brother,’ Vespasia said. ‘I shall make sure the boys use it to their best advantage.’
Gaius gestured to the cakes. ‘Please, in the absence of a serving boy help yourselves, these almond and cinnamon cakes are particularly good. Tuck in, my boys, we have a busy day tomorrow so you need to get your strength up.’
‘What have you planned for tomorrow, Gaius?’ Vespasia asked.
‘Your boys need to be seen and introduced,’ Gaius replied, stuffing a cake between his plump, moist lips. ‘Tomorrow is yet another public holiday, so where better to go to be seen and introduced than at the chariot races in the Circus Maximus?’
CHAPTER VII
A T DAWN THE ancient doorkeeper opened up and admitted the crowd of clients waiting outside to pay their morning respects to their patron. Gaius sat on a stool near the hearth and greeted each of his forty or more clients in order of precedence. Vespasian and Sabinus sat on either side of him and were introduced only to those deemed worthy enough. A young secretary stood behind them taking notes on a wax tablet of any verbal requests, and receiving written petitions from those clients who had problems that they thought could be resolved by their patron.
Those for whom Gaius had some use that day were asked to wait by his study for a private interview. The rest were all given something to eat and drink and then they waited in respectful silence near the door for their patron’s departure. Each held a small purse of coins that, as it was a race day, had been given to them to gamble with. Once the greeting was over Gaius disappeared into his study and dealt with the return favours that he needed from those indebted to him. Vespasian was impressed by the quiet dignity with which both clients and patron conducted themselves as they exploited to the full this symbiotic relationship.
Business concluded, Gaius waddled out of his study and caught sight of Vespasian. ‘Dear boy, be so good as to fetch your parents. It’s time we were leaving; the crowds will be horrendous.’
Once all were assembled in the atrium Gaius made an offering to his household gods, mumbled a prayer, and then made his wayoutside followed by his family and then his clients. To Vespasian’s surprise, waiting to escort the large party through Rome to the circus were Magnus and six of his crossroads brothers, all sporting sturdy staffs.
‘What are these men doing here, Gaius?’ Vespasia asked. ‘They threatened us yesterday and showed no respect to their betters. I meant to have a word with you about them last night.’
‘Good morning, madam, please accept my apologies for yesterday—’ Magnus began.
‘Have some manners whipped into this man, Gaius,’ Vespasia demanded.
‘Calm my dear,’ Gaius soothed, ‘Magnus is—’
‘Magnus!’ Vespasia exclaimed. ‘That’s a very big name for such a little crook.’
‘My grandfather fought for Pompeius Magnus at Pharsalus. He named—’
‘I’ve no interest in your sordid little family’s history.’
Gaius stepped between them. ‘Vespasia, please. Magnus is a trusted friend of mine and a great source of information. For my sake, won’t you overlook this misjudgement on his part and let us be on our way to the circus? He and his comrades will prove their worth by beating a path through the crowds.’
Vespasia paused and looked down her nose at Magnus and his men who bowed their heads in abject apology.
‘Very well, brother, for your sake I shall,’ she replied loftily.
Magnus nodded in acknowledgement and then turned to Gaius. ‘I assume that you are heading to your normal place, the senators’ seats to the left of the imperial box.’
‘Indeed we are, my good man; I’ve had five slaves there reserving seats since before dawn.’
Gaius headed off down the Quirinal Hill surrounded by his family, clients and bodyguards. As they descended Vespasian sawmany similar parties of important-looking men escorted by crowds of hangers-on; the
Gaius gestured to the cakes. ‘Please, in the absence of a serving boy help yourselves, these almond and cinnamon cakes are particularly good. Tuck in, my boys, we have a busy day tomorrow so you need to get your strength up.’
‘What have you planned for tomorrow, Gaius?’ Vespasia asked.
‘Your boys need to be seen and introduced,’ Gaius replied, stuffing a cake between his plump, moist lips. ‘Tomorrow is yet another public holiday, so where better to go to be seen and introduced than at the chariot races in the Circus Maximus?’
CHAPTER VII
A T DAWN THE ancient doorkeeper opened up and admitted the crowd of clients waiting outside to pay their morning respects to their patron. Gaius sat on a stool near the hearth and greeted each of his forty or more clients in order of precedence. Vespasian and Sabinus sat on either side of him and were introduced only to those deemed worthy enough. A young secretary stood behind them taking notes on a wax tablet of any verbal requests, and receiving written petitions from those clients who had problems that they thought could be resolved by their patron.
Those for whom Gaius had some use that day were asked to wait by his study for a private interview. The rest were all given something to eat and drink and then they waited in respectful silence near the door for their patron’s departure. Each held a small purse of coins that, as it was a race day, had been given to them to gamble with. Once the greeting was over Gaius disappeared into his study and dealt with the return favours that he needed from those indebted to him. Vespasian was impressed by the quiet dignity with which both clients and patron conducted themselves as they exploited to the full this symbiotic relationship.
Business concluded, Gaius waddled out of his study and caught sight of Vespasian. ‘Dear boy, be so good as to fetch your parents. It’s time we were leaving; the crowds will be horrendous.’
Once all were assembled in the atrium Gaius made an offering to his household gods, mumbled a prayer, and then made his wayoutside followed by his family and then his clients. To Vespasian’s surprise, waiting to escort the large party through Rome to the circus were Magnus and six of his crossroads brothers, all sporting sturdy staffs.
‘What are these men doing here, Gaius?’ Vespasia asked. ‘They threatened us yesterday and showed no respect to their betters. I meant to have a word with you about them last night.’
‘Good morning, madam, please accept my apologies for yesterday—’ Magnus began.
‘Have some manners whipped into this man, Gaius,’ Vespasia demanded.
‘Calm my dear,’ Gaius soothed, ‘Magnus is—’
‘Magnus!’ Vespasia exclaimed. ‘That’s a very big name for such a little crook.’
‘My grandfather fought for Pompeius Magnus at Pharsalus. He named—’
‘I’ve no interest in your sordid little family’s history.’
Gaius stepped between them. ‘Vespasia, please. Magnus is a trusted friend of mine and a great source of information. For my sake, won’t you overlook this misjudgement on his part and let us be on our way to the circus? He and his comrades will prove their worth by beating a path through the crowds.’
Vespasia paused and looked down her nose at Magnus and his men who bowed their heads in abject apology.
‘Very well, brother, for your sake I shall,’ she replied loftily.
Magnus nodded in acknowledgement and then turned to Gaius. ‘I assume that you are heading to your normal place, the senators’ seats to the left of the imperial box.’
‘Indeed we are, my good man; I’ve had five slaves there reserving seats since before dawn.’
Gaius headed off down the Quirinal Hill surrounded by his family, clients and bodyguards. As they descended Vespasian sawmany similar parties of important-looking men escorted by crowds of hangers-on; the
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