The Gladiator

'Why?' Sempronius rose from his desk and made for the door to the courtyard.' Come with me and I'll show you why '

He led them into the centre of the stable courtyard and turned to point at the acropolis built on a nearby hill that dominated the centre of the city. A narrow track wound its way up the steep slope to the gate, which was protected by sturdy towers on each side. 'As you can see, Glabius has picked himself a safe spot to sit out the crisis. It would take an army to seize the acropolis, and he has all the provisions to withstand a siege while I have none to mount one.

Besides, it would be madness to use force to bring Glabius to heel, given the problems we already face.'

'So what is your plan, sir?' asked Macro.

'My plan is to gather enough soldiers here to ensure that there is no popular uprising provoked by the ineptitude of Glabius, Also, I intend to restore order to the farms and estates of the southern part of the island, and round up those slaves you seem so concerned about. Once that has been achieved, then I will settle matters with Glabius.'

Cato shook his head. 'I doubt that would be a good idea, if you don't mind my saying?'

'Oh?'

'Glabius is a tax collector, sir.You know how well connected they are back in Rome. You would risk making some dangerous enemies if you took him on.'

'And I risk losing control of the province if I don't.'

'That's true,' Cato conceded. The senator was in an impossible position.

Sempronius stared up at the acropolis with a weary expression before he continued. 'I sent a full report on the situation here to Rome this morning. I said that I would wait for further instructions before dealing with Glabius.'

Macro and Cato exchanged a quick glance. The senator was taking the easy way out by waiting for orders; disowning responsibility for affairs in Crete. It might take as much as two months for a reply to reach Gortyna. In that time Glabius would be free to continue exploiting the situation, endangering the security of not only the province but the rest of the empire as well, once news of the collapse of authority on the island leaked out across the Mediterranean. It was essential that the senator realised the need to remove Glabius. Even if that made himenemies back in Rome, Cato reflected.

He cleared his throat. 'Sir, I don't think we can afford to wait for instructions from Rome. We will have to act long before then. Before Glabius stirs up too much hostility amongst the local people.'

Sempronius cocked an eyebrow. 'What do you propose we do then?'

The shift in authority from the senator to his subordinate was not lost on Macro, and he had to force himself not to show his surprise as Cato made his reply.

'We have to take control of the food stocks up there, sir. That means we have to arrest Glabius, and disarm his bodyguards. Once that's done, we can be sure that the people will be on our side.'

While we make enemies of Glabius's friends?' Sempronius paused.' Both here and back in Rome.'

'Can't be helped. Besides, the mathematics of the situation is quite clear, sir. There are more hungry people than there are friends of Glabius. Who would you rather have on your side?'

Sempronius pressed his lips together and glanced at the others, before turning to stare helplessly at the walls of the acropolis. Julia cleared her throat and gently took her father's hand. 'Cato's right. You must act. Soon.'

The senator was silent for a moment before he nodded slowly.

'Very well. Glabius will be dealt with.'

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The following morning, Senator Sempronius met with his senior military officers. In addition to Macro and Cato, there were the commanders of the three auxiliary cohorts. The prefect of the Batavian cavalry, Marcellus, was a slender, hard-looking veteran with silver hair and piercing dark eyes. The detachments of the two infantry cohorts were led by centurions, Albinus and Plotius, men who had served with their units since first signing up. Unfortunate, since Macro had hoped they might have been promoted to their present rank from the legions.

'Pity,' he muttered to Cato as the senator made the introductions.

'But we'll have to make do.'

Sempronius glanced at him irritably as he continued. 'Macro is the acting prefect of the Twelfth Hispania at Matala. Centurion Cato is serving as my military aide and chief of staff.'

Marcellus looked searchingly at Cato for a moment. 'Might I ask the substantive rank of Macro and Cato?'

'Of course.' Sempronius nodded.' Both hold legionary rank, pending reappointment to new units once they return to Rome.'

'I see.' Marcellus nodded with a small smile of satisfaction.' Then, as prefect, I am the senior officer present.'

'You are, technically,' Sempronius replied in an even tone.

'However, as the senior office-holder in the province, I have the final word in matters of command. For the present I am content to permit Macro to retain command of our forces.'

'I have to protest, sir. Macro is only an acting prefect. I am a permanent holder of that rank. Therefore I should be in command.'

'Your protest is noted, Prefect Marcellus; however, I have made my decision. Prefect Macro will lead my men.'

'I see.' Marcellus nodded. 'I'd like that noted in writing, sir.'

'Would you?' Sempronius looked surprised for a moment, before he recovered. 'Are you sure about that?'

The other man returned his stare steadily and then shook his head. 'I suppose not. After all, what difference does it make? There aren't likely to be any rewards handed out to the commanders as a result of our actions in this crisis.'

'Quite,' Sempronius replied. 'This is a simple policing matter, gentlemen. Our goals are to enforce order, feed the people and recapture the slaves who have run away from their masters. That is all.' He glanced round at his subordinates. 'Having considered the situation, I have made the following plans to achieve our goals. The Batavian horse and the Fifth Gallic will be tasked with hunting down the fugitive slaves and any brigands that are preying on the people and property of this province.' He paused, and chewed his lip for a moment before continuing. 'Prefect Marcellus will command this force.'

Macro cleared his throat.' Begging your pardon, sir. I thought you said I was your choice for commander.'

'I did.'

'Then shouldn'tI lead this column?'

'Your particular talents are required here, for the present.'

'Sir?'

'I will explain later.' Sempronius turned to Centurion Plotius.

'The Tenth Macedonian will remain in Gortyna, to keep order and to help with reconstruction. Centurion Cato will assign work details for your men.'

'Yes, sir.' Plotius nodded.

'Any questions?'

Marcellus spoke. 'Yes, sir. It will take my men some days to carry out their job, and we will need adequate provisions. The thing is, Marcus Glabius has not been forthcoming with the supplies he has hoarded up there on the hill.'

'So I've heard.'

'Well, the truth of it is that he has been giving me half of what I need for the men and horses, and he's been doling it out on a daily basis. I will need at least ten days' supplies, and I will need it in full rations.'

'I've already requested that,' Sempronius replied. 'However, Glabius has sent me word that he must put the people of Gortyna first. He will only grant you - those are his words — five days' supplies, at half rations, for you and your horses.'

Marcellus's expression darkened. 'That won't do, sir. In any case, who is he to tell you what he will provide from his supplies?'

'Who indeed?' Sempronius smiled weakly. 'Glabius is the man sitting on the food chest. He's also the man sitting pretty up there in the acropolis. Until the situation changes, the allocation of supplies is in his hands. In the meantime, you and your men will take what rations he provides for us, and when they are exhausted you will have to live off the land.'