Use Caution

Lucius Vorenus

Two things greatly concern me about Gaius Julius Caesar fleeing to Parthia. Though his disposition and words depict a youth seeking personal accolades, let us not forget that these are Caesar’s troops he commands. Let us not forget this is the adopted heir of Caesar. And finally, let us not underestimate the power of an ambitious, charismatic general of Rome. Admittedly, the only reason I am amongst you distinguished politicians, philosophers, and generals was my undying devotion to Julius Caesar. Despite my longing for the reinstitution of the Republic, I found myself defending my former general against verbal assaults. Certainly this can be partially attributed to the everyday deplorable decorum of Brutus and the utter disgrace his colleagues sought for Caesar’s body and legacy postmortem, but it was a betrayal of my Republican ideals. Armies grow fickle with bloodshed, hunger and homesickness. We cannot allow Octavius to secure the loyalties of NINE LEGIONS! Therefore, we need to send another distinguished general to Parthia to take full command over the armies. I expect Octavius to be obedient to our commands. If he is, allow him to cultivate his talents while serving under the new presiding general. However, if Octavius is disobedient to our decree, then another, more “compelling” course of action should be taken. BUT any aggressive response towards Octavius should occur only after Lepidus has been dealt with accordingly.

My greatest fear (and initial inkling when I received word on his departure) is the possibility of Octavius uniting forces with Lepidus. Though possibly a certifiable psychopath, Lepidus is quite cunning. Lepidus informed me of his departure from Rome and assessed my interest in joining his forces. I am a simple centurion. It should be assumed that Lepidus has contacted Octavius to assess his interest in joining forces. Lepidus will surely use their relationship to Caesar as a tool for persuading Octavius. Either passion or hormones have been the Octavius’s decision-making tool recently, so there is a possibility he could be enticed by the proposal of Lepidus.

Senators, Rome simply cannot withstand the onslaught of a fourteen legion army in these troubled times... period. The Senate is divided. Our legions are scattered, and our constant state of turmoil has exhausted a significant portion of men capable of combat. We are currently scrabbling to put more than five legions under the command of Dolabella. Dolabella’s current numbers are insufficient compared to Lepidus’s army, imagine a foe with an additional nine legions! Fathers, our main concern at this juncture should be preventing any alliance between Octavius and Lepidus. We must use any means necessary to prevent this from occurring.

I believe that our course of action with Lepidus thus far has been commendable. I know some are weary of Dolabella’s appointment as sole general of the armies against Lepidus. If the appointment of another general will appease the disgruntled, and the army will stay maintain its level of effectiveness, then I will be open to any suggestions. Yet, Octavian’s impulsive departure presents another quandary that we must confront immediately. Make haste senators. Send another general out to Parthia to command the troops immediately. If he refuses to acknowledge the authority of the Senate, so be it. Rash action could potentially drive him into an alliance with Lepidus. An alliance we could not defend ourselves against.. For his time will certainly come. But his time will come after Lepidus’s.