the Senate’s stallingwas to seize the public treasury. so that he could supply himself with thenecessary funds to finish what he’d started. Then he left for Spain, where heengaged the forces of Afranius and Varro, Pompey’s loyal generals, and afterdefeating them decisively, he returned once more to Rome, where the Senate,realizing the growing futility of Pompey’s position, voted Caesar the title ofdictator. In the event that Pompey still somehow managed to prevail, they couldalways claim that Caesar forced it on them. And with Caesar holding theposition of dictator, it absolved them of the responsibility of making anychoices.
Travers had remained at Caesar’s side throughout it all andhad observed firsthand that Caesar was not only a brilliant general. capable ofinspiring fanatical devotion in his men. but also a skillful diplomat. Hisfirst act was to call back all those Romans who had gone into exile. He gavethem back their rights as citizens and incurred the favor of many influentialaristocrats by relieving them of their debts. He then made himself look betterstill by resigning the dictatorship that the fearful members of the Senate hadconferred on him, having held the post for only eleven days, and declaringhimself consul. That done, he immediately left Rome once more, on the trail ofPompey. The two armies met at Pharsalia in the largest and bloodiest battleever fought between Romans. Caesar proved himself the better general and theman once hailed as Pompey the Great fled the scene of haute and retired to histent, totally demoralized. When Caesar’s troops had routed his army and startedstorming his camp. Pompey recovered his senses long enough to escape and fleeto Egypt. where his fate awaited him. he had hoped to find an ally in the youngKing Ptolemy, who had backed him in the civil war, but the Egyptians haddecided that they’d rather back a winner. As soon as he arrived, Pompey was putto death.
The war was over. More than six thousand of Pompey’s troopshad died. Gracious in victory, Caesar pardoned the prisoners and took them intohis own legions. Then he pursued Pompey to Egypt. only to discover that the Egyptianshad finished the job for him.
“At least now our men can rest awhile and recover,” Traverssaid, “even if the best Egypt can do for them is that unwholesome corn thatPothinus has seen fit to distribute.”
Caesar tightened his jaw muscles in anger. “He adds insultto injury by telling them to be content with it. Since they are fed at another’scost. They deserve far better. Septimus, and by the gods. I shall see that theyreceive it! No general could hope for a more brave and loyal army.”
“No army could hope for a better general than Caesar saidTravers, not intending it as mere flattery, but meaning every word of it.
“Thank you, my friend.” said Caesar. “Nor shall I forgetyou. either. You have served me well through all these many years. But our workis not yet done. Egypt is a ripe fruit ready for the plucking. Tell me. what doyou think of this oily eunuch, Pothinus? He seems to hold more influence withthe king than do any of his ministers.”
“Pothinus does seem to be the power behind the throne,” saidTravers. “The young king plainly defers to him. I have observed that theministers take pains to ingratiate themselves with him. Or at least to avoidhis displeasure.”
“Yes, that is my opinion, too,” said Caesar, frowning. “Itis Pothinus who rules here and not Ptolemy. who is little more than a child.And the ministers all fear him. I have been told that it was Pothinus himselfwho assassinated Pompey.”
“You have been told?” asked Travers, instantly on guard. Bywhom?”
Caesar smiled. “There are those here who are well disposedtoward Rome, if only because they are ill disposed toward Pothinus. That craftyeunuch sees us as a threat to the power he has managed to accumulate throughhis manipulation of the king. We must have a care. Septimus. not to sleep toosoundly so long as we remain here.”
“You think that Pothinus would try to have us murdered? Withour legions here?”
“He might well serve us as he did Pompey and then protesthis innocence,” Caesar said. “It would win him no small favor among our enemiesin Rome. Although perhaps I worry needlessly. It is not yet the Ides of March.”He smiled and Travers felt suddenly uneasy.
“Still,” Caesar continued, “our influence in Egypt is notwhat it once was. Pompey has mismanaged things. I must take steps to remedythat situation. We must make the power of Rome felt here once again. Tomorrow.I will begin by demanding the tribute that is due to Rome. so that we mightreward our army. And we must see to it that a more benign influence is setbehind the throne. What do you know of the king’s sister, the one who wasexiled when Pompey was in power?”
Travers replied evasively. “Cleopatra? I fear that I knowvery little of her. Caesar. It is said that she is young and very beautiful.Also ambitious, which is why Pompey had banished her.”
“I think perhaps we should recall her,” Caesar said. “Let usarrange. through certain of these ministers who have no love for Pothinus, tosend word to her to come and see me. I would like to speak with her myself andjudge what manner of woman she is. Perhaps we can help her see that she wouldbest serve her own interests by also serving Rome’s. But I think it would notbe wise to alert others of our plans before we have decided on a course of action.I will send word to her to come to me in secret.”
Caesar smiled. In the meantime. Septimus, my friend, weshall take full advantage of this grudging hospitality and send for wine. Itshall probably be sour, but no matter. We shall only pour it out. Let thembelieve that we dissolute Romans are drinking through the night. So long aslights burn in our chambers, stealthy assassins might hesitate to enter.* Heclapped his hand to his sword hilt. “And if they do, we shall be sober andprepared for them.”
Throughout the night, the palace servants brought them wine,which neither of them even tasted. ‘the hours stretched toward dawn. Caesar hadno need of Travers, to help him stay awake. His hyper personality kept himgoing. dictating letters and portions of his memoirs until Travers wasexhausted, and then Caesar. seeing he was tired, apologized for working him sohard and told him amusing anecdotes and stories of his childhood. which Traverswanted desperately to write down, but couldn’t both because his wrist was sorefrom taking dictation and it was all that he could do to keep his eyes open. Atsome point, he dropped off, and when he awoke, it was morning and Caesar wasstill up, showing no signs of being tired. He chided Travers gently for fallingasleep and when Travers apologized, assured him that it was perfectly allright, that he deserved his rest. If I don’t die on the battlefield. Traversthought. just trying to keep up with him will kill me.
The morning was spent with Caesar visiting his troops and seeingto their comfort. Then he presented his demands to Ptolemy for payment of thetribute. The boy king simply sat there, looking at them sullenly. whilePothinus stood at his side and spoke for him, he was. thought Travers, a decidedlyunpleasant man. He was large and fat and jowly. with a shaved head and amannered, effeminate voice. His pudgy hands had rings on every finger but thethumbs and they gestured languidly when he spoke. making Travers think of paleand bloated slugs.
“Your petition has been noted.” the eunuch repliedpompously. “It would seem now. Caesar. that your business here has been concluded.The man you came here seeking has been dealt with, your soldiers have been fedand rested We have done our best to be hospitable hosts. But the time has comewhen you should leave Egypt and go back to Rome. There are, no doubt, affairsof greater consequence you should attend to. You should not concern yourselfwith minor matters such as collecting tribute. It can be sent to you in Rome.”
Caesar stiffened and his cheeks flushed red. “I do notrequire Egyptians to be my counselors!” he snapped. “And Rome does not wait onEgypt’s pleasure. The tribute will be paid in due course, and speedily, else Ishall instruct my army to seize it for themselves in whatever manner they sochoose! It is
He turned on his heel and stalked out of the chamber. withTravers hurrying to catch up with him.
“I will rid Egypt of this insolent eunuch if it is the lastthing I ever do,” stormed Caesar as they headed back to their rooms.
Afterward, several of Ptolemy’s ministers came to speak withhim discreetly and Travers wondered which of them would send word to Cleopatra.He was excited at the thought of actually meeting her face-to-face, a woman whowas one of the most legendary beauties and seductresses in all of history.
Despite all the years he’d spent at Caesar’s side, therewere still times when he found himself looking at that handsome, scholarlyprofile and thinking, “My God, I’m actually sitting here with
He had been born in Dallas, Texas and had acquired aninterest in ancient history at a very early age, a result
