Chapter 287
Time flew by.
Gathering the world's leading scholars from Rome, Greece, and Alexandria in one place was no ordinary event.
The Eastern Province began massive preparations ahead of this rare festival.
Scholars of this era rarely specialized in a single field.
Academic disciplines had not yet fully splintered, leaving various subjects intricately intertwined.
Plato, Aristotle, Archimedes, and Posidonius were all renowned intellectuals across multiple disciplines, not just one.
Therefore, summoning renowned astronomers was tantamount to convening the era's greatest minds.
Even elderly scholars burdened by the prospect of long-distance travel set out with great anticipation.
Opportunities for the finest scholars from every region to gather in one place were incredibly rare in this age.
Capitalizing on this momentum, Marcus expanded the seminar's topics.
He extended the event to last roughly a month, adding subjects in mathematics, geography, and philosophy alongside astronomy.
In truth, the visiting scholars also viewed this gathering as a chance to prove their regional superiority.
Even within scientific disciplines, ancient academia was far from unified.
Theories accepted as orthodox in Greece were frequently considered debunked in Alexandria.
The reverse was just as common.
Take the geocentric model: everyone agreed the sun revolved around the earth.
Yet when it came to the specifics—orbital calculations, angles, and planetary circumferences—opinions were wildly disjointed.
Vigorous internal debates had produced some consensus within individual regions, but no such agreement existed across borders.
Thus, scholars from every area burned with the desire to establish their own research as the accepted standard.
Marcus welcomed this feverish atmosphere.
The more attention academia focused on the event, the more naturally his ongoing initiatives would be promoted.
The launch of the educational institution he had dedicated so much effort to was finally approaching.
It would be the first university in human history.
There could be no better subject to introduce as the finale to this monumental event.
Through this gathering, Marcus intended to spread knowledge across every corner of Rome.
A university was already slated to open in Rome next year, with similar educational institutions planned for Greece and Alexandria within three years.
Though he had not yet made a grand public announcement, the rumors were already circulating.
Naturally, the scholars attending the seminar paid keen attention to this prospect.
Many of them had settled in Marcopolis long before the seminar began, organizing their research materials.
Theostos from Athens was one such scholar.
“Eusos, are those the materials you brought? They look mostly related to astronomy.”
“Indeed. They expanded the symposium to cover various topics, but this was the original focus, wasn't it? I plan to stick to the fundamentals.”
“True enough, you've been studying Hipparchus's work in Rhodes all this time. The scholars from Alexandria can't possibly match your mastery of astronomy.”
“Of course. Alexandria claims to be the pinnacle of astronomy, but they're about to learn exactly how baseless their arrogance really is.”
Hipparchus was the first scholar to propose the theories of epicycles and eccentrics.
He had not established a flawless model, but no one in antiquity had argued the geocentric theory more rationally.
“Still, rumor has it the local scholars here suddenly started championing the heliocentric theory. I heard they plan to insist it's the truth at the symposium.”
“Aristarchus's discarded theory? They're backing such flimsy nonsense? Ha... to think such pseudo-academia would take root where Marcus resides...”
“The rumor claims Marcus himself taught them that the heliocentric theory is correct. That's why the local astronomers changed course and are rushing to prove it at the symposium.”
The two astronomers scoffed and clicked their tongues.
“Surely it's just a baseless rumor. Marcus is the incarnation of a living god whose wisdom reaches Olympus itself. He would never make such a foolish claim. I suspect the local scholars are just using his name to draw attention.”
“Wouldn't heads roll if they pulled a stunt like that?”
“As long as they don't go around boasting about it, they're fine. They won't be punished without proof.”
Theostos found his friend's deduction entirely plausible.
In the Greek world, Marcus was perceived as the picture of a flawless, ideal leader.
He was widely considered the leader closest to Plato's ideal of the philosopher-king.
It was unbelievable that such a man would espouse the bizarre claim that the earth moved.
“I heard the representatives of this region inherited the great Posidonius's academic tradition, but it seems they fall short of expectations. Then this symposium will just be a contest between Athens, Rhodes, and Alexandria.”
“What about Rome?”
“Rome? They just take the research we and Alexandria produce and apply it. They might be good at practical applications, but they're utterly terrible at creating anything new. They aren't worth our attention.”
“True, most Roman high officials go to Alexandria or Rhodes to study. It's unlikely they'll bring any grand achievements to the table. Then we just need to thoroughly crush the Alexandria faction.”
Preaching one's theories before a gathering of scholars from all over the world was a thrilling prospect in itself.
The scholars of Athens and Rhodes intended to use this symposium to prove their superiority once again.
They had no intention of surrendering their status as the cradle of academia to the rapidly rising Alexandria.
In other words, Alexandria was the only region they cared about.
And the scholars from Alexandria felt exactly the same way.
If anyone were to present a superior theory, it would only be those from Athens or Rhodes.
The scholars of the Eastern Province, who allegedly pushed bizarre theories like heliocentrism, were completely disregarded.
To them, the scholars from Rome and the Eastern Province were mere supporting actors, present only to make the true stars shine brighter.
But they never could have imagined in their wildest dreams...
...that the Eastern Province scholars, having attended Marcus's grand lecture, were thinking the exact same thing.
...
“The preparations for the venue are complete,” Surenas reported.
“Has anyone complained about their accommodations?” Marcus asked.
“Many of the scholars are quite particular, so there were plenty of demands, but no serious complaints. On the contrary, quite a few toured our advanced research facilities and asked if they could just stay here.”
“They can't. They need to return to their regions and take up teaching posts there.”
For scholars who dedicated their lives to research, the first, second, and third most important thing was the research environment.
After touring the superior laboratories Marcus had established, the scholars were instantly captivated by conditions that far outstripped anything they had back home.
The alchemists were the most shocked.
Seeing researchers who had abandoned alchemy to pursue the true path of chemistry left the foreign alchemists astonished beyond imagination.
They even pleaded desperately, begging to be allowed to conduct their own research here.
Publius and Surenas, who lacked the authority to make such decisions, found the situation quite awkward.
“But Marcus, you've put so much effort into this event. Are you sure you shouldn't take the podium yourself?”
“Of course. It's better if I just attend to grace the occasion. Doesn't it look better for the scholars I've taught to take up that role, rather than the supreme leader stepping up to enlighten everyone personally?”
“True, there's no need for you to step onto the same stage as them. Conveying knowledge is a task suited for those you've instructed... Leaving that impression definitely seems wiser.”
Marcus answered Surenas's questions without taking his eyes off his documents, scribbling continuously.
Watching him curiously, Surenas's gaze fixed on the seal stamped on the paperwork.
“Those documents are from Rome. Has another problem arisen?”
“Nothing major.”
“For nothing major, you seem to be reviewing them very carefully.”
“I have no choice. It concerns my daughter's marriage.”
“M-Marriage? Is Lady Sophia getting married?”
The issues concerning the scholars that had occupied his mind vanished in an instant.
Marcus chuckled and shook his head at Surenas's startled reaction.
“She will eventually, but not right now. Given Sophia's position, I assumed quite a few families would be aiming for her, so I requested an investigation.”
“Ah... that makes sense. After all, she is Caesar's granddaughter and your eldest daughter. Furthermore, since she's practically considered a living goddess in Rome right now, noble families with sons of a similar age can't help but covet her.”
“It didn't quite turn out that way.”
Marcus handed a document from his desk to Surenas and continued.
“I thought it was likely as well, but surprisingly, almost no nobles have approached Sophia. Julia said as much, and the investigators I hired submitted the exact same reports.”
“Could it be because of Octavius... Ah, excuse me. It's Octavian now. Perhaps his presence is the reason? The two of them are quite close.”
“Octavian was recently elevated to the nobility upon joining the Senate, but it's not just because of him. If anything, his closeness might make others think, ‘If he can do it, why can't I?’”
It was different from original history, where his background as Caesar's sole heir was firmly established.
The current Octavian was still nothing more than a relative to Caesar and Marcus.
Of course, even that level of background was considered more noble than most prestigious aristocratic families in present-day Rome.
“Then what could the reason be?”
“It's too much of a burden. Without knowing my or my father-in-law's exact intentions, they can't be certain of the consequences if they show their hand.”
“You mean there's a gap so immense they don't even dare cross it. I think I understand.”
Receiving the letter back, Marcus nodded with satisfaction.
If these reports were accurate, it meant everything was flowing exactly as he intended.
“The time is ripe, so Rome should slowly start making its move.”
“Are you planning to return?”
“The university is slated to open next year, so I should go back to celebrate it. And to see some familiar faces I've missed.”
“Understood. I will make the preparations.”
“Ah, wait. There's one more thing.”
As Surenas turned to leave the office, Marcus called him back.
He then spread out the document he had been drafting and handed it over.
“Take this to my advisory committee on your way out. It's for the newly launched Board of Audit in the Senate, so have them review it.”
The fallout from the previous Mugunghwa speculation wave and the aborted stock issuance incident had yet to be fully resolved.
The damages had been repaired, but legislative discussions on preventing a recurrence were still underway.
The laws to regulate the corrupt equestrian order were complete, but the truth was that the Senators had taken bribes just the same.
They had let it slide this time, but they needed an organization to oversee and ensure such things never happened again.
Since the justification was airtight, the Senate would have no choice but to accept it.
In fact, letting them off without punishment back then had merely been the groundwork for creating this very organization.
A smile touched Surenas's face as he skimmed the organizational chart.
“This is an organization meant to replace the traditional Censor.”
“Right. It fractures and distributes the powers of the previous Censor. The census, management of state property, tax collection, and observation of the Senators' conduct will each be handled by a different department within the organization.”
“The intent to disperse powers that are too tightly concentrated is excellent. But the key is who will head this organization... I see you've nominated someone truly outstanding.”
At first glance, it appeared to weaken the authority of the traditional Censor by decentralizing its powers, but the reality was quite different.
It might have been true for the individual departments, but the structure granted immense power to the head of the Board of Audit who oversaw the entire organization.
And the young man slated to head that organization was someone who was, without a doubt, Marcus's man: Octavian.