The Art of War

Chapter 87

Rome, January, AD 70

Hypatia, Chosen of Isis

This concludes the witness statements of the events leading to the death of Vitellius, the burning of the temple and the death of the emperor’s brother, Titus Flavius Sabinus.

From these, we may conclude that, by his actions, Juvens caused Sabinus’ death and the fire that accompanied it. As to who killed Vitellius, that was the mob, spurred to it by the actions of Drusus, a German.

Both of these men are dead, as is Lucius, who may fairly be said to have engineered both his brother’s rise to fame and his downfall.

The woman Jocasta remains in custody awaiting your decision. She acknowledges that she used poison on the knife that struck the spy Pantera, and she has offered to trade: in exchange for her safety she can supply us with that which will give him life, instead of the endless sleep that now afflicts him.

There are those in your service, Domitian amongst them, who suggest that there are means by which such a curative may be drawn from her by force, but Caenis has pointed out that if she gives another, lethal, recipe first, under duress, we may lose him altogether.

Thus we await your decision in this as in many other affairs of state. Geminus serves as tribune of the Guard. Trabo is your Master of Horse. My lord Mucianus has order of Rome and your son Domitian is a willing pupil, ably learning the reins of state from one who understands what must be done. Those who need to die are dead, save for the woman Jocasta, whose fate remains uncertain.

We await your order.