The Ides of March

14

Romae, in insula Tiberis, a.d. Ill Id. Mart., hora decima

Rome, the Tiber Island, 13 March, three p.m.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus crossed the bridge on his horse and dismounted as soon as he reached the other side. The lictors were waiting for him, fasces in hand, to escort him to headquarters. These were honours due the magister equitum, whose authority was second only to that of the dictator, appointed during a state of emergency. In reality, both were extraordinary offices, with powers that superseded those of the regular consuls, who acted as the executive arm of the republic.

Antistius watched him from the window of his office. Lepidus was slender and agile, despite his years. He wore his hair combed forward to cover part of his forehead. This was more a habit than a hairstyle and had developed over long years of wearing a helmet during the military campaigns in which he had served alongside Caesar and won his esteem. His features were spare, almost hawk-like: a thin face, sunken cheeks, an aquiline nose. In a certain sense, although he was quite different from Caesar, the two men had something in common physically, almost as if their long familiarity with the high command were contagious, somehow influencing their cast of features. He wore armour, with his red cloak belted over his embossed bronze breastplate. He briskly reviewed the honour guard, then entered headquarters. His duties as commander-in-chief awaited him, as well as his political commitments and the other business of the day.

Antistius closed the window and returned to his work. He had been going over the day’s appointments for just a few minutes when a visitor was announced: Silius Salvidienus was asking to see him. He got up and went to greet him at the threshold.

‘Come in,’ he said, and invited him to take a seat.

He served his guest a cup of cool wine and took a diuretic potion for himself.

‘How is Caesar?’

‘He had a seizure last night but it didn’t last long and so I didn’t call for you. I’ve become quite the medical expert myself after assisting him for so long. Once the seizure had passed, he settled down and fell asleep.’

‘You should have called me in any case. You mustn’t take risks. This condition is treacherous. It’s best that I spend the night at the Domus myself from now on. Any other news?’

‘He’s called for a meeting of his general staff this evening.’

‘That’s why Lepidus is back. He’ll be there as well, I imagine.’

‘Obviously. Lepidus is Caesar’s right-hand man.’

‘Of course. And Antony is quite resentful of that, if I’m to believe the rumours I hear. Who else?’

‘Antony, naturally. He’s still a fine soldier. Caius Trebonius, certainly. He was governor of Asia and has an excellent knowledge of logistics in the area. Decimus Brutus, who’s had experience of commanding both infantry and cavalry and has always proved to be up to the challenge, even when commanding the fleet. He’s still young, versatile and altogether reliable as an officer. Caesar holds him in high regard, and is quite fond of him as well. He contributed decisively to victory in Gaul, more than once. The commander never forgets such things and knows how to return a favour, but it’s more than that. It’s more than just recognizing a man’s valour. Caesar believes deeply in friendship and in gratitude.’

‘I know. He’s already made him praetor and next year he’ll be the governor of Cisalpine Gaul.’

‘As far as I know, tonight there will be a preliminary meeting to assess the advisability of a campaign against the Parthians. Caesar is in possession of a map that Publius Sextius sent him some time ago which will serve to formulate a plan of invasion. But I’ve come to speak with you now for another reason. I was wondering whether you’d heard anything from your informer in Brutus’s house.’

‘No, unfortunately not,’ replied Antistius. ‘I’m hoping he’ll show up soon. If he has detailed intelligence we can approach Caesar directly. Even in the absence of hard proof, he may be persuaded to act with prudence.’

‘If we have names, the proof may come of itself. A number of unusual coincidences might be proof enough on their own.’

‘There’s Servilia as well. She may have succeeded in getting a warning through to him.’

‘I hope so. I have reason to believe that she found a way to see him. You know that Caesar’s no longer using his Hispanic guard?’

‘What? That’s impossible.’

‘It’s true. He told me he dismissed them because he doesn’t want to be seen as a tyrant. Only tyrants need bodyguards.’

‘Where’s the sense in that? Does he want to die? All it takes is one fanatic — one lunatic — who would like to go down in the annals of history and he’s gone.’

‘You know what? I think it’s a wager he’s made with himself. He wants to prove that his clemency and the generosity he’s shown, to friends and enemies alike, are sufficient to put him beyond risk. That he can walk the streets of Rome just like anyone else, without having to check his back all the time. He wants to believe that the people of Rome themselves are his garrison — his bodyguard. Along with the Senate, who have sworn to defend him with their own lives.’

‘He can’t be so naive.’

‘It’s not naivety. It’s his faith in himself and in the people. He’s the greatest man alive, Antistius. And only a great man can defy death so boldly.’

He didn’t wait for an answer, but walked to the door.

‘We’ll stay in touch regarding all of this,’ said Antistius. ‘Let me know tomorrow who participated in the meeting Caesar has called for this evening and who, among those summoned, found an excuse not to attend.’

Silius nodded and left without another word.

Romae, in aedibus Bruti, a.d. III Id. Mart., hora duodecimo

Rome, the home of Brutus, 13 March, five p.m.

Artemidorus had been attending to the library all day and had not yet managed to restore order to the chaos he’d found that morning. He was certain that the upheaval had been caused deliberately and the outright absurdity of the situation meant that he must obey without asking for any explanation. Perhaps this was just the start of a Sisyphean ordeal: once he’d reorganized the library, he’d come back the next day to find it turned upside down again and would have to start anew. What was the intention behind creating such a scene, if not to keep him busy, and distracted, and unable to deal with other activities? And if this were true, what activities was he being kept away from?

The mere thought that Brutus knew what he’d been up to terrified him, but he didn’t dare make a move, demand an explanation or even give the impression that he was disturbed or frightened, because whatever he did would only worsen his plight. He tried to focus on the situation at hand with as much lucidity as possible and deduced that if someone had wanted to harm him, this was not the way to go about it. This ruse had been crafted to get across a clear message: ‘Do as you’re ordered and no harm will befall you.’ There was no other explanation, as he’d left the library in perfect order just the day before. At this point, he was even hoping to find the same mess the next day, in order to confirm his hypothesis.

As he was painstakingly thinking all this through, the boy who sometimes assisted him came in. He looked around in bewilderment and asked, ‘Do you need help, Artemidorus?’

‘No,’ he replied. ‘I can manage on my own.’

‘Fine. Then I’ll be on my way. But if you need my help, just let me know and I’ll come immediately. I’ve done this kind of work before.’

As he was speaking, the boy fingered the scrolls and their labels, picking them up and turning them over curiously. Then he took a little scroll nonchalantly from under his tunic and placed it on the catalogue table. He gave Artemidorus a sly grin and walked away without adding a word.

At first the Greek didn’t even touch the scroll. It was as if he could feel invisible eyes watching him and he continued his work. But his gaze was increasingly drawn to that little roll of parchment and he finally gave in and opened it. It contained the other names!

He felt overwhelmed by a huge responsibility. How could he ever have agreed to do such a thing for Antistius? How could he have got himself into such a fix? And now how could he get out? He could choose to ignore the scroll, but it was too late now to feign ignorance. The boy knew that he knew and so did his friend. If he did not pass on the information and the plot was averted by some other means, what punishment would await him? And if he did pass on the message and things ended up badly, how would the people on that list see fit to deal with him?

He was floundering between Scylla and Charybdis, like Odysseus’s fragile ship looking for a way through the straits. In either direction he saw monsters with gaping jaws ready to tear into him. In the end, he did nothing. He hid the scroll inside another bigger one and changed its label, and then set back to work, trying to appear busy. He was so worried about getting caught that he was even afraid of himself. As time passed, however, an idea began to form in his mind, a plan. If Brutus’s faction won, the situation could only worsen for him, seeing that the man obviously suspected him of something if he was treating him in this way. If, on the other hand, the conspiracy were thwarted thanks to him, the most powerful man in the world would owe Artemidorus his life. A man who had shown thousands of times how generous he could be to those who had helped him. Antistius himself had guaranteed this and the doctor had always been true to his word.

Thrilling scenarios blossomed before his eyes. He could see himself in the house of the perpetual dictator, honoured and respected, dressed in the most sumptuous garments, delighting in the most refined delicacies. Served by young boys of beauty and grace who would respect him and indulge his every whim. He would have hairdressers, servants, secretaries. An opportunity like this came only once in a lifetime and he would be a fool to let it slip away. Therefore he would act.

His hands swiftly sorted through the scrolls now, one after another: Thucydides slipped easily into place, beneath him Callimachus and Apollonius Rhodius, one next to the other, neatly filling the slots allocated to them. Luxury editions of Homer and Hesiod occupied the top shelf at the centre of the library, earning this place both chronologically and because of their literary eminence. Every poet, historian, philosopher and geographer was returned to the spot he had always rightfully occupied and when, finally, sweaty and satisfied, Artemidorus studied the outcome of his labours, he could see that the library had been restored to its original glory.

He breathed a sigh of relief, more for having resolved his inner dilemma than for having completed the task assigned to him. But he did not leave the library. He preferred to remain there, reading and reflecting on how he could communicate the results of his investigation to Antistius.

He opened the door a crack and noticed one of Brutus’s bodyguards leaning against the wall in the corridor. His arms were folded and he gave the impression of being there just for him. The first problem had been solved, but the one that remained was no less thorny.

Romae, in aedibus Bruti, a.d. III Id. Mart., prima vigilia

Rome, the home of Brutus, 13 March, first guard shift, seven p.m.

Artemidorus reasoned that, whatever happened, he would not be able to spend the rest of his life in the library and that it was time to move to the kitchen for the evening meal, where he joined several guests, none of whom was particularly important. Once in a while he was invited to join the master of the house at his table, but only on special occasions, when his erudition might contribute to enlivening the conversation.

He passed in front of the hulking guard acknowledging him with a slight nod of the head, which the guard did not return, and reached the kitchen safely. Even here the atmosphere seemed rather tense, although he couldn’t have said why. He imagined that the openly worried demeanour of the master of the house had become contagious, influencing other members of the family as well.

After dinner he bade the others a good evening and retired to his quarters, exhausted after a day so full of work and emotions. But it wasn’t over yet.

A short time later he heard knocking at the back door and a number of people entered, one or two at a time, in the space of less than an hour. Cassius was the last man to join the others; his sharp voice was unmistakable in the silence of the evening.

The young slave who had brought him the scroll came up to his room with a tray full of freshly baked cakes. This was clearly a pretext, for as soon as he had placed the tray on a little table, he turned to Artemidorus and said in a whisper, ‘The master has been asking me strange questions.’

‘What kind of questions?’ asked Artemidorus, with a feeling of dread.

‘About you. He said that if I had anything interesting to tell him, he would be most grateful.’

‘And what did you say?’

‘Nothing,’ said the boy softly. ‘I said I had nothing to tell him. I have to go now.’

‘No, wait. What will you do if he insists? If he puts pressure on you, threatens you. .’

‘You don’t understand. I have to go. A lot of people have just arrived. No one will notice me. I’ll be back later,’ he murmured, then, without waiting for an answer, he went back downstairs.

Meetings were usually held in Brutus’s study and this one was no exception. There was a broom closet next door which was accessible from the pantry, such a tight space that only a single person could enter. The boy slipped in and put his ear to the wall.

About fifteen men had gathered in Brutus’s study, including Tillius Cimber, Pontius Aquila, Cassius Parmensis, Petronius, Rubrius Ruga, Publius and Caius Servilius Casca and Cassius Longinus, as well as others among the main supporters of the conspiracy. Quintus Ligarius had sent word that he wasn’t feeling well but was awaiting instructions. Caesar’s closest friends, like Decimus Brutus, and members of his general staff, like Caius Trebonius, were missing, since they were attending the meeting Caesar had called for that same evening.

Cassius Longinus spoke first, describing the stages of the attack, which would take place during the senatorial session on the Ides of March.

Since work was still being done on the Curia in the Forum, the Senate would be meeting at Pompey’s Curia in the Campus Martius. Their first task would be to isolate Caesar from the rest of the senators and from any friends who might attempt to interfere, Antony, above all.

‘I still feel that the best option would be to kill him,’ he said impassively. ‘But I know that Brutus does not agree with me.’

Brutus, having been singled out like this, spoke up at once. ‘We’ve already discussed this and I’ve said what I think. We are killing Caesar to save the republic and that gives us the right to do so, but if we kill Antony, we are simply committing a crime. A murder.’

‘Murder’ was the first word the slave heard as he slipped into the broom closet and it made him shiver.

Cassius found Brutus’s idealism unsettling, but tried to make him see reason: ‘When safeguarding the state means taking up arms, it is evident that the violence will have to extend to those who protect the tyrant. It’s the price that must be paid to recover the freedom of the Senate and the people of Rome. Antony cannot be held innocent. He has never strayed from Caesar’s side and has reaped all possible benefits.’

‘So have we reaped all possible benefits,’ replied Brutus wryly.

A moment of heavy silence followed, during which Cassius realized that involving Brutus in the conspiracy had been rash. His fanaticism was a double-edged sword. It was becoming more and more difficult to control him.

‘And it must be said that Antony has never sought to endanger the legitimacy of the state,’ Brutus continued, ‘or its institutions.’

‘That can’t be assumed,’ protested Cassius. ‘If he has designs on the state, he certainly wouldn’t come running to tell us about them.’

‘There’s more,’ Brutus said. ‘All of you know that Caius Trebonius asked Antony to join with him and the others in Gaul, after they’d learned of the unhappy outcome of the Battle of Munda. He refused, but he kept that request secret. He was respectful of the choices of others and did not report anyone. Many of you owe him your lives. Trebonius will take care of Antony. He knows what to do.’

‘I hope we shall not regret this. The responsibility you assume in taking this decision is enormous,’ was Cassius’s response.

Brutus dropped his head without saying a word.

‘Now let me continue,’ Cassius said. ‘There have been various signs that lead us to believe that someone is aware of our plan, or is getting dangerously close to the truth.’

The men looked at each other in dismay.

Cassius went on in his flat voice, ‘For this reason it is vital that we are ready to face any turn of events. We mean to prepare an ambush, but we may be falling into a trap instead.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Petronius. ‘Speak clearly.’

‘We are men of moral strength and of noble lineage. We hold important military and political offices. We have enjoyed important privileges and, when necessary, have run great risks to defend our ideas. We are ready. What I am about to propose may seem terrible, but I feel it represents an honourable, necessary pact.’

‘Speak,’ said Brutus.

The others nodded.

‘If our plan is uncovered while we are inside the Senate hall, there will be no way out for us.’

‘No,’ agreed Pontius Aquila. ‘There will be no escape.’

‘Well, then?’ demanded Rubrius Ruga.

‘Well, then, each one of us will have a dagger and I propose that we use them to kill each other rather than fall into the hands of the tyrant, rather than humiliate ourselves at his feet, rather than accept his loathsome pardon. We have done so once and the burning brand still stings, still marks us as if we were runaway slaves. My proposal is that each one of us should choose a companion, a friend, with whom to exchange this pact of blood. One will kill the other. We will all fall together and our lifeless bodies will be the symbol of our supreme sacrifice, made in the name of freedom.’

The murmuring that had met his proposal died down all at once and a profound silence fell over the room. The slave boy hiding in the closet held his breath so as not to be heard. If he so much as bumped into anything he would immediately be discovered and his life would not be worth living.

Cassius looked around, staring each of the conspirators directly in the eyes. He concluded, ‘If any of you don’t feel you can go ahead with this, you are free to leave. As long as you do so in time. No one will blame you and you will have nothing to fear from the rest of us. I’m certain none of us would ever betray another. I’m asking you to perform an act of heroism, but no one is obliged to make such an arduous choice. I’ll say this again: if there is anyone who’s not up to it, leave now.’

No one moved. Some because they believed that what Cassius proposed would be a fitting end for those who failed in an undertaking of this sort. Others because they feared what would happen if they were taken prisoner; death would be a liberation rather than suffering such pain. Others still because they thought it would never come to that, so sure were they that their plan would succeed. Even they preferred the risk of a disagreeable death to the shame of abandoning their companions and being branded as cowards.

After waiting long enough to allow anyone who so wished to desert the cause, and seeing that no one had decided to leave, Cassius took the initiative and walked towards Brutus.

He stopped directly in front of him and held out his dagger. ‘I choose you, Marcus Junius Brutus, to aid me in my journey to the hereafter.’

Brutus reciprocated by handing Cassius his own dagger. ‘I hope that fortune will assist us in our enterprise, but if fate decrees otherwise, I will do what is asked of me. I am sure that Cassius Longinus will be an excellent travelling companion.’

Fascinated and swayed by such a powerful example, the other conspirators, one after another, exchanged daggers with the man each considered his best and most trusted friend.

‘None of us have ever made a similar pact,’ Cassius said then, ‘but I saw it done one day at Pharsalus after we lost the battle. I saw father and son kill each other and their deaths were instantaneous. They fell to the ground in the same moment, one alongside the other.

‘This is how we’ll proceed: one of the two will signal by nodding his head, and the blades will penetrate in the same instant. The friends who are absent this evening will choose a partner with whom to share an honourable death as well. I’ll tell them myself.

‘Now let us return to our homes,’ he said finally. ‘We shall sleep soundly knowing that we fight for a just cause.’

He regarded each of his companions again, a haggard look in his cold, grey eyes, then left them.