Chapter 76: First Step >
Chapter 76: First Step >
The registration for the candidates was closed and the official campaign period began.
The Senate started its activities with the goal of defeating Caesar, but it faced difficulties from the very beginning.
It was because the Triumvirate was manipulating public opinion behind the scenes.
The populists that Caesar could mobilize, the mercenaries that Marcus secretly hired, the soldiers that followed Pompey’s orders.
All of them combined could easily overwhelm the Roman citizens.
By now, there was no one who didn’t know that Caesar had been unfairly prevented from holding a triumph by the Senate.
Caesar, who was already popular among the masses, gained even more sympathy as a result.
The outcome was obvious without looking.
No matter how they calculated, Caesar’s election was certain.
The Senate was not so incompetent that it couldn’t judge such a simple fact.
They decided to discuss countermeasures based on the assumption that Caesar would become a consul.
Cato proposed his own ingenious plan once again.
He seemed so eager to restrain Caesar that one might wonder if it was his life’s purpose.
Afranius accepted Cato’s proposal and convened a Senate meeting.
The agenda was the assignment of provinces for the next consuls.
Caesar and Bibulus, who were likely to be elected, were naturally obliged to attend.
Afranius looked around at the senators who filled the seats and opened his mouth.
“Gentlemen, today we have a very important matter to deal with. The allocation of provinces for the next consuls is an issue that the whole Mediterranean world is watching with keen interest. We have to settle this matter as soon as possible to ease the confusion of the provincials.”
Pompey clapped his hands as if he was surprised by Afranius’ speech.
“I had no idea that the Senate cared so much about the provinces. But then why was my request for the reorganization of the eastern provinces not processed until it was approved by the assembly? Did I not know that Asia Minor was not considered a province of Rome?”
Some of the neutral senators, including Caesar, laughed at the sharp sarcasm.
Afranius, who couldn’t think of a good excuse, decided to just ignore it and continue his speech.
“Um… before we discuss the allocation of provinces, Porcius Cato and Calpurnius Bibulus have something they want to say. If there is no objection, I will grant them permission to speak.”
Cato stood up first.
Unlike when he delivered his long speeches, he started his speech without any hesitation.
“Honorable senators, I believe that everyone here is a true patriot who loves Rome. We may have different political views, but this feeling is the same for both the aristocrats and the populists. Isn’t that right, Caesar?”
Caesar, who was suddenly named, looked at Cato with interest.
It was the first time that Cato had asked him a question with such courtesy.
He guessed that there must be some trick behind it.
And Cato didn’t seem to hide it either.
Caesar decided to play along and see how great Cato’s scheme was.
“Of course, Cato. My love for Rome will never change even if my flesh returns to dust.”
“Excellent. I have been opposing Caesar in the Senate for a long time, but I have never doubted his loyalty to Rome.
But unfortunately, the recent situation is not like that. Young people with wrong mindsets ignore the value of small things.
They think that people who work quietly without being noticed are fools, and they praise those who deceive others and do not work honestly as wise. How did Rome become like this? It’s shameful, but it’s because we, the aristocrats, did not set an example in the Senate.”
Cato paused and looked around at the audience.
As planned in advance, the aristocrats made insincere remarks like they were ashamed or they had to show an example from now on.
“I realize that Rome’s conscience is still alive when so many of you agree with me. So we have to act before it’s too late.
The aristocrats, who are the leaders of society, must take the lead and be an example for others. How can we do that? We have to reject materialism that pervades in the Senate.
This is also related to the governorship of provinces for the next consuls. People have always wanted to be assigned to wealthy provinces unconditionally.
They believed that making a fortune there was their reward for their efforts. What do you think the young people thought when they saw the most respected elders of Rome doing this? Oh, I also want to succeed and make a quick buck like that. Wouldn’t this kind of mind naturally arise? I would do the same!”
Caesar chuckled.
He could see clearly what Cato’s trick was.
It was not a bad move.
He glanced back and saw Marcus sitting with an impressed expression.
He looked like he was focused on the speech, but Caesar knew the truth.
That expression was one of Marcus’ tricks that he learned recently.
He hid his boredom and thought about something else while never showing it on his face.
It was a skill he acquired while enduring Cato’s speeches that lasted for more than eight hours.
Of course, Cato didn’t have a clue about that and was grateful to Marcus for always staying by his side.
“To correct the moral decay that prevails in Rome, I talked to Bibulus, who is likely to be the next consul. And thankfully, Bibulus agreed with me deeply. From now on, not me, but Bibulus himself will reveal his noble intention.”
Cato sent an exaggerated gesture and Bibulus stood up with the most graceful posture he could manage.
“Thank you, Porcius Cato. Thanks to your advice, I was able to remember the precious values that I had forgotten.
“To be honest, when I first became a consul, I wanted to go to Asia Minor. It was rumored to be a place where I could rake in silver coins.
But after hearing Cato’s words, I came to my senses. Ah, how could I be a role model if I had such thoughts?
How could anyone act for the benefit of Rome if the consuls themselves were only interested in filling their own pockets? When I thought about it, I naturally saw what I had to do.”
As the speech reached this point, the members of the aristocratic faction smiled quietly, sensing victory.
Bibulus calmly savored his triumph and delivered the final blow.
“So I propose to the Senate. To show that the position of governor of a province is not for personal gain, to make the young politicians see the consuls as their inspiration. Let the next consul be assigned the role of overseeing the forests and roads of Italy, not the governor of a province!
Let him feel and interact with the lives of the citizens, and become a true guardian of the Roman people’s well-being! I, Bibulus, will be the first to set an example for others. I will prove how noble and valuable it is to do these humble tasks, not by leading soldiers or collecting taxes!”
Bibulus bowed politely and the whole Senate applauded thunderously.
Not only those who belonged to the aristocratic faction, but also those who were relatively neutral praised Bibulus’s decision.
After all, it was Bibulus who would win, not them.
Afranius asked Caesar with a smug smile.
“Gaius Julius Caesar, as a leading candidate for the next consul, do you have any objections to this opinion? If you say you don’t want this position, we will gladly respect your opinion.”
Cato, who had devised this plan, was sure that he could corner Caesar with this.
If Caesar accepted Bibulus’s proposal, he would become a powerless puppet after his term as consul ended.
If he refused, he would be branded as such a person.
He was confident that he would finally see Caesar’s face crumble.
Unconsciously leaning forward, Cato was disappointed by Caesar’s response.
Caesar smiled leisurely and clapped enthusiastically.
“Of course I have no objection. I applaud Bibulus’s noble decision.”
His relaxed attitude made Cato and the aristocrats uneasy, but they decided to proceed with the vote.
As expected, Bibulus’s proposal was passed overwhelmingly.
Even Caesar voted in favor.
The only one who opposed was Pompey.
He angrily shouted that this was political tyranny, but the aristocrats ignored him.
Caesar and Pompey’s contrasting attitudes reassured the aristocrats who had been anxious for a moment.
Cato was not relieved, but most of the senators concluded that Caesar was bluffing.
The Senate’s current plan was perfect.
Even if Caesar became a consul, Bibulus would veto all his policies.
They might face criticism from the people, but Marcus, who was performing the censorship office, would restore the Senate’s popularity.
They couldn’t always rely on controlling the assembly with tribunes.
In this tribune election, many plebeian nobles supported by the Senate participated.
They were sure that even if three or four of them were elected, they could restrain Caesar.
And when his term as consul ended, Caesar would be pushed into a position where he could do nothing.
Considering his huge debt, his creditors wouldn’t leave him alone.
No matter what Caesar did, he couldn’t hold out until the end.
He would admit defeat and crawl under the Senate within three years at most.
The Senate thought they had been pushed around by Caesar because they hadn’t taken him seriously.
But now it was different.
The aristocrats recognized Caesar as a threatening opponent.
So they couldn’t lose.
Most of the senators were confident of that.
The Senate had always won so far.
They did so during the Gracchi brothers’ time, during Catiline’s rebellion, and even neutralized Pompey Magnus himself.
It was absurd to lose to a young politician who was 39 years old and growing fast.
At least until now, even the populists who supported Caesar thought so.
※※※※
The election results went as everyone expected.
On July 15th of 61 BC., seven days before Ides (15th), Caesar was elected as consul by an overwhelming number of votes.
Bibulus barely won a close battle and secured his election as second place.
The Senate breathed a sigh of relief.
It didn’t matter whether he was elected by a landslide or by a hair’s breadth, the authority of the consul was the same.
As long as he didn’t lose and was elected, that was enough.
The consul election was nerve-wracking, but the other elections went as the Senate wished.
First of all, three out of twelve tribunes were people who were friendly to the Senate.
It hurt that Vatinius and Clodius were re-elected, but they consoled themselves that they had more numbers.
Moreover, Marcus was the first to secure his election as a aedile, faster than anyone else.
He received more votes than all the other candidates combined.
The Senate, who saw how popular the star of the Republic was, waited for the next year with joy.
As the election ended with a result that both sides could accept, the movements under the water became more fierce.
The Senate did not become complacent, considering Caesar a serious threat.
They encouraged their factions and continued to sway public opinion while waiting for the new year.
Caesar did not stay still either.
As soon as he was elected as a consul, he immediately requested a meeting with Cicero.
It was because Marcus had hinted beforehand that Cicero was not hostile to Caesar.
Caesar and Cicero had met several times privately.
Although they had different political beliefs, both of them had outstanding erudition that was second to none in Rome.
It was not strange that they regarded each other as very good conversationalists.
Still, Cicero felt burdened by meeting Caesar alone in this situation.
He did not want to be suspected of colluding with Caesar.
After some hesitation, Cicero accepted the meeting request on the condition that Marcus would accompany him.
Caesar gladly agreed to that condition.
Exactly two days later, the tripartite meeting between Cicero, Caesar, and Marcus took place at Caesar’s residence.
Cicero handed over a prepared gift and congratulated him without being too friendly or too cold.
“I sincerely congratulate you on your election as a consul.”
“There is no need to be so formal. I arranged this meeting to seek your wisdom.”
“I’m sorry to say this, but I’m not in a position to give you any useful advice. If I side with you, the Optimates will immediately regard me as a traitor.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that. I’m not asking you to tell me a clever plan to take control of the state. If anything, it’s the opposite. Let me make it clear since I have a trustworthy son-in-law here. I have no intention of crushing the Senate or destroying the order. I think there is nothing better than resolving things through dialogue peacefully.”
Cicero scratched his head with a skeptical expression.
“So you mean…you want me and Marcus to mediate between the Senate and you?”
“To be precise, I’m asking you. Marcus is my son-in-law, so he might be biased one way or another. Of course, the Crassus family is close to the aristocratic faction, but it’s also true that Marcus doesn’t have as much weight as you do.
If there is someone who can take on the role of mediator in Rome, it’s none other than you. Marcus only needs to prove that you are not persuaded by me.”
“Hmm, well, if you say so, I’ll think about it for a while.”
The words that there was only one person in Rome who could handle this heavy task touched Cicero’s heartstrings.
His mood improved greatly and he covered his mouth with a wine cup to hide his smile.
He was no less vain than Pompey when it came to showing off himself.
He gulped down the diluted wine and thought that this situation might be a great opportunity.
If he succeeded in mediating between the deepening conflict between the populares and the optimates, how much fame would he gain?
He could call himself ‘the father of the country’ for saving Rome from chaos, and no one would deny it.
He first needed to hear what Caesar was thinking in detail.
Cicero emptied his cup of wine and tried to look as casual as possible.
“I’ll give you an answer after I hear your plan. How do you want me to mediate?”
< The First Step > End
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