AD29

By Tony Sadgrove

The Emperor Tiberius needs to increase revenue. He decides to increase the tribute paid by the provinces. One, Judea, is a problem. He sends Publius to engineer a situation which will force the local government, the Sanhedrin, to comply. This is Publius' solution.
“AD 29” revolves around a man as he sets out to Judea to perform an important task for Rome.
Publius wins against Cassius in a dice game. Without money to pay, Cassius agrees to make Publius his new partner in his haberdashery business, which will help Publius continue the trading business of his deceased father. Aside from this new interest in business, Publius also writes plays. All of his activities are criticized by his adoptive father Lucius.
An unexpected opportunity comes to Publius when Roman Emperor Tiberius offers him a chance to travel to Judea to encourage people to raise their taxes. In preparation for this journey, Publius goes to Massilia to know more about the current situation in Judea. He meets Moshe and learns from him that the Sanhedrin control everything in Judea: business, politics, and religion. Taking into account everything that he has learned, Publius presents a plan to the Emperor on how to achieve their goal.
Publius stays in his friend Mordechai’s house, in Hierosolyma, using his interest to buy silk in Reqem as his front for coming to Judea. In order to facilitate his trade, Publius seeks to weaken the control of the Sanhedrin over the business in Judea. He meets with Joseph and Simon, who are both against the rule of the Sanhedrin. Publius carries out his plan methodically and the Sanhedrin eventually lose control of the trade to and from Rome, with the people agreeing to pay higher tributes to Rome.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tony Sadgrove
• Release date: Jul 4, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483526430

Tony Sadgrove

born London, UK 1951 migrated to Australia 1969 graduated B.A. (Hons) University of Tasmania 1973 graduated Dip.Ed. Monash University 1974 Secondary School Teacher (English, History, Politics) 1975-1984 Employed in Computer manufacturing, Building Industry, Disability Services Self Employed Property Developer, Internet financing, Small business consultancy After gaining his qualifications (majors in English and History), Tony taught in secondary schools for ten years. Deciding that it was about time he left school, he spent time in various industries including property development and computer manufacturing before leaving the work force to establish an on-line business from home. During this time he has written many pieces of poetry, short stories and novels of which AD29 is one. He has already begun work on a SF/ historical novel entitled 'LIES'. He is unpublished

Book preview

AD29

AD29

Tony Sadgrove

Copyright 2006, A W Sadgrove

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-326-06441-9

CHAPTER 1 - The Ides of March

The night was getting late and the six man gambling session was drawing to a close. Located in the upper floor of an old building near the new market, the dice game was a regular monthly event for the young men. This night, one of them, Publius Larcius Suranus, had been losing. Not a great deal, for they did not wager large amounts and his losses amounted to no more than five sesterti but he was not used to losing. Then, to the shock of the others, he reached into his clothing, pulled out a small leather pouch and laid ten gold aureus coins on the table.

I’ll put these on three he announced. three was the most difficult to throw – the longest odds. It was an outrageous bet for an outrageous amount of money. After a long pause, one spoke

I’ll give you 12 to 1. Throw. Publius looked the older man straight in the eye, picked up the dice, shook them in his hands and with an exaggerated action, cast the white cubes across the wooden table. One landed without much movement on 1; the other landed on a point and spun. All six at the table stared at the spinning die, trying to guess what it would stop on. As it ran out of impetus, Publius began to smile. It stopped – on 2. Publius had won his gamble. He lifted his gaze and once again looked the man in the eye who averted his own look downwards.

I don’t have the money. He said. All I have is this building and the business. What do you want? Publius regathered his coins and returned them to his pouch.

Looks like you have a new partner, Cassius.

***************

Publius woke late the next morning – quite usual for a young man who rarely gets to bed before 2am – and decided to go and investigate his new business. Cassius ran a popular haberdashery and it was an activity that Publius knew very little about. What he did know, however, was important to him. The shop downstairs, although of pre Empire origin, had an old world charm and its location, near Rome’s newest and most central market, drew large crowds. Cassius was a busy and well-known merchant and all levels of Rome’s polyglot society frequented his business. He was always well stocked with the newest materials from all over the Empire and supplied the wealthy with their requirements of the finest materials. He was, in short, a fashion leader and his thriving business would serve Publius well in his future plans. What was even better was that he liked Cassius and was convinced that he could trust him.

After breakfast and his ablutions, Publius set out to walk to the shop. The spring morning was fresh but already the temperature was starting to rise. Publius enjoyed walking through Rome at this time of day: it was alive. People were everywhere and Rome was especially busy at the moment due to the March ides. The Senate was due to hold its special session the next day and all over Rome, banquets in honour of the fallen Julius would be held that night. Even though Rome had been an Empire for many years, the memory of the Republic and the day of its fall was still recognised. Many citizens from all walks of life held the forlorn hope that one day it would be restored. The Ides of March had become an unofficial festival in remembrance of what had been lost. As a result, Rome was busier than normal. The markets were bustling and noisy. Business was good. It took Publius half an hour to walk through the crowds to Cassius’ shop and when he got there he found it crowded with competitive shoppers; women of aristocratic families vying for the best fabrics to make their exotic evening gowns for the night’s celebrations. Cassius was overwhelmed with shoppers so Publius made his way to the back of the shop and without knowing what he was doing, began to attend to the customers. Even if he made mistakes, he reasoned that there was only one way to learn and, after all, it had become his business.

Around lunchtime, with the early shoppers satisfied and heading back home to make their new finery, the demand began to slacken and the two new business partners had time to talk.

Is it always like this?

I wish it was – most of the time I’m sitting around waiting for someone rich to come in. It was clear the negotiations had begun. Publius claiming that business was good and very profitable, Cassius taking the opposite position.

So – tell me all you know about fabrics. Where do they come from? What is the best? Which ones sell well? How do we make the largest profits? Publius was anxious to get on with his education. As far as he was concerned, he had acquired an interest in a business he little understood and as soon as he mastered the intricacies, the more use he would be.

Are you serious about this? Cassius was still not sure where he stood.

Of course I am. If I am to be of any use, I want to know all there is to know.

Where do I stand? Cassius was still confused and uncertain. Can we please sort this out so I know what I am going to do next?

As far as I am concerned, I won, you lost last night. I don’t want your business or your home. I won your knowledge and a share of your business. You keep going as you have been. I can add to what you are doing, once you tell me what you need. I have the money you don’t have. Together we can build this business up. I’m not looking for work that is going to tie me to Rome for ever and a day. I can’t stay in one place for long. I am a traveller. On my travels, if I know what I am looking for, I can keep you supplied. And I can probably do it much cheaper than you are used to. How does that sound? Publius was smiling and full of enthusiasm. He could see some relief on the face of Cassius.

I hadn’t thought of taking on a trainee….but…if you put it like that – well, why not. Sounds good.  He extended his hand and the two shook hands. The deal was consummated.

So tell me what all these Publius swept his arm across the rows and rows of rolled up fabrics, are about.

How long have you got?

A couple of hours. I have to go to my adoptive father’s tonight for our annual family feast. It’s OK, I’m a quick learner and I have a good memory.

For two hours, Cassius took Publius on a detailed tour of the empire as told in the rolls of fabric on his shelves. There were materials of different weight and colour from Gaul, Spain, Greece, Tunis, Egypt and the Eastern provinces. Publius had travelled to most of these with his family as a child and young man but had never realised that the differences in fabrics, and therefore the clothing made from them, was so diverse. Roman citizens had access to this diversity – at a price, of course, and competition was fierce amongst the ladies of the wealthy families to be first with the newest. This competition was the basis of Cassius’ business and his reputation depended on his being able to import the best. In answer to one of Publius’ many questions as he learned his new business as quickly as possible, the fabrics most in demand were the lightest and most colourful which came form the most eastern provinces. Publius began to see where he could be useful – as a buyer. He made a mental note to organise some travelling as soon as possible as he would be able to satisfy more than one need at the same time – he would be able to revive his late father’s trading business and using the same old contacts, feed Cassius with new materials. He began to look forward to leaving Rome. He looked across the shop and through the open doorway noticed it was getting dark outside. His time today was up. He thanked Cassius, promised to return as soon as possible and left. He walked quickly back to his rooms, changed into his evening clothes and walked to the rich sector of Rome where his adoptive father lived.

He was late, as usual for the lengthy evening meal had started in the late afternoon whilst he had been with Cassius. His father, Lucius, was used to this. Publius stopped briefly at the ladies’ room to make his greetings before moving to the larger men’s dining room where the entertainment had already begun. Lucius rolled on his couch to greet his youngest, and latest, son.

I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten us. Busy as usual, Publius? Lucius was a short, rather fat man in his early fifties who had adopted Publius three years previously after the death of Publius’ own father and mother. Lucius Gaius Surai had a large family of five sons and six daughters and it was fortunate for all of them that he was also one of the wealthiest patricians in Rome. He was a leading senator which was the main reason for the family banquet that evening. It was rumoured, though he would never confirm, that he had the ear of Tiberius and was one of the emperor’s spokesmen in the senate.

Will we be graced with one of your plays tonight, my son? You know how much I enjoy a good play, and your last one was most entertaining, if I remember correctly. He didn’t and it wasn’t and both he and Publius knew this but Publius was not about to get upset by his father. He ignored the slight.

Sorry I’m late. Got a little carried away with my new business. And how could I forget the Ides dinner. Publius made his way to the one vacant couch and as he stretched himself out he surveyed the various dishes of entrees on the table. They all looked delicious which reminded him that he hadn’t eaten since his late breakfast of bread and honey. He scooped up some of the fish, cheese and olives and began to consume them with relish.

New business? Tell us all about it. You are becoming a man of many talents. What is it this time – don’t tell me – let me guess – something to do with music? for some reason, or the amount of wine he had already drunk, Lucius thought this a great joke and began to laugh. Some of the other guests in the room, in polite support, joined in, even though they didn’t really understand the joke.

Cloth. Haberdashery. I bought into my friend’s business yesterday and thought I’d better learn a bit about it. He does a roaring trade with many of mother’s friends selling them all the latest fabrics from around the Empire. Quite interesting.

Ladies’ underwear!! This was even funnier and the laughter in the room grew louder at Publius’ expense. When the guffaws had subsided, Lucius put on a more serious voice. Publius, he began, Publius, here comes the annual lecture on life, Publius thought as he averted his gaze, when are you going to do something useful in life instead of frittering away your time, and your natural father’s money, on such wasteful endeavours? What do you do with yourself? You write plays, you mix with the wastrels of Rome and now, haberdashery. Is this how a 22 year old should conduct himself? You are too able for this. You need to be put to better use! This was an announcement, not a point for discussion so Publius said nothing and returned to his appetite. "Anyway, enough of that. I will discuss this further with you when we are alone. Let us consider the occasion.

As we are all aware, tonight is the eve of the greatest tragedy in the history of Rome. Tomorrow is the day when the divine Julius was murdered in cold blood and tonight we reflect on what should have been, and what WILL be again. We must never forget those traitors to the Republic and we must continue our struggle to return Rome to those great days. Even the Emperor, for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration, agrees with me. Both he, and the divine Augustus in his time, long for the day when the great families of Rome can bury their differences and return us to the great days of the Republic. Tonight – we both remember a death and pray to the gods for its restitution.

He lifted his goblet high into the air and shouted To Rome! The others did likewise.

Publius, however, was half-hearted about his father’s ebullience. He saw no point in celebrating a death. Life as far as he was concerned, was quite fine under the Empire and saw no reason to return to the civil wars of the past. It was peaceful almost everywhere; the legions had a firm grip on most of the borders, and trading ships crossed the Mediterranean with total safety. Farmers and rural people were able to go about their business without the fear of large armies flattening their crops or setting fire to their buildings. In fact, there was an almost total absence of the fear and insecurity that had characterised the last years of the Republic under Julius Caesar. Very few Romans wanted a return to the former system. Life had become safer under Augustus and even better under Tiberius. The toast had been their cue, so before anything could be said to counteract the somewhat old-fashioned views of the host, the slaves entered the room carrying large dishes of various meats, vegetables and salads. Publius looked over the variety and remarked, No giraffe this year, father?

The next morning, Publius decided to go to the Senate to watch his father in action. He was due, later that afternoon, at the nearby theatre for a rehearsal of his new play, so he decided to kill a few hours. The whole proceedings were very formal and almost staged with Senator after Senator standing up and delivering set speeches, or orations, on their favourite topics – mostly themselves and their own interests. One or two, however, did raise some interesting points. His own father delivered a speech on the state of the empire which sounded like it had been written by Tiberius himself and in general the Senators fell into line with the gist of what the emperor clearly wanted. One speech did raise some eyebrows when the Senator from the south, Gaius Pompeius Maximus, began to berate the administration, meaning Tiberius, about the lack of support being given to the fishermen of the area. They were going out of business, he argued, not because of lack of fish – catches were quite high – but because Romans were not eating fish. Meat was all the vogue – everything had to be meat and the fishermen were having to throw tons of rotten fish back into the sea for want of buyers. Publius’ father had not expected this and he got up and strode towards the Senator on the conclusion of his speech, waving his arms around in anger. Publius, however, had to leave at that point to go to his other commitment.

Publius made his way to the theatre. On the last