=== One Month Ago ===

The young Varro entered the Palace of the Praefectus Urbanus Cicero Flavus. A tall uniformed guardsman showed the young aedile to the Praefectus’ office. When Septimus was allowed to enter he gave a nod to the man behind the desk, “Salvae Praefectus, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.”

The prefect gave a polite smile in return, “Not a problem although I am a busy man, I will make time to meet with such a true Roman as yourself Septimus.”

“Thank you Sir. I wanted to speak with you for a moment about a couple of plans I have in the future. In the coming months, I will be hosting two weeks of games. One week at the beginning to honor the leadership of Princeps Flavus during the time following Imperator Piso's death; then, following, a week of festivities to honor my father and the start of construction on his temple.” Septimus paused to give Cicero time to think over what he had just explained to him.

“Sounds like a grand idea Septimus.” the Prefect said. “So how can I help you in this matter?”

“Well, you are charged with the city's safety, and I did not want to announce either the games or the festival – which will include a feast every night for all free men in Rome – without first making sure that the Urban Cohorts were informed.” Septimus laughed slightly to himself, “With drunken plebeians shouting and cheering for gladiators, there comes increased violence and the potential for crime on the streets.”

A slightly concerned look came on Cicero’s face, “Of course, of course I will make sure extra patrols are put on, I am happy to have the Urban cohorts provide the security for both events as well if you want.”

“Yes, please. I would welcome the help. Such games and merriment shouldn't be brought down by a few unruly plebs. There is one other thing that I have been waiting to ask of you, Praefectus.”

“Oh...”

“Yes, on a much smaller scale, I plan on having a banquet at the Palatium Quinus Vitellius. Now, the palace does not have any official guard contingent at the moment, only the guards of the individuals staying there. I ask that the Urban Cohorts provide security for that event as well. Of course, a far fewer men will be needed, but I know that the guests will feel much better if your men are watching over them and the compound. Now, you will be there I hope as a guest, but your men, I hope, will be there to watch over us all.”

“Of course, how many are you inviting to this event?”

“The guest list is not finalized as of yet,” said Septimus, “but the palace is nearly the largest in Rome. So it will require a number of your men to watch the perimeter. I would like to keep interior security to a minimum, but I am no fool and I know it is necessary to have some of it.”

“Okay, not a problem, once you have them, send all the details of both events to my office so I give out appropriate orders, and thank you for you invitation.”

“I hope you will attend. And I will certainly have those details to you as soon as possible. I know you are a busy man, so I will leave you to your work Praefectus.”

“Thank you, it was a pleasure speaking to you, Aedile.” Septimus gave Cicero a nod of his head before standing and turning to leave the room.


=== Two Days Later ===

Pompeius Septimus Varro walked to the top of the rostra in the Palatine Forum; his 25 guards set up a perimeter around the podium while his lictors stood behind him.

The small spectacle drew the attention of a few in the crowd and over the minute or two that Septimus waited more eyes fell on the stately figure. This was his first address to the people of Rome; his heart beat almost out of his chest. These were the people who had loved his father and with the gods – now including his father – behind him, Septimus prayed they would do the same for him.

“People of Rome,

I, Pompeius Septimus Varro, have come to tell you all that I will be throwing games to honor Princep Flavus’ leadership during the time following Imperator Piso’s death. The work he did kept legions out of Italia, it kept productivity in the Senate, and it led to further confidence in his reign. To applaud that example, I am throwing a week of games so that all Romans may come and show their appreciation for such a leader.” The crowd began to cheer, in certain places at first then the appreciation spread through the assembly.

Septimus raised his hands for silence, “After that week, I will host another week long festival complete with a feast every night for all free men in Rome! These games and feasts will be in honor of my father, the Divus Pompeius and the start of construction of his new temple in Rome!” Cheer erupted again as plebeians shouted their approval for the games.

Once again, he raised his hands, “My father loved all the people of Rome.” Septimus paused a moment, letting the words sink in and memories of Pompeius Varro’s reign come back, “...and I know that if he were here today, he would be wanting me to honor the people of Rome in whatever ways that I could. That is why I have run for Aedile and been elected by you great people out there. That is why I will be running for Senator in the next term. That is why I make this promise to you all, here, now, that should I ever not stand for the people’s interest, for Your good, then I pray to the gods that I will not live another day, for I will have disgraced my father and brought shame upon his glorious name!” The crowd erupted in cheer at the words of the young aedile. His men did all they could to keep the crowd back as Septimus stepped off the rostra and began making his way towards the Senate chambers where he would be spending most of his day.


=== Later that Afternoon ===

Walking out of the Curia one day, Septimus saw Aedile Tiberius Agrippa, the current Rex Sacrorum. Hoping to speak with him about the Divus Pompeius Temple, Aedile Varro made his way to the young man.

“Salvae aedile!” called Septimus.

“Ave Aedile Varro” said Tiberius calmly.

“How are you today?”

“I’m fine; how are you on this day?” Answered Tiberius.

“I’m doing fine thank you.”

“What can I do for you Aedile Varro?” Tiberius’s tone was formal.

“Well, I’ve come to speak with you about the Temple to Divus Pompeius.”

“Yes?” He answered shortly.

“Well, have you spoken to Consular Maximus Agrippa on the subject, out of the Curia of course?” Septimus waved to his lictors and guards as the two Aediles began to walk.

“To be honest I have not.”

A slightly disturbed look came across Septimus’ face, “Well, with the Temple Estate's 750,000c and the Pompeius Varro Estate's 750,000c we have covered the original cost of the project. However, with the donations of 250,000c from both Consular Maximus Agrippa and Imperator Flavus, the project can now spend 2,000,000c.”

“Yes,” said Tiberius shortly, “I’m aware of the cost.”

“Well,” began Septimus, “I spoke with Consular Agrippa myself about the project. We both discussed it and agreed to appointing Numerius Byzantius - a freedman who served my father and after his death me - as the project foreman.”

Tiberius raised an eyebrow, “I personally like to see this project overseen by the Temple Estate.”

“You mean yourself?”

“Yes or the Temple Procurator.” Septimus almost continued but waited, “More likely the Temple Procurator under the direction of myself.” finished Tiberius.

“Well, as you know, this project is very dear to me. I would even like to also be able to recommend a man for the head priest position.” Septimus looked over at Tiberius as they continued their walk, “Numerius is a good man. He has been planning projects for my father and me for almost 30 years. He's now a citizen, hailing from Byzantium. I promise you he is up to the task.”

“Him for priest, I wouldn't mind at all; however, I believe that in regards to the construction of it we can reach a compromise on this. Perhaps he would be allowed to directly oversee the project and the project be generally allowed to fall under the wing of the Temple Estate.”

Aedile Varro thought on it for a moment, “So you propose that Numerius become the foreman and organize the project, and he will give reports to you or the Temple Procurator?”

“Yes, I would be willing to agree to that.”

“That's great to hear. Numerius most likely wouldn't be the best choice for priest, but I do have another name.” The two Romans continued to walk through the busy city streets. They spoke of politics, the delegation to Britannia and of the Temple Estate’s recent economic involvements, after awhile longer, they parted their ways with Septimus headed towards the forums to listen to some of the speakers and Tiberius on his way to the baths.


=== That Evening ===

Cassius leaned against the rear wall of the steam room and used his right hand to brush his hair back. He thought for a second about what Septimus said and then sat up. He looked through the steam at the young man across from him. "Good point."

With a slight smile Septimus continued, "Thanks. So here's an idea. Your father spent part of the estate to expand this palace, in order to out do that Varro Estate. So I'm thinking, we need to throw a banquet that will put their's to shame."

Cassius closed his eyes and held them closed for just a moment, moaning slightly in acknowledgement. He leaned his elbows on his knees and relaxed his back, feeling the sweat trickle down. The floor was hot from the boiler below and it felt good on his heels. "It's been some time since the Varro palace held the most glamorous soiree's... many years, and now that this little shack..." Cassius slapped his palm on the marble bench for effect. "...is bigger aaaannnd better than the Varro place, I concur- it's time for a banquet."

A great smile came across the face of the young Varro. The air was almost stifling to him but he breathed in a great sigh and held it a moment before exhaling, “Wonderful. I hope to have it the week after the games I told you about earlier.” Septimus breathed heavily again before leaning back and rubbing his hands across the wall, trying to find some cool comfort on the stone. “With the gods willing, these games will do a bit to increase my standing in the city.”

"Simply being seen entering and exiting the door of this palace does that." Cassius sighed slowly, leaning back as he turned and lifted his legs onto the marble bench, all to lay down. He reached out and scratched his knee. "...After the games would be a good time. Tacitus and Vespa will be down from Ravenna as well as his first-marriage children... and others. It would be a great time to bring this new senate together as well."

“Well that’s that then. We’ll have the banquet the week following the games.” The two men continued to discuss the topics of the day.


=== First Day of the Games ===

Now the day had come; the Veno Colosseum was filled to capacity with plebeians, equites, and patricians. Tickets – which had been handed out freely to the masses – were being sold in front of the entrances by men trying to make a good profit. On the small pieces of parchment was written the day of the game, the words “For our Glorious Emperor Flavus” and “From the Pompeia Varro’; To Honor All Romans.” For the next week of games and festivities the tickets would keep the day and say, “From the Wishes of Pompeius Varro and His Family, so That All of Rome Will Be Honored.”

Septimus sat in the box with the Emperor and his family. As the group shared small talk, the announcer for the games waited patiently to the side, ready for his patron’s word to begin. The seats had been full now for almost half an hour, and Septimus thought it was time to give a commencement to the games. As the announcer approached where he would be speaking, Septimus watched the crowd begin to grow silent.

The speech had already been written and approved by Septimus, he was anxious to hear how the masses responded to them.

“People of Rome!

Here, in the Veno Colosseum, a structure built to celebrate a great Emperor, we come to now celebrate our current Emperor, Princeps Julius Flavus.” The orator waited a moment for any whispers to die out in the crowd, “For his actions taken in the days of Imperator Piso’s sickness and following his death, Aedile Septimus Varro, the son of the Divus Pompeius is honoring the Emperor with these games for your enjoyment!” The crowd rose to their feet and began to applaud, whether it was for the actions of the Emperor or the Aedile, Septimus was not sure. After a minute or two the orator began to quiet the people down once more, “Because of the kindness of the Pompeian Varro’, Septimus Varro, on behalf of his family, has paid for all here to be fed free of charge!” As the crowd began to cheer once more the bread wagons moved out into the arena, throwing their wares to the masses. As all this was going on, the patricians and equites – sitting in their own sections, away from the general mass of plebians – were enjoying fine fruits, bread, and wine, courtesy of Septimus. The food here today would be provided every day of the games for the plebeians and upper classes.

A few minutes passed as all the bread was passed out to the plebeians. The people inside the stadium began to sit, enjoying their rewards and listening for the speaker. “Now, thanks to our patron of the Pompeian Varro Family, Let these games commence!” The crowd erupted in one more cheer and Septimus winced to himself, thinking of all the food flying out of plebian mouths. The games that followed featured gladiators fighting animals from all over the Empire and beyond, as well as public executions of criminals. The final stages of the games were gladiatorial combat, mostly to first blood but usually with one match that was to the death. Septimus was introduced at the beginning of each day of games, showing his face to the crowds then, and at the ending when he personally made the closing speech. Septimus thanked the people of Rome for their support of the Emperor and attending the games. He invited them all back to the next day and the next until the ending of the games for the Emperor Flavus.

At the dawn of the eighth day, the games for Divus Pompeius were beginning. Septimus had planned for these days to be the groundbreaking of the temple; however, it seemed that the project would not be starting for another few months at least. On this day as the coliseum filled with plebeians once more, some having been witness to all seven previous days, some sitting in the theater for their first time, Septimus stepped forward. He had decided to speak to the crowd himself for the opening ceremonies.

“Residents of Rome!

The world over, people envy you. Barbarians run from our glorious legions, easterners look up to our glistening temples and mighty coliseums; Our just laws are the envy of all those who suffer under kings and tyrants, and above all those, the gods watch over us Romans with a caring hand.” Septimus’s voice grew more sincere but it was still a boom, to allow all in the audience to hear, “This week we honor one of those gods; We honor the Divus Pompeius! For all he accomplished during his life,” the crowd’s noise grew, “And for all that he has yet led Rome to in the afterlife!” The crowd cheered and cheered, this was the prearranged signal for the bread wagons to come into the arena and they did as the applause and shouts grew all the louder, minutes past before anything further could be said. “I want to invite each and every man here to a banquet tonight and each night of the games in honor of Divus Pompeius” the plebs roared their approval of the promised meal. Septimus raised his hands once more, “Now, I ask you to enjoy the events of the day!” Septimus waved to the crowd as he returned to his seat. The games progressed much as the games had gone the previous days with Septimus again giving the closing speeches. The feasts went by without incident each night. Thousands of plebians came to eat and drink at Septimus’ expense. But the journey of the son of Divus Pompeius had only begun.

Written By: P. Septimus Varro with RP from T. Cicero Flavus, M. Tiberius Agrippa and Ferus Juventas.

Edited By: Ferus Juventas

AD 115