believe that you are as unhappy about the state of rule in this empire as we are, and for that reason, we ask that you consider well what follows. Should you decide to stand with us, we welcome you. If not, we charge you upon your honor not to reveal what is set down here, as more than our lives are at stake.
What Julius and Augustus built, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who now wears the purple and calls himself Nero, has done his best to destroy. You may argue that he promised well at first, and there is no one who will deny that he was a charming lad when he was twenty. Those abuses which seemed to be the product of youth have grown since that time, and his judgment and good sense are no longer in evidence. When he was young, I loved him, as did all worthy soldiers. As long as he was deserving esteem as Emperor, I was the most loyal of his men, and my oath to him was doubly sacred. Yet how can any Roman, from the highest noble to the lowest slave, feel he merits anything but odium. His stepfather, his mother and his wife have died at his orders. For that alone I have learned to hate him. My hatred grows with each new atrocity. I have seen my Emperor change from an intelligent, respectful youth into a greedy and debauched tyrant, an actor, a singer of Greek nonsense, a charioteer and a burner of cities.
This man must be removed from power if the empire is to continue. Rome is without virtue while Nero rules us. The philosopher Seneca, who was Nero's tutor, is with us. He knows more profoundly than any other man how far Nero has turned from the path the Emperor should tread. If Seneca opposes Nero, who loved him once as a son, it is sign enough that his Emperor is no longer deserving of the loyal love of his people.
We have others with us, men of judgment and rectitude who have given unstintingly of their minds and fortunes that we may bring about the changes that are so desperately needed.
In place of Nero, we have proposed to elevate Gaius Calpurnius Piso. There are those who claim that he is a trivial young man, given too much to light pursuits. It would be useless to deny that he gambles, and fancies himself something of a singer, but were it not imperial fashion, he would comport himself with more dignity. He has assured us that he will seek our guidance and be attendant to our advice. The people like him, as much for his winning ways as for his handsome appearance. There are those, of course, who admire him for little more than his beauty, but this has ever been a problem with the lower ranks, who are more easily swayed by appearances than the more intelligent nobility. Be certain that Calpurnius is an acceptable candidate for the purple, more modest and less headstrong than Nero.
In less than a month the ill-advised Neronian Games will begin, and that will give us the opportunity we need to strike out at the Emperor who so greatly abuses us. There will be great confusion, and we may take advantage of it. It will be appropriate to bring Nero down at his own Games, as it will show our intentions to be rid not only of him but of everything he has come to represent.
Say you will help us to restore honor and order to the purple. We place our faith in you, Justus. Join with us and be rid of Nero. It is true that the undertaking is dangerous, but think of the reward, not only in dignity, but of the opportunity once again to be near the seat of power. You have suffered much at imperial hands. Take your destiny now, and help us to triumph over Nero. There is nothing more honorable than service to the empire, and there can be no greater service than aiding in the end of the Neronian reign.
In the hope that you are with us,
In faithful confidence,
Subrius Flavus
[Back to Table of Contents]
5
* * * *
THERE WOULD BE twenty-seven guests tonight, and Petronius was determined that nothing would be lacking for them. The dining couches had been set up in his arbor and six specially built fountains cooled the warm May
What Julius and Augustus built, Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who now wears the purple and calls himself Nero, has done his best to destroy. You may argue that he promised well at first, and there is no one who will deny that he was a charming lad when he was twenty. Those abuses which seemed to be the product of youth have grown since that time, and his judgment and good sense are no longer in evidence. When he was young, I loved him, as did all worthy soldiers. As long as he was deserving esteem as Emperor, I was the most loyal of his men, and my oath to him was doubly sacred. Yet how can any Roman, from the highest noble to the lowest slave, feel he merits anything but odium. His stepfather, his mother and his wife have died at his orders. For that alone I have learned to hate him. My hatred grows with each new atrocity. I have seen my Emperor change from an intelligent, respectful youth into a greedy and debauched tyrant, an actor, a singer of Greek nonsense, a charioteer and a burner of cities.
This man must be removed from power if the empire is to continue. Rome is without virtue while Nero rules us. The philosopher Seneca, who was Nero's tutor, is with us. He knows more profoundly than any other man how far Nero has turned from the path the Emperor should tread. If Seneca opposes Nero, who loved him once as a son, it is sign enough that his Emperor is no longer deserving of the loyal love of his people.
We have others with us, men of judgment and rectitude who have given unstintingly of their minds and fortunes that we may bring about the changes that are so desperately needed.
In place of Nero, we have proposed to elevate Gaius Calpurnius Piso. There are those who claim that he is a trivial young man, given too much to light pursuits. It would be useless to deny that he gambles, and fancies himself something of a singer, but were it not imperial fashion, he would comport himself with more dignity. He has assured us that he will seek our guidance and be attendant to our advice. The people like him, as much for his winning ways as for his handsome appearance. There are those, of course, who admire him for little more than his beauty, but this has ever been a problem with the lower ranks, who are more easily swayed by appearances than the more intelligent nobility. Be certain that Calpurnius is an acceptable candidate for the purple, more modest and less headstrong than Nero.
In less than a month the ill-advised Neronian Games will begin, and that will give us the opportunity we need to strike out at the Emperor who so greatly abuses us. There will be great confusion, and we may take advantage of it. It will be appropriate to bring Nero down at his own Games, as it will show our intentions to be rid not only of him but of everything he has come to represent.
Say you will help us to restore honor and order to the purple. We place our faith in you, Justus. Join with us and be rid of Nero. It is true that the undertaking is dangerous, but think of the reward, not only in dignity, but of the opportunity once again to be near the seat of power. You have suffered much at imperial hands. Take your destiny now, and help us to triumph over Nero. There is nothing more honorable than service to the empire, and there can be no greater service than aiding in the end of the Neronian reign.
In the hope that you are with us,
In faithful confidence,
Subrius Flavus
[Back to Table of Contents]
5
* * * *
THERE WOULD BE twenty-seven guests tonight, and Petronius was determined that nothing would be lacking for them. The dining couches had been set up in his arbor and six specially built fountains cooled the warm May
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