Marching With Caesar-Final Campaign, page 63
"Titus," he warned me softly, but just hearing my name was enough.
I shook my head, both in disbelief and to clear the last vestiges of the madness that had almost wrapped my mind in its embrace. Unfortunately, my eye was caught by the Tribune at the end of the table closest to me, and there was no mistaking the leer on his face as he stared at me. Ignoring my initial instinct to turn away, instead I looked him in the eye, until he finally dropped his own gaze and began studying the table. At long last, Sulpicianus finished the testimony, and there was a period of quiet as the scribes attempted to catch up. When they signaled they were done, the Senior Tribune pointed to Sulpicianus, who rose.
"This concludes the case as presented by the state," he announced. "However, we reserve the right to call further witnesses, depending on what evidence the defense introduces."
I looked over in alarm at Piso, but he shook his head, assuring me quietly that this was standard.
"Then we will take a recess for the members to refresh themselves and the defense to make any last-moment changes that might be required from the prosecution's case. We will meet in two parts of a watch."
With that, he dismissed us. Piso turned so that his back was to the prosecution and spoke in a low tone that only Scribonius and I could hear.
"I'm going to have to leave you to your own devices, I'm afraid, Prefect. There's something that I need to attend to, given what you told me." He gave me a grin that was so full of boyish enthusiasm that it was hard not to smile back. "Because I plan on making our time very, very interesting."
As usual, Diocles had prepared well, bringing a loaf of bread, a small jug of oil, and a head of cheese, which we tore into as we sat talking over what had happened.
"I thought your head was going to burst," Scribonius said as he munched on some bread.
"So did I," I admitted. "I suppose it's a good thing I'm not wearing my sword."
"For everyone," Diocles added fervently, prompting a laugh.
"I always wondered where you were skulking off to at night," Scribonius taunted. "I didn't know I should have been jealous."
He was, and is, the only man, with the possible exception of Vibius in the early days, that could have said that and not been beaten to death, but I still hit him in the arm, hard.
"Juno's cunnus, I was only joking," he complained, rubbing his arm as he glared at me.
"So was I." I grinned at him, making sure that he saw I had a mouthful of cheese. "Otherwise, you'd be dead."
He replied with only a shake of his head, returning to his meal.
"What do you think Piso is up to?" I asked my cleverer companions.
Scribonius considered, his jaws continuing to work on his bread, and even I could see that it caused him some pain to do so.
Finally, he said, "I'm not completely sure, but if it has anything to do with what you caught, that can only help us."
I was about to make what I thought would be a clever retort about his use of the word "us," but I quickly realized that I would be shaming myself by making light of what Scribonius was risking for me.
Instead, I turned to Diocles. "And? What do you think?"
Like Scribonius, I caught him with his mouth full, but he did not otherwise hesitate, helped by Scribonius going first, no doubt.
"I agree with Master Scribonius," he replied. "I think he's finding a way to use Lucullus' referral to all these supposed conversations where you kept talking about how you knew that Primus was acting without orders. How?" He shrugged. "I have no idea."
"Fat lot of help you two are," I groused, but I was of a similar mind.
Finally, a slave announced that the recess was over. We stood, wiping the crumbs from our fronts, but I had more of a problem, because they were sticking to the light coat of oil on my cuirass.
"I knew there would be a problem with this," Diocles grumbled as he wiped them off with a rag, which only smeared the finish.
With a curse, he spent the next several heartbeats frantically buffing my cuirass while I glared down at him.
"If you knew this was going to be a problem, then why did you do it?" I demanded.
"I didn't know that it was going to be because you ate like a pig," he retorted, then stepped back to inspect me.
Clearly pleased, he nodded his head, then held his arm out in the direction of the door back into the conference room. I refrained from smacking the back of his head and made my way back to the Tribunal. A few moments later, Piso returned as well.
"Well, Prefect." His tone was so cheerful that it was hard not to feel an edge of excitement. "Are you ready to destroy the state's case?"
Somewhat to my surprise, Piso did not immediately call Lucullus, choosing instead to focus on the statement of Primus. That was when the mystery of the purpose of the second man was solved, because when Piso announced his intent, Sulpicianus turned to look at the man next to him.
"This is Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus. He has been sent here by the senior Consul Marcus Claudius Marcellus Aeserninus and the Senate of Rome as the designated representative for the state in this matter. He has been fully informed of the circumstances of the interrogation of Marcus Primus, and will answer any questions posed by Tribune Piso," Sulpicianus announced.
I glanced over at Piso, not knowing if this was something that was allowed, but he did not seem perturbed in the slightest, so I supposed it was accepted practice. The man Lentulus stood, gathering his toga and walking to the chair, with all the haughty assurance and disdain for his surroundings that seemed to be as natural to them as breathing, his proud Roman nose tilted at just the proper degree, the folds of his toga arranged perfectly over his left arm. Even if he had not been on the other side, I would have detested the man. Once seated, he sat facing away from the Tribunes, which I thought was significant, given that it was the opposite of Lucullus' posture during his testimony. Still, I could not discount that it was just natural for him to face the man who would be doing the questioning. He barely deigned to look in my direction, keeping his gaze on Piso, sending the signal that he was only willing to engage with those he considered his equal. He looked about ten years older than Piso; there were just a few touches of gray in his black, very curly hair. Most telling, at least to me, was the paleness of his skin, the sign that he had not spent time out in the elements like I had, or the more martial of his peers who actually went on campaign instead of reclining on a couch while having his slaves attend to his every need. Piso's head was bent over a wax tablet for a moment, then he straightened up and gave Lentulus a bright smile.
"Thank you, Gnaeus Lentulus, for appearing here at this Tribunal," he began.
Lentulus accepted this with a nod of his head that I suppose was intended to give a regal touch to his person.
"I am merely doing my duty to Rome, Tribune Piso," he said modestly, and I was struck by how high-pitched his voice was, sounding perilously close to that of a woman.
"As are we all," Piso agreed. "Including Prefect Pullus. Actually," he turned to look down at me as he raised his voice, "I would argue that of every man in this room, none have been more loyal to Rome than Prefect Pullus. Wouldn't you agree, Gnaeus Lentulus?"
Lentulus was clearly startled by this question, which I had to believe was as completely unexpected to him as it had been to me.
"Well, er, yes, I suppose that's true," he allowed, but when he opened his mouth to add what I was sure was a qualification to the effect that while this might have been true up to this point, there was this matter hanging over my head, Piso immediately cut in.
"Excellent! I'm glad that we agree on this point." Piso beamed at Lentulus, who still looked more bewildered than upset. Immediately moving on, Piso asked, "So, Gnaeus Lentulus, given that you're here as the appointed representative for the state, I'm sure that you have been fully informed as to the specifics of the part of the case that you have been charged with, the testimony of Marcus Primus. Is that correct?"
Lentulus' expression cleared, looking slightly relieved that there was a question he could answer with confidence.
"Yes, that would be correct. I am intimately familiar with every aspect of the testimony of Marcus Primus," he said confidently.
In answer, Piso nodded vigorously, agreeing, "Yes, I would expect no less. But," there was a subtle change in his tone and, if I am any judge, he sounded like he was commiserating with Lentulus when he finished, "I can only imagine how unpleasant it must have been." Seeing Lentulus' confusion, he added helpfully, "Being there for his...interrogation and all. Very unpleasant business, I can only imagine."
Lentulus glanced over at Sulpicianus, giving me the sense he was looking for direction. Unfortunately for him, the prosecuting Tribune was at that moment picking his nose, inspecting his haul with great interest.
"Tribune Piso," Lentulus finally replied, haltingly. "I'm not sure what you mean."
"What I mean?" Piso's surprise seemed genuine. "Forgive me, Gnaeus Lentulus, you did say that you were intimately familiar with every aspect of the testimony of Marcus Primus, did you not?"
"Why, yes," Lentulus began, but was again cut off.
"Then it is only logical for someone in my position to assume that, being intimately familiar with his interrogation, as you say, that you were present during said interrogation. Gentlemen." He turned to the Tribunal now. "Forgive me, but in the interest of sparing time, let us not dance about what we all know to be the case, shall we? When I use the word 'interrogation,' that is simply a euphemism for torture."
More than one man sucked in his breath at having this put so baldly, but Piso was undeterred by their reaction.
"Marcus Primus was tortured to extract this...confession." Piso's voice dripped with sarcasm as the last word passed over his lips. Holding up a hand, palm outward, he continued, "Now, I'm not saying that he didn't deserve everything that happened, given his crimes against the state. However," his tone hardened, "let us not ignore the reality. So," he turned back to Lentulus, all the warmth and bantering quality missing from his words now, "since you have testified that you are intimately familiar with the case, you must have been present when he was tortured."
Lentulus did not answer immediately, his eyes suddenly darting over to Sulpicianus, who although he was now paying attention, did not appear to have any idea what to do.
Finally, Lentulus replied, "No, that is not the case. I was not present at the interrogation of Marcus Primus."
"Not present?" Piso asked, feigning puzzlement with his tone and uplifted shoulders, his hands held outwards in the direction of the Tribunal. "Then if you did not hear Marcus Primus actually utter the words, how can you be sure what he said?"
For the first time, a look of what I thought was anger flashed across the face of Lentulus.
"Because his testimony was witnessed by men of the utmost standing in Rome, whose ancestry is impeccable," Lentulus said coldly. What he said next was uttered so softly that I could barely catch it. "Be careful, Tribune. You are swimming in dangerous waters."
If Piso was intimidated, he certainly did not show it, waving the threat away with his hand as if it were a pesky insect.
"A hero of Rome is on trial, with his career, if not his life at stake, Gnaeus Lentulus. I think it would shame our ancestors to see me doing less than my utmost to make sure that he is exonerated as he should be. Now," and with that Piso reasserted control, "your testimony is that you did not witness anything Primus underwent during his interrogation. Is that correct?"
The seated man shifted a bit, and he was visibly fuming, making his reply short and clipped.
"Yes."
"Have you ever witnessed a man under torture, Gnaeus Lentulus?" Piso asked the question in such a manner that indicated to me he knew the answer.
If he did, he clearly was wrong.
"Yes, I have," Lentulus replied calmly.
Piso stood for a moment, and I could almost see his mind working furiously as he tried to switch his line of questioning.
Then, so quickly that only someone sitting closely to him would have noticed this had been unexpected, he asked, "Under what circumstances, might I ask?"
Lentulus considered for a moment, clearly trying to find a trap.
Finally, he said, "It was a private matter concerning my household. A slave had stolen something of enormous value, and we were forced to question the other house slaves."
"Ah." Piso nodded. "Yes, something our ancestors understood quite well, that a slave will lie unless he's put to torture. That's the only way to get to the truth."
Piso seemed about to move on, when he asked in a casual manner, "Out of curiosity, how did that turn out?"
Lentulus made a face, but said nothing for several moments. At this moment, I happened to turn to catch Scribonius' eye, to give him a shrug and tell him that this was a fruitless line of questioning, but when I looked at him, I saw my friend staring intently, not at Piso, but Lentulus, as if willing him to speak.
"Actually," again, I believe only I was close enough to see that Piso had opened his mouth but was just beaten by Lentulus, "in this case, it turned out that the slave who was named as the culprit by his fellow slaves was innocent of the charge. We only learned that later when we caught the true thief trying to sell the item to a merchant in the Forum. It's a pity, really." Lentulus gave the members of the Tribunal a smile that clearly communicated the terrible lot of the upper classes when dealing with slaves. "Because we lost several good, well-trained slaves because they told us what they thought we wanted to hear."
The moment he finished, I could see that Lentulus realized what had just happened.
"Well, that's instructive," Piso agreed, then turned to face the Tribunal as he finished in a louder voice, "It's good to know that men who are tortured aren't very reliable witnesses."
"Wait! That's not what I meant," Lucullus protested. "I was referring to a private matter! I wasn't implying that this in any way pertained to Marcus Primus!"
"Yes, yes." Piso smiled at him. "We understand quite well. You're saying that a slave under torture is different than a patrician under torture, aren't you?"
When a man is drowning, he cannot afford to be choosy about whether or not what is thrown to save him is a rope, or a snake. Lucullus pounced on this offered lifeline immediately.
"Yes! That's exactly what I'm saying! Surely you can't compare the two!"
"Gnaeus Lucullus." Piso's tone turned almost gentle. "Did you ever meet Marcus Primus?"
"Yes, I met him on several occasions," Lucullus answered, looking at Piso cautiously, as he should have.
"I never had the pleasure myself," Piso replied. "But I assume that he was the model of all that a Roman man of the patrician class should be? He embodied those values and characteristics that are thought of so highly, and have made Rome so feared and respected?"
Although it was difficult, I suppressed a laugh at the mental image that Piso had conjured up in my mind. Clearly, Lucullus did know Marcus Primus quite well, because in answer, he closed his eyes.
"No." He breathed a huge sigh. "Since I have sworn an oath to be truthful to the gods, I cannot say that Marcus Primus was the kind of man that our ancestors would have valued."
"Ah." Piso nodded. "Just so. I will confess that I had heard as much. But Gnaeus Lucullus," Piso once more changed his tone, now pressing forcefully, "wouldn't his character, or lack thereof, play a major part in the veracity of his testimony? Can you imagine the man you knew undergoing the kind of physical torment that you witnessed with your slave?"
"No," Lucullus acknowledged. "No, I can't."
"If it pleases the Tribunal," Piso announced suddenly, "I have no more questions for this witness. I now call on Tribune Lucullus."
Tribune Sulpicianus was still sitting there, clearly trying to understand what had just happened, when Lucullus rose and moved to the chair. This time, he had no excuse not to face me, but he looked everywhere except directly at me. Piso wasted no time.
"Tribune Lucullus, it's your testimony that Titus Pullus, Camp Prefect of the Army of Pannonia," while I was not sure why he was bestowing my formal title on me, it seemed to have some sort of impact on Lucullus, who shifted in his seat uncomfortably, "relayed to you his knowledge that the then-Praetor, Marcus Primus, was conducting an unauthorized campaign in Thrace. Is that correct?"
"Y-yes, it is," Lucullus answered, his gaze shifting down to the floor.
Piso's reaction was to nod, but then he stopped, frowning at the seated Tribune. Tilting his head, he played the role of a man trying to recall something perfectly.
"In your testimony earlier today, you said that you had more than one conversation with the Prefect about this matter, did you not?"
Lucullus frowned, I imagine both in an attempt to recollect what he had said, and why Piso thought it noteworthy.
"I..I suppose so," he finally answered.
Piso was not satisfied.
"You suppose? Again, Tribune, as I reminded Gnaeus Lucullus, one of the most respected military men of Rome has his career at stake here! Do I need to have the record of your testimony read back to you?"
"No," Lucullus protested. "I remember it. And to answer your question, yes, we had more than one conversation about what Marcus Primus was up to."
