N o , M a s t e r . S h e didn't say a word. B u t she l o o k e d — " "Yes, B e l b o ? " " S h e looked m o r e displeased t h a n usual, M a s t e r . " " D i d she? C o m e , B e l b o , we'll n e e d t o hurry t o c a t c h t h e start o f t h e trial. I ' m sure we c a n find s o m e t h i n g to eat on t h e way. T h e r e ' l l be p l e n t y of vendors out for t h e festival." As we were leaving, C a t u l l u s appeared from t h e b e d r o o m , l o o k i n g haggard and bleary-eyed. He assured m e h e would b e down a t t h e Forum before t h e trial started, but h e looked to me as if he would h a v e to be raised from t h e dead first.

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B e l b o a n d I arrived just as t h e defense was b e g i n n i n g its arguments W i t h no slaves s e n t a h e a d to h o l d a c h a i r for m e , I found myself near t h e b a c k of t h e crowd, w h i c h was even larger t h a n t h e day before. I had t o stand o n tiptoes t o s e e , but I h a d n o trouble h e a r i n g . T h e well-trained orator's v o i c e o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s rang through t h e square. A s A t r a t i n u s , t h e youngest o f t h e prosecutors, h a d begun t h e i r case t h e day before, so young C a e l i u s b e g a n his own defense; as Atratinus h a d dwelled on t h e defendant's c h a r a c t e r , so did C a e l i u s . W a s this the morally depraved, s e n s a t i o n - s e e k i n g , t o o - h a n d s o m e young murderer that t h e p r o s e c u t i o n h a d portrayed? O n e would n e v e r have k n o w n it from C a e l i u s ' s a p p e a r a n c e a n d m a n n e r . He was dressed in a toga so old and faded t h a t e v e n a p o o r m a n m i g h t have thrown it out. It must have c o m e from a musty c h e s t in his father's storage r o o m . His m a n n e r was as h u m b l e as his c l o t h e s were shabby. T h e fiery young orator famous for his rapid delivery and biting invectives spoke on this day in a c a l m , measured, thoughtful c a d e n c e , oozing w i t h respect for t h e judges. H e declared h i m s e l f i n n o c e n t o f all charges; these horrible, spurious a c c u s a t i o n s h a d b e e n lodged against h i m by people w h o had o n c e b e e n his friends but were now his e n e m i e s , and t h e i r o n l y goal was to destroy h i m for t h e i r personal satisfaction. A m a n c o u l d hardly be b l a m e d for t h e t r e a c h e r y of false friends; still, C a e l i u s regretted his poor j u d g m e n t in ever h a v i n g associated w i t h such people, for he could see t h e pain and suffering it h a d caused his father a n d m o t h e r , w h o were w i t h h i m again today, dressed in m o u r n i n g a n d barely c o n t r o l l i n g their tears. H e regretted, t o o , t h e burden t h a t t h e trial h a d p l a c e d o n his loyal friends, b e l o v e d m e n t o r s a n d trusted advocates, M a r c u s Crassus a n d M a r cus C i c e r o , t w o truly great R o m a n s whose e x a m p l e h e h a d admittedly failed to live up to, but to w h o m he would turn again for renewed inspiration w h e n this ordeal h a d passed, provided t h e judges in their wisdom saw fit to give h i m t h a t c h a n c e . C a e l i u s was deferential but n o t servile; m o d e s t b u t n o t cringing; a d a m a n t about his i n n o c e n c e , but n o t self-righteous; saddened b y t h e wickedness o f his e n e m i e s but n o t v i n d i c t i v e . H e was t h e m o d e l o f a n upstanding citizen falsely accused a n d confidently l o o k i n g to t h e revered i n s t i t u t i o n s o f t h e law t o give h i m j u s t i c e . I felt a tap on my shoulder a n d turned to see t h e b l o o d s h o t eyes of C a t u l l u s . "I d o n ' t suppose I've missed m u c h b l o o d and gore y e t , " he said. " M i l k a n d h o n e y is m o r e like i t , " quipped a m a n nearby. " T h i s fellow C a e l i u s wouldn't h a r m a fly!" T h e r e was a ripple of laughter, t h e n a round of shushing from t h o s e w h o wanted to h e a r every word of t h e speech.

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" M i l k c a n c u r d l e , " Catullus whispered in my ear, "and s o m e t i m e s you find a b e e drowned in t h e honey, w i t h its stinger i n t a c t . " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " C a e l i u s fights b e t t e r w i t h a sword t h a n w i t h a shield. W a i t and listen." S u r e e n o u g h , t h e t o n e of Caelius's s p e e c h b e g a n to c h a n g e , as if, having g o t t e n t h e necessary business o f h u m b l i n g h i m s e l f out o f t h e way, it was t i m e for h i m to go on t h e offensive. T h e shift was so gradual, t h e insinuations of sarcasm so subtle, t h a t it was impossible to say e x a c t l y w h e n t h e s p e e c h was transformed from a m e e k protestation of i n n o c e n c e into a b i t i n g invective against his accusers. He attacked t h e speeches t h a t had b e e n m a d e against h i m , p o i n t i n g out t h e i r r e l i a n c e o n hearsay a n d c i r c u m s t a n t i a l e v i d e n c e , t h e i r lapses o f logic, t h e i r obvious i n t e n t t o b e s m i r c h his c h a r a c t e r . T h e prosecutors were m a d e t o l o o k n o t just v i n d i c t i v e , b u t p e t t y as well, and slightly absurd, n o t least because C a e l i u s h i m s e l f m a n a g e d t o m a i n t a i n a n aura o f i m p e c c a b l e dignity w h i l e h e insulted t h e i r logic and motives and assaulted t h e m w i t h vicious puns. " S t i n g e r s i n t h e h o n e y , " whispered Catullus. " H o w did you k n o w ? " He shrugged. "You forgot how well I k n o w C a e l i u s . I c o u l d lay o u t t h e e n t i r e course of his s p e e c h for you. For e x a m p l e , h e ' l l be turning to her n e x t . " He looked toward t h e b e n c h where C l o d i a sat, and t h e sardonic smile on his lips faded until he looked as grim as she did. S u r e e n o u g h , C a e l i u s proceeded to make a veiled a t t a c k on C l o d i a , t h o u g h n o t b y n a m e . B e h i n d t h e prosecution and its sham arguments, he said, t h e r e was a c e r t a i n person i n t e n t on doing h i m h a r m — n o t t h e o t h e r way around, as s h e h a d charged. T h e judges would k n o w w h o m h e m e a n t — " C l y t e m n e s t r a - f o r - a - q u a d r a n s . " T h e crude j o k e , implying t h a t C l o d i a was b o t h a husband-killer and a c h e a p whore, e l i c i t e d a wave of raucous laughter. W h e r e h a d I heard it before? " I m a k e n o c l a i m t o being ignorant o f t h e lady," said C a e l i u s . "Yes, I k n o w h e r — o r k n e w h e r — q u i t e well. To my discredit, alas, and to my dismay. B u t little to my profit; s o m e t i m e s C o s in t h e dining r o o m turns out t o b e N o l a i n t h e b e d r o o m . " T h i s e l i c i t e d m o r e laughter and e v e n some appreciative applause. T h e pun was multiple and all t h e m o r e stinging for its wicked intricacy. C o s suggested t h e island from w h i c h C l o d i a ' s transparent silks had c o m e , and therefore t h e o p e n , vulgar allure of sex; N o l a was famous for its impregnable fortress, w h i c h had resisted n o t just H a n n i b a l but a siege by C l o d i a ' s own father. C o s also p u n n e d w i t h coitus, s e x , and N o l a w i t h nolo, or no s e x . In o t h e r words, w h a t t h e lady lewdly promised at d i n n e r was later frigidly w i t h h e l d in t h e

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b e d r o o m . W i t h a single turn of phrase, and w i t h o u t saying anything e x p l i c i t , C a e l i u s h a d m a n a g e d to suggest t h a t C l o d i a was n o t just a temptress b u t a tease (likely to give p o o r value even for a quadrans!), to suggest t h a t he h a d n e v e r actually slept w i t h her, a n d to r e m i n d t h e court o f o n e o f h e r father's military defeats, t h e siege o f N o l a . A f t e r a moment's pause t h e r e was a n o t h e r smattering of applause, as m o r e listeners realized just w h a t a g e m of c o m p r e s s i o n C a e l i u s h a d delivered. C a t u l l u s didn't laugh or applaud, I n o t i c e d . " W i c k e d l y clever," I said, w o n d e r i n g if he h a d missed t h e pun. " T h a n k y o u , " he m u t t e r e d , apparently n o t listening. His eyes were o n C l o d i a , w h o looked distinctly u n c o m f o r t a b l e . C a t u l l u s smiled sadly. C a e l i u s e x p a n d e d on t h e metaphor. Just as a m a n could be in the v i c i n i t y o f N o l a w i t h o u t b r e a c h i n g h e r walls ( m o r e laughter from those finally g e t t i n g t h e j o k e ) , s o o n e c o u l d b e i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f Neapolis o r P u t e o l i w i t h o u t b e i n g guilty of staging an a t t a c k on foreign visitors; or take an i n n o c e n t stroll across t h e Palatine at n i g h t w i t h o u t dropping in to murder an ambassador. " H a s it c o m e to t h i s ? " said C a e l i u s . " N o t guilt by a s s o c i a t i o n , but guilt by geographical proximity? S h a l l a man's enemies follow his footsteps, n o t e any c r i m e s w h i c h h a p p e n to take p l a c e in t h e i m m e d i a t e area, a n d t h e n a c c u s e h i m s o t h a t h e has n o alibi? I t seems hardly c r e d i b l e t h a t e v e n t h e most inept of advocates could e x p e c t a p a n e l o f R o m a n judges t o take this k i n d o f ' e v i d e n c e ' seriously. A s sumptions should be based on w h a t is seen, n o t unseen; k n o w n , n o t m e r e l y 'suspected.' " He pulled a small o b j e c t from t h e folds of his toga. A few spectators in t h e front rows laughed out loud w h e n t h e y saw w h a t it was. "For i n s t a n c e , " he w e n t o n , h o l d i n g up t h e o b j e c t so t h a t it glinted in t h e sunlight, " w h e n o n e sees a simple little pyxis s u c h as this, w h a t does o n e assume t h a t it c o n t a i n s ? A m e d i c i n a l u n g u e n t of some sort, or a c o s m e t i c powder, or a perfume infused i n t o wax, p e r h a p s — t h e sort of t h i n g t h a t anybody m i g h t take along to t h e b a t h s . Or so a reasonable p e r s o n m i g h t assume. A person of a m o r e m o r b i d state of m i n d might guess t h a t s o m e t h i n g else was in t h e b o x — p o i s o n , perhaps. Especially if t h a t p e r s o n was h e r s e l f well a c q u a i n t e d w i t h using p o i s o n . " F r o m my d i s t a n t v a n t a g e , t h e r e was no way I c o u l d be sure of w h a t t h e pyxis looked like. It must have b e e n o n l y my i m a g i n a t i o n t h a t perceived it to be made o f bronze, w i t h little raised k n o b s a n d inlays o f ivory t h a t c a u g h t t h e s u n l i g h t — i d e n t i c a l t o t h e pyxis t h a t Caelius's confederate L i c i n i u s h a d brought t o t h e S e n i a n b a t h s , a n d t h a t h a d b e e n left, filled w i t h s o m e t h i n g u n s p e a k a b l e , on C l o d i a ' s doorstep as she lay p o i s o n e d in h e r h o u s e . M o r e laughter spread through t h e crowd. I looked at C l o d i a . H e r eyes were aflame a n d h e r jaw like granite.

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" A n i m a g i n a t i o n o f a particularly lewd b e n t m i g h t imagine s o m e thing e v e n m o r e outrageous i n such a n i n n o c e n t little p y x i s — a t o k e n of spent desire, perhaps, deposited by a frustrated lover weary of trying t o s h i m m y u p N o l a ' s w a l l s . " A t this t h e r e were outright h o o t s o f laughter. S o m e h o w t h e story o f t h e pyxis a n d its o b s c e n e c o n t e n t s must already have spread t h r o u g h t h e city. W h o h a d repeated such a scandalous s t o r y — a slave i n C l o d i a ' s h o u s e h o l d ? O r t h e m a n w h o h a d s e n t h e r t h e b o x ? It was c l e a r from t h e l o o k on C l o d i a ' s face t h a t Caelius's brazen allusion to t h e i n d e c e n t gift h a d t a k e n h e r c o m p l e t e l y by surprise, a n d t h e c a l l o u s a m u s e m e n t o f t h e spectators appalled h e r e v e n m o r e . C a e l i u s , n e v e r o n c e l o o k i n g at her, put t h e pyxis away and smiled blandly. " M a s t e r ! " B e l b o tugged at my toga. " B e l b o , I ' m trying t o l i s t e n . " " B u t Master, he's here!" I turned about, prepared to snap at h i m , t h e n felt a surge of joy. N o t far away, at t h e edge of t h e crowd, E c o stood on his toes p e e r i n g i n t o t h e sea o f h e a d s . " B e l b o , you sharp-eyed lookout! C o m e , h e ' l l n e v e r spot us in this crowd. W e ' l l g o t o h i m . " "You're n o t leaving, are y o u ? " said Catullus. "I'll be b a c k . " " B u t t h e best i s yet t o c o m e . " " M e m o r i z e t h e j o k e s for m e , " I said. We c a m e u p o n E c o just as he was b e g i n n i n g to push his way i n t o t h e t h r o n g . H i s t u n i c was dirty a n d his brow pasted with sweat, as m i g h t be e x p e c t e d of a m a n w h o h a d just finished a hard ride up from P u t e o l i . His face was haggard but w h e n he saw us his eyes lit up and he m a n a g e d a weary smile. "Papa! N o , d o n ' t hug m e , please. I ' m filthy. A n d sore! I rode all n i g h t , k n o w i n g t h e trial must have already started. It's n o t over, is i t ? " " N o t yet. A n o t h e r full day o f s p e e c h e s — " " G o o d . Perhaps there's still t i m e , t h e n . " " T i m e for w h a t ? " " T o save M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " " I f he n e e d s s a v i n g , " I said, t h i n k i n g C a e l i u s was doing a pretty good j o b o f defending himself. " I f h e deserves t o b e saved." "I o n l y k n o w t h a t he doesn't deserve to be punished for D i o ' s murder." " W h a t are you saying?" " C a e l i u s d i d n ' t kill D i o . " "You're c e r t a i n ? "

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"Yes. I found t h e slave girl, Z o t i c a , t h e o n e w h o was w i t h D i o the n i g h t h e died . . . " " I f i t wasn't C a e l i u s a n d A s i c i u s , t h e n w h o ? " "I b r o u g h t t h e girl b a c k w i t h me . . ." E c o suddenly looked very tired. " T h e girl killed D i o ? " I frowned. W e h a d considered and rejected t h a t possibility already. "No." " B u t she knows w h o d i d ? " " N o t e x a c t l y . " W h y would E c o n o t look m e i n t h e eye? " A l l I c a n say is t h a t your i n t u i t i o n was right, Papa. T h e girl was t h e key." " W e l l ? W h a t did you f i n d o u t ? " "I t h i n k you'd b e t t e r talk to h e r yourself, Papa." T h e crowd b e h i n d us laughed at s o m e t h i n g , t h e n laughed again, louder. I looked over my shoulder. " C a e l i u s is just getting to t h e heart o f his s p e e c h . T h e n Crassus will speak, t h e n C i c e r o — " " S t i l l , I t h i n k you'd b e t t e r c o m e , Papa. Q u i c k l y , gets any further a l o n g . " " C a n ' t you just tell me what t h e girl told y o u ? " H i s face darkened. "I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t would be wouldn't b e fair." " T o w h o m , t h e slave girl?" " P l e a s e , Papa! C o m e w i t h m e . " T h e l o o k o n his m e . W h a t terrible s e c r e t h a d so unnerved my son, w h o c o r r u p t i o n a n d duplicity t h a t R o m e had to offer?

before t h e trial

wise, Papa. It

face c o n v i n c e d h a d s e e n all the

He h a d left t h e girl at his h o u s e in t h e S u b u r a . We walked t h e r e as q u i c k l y as we c o u l d , threading our way through streets crowded w i t h food vendors, acrobats a n d merry-makers. " W h e r e did you find h e r ? " I asked, stepping out of t h e way of a d r u n k e n b a n d o f gladiators c o m i n g u p t h e street. T h e y snarled a t B e l b o as t h e y passed. " I n o n e o f t h e hill towns o f t h e far side o f Vesuvius, miles from P u t e o l i . It t o o k s o m e l o o k i n g . First I h a d to find t h e b r o t h e l - k e e p e r who'd b o u g h t t h e a l l o t m e n t o f slaves t h a t included Z o t i c a . D o you have any idea h o w many e s t a b l i s h m e n t s like that there are down on t h e bay? O n e after a n o t h e r told me h e ' d n e v e r s e e n Z o t i c a , and t h e y all wanted a bribe just t o t e l l m e t h a t m u c h , a n d e v e n t h e n they all s e e m e d t o b e lying just to spite m e . F i n a l l y I found t h e m a n w h o ' d purchased her. B u t she'd b e e n useless to h i m , he said. ' W o r s e t h a n u s e l e s s — n o b o d y wants a girl

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with scars o n h e r , ' h e told m e , ' n o t e v e n t h e m e a n o n e s . ' Besides t h a t , she'd turned w i l d . " "Wild?" " T h a t ' s w h a t he calls it. I suppose a m a n like t h a t tends to see slaves in c o n d i t i o n s t h a t most of us don't, or n o t very often. H e r m i n d isn't quite r i g h t . M a y b e she was always a little addled; I d o n ' t know. I t h i n k she must h a v e b e e n treated well e n o u g h in C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e at t h e b e g i n n i n g , t h o u g h t h e o t h e r slaves t e n d e d t o p i c k o n her. T h e n D i o c a m e a l o n g . T h e girl was i n n o c e n t , naive, m a y b e e v e n a virgin. S h e h a d n o idea o f t h e kinds o f things t h a t D i o h a d i n m i n d for her. S h e c o u l d n ' t understand why h e w a n t e d t o punish h e r w h e n she'd d o n e n o t h i n g wrong. S h e kept quiet a b o u t it at first, t o o afraid of D i o to resist h i m , t o o a s h a m e d t o tell a n y o n e . W h e n she finally did c o m p l a i n t o t h e o t h e r slaves, s o m e o f t h e m tried t o i n t e r c e d e for her, but C o p o n i u s c o u l d n ' t b e b o t h e r e d . T h e n , after D i o was killed, C o p o n i u s c o u l d n ' t get rid of t h e girl fast e n o u g h . S i n c e t h e n she's b e e n traded from h a n d t o h a n d , abused, ill treated, u n w a n t e d . It must have s e e m e d like a n i g h t m a r e from w h i c h she c o u l d n ' t wake up. It's d o n e s o m e t h i n g t o h e r m i n d . S h e c a n b e perfectly lucid s o m e t i m e s , but t h e n . . . you'll see. It's made h e r unfit to be any k i n d of slave. W h e n I finally found h e r she was living in t h e fields outside a farmer's h o u s e . H e ' d b o u g h t h e r for a k i t c h e n slave a n d found h e r useless e v e n for t h a t . ' T h e girl's a s c r a t c h e r a n d a b i t e r , ' he told m e . ' S c r a t c h e s a n d bites for n o reason, like a n Egyptian c a t . E v e n b e a t i n g w o n ' t do any g o o d . ' No o n e around would buy her, so t h e farmer turned h e r l o o s e , like people do to old or crippled slaves, m a k i n g t h e m fend for t h e m s e l v e s . I didn't e v e n h a v e to pay for her. I just h a d to find her, a n d t h e n m a k e h e r c o m e w i t h m e . I t h o u g h t I'd gained h e r trust, but e v e n so s h e tried to run away t w i c e , first outside of P u t e o l i a n d t h e n again as we got c l o s e to R o m e this m o r n i n g . You see why it's t a k e n me so long to get h o m e . A n d I t h o u g h t you were sending me on an easy j o b , Papa!" " I f t h e girl told you w h a t we n e e d e d to know, maybe you should have let h e r g o . " D a r k n e s s shadowed his face again. " N o , Papa. I c o u l d n ' t just repeat h e r story to you. I h a d to bring h e r b a c k to R o m e , so you c o u l d h e a r h e r for yourself." M e n e n i a was waiting for us at t h e door, w i t h folded arms a n d an u n c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y sour l o o k on h e r f a c e . I t h o u g h t t h e l o o k must be for E c o , for h a v i n g brusquely rushed off to find me after dropping off t h e slave g i r l — y o u n g wives e x p e c t a b i t m o r e a t t e n t i o n from husbands arriving h o m e after a trip. B u t t h e n I realized t h a t t h e l o o k was a i m e d at m e . W h a t h a d I d o n e , e x c e p t quarrel w i t h m y wife and n o t c o m e h o m e

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last n i g h t ? M e n e n i a c o u l d n ' t possibly k n o w about t h a t a l r e a d y — o r could she? S o m e t i m e s I t h i n k t h a t t h e ground b e n e a t h t h e c i t y must be h o n e y c o m b e d w i t h t u n n e l s w h e r e messengers c o n s t a n t l y run b a c k and forth carrying s e c r e t c o m m u n i c a t i o n s b e t w e e n t h e w o m e n o f R o m e . E c o h a d l o c k e d t h e girl in a small storage r o o m off t h e k i t c h e n . At t h e sight of us, she j u m p e d up from t h e w o o d e n c h e s t w h e r e she'd been sitting a n d cowered against t h e wall. " I i m a g i n e she's f r i g h t e n e d o f B e l b o , " said E c o . I n o d d e d a n d s e n t h i m out o f t h e r o o m . T h e girl relaxed, but only a little. " T h e r e ' s n o t h i n g to be afraid of. I already e x p l a i n e d that to you, d i d n ' t I ? " said E c o , i n a v o i c e m o r e exasperated t h a n c o m f o r t i n g . U n d e r b e t t e r c i r c u m s t a n c e s , t h e slave girl Z o t i c a m i g h t have b e e n at least passably pretty. S h e was far t o o young for my taste, as flat and b o n y as a boy, but o n e c o u l d see t h e d e l i c a t e b e g i n n i n g s of a woman's face i n h e r h i g h c h e e k b o n e s a n d dark eyebrows. B u t now, w i t h her unwashed h a i r all sweaty a n d tangled a n d dark c i r c l e s b e n e a t h h e r eyes, it was h a r d to i m a g i n e h e r as t h e o b j e c t of anyone's desire. S h e certainly h a d n o p l a c e i n a b r o t h e l . S h e looked m o r e like o n e o f those furtive, a b a n d o n e d c h i l d r e n w h o h a u n t t h e city's streets l o o k i n g for scraps of food a n d run in packs like wild beasts. E c o sighed. " D i d you eat anything, Z o t i c a ? I told my wife to see t h a t you were f e d . " T h e girl s h o o k h e r h e a d . " I ' m t o o tired t o eat. I want t o s l e e p . " " S o do I. You c a n sleep soon. B u t n o w I want you to talk to someone." T h e girl looked a t m e warily. " T h i s is my father," E c o went o n , t h o u g h I wondered what t h e word c o u l d m e a n to t h e c h i l d , w h o h a d probably n e v e r k n o w n a father. "I w a n t you t o t e l l h i m w h a t you told m e . A b o u t t h e m a n w h o c a m e t o stay at your master's h o u s e h e r e in R o m e . " T h e very m e n t i o n o f D i o caused h e r t o shiver. " A b o u t how h e died, you m e a n ? " " N o t o n l y t h a t . I w a n t you to tell h i m e v e r y t h i n g . " T h e girl stared forlornly i n t o space. " I ' m s o tired. M y s t o m a c h hurts." " Z o t i c a , I b r o u g h t you h e r e so t h a t you c o u l d tell my father about Dio." "I n e v e r c a l l e d h i m t h a t . I n e v e r e v e n k n e w his n a m e until you told m e . " " H e c a m e to your master's house and stayed t h e r e for a t i m e . " " U n t i l h e d i e d , " s h e said dully.

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" H e abused y o u . " " W h y did t h e master let h i m ? I didn't t h i n k t h e master knew, but he did. He just didn't c a r e . T h e n I was spoiled and he h a d to get rid of m e . N o w n o o n e has any use for m e . " " L o o k a t h e r wrists, Papa. T h e rope cut t h e m s o badly t h a t you c a n still see t h e s c a r s . " "It's b e c a u s e I pulled at t h e m , " t h e girl murmured, rubbing at h e r wrists. " H e tied t h e m s o tight, t h e n put m e over t h e h o o k . " " T h e h o o k ? " I said. " T h e r e were m e t a l h o o k s in t h e walls in his r o o m . H e ' d tie my wrists and lift up my arms and trap me on t h e h o o k , so my toes barely t o u c h e d t h e floor. My wrists would b l e e d . T h e rope would twist up e v e n tighter w h e n h e ' d turn m e around. H e would use m e from t h e front, t h e n t h e b a c k . B e a t and p i n c h and prod. S t u f f things i n m y m o u t h t o keep m e q u i e t . " "You should see t h e scars, Papa, but I'd be ashamed to m a k e h e r lift up h e r dress to show you. You realize she's talking about D i o . " E c o looked at me accusingly, as if I were responsible for t h e secret vices of a m a n I'd admired for so many years. My face turned h o t . " A h o o k , " I whispered. "What?" "A hook." "Yes, Papa, i m a g i n e i t ! " " N o , E c o , it's s o m e t h i n g else . . . " "Yes, there's m o r e . G o o n , Z o t i c a . Tell h i m about t h a t f i n a l night." "No." "You have t o . A f t e r that, we'll leave you a l o n e , I promise. You c a n sleep for as long as you w a n t . " T h e girl shuddered. " H e c a m e in dressed . . ." S h e made a miserable face and shrugged. " L i k e a w o m a n , I suppose. He looked awful. He m a d e me c o m e to his r o o m . He made me take off my gown. ' U s e it for a rag,' he said. " W i p e off this silly m a k e u p . ' He sat in a c h a i r while I c l e a n e d his f a c e . H e kept stopping m e , fondling m e , sliding his h a n d b e t w e e n my legs, m a k i n g me b e n d o v e r — a c t i n g just like always." T h e girl s h o o k h e r h e a d a n d hugged herself. " B u t t h e n he pushed me away. He m a d e a face and grabbed his s t o m a c h . H e crawled o n t o his bed and m a d e m e lie n e x t t o h i m . B e c a u s e h e was c o l d , h e said. B u t h e felt h o t t o m e . H e pressed h i m s e l f against me naked a n d I felt like I was being burned wherever he t o u c h e d m e . T h e n h e started shivering, s o m u c h t h a t his t e e t h c h a t t e r e d , and h e m a d e m e f e t c h h i m m o r e blankets. H e told m e t o lower t h e lamp b e c a u s e

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t h e light hurt his eyes. He tried to get up from t h e b e d but he was too dizzy. I asked h i m if I should go for h e l p , but he told me n o t to. He was afraid. M o r e afraid t h a n I'd ever s e e n anybody, e v e n a slave about to be whipped. So afraid I almost stopped hating h i m . He covered h i m s e l f with t h e b l a n k e t s a n d rocked b a c k and forth o n t h e bed, c l u t c h i n g himself b i t i n g h i s h a n d s . I stood across t h e r o o m as far away as I could, hugging myself b e c a u s e I was naked a n d it was c o l d . T h e n he turned on his side a n d v o m i t e d on t h e floor. It was awful. He c l o s e d his eyes and wheezed a n d gasped for air. T h e n he was quiet. A f t e r a while I s h o o k h i m , but he w o u l d n ' t wake up. I just sat t h e r e on t h e bed, looking at h i m for a long t i m e , afraid to m o v e . T h e n it was over." " W h a t d o you m e a n , over?" S h e looked me in t h e eye for t h e first t i m e . " H e died. I saw him die." " H o w c o u l d you be sure?" " H i s w h o l e body suddenly s h o o k w i t h a terrible fit. He opened his eyes a n d his m o u t h gaped o p e n , like he was going to scream, but nothing c a m e o u t e x c e p t a h o r r i b l e rattle. I j u m p e d up from t h e bed and stood against t h e wall. He s e e m e d to have turned to s t o n e just like that, with his eyes a n d m o u t h wide o p e n . A f t e r a w h i l e I walked over to h i m and put my ear to his c h e s t . T h e r e was no h e a r t b e a t . If you'd seen his eyes— a n y o n e would k n o w t h e y were t h e eyes of a dead m a n . " " B u t t h e stab w o u n d s , " I said. " T h e window b r o k e n o p e n , and the room a shambles—" " L e t h e r finish, P a p a . " E c o nodded t o t h e girl. " I didn't k n o w w h a t t o d o . " H e r jaw quivered a n d she wiped her eyes. " A l l I c o u l d t h i n k was t h a t t h e master would b l a m e m e , a n d punish m e . He would t h i n k t h a t I killed t h e old m a n somehow. So I c l e a n e d up t h e v o m i t — I used my gown, t h e o n e h e ' d already made me use for a rag to c l e a n his f a c e . T h e n I crept out of t h e r o o m . " " W h e r e t h e door slave P h i l o saw you in t h e hallway," I said. "Naked a n d weeping, c l u t c h i n g your gown. H e t h o u g h t D i o h a d finished with you early. B u t D i o was already dead. D i d you tell your m a s t e r ? " S h e shivered and s h o o k h e r h e a d . " B u t why n o t ? " " A l l t h a t n i g h t I lay awake in t h e slave quarters, t h i n k i n g about w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d . T h e master would t h i n k I h a d poisoned t h e old m a n . I didn't! B u t t h e m a s t e r would t h i n k I did, a n d what would he do to m e ? I c r i e d a n d c r i e d , w h i l e t h e o t h e r slaves hissed at me to be quiet a n d go to sleep. B u t h o w c o u l d I sleep? T h e n t h e r e was an awful c o m m o t i o n from t h e old m a n ' s r o o m . T h e w h o l e house c a m e awake. T h e y ' d

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broken i n t o t h e r o o m and found h i m . N o w they'll c o m e to m e , I t h o u g h t . T h e y ' l l kill m e , right h e r e and now! My h e a r t pounded in my c h e s t so hard I t h o u g h t I'd d i e . " S h e let o u t a sob, t h e n twisted h e r lips into a crooked smile. " B u t s o m e t h i n g amazing h a d h a p p e n e d . T h e y didn't b l a m e m e a t all. T h e y t h o u g h t t h e old m a n had b e e n stabbed t o death. Killers had b r o k e n i n t o his r o o m after I left h i m , they said, and cut h i m up with knives. I didn't know w h a t to t h i n k . B u t t h e master never b l a m e d m e , so I never told anybody w h a t h a d happened. W i t h t h e old m a n dead, I t h o u g h t everything would be like it was b e f o r e . " T h e smile vanished. " B u t instead everything c h a n g e d . T h e master sold m e . Everything just got m o r e and more awful . . . " "You're safe n o w , " said E c o gently. T h e girl sagged against t h e wall and closed h e r eyes. "Please d o n ' t make m e talk anymore. I f only I could sleep . . . " " N o m o r e t a l k , " E c o agreed. " S t a y h e r e for now. O n e o f t h e slaves will c o m e to show you where you c a n s l e e p . " We left h e r weeping softly and m u t t e r i n g to herself, h e r face pressed against t h e wall as if she could s o m e h o w m e l t into it. I followed E c o i n t o t h e garden. " W h a t does it m e a n ? " " I t m e a n s t h a t D i o was poisoned, Papa." "But the stabbing—" " H e was stabbed after he was already dead. You remarked yourself how little b l o o d t h e r e seems to have b e e n for so many wounds, how t h e wounds were all c l o s e t o g e t h e r in his c h e s t and there was no sign t h a t he put up a struggle. B e c a u s e he was already d e a d . " " B u t s o m e o n e broke i n t o t h e r o o m t h a t night and scattered everyt h i n g about. S o m e o n e stabbed h i m . W h y ? " "Perhaps it was T i t u s C o p o n i u s himself, because he didn't w a n t it to get out t h a t D i o was poisoned under his roof, and he wanted to make t h e d e a t h l o o k like t h e work of assassins. B u t that's n o t really t h e p o i n t , is i t ? " " W h a t d o you m e a n , E c o ? " " T h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g is t h a t D i o was p o i s o n e d . " " B u t how? W h e r e ? B y w h o m ? W e k n o w t h a t h e would t o u c h n o food in C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e . A n d only a short t i m e before, he left my house w i t h a full s t o m a c h ! As cautious as he was, he wouldn't h a v e e a t e n anything else t h a t n i g h t . " "Exactly, Papa." " E c o , say w h a t you m e a n ! " "You n e e d n ' t shout, Papa. You must be t h i n k i n g t h e same t h i n g . "

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I stopped p a c i n g . We stared at e a c h o t h e r . " P e r h a p s . " " T h e symptoms t h e girl described: if it was poison, what do you think—" " G o r g o n ' s h a i r , " I said. "Yes, I t h o u g h t t h e same t h i n g . S o m e t i m e ago I gave you some gorgon's h a i r for safekeeping. I didn't want t h e stuff in my house with t h e t w i n s . D o you r e m e m b e r ? " " O h y e s , " I said. My m o u t h was dry. " D o you still h a v e it? Is it still where you put i t ? " M y s i l e n c e gave h i m t h e answer. E c o nodded slowly. " T h e last meal D i o a t e was at your house, P a p a . " "Yes." " T h a t ' s where h e must have b e e n p o i s o n e d . " "No!" " D i d s o m e o n e use t h e gorgon's hair I gave you? Do you still have it or n o t ? " " C l o d i a ! " I whispered. " S h e wasn't pretending to be poisoned, t h e n . T h e gorgon's hair s h e showed m e could have c o m e from C a e l i u s , after all. C e r t a i n l y n o t from B e t h e s d a — n o t if t h e gorgon's h a i r in my house h a d already b e e n used . . . " " W h a t are you whispering, Papa?" " B u t C a e l i u s c o u l d n ' t have killed D i o , n o t if he was poisoned first. You're right, he's i n n o c e n t , o f t h a t c r i m e a t least . . . " " I c a n ' t h e a r you, P a p a . " E c o s h o o k his h e a d , tired and exasperated. " T h e only t h i n g I c a n ' t figure out is why anyone in your h o u s e h o l d would h a v e w a n t e d t o poison D i o i n t h e first p l a c e . W h o k n e w t h e m a n , m u c h less h a d any reason to w a n t h i m dead?" I t h o u g h t of my old Egyptian m e n t o r , w h o secretly liked to tie up young slave girls a n d abuse t h e m , and particularly liked to b i n d their wrists and h a n g t h e m on h o o k s . I r e m e m b e r e d t h e w o m e n in my garden, e x c h a n g i n g secrets about m e n w h o had raped t h e m w h e n they were young. I t h o u g h t of B e t h e s d a w h e n she had b e e n a slave in A l e x a n d r i a , and t h e powerful, respected master w h o had used h e r m o t h e r so cruelly t h a t he killed her, and would have done t h e same to B e t h e s d a if she h a d n ' t fought b a c k and found h e r s e l f c a r t e d off to t h e slave market instead, w h e r e a p o o r young R o m a n s m i t t e n by h e r beauty e m p t i e d his purse to pay for her, never dreaming he would take h e r b a c k to R o m e a n d m a k e h e r his wife, obliging h e r to serve d i n n e r to his guests and to give t h e first h e a p i n g p o r t i o n to an e s t e e m e d visitor such as D i o of Alexandria . . . I h a d said to her, You have deliberately deceived me! Do you deny it?

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A n d she had answered, No, husband, I do not deny it. ' A n d I t h o u g h t I understood!" "Papa, speak u p — " " C y b e l e h e l p us!" I s h o o k my h e a d . "I t h i n k I k n o w t h e answer,

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

W

E

N

T

Y

-

F

I

V

E

Eco pressed me for an e x p l a n a t i o n , but I o n l y s h o o k my head. W e m a d e our way b a c k t o t h e Forum i n s i l e n c e through the h o t , crowded streets of t h e S u b u r a . T h e sky was cloudless and t h e sun directly overhead, casting a harsh, glaring light o n t o a world w i t h o u t shadows. Lit so brightly, o b j e c t s b e c a m e perversely i n d i s t i n c t . Edges ran t o g e t h e r a n d views of t h e distance h a d n o d e p t h . T h e throngs o f people going about t h e i r holiday business s e e m e d faceless. I stared at t h e m , n o t quite able to make t h e m o u t . O l d or young, m a l e or f e m a l e , smiling or frowning, standing quietly or s h o v i n g t h e i r way t h r o u g h t h e street, all seemed blurred t o g e t h e r and equally strange. T h e c i t y itself was unreal, dreamlike a n d slightly absurd. T h i s feeling o n l y intensified as we e n t e r e d t h e Forum and r e j o i n e d the i m m e n s e crowd a t t e n d i n g t h e trial o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s . C a t u l l u s was w h e r e I h a d left h i m . "You missed Caelius's c l i m a x ! " he said. " H e did it i n t o t h a t little pyxis, to show everyone how. N o , I'm o n l y j o k i n g ! B u t it was a g o o d c l i m a x for all c o n c e r n e d . O n e thing about C a e l i u s , he always strives to satisfy whoever he's w i t h , n o t just himself. No judges or spectators left h a n k e r i n g and unfulfilled at N o l a ' s walls, so to speak." I stared at h i m blankly, unable to make sense of w h a t he was saying. H e w e n t o n , n o n e t h e l e s s . " T h e n you missed Crassus's w h o l e s p e e c h . Just as well, actually. N o b o d y h a d a c l i m a x t h e r e ! S e e m s Crassus was trying to get C a e l i u s off t h e h o o k for all those killings on t h e way up from N e a p o l i s , but if you ask m e , Crassus never did learn how to give a d e c e n t s p e e c h . Plodding, plodding! W o r d s , words, words, a n d n o t a m e m o r a b l e

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pun a m o n g t h e m . H e should stick t o what h e knows, m a k i n g piles o f money, a n d simply b r i b e t h e judges instead o f boring t h e m t o death w i t h bad r h e t o r i c . He m a d e C a e l i u s l o o k as guilty as C a e l i u s m a n a g e d to m a k e , h i m s e l f l o o k i n n o c e n t ! It's all up to C i c e r o now. W h o ' s t h i s ? " " M y s o n , " I said absently, and introduced E c o . " W e l l , good, you're b o t h h e r e for t h e real s p e e c h . C i c e r o ' s a b o u t to b e g i n . C o m e , let's see if we c a n ' t move up a bit . . ." We m a n a g e d to move considerably closer, so t h a t I was able to see quite clearly t h e figure now stepping before t h e judges. S l e n d e r and frail w h e n I f i r s t m e t h i m long ago, C i c e r o h a d b e c o m e plump and t h i c k jowled i n t h e years o f his prosperity. T h e political t r i u m p b o f his c o n sulship h a d b e e n followed by near-ruin, w h e n his e n e m i e s m a n a g e d to b a n i s h h i m ; c o u n t e r l e g i s l a t i o n passed by C i c e r o ' s allies eventually welc o m e d h i m b a c k , b u t n o t before t h e great m a n passed e i g h t e e n m o n t h s in e x i l e , during w h i c h t i m e m u c h of his property was destroyed by t h e m o b . In his m o n t h s away from R o m e , C i c e r o had grown l e a n w i t h worry, or so it was said. F r o m t h e way his toga clung to his frame as he swaggered before t h e c o u r t , it looked to me that he had m a d e short work of regaining b o t h his girth a n d his stature. C l o d i u s h a d o n c e b e e n C i c e r o ' s political ally, t h e n his n e m e s i s . E v e n now C l o d i u s was a t t e m p t i n g to keep C i c e r o from rebuilding his ruined house o n t h e P a l a t i n e , c l a i m i n g t h a t t h e property had b e e n legally seized by t h e state and sanctified for religious use, and so could n o t be recovered b y C i c e r o . T h e two e n e m i e s waged war against o n e a n o t h e r i n every a r e n a t h e y could f i n d — o n t h e floor o f t h e S e n a t e , i n courts o f law, in t h e reading of o m e n s by priests and augurs. B e t w e e n t h e m b u r n e d t h e k i n d o f h a t r e d t h a t c a n b e extinguished only b y death. T h a t was reason e n o u g h for C i c e r o t o h a t e C l o d i a , perhaps, s i n c e s h e was h e r brother's s t a u n c h e s t supporter and a party to his s c h e m e s . B u t w h a t of t h e vague rumor w h i c h Catullus had repeated, about a stunted love affair b e t w e e n C l o d i a and C i c e r o , b a c k w h e n h e r b r o t h e r and C i c e r o were allies? Perhaps he h a t e d C l o d i a for reasons that had n o t h i n g to do w i t h p o l i t i c s , o r w i t h C l o d i u s . T h a t would h e l p t o a c c o u n t for w h a t h e did to h e r t h a t day. Or perhaps, like a good advocate, he simply did whatever was necessary to make sure Marcus C a e l i u s was a c q u i t t e d of t h e charges against h i m . A s I w a t c h e d C i c e r o deliver t h e f i n a l o r a t i o n o f t h e t r i a l — o n e o f t h e finest of his career, some would later s a y — I felt as if I were w a t c h i n g a play. Like a play, t h e a c t i o n seemed distant from m e , t h e dialogue out of my c o n t r o l ; I was a spectator, powerless to stop or alter t h e course of unfolding events. B u t a playwright strives to elucidate some truth, w h e t h e r m u n d a n e and c o m i c o r grand and tragic. W h e r e was t h e truth

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in this strange play? W h o was t h e villain, and w h o t h e tragic figure? It s e e m e d to me t h a t I was witnessing t h e sort of play where t h e action b e c o m e s increasingly tangled and absurd, until t h e r e is no way out of t h e mess e x c e p t to bring on a god or a messenger to deliver a speech t h a t makes sense of everything. B u t t h e messenger from offstage had already arrived: E c o , b r i n g i n g t h e slave girl up from t h e south. Now I k n e w t h e truth about D i o ' s death, but n o o n e o n t h e stage seemed t o k n o w — n o t C i c e r o , n o r C a e l i u s , n o r C l o d i a . For m e t o reveal what I knew, to play t h e part of t h e god from t h e m a c h i n e , was impossible. H o w c o u l d I i n c r i m i n a t e my own wife? I c o u l d only w a t c h , helpless and m u t e , as t h e b a t t l e b e t w e e n Clodia and C a e l i u s r e a c h e d its c l i m a x . Poison, d e c e p t i o n and false accusation h a d already b e e n deployed t o a t t a c k and c o u n t e r a t t a c k . N o w C i c e r o , like a h o a r y old general, was brought out to deliver t h e final assault. Words would be his weapon. She doesn't understand the power of words, Catullus h a d said o f C l o d i a . S h e was about t o learn, i n front o f all R o m e . " J u d g e s , " C i c e r o b e g a n , bowing his h e a d respectfully and surveying t h e long rows o f t h e j u r y m e n , looking from face t o face. " I f there should be anyone present h e r e today unfamiliar w i t h our law courts and their c u s t o m s , he must w o n d e r at t h e terrible urgency of this particular case, seeing t h a t all o t h e r public business has b e e n suspended for t h e holiday a n d this is t h e o n e and only trial being h e l d in t h e midst of public festivities and games. S u c h an observer would undoubtedly c o n c l u d e that t h e defendant must be q u i t e a dangerous fellow, a hardened renegade guilty of s o m e c r i m e so terrible t h a t t h e w h o l e state will collapse unless his transgressions are dealt w i t h at o n c e ! " O n e would e x p l a i n to such an observer t h a t we have a special law w h i c h deals w i t h c r i m i n a l b e h a v i o r against t h e state. W h e n traitorous R o m a n citizens take up arms to obstruct t h e S e n a t e , or to a t t a c k magistrates, or to try to destroy t h e g o v e r n m e n t itself, we are obliged to p r o c e e d w i t h trying such m e n regardless of holidays. O u r observer would surely n o t o b j e c t to such a law, dedicated to t h e preservation of t h e state itself. B u t he would want to know e x a c t l y what sort of charges were involved in t h e present c a s e . Just imagine his r e a c t i o n at being informed t h a t no real c r i m e or outrage was before t h e court at all. Instead, a t a l e n t e d , vigorous, well-liked young fellow is being prosecuted by t h e son of a m a n against w h o m t h e defendant r e c e n t l y brought charges. Furt h e r m o r e , t h e w h o l e p r o s e c u t i o n has b e e n organized and financed by a whore." T h e crowd c o l l e c t i v e l y sucked in a b r e a t h . T h e r e were a few outbursts of laughter w h i c h rang all t h e louder in t h e general s i l e n c e . Caelius h a d m a d e fancy allusions to C l y t e m n e s t r a , and convoluted puns about

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C o s a n d N o l a . He h a d e v e n h e l d up a pyxis a n d alluded to t h e story of t h e semen-filled b o x . B u t C i c e r o , i n t h e f i r s t m o m e n t s o f his s p e e c h , h a d c a l l e d C l o d i a a n outright prostitute. I t was a n a n n o u n c e m e n t a n d < a warning: n o t h i n g would be h e l d b a c k . I tried to see C l o d i a ' s r e a c t i o n , but t h e crowd h a d shifted and my view was b l o c k e d . " W h a t would our h y p o t h e t i c a l observer t h i n k o f all t h i s ? " C i c e r o c o n t i n u e d . " N o doubt h e would c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e c h i e f prosecutor should be e x c u s e d for b r i n g i n g such a flimsy c a s e — A t r a t i n u s is very young a n d i n e x p e r i e n c e d , a n d his d e v o t i o n to his father is understandable. O u r observer would further c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e malicious tantrums o f t h e w o m a n in q u e s t i o n ought to be b e t t e r c o n t r o l l e d , or at least c o n f i n e d to h e r b e d r o o m . A l s o , good judges, our observer would c o n c l u d e t h a t you are b e i n g sorely overworked, s i n c e everyone but you has t h e day off!" T h i s b r o u g h t a round of appreciative laughter from t h e front rows and a lessening of t e n s i o n , e x c e p t from t h e prosecutor's s e c t i o n , w h e r e I c a u g h t a glimpse of C l o d i a . H e r face looked so rigid she seemed to be wearing a mask. C i c e r o c o n t i n u e d w i t h a defense o f Caelius's c h a r a c t e r . H e dismissed w h a t e v e r p o l i t i c a l differences might have put a d i s t a n c e b e t w e e n h i m s e l f a n d his young p r o t e g e . T h a t was all over now. If C a e l i u s h a d m a d e mistakes, he was e n t i t l e d to do so, as was every young m a n so long as h e c o n d u c t e d h i m s e l f w i t h integrity a n d h o n e s t y . " A h , but t h e prosecutors have accused C a e l i u s o f b e i n g i n debt, and thus, presumably, vulnerable to bad influences and a life of c r i m e . T h e y have d e m a n d e d t h a t h e h a n d over his a c c o u n t b o o k s for i n s p e c t i o n . My reply to this is simple. T h e r e are no a c c o u n t b o o k s ! A young m a n like C a e l i u s , still s u b j e c t to his father's authority, doesn't keep his own a c c o u n t b o o k s . T h e p r o s e c u t i o n says t h a t C a e l i u s has borrowed heavily, but t h e y will b e u n a b l e t o show any p r o o f o f this. A h , b u t h e must h a v e b e e n living b e y o n d his m e a n s , they say, b e c a u s e of t h a t luxurious apartm e n t h e kept o n t h e Palatine, w h i c h h e r e n t e d from C l o d i u s for t h e amazing sum (so t h e y tell us) of t h i r t y thousand sesterces a year. T h e figure is absurd! T e n t h o u s a n d sesterces is m o r e like it. W e l l , you c a n see what's going o n h e r e w h e n you realize t h a t C l o d i u s r e c e n t l y put t h e building up for sale and is asking a lot m o r e t h a n it's worth. T h e prose c u t i o n is doing C l o d i u s a favor by inflating his rent receipts, so t h a t he c a n swindle s o m e fool i n t o paying h i m t h r e e times what t h a t rat-infested eyesore is really w o r t h ! " T h e crowd laughed. C i c e r o s h o o k his h e a d i n m o c k dismay, but s e e m e d barely able to keep from smiling at his own cleverness. A serious trial a b o u t t h e assassination o f foreign dignitaries h a d suddenly b e c o m e an inquiry i n t o m a l i c i o u s female revenge a n d shady real estate dealings.

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W a s C a e l i u s on trial for murder, or t h e C l o d i i for t h e i r vices? T h e crowd s e e m e d happy to follow C i c e r o ' s lead so long as he amused t h e m . "You r e p r o a c h M a r c u s C a e l i u s for moving out of his father's house i n t o t h a t a p a r t m e n t on t h e Palatine, as if it showed h i m to be a bad son w h e n in fact he t o o k t h e p l a c e w i t h his father's blessing. You imply that he moved t h e r e so t h a t he could throw wild parties, w h e n in fact he moved t h e r e b e c a u s e he was b e g i n n i n g his political c a r e e r and needed a p l a c e c l o s e r to t h e Forum. B u t you're absolutely right w h e n you say that it was a mistake for C a e l i u s to take that a p a r t m e n t on t h e Palatine. W h a t a source of grief t h e p l a c e turned out to b e ! T h a t was w h e n all his troubles began-—or m o r e precisely, w h e n all this malicious gossip b e g a n — w h e n our young Jason w e n t a-journeying and found h i m s e l f in t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d of that Medea of the Palatine." " M e d e a of t h e P a l a t i n e " — I had heard t h e phrase before, just as I h a d heard s o m e o n e c a l l C l o d i a "Clytemnestra-for-a-quadrans" before C a e l i u s did so. It was C a t u l l u s , on t h e n i g h t he first t o o k me to the S a l a c i o u s Tavern. Who calls her such things? I had asked h i m . I do! I just made them up, out of my head. What do you think? I'll need some fresh invectives if I'm to get her attention again . . . I turned and stared at Catullus, who kept his gaze straight ahead. "I shall c o m e b a c k to this M e d e a and h e r part in this affair in due c o u r s e , " said C i c e r o , w i t h a h i n t of m e n a c e . " R i g h t now I should like to spare a few words for t h e so-called witnesses and t h e various fictions w h i c h h a v e apparently b e e n c o n c o c t e d t o support t h e prosecution's case. O n e of t h e s e tales refers to a c e r t a i n S e n a t o r Fufius. T h e old fellow will supposedly testify t h a t during t h e e l e c t i o n of pontiffs Caelius physically assaulted h i m . If t h e s e n a t o r decides to go ahead and testify, I shall ask h i m why he did n o t press charges shortly after t h e alleged assault t o o k p l a c e , instead of waiting so long. D o e s he c o m e forward now on his own initiative, o r a t t h e b e h e s t o f those b e h i n d t h e prosecution? I f it's t h e latter, as I t h i n k we all k n o w it must b e , t h e n w h a t a sad reflection on t h e producers o f this tawdry drama, t h a t they c a n c o e r c e only o n e m e m b e r o f t h e S e n a t e i n t o putting o n a n actor's mask and speaking t h e lines they've scripted! " N o r am I impressed by t h e witnesses who will supposedly tell us h o w t h e i r virtuous wives were m o l e s t e d by C a e l i u s on t h e i r way h o m e from a d i n n e r party o n e n i g h t . W h a t h i g h principles these outraged n i g h t h a w k s must h a v e , to wait until now to bring t h e s e charges. At t h e t i m e , t h e y didn't e v e n ask to m e e t informally w i t h Caelius to resolve any grievances t h e y may have h a d . "Supposedly t h e r e will be yet m o r e witnesses, with s h o c k i n g reve l a t i o n s . B u t I d o n ' t t h i n k we should c o u n t on h e a r i n g anything t h e least

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bit b e l i e v a b l e , o r e x p e c t t o see anyone e v e n r e m o t e l y c r e d i b l e o n t h e witness stand. You k n o w as well as I do, judges, t h e sort of riffraff t h a t c a n be found l o i t e r i n g around t h e Forum on any given day, m e n w i t h , n o t h i n g b e t t e r to do w h o are willing to c o m e forward and testify to almost a n y t h i n g under o a t h , so long as s o m e o n e pays t h e m to do so. If t h e p r o s e c u t i o n insists o n bringing hired actors i n t o these p r o c e e d i n g s , I have faith, g e n t l e m e n , t h a t your e x p e r i e n c e d j u d g m e n t and c o m m o n sense will see t h r o u g h t h e i r testimony to t h e greed t h a t underlies i t . " W a s it my i m a g i n a t i o n , or was C i c e r o looking directly at m e ? So m u c h for t h e surprise witness w h o m H e r e n n i u s h a d promised to b r i n g forth, t h e m a n w h o s e h o n e s t y h a d awed e v e n C i c e r o ! W i t h a single preemptive r e m a r k I was dismissed as a b r i b e d perjurer. T h e a t t a c k was wasted, of c o u r s e . I had already refused to appear as C l o d i a ' s surprise witness. B u t t h a t was w h e n I h a d cause to t h i n k t h a t h e r poisoning was a s h a m , t h a t she h a d borrowed t h e gorgon's h a i r from B e t h e s d a to d e c e i v e m e . N o w it s e e m e d t h a t she truly h a d b e e n poisoned. I g l a n c e d at h e r face a n d saw h o w listless she still s e e m e d . H a d she really c o m e so c l o s e to d e a t h ? " F o r m y p a r t , " C i c e r o c o n t i n u e d , " I have n o i n t e n t i o n o f troubling you w i t h any witnesses. T h e facts o f t h e case are solid a n d u n s h a k a b l e . T h e truth d o e s n ' t h i n g e on w h a t a given witness may or may n o t say. W h a t value is ' e v i d e n c e ' t h a t c a n be distorted a n d manipulated or purc h a s e d o u t r i g h t ? I prefer to use t h e rational m e t h o d , rebutting error w i t h proof, answering falsehoods w i t h facts, laying everything o p e n to t h e harsh scrutiny o f reason. "You've just h e a r d my colleague M a r c u s Crassus do e x a c t l y t h a t . He t o o k o n t h e charges about Caelius's role i n t h e disturbances a t N e a p o l i s and P u t e o l i w i t h such c l e a r e l u c i d a t i o n t h a t I wish he h a d also dealt w i t h t h e q u e s t i o n of D i o ' s murder. B u t really, what m o r e is t h e r e to be said a b o u t t h a t m a t t e r ? W e all k n o w t h e u l t i m a t e perpetrator o f t h e c r i m e . W e also k n o w t h a t h e fears n o r e t r i b u t i o n a n d doesn't e v e n b o t h e r t o deny w h a t h e ' s d o n e . T h e m a n ' s a king, after all, and n o t s u b j e c t t o R o m a n j u s t i c e . F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e fellow w h o was accused o f b e i n g t h a t king's a g e n t — P u b l i u s A s i c i u s — h a s already stood trial. He was found i n n o c e n t . S o m e say t h e trial was t a i n t e d , but I say that's n o n s e n s e — a n d I should know, as I defended A s i c i u s myself. N o w t h e prosecutors are trying to m a k e us t h i n k t h a t C a e l i u s was a n o t h e r of t h e king's a g e n t s , t h a t h e was A s i c i u s ' s confederate i n t h a t terrible murder. W h e r e h a v e t h e prosecutors b e e n for t h e last few m o n t h s ? C o u l d it be t h a t t h e y n e v e r got t h e news t h a t A s i c i u s was acquitted? W h a t a waste of t h e i r t i m e , a n d yours, judges, for t h e m to try to link C a e l i u s w i t h A s i c i u s , s i n c e A s i c i u s was found i n n o c e n t ! " C i c e r o threw up his hands in e x a s p e r a t i o n .

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" L e t u s m o v e o n t o t h e h e a r t o f t h e matter. T h e prosecution has said a great deal a b o u t c h a r a c t e r . I agree absolutely t h a t c h a r a c t e r is the c e n t r a l issue h e r e , t h o u g h n o t necessarily t h e c h a r a c t e r o f M a r c u s C a e lius. Yesterday, judges, I saw how closely you followed t h e arguments of my friend Lucius H e r e n n i u s . He said a great deal a b o u t financial irresponsibility, u n b r i d l e d lust, immorality, a n d o t h e r youthful vices. Herennius is usually a m i l d - m a n n e r e d fellow, t o l e r a n t , u r b a n e , very temperate and m o d e r n in his o u t l o o k . B u t h e r e in court yesterday he s e e m e d to turn i n t o o n e of t h o s e frowning, moralizing, upright old tutors w h o made us quiver w i t h dread w h e n we were boys. He c a l l e d M a r c u s C a e l i u s to task i n t e r m s h a r s h e n o u g h t o make e v e n t h e sternest father b l a n c h . H e went on a n d on a b o u t t h e evils of wild living until e v e n I b e g a n to quail a b i t . W a s it proper, he d e m a n d e d to know, t h a t I should defend a man w h o h a s s o m e t i m e s a c c e p t e d d i n n e r invitations, w h o has g o n e for walks i n f a s h i o n a b l e gardens a l o n g t h e T i b e r , w h o has o n o n e o r two o c c a sions in his life splashed on s c e n t from a b o t t l e , w h o has e v e n gone wading i n m i x e d c o m p a n y down a t t h e b e a c h e s a t B a i a e ? S u c h appalling b e h a v i o r is unforgivable! " O r is it? C o m e , H e r e n n i u s , I t h i n k we all k n o w of m e n w h o have indulged in a b i t of h i g h living in their youth, w h o have t h e n turned a r o u n d a n d m a d e t h e m s e l v e s i n t o perfectly r e s p e c t a b l e citizens. Everyone agrees t h a t young m e n must be allowed a c e r t a i n a m o u n t of recklessness. N a t u r e has given t h e m strong sexual appetites, a n d as long as t h e y indulge t h o s e appetites w i t h o u t w r e c k i n g s o m e o n e else's h o m e , t h e wise thing is to let n a t u r e run its course. U n d e r s t a n d a b l y , t h o s e of an older gene r a t i o n like myself are c o n c e r n e d over t h e troubles t h a t c a n arise from t h e e x c e s s e s of youth. B u t it seems to me unfair, H e r e n n i u s , t h a t you should e x p l o i t our r e a s o n a b l e c o n c e r n to stir up suspicion a n d prejudice against a p a r t i c u l a r young m a n . You r e c i t e a w h o l e c a t a l o g u e of vices to i n c i t e our m o r a l a b h o r r e n c e , but your posturing distracts us from t h e a c t u a l person o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s . H e i s n o m o r e guilty o f s u c h excesses t h a n m o s t young m e n . H e deserves our i n d u l g e n c e n o less. H e should n o t b e c o n d e m n e d for t h e failings o f his e n t i r e g e n e r a t i o n ! " L e t us m o v e on to s o m e t h i n g more specific, n a m e l y this business a b o u t gold a n d p o i s o n . B o t h o f these alleged t r a n s a c t i o n s revolve around t h e s a m e person: supposedly, t h e gold was t a k e n from C l o d i a and t h e p o i s o n was given to her. N o w h e r e at least we have some g e n u i n e a c c u s a t i o n s ! A l l t h e o t h e r charges i n this case a m o u n t t o i n n u e n d o s a n d insults, b e t t e r suited to a s h o u t i n g m a t c h t h a n to a sober c o u r t of law. S a y i n g t h a t C a e l i u s seduces o t h e r m e n ' s wives, t h a t h e brawls a n d takes b r i b e s a n d s o o n a n d s o f o r t h — t h e s e are slanders, n o t a c c u s a t i o n s , groundless slurs of t h e sort uttered by prosecutors w h o t e n d to let t h e i r

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blustering get out of c o n t r o l . B u t about t h e s e last two charges, c o n c e r n i n g the gold and t h e poison, there's s o m e t h i n g a bit m o r e tangible. Yes, I sense t h a t t h e r e must be s o m e t h i n g to these a c c u s a t i o n s — o r rather, s o m e o n e b e h i n d t h e m , a c e r t a i n individual w i t h a very deliberate goal. " H e r e ' s t h e first story: C a e l i u s n e e d e d gold and got it from C l o d i a — with n o witnesses a b o u t , m i n d you. Proof, anyone would t h i n k , o f c o n siderable friendship b e t w e e n t h e m . T h e s e c o n d story: C a e l i u s decided to murder C l o d i a , got h o l d of some poison, b r i b e d collaborators, fixed a t i m e a n d p l a c e to convey t h e poison to those w h o would administer it. E v i d e n c e this t i m e of overpowering hatred! "Judges, this e n t i r e case revolves around C l o d i a , a w o m a n of h i g h b i r t h — a n d low reputation. I'm n o t h e r e to rake up scandal, and I get no e n j o y m e n t from impugning t h e virtue of a R o m a n lady. However, s i n c e t h e w h o l e case against my c l i e n t originates from this w o m a n , a n d s i n c e it's my duty to defend my c l i e n t , I have no c h o i c e but to deal w i t h t h e a c c u s a t i o n s as forthrightly as I c a n . S t i l l , in talking about this w o m a n I will strive to say no m o r e t h a n is absolutely necessary to refute t h e charges. Indeed, I feel obliged to watch what I say very carefully, s i n c e everyone knows o f t h e unfortunate e n m i t y t h a t exists b e t w e e n myself and this w o m a n ' s h u s b a n d . " T h e r e was a burst of laughter. C i c e r o pretended to l o o k confused. " O h , did I say husband? I m e a n t to say h e r brother, of course; I c a n ' t i m a g i n e why I ' m always m a k i n g t h a t m i s t a k e . " He shrugged and smiled. " W e l l t h e n , my apologies, judges, for h a v i n g to drag a lady's n a m e i n t o these p r o c e e d i n g s . Really, I never imagined I should find myself in a court of law fighting w i t h a w o m a n — e s p e c i a l l y this w o m a n , w h o is said t o b e t h e friend o f every m a n she m e e t s . " H e waited for t h e laughter t o die down. T h e crowd h a d shifted and I was able to see C l o d i a again. H e r face was stiff b u t even from a d i s t a n c e I could see t h e alarm in h e r eyes. S h e h a d b e g u n to realize t h e full magnitude of t h e mistake she had made in taking h e r grievances against C a e l i u s i n t o a public a r e n a . C i c e r o c l e a r e d his throat. " L e t me begin by asking t h e lady this: shall I lecture h e r in t h e stern m a n n e r of our forefathers, or in a milder, m o r e m o d e r a t e fashion? If it's t h e former, t h e n I should c a l l on t h e dead t o d o t h e lecturing, o n e o f t h o s e stern-looking, full-bearded fellows w h o gaze down on us from old statues. W h y n o t o n e of t h e lady's own a n c e s tors? A p p i u s C l a u d i u s t h e B l i n d would be appropriate, s i n c e he w o n ' t have to suffer t h e pain of looking at h e r . " T h e r e was laughter, t h e n a murmur of a n t i c i p a t i o n as C i c e r o slipped i n t o t h e role of t h e b l i n d ancestor, narrowing his eyes, h o l d i n g up his arms, r e m o v i n g all traces o f t h e c o m i c from his v o i c e . " W o m a n ! W h a t

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sort of l e g i t i m a t e interest could you possibly have in a fellow like Caelius so m u c h younger t h a n yourself? H o w did you ever c o m e to feel so close to h i m t h a t you lent h i m gold, or to feel such hatred t h a t you c a m e to fear poison? H a v e you no pride, no sense of decorum? A r e you totally i g n o r a n t of your family and its a c h i e v e m e n t s ? D o n ' t you know t h a t your father, and u n c l e , a n d grandfather, and great-grandfather, and greatgreat-grandfather, and his father all served as consuls? Or that you yourself were t h e wife, while he lived, of Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r , a m a n whose virtues surpassed those of all o t h e r m e n ? H a v i n g c o m e from so great a h o u s e h o l d , and h a v i n g married i n t o a n o t h e r great house, what was your business w i t h this youth, M a r c u s Caelius? W a s he a cousin, an in-law, a c l o s e friend o f your husband? N o , n o n e o f these things. W h a t reason did you h a v e to insinuate yourself so intimately i n t o his life, e x c e p t a w a n t o n desire to e x e r c i s e your own voracious appetite for young flesh?" S t i l l playing b l i n d Claudius, C i c e r o s h o o k his h e a d and went on. " I f t h e e x a m p l e set b y t h e m e n o f your lineage fails t o s h a m e you, t h e n perhaps t h e w o m e n c a n d o so. W h a t o f C l a u d i a Q u i n t a , w h o proved her purity w h e n she saved t h e ship t h a t brought t o R o m e t h e G r e a t M o t h e r , w h o s e festival we c e l e b r a t e today? C o n s i d e r t h e r e n o w n t h a t h e r virtue added t o your h o u s e . O r t h e famous Vestal V i r g i n , C l a u d i a , w h o shielded h e r father against an angry m o b with h e r own pure body? W h y do you share your brother's vices instead of your ancestors' virtues? We famous C l a u d i i of old, did we refuse t h e p e a c e offered by Pyrrhus and tear up his bargain, o n l y so t h a t you could drive your daily sexual bargains? Did we build t h e first a q u e d u c t to bring water to R o m e , only so t h a t you c o u l d use it to wash yourself after your incestuous copulations? Did we build our great road, o n l y so t h a t you could parade up and down it in t h e c o m p a n y o f o t h e r w o m e n ' s husbands?" T h e harshness o f C i c e r o ' s voice kept anyone from laughing. H e lowered his arms and looked straight at C l o d i a , w h o returned his stare w i t h a l o o k of pure m a l i c e . "I drop t h e role. I speak to you directly now. If you i n t e n d to go on w i t h your testimony, t h e n you will also have to e x p l a i n how such intrigues could have c o m e about in t h e first p l a c e . T h e prosecutors, at your b e h e s t , have d i n n e d a list of suggestive phrases into our ears: adulterous orgies, wild b e a c h parties, all-night revels, dancing at dawn, u n e n d i n g drunken debaucheries. Did you t h i n k you could accuse C a e l i u s of d e b a u c h e r y w i t h o u t exposing your own debauchery to t h e scrutiny of t h e c o u r t ? It was madness to t h i n k so. I see by your face t h a t you would like t o avoid such a n unpleasant s p e c t a c l e . T o o late t o stop i t now!" For a long m o m e n t C i c e r o and C l o d i a stared at o n e a n o t h e r in s i l e n c e w h i l e t h e spectators looked o n . T h e n h e stepped b a c k and soft-

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e n e d his posture. He smiled sweetly. " B u t I see you d o n ' t c a r e for t h e s t e r n - l e c t u r e a p p r o a c h . W e l l , t h e n , forget t h o s e rustic old a n c e s t o r s a n d t h e i r upright morals. I'll borrow a m o r e m o d e r n v o i c e to try to t a l k s o m e sense i n t o y o u — w h y , I'll pretend to be your own beloved little b r o t h e r . T h a t should b e appropriate. N o o n e i s more worldly, that's for sure. A n d no o n e h a s ever loved you better, ever s i n c e you were c h i l d r e n . D o e s he still have t h o s e n i g h t m a r e s t h a t make h i m wet t h e bed, so t h a t he has to c o m e sleep in yours? P i t y h e ' s in c h a r g e of t h e festivities today a n d c a n ' t be h e r e beside you. B u t I c a n imagine what he m i g h t say." C i c e r o put on a simpering expression a n d waved his arms in a spastic m a n n e r w h i l e t h e crowd shrieked w i t h laughter. "Sister, sister, w h a t a mess you've g o t t e n yourself i n t o ! W h a t ' s this craziness all about? H a v e you lost your m i n d ? Yes, I know, I know, it was that boy down t h e street w h o c a u g h t your a t t e n t i o n — t a l l , g o o d - l o o k i n g , pretty eyes. It set your old, tired b l o o d r a c i n g . You w a n t e d t o see m o r e o f h i m — e v e r y i n c h o f h i m ! G e t t i n g your hands o n h i m would b e easy e n o u g h , you t h o u g h t . Young m e n are always s h o r t of m o n e y , a n d you love to flaunt our i n h e r itance. " B u t sister, sister, it didn't work out t h e way you wanted, did it? S o m e young m e n d o n ' t c a r e for t h e c o m p a n y of a grasping, older w o m a n , n o m a t t e r how m u c h m o n e y she's got. W e l l t h e n , get over it! You've got your h o r t i on t h e T i b e r , w h e r e you go to w a t c h t h e young swimmers a n d size t h e m up. W h a t ' s t h e p l a c e for, e x c e p t to provide you w i t h a n e w lover every day? W h y keep pestering this particular young fellow, w h o obviously d o e s n ' t want y o u ? " C i c e r o dropped t h e simpering role o f C l o d i u s and turned his b a c k o n C l o d i a . H e strode across t h e o p e n space toward t h e defendant's b e n c h e s . " A n d n o w it's your turn to receive a lecture, M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " H e wagged his finger. C a e l i u s put o n t h e face o f a n a t t e n t i v e s c h o o l b o y , all raised eyebrows a n d b l a n d i n n o c e n c e . " I ' l l n e e d a father's v o i c e to deal w i t h you, young m a n — b u t w h a t sort o f father? O n e o f t h o s e old m e n w i t h h e a r t s of iron, w h o would b l a m e you for everything a n d say, ' W h y on e a r t h did you settle so c l o s e to t h a t whore in t h e first p l a c e ? W h y d i d n ' t you have t h e sense to run away t h e first m o m e n t you saw h e r ! ' To s u c h a gloomy old m a n C a e l i u s m i g h t well defend h i m s e l f by saying t h a t n o t h i n g improper ever o c c u r r e d , whatever gossips may say to t h e contrary. H o w c a n a young m a n in a c i t y so full of m a l i c i o u s rumors possibly avoid b e i n g tarnished by loose talk? L i v i n g so c l o s e to t h a t w o m a n a n d b e i n g s e e n in h e r company, it's no wonder people assumed t h e worst. E v e n t h e lady's o w n b r o t h e r c a n ' t visit h e r w i t h o u t wriggling his t o n g u e — I m e a n , setting tongues wagging. "Now, as regards t h e w o m a n , at t h e m o m e n t it's n o t my o b j e c t to

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c r i t i c i z e her. My p o i n t is to lecture M a r c u s C a e l i u s . So for t h e sake of a r g u m e n t , let us i m a g i n e a purely h y p o t h e t i c a l w o m a n ; any resemblance to C l o d i a will be purely c o i n c i d e n t a l , I assure you. I m a g i n e a woman w h o shamelessly offers h e r s e l f to every m a n she m e e t s , w h o has to mark a c a l e n d a r to keep h e r lovers straight, w h o o p e n s t h e doors of h e r houses a t R o m e a n d B a i a e t o every sort o f lecherous d e g e n e r a t e , w h o lavishes e x p e n s i v e gifts on h e r stable of kept young studs. I m a g i n e a wealthy, lascivious widow carrying on like a c o m m o n w h o r e , w i t h o u t t h e least regard for w h a t anyone t h i n k s . N o w I ask you, if a young m a n should h a p p e n to be a b i t free in his relationship w i t h s u c h a w o m a n , c a n any m a n h e r e really h o l d h i m a c c o u n t a b l e for his m i s c o n d u c t ? " I m a g i n e a w o m a n so deeply sunk in depravity t h a t she no longer b o t h e r s t o seek privacy a n d darkness t o p r a c t i c e h e r vices. Q u i t e the o p p o s i t e — s h e builds a stage in h e r garden so t h a t she c a n show off her special skills before an a u d i e n c e lined up to enjoy t h e m ! B e a r in mind, I'm speaking h y p o t h e t i c a l l y , simply to make a p o i n t — d o n ' t laugh! Now w i t h this w o m a n , this h y p o t h e t i c a l w o m a n , everything about h e r is an i n v i t a t i o n to sex: t h e way she walks, t h e see-through gowns she wears, t h e o b s c e n e l y pouting way she holds h e r m o u t h , h e r smoldering gaze, t h e foul language she uses, t h e easy way she e m b r a c e s everyone at her parties, pressing h e r s e l f against t h e m and kissing t h e m with h e r open m o u t h . S h e ' s n o t simply a w h o r e , but a particularly lewd and depraved old w h o r e . Now, really, if a young m a n should find h i m s e l f in t h e c l u t c h e s of s u c h a w o m a n , c a n anyone be genuinely outraged if he should follow t h e course o f nature? I s t h a t young m a n guilty o f v i c e — o r o f simply seeking relief? " T h e w o m a n is a w h o r e , after a l l — t h e h y p o t h e t i c a l w o m a n , I m e a n — a n d e v e n t h e sternest moralist looks t h e o t h e r way w h e n a young m a n goes off to relieve h i m s e l f w i t h a prostitute. T h a t is t h e way of t h e world, a n d n o t just in our present permissive age. E v e n our virtuous a n c e s t o r s allowed for t h e use o f prostitutes. T h e p r a c t i c e has n e v e r b e e n frowned u p o n or forbidden in any t i m e or p l a c e t h a t I k n o w of. " N o w s o m e o n e will o b j e c t , and say, 'Is this t h e sort of standard to w h i c h C i c e r o would h o l d a young m a n , especially a young m a n w h o was given i n t o his c h a r g e to be educated in r h e t o r i c ? Loose morals, easy virtue, a n o d a n d a w i n k ? ' Of course n o t . B u t judges, honestly, was there ever a m a n on e a r t h so h i g h - m i n d e d and strong-willed t h a t he could r e j e c t all t e m p t a t i o n a n d devote h i m s e l f exclusively to t h e pursuit of virtue? A m a n w i t h o u t t h e least interest in leisure or lovemaking or simply h a v i n g fun? S h o w me such a m a n and I will declare h i m superh u m a n ! S u c h m e n exist in our history b o o k s , fine moral e x a m p l e s from t h e days of R o m e ' s rise to greatness, but you will l o o k for t h e m in vain

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i n t h e streets o f t h e c i t y today. T h e s e days, e v e n a m o n g t h e G r e e k philosophers, w h o o n c e set so h i g h a m o r a l standard in t h e i r writings ( u n m a t c h e d by t h e i r a c t i o n s , u n f o r t u n a t e l y ) , you will find little to e n courage a d h e r e n c e t o pure virtue; quite t h e opposite, i n fact. T h e E p i c u reans tell us t h a t a wise m a n does everything for pleasure. T h e A c a d e m i c s , b y twisting words, c l a i m t h a t virtue a n d pleasure c a n b e o n e a n d t h e s a m e . A l a s , t h e old-fashioned S t o i c s , w h o c l i n g t o t h e straight a n d narrow p a t h of virtue, find themselves stranded all a l o n e in t h e i r l e c t u r e halls. " N a t u r e h e r s e l f has endless tricks to lull a m a n ' s virtue to sleep w h i l e waking up his appetite for pleasure. S h e tempts t h e young down all sorts of dangerously slippery paths, but to c o m p e n s a t e she lavishes on t h e m great s t a m i n a a n d exquisite sensitivity. S h o w me a young m a n w h o despises t h e sight of beauty, w h o derives no pleasure from s c e n t or t o u c h or taste, w h o plugs his ears to keep out sweet music; I a n d a few o t h e r s m i g h t argue t h a t a youth of such purity has b e e n blessed, but I t h i n k most of you would say he was cursed by t h e gods! " E n o u g h , t h e n , o f absolute standards! L e t youth b e p e r m i t t e d its pleasures. L e t i m m a t u r i t y be allowed to flirt w i t h foolishness. If he h a s a strong c h a r a c t e r , a young m a n will n o t be d i m i n i s h e d by t h e s e e x p e r i e n c e s b u t will eventually outgrow t h e m a n d be ready to take his p l a c e a s a m a n o f affairs i n t h e Forum. W h o c a n doubt that M a r c u s C a e l i u s has already d o n e so? You've w a t c h e d h i m m a t c h wits w i t h me h e r e in t h e F o r u m . You've s e e n how e l o q u e n t l y h e defended h i m s e l f h e r e today. W h a t a superb orator! L e t me tell you, from my own e x p e r i e n c e , c u l t i vating t h a t degree of skill requires e n o r m o u s d e d i c a t i o n and d i s c i p l i n e . M a r c u s C a e l i u s has r e a c h e d a stage in his c a r e e r w h e r e he no l o n g e r has t h e t i m e or i n c l i n a t i o n to follow frivolous pursuits. " N o w t h e n , we have n a v i g a t e d our way through t h e rocky shoals a n d t r e a c h e r o u s reefs. F r o m h e r e o n , c l e a r sailing! L e t us get b a c k to t h o s e t w o c h a r g e s against C a e l i u s . T h e gold: C a e l i u s is said to h a v e g o t t e n it from C l o d i a in order to b r i b e t h e slaves of Lucius L u c c e i u s to kill D i o . G r a v e c h a r g e s , to be sure, asserting t h a t a m a n plotted to murder a d i p l o m a t i c envoy, a n d instigated slaves to kill t h e i r master's g u e s t — heinous crimes! " B u t I h a v e to wonder: would C l o d i a have given this gold to C a e l i u s w i t h o u t asking why he w a n t e d it? Surely n o t ! If he told h e r it was to murder D i o , t h e n she was in on t h e plot. Is t h a t why you c a m e h e r e today, w o m a n , to make a confession? To tell us how you raided your secret treasure c h e s t , denuded t h a t statue of Venus in your garden a d o r n e d w i t h all t h o s e pretty trophies from your lovers, so t h a t you c o u l d h a n d over t h e b o o t y to C a e l i u s for c r i m i n a l use? D i d you make Venus h e r s e l f an accomplice in crime?"

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I g l a n c e d at C a t u l l u s , for it seemed to me t h a t from t h e c o r n e r of my eye I h a d s e e n his lips m o v i n g , as if he was r e c i t i n g C i c e r o ' s speech a l o n g w i t h h i m . He n o t i c e d my scrutiny, flashed s o m e t h i n g b e t w e e n a smile a n d a w i n c e , and turned away. I looked at C l o d i a a n d caught a glimpse of h e r pale, rigid face before t h e crowd b l o c k e d my view. C i c e r o w e n t o n . " I f C a e l i u s was a s i n t i m a t e w i t h C l o d i a a s the prosecutors m a i n t a i n , t h e n surely h e shared w i t h h e r t h e purpose t o w h i c h h e i n t e n d e d t o put t h e gold. O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i f t h e two o f t h e m were not on such i n t i m a t e terms, t h e n surely she never gave h i m t h e gold at all! W h i c h is it, C l o d i a ? Did you l e n d a m a n m o n e y to c o m m i t an unspeakable c r i m e , m a k i n g a c r i m i n a l of yourself? Or is t h e truth t h a t you n e v e r l e n t h i m t h e m o n e y at all? " T h e a c c u s a t i o n simply will n o t stand up, and n o t just because t h e c h a r a c t e r of M a r c u s C a e l i u s is wholly at odds w i t h such a l o a t h s o m e , skulking plot. H e ' s t o o smart, for o n e t h i n g . N o m a n w i t h any sense would entrust a c r i m e of s u c h magnitude to t h e slaves of a n o t h e r m a n ! On purely p r a c t i c a l grounds, I have to ask: how is C a e l i u s supposed to have m a d e c o n t a c t w i t h t h e s e slaves o f Lucius Lucceius? Did h e m e e t w i t h t h e m d i r e c t l y — v e r y r a s h — o r through a n intermediary? May w e have t h e n a m e o f this g o - b e t w e e n ? N o , because n o such person exists. I c o u l d go on a n d on w i t h s u c h questions. H o w many must I ask to show h o w totally implausible t h e w h o l e charge is, a n d how utterly w i t h o u t proof? " T o put t h e m a t t e r to rest, let us h e a r from Lucius Lucceius himself, w h o has provided a sworn deposition on t h e matter. I r e m i n d you t h a t he was n o t o n l y D i o ' s good friend and dutiful h o s t , but a m a n w h o pays scrupulous a t t e n t i o n to detail, as anyone familiar w i t h his h i s t o r i c a l writings c a n attest. Surely if L u c c e i u s had discovered t h a t slaves b e l o n g i n g to h i m were p l o t t i n g w i t h an outsider to murder his guest, if he ever h a d e v e n t h e least suspicion of s u c h a t h i n g , Lucceius would have g o t t e n to t h e b o t t o m o f it. W h a t citizen c o u l d d o less, w i t h his own h o n o r a t stake? L i s t e n , t h e n , t o w h a t h e has t o tell u s . " A c l e r k c a m e forward to read t h e deposition. C i c e r o walked to t h e defendant's b e n c h , w h e r e his secretary, T i r o , h a n d e d h i m a cup of water. I t h o u g h t b a c k to my i n t e r v i e w w i t h L u c c e i u s , how adamantly he h a d refused t o a c k n o w l e d g e t h e slightest possibility t h a t s o m e t h i n g h a d b e e n amiss in his h o u s e , h o w his wife had k n o w n better, how t h e k i t c h e n slaves w h o must have k n o w n s o m e t h i n g h a d b e e n s e n t off t o t h e m i n e s a n d would n e v e r tell a n y o n e w h a t they knew. T h e c l e r k c l e a r e d his t h r o a t , " I , Lucius L u c c e i u s , under s o l e m n o a t h , make this s t a t e m e n t o n t h e Kalends o f Aprilis: T h a t for a period i n t h e m o n t h o f Januarius, D i o o f A l e x a n d r i a , m y e s t e e m e d friend, was

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a guest under my roof; t h a t while he was my guest, n o t h i n g o c c u r r e d to e n d a n g e r his safety; t h a t any rumors to t h e contrary, particularly rumors asserting a b r e a c h of loyalty a m o n g my h o u s e h o l d slaves, are c o m p l e t e l y scurrilous; t h a t D i o left my house of his own c h o i c e and in good h e a l t h ; t h a t I myself k n o w n o t h i n g w h i c h m i g h t shed light on t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f his d e a t h . " C i c e r o stepped before t h e judges. " T h e r e you have it: a wild, wholly unfounded a c c u s a t i o n t h a t e m a n a t e s from a h o u s e h o l d of w a n t o n deb a u c h e r y and wickedness; and a level-headed, sober response, from a h o u s e h o l d o f i m p e c c a b l e standards. O n o n e h a n d , w e have t h e word o f a foul-tempered, raving, sex-crazed w o m a n ; on t h e other, t h e sworn affidavit o f o n e o f t h e most respectable m e n i n R o m e . N e e d w e h e s i t a t e about c h o o s i n g w h o m t o believe? " O n t h e n t o t h e a c c u s a t i o n t h a t C a e l i u s plotted t o poison C l o d i a . I confess, I c a n ' t make heads or tails of this story. W h y should C a e l i u s want to do s u c h a t h i n g ? To avoid paying b a c k t h e alleged loan? B u t did C l o d i a ever ask to be repaid? To keep C l o d i a from telling w h a t s h e k n e w about t h e a t t e m p t on D i o ' s life? B u t t h e r e was no such a t t e m p t , as we have just established. I n d e e d , I would suggest t h a t this n o n s e n s e a b o u t gold a n d a p l o t against D i o was fabricated precisely to provide a m o t i v e for this o t h e r f a b r i c a t i o n , t h a t C a e l i u s tried t o poison C l o d i a . O n e fabr i c a t i o n is i n v e n t e d to provide a m o t i v e for a n o t h e r fabrication! L i e builds upon lie, slander upon slander. " T h e p r o s e c u t i o n alleges t h a t C a e l i u s o n c e again a t t e m p t e d t o c o m mit murder by b r i b i n g s o m e o n e else's s l a v e s — t h i s t i m e , C l o d i a ' s slaves, to do in t h e i r mistress. A n d this, after h a v i n g failed to pull off t h e same k i n d o f plot w i t h Lucceius's slaves! W h a t kind o f m a n puts his w h o l e fate i n t o t h e h a n d s o f a n o t h e r person's slaves, n o t o n c e but t w i c e ? A t least c r e d i t my c l i e n t w i t h h a v i n g a brain! " A n d just w h a t sort of slaves are we talking about? In t h e c a s e of C l o d i a ' s h o u s e h o l d , this is an i m p o r t a n t p o i n t . As C a e l i u s must h a v e k n o w n i f h e ever visited h e r house, t h e relationship b e t w e e n C l o d i a a n d h e r slaves c a n scarcely be described as n o r m a l . In a household like t h a t , headed by a w o m a n w h o behaves like a prostitute, where a b n o r m a l lusts and u n h e a r d - o f vices are p r a c t i c e d on a daily basis, where slaves are invited t o share a n inordinate a m o u n t o f i n t i m a c y w i t h their s u p e r i o r s — well, t h o s e slaves are slaves no longer. T h e y share everything w i t h t h e i r mistress, i n c l u d i n g h e r secrets. T h e y b e c o m e h e r c o m p a n i o n s i n loose living. In a h o u s e h o l d like that, t h e people on t h e b o t t o m are s o m e t i m e s quite literally o n t o p . " I c a u g h t sight of C l o d i a , w h o s e e m e d to physically shrink from t h e gales o f laughter t h a t roared through t h e Forum. C i c e r o held u p his h a n d

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to q u i e t t h e crowd. " K e e p i n g slaves in that fashion has o n e virtue, at least: s u c h corrupted, p a m p e r e d slaves must be almost impossible to bribe. C a e l i u s must h a v e k n o w n t h a t , if he was as i n t i m a t e w i t h C l o d i a as we've b e e n led t o b e l i e v e . I f h e k n e w t h e situation, surely h e would have known b e t t e r t h a n to try to insinuate h i m s e l f b e t w e e n such a w o m a n a n d her s l a v e s — a tight spot for any m a n to wriggle i n t o ! If he didn't realize t h e situation, t h e n h o w c o u l d h e have b e e n s o i n t i m a t e w i t h t h e slaves that h e would c o n s i d e r b r i b i n g t h e m ? T h e allegation c o n t r a d i c t s itself. "Now, about t h e alleged p o i s o n — w h e r e it c a m e from, how it was t o b e h a n d e d over, and s o o n . T h e prosecutors tell u s t h a t C a e l i u s h a d it in his h o u s e . He w a n t e d to test it, so he b o u g h t a slave for just that purpose. T h e p o i s o n was effective. T h e slave died very quickly. T h e poison . . . " C i c e r o ' s v o i c e was suddenly c h o k e d by a s o b . He c l e n c h e d his fists a n d rolled his eyes upward. " O h , i m m o r t a l gods! W h e n a m o r t a l c o m m i t s a terrible c r i m e , why do you c l o s e your eyes to it? W h y do you allow t h e v i l l a i n to go u n p u n i s h e d ? " He gasped and shivered, as if struggling to h o l d b a c k tears. T h e r o l l i c k i n g s p e e c h c a m e t o a n abrupt h a l t . T h e crowd was j o l t e d i n t o uneasy s i l e n c e . C i c e r o s t o o d absolutely still, like a m a n paralyzed by e m o t i o n and fighting to regain c o n t r o l : "Forgive m e , " he finally said, in a hoarse, t r e m b l i n g v o i c e . " B u t t h e very m e n t i o n of p o i s o n . . . " L e t me e x p l a i n myself, judges. It was t h e bitterest day of life, t h a t day w h e n I saw my friend Q u i n t u s die before my eyes. Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r , I m e a n , t h e m a n w h o s e d e a t h made t h a t w o m a n a widow a n d freed h e r to do as she pleased. S u c h a fine m a n he was, d e d i c a t e d to serving R o m e a n d full of t h e strength to do it! I r e m e m b e r t h e last t i m e I saw h i m h e r e in t h e Forum, going about his business, in e x c e l l e n t h e a l t h a n d h i g h spirits, full of plans for t h e future. T w o days later I was, c a l l e d to his d e a t h b e d , w h e r e I found h i m racked w i t h pain, barely able t o b r e a t h e . H i s m i n d h a d begun t o fail, but a t t h e very e n d h e b e c a m e lucid again. H i s last t h o u g h t s were n o t o f himself, b u t o f R o m e . H e fixed his gaze on me as I wept, a n d in b r o k e n words he tried to warn me of t h e s t o r m t h a t h u n g over my h e a d , t h e tempest t h a t was brewing for t h e w h o l e state. ' C i c e r o , C i c e r o , how will you h o l d out against t h e m w i t h o u t m e t o h o l d t h e m i n c h e c k ? ' H e wept t h e n , n o t for himself, but for t h e future o f t h e c i t y h e loved, a n d for t h e friends w h o would n o longer have his p r o t e c t i o n . I often w o n d e r how differently things m i g h t have turned out h a d he lived. W o u l d his cousin C l o d i u s have s u c c e e d e d w i t h a t e n t h o f his m a d s c h e m e s i f Q u i n t u s M e t e l l u s C e l e r h a d b e e n alive t o oppose h i m ? W o u l d his wife C l o d i a have fallen i n t o t h e downward spiral o f disrepute t h a t has ultimately brought us h e r e today?

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" A n d n o w t h a t w o m a n has t h e audacity t o speak o f fast-acting poisons! H o w m u c h does she k n o w about t h e subject? E n o u g h , appare n t l y ! If she goes a h e a d w i t h h e r testimony, perhaps she will tell us exactly how m u c h she knows about poison, and how she c a m e t o know it. W h e n I t h i n k t h a t s h e still lives in t h e house where C e l e r died, w h e n I t h i n k of w h a t she h a s s i n c e turned t h a t house i n t o , I wonder t h a t t h e walls themselves h a d n o t rebelled in disgust and c o m e toppling down around her!" C i c e r o bowed his h e a d for a long m o m e n t , seemingly o v e r c o m e w i t h e m o t i o n . As for C l o d i a , o n e would never have k n o w n what a famous b e a u t y s h e was, from t h e way she looked a t t h a t m o m e n t . T h e b o n e s o f h e r face s e e m e d ready to break through t h e skin. H e r eyes smoldered like c o a l s . H e r m o u t h was a hard, straight line showing a glint of t e e t h b e t w e e n bloodless lips. " E x c u s e m e , j u d g e s , " said C i c e r o , recovering himself. " M y m e m ories of a n o b l e and valiant friend have greatly upset m e , I fear. A n d s o m e of you, t o o , as I c a n see. B u t let us persevere w i t h this distasteful, petty business, a n d be d o n e w i t h it. "Very well: t h e story goes t h a t after testing t h e poison on a hapless slave, C a e l i u s h a n d e d it over to a friend of his, Publius L i c i n i u s . You see h i m h e r e today, sitting proudly a m o n g Caelius's supporters, n o t t h e least bit a s h a m e d to show his face despite t h e slander against h i m . L i c i n i u s , they say, was to give t h e poison to s o m e of C l o d i a ' s slaves at t h e S e n i a n baths, in a little pyxis. A h , but t h e slaves h a d betrayed t h e plot to t h e i r mistress, so s h e s e n t s o m e friends to lurk on t h e premises and seize L i c i n i u s in t h e a c t of h a n d i n g over t h e poison. So goes t h e story, anyway. "I am eagerly waiting to discover t h e identities of t h e upstanding witnesses w h o are supposed to have seen, w i t h t h e i r own eyes, t h e p o i s o n i n Licinius's h a n d s . S o far, t h e i r n a m e s have n o t b e e n m e n t i o n e d , b u t t h e y must be very reputable fellows indeed. In t h e first p l a c e , t h e y are i n t i m a t e s of s u c h a lady. In t h e s e c o n d , t h e y agreed to lurk about t h e baths in t h e m i d d l e of t h e day, a j o b suitable only to t h e most r e s p e c t a b l e of men." I felt t h e skin p r i c k l e on t h e b a c k of my n e c k . C i c e r o was t a l k i n g about m e , a m o n g o t h e r s . E v e n w i t h o u t h e a r i n g my n a m e m e n t i o n e d , I felt cut by his s c o r n , exposed and flustered. W h a t t h e n was C l o d i a feeling at this m o m e n t ? " B u t d o n ' t take my word for t h e worthiness of these witnesses, t h e s e midday b a t h h o u s e skulkers," C i c e r o c o n t i n u e d . " T h e i r a c t i o n s speak for t h e m . W e are told, ' T h e y hid out o f sight and w a t c h e d e v e r y t h i n g . ' I ' m sure t h e y did. T h a t type loves t o watch! ' T h e y b o l t e d out o f h i d i n g a c c i d e n t a l l y . ' O h dear, premature e j a c u l a t o r s — w h a t a deplorable l a c k o f

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m a n l y s e l f - c o n t r o l ! T h e story goes t h a t Licinius made his e n t r a n c e and was just about to h a n d over t h e i n c r i m i n a t i n g pyxis b u t h a d n o t quite d o n e so, w h e n t h e s e superb, anonymous witnesses burst f o r t h — w h e r e u p o n L i c i n i u s drew b a c k t h e pyxis a n d t o o k to his h e e l s in flight!" C i c e r o s h o o k his h e a d a n d m a d e a face of disgust. " S o m e t i m e s , no m a t t e r h o w badly a tale is told, a shred of truth shines through. Take this shabby l i t t l e drama, for i n s t a n c e , authored by a lady w i t h so many o t h e r tawdry tales to h e r credit. H o w devoid of plot, h o w sorely lacking for an e n d i n g ! H o w c o u l d all these fellows have let L i c i n i u s slip from t h e i r grasp, w h e n t h e y were posted a n d ready, and he suspected n o t h i n g ? W h a t was t h e p o i n t o f capturing h i m a s h e h a n d e d over t h e poison, anyway? O n c e i t passed o u t o f his hands h e c o u l d c l a i m h e h a d never s e e n i t before. W h y n o t seize h i m t h e m o m e n t h e e n t e r e d t h e baths, h o l d h i m down a n d force a confession from h i m w i t h all those bystanders for witnesses? Instead, off L i c i n i u s goes, w i t h t h e lady's gang in h o t pursuit, b u m b l i n g a n d tripping all over e a c h o t h e r . In t h e end, we are left w i t h no pyxis, no p o i s o n , n o t a single shred of e v i d e n c e . Really, w h a t we h a v e h e r e is t h e finale of a m i m e show, n o t a proper play but t h e sort o f silly farce t h a t sputters t o a n unsatisfying e n d — n o c l i m a x , just a b u n c h of clowns b u m b l i n g off t h e stage. " I f t h e y c o m e forward to testify, I look forward to seeing t h e cast o f this little m i m e show. T h i s trial could use some c o m i c relief! L e t ' s have a l o o k at these young dandies w h o enjoy play-acting as warriors under t h e i r mistress's c o m m a n d , scouting t h e familiar terrain a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s , laying an a m b u s h , crowding i n t o a b a t h t u b and pretending it's t h e T r o j a n H o r s e . I k n o w t h e type: all glib a n d witty at d i n n e r parties, and t h e m o r e t h e y d r i n k t h e wittier t h e y b e c o m e . B u t idling o n soft c o u c h e s a n d c h a t t e r i n g by lamplight is o n e thing; telling t h e truth b e n e a t h t h e h o t sun in a c o u r t of hard w o o d e n b e n c h e s is s o m e t h i n g else again. If t h e y c a n ' t e v e n find t h e i r way around t h e b a t h s , how will t h e y find t h e witness stand? I give these so-called witnesses fair warning: if t h e y d e c i d e to c o m e forward, I will turn t h e m upside down a n d shake t h e foolishness out of t h e m , so t h a t we c a n all see what's left. I suggest t h e y keep t h e i r m o u t h s shut and find o t h e r ways to curry t h e i r lady's favor. L e t t h e m c l i n g to her, do tricks and c o m p e t e to grovel at h e r f e e t — b u t let t h e m spare t h e life a n d career o f a n i n n o c e n t m a n ! " A n d w h a t o f t h a t slave t o w h o m t h e poison was t o b e h a n d e d over, w h o is also to appear as a w i t n e s s ? " I s e a r c h e d t h e faces of t h o s e o n t h e prosecutors' b e n c h e s — a glum lot o f faces, a t t h e m o m e n t — a n d spotted C l o d i a ' s m a n B a r n a b a s , looking as if he h a d swallowed s o m e t h i n g u n p l e a s a n t . "I am told t h a t he has just b e e n freed by his mistress, m a d e a c i t i z e n by h e r h a n d — o r by h e r brother's h a n d , s i n c e a w o m a n c a n n o t

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legally m a n u m i t a slave on h e r own. W h a t was b e h i n d this a c t of libe r a t i o n ? W a s it a reward for loyalty a n d services beyond t h e n o r m a l c a l l of duty? Or was t h e r e a m o r e p r a c t i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n ? For, now t h a t h e ' s a c i t i z e n , t h e fellow c a n n o t b e s u b j e c t e d t o t h e n o r m a l m e a n s o f o b t a i n i n g e v i d e n c e from a testifying slave. Torture tends to bring out t h e truth; n o a m o u n t o f rehearsal c a n prepare even t h e best c o m i c a c t o r t o r e c i t e falsehoods to a h o t poker. " I n c i d e n t a l l y , we should hardly be surprised t h a t all this b o t h e r about a pyxis has given rise to an e x t r e m e l y i n d e c e n t story c o n c e r n i n g a n o t h e r pyxis a n d its c o n t e n t s . You k n o w t h e story I m e a n , judges. Everyone's t a l k i n g about it. Everyone seems t o t h i n k it's true. W h y n o t , s i n c e it fits so well w i t h t h e lady's i n d e c e n t reputation? A n d everyone finds t h e story hilarious, despite t h e o b s c e n i t y o f it. T h e gift c o u l d hardly b e c a l l e d inappropriate, w h e n o n e considers t h e receptive nature o f t h e b u t t o f t h e j o k e . T h e r e , you see, you're all laughing e v e n now! W e l l , true o r n o t , o b s c e n e o r n o t , funny o r n o t , d o n ' t b l a m e M a r c u s C a e l i u s . T h e j o k e must have b e e n pulled by s o m e young wanker w i t h a c l e v e r h a n d a n d a wayward b e n t . " A g a i n , from t h e c o r n e r of my eye I t h o u g h t I saw Catullus's lips m o v i n g . W h e n I turned to stare at h i m he looked at me darkly a n d m o v e d away, losing h i m s e l f in t h e crowd. C l o d i a ' s face was a study in misery. C i c e r o a c c e p t e d a n o t h e r sip of water from T i r o and waited for t h e laughter to die down. "I h a v e n o w stated my c a s e , judges. My task is d o n e . T h e task is now yours, to d e c i d e t h e fate o f a n i n n o c e n t young m a n . " He p r o c e e d e d to his s u m m a t i o n : a b r i e f r e c a p i t u l a t i o n of C a e l i u s ' s career, a r e c i t a t i o n of his virtues, an appeal to be merciful to his distraught father, a final, scornful dismissal of t h e spurious charges against h i m . I h e a r d t h e s e words o n l y vaguely. I c o u l d n ' t take my eyes off C l o d i a . I saw a w o m a n utterly unnerved, pale, defeated, confused, resentful. S h e looked as if s h e h a d b e e n p o i s o n e d again, and polluted as well: M e d e a h a d b e c o m e M e d u s a , to judge by t h e shifty-eyed friends w h o squirmed o n t h e b e n c h e s a r o u n d her. T h e y looked nervously h e r e a n d t h e r e but turned t h e i r faces from C l o d i a , as if t h e merest g l a n c e from t h o s e h a u n t e d eyes m i g h t turn a m a n to s t o n e .

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Cicero's s p e e c h was followed by a recess, after w h i c h , t h e magistrate d e c l a r e d , t h e testimony o f witnesses would c o m m e n c e . T h e c o m m o n s e n t i m e n t i n t h e crowd was t h a t t h e trial would probably carry over for at least a n o t h e r day, given t h e n u m b e r o f witnesses e x p e c t e d t o testify. B u t w h e n t h e court reassembled, t h e prosecutors were embarrassed to reveal t h a t m o s t , indeed virtually all, of t h e i r scheduled witnesses h a d d e c l i n e d t o appear. T h e c o t e r i e o f young m e n w h o had filled t h e b e n c h e s around C l o d i a h a d vanished. S o h a d C l o d i a herself. T h e supporters o f C a e l i u s could hardly c o n t a i n t h e i r triumph. E v e n C a e l i u s ' s father, dressed in his ragged funeral garments, looked smug. A handful of witnesses dared to a p p e a r — s o m e of t h e outraged husbands w h o s e wives h a d b e e n insulted by C a e l i u s , S e n a t o r Fufius, a n d e v e n a c o u p l e o f t h e " b a t h h o u s e skulkers." T h e prosecutors, w h o h a d clearly lost h e a r t , perfunctorily interviewed t h e m . C i c e r o c r o s s - e x a m i n e d t h e m w i t h effortless p a n a c h e , restraining his wit lest it appear wasted on s u c h m i n o r o p p o n e n t s . T h e spectators b e g a n t o disperse. T h e drama h a d r e a c h e d its c l i m a x w i t h C i c e r o ' s o r a t i o n , and only t h e most inveterate believers in surprise e n d i n g s h e l d out to see what t h e verdict would b e . T h e judges tallied t h e i r votes a n d a n n o u n c e d t h e i r d e c i s i o n . M a r c u s C a e l i u s was n o t guilty. I felt relieved of a great burden. W h a t if t h e y h a d declared h i m guilty of all t h e charges against h i m , including D i o ' s murder? H o w c o u l d I h a v e r e m a i n e d silent? B u t t h e y h a d n o t declared h i m guilty; t h e crisis was averted. S t i l l , w h a t o f t h e poison plot against C l o d i a ? C i c e r o h a d

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argued t h a t it was all a fiction c o n c o c t e d by C l o d i a herself, just a n o t h e r part o f h e r s c h e m e t o take v e n g e a n c e o n C a e l i u s , and t h e judges h a d agreed. B u t w h a t if C a e l i u s had tried to poison her? H a d I no o b l i g a t i o n to speak up? T h e m o m e n t h a d passed, a n d t h e r e was no undoing it. I told myself t h a t my sole i n t e n t i o n from t h e outset was to discover t h e truth about D i o ' s d e a t h . A s for C a e l i u s a n d C l o d i a , whatever t h e truth o f t h e i r intrigues against e a c h other, surely I owed n o t h i n g to e i t h e r of t h e m .

A f t e r t h e verdict was a n n o u n c e d , C a e l i u s ' s supporters broke i n t o c h e e r i n g and g a t h e r e d in a ring around h i m . T h e prosecutors and t h e i r assistants glumly dispersed. S o m e o f t h e judges went t o congratulate C a e l i u s a n d pay c o m p l i m e n t s to C i c e r o and Crassus for their orations. S p e c t a t o r s h e a d e d off t o see w h a t a c t i v i t i e s c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival were still going on elsewhere in t h e city. Slaves gathered up folding c h a i r s a n d c a r r i e d t h e m off. " W h e r e shall w e g o n o w ? " said E c o . "I t h i n k I want to be a l o n e for a w h i l e , " I said. "Take B e l b o w i t h you. I d o n ' t n e e d a bodyguard anymore. T h e trial's over a n d I ' m no danger to anybody." " S t i l l , Papa, it's a holiday. People get r o w d y — " " P l e a s e , E c o , take B e l b o w i t h you. O r b e t t e r yet, send h i m h o m e t o B e t h e s d a . I'll feel b e t t e r k n o w i n g h e ' s t h e r e while I'm n o t . " " W h e r e are you g o i n g ? " "I'm not sure." " W h y d o n ' t you g o h o m e yourself?" I s h o o k my h e a d . " N o t y e t . " "Papa, w h a t ' s going o n ? " H e lowered his v o i c e . " I f D i o was p o i s o n e d in your h o u s e , w h o did it? A n d why? You know, d o n ' t y o u ? " I s h o o k my h e a d . " W e ' l l t a l k about it later." "But Papa—" " I ' l l spend t h e n i g h t at your h o u s e , if that's all right. H a v e t h e slaves fix up a c o u c h for me to sleep o n . " " O f c o u r s e , Papa. A r e you sure you don't want m e t o c o m e w i t h you? W e c o u l d t a l k . " " T a l k is n o t w h a t I n e e d . I n e e d to t h i n k , a n d I c a n t h i n k m o r e clearly if I ' m by myself." T h i s last turned out to be untrue. I wandered t h e c i t y in a daze, paying no a t t e n t i o n to w h e r e I was going, my thoughts turning in sluggish circles.

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W h y had B e t h e s d a deceived m e ? H a d it b e e n left to her, would she ever have told me t h e truth? Of course, I k n e w why she had remained silent. H o w does a w o m a n tell h e r husband t h a t she's poisoned his respected old m e n t o r under his roof, right under his very nose? S t i l l , she h a d reason. Did she t h i n k I wouldn't understand? W h y had she never told m e o f h e r m o t h e r ' s death and about t h e terrible thing t h a t had h a p p e n e d to h e r before I found her? Did she trust me so little, even after all our years together? My own feelings confused me no less. W a s I angry, or hurt? Did I want to punish B e t h e s d a , or beg for h e r forgiveness? I felt as if I had d o n e s o m e t h i n g wrong, b u t 1 c o u l d n ' t say w h a t it was. I k n e w I had b e e n m a d e a fool of; B e t h e s d a had k n o w n t h e truth all along and yet had let me plod down t h e wrong p a t h in darkness. W a s she amused at my folly? D i d she fear my r e a c t i o n if I should discover t h e truth? Or did she simply t h i n k t h a t she could get away w i t h never telling m e , and considered that easiest for everybody? S h e k n e w t h e truth was precious to m e , and she h a d w i t h h e l d it from m e . I resented her for that. U n d e r my roof, before my eyes, she h a d murdered a m a n she h a t e d . I understood h e r reason, but still I was appalled and shaken by t h e e n o r m i t y of it. Perhaps she was right n o t to trust me w i t h t h e truth after all. I passed revelers and vendors in t h e street, heard t h e roar of a large crowd from t h e C i r c u s M a x i m u s , went by a square where a stage was b e i n g put up for a p e r f o r m a n c e t h e n e x t day, heard t a m b o u r i n e s and looked up to see a group of galli d a n c i n g on a rooftop. N o w and again I heard s n a t c h e s of c o n v e r s a t i o n w h i c h must have b e e n about t h e trial: So the young man got off completely . . . clever Cicero . . . had no idea the woman was such a wanton . . . the Clodii will think twice before trying a stunt like that again . . . everybody laughed—you should have seen the bitch's face . . . who gives a damn about those Egyptians anyway? . . . they stone women like that in other countries . . . 'Did I say husband? I mean brother, of course—I'm always making that mistake!' . . . 'Not just a whore, but a particularly lewd and depraved old whore' . . . from what's said about her, someone probably should go ahead and poison the monster . . . I kept walking. Hours passed. T h e sky grew dark. T h e streets b e c a m e empty. S t i l l I walked. I never k n e w where I was headed until I got t h e r e . T h e p h a l l i c lamp above t h e e n t r a n c e burned bright, promising w a r m t h and light w i t h i n . I rapped on t h e door of t h e S a l a c i o u s Tavern and t h e d o o r m a n let me inside. As a rule I d r i n k no m o r e t h a n o t h e r m e n , and less t h a n most. T h a t n i g h t , I felt like getting drunk. T h e slave w h o brought w i n e was glad to h e l p me in t h e pursuit. T h e r o o m was so noisy t h a t I could h e a r only s n a t c h e s of conver-

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sation, m u c h o f w h i c h was about t h e trial. C i c e r o ' s jokes were repeated a n d o b s c e n e l y e m b e l l i s h e d . T h e story o f t h e pyxis a n d its c o n t e n t s was told in n u m e r o u s variations, and arguments broke out over w h i c h version was c o r r e c t . W i n e prompted crude bursts of insight: " C a e l i u s may have screwed t h e b i t c h before, but i t was C i c e r o w h o screwed h e r today!" T h e consensus s e e m e d t o b e t h a t C a e l i u s h a d escaped b y t h e skin o f his t e e t h , a n d t h a t C l o d i a h a d b e e n ruined for good, and it was all for t h e best. I sat a n d drank, m a k i n g no particular effort e i t h e r to listen or n o t listen, letting t h e words of strangers e n t e r my ears as they might. W h e n my cup was empty, I c a l l e d for t h e server to fill it again. It was q u i t e late in t h e e v e n i n g w h e n t h e door o p e n e d and a large party c a m e s t a m p i n g in. T h e y were mostly young, too well g r o o m e d a n d poshly dressed for t h e p l a c e . T h e y h a d obviously c o m e from s o m e other, m o r e r e s p e c t a b l e v e n u e . T h e r e were shouts of greeting and t h e n a g e n e r a l c h e e r a s t h e patrons recognized M a r c u s C a e l i u s . H e acknowledged t h e show of support w i t h a smile a n d a wave, t h e n made a tipsy bow t h a t turned i n t o a s t u m b l e . H i s friends L i c i n i u s and A s i c i u s e a c h grabbed an arm to pull h i m upright. I was surprised, but only a little, to see C a t u l l u s in t h e group, l o o k i n g e v e n drunker t h a n C a e l i u s . C a e l i u s a n d his friends t o o k over a c o r n e r of t h e r o o m . He ordered a r o u n d of t h e tavern's best w i n e for everyone, w h i c h earned h i m a n o t h e r c h e e r . T h e drowsy m i d n i g h t m o o d o f t h e p l a c e was dispelled a n d t h e r o o m was suddenly loud and festive again. I stared glumly at t h e dregs in my cup a n d wondered if I dared to have it filled again. T h e glow of t h e w i n e h a d b e g u n to pall a n d I was b e g i n n i n g to feel slightly queasy. W h e n t h e server passed me I covered my cup w i t h my h a n d a n d s h o o k my h e a d . " W h a t ' s w r o n g ? " a voice shouted. " G o r d i a n u s w o n ' t d r i n k t h e w i n e I offer? I'll wager it's b e t t e r t h a n whatever c h e a p slop you've b e e n guzzling." I turned a n d saw C a e l i u s w a t c h i n g me from across t h e r o o m , his lips pushed o u t in a m o c k pout. " N o insult i n t e n d e d , " I muttered. " W h a t ' s t h a t ? C a n ' t h e a r you!" C a e l i u s cupped his ear a n d g r i n n e d . "You'll have t o c o m e c l o s e r . " I s h o o k my h e a d . C a e l i u s snapped his fingers, a n d a m o m e n t later a couple of brawny bodyguards were on e i t h e r side of m e , lifting me up by my elbows a n d carrying me across t h e r o o m . T h e y sat me down on a b e n c h across from C a e l i u s , w h o laughed a n d clapped his h a n d s like a c h i l d w a t c h i n g a m a g i c trick. "You're in an awfully good m o o d t o n i g h t , " I said. " W h y n o t ? If things h a d g o n e badly today I'd be on a b o a t h e a d i n g

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for Massilia right now." He made a face. "Instead, here I am surrounded by my friends, in t h e h e a r t of t h e most wonderful c i t y in t h e w o r l d . " Licinius a n d A s i c i u s sat o n o n e side o f h i m , Catullus o n t h e o t h e r . T h e rest o f his party h a d gathered around a nearby table to throw d i c e . " I ' m free!" " F r e e ? I t h o u g h t C i c e r o h a d you in his snare again. You owe h i m q u i t e a favor now. D o e s he k n o w you're out carousing t o n i g h t , making a liar of h i m ? " " C i c e r o ? " C a e l i u s m a d e a rude noise w i t h his lips. " D o n ' t worry, I c a n h a n d l e h i m . I've b e e n doing it for years." " T h e student c o n t r o l s t h e t e a c h e r ? " " S o m e t h i n g like t h a t . " "You're a spoiled brat, M a r c u s C a e l i u s . " " A n d p e o p l e love m e for it! E x c e p t m a y b e you. W h y w o n ' t you d r i n k t h e w i n e I offer?" " I ' v e h a d e n o u g h t o n i g h t . You l o o k like you've already h a d rather a l o t yourself. You, t o o , C a t u l l u s . " C a t u l l u s looked b a c k at me blearily a n d b l i n k e d a few times. He s e e m e d to be at a level of i n e b r i a t i o n that m a d e h i m n e i t h e r giddy n o r m a u d l i n , b u t simply n u m b . " S o you t h i n k we've h a d t o o m u c h t o d r i n k ? " said C a e l i u s . " W e ' v e o n l y started! S e r v e r ! B r i n g out m o r e of your best w i n e , for e v e r y o n e ! " " A r e you sure you c a n afford such e x t r a v a g a n c e ? " I said. C a e l i u s smiled. " A l l my debts are paid off." " I t h o u g h t you h a d n o d e b t s . " " D i d n ' t you pay a t t e n t i o n to C i c e r o in c o u r t today? I d o n ' t e v e n keep ledger b o o k s , G o r d i a n u s ! A l l my finances are in Papa's n a m e . " " I s e e . T e c h n i c a l l y , you have n o d e b t s . " " T h a t ' s h o w it works nowadays. B u t like I said, all t h e debts are paid o f f . " " E v e n t h e o n e s you owed t o P o m p e y ? " He h e s i t a t e d for o n l y a m o m e n t . " E v e n t h o s e . " " B u t n o t repaid w i t h c o i n ? " " N o . W i t h services r e n d e r e d . " N e x t t o h i m , L i c i n i u s a n d A s i c i u s stiffened. " C a e l i u s ! " said A s i c i u s . C a e l i u s laughed. " D o n ' t worry, t h e trials are over. Your trial, A s icius, a n d my trial, a n d we are b o t h as i n n o c e n t as l a m b s . " "You should learn h o w to shut up, C a e l i u s ! " snapped L i c i n i u s . " S h u t up about w h a t ? " I said. " O h , my friends t h i n k I talk t o o m u c h . B u t where's t h e danger now? I ' m free!" " T h e n perhaps you c o u l d set my m i n d at rest about a few t h i n g s , " I said.

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L i c i n i u s a n d A s i c i u s fidgeted, but C a e l i u s smiled blandly at m e . " W h y n o t ? " N e x t t o h i m Catullus stared obliviously i n t o space a n d m o v e d his lips, c o m p o s i n g a p o e m in his h e a d , perhaps. " D o you r e m e m b e r w h e n I last saw you, C a e l i u s , h e r e at t h e tavern? You swore to me by t h e shades of your ancestors t h a t you didn't murder Dio." "Yes, I r e m e m b e r . I told you t h e t r u t h . " " A n d you swore t h a t it wasn't A s i c i u s , e i t h e r . " "Also true." " B u t w h e n I asked where you were and what you were up to on t h e n i g h t D i o died, you refused t o tell m e . " " H o w c o u l d I tell you, w i t h t h e trial still p e n d i n g — " " C a e l i u s , shut up!" snapped A s i c i u s . "I b e l i e v e y o u , " I said, " w h e n you swear t h a t you didn't kill D i o . It's m y b e l i e f t h a t h e died o f poison. A n d yet, s o m e o n e broke i n t o C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e t h a t n i g h t , a n d D i o was found w i t h stab wounds in his c h e s t . C a n you e x p l a i n t h a t , C a e l i u s ? " " N o w you bring up a very interesting p o i n t , " C a e l i u s said, raising o n e eyebrow, " a n d as a m a t t e r of f a c t — " " C a e l i u s , you fool, shut up!" " R e l a x , A s i c i u s . T h e trial i s over, a n d G o r d i a n u s c a n b e trusted w i t h t h e truth. C a n ' t you, G o r d i a n u s ? S w e a r t o m e b y t h e shade o f your father t h a t you'll keep secret w h a t I'm a b o u t to tell y o u . " I h e s i t a t e d o n l y a m o m e n t . "I swear." " C a e l i u s , you're an idiot!" A s i c i u s stamped his foot a n d angrily left t h e r o o m . L i c i n i u s stayed b e h i n d , looking around warily for eavesdroppers. C a t u l l u s stared b l a n k l y i n t o his cup. " A s i c i u s ! W h a t an ass. He always was death to a good c o n v e r s a t i o n . " C a e l i u s smiled. " W h e r e were w e ? " " T h e night Dio died—" " A h , yes. W e l l , it was t h e oddest t h i n g . You see, I was supposed to kill D i o . It's e x a c t l y as you h a d it figured, I'm sure. K i n g P t o l e m y w a n t e d to get rid of D i o , and so did Pompey. I owed Pompey a pile of gold w h i c h I c o u l d n ' t possibly repay. So it was up to me to do old D i o i n . " "Just as you arranged t h e a t t a c k on t h e A l e x a n d r i a n envoys w h e n t h e y arrived i n N e a p o l i s . " C a e l i u s n o d d e d . " A n d kept u p t h e attacks i n P u t e o l i a n d o n t h e way u p t o R o m e . T h e Egyptians were almost t o o easy t o frighten. T h e y ' r e about as courageous as pigeons. B u t pigeons scatter w h e n they're a t t a c k e d , a n d t h e r e were s o d a m n e d many o f t h e m ! " " A n d t h e last o n e left was D i o . " " E x a c t l y . A n d t h a t pigeon made a nasty m e s s . "

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L i c i n i u s rolled his eyes. " C a e l i u s , you're crazy to be telling h i m this." " S h u t up, L i c i n i u s . H a s my j u d g m e n t ever steered me wrong? G o r dianus is like a dog w i t h a b o n e . H e ' l l never let go of this t h i n g until h e ' s got t h e truth. N o w t h a t it c a n ' t hurt us, b e t t e r to simply tell h i m s o t h a t h e c a n g o find a n o t h e r b o n e t o c h e w . H e ' s sworn h i m s e l f t o s e c r e c y ! N o w w h e r e was I ? " " A l l t h e Egyptians g o n e but D i o . " " A h , yes. W e l l , I tried to get t h e k i t c h e n slaves to poison h i m at Lucius Lucceius's h o u s e , o f course. H a v i n g m e t t h a t idiot Lucceius o n c e at a party, I figured I c o u l d get away with just about anything under his roof. B u t t h e slaves b u n g l e d it a n d killed D i o ' s taster instead, and off D i o w e n t to C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e . A good thing L u c c e i u s is t h e type to see no e v i l , or he c o u l d have forced his slaves to testify against me and ruined everything. " S o it was on to T i t u s C o p o n i u s ' s house. T i t u s is no fool, and his slaves are as loyal as slaves c o m e . A d d e d to t h a t , D i o was m o r e wary t h a n ever, a n d Pompey was really b e g i n n i n g to press m e . W e l l , t h e r e was n o t h i n g to do but sharpen t h e daggers and go on a m i d n i g h t raid. I n e e d e d h e l p for t h a t , so I c a l l e d on A s i c i u s . He's t h e o n e w h o actually staged t h e raids o n t h e envoys down south for m e . H e ' s b e e n o n e o f K i n g Ptolemy's agents for years. K n o w s a lot m o r e about daggers a n d b l o o d a n d t h a t sort of t h i n g t h a n I d o . " " T h a n k t h e gods h e ' s n o t h e r e t o h e a r you!" groaned L i c i n i u s , c o v e r i n g his f a c e . C a t u l l u s was busy poking at s o m e t h i n g in t h e b o t t o m o f his w i n e c u p . I n o d d e d . " T h e n you a n d A s i c i u s — " " O h yes, w e w e n t o u t t h a t n i g h t with every i n t e n t i o n o f killing old D i o . Sorry. I k n o w he was your old t e a c h e r and all t h a t . B u t Egyptian p o l i t i c s is a nasty b u s i n e s s . " "You h a d n o c o n f e d e r a t e s inside C o p o n i u s ' s h o u s e ? " " N o t a single o n e . T o o dangerous. His slaves are t o o loyal, as I said." " B u t you k n e w t h e r o o m where D i o was staying." C a e l i u s shrugged. " N o t t o o hard to figure out. I'd stayed in t h e h o u s e as a guest myself." " S o t h e two o f you c l i m b e d over t h e wall, broke i n t h e window, burst i n t o D i o ' s r o o m — " " A n d found h i m lying on his c o u c h as dead as K i n g N u m a . I'll n e v e r forget t h e sight o f h i m — m o u t h gaping o p e n , eyes staring. O h yes, m o s t definitely d e a d . " " T h e n what?"

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" W h a t else c o u l d we do? Pompey h a d sent us to kill D i o , and he k n e w we i n t e n d e d to use daggers. I d i d n ' t want Pompey to t h i n k t h a t D i o h a d died o f natural causes, o r t h a t s o m e o n e else had murdered h i m . I w a n t e d my d e b t discharged! So we w e n t ahead a n d stabbed h i m , e n o u g h times t o kill h i m i f h e ' d still b e e n l i v i n g — " " M o r e t h a n e n o u g h , from what I h e a r d . " C a e l i u s shrugged. " T h e n we made a bit of a mess in t h e r o o m , as if t h e r e m i g h t have b e e n a struggle, a n d t h e n we got out of t h e r e as q u i c k l y as we c o u l d . T h e n e x t day everyone was saying t h a t D i o h a d b e e n s t a b b e d to d e a t h in his b e d . Pompey was satisfied, my debts were discharged, a n d I figured t h a t was t h e e n d of it. B u t A s i c i u s was n e v e r secretive a b o u t his links to K i n g Ptolemy. His e n e m i e s decided to put h i m o n trial for murdering D i o . Ptolemy hired C i c e r o t o h a n d l e t h e defense, a n d C i c e r o got A s i c i u s off. T h e prosecution never really h a d e n o u g h e v i d e n c e against h i m . " " N o r against you, it s e e m s . " "Especially not with C i c e r o on my side." Caelius grinned. "Yes, t h a t e x p l a i n s i t , " I said. " S t a b b e d after he was already dead. N o o n e i n C o p o n i u s ' s house n o t i c e d t h e d i s c r e p a n c i e s — h a r d l y e n o u g h b l o o d spattered about for so many wounds, and t h e wounds all n e a t l y c l o s e together, n o t spread around. N o struggle. A n d t h e slave girl, t o o afraid t o tell w h a t she k n e w . . . " " W h a t ' s t h a t ? " said C a e l i u s . "You're m u t t e r i n g t o yourself, G o r dianus." " W a s I? A bad h a b i t . Yes, you've put my m i n d to rest a b o u t D i o . T h e old dog c a n stop gnawing t h a t b o n e . B u t I have a n o t h e r b o n e w i t h s o m e marrow still left in i t . " " D o you? Server, m o r e w i n e ! " " T h e v i o l e n c e against D i o a n d t h e A l e x a n d r i a n envoys w e r e n ' t t h e o n l y c h a r g e s against y o u . " " N o — a n d a good t h i n g , t o o ! " " W h a t d o you m e a n ? " " W h y , C l o d i a adding t h a t poisoning c h a r g e a t t h e last m i n u t e . Crassus said we should disallow it. He said it was t e c h n i c a l l y t o o late for t h e prosecutors to include it a n d t h a t we didn't have t i m e to prepare a defense. C i c e r o told h i m he was mad, t h a t it was a gift from t h e gods. ' D o n ' t you see? T h e y ' v e given us e x a c t l y what we n e e d ! N o w we have every r e a s o n t o drag C l o d i a i n t o t h e c a s e , and that will b e t h e e n d o f t h e p r o s e c u t i o n . ' A n d h e was right, o f course. I f C l o d i a h a d kept o u t o f sight, I'd h a v e b e e n i n m u c h worse trouble. B u t w i t h C l o d i a right t h e r e , showing h e r f a c e , b r i n g i n g h e r own a c c u s a t i o n against m e , C i c e r o was able t o turn t h e trial o n its h e a d . N o t ' D i d C a e l i u s murder t h e Egyptians?'

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b u t ' W h y is t h a t wicked w o m a n trumping up charges against t h e poor b o y ? ' A n d i t worked, brilliantly! T h e prosecution was totally discredited. A c c u s i n g me of trying to poison C l o d i a actually weakened all t h e o t h e r charges." "Yes, C a e l i u s , " I said quietly, "but what about t h e a c c u s a t i o n itself?" Catullus suddenly looked up from his w i n e cup and showed signs of life. C a e l i u s gave me a supercilious grin. " G o r d i a n u s , a R o m a n court h a s declared m e t o b e a n i n n o c e n t m a n , wrongfully accused. W h a t more do you n e e d to k n o w ? " " T h e t r u t h , " I said. I r e a c h e d for his arm. T h e force I used caught h i m by surprise. H e dropped his cup. W i n e splashed o n t h e floor. Caelius's bodyguards lurched forward. He kept t h e m b a c k w i t h a shake of his h e a d and spoke t o m e t h r o u g h gritted t e e t h . " G o r d i a n u s , you're h u r t i n g my wrist. L e t go, or I shall tell t h e m to c u t your h a n d o f f . " " T h e truth, C a e l i u s . It goes no further t h a n m e . I swear by t h e shade of my f a t h e r . " " T h e truth? L i c i n i u s h e r e very nearly got c a u g h t with a pyxis full o f poison a t t h e S e n i a n b a t h s . H e managed t o e m p t y t h e stuff i n t o o n e of t h e tubs on his way o u t — a waste of good poison! B u t I put t h e pyxis to good use l a t e r . " " C a e l i u s , shut up!" L i c i n i u s c l e n c h e d his fists. " A n d t h e s e c o n d a t t e m p t ? " I said. Catullus stared at C a e l i u s . " T h e truth?" "Tell me!" He jerked his arm free a n d rubbed his wrist. " T h e s e c o n d a t t e m p t a l m o s t s u c c e e d e d . I'm glad n o w t h a t it didn't. C i c e r o was right. D e a d , C l o d i a would have b e e n truly dangerous t o m e , a n o b j e c t o f sympathy. A l i v e , she was a n o b j e c t o f s c o r n , a n asset t o m e i n spite o f herself. S o it worked out for t h e best. C l o d i a got off with a bit of indigestion, and I got t h e sympathy of t h e j u d g e s . " " T h e poison you used for t h e s e c o n d a t t e m p t — " "Different from t h e first t i m e . I'd wanted to use s o m e t h i n g very q u i c k to a c t ; I didn't want h e r to suffer. But Licinius threw t h a t b a t c h away, so I e n d e d up trying s o m e t h i n g c a l l e d — w h a t is it called, L i c i n i u s ? " "Gorgon's hair." "Yes, that's it. It would have taken a bit longer, I ' m told, but b e e n just as effective. I am sorry t h a t Chrysis got caught, poor t h i n g . S h e ' s so d e l i c a t e , and n o w C l o d i a will take it all out on h e r . " Catullus spoke in a slurred v o i c e . " C a e l i u s , you told m e — " " W h a t you wanted to hear, Catullus, and you never want to h e a r

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t h e truth, do you? So w h a t if I tried to poison her? W h a t do you c a r e ? S h e despises you e v e n m o r e t h a n she does m e . " " C a e l i u s , you lying bastard!" Catullus lurched toward h i m . C a e l i u s drew b a c k and lifted his h a n d s , a signal for his bodyguards to rescue h i m . It h a p p e n e d so quickly t h a t I e x p e r i e n c e d t h e j o u r n e y from t h e b e n c h to t h e street outside as a blurred m o m e n t of l e v i t a t i o n , followed by a hard landing on my posterior. W h e n my h e a d stopped s p i n n i n g I saw t h a t C a t u l l u s was sitting on t h e paving stones beside m e . A f t e r a m o m e n t , he rolled forward o n t o his hands a n d k n e e s , crawled to t h e gutter a n d was v i o l e n t l y ill. A little later he crawled b a c k to m e . "You should try t h a t , " he said, wiping his c h i n . "You'd feel b e t t e r . " "I d o n ' t want to feel b e t t e r . " " S e l f - p i t y i n g bastard. You sound like m e . W h a t have you got to be sad a b o u t ? " " W o m a n trouble." " A t your a g e ? " " L i v e long e n o u g h , whelp, a n d you'll see. It n e v e r e n d s . " " T h e n how d o m e n stand i t ? " T h e b r i e f r e l i e f o f v o m i t i n g gave way to his usual misery. " S o C a e l i u s really did try to poison h e r ? " " N o t o n c e , but t w i c e . H e told you o t h e r w i s e ? " " H e lied t o m y f a c e . " " I m a g i n e t h a t ! W h a t were you doing i n his c o m p a n y t o n i g h t , anyway?" C a t u l l u s looked even m o r e miserable. " D o n ' t tell m e , " I said. " L e t me guess. You were sharing in t h e c e l e b r a t i o n , s i n c e you h e l p e d h i m write his s p e e c h . You h e l p e d C i c e r o write his s p e e c h as w e l l . " " H o w did you k n o w ? " " T h e l o o k on your face at t h e trial today. You c o u l d n ' t h e l p but e n joy h e a r i n g your phrases spoken aloud. T h a t business about ' C l y t e m n e s t r a for-a-quadrans' a n d ' M e d e a o f t h e P a l a t i n e ' — i t h a d t o c o m e from you. Likewise t h e r e f e r e n c e to t h o s e lovers' trophies C l o d i a keeps in h e r secret treasure b o x under h e r statue o f Venus. You told m e n o o n e k n e w about t h a t b u t you, a n d you o n l y found out by a c c i d e n t . I saw h e r face w h e n C i c e r o m e n t i o n e d it. So did you. T h a t was t h e last straw for her, t h e m o m e n t she b r o k e . H e stripped h e r naked, a n d you h e l p e d . You k n e w t h e j o k e s t h a t would hurt h e r t h e most. T h e c r u d e s t puns, t h e nastiest m e t a p h o r s . A r e you t h e p o e t o f love, C a t u l l u s , o r t h e p o e t o f h a t e ? " " 'I h a t e a n d I love. If you ask me how, I do n o t k n o w — ' " " S t o p q u o t i n g yourself! W h y did you do i t ? " " D o n ' t you k n o w ? "

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"I t h o u g h t you loved C l o d i a . I t h o u g h t you h a t e d C a e l i u s . " " W h i c h is precisely why I h a d to help h i m destroy h e r . " "You baffle m e , C a t u l l u s ! " " S h e h a d to be destroyed. It was t h e o n l y way. N o w I c a n r e c l a i m her." " W h a t are you talking about, C a t u l l u s ? " He c l u t c h e d my arm. " D o n ' t you see? As long as she had this burning passion for C a e l i u s , I c o u l d n e v e r get h e r b a c k . S h e ' d put up w i t h anything from h i m , any abuse. B u t n o w he's g o n e t o o far. N o w s h e c a n ' t possibly love h i m anymore, n o t after w h a t they did to h e r at t h e trial today. C a e l i u s and his advocates h a v e made h e r t h e laughingstock o f R o m e ! Yes, I h e l p e d . I w e n t to C a e l i u s t h e m o r n i n g after we r a n into h i m h e r e at t h e tavern. I told h i m I h a d some ideas for his s p e e c h . C i c e r o was q u i t e e x c i t e d t o have m e along. T h e three o f u s h a d quite a t i m e , going t h r o u g h t h e orations, adding jokes, wondering just h o w far we should go. T h a t p u n a b o u t t h e p y x i s — " " D o n ' t m a k e m e h e a r i t all again!" " I t ' s n o t t h a t I'm proud. B u t i t had t o b e d o n e . S h e had t o b e brought down. S h e ' d b e c o m e t o o full of herself, t o o proud, t o o arrogant, ever s i n c e C e l e r died and s h e started running h e r o w n h o u s e h o l d . N o w she's b e e n broken, i n t h e o n l y way i t could b e d o n e . W e t o o k everything t h a t m a d e h e r s t r o n g — h e r beauty, h e r pride, h e r love o f p l e a s u r e — a n d turned it against her. H e r o w n ancestors were turned against her, t h e o n e s she's always gloating about! S h e ' l l never be able to brag about t h e family m o n u m e n t s again w i t h o u t everyone snickering b e h i n d h e r b a c k . S h e c a n ' t e v e n turn t o C l o d i u s , n o t i n public. It's m e she'll turn t o . " I s h o o k my h e a d . " C a t u l l u s , you are surely t h e m o s t deluded m a n I ever m e t . " "You t h i n k so? C o m e w i t h m e right now, t o h e r house. You'll s e e . " " N o , t h a n k you. C l o d i a ' s house is t h e last p l a c e on e a r t h I'd care t o b e a t this m o m e n t . N o , that's n o t quite true. T h e last place I'd want to be is in my o w n h o u s e . B u t t h e n , it's also t h e only p l a c e I want to be." " N o w who's n o t m a k i n g s e n s e ? " Catullus staggered t o his feet. " A r e you c o m i n g w i t h m e o r n o t ? " I s h o o k my h e a d , w h i c h s e e m e d to go on spinning after I stood up. "Farewell t h e n , G o r d i a n u s . " "Farewell, C a t u l l u s . A n d — " H e turned and looked b a c k a t m e blearily. " — g o o d l u c k . " He nodded and stumbled off i n t o t h e darkness. I waited for my h e a d t o stop spinning and tried t o figure out t h e d i r e c t i o n t o E c o ' s house. T h e S u b u r a s e e m e d a long way off.

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C

H

A

P

T

E

R

T

W

E

N

T

Y

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S

E

V

E

N

I woke late t h e n e x t m o r n i n g . My h e a d felt as if a w h o l e toga h a d b e e n stuffed inside it; I c o u l d taste scratchy wool on my t o n g u e . D u n k i n g my h e a d in c o l d water h e l p e d . So did eating a b i t of food. I stepped shakily i n t o t h e garden at t h e h e a r t of E c o ' s h o u s e a n d found a p l a c e to sit in t h e sun. A f t e r a while M e n e n i a walked by, b e n e a t h t h e p o r t i c o . S h e acknowledged my p r e s e n c e w i t h a n o d b u t did n o t smile. A little w h i l e later E c o sauntered o u t to join me. "You c a m e in awfully late last n i g h t , P a p a . " " W h o ' s t h e s o n h e r e , a n d who's t h e f a t h e r ? " " C a n we talk now?" " I suppose s o . " " A b o u t D i o , a n d h o w h e died. You n e v e r told m e yesterday w h a t you t h i n k . " I sighed. "You were right, about t h e p o i s o n in my house b e i n g used t o kill h i m . " " B u t w h o did i t ? " I t o o k a deep b r e a t h , t h e n a n o t h e r . It was hard to say it aloud. "Bethesda." E c o l o o k e d at me steadily, less surprised t h a n I e x p e c t e d h i m to b e . "Why?" I t o l d h i m a b o u t t h e c o n v e r s a t i o n I h a d overheard in my h o u s e , b e t w e e n C l o d i a a n d B e t h e s d a . " I t must have b e e n D i o s h e was t a l k i n g a b o u t . D i o was t h e powerful, respected m a n w h o owned h e r m o t h e r . S h e

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n e v e r said a n y t h i n g a b o u t it to m e . N e v e r ! N o t a single word! B u t s h e must h a v e recognized D i o t h e m o m e n t she saw h i m . " " D i d h e recognize h e r ? " " H e looked at h e r strangely, I r e m e m b e r . B u t she was hardly m o r e t h a n a c h i l d w h e n he last saw her, and he h a d a great many things on his m i n d . N o , I d o n ' t t h i n k h e k n e w w h o she was. B u t s h e surely recognized h i m . I t h i n k b a c k now and realize how oddly she b e h a v e d t h a t n i g h t . I t h o u g h t it was because I was going away! W h a t I find so appalling is how q u i c k l y s h e must have made t h e d e c i s i o n to kill h i m — n o d e l i b e r a t i o n , n o h e s i t a t i o n . S h e got t h e poison, fixed t h e dinner, m a d e a special p o r t i o n for t h e guest and t h e n w a t c h e d h i m eat it, r i g h t i n front o f m e ! " "You have to talk to her, P a p a . " " I ' m n o t ready. I d o n ' t k n o w what to say." " T e l l h e r you k n o w w h a t she did. G o o n from t h e r e . " " G o o n , as if it makes no difference t h a t my wife is a murderer? T h a t s h e c o m p r o m i s e d t h e h o n o r o f m y h o u s e b y killing a guest? S h e should h a v e c o m e t o m e . " " B e f o r e o r after s h e p o i s o n e d D i o ? " " I f n o t before, t h e n c e r t a i n l y after! T h e r e , you see how angry i t makes me to t a l k a b o u t it? N o , I ' m n o t ready to go h o m e to h e r yet. I w o n d e r if I ever will b e . " " D o n ' t t a l k t h a t way, Papa. You must understand why she did it. L o o k , I wasn't t a k e n e n t i r e l y by surprise by what you've just told m e . I h a d a l o t of t i m e to t h i n k on t h e ride up from P u t e o l i , wondering h o w D i o c o u l d have b e e n p o i s o n e d i n your house a n d b y w h o m . B e t h e s d a does t h e c o o k i n g , A l e x a n d r i a was a c o m m o n t h r e a d — I figured she m i g h t s o m e h o w b e responsible. S o I've h a d more t i m e t o t h i n k about this t h a n you h a v e , a n d to m a k e up my m i n d that it makes no difference. I was w i t h Z o t i c a all t h a t t i m e , seeing w h a t t h e brute did to her. I c a n ' t be sorry t h a t s o m e o n e killed h i m . If it was B e t h e s d a , and if she h a d as m u c h r e a s o n to h a t e t h e m a n as Z o t i c a did, t h e n w h a t is t h e r e to forgive?" " B u t i t was murder, E c o ! C o l d - b l o o d e d , c a l c u l a t e d , c o m m i t t e d i n s e c r e t . D o e s m y n a m e a n d m y h o u s e h o l d stand for n o t h i n g ? W e are n o t murderers!" I stood a n d b e g a n to p a c e around t h e garden. " T a l k i n g does no g o o d . I n e e d to be a l o n e again. I n e e d to t h i n k . " "Not another walk?" "Why not?" "You'll wear out t h e streets, Papa. W h e r e will you g o ? " A c o m p l e t e l y u n r e l a t e d t h o u g h t e n t e r e d my h e a d . " I ' l l take c a r e of my last b i t of business w i t h C l o d i a . T h e m o n e y I gave you for your trip s o u t h — y o u must have a lot left over."

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"Quite a bit." " I t ' s C l o d i a ' s m o n e y . It was m e a n t to b r i b e me so t h a t I'd testify for her, or else it was m e a n t to pay for t h e slaves of L u c c e i u s . W h o knows w h a t s h e really h a d in mind? E i t h e r way, she didn't get w h a t she paid for, did she? N e v e r say I ' m like C a e l i u s , t h a t I t o o k m o n e y from C l o d i a a n d d i d n ' t return it. Go f e t c h it, will you? I'll take it b a c k to h e r r i g h t now. At least I c a n wash my hands of t h a t affair and put it b e h i n d me for g o o d . " E c o w e n t i n t o t h e house a n d returned with a purse full of c o i n s . " B y t h e way, how is Z o t i c a d o i n g ? " I said. " N o w t h a t she's rested, is she any c a l m e r ? " E c o lowered his eyes. "Is s o m e t h i n g w r o n g ? " " A f t e r we talked to h e r yesterday, M e n e n i a showed h e r to a p l a c e w h e r e s h e c o u l d sleep, a n d left h e r a l o n e . It was a mistake to let h e r o u t o f t h e l o c k e d pantry. W h e n I c a m e h o m e from t h e Forum . . . " "Oh, no!" " S h e r a n away, Papa. I c a n ' t say I ' m surprised. I told you, she's turned wild, like an a n i m a l . I doubt t h a t we'll ever see h e r a g a i n . "

H e a d i n g to C l o d i a ' s house by t h e shortest way would have t a k e n me by my own front door, so I t o o k a roundabout route. T h e day was h o t a n d t h e way was s t e e p . I arrived sweaty and winded. I rapped on t h e door. A f t e r a long pause I rapped again. F i n a l l y t h e p e e p h o l e o p e n e d . A dispassionate eye observed m e . " M y n a m e ' s G o r d i a n u s , " I said. "I have business w i t h your mistress." T h e p e e p h o l e was shut. A f t e r a long wait it o p e n e d again. T h e eye t h a t now perused m e was p e n c i l e d w i t h makeup. F r o m t h e o t h e r side o f t h e door I h e a r d a familiar but u n e x p e c t e d v o i c e . "It's all right, I k n o w h i m . W e c a n let h i m i n . " T h e door swung o p e n to reveal t h e gallus T r y g o n i o n . A f t e r I stepped inside h e m o t i o n e d t o t h e slave t o shut t h e door b e h i n d us. " W h a t business c o u l d you possibly have w i t h C l o d i a ? " he said tersely. He walked at a hurried clip toward t h e garden a n d I followed. " D i d she forget to pay y o u ? " " A s a m a t t e r of fact, she overpaid m e ; gave me m o n e y for e x p e n s e s I d i d n ' t i n c u r . " I jiggled t h e bag of c o i n s . " I ' m h e r e to return i t . " T r y g o n i o n looked at me as if I were mad, t h e n nodded a n d sighed. "I understand. You w a n t e d an e x c u s e to see her a g a i n . " " D o n ' t b e ridiculous!"

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" N o , really, I do understand. B u t I'm afraid you c a n ' t see h e r . " "Why not?" "She's gone." "Where?" H e h e s i t a t e d . " D o w n t o h e r villa a t S o l o n i u m . S h e left early this m o r n i n g , before dawn. S h e w a n t e d t o slip out o f t h e c i t y w i t h o u t being s e e n . " W e arrived a t t h e steps leading down t o t h e garden a n d stopped b e n e a t h t h e giant Venus. I found my eyes wandering to t h e pedestal, w h e r e C a t u l l u s h a d said she kept h e r trophies in a s e c r e t c o m p a r t m e n t . Trygonion noticed. " S h e e m p t i e d i t before she left. S h e burned everything t h a t could b e b u r n e d . You c a n see t h e ashes i n t h a t brazier over t h e r e . T h e things t h a t wouldn't b u r n — j e w e l s and n e c k l a c e s a n d s u c h — s h e t o o k w i t h her. T o throw i n t o t h e sea, s h e s a i d . " " B u t why?" H e shrugged. " H o w c a n a e u n u c h understand these t h i n g s ? " H e walked t o t h e f o u n t a i n . S u d d e n l y t h e sound o f c h a n t i n g e c h o e d through t h e garden, c o m i n g from t h e H o u s e o f t h e G a l l i . " W h y a r e n ' t you w i t h t h e m ? " I said. " I ' l l j o i n t h e m s o o n e n o u g h . S h e sent a messenger for m e i n t h e middle of t h e n i g h t , saying she n e e d e d my h e l p . 'I have to leave,' she said. 'I c a n ' t stand it h e r e . ' S h e always goes south for a m o n t h right after t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival, like a lot o f r i c h people do. D o w n t o B a i a e , usually. B u t she wasn't waiting for t h e festival to be over, a n d she wasn't going to B a i a e . ' S o l o n i u m , ' she said. 'It's closer, a n d n o b o d y ever goes t h e r e . I n e v e r want to see anybody again.' " He smiled ruefully. "I t h o u g h t s h e i n t e n d e d for m e t o g o w i t h h e r . " T h e c h a n t i n g grew louder a n d faster. T r y g o n i o n closed his eyes and m o v e d his lips w i t h t h e words, t h e n blinked a n d gazed at t h e sunlight reflected i n t h e f o u n t a i n . " B u t s h e didn't want m e t o g o w i t h her. ' I n e e d s o m e o n e to c l o s e up t h e house for m e , ' she said. 'I'd ask C l o d i u s , b u t he m u s t n ' t c o m e n e a r this p l a c e , n o t for a w h i l e . You'll do it for m e , w o n ' t you, T r y g o n i o n ? M a k e sure t h e windows are all shuttered a n d l o c k e d , put t h e good w i n e away so t h e slaves c a n ' t get to it, dispatch s o m e l a s t - m i n u t e letters for m e , t h a t sort of t h i n g . ' I said, 'Yes, of course. Have a good trip.' " T o g e t h e r w e studied t h e b r o k e n sunlight o n t h e water. " R i g h t before s h e left, as s h e was going out t h e door, she turned b a c k . S h e c a l l e d my n a m e . I ran to h e r . S h e said, ' O h , and d o n ' t tell anyone where I've g o n e . ' I said, ' O f course I w o n ' t . ' B u t I suppose it's all right to tell you, G o r d i a n u s . You c a n keep a secret. You are t h e most h o n e s t m a n in R o m e , a r e n ' t y o u ? " His lips curled i n t o a sardonic smile.

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" D i d a visitor c o m e , late last n i g h t ? " T r y g o n i o n gave me a b l a n k l o o k , t h e n smiled wanly. " O h , you m e a n t h e p o e t , t h e o n e w h o r e c i t e d t h a t awful thing about A t t i s at t h e party. Yes, o n e o f t h e slaves told m e h e c a m e b e a t i n g o n t h e door i n t h e middle o f t h e n i g h t , drunk and d e m a n d i n g . B a d timing; C l o d i a was i n n o m o o d t o b e harassed. S h e sent B a r n a b a s and s o m e o f t h e burlier freedmen t o run h i m off. I t h i n k he got away w i t h n o t h i n g worse t h a n a b r o k e n n o s e . " I t h o u g h t of poor Catullus, lying a l o n e in his dreary little r o o m w i t h his b o o k s , hung over w i t h a bloody n o s e . " A n d a b r o k e n h e a r t . She's a cold woman." T r y g o n i o n looked at me sharply. "You're like all t h e rest. You t h i n k she feels n o t h i n g . Of course she feels everything. H o w could she n o t , b e i n g w h o she is? S h e feels everything. It amazes me that she c a n b e a r it." T h e c h a n t i n g b e c a m e dreamlike, m a g i c a l . T h e bits o f sunlight o n t h e water were dazzling. " A n d you, T r y g o n i o n ? A r e you t h e same? Everyo n e t h i n k s you feel n o t h i n g , but i n r e a l i t y — " He looked at me steadily, his eyes swimming w i t h tears, daring me to go o n , but I left t h e rest of t h e t h o u g h t unspoken.

I t o o k t h e same circuitous route b a c k to E c o ' s house. "Perhaps you should write a letter to M e t o , " E c o suggested. " D o e s n ' t t h a t o f t e n h e l p to c l e a r your h e a d ? " "I d o n ' t t h i n k it would be wise to put i n c r i m i n a t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n about my wife in a l e t t e r . " "You c a n always burn it afterward. D o n ' t you often do that, anyway?" I s o m e t i m e s t h i n k my sons know me t o o well. I asked E c o to show me where he kept his writing tools. I sat in his little study and stared at t h e b l a n k p a r c h m e n t for a long t i m e , t h e n finally wrote: T o m y beloved son M e t o , serving under t h e c o m m a n d o f G a i u s Julius C a e s a r in G a u l , from his loving father in R o m e , may F o r t u n e be w i t h you. I w r i t e this letter on t h e N o n e s of Aprilis, t h e s e c o n d day of t h e G r e a t M o t h e r festival . . . I put down t h e stylus a n d stared again at t h e p a r c h m e n t . T h e r e was a sound from t h e doorway. I looked up and saw M e t o looking b a c k at m e . T h e gods delight in c a t c h i n g us off our guard. T h e threads of our

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lives weave b a c k a n d forth across o n e another, i n t e r s e c t i n g in a pattern n o m o r t a l c a n discern: m y thoughts had turned t o M e t o and now h e stood before me in t h e flesh, as if my desire h a d c o n j u r e d h i m up. " B y H e r c u l e s ! " I whispered. " W h a t are you doing h e r e ? " H i s older b r o t h e r suddenly appeared b e h i n d h i m . T h e y b o t h burst out laughing. "You knew, E c o ! " I said. " H e was already h e r e w h e n you suggested I write the letter!" " O f course! I c o u l d n ' t resist t h e j o k e . M e t o arrived right after you left for C l o d i a ' s h o u s e . W h e n we heard you c o m i n g b a c k , I made h i m go a n d h i d e . You should see t h e l o o k on your f a c e ! " "Playing tricks on your father is d e s p i c a b l e . " "Yes, but at least you're s m i l i n g , " said E c o . I pushed t h e p a r c h m e n t away from m e . "A good t h i n g you're h e r e , M e t o . W r i t i n g i t all down would have b e e n impossible!" H e smiled a n d sat down beside m e . " I ' m lucky t o b e h e r e i n o n e piece." I put my h a n d over his and drew in a b r e a t h . I was always worried for h i m , k n o w i n g t h e dangers h e faced i n G a u l . B u t t h a t wasn't what he meant. " T h e r i o t , over n e a r t h e F o r u m , " h e e x p l a i n e d . "Surely it's still going o n . D i d n ' t you see it on your way b a c k from t h e P a l a t i n e ? " " I t o o k a r o u n d a b o u t route . . . " " T h e r e ' s a play b e i n g put on for t h e festival," E c o i n t e r j e c t e d . " A p p a r e n t l y s o m e o f C l o d i u s ' s h o o l i g a n s c o m m a n d e e r e d t h e stage a n d set off a riot. I n s t a n t revenge for t h e nasty things t h a t were said about h i m at t h e trial yesterday." " P u t a m a n like C l o d i u s in c h a r g e of a festival and h e ' l l use it for his o w n p e t t y e n d s , " said M e t o in disgust. " P o l i t i c i a n s are all t h e s a m e . B u t what's this business about a t r i a l ? " I tried to e x p l a i n as s u c c i n c t l y as I could, but after a m o m e n t M e t o h e l d up his h a n d . "It's all t o o c o m p l i c a t e d . G i v e me military strategy any day!" I laughed. " B u t w h a t are you doing in R o m e ? Is C a e s a r h e r e ? " " H e ' s up in R a v e n n a , actually, but you n e v e r h e a r d me say t h a t . H a v i n g a secret m e e t i n g w i t h Crassus. T h e n he's going to L u c a to m e e t w i t h Pompey. C a e s a r wants to appoint m o r e generals and raise four legions; h e ' l l n e e d t h e h e l p o f those two t o get t h e S e n a t e t o approve t h e e x p e n d i t u r e s and t o quash c o m p l a i n t s t h a t he's b e c o m i n g t o o powerful. I f you ask m e , t h e t h r e e o f t h e m are going t o resurrect t h e T r i u m virate, a n d make it work this t i m e . It's i n e v i t a b l e . S o o n e r or later, t h e S e n a t e will b e c o m e e n t i r e l y defunct. T h e S e n a t e c a n ' t rule itself, m u c h

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less an e m p i r e ! It's n o t h i n g m o r e t h a n a h i n d r a n c e now, a n o t h e r o b s t a c l e in C a e s a r ' s way. A r o t t e n l i m b t h a t needs to be pruned. A l l this j u d i c i a l haggling, p o l i t i c i a n s c o n s t a n t l y dragging e a c h o t h e r i n t o c o u r t — t h i s n o n s e n s e has to stop s o o n e r or later. F r o m what you've said, this trial of C a e l i u s is j u s t o n e m o r e e x a m p l e of how far t h e standard has f a l l e n . " " B u t w h a t ' s t h e a l t e r n a t i v e ? " said E c o . M e t o looked a t his b r o t h e r blandly. "Caesar, o f c o u r s e . " "You're t a l k i n g about a dictator, like S u l l a , " I said, s h a k i n g my head. " O r w o r s e , " said E c o , " a n o u t r i g h t king, like P t o l e m y . " " I ' m t a l k i n g about a m a n w h o c a n lead. I've s e e n w i t h my o w n eyes what C a e s a r c a n do. A l l this p e t t y squabbling i n R o m e seems quite absurd w h e n you're u p i n G a u l , w a t c h i n g R o m a n s c o n q u e r t h e w o r l d . " " P o m p e y a n d Crassus are hardly p e t t y , " I said. " T h a t ' s why a triumvirate is t h e answer," said M e t o . "Temporarily, anyway. B u t you n e v e r heard me say t h a t . " " W h a t a b o u t m e n like C l o d i u s a n d M i l o ? " said E c o . " O r C i c e r o , for t h a t m a t t e r ? O r C a e l i u s ? " M e t o m a d e a n expression t o show t h a t such m e n were b e n e a t h c o n t e m p t . W h a t h a d his service t o C a e s a r d o n e t o m y son? I h a d o n l y a m o m e n t to p o n d e r t h e question, for t h e twins suddenly rushed i n t o t h e r o o m in a burst of laughter and golden hair. M e t o m i g h t k n o w a t h i n g or two about military strategy, but he was no m a t c h for his n i e c e a n d n e p h e w . T i t a n i a advanced from t h e left, T i t u s from t h e right. E a c h grabbed h o l d o f a n a r m a n d c l i m b e d o n t o h i m . " W h e n did t h e y get s o big? A n d s o strong!" M e t o laughed. " T h e y i n t e n d to wrestle you, I t h i n k , " said E c o , c h a g r i n e d . " O r at least immobilize y o u , " I said. " T h e y ' v e s u c c e e d e d . " M e t o grunted. T h e twins squealed w i t h triumph. "You'd b e t t e r give up now, while you c a n , " I suggested. " G a u l fighting U n c l e M e t o c a n take a lot rougher t r e a t m e n t t h a n t h e i r d e l i c a t e old grandpa, a n d t h e y k n o w i t . " " I give up!" gasped M e t o . T h e twins released h i m a t o n c e a n d t h e n turned to m o u n t a skirmish against m e . T h e i r a t t a c k turned out to be an assault of harmless hugs and kisses, to w h i c h I submitted w i t h o u t a struggle. " B u t w h a t ' s t h i s ? " I said. " W h a t ? " said T i t a n i a . " T h i s p i e c e o f jewelry p i n n e d o n your t u n i c ? " "A gorgon's e y e ! " c r i e d T i t u s . " I t gives h e r magical powers, a n d I have to get it away from her, e v e n if I have to c h o p h e r h e a d off!"

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" B u t w h e r e did it c o m e f r o m ? " My m o u t h was suddenly dry. It was an earring of simple design, a silver c r o o k w i t h a green glass b e a d — t h e t w i n o f t h e earring w h i c h h a d b e e n used t o force t h e l o c k o f m y strongbox, and w h i c h h a d b e e n carelessly dropped inside w h e n t h e poison was taken. " I t c a m e from t h e land o f Libya, where t h e G o r g o n s l i v e , " said T i t a n i a . " I t c a n m a k e you invisible. T h a t ' s what T i t u s says." "Yes, but how did you c o m e to have i t ? " F r o m t h e t o n e of my voice she k n e w I w a n t e d a serious answer. " S h e gave i t t o m e , " said T i t a n i a . " S h e told m e she'd lost t h e o t h e r o n e a n d she didn't want it a n y m o r e . " " W h o gave i t t o y o u ? " T i t a n i a told m e . M y h e a r t sped up. " A n d will it really m a k e me invisible?" she said. " N o . " M y v o i c e s h o o k . " I m e a n , yes. W h y n o t ? T h e o t h e r earring m a d e h e r invisible. To my eyes, anyway. It made me t h i n k I saw t h e truth, w h e n I c o u l d n ' t b e g i n to see it. O h , C y b e l e ! " E c o furrowed his brow. "Papa, what are you talking a b o u t ? " "I h a v e to go h o m e now. I t h i n k I may have b e e n very, very wrong about something."

B e l b o answered t h e front door. A t t h e sight o f m e h e broke i n t o a grin. " M a s t e r ! T h a n k t h e gods you're h e r e ! " "Is s o m e t h i n g w r o n g ? " " N o , n o t h i n g at all . . . now t h a t you're b a c k . " "Has her mood been that terrible?" B e l b o rolled his eyes in answer, t h e n j u m p e d at t h e voice from behind him. " W h o s e m o o d ? " B e t h e s d a ' s v o i c e was like frost in t h e springtime. I n o d d e d to dismiss B e l b o , w h o quickly disappeared. B e t h e s d a and I looked at e a c h o t h e r in s i l e n c e for a long m o m e n t . " W h e r e have you b e e n ? " s h e finally said. " I spent t h e n i g h t a t E c o ' s h o u s e . " " A n d t h e n i g h t before t h a t ? " "I was in bed w i t h a drunken poet, actually." S h e snorted. " D i d you see t h e trial yesterday?" "Yes." " Q u i t e a s p e c t a c l e , wasn't i t ? " "You were t h e r e ? " " O f course. B e l b o h e l d me a place at t h e very front. I never saw you, t h o u g h . "

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"I was standing at t h e b a c k . I n e v e r saw you e i t h e r . " " S t r a n g e , isn't it, t h a t we c o u l d be so c l o s e and yet n o t see e a c h o t h e r . " H e r gaze softened a bit. " C a e l i u s was a c q u i t t e d . I was g l a d . " " S o was I, I suppose." " B u t w h a t t h e y did t o C l o d i a was h o r r i b l e . " "Yes, it was appalling." "I w a n t e d to stop t h e m . I would have stopped t h e m , if I c o u l d have." " I felt t h e s a m e . " " N o w she's left t h e c i t y , " said B e t h e s d a . " H o w did you k n o w t h a t ? " B e t h e s d a saw t h e look on my face a n d scowled. " D o n ' t be so suspicious. D o you i m a g i n e there's s o m e sort o f secret c o n s p i r a c y o f w o m e n ? A slave b r o u g h t a n o t e from C l o d i a this m o r n i n g . I was supposed to visit h e r tomorrow, a n d she w a n t e d t o let m e k n o w t h a t she wouldn't b e h o m e . S h e d i d n ' t say w h e r e she was going, o n l y that she was leaving R o m e at once." S h e crossed h e r arms a n d walked i n t o t h e garden. I followed. S h e kept h e r b a c k to m e . "I apologize for d e c e i v i n g you, husband. You k n o w t h e truth, d o n ' t y o u ? " "I t h i n k I d o . " " I should e x p l a i n . T h a t m a n — D i o — I c a n hardly say his n a m e . B a c k i n A l e x a n d r i a , before you b o u g h t m e — " "I know." "How could you?" "I overheard you talking to C l o d i a t h e o t h e r day, in t h e garden at the back of the house." S h e looked over h e r shoulder. H e r eyes lit up as she c o m p r e h e n d e d , t h e n b e c a m e c l o u d e d . " B u t I n e v e r said his n a m e ! I made a p o i n t of n o t saying his n a m e t o C l o d i a . " " E v e n so . . ." S h e n o d d e d a n d turned h e r face away. "You should have told m e , B e t h e s d a . You should have t o l d me long a g o . " I stepped c l o s e r a n d put m y h a n d o n t h e b a c k o f h e r n e c k . S h e r e a c h e d u p a n d t o u c h e d m y fingers. " T h e n you u n d e r s t a n d ? " " I c a n ' t b e sorry t h a t D i o ' s dead. W h e n I t h i n k o f w h a t h e did t o you a n d your m o t h e r , a n d t o w h o knows how many others . . . " " T h e n say you forgive m e . " "Forgive me first, B e t h e s d a , for h a v i n g h a d less faith in you t h a n I should h a v e . " "I forgive you, h u s b a n d . " " A n d I forgive you, wife, for d e c e i v i n g m e . "

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" A n d for p o i s o n i n g a guest in your h o u s e ? " "You c o n f e s s ? " S h e t o o k a deep b r e a t h . " Y e s . " I s h o o k my h e a d . " N o . I c a n ' t forgive you for p o i s o n i n g D i o . " S h e stiffened. " B u t I will forgive you for c o n t i n u i n g to d e c e i v e me w i t h a false confession." S h e turned. F r o m t h e way she looked up at m e , s e a r c h i n g my face for signs of what I k n e w , I was satisfied t h a t I h a d found t h e truth at last.

A l i t t l e w h i l e later I was sitting in my library, l o o k i n g out t h e o p e n windows o n t o t h e garden. T h e vines and flowers were i n b l o o m . B e e s a n d butterflies flitted in t h e bright sunshine. D i a n a appeared in t h e doorway. "You w a n t e d to see m e , Papa?" "Yes." S h e looked grave for a m o m e n t , t h e n b r i g h t e n e d . " M o t h e r says t h a t M e t o is b a c k . " "Yes, for a s h o r t visit. H e ' s at E c o ' s h o u s e . T h e y ' l l all be c o m i n g over for d i n n e r s o o n . " " I c a n ' t wait t o see h i m . " I n o d d e d and found myself u n a b l e to l o o k at her. I w a t c h e d t h e b e e s a n d butterflies instead. " D i d your m o t h e r tell you w h a t I wanted to t a l k t o you a b o u t ? " "Yes, P a p a . " S h e suddenly h a r d e n e d h e r v o i c e , t h e way h e r m o t h e r always did at t h e b e g i n n i n g of an argument to show t h a t she would n o t be shaken. " W h e n did your m o t h e r first tell you about D i o ? A b o u t what he did t o h e r ? " "Years ago, Papa. As s o o n as I was old e n o u g h to u n d e r s t a n d . " " A n d yet s h e n e v e r told m e ! " " I t was b e t w e e n h e r a n d m e , Papa. A t h i n g for a m o t h e r to tell a daughter. M e n have secrets t h e y n e v e r share w i t h w o m e n . " " I suppose w e do. S o , w h e n D i o c a m e t o t h e h o u s e t h a t d a y — " " W h e n you i n t r o d u c e d h i m , I h a d n o idea w h o h e was. M o t h e r h a d n e v e r told m e t h e m a n ' s n a m e , only how wicked h e was. B u t w h e n I t o l d M o t h e r t h e visitor's n a m e a n d where he was from, I saw from h e r face t h a t s o m e t h i n g was terribly wrong. A l l at o n c e I knew. 'It's h i m , isn't i t ? ' I said. S h e c o u l d n ' t be sure, so we w e n t to h a v e a l o o k . " "Yes, I r e m e m b e r t h e way you b o t h looked at h i m , a n d t h e way he

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looked at you. No wonder he was startled by t h e sight of you, especially w h e n t h e two of you stood side by side! H o w m u c h you l o o k like her, w h e n s h e was young. I saw every l o o k t h a t passed b e t w e e n t h e t h r e e of you, a n d yet I understood n o t h i n g — l i k e a dog w a t c h i n g orators d e b a t e . A n d to t h i n k , I was t h e o n e w h o suggested t h a t t h e two of you fix s o m e t h i n g for D i o t o eat! W a s i t your m o t h e r w h o told you t o get t h e poison?" " N o , Papa. I thought of it myself. I knew where the poison w a s — " " O f course you did, because I m a d e s u c h a p o i n t of warning you a b o u t it w h e n I got it from E c o . So dangerous, I t h o u g h t , to h a v e p o i s o n in a h o u s e w i t h a c h i l d . Dangerous in a way I never considered! B u t your m o t h e r must h a v e k n o w n w h e n you m i x e d i t i n t o D i o ' s p o r t i o n ? " " N o . I did it w h i l e h e r b a c k was turned, t h e n m a d e sure t h a t I did the serving." "You did it all on your own! In t h e b l i n k of an eye you m a d e up your m i n d to k i l l a m a n , t h e n f e t c h e d t h e poison, slipped it i n t o his food, a n d . . . " D i a n a lowered h e r eyes. " A l l o n your o w n ! " S h e n o d d e d . I s h o o k my h e a d . " W h e n did B e t h e s d a give you t h o s e old green-glass earrings o f h e r s ? " D i a n a sighed. " A g e s ago, Papa. S h e tired o f t h e m , a n d t h e r e were s c r a t c h e s in t h e glass, so she let me have t h e m . I wore t h e m from t i m e to time." " A n d I n e v e r n o t i c e d . O f course, B e t h e s d a wears h e r h a i r up, showing h e r ears. You still wear your h a i r down, like a girl . . . " "It's funny. I c a n ' t r e m e m b e r wearing t h e m t h a t day. I c a n ' t e v e n r e m e m b e r using o n e o f t h e m t o pry o p e n t h e l o c k o n t h e s t r o n g b o x t o get at t h e p o i s o n , but I suppose I must h a v e . It's like it all h a p p e n e d underwater. I d i d n ' t realize until days later t h a t I'd lost t h e earring. I looked everywhere for it. Everywhere but inside your s t r o n g b o x . F i n a l l y I gave up on finding it. I gave t h e widowed earring to T i t a n i a . " "Yes, T i t a n i a told m e . " I s h o o k my h e a d . "You left t h e l o c k just as it was, b r o k e n . You n e v e r e v e n tried to replace t h e p o i s o n you'd t a k e n , if o n l y w i t h s o m e t h i n g t h a t looked s i m i l a r . " I w i n c e d . " T h a t fact a l o n e should h a v e t o l d m e t h a t B e t h e s d a wasn't responsible. S h e would h a v e covered h e r t r a c k s ! You b e h a v e d like a c h i l d , D i a n a , t h i n k i n g you c o u l d leave s u c h clues a n d n o t b e found out. W h e n did you tell your m o t h e r ? " " N o t u n t i l j u s t t h e o t h e r day, after C l o d i a ' s v i s i t . " " W h y did you wait so long? I'm n o t surprised t h a t you d i d n ' t tell m e , but I t h o u g h t you h a d no secrets from your m o t h e r ? " " I m e a n t t o t e l l h e r right after D i o left t h e h o u s e . I w a n t e d t o . B u t

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I was suddenly afraid. T h e n I was confused. T h e n e x t day, after you were g o n e , we h e a r d t h a t D i o h a d died. I could see t h a t M o t h e r was pleased, t h o u g h she n e v e r spoke a word. B u t everyone said t h a t D i o h a d b e e n s t a b b e d to death, and if t h a t was so, how c o u l d I have poisoned h i m ? M a y b e t h e stuff was harmless, I t h o u g h t , n o t p o i s o n at all, just a yellow s p i c e . M a y b e I h a d o n l y i m a g i n e d doing it. It all seemed so strange. I didn't k n o w w h a t to do. I just wanted to forget a n d be d o n e with i t . " I nodded. " S o B e t h e s d a didn't k n o w t h e truth until after C l o d i a ' s visit. A l l h e r protests t h a t C a e l i u s was i n n o c e n t were o n l y s t a t e m e n t s o f o p i n i o n ! S h e was also sure t h a t C a e l i u s could never have poisoned C l o d i a . W e l l , she was wrong o n b o t h c o u n t s — C a e l i u s tried his best t o kill D i o a n d C l o d i a b o t h . S o m u c h for B e t h e s d a a s a judge o f c h a r a c t e r . S o m u c h for m e , admiring D i o ! W h a t prompted you t o finally tell h e r ? " " I t was h e a r i n g h e r tell C l o d i a what h a p p e n e d t o h e r and h e r m o t h e r w h e n she was a girl. I was amazed to h e a r h e r talk about it to anyone b u t m e . It m a d e me cry. T h a t was w h e n I finally made up my m i n d to tell h e r I p o i s o n e d D i o , n o t b e c a u s e I was proud of w h a t I did, but because I d i d n ' t want to have any secrets from her. So t h a t n i g h t , after C l o d i a left, I told her. S h e said t h a t we mustn't tell anyone. ' N o t e v e n Papa?' I said. 'Especially n o t h i m ! ' " B u t a c o u p l e of days later, after t h e t w o of you c a m e b a c k from C l o d i a ' s h o u s e , M o t h e r c a m e i n t o m y r o o m t o tell m e about t h e party, a n d t h e n you burst in, shouting at her. You'd g o n e l o o k i n g for t h e poison a n d found t h e b r o k e n l o c k a n d t h e e m p t y pyxis. You threw t h e earring on t h e f l o o r — a n d suddenly I realized w h e r e I h a d lost it. B u t w h a t you said m a d e no sense. You s e e m e d to t h i n k t h a t for s o m e reason M o t h e r h a d s t o l e n t h e p o i s o n for C l o d i a . . . " I g r o a n e d a n d s h o o k my h e a d . "I accused h e r of deceiving m e , and s h e a d m i t t e d i t — b u t we were talking about different things! I t h o u g h t s h e h a d given t h e p o i s o n t o C l o d i a b e h i n d m y b a c k , but t h e d e c e p t i o n was s o m e t h i n g e l s e — s h e k n e w you h a d poisoned D i o and kept it from me." D i a n a nodded. " A f t e r you w e n t storming out o f t h e house, M o t h e r told m e , ' I f h e does figure o u t t h e truth, keep your m o u t h shut. L e t m e take t h e b l a m e . ' B u t you found m e out, didn't you, Papa?" S h e spoke w i t h o u t r e c r i m i n a t i o n , b u t rather w i t h a h i n t o f p r i d e — o f B e t h e s d a for shielding her, of me for finding h e r out. I looked at h e r face in t h e soft light from t h e garden and saw a girlc h i l d w i t h lustrous b l a c k h a i r a n d t h e beginnings of a w o m a n ' s beauty. "I d o n ' t k n o w what to m a k e of you, D i a n a . You're a mystery, like your m o t h e r . W h y did you do it? W h a t gave you t h e s t r e n g t h to go through with it?"

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" H o w c a n you n o t understand, Papa? D o you r e m e m b e r w h e n w e were in this r o o m t h e o t h e r day a n d I w a n t e d to see t h e letter you were writing to M e t o ? It was a letter a b o u t t h e work you were doing, l o o k i n g i n t o D i o ' s d e a t h . I asked you why it was so i m p o r t a n t for you to k n o w w h o k i l l e d D i o . You talked about p e a c e o f m i n d . You said t o m e , ' I f s o m e o n e w h o was c l o s e to you h a d b e e n hurt, wouldn't you w a n t to avenge t h a t person, to redress t h e wrong t h a t was d o n e to t h e m , if you c o u l d ? ' Of c o u r s e , Papa! T h a t ' s e x a c t l y w h a t I did. I did it for M o t h e r . I did it for t h e g r a n d m o t h e r I'll n e v e r know. W o u l d you have me u n d o it, if I could? If you c o u l d turn b a c k t i m e , would you have me do n o t h i n g , instead?" I studied h e r f a c e , confused, a n d tried to r e m e m b e r w h a t I b e l i e v e d a b o u t murder a n d j u s t i c e , right a n d wrong. " W o u l d n ' t you have d o n e t h e same t h i n g yourself, Papa?" For a n i n s t a n t t h e veil o f mystery dissolved. T h e eyes t h a t looked b a c k at me were as familiar a n d e m p t y of secrets as my own eyes in a mirror. F l e s h of my flesh, b l o o d of my b l o o d . I put my h a n d s on h e r shoulders a n d kissed h e r brow. F r o m t h e garden c a m e t h e n o i s e o f t h e family arriving for d i n n e r — E c o , M e n e n i a , M e t o , t h e a l l - c o n q u e r i n g twins. I drew b a c k a n d looked i n t o D i a n a ' s eyes again, a n d saw w i t h a shiver of regret t h a t t h e veil h a d returned. S h e was a mystery again, d i s t i n c t a n d w h o l l y o f herself, a n o t h e r m o r t a l adrift i n t h e c o s m o s : o u t of my control, beyond my comprehension. T h e moment of recognition was fleeting, as s u c h m o m e n t s always are, like music w h i c h fills t h e void t o overflowing a n d t h e n vanishes i n t h e t w i n k l i n g o f a n eye.

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W i t h i n t h i r t e e n years, m a n y o f t h e players i n t h e trial o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s would b e , in t h e h i s t o r i a n T. P. W i s e m a n ' s phrase, "spectacularly d e a d " — C l o d i u s murdered during a skirmish with M i l o ' s gang ( a n angry m o b b u r n e d t h e S e n a t e H o u s e t h e n e x t day); Crassus massacred along w i t h t w e n t y - t h o u s a n d troops in his ill-fated c a m p a i g n for military glory against t h e Parthians; Pompey a casualty of t h e tumultuous C i v i l W a r ; C i c e r o a casualty o f t h e p e a c e . R e p u b l i c a n judicial restraints o n " p o l i t i c a l v i o l e n c e " clearly failed, as did t h e s e c o n d attempt by Crassus, C a e s a r a n d Pompey to form a stabilizing triumvirate; at t h e e n d of t h e road stood Augustus. K i n g P t o l e m y would also be dead, leaving his c h i l d r e n ( i n c l u d i n g t h e famous C l e o p a t r a ) to fight over Egypt a n d to fend off R o m a n domi n a t i o n for a l i t t l e w h i l e longer. A s for M a r c u s C a e l i u s , h e shifted a l l e g i a n c e o n c e t o o often, a n d against t h e wrong m a n . U n a b l e to c o n v i n c e a garrison of soldiers to revolt against C a e s a r i n t h e middle o f t h e C i v i l War, his a m b i t i o n s e n d e d in a v i o l e n t d e a t h . His colorful c o r r e s p o n d e n c e w i t h C i c e r o survived to m a k e h i m t h e darling o f h i s t o r i a n s like G a s t o n Boissier ( " I n t h e history we are studying, t h e r e is perhaps no more curious figure t h a n C a e l i u s " ) a n d W . W a r d e Fowler ( w h o c a l l e d Caelius " t h e most interesting figure i n t h e life o f his a g e " ) . Early o n , t h e first-century c o m m e n t a t o r Q u i n t i l i a n delivered t h e j u d g m e n t of posterity: M a r c u s C a e l i u s "deserved a c o o l e r head and a longer life." C a t u l l u s died t h e s o o n e s t o f any, i n 5 4 B . C . , o f u n k n o w n causes. He was probably a b o u t t h i r t y years old.

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W h a t o f C l o d i a ? A f t e r t h e trial, she vanishes from t h e s c e n e ( t h o u g h I suspect t h a t G o r d i a n u s may n o t have seen quite t h e last of h e r ) . We get a glimpse of h e r again n i n e years later in some of C i c e r o ' s letters to his friend A t t i c u s , w h o appears to have b e e n on good terms w i t h C l o d i a . L o o k i n g t o buy property where h e c a n enjoy his r e t i r e m e n t ( " A p l a c e t o grow old i n , " A t t i c u s assumes, t o w h i c h C i c e r o b l u n t l y replies, " A p l a c e where I c a n b e b u r i e d " ) , C i c e r o asks his friend t o c h e c k out various h o r t i t h a t m i g h t be for sale around R o m e . T h i s is C i c e r o , in S h a c k l e t o n B a i l e y ' s translation: " C l o d i a ' s gardens I like, but I d o n ' t t h i n k they are for s a l e . " A n d a few days later: " B u t you say s o m e t h i n g or o t h e r about C l o d i a . W h e r e is she t h e n or w h e n is she c o m i n g ? I prefer h e r grounds to anyone's e x c e p t O t h o ' s . B u t I don't t h i n k she will sell: s h e likes t h e p l a c e a n d h a s plenty o f m o n e y : and how difficult t h e o t h e r t h i n g is, you are well aware. B u t pray let us make an effort to t h i n k out s o m e way of g e t t i n g w h a t I w a n t . " So far as I c a n tell, t h e very last we h e a r of h e r is in a l e t t e r of A p r i l 1 5 , 4 4 B . C . , i n w h i c h C i c e r o writes t o A t t i c u s : Clodia quid egerit, scribas ad me velim ("I should like you to tell me w h a t C l o d i a has d o n e " ) . W a s C i c e r o seeking clarification o f a bit o f gossip h e had heard? W a s h e inquiring a b o u t C l o d i a out o f t h e blue? W e d o n o t know.

I should like to acknowledge s o m e of t h e books I e n c o u n t e r e d in my research. F o r e m o s t a m o n g t h e m is T. P. W i s e m a n ' s superbly a n n o t a t e d Catullus and His World: A Reappraisal ( C a m b r i d g e U n i v e r s i t y Press, 1 9 8 5 ) , w h i c h ranges far and wide to render a vivid picture of C a t u l l u s and his c i r c l e o f history, f i c t i o n , and a c a d e m i c myth. S t u d i e s of C a t u l l u s abound, from T e n n e y Frank's venerable Catullus and Horace ( H e n r y H o l t and C o m p a n y , 1 9 2 8 ) to C h a r l e s M a r t i n ' s insightful a n d thoroughly m o d e r n Catullus (Yale University Press, 1 9 9 2 ) . T h e r e are n u m e r o u s translations o f his poems. T h e Penguin e d i t i o n b y Peter W h i g h a m i s a c c e s s i b l e ( i n every s e n s e ) ; H o r a c e Gregory's 1 9 5 6 t r a n s l a t i o n may be harder to find, but rewards t h e search. Readers w i t h s o m e L a t i n will find The Poems of Catullus: A Teaching Text by Phyllis Young Forsyth ( U n i v e r s i t y Press o f A m e r i c a , 1 9 8 6 ) frank and useful. T h e famous o r a t i o n i n defense o f M a r c u s C a e l i u s c a n b e found i n M i c h a e l G r a n t ' s translation of Selected Political Speeches by C i c e r o (Penguin, 1 9 6 9 ) . R . G . A u s t i n ' s c o m m e n t a r y o n t h e L a t i n t e x t ( O x f o r d , 1 9 3 3 ; third e d i t i o n 1 9 6 0 ) is delightfully sharp. S o m e odds and ends: Cybele and Attis: The Myth and the Cult by M a a r t e n J . V e r m a s e r e n ( T h a m e s and Hudson, L o n d o n , 1 9 7 7 ) i s a treasure

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trove o f i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e G r e a t M o t h e r and h e r e u n u c h priests. B a c k From Exile: Six Speeches Upon His Return, translated w i t h n o t e s by D. R. S h a c k l e t o n Bailey ( A m e r i c a n Philological Association, 1 9 9 1 ) , gives a lucid picture of C i c e r o ' s ongoing feud w i t h C l o d i u s . T h e m e l o d r a m a t i c tale of Appius Claudius t h e decemvir and t h e hapless Verginia is found in B o o k T h r e e of Livy's History of Rome. An e x p l i c a t i o n of t h e N o l a pun in C a e liu s ' s s p e e c h ( o f w h i c h we have only a few s e c o n d h a n d q u o t a t i o n s ) c a n be found in T. W. Hillard's ' 'In triclinio Coam, in cubiculo Nolam: Lesbia and t h e O t h e r C l o d i a " (Liverpool Classical Monthly, J u n e 1981). M u c h of my research was c o n d u c t e d at D o e Library at t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l i f o r n i a a t Berkeley and a t t h e Perry-Casteneda Library a t t h e U n i versity o f Texas a t A u s t i n . S p e c i a l t h a n k s t o B r a d Craft, w h o helped get m e i n t h e m o o d t o take on C l o d i a a n d c o m p a n y w i t h a copy of Forberg's 1 8 4 4 Manual of Classical Erotology (De figuris Veneris); to P e n n i K i m m e l , for h e r c o m m e n t s on t h e manuscript; to Terri O d o m , for reading t h e galleys; to Barbara S a y l o r Rogers, w h o showed me that t h e world is full of t h e most u n e x p e c t e d i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s ; a n d t o m y A u s t i n friends, G a r y C o o d y and A n n e and D e b o r a h O d o m , w h o gave t h e author places t o retreat from his labors.

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