Chapter 180: Pompey Magnus
< 180. Pompey Magnus >
Marcus was not sure how Caesar would react.
He had expected him to act like he did now, but he was still uneasy about the reality.
He had not simply told Caesar that Pompey seemed to have little time left.
He had also written that Pompey had asked him to take care of Sextus after his death, and that he planned to do so for at least two years.
And he had asked Caesar a question.
If Sextus had enough qualifications to be Pompey’s successor, would he be willing to accept him as a member of the Triumvirate?
The answer was written at the end of the letter he received.
<It is a complicated and difficult problem, I think. But do we really need to make a decision right now? If Sextus has the capacity to inherit everything from Magnus, then we can fully absorb his power.
You said you would take care of him for about two years, and that seems to be enough time for him to establish his base. If he really shows such a sight, I have no reason not to recognize him as a member of the Triumvirate. But no matter how I look at it, I don’t see his potential as Pompey’s successor, as the leader of the populist. Well, I don’t know what choice I will make in that case. Of course, I will have to decide in a way that benefits Rome’s interests in the long term. That would be better for you and me, wouldn’t it? Let’s talk more in detail when you return to Rome.>
Marcus sighed several times after receiving Caesar’s letter.
It was a polite way of saying that he would not accept Sextus as a member of the Triumvirate.
The fact that he said he would accept him if he had the capacity to inherit everything from Pompey was proof of that.
There were only two people in Rome who could perfectly replace Pompey: Caesar and Marcus.
If we only look at political skills, Octavius might be possible, but he still lacked loyal supporters to fill his military gap.
It was impossible for Sextus.
He might be better than Gnaeus, but he was incomparable to Pompey.
His charisma, his influence over the Greek world, his love from the people.
Sextus could not match Pompey in any of these things.
Caesar knew that very well.
Yet he set such a condition, which was equivalent to saying that he would not accept him.
Considering Caesar’s abilities, Sextus could not compete with him no matter how hard he tried.
There was no need to use force.
Caesar was also incomparable to Sextus in terms of political power.
If he wanted to swallow his power whole, he would inevitably lose his rights bit by bit.
Marcus’s mediation also had its limits.
Then the next thing was easy to predict.
Sextus would not let go of his rights with his eyes wide open.
No matter how inferior Sextus was to Caesar, the fact that he was Pompey’s son did not change.
That meant he could fight against Caesar if he wanted to.
And if a civil war broke out, it was obvious who the optimates would side with.
They would support Sextus to balance the power against Caesar.
“That’s probably what he intended from the beginning.”
The meaning of his words that it would be better for Caesar and Marcus also implied that.
He could use this as an excuse to sweep away all the senators who were republicans.
Marcus only had to pretend not to know anything for a while in the East with an excuse of an urgent matter.
It was not a bad plan if we only look at the results.
But when he tried to do so, he felt a little uneasy.
He did not like the idea of treating Pompey’s son so cruelly.
If Sextus was like Gnaeus, who did not know his place and crawled up, he could have stomped on him more easily.
But Sextus did not have any hostile intentions towards Marcus, and rather tried hard not to earn his hatred, which was too obvious.
“Yes. As my father-in-law said, there is no need to make a conclusion right now. We don’t know how things will go in two years.”
There was still plenty of time until Caesar finished his campaign in Germania.
He had to think more about how to minimize the chaos that would hit Rome soon.
He thought of the imminent problems first and closed his eyes for a moment to think more deeply.
And soon he nodded as if he had made up his mind.
“I guess I need to be a little more aggressive this time. I have to make it clear to the other senators who is in charge. Otherwise they will act recklessly.”
Pompey was a hero who had done countless deeds for Rome.
He did not like the current situation where only schemes were rampant in front of his death.
Marcus asked Crassus and Curio to convene a senate meeting.
It was to finish the last preparations for Rome to send Pompey off.
※※※
Pompey’s health deteriorated day by day.
No matter how much he hid it, such rumors spread quickly.
Marcus decided that there was no point in keeping it a secret any longer.
He had already reached an agreement between the optimates and the populist at a secret senate meeting, so there was no fear of Rome falling into chaos.
Eventually, the news that Pompey’s health was in a serious condition spread throughout Rome.
Everyone also found out that Marcus had returned to Rome to deal with this matter.
A few citizens with insight were anxious that this might be an opportunity for another conflict between the optimates and the populist.
But fortunately, that did not happen.
Thanks to Marcus, who had eliminated all the seeds of discord before the official announcement.
“I will stay in Rome and help with the administration until the gap left by Pompey Magnus is filled again.
If anyone tries to cause trouble using this as an excuse, I will make them face the judgment of the law, regardless of their status or position. This is a time when we should stop political strife and mourn sincerely for the great hero who will soon leave Rome.”
Marcus had never spoken so strongly at the senate before.
But most of them agreed with his intention.
Cicero also argued that a dignified senator should know when to fight and when not to fight politically.
When everyone consented, Marcus announced that he would personally organize the last event for Pompey.
Of course, no one opposed it.
So Marcus prepared the last stage of glory for Pompey, so that he could close his eyes happily as a Roman.
He had to hurry a little because he had to hold the event before Pompey’s condition worsened, but luckily he made it in time.
The event was originally planned to take place at Pompey’s Theater, which he built for the artists.
He thought that the symbolism of being the first permanent theater in Rome suited Pompey very well.
But when he looked into it, he found that there were too many people who wanted to participate.
The theater, which could only accommodate 5,000 people, could not cope with the demand of the citizens.
So he reluctantly changed the venue to the Colosseum.
He thought that would be enough, but the love of the citizens for Pompey was more than he imagined.
People flocked in to get a better seat to see Pompey, and the Colosseum was crowded from dawn.
Even though he spaced them out as much as possible, there was not enough room.
In the end, Marcus ordered temporary seats and towers to be installed where they would not block the view.
The citizens were ready to send a warmer cheer than the final of a gladiator match to their hero.
“There he is! Pompey is coming!”
“Wow!”
The cheers shook the Colosseum.
It was an amazing response.
Pompey was carried on a litter and guided to his seat where he could comfortably watch the show.
“Amazing.”
A bright smile appeared on Pompey’s tired face amid the cheers of countless citizens.
He did not know exactly what the event was about.
He only heard that it was a festival to celebrate his retirement.
“You have always been so kind to me. I really appreciate it.”
“It’s not over yet. You can’t say that now.”
Marcus’s voice was filled with regret as he hinted at the end.
When Pompey’s litter reached its place, the curtain of the stage finally rose.
Cicero, who was in charge of hosting, raised his voice from the center of the arena.
There were so many people that his voice did not reach some areas, so people were assigned to relay Cicero’s words.
He first said that it was an honor to host such an occasion, and then praised Pompey’s great achievements by listing them one by one.
His achievements so far, his benefits and glory for Rome.
All of them were announced as they were.
Usually, some embellishments were added in such occasions, but Pompey did not need them.
Just by telling the facts as they were, everyone could see how heroic his deeds were.
“Now, among you citizens here, there must be some who fought with Pompey against pirates and conquered the East, some who defeated Asum and Cusi and achieved complete conquest of Africa.
But there are also many who have only heard of his achievements through rumors and news. That’s why we prepared this so that all of Rome’s citizens can experience Pompey Magnus’s achievements vividly!”
In the midst of thunderous applause, Cicero left and actors from a theater troupe appeared.
A grand play depicting Pompey’s life began.
As Cicero said, this play aimed to highlight Pompey’s achievements intensively.
Almost a thousand people were mobilized to create the stage.
There had never been a play of this scale in Rome before.
The brilliant past of Pompey, who had led legions since he was 18, was recreated on the stage.
He earned the nickname Magnus with his genius military skills, which even the dictator Sulla acknowledged, and successfully suppressed the rebellion of Lepidus.
This was the signal that Pompey’s era had arrived.
He then subdued the rebellion of Sertorius in Spain, and followed by wiping out the remnants of the gladiators who had risen and lost the war.
He held a triumph and became a consul at the age of 35.
And then, the event that made Pompey’s fame comparable to any Roman general in history happened.
It was the campaign that wiped out the pirates who had covered the entire Mediterranean Sea.
This process was specially reproduced by filling the arena with water and holding a mock naval battle.
The citizens remembered the severe famine they had suffered when the logistics were paralyzed by the pirates.
It was a great feat that he swept away these pirates in just three months, which Pompey himself was most proud of.
Then he followed by conquering Pontus’s king Mithridates and subduing Armenia, and merged the Seleucid dynasty and the Hasmonean dynasty.
Pompey watched his glorious days unfold on the stage with a faint look in his eyes.
He turned his head and saw the faces of the citizens who were cheering and moved by focusing on the stage.
The memories of those days when he felt like he could go anywhere in the world came back to Pompey’s heart.
He received the best gift on his way to the end.
The actors who bowed to the audience after finishing the play.
The citizens who clapped and shouted with enthusiasm.
And finally, the praises from the senators who raised him on the stage.
Now, Pompey’s name would remain immortal in Rome’s history.
That was enough for him.
He smiled lightly as he listened to Crassus’s tearful speech, who had been his lifelong rival and a good friend at the end.
It was a serene smile even though he faced his final moments.
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