The Diplomatic Mission of Spurius Horatius Lurco - 481-482AUC

[Crozimodo]

The heat was unbearable, the sweat dripped from Lurco’s face as he sat awaiting entrance to the Epirote governor’s presence. It was customary for a dignitary to be forced to wait, a power play by his opposition. He mopped at his face with the cloth, he would soon hold the power.

***

Eventually the doors swung open and he was admitted into the presence of his opposition. The office of one man could be as much a battlefield as the widest plain or the most blood drenched city street. Lurco’s handpicked men stood behind him, freedmen that he trusted with his life. Two guards flanked the sides of Aikides of Epeiros.

“You have the authority to speak for the Kingdom of Epeiros?" Lurco enquired,

“I do Roman and you for Rome?” Came the reply.

“Whilst I am on these shores I am Rome,” Lurco locked eyes across the table and began the proceedings;

“The Senate and People of Rome have authorised me to offer terms of peace to you with the addition of trade agreements between our two peoples. However, your previous interactions with Rome have stigmatised you so to speak, Rome would require a sweetener to the deal, 500 Mnai and maps
detailing your knowledge of the world.”

“Unacceptable Senator, you take me for a fool, would Rome offer peace if she felt that she could compare to the might of our Kingdom?”

“Rome does not seek hostile war nor the death and destruction that comes with it. She would prefer instead that trade could flourish and our people find common accord. An end to the fighting, but this must be a pleasing proposal to the Senate. 100 Mnai and the maps would be acceptable.”

“The trade agreements and peace, nothing more, Rome will not saunter onto our shores and take us for fools.”

“You must understand to the West lies Rome currently hostile towards you, with this agreement hostilities would cease. To the East lies Makedonia and as I am well aware you are still at war with that nation. You are caught between two great powers and the swords of our legions can be stayed if you see sense, the maps alone will suffice.”

“Epeiros too would see this war cease, but we see no reason to give you any strategic advantage. It goes against common sense Senator this you must realise. Let there be peace between our peoples and let our ships send many goods to Rome. You have proven yourself capable fighters, it is for you to see you prove yourself just as capable at peace.” The governor’s eyes had lit up, it was crucial that Rome did not look like the aggressor, Lurco had little choice he had manoeuvred as best he could.

“Very well, there shall be peace between Epeiros and Rome. Let this be a day of celebration, we shall finalise the trade agreements and I shall be on my way.” Lurco stood and approached Helenos Aiakides, he embraced him and peace was secured. For now at least.

Lurco mulled over the other meetings with Makedonian and Greek leaders. Each meeting had ended the same he had secured the trade rights but little else. Regardless, Rome would flourish and it would him to thank, the revenue from the agreements would fill Rome's coffers and would fund the war to the North that Lurco had heard of. As the hired merchant vessel sighted the Italian Peninsula Lurco smiled to himself. Home at last, he would dive straight back into politics with fire in his belly. Behind him stood an assortment of Greek teachers and scholars, he had taken great joy in debating with them and gaining a better knowledge of their culture. He would not be drawn into their ideals but variety made life much more enjoyable. Lurco's only dissapointment was that he had been unable to induce further conflict between the Eastern nations to keep them fractured and weak for Rome's eventual dominance. But still he had left his mark, he had come as a symbol of wealth and power to the East and no doubt it would think twice before taking hostile action against Rome. Perhaps he would return one day to watch the Hellenistic leaders bend the knee to him.

It was a pleasant thought.