|
|
||||
 |
||||
|
Content (Issue 5)
|
||||
|
CURIOUS ABOUT THE CURIA? OUR SPECIAL REPORT
Paxos: (pontifically) The Senate: arrogant and corrupt, or impotent tools of the Emperor? We ask the questions, and for once a member of our legislative body has agreed to speak. Decimus Camillus Verus, you are from a - or three- generation senatorial family, still relatively new men, if I may say so. Your family has yet to achieve more than marginal status. Are you not afraid of damaging your chances altogether? Senator: (modestly) We make no claims out of turn, but my father held an administrative post in Bythinia - Paxos: Bythinia! Not by any means a prestigious province of the Empire. Nor can your father, or his father, be accused of using public office to achieve great wealth. Senator: The better for them! I have the necessary, million sesterces to qualify for the Senate, but like many others, my cash flow is sometimes curtailed. Fortunately, we live frugally. Paxos: How does your wife feel about this? I presume she would like you to make more of yourself? Senator: Julia Justa is most supportive. She and I have no taste for high living. Paxos: And are you a regular attendee at the Curia? Senator: I do my duty. Paxos: Were you ever ambitious? Senator: Perhaps. Paxos: So what intervened? There were ugly rumours around the Emperor's accession? Is it true your brother engaged in a plot? Senator: My brother died several years ago. Paxos: But was it true? Senator: This is no longer relevant. Paxos: Answer the question! Was it true? Senator: I agreed to this interview only if it covered recent events - Paxos: (triumphantly) So it was true! Does this explain why your two sons are seen as dilettante international playboys, with no interest in entering the Senate? Are they damned before they start by past mistakes? Senator: (patiently) Aclianus and Justinus are seeking varied experience prior to decisions on their public career. I approve. When they eventually make their choices, they will be better equipped and more mature. Meanwhile, Justinus has settled into married life, and Aelianus may pursue legal studies. Paxos: This brings us to their involvement in the Rubirius Marcellus corruption scandal, and subsequent developments. In view of your own self confessed 'frugal' lifestyle, don't you find it galling when a family like the Metelli, who were already filthy rich by any standards, use an honourable position - the son was an aedile - to steal from the public purse and gild their own coffers even further? Senator: It is entirely reprehensible, I was delighted my sons and their colleague, Didius Falco, were involved in bringing out the truth of that sorry affair. Paxos: But as a man with a reputation for mildness and straightness, how do you view the role of Falco and Associates in hounding the illustrious Metellus family? Senator: Anyone, whatever their rank, who ,commits fraud and subsequently murder should be brought to justice. Paxos: Better done through the normal channels though, surely? Senator, how do you feel about informers? Senator: As any right-thinking person must: that informers who pursue criminals perform a useful service. What I deplore are those who - in the past, before Vespasian brought us a more decent, society - would hound innocent people through the courts either for personal gain or to enrich a corrupt tyrant. Supporting despotism by spying, sneaking and selling information is despicable, and thoroughly unRoman. Denouncing others for personal gain is beneath contempt. Paxos: So how doles it feel to have your only daughter married to an informer? Senator: My private life is private. I am concerned only for my daughter's happiness. Let me add that Didius Falco has won my entire approval as a devoted husband and father. I thought his recent court advocacy showed him to be a man of enormous promise and innate decency - Paxos: Is it true that you worked with him on the Metellus case, behind the scenes - as it were, informing for the informer? Senator: Falco has his own sources. Paxos: And are you one of them? Senator: I am very much out of current politics. All I can offer my son-in-law is wise council and moral support on the rare occasions when he needs it. We attend the same gymnasium and bath house. Paxos: Did you discuss the Metellus case? Senator: From time to time we debate the news, as anyone does. Paxos: So are you denying that you fed Falco with dirt about the opposition? Senator: As far as I know, everything about the opposition was already well-known. They were men who had been prominent in public life for decades. Paxos: So is there personal jealousy here? Were you eager to do down these ambitious senators whose careers had advanced far beyond your own? Senator: Certainly not. Paxos: Do you think they will be damaged by what has happened? Senator: I am sure their careers will flourish and blossom. Paxos: That's unexpectedly cynical! Clearly we are not talking consulships; the men in question had enjoyed those already. Is it your view that they had been rewarded with high office, which happened in the Nero administration, as a quid pro quo for objectionable services to that Emperor? Senator: I could not possibly comment. Paxos: Those were difficult times for everyone. Since we are talking about the Senate, do you feel that the position of every senator was compromised under Nero? Senator: It is neither treasonous nor unjust to individuals if I say yes to that. We have to be grateful that the new administration does not require senators to vote in ways that offend their consciences nor to sanction unlawful actions. Paxos: Would you call Vespasian a friend of yours? Senator: It would be presumptuous to say so. Paxos: Would he call you a friend of his? Senator: I should be proud if he did. Paxos: And is the Senate stronger under Vespasian, or is it still there simply to approve the Emperor's actions? Senator: I believe there is more opportunity for men of distinction to play a meaningful part in public decisions. Vespasian has a healthy respect for the cheeks which the Senate exists to impose. Paxos: He won't interfere with them, if they don't interfere with him? Senator: I think now you are being cynical! Paxos: We must leave it there. Camillus Verus, thank you and goodnight!
|
||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
| all material © The Random
House Group | contact us | FAQs |
job vacancies | terms of use |
privacy policy The Random House Group Limited
|
