The Urban Villa of Lucius Aurelius Lepidus

[Winter]

It wasn't a long time ago that having a Plebian Consul would have been seen as a sacrelige. I have fought hard for my position, and I have learned much along the way. I do hope that father would be proud...

- Lucius Aurelius Lepidus, Consul, on his election
Epistulae Lepidi, X-XV

Lucius Aurelius Lepidus is a new man in the Senate, having been the son of a prefect father. His political career is one of determination; Never one to mingle with the elite, Lepidus relied on his oratory skill for any advancement. His election as Consul came as a surprise to everyone; it just so happened that the Senate had far more disdain for his opponent than for he.

The Aurelii Lepidi were a long forgotten branch of a once illustrious family. There are records of the family holding considerable sway in the Senate until the 300s' BC; the last recorded member of the Aurelii Lepidi in any considerable position of power was a tribune, also coincidentally named Lucius.

Lepidus, at 50, displayed few signs of his advancing age. He is energetic, as well as intensely serious; he often does not speak unless he considers it necessary; however, when he does speak, he is able to express himself eloquently and is very convincing. A passionate supporter of increased equality between the Plebiean and Patrician classes, his term as Tribune several years ago was marred when a crowd of his supporters, agitating for a Plebiean candidate for the office of Pontifex Maximus, were attacked by thugs rumored to have been hired by the then Patrician Consul.

When at home, Aurelius spends much of his time in his garden, where he reads or writes letters to his associates and friends. Some millenia later, the letters of Aurelius will be discovered in several places around the Mediterranean.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The consul and his lictors appear on the doorstep of Lepidus. The smell of dung is in the air, but Tiberius pretends not to notice. Under normal circumstances Scipio would be too busy tending to matters of state, but the promise of rare wine has persuaded a change to normal habits.

Open up Lepidus, I'll not stand the wait much longer!

[Winter]

The door opened, and the Consul was shown in. The doorman noticed a distinct odor upon the Consul's arrival, and, looking down, noticed that the noble Drusus seemed to have sat in some sort of horse-dropping. He pretended not to notice and brought the Consul to the Peristyle.

Lepidus stood to welcome the Consul

"Ah, Drusus, welcome" he pauses, sniffing the air "I say, Drusus, your slaves could use a wash."

Lepidus motions to a slave woman, who brings a pitcher of wine. Lepidus secretly uncorks a perfume vial he has hanging around his neck for whenever his colleague visits. The wine is left on a small stand adjacient the table. Lepidus moves to the table and unfurls a chart.

"Shall we begin?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

Scipio was delighted to see the wine but horrified to see the state of his sandals. Quickly wiping them on some sort of rug...what make is that? Egyptian? He prepared himself to speak of matter of state. as a slave poured a generous amount of wine

So it seems that...Scipio tastes the wine...excellent......the praetor has presented himself as a stalwart defender of what he would call the integrity of the senate. What kind of juvenile madness is this? Does he not even understand the role of the consulate?

[Winter]

Aurelius's eyes were transfixed on the brown stain on his new Macedonian rug. Finally he came to his senses.

Yes...yes you are right. We must do something about his foolishness. Even he must know a direct assault on the Punic would be suicide.

[Pontifex Maximus]

But how do we make him see sense? He seems to be sniffing up all the wrong trees. This is not about political motivation, this is about our very survival.

Tiberius drains his glass and calls for more

[Winter]

Aurelius sighs, sitting heavily.

This I do not know. Looking to Drusus,

Listen. We must present a united front. Let us go to the Senate, ignore his pandering and useless rhetoric, and present a plan to divide the war between us. I shall go to Spain, and you shall defend Italy. Is this acceptable?

[Pontifex Maximus]

This is acceptable. Under normal circumstances I should prefer to consult the priests, but Hannibal is already ravaging the north. We must act swiftly. How then shall we officially draw up this legislature?

[Winter]

Lepidus picks up a pen and opens a piece of papyrus. He writes furiously for several minutes, trying not to be distracted by the Consul's loud gulping sips and occasional belches.

Here, this should suffice:

I. The Consul Drusus will assume command of the northern legions. He will organize the defense of the northern Italian lands against the Punic incursion, and will have power over said regions. The Consul Aurelius will sail for Spain, and will assume command of the legion at Empiron (?). From there, he shall have full authority to prosecute a war against Carthaginian Iberia.

II. The Consuls shall have absolute command within their respective theaters.

III. The Senate shall organize reinforcements and funds for the expeditions.

What do you say? We should frame this as absolutely necessary to avoid ruin, as well as to avoid needing to appoint a dictator.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Tiberius shakes Lepidus' hand

This looks marvelous. Mars curse the man who opposes this fine proposal. The fate of Rome hangs in the balance, after all. Tiberius glances out the window. Unfortunately it is too early to begin drinking, I still have several clients to meet. I hope to see you propose this legislature some time tomorrow morning. In preparation I shall begin appointing some juries to oversee the courts. We can't leave Rome leaderless and disoriented. Fare well Lepidus!

[Winter]

The Consul leaves quickly. Lepidus wipes his hand in his toga, and his eyes return once again to the carpet. A horrified, angered expression pierces his visage.

"RUFIO! NIOBE! Come here AT ONCE!" The two slaves hurry into the room. They wonder what had gotten their usually sedate master so irate. Lepidus points at the rug.

"Take...take that out back and scrub it clean! That rug cost me 100 drachmae, that barbarian Drusus! He drinks my Falernian, he ruins my prized possessions! Gods help us if this man is truly to defend us from Hannibal; I should hope his military skill is more advanced than his manners!"

Aurelius stalks out of the garden and heads for his study. He stops, returning to the room, and grabs the wine amphora and a metal cup, before turning again to leave.

[Pontifex Maximus]

A boy arrives at the door of Lepidus. He is no more than 14 years of age, but seems to be on some sort of mission...Lepidus' doorman lets the lad in. "now another one..." He thinks to himself. The boy, however, was on a different mission this time, and hands a scroll to the doorman. it reads:

"Salve, Lepidus:

I am sorry to report that the rigidity of my position left little flexibility in the prosecution of the battle. The cries of the dying Romans made my heart sick to the point that I was willing to either fight to the death or fall on my sword, but I knew this could not be. While some of the blame of this battle falls on my shoulders, I think that I made the best of what was given to me. I understand that in war, the outcome can never be definite and that a variety of factors determine the outcome of the battle, but in this case the odds were stacked against us frombefore the time I departed. The men who admit they know nothing of tactics demand on spinning the web of fortune by spelling out to their generals how to fight them. Could disaster have been avoided? Possibly. I cannot say for sure. The Carthaginian forces were immense, powerful, and well led. I do believe, however, the execution of a legion could have been avoided.

Your comrade in arms,

T. D. Scipio"

[chaplain118]

Loud knocks resounded on the oaken doors. There was no answer at first. The knocking resumed. Pallas stood outside, an unreadable expression on his face.

[Winter]

The doorman opens the door.

"Praetor Pallas? My Dominus is not at home, I am sure you know. Are you here to see the Domina?"

At that moment, Valeria emerged from the inner chambers of the house. Her belly was slightly expanded; evidence of her pregnancy, the third child of the family. She smiles at the sight of the visitor.

"Ah, Praetor! Come in! We have been bereft of visitors since my husbands departure! Tell me, is your wife with you?"

Valeria smiles sweetly.

[Elendil of Númenor]

OOC:

At that moment, Valeria emerged from the inner chambers of the house. Her belly was slightly expanded; evidence of her pregnancy, the third child of the family. She smiles at the sight of the visitor.

Umm... doesn't that mean there were two already? Anyway;

IC:
Shock swept across the man's face for a moment - but very quickly disappeared. There are situations in life, it seems, when so much depends on just one good or bad move, one deed, one word, that our blurred mind becomes clearer, our disturbed thoughts more organized.
"Indeed, forgive me, my mind is rather troubled, you see - his name is Caius, isn't it?" 'Sempronius' said slowly, listening to the creaking of wood, as a strong wind blew the trees in the garden.

[chaplain118]

Unfortunately, I have chosen a single life, preferring to drown myself in poetry and philosophy, something which I realize your husband is also very well hearsed in.

Pallas returned the smile. It was a politician's smile. His eyes remained unreadable. As he entered, he was careful to brush off any dust on his toga and inspect his sandals for blemishes. His eyes fell upon the rug and noticed the very hints of a stain. But it was not the stain that drew his eyes, but the distinctive way the rug was woven together.

Tell me, Mistress, is this rug Macedonian? Excuse such an intrusive question, but the patterns have caught my eyes in such a way that I cannot wonder where it has come from.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Outside the gates of the villa, a certain Gaius Numerius sat on a bench. Amidst the great rustle of the forum, the man sat half awake, jingling the newly added coins to his purse. What was it the consul had said? "There are elements in the city who would look to undermine Lepidus by subversive means. Watch his house and family closely.."

So when Gaius spotted the praetor walking up to the gates of Lepidus' house, he motioned to his half dozen colleagues who then began to size up the situation, remaining close at hand

[Winter]

Valeria nodded. She smiled, but something was wrong. There was something about Pallas's manner she could never quite understand. He was always a little too polite, formal. There was something about him that made him seem as if he was perpetually holding something back...

Indeed, you have a good eye. My husband bought that from an equestrian associate of his; the man traveled much in Macedon before the war, and I understand he became quite a collector of rare treasures such as this.

[chaplain118]

And indeed it is a rare treasure. Please, Mistress, sit down. I feel ashamed that you must stand in your own home with someone like me. Now, this equestrian. What was his name?

You, Valeria, Pallas thought, shall be the one fault that faultless Lepidus possess. I wonder, just how much are you willing to divulge? A look of sympathy and concern came to his face as he leaned slightly forward.

Your husband has written to the Senate. The news is unfavorable. But we need you to remain strong in the face of such adversity. You must carry this house with honor, strength, and integrity.

But that's not what I demand from you. I need honesty. Can you do that?

[Winter]

Valeria's eyes narrowed slightly.

I will stand thank you. Tell me, what is this about? What news have you for me about my husband?