Chapter 296
Marcus's first public act after earning the title of the most honorable man in Rome was to bestow a fitting name upon Caesar.
Just as Marcus had gained so much, he needed to offer commensurate glory to Caesar in return.
Making an appearance at the Senate for the first time in a long while, Marcus was approached by countless senators offering their greetings.
"Lord Marcus—or should I call you Lord Augustus? Hahaha. How long will you be staying in Rome?"
"Augustus, please look favorably upon the bidding for the Caucasus mine development."
"There are rumors of a canal being dug in Egypt connecting directly to the Nile River. Is that true?"
Marcus gave vague, perfunctory answers to the various solicitations and questions as he headed toward his designated seat.
"Marcus Augustus has requested to speak before the assembled senators."
Octavian smoothly opened the floor, drawing everyone's attention even more.
Rising from his seat, which afforded a sweeping view of every senator in the room, Marcus stepped forward.
"First, I extend my gratitude to all the senators who have steadfastly maintained their posts while I was away from Rome. Because you were here, I could dedicate myself to laying the foundations in the East with peace of mind. In particular, I applaud the passion of Consul Cicero, who has resumed his vigorous work since returning from Alexandria. I would also like to thank Cato, who always provides balance with his critical yet constructive opinions."
Hearing this unexpected praise, Cicero could not hide the smile blooming on his face.
Cato, though trying hard to manage his expression, also looked pleased.
Marcus went on to list the names of other senators one by one, pointing out a specific contribution each had made.
Interpreting this as a gesture to honor them, the senators happily clapped in response.
However, this was not merely a ploy to win the Senate's favor.
It was a subtle signal revealing that, despite his overwhelming workload, he knew their every move inside and out.
Even if few realized it in the moment, they would inevitably recall this fact later when the time came.
"Finally, I wish to attribute glory to Rome's great hero, Caesar, who has led the way for the stability and prosperity of Rome more than anyone else."
Caesar rose from his seat and gave a slight bow, returning Marcus's praise.
With a gesture, Marcus restrained the senators who were about to applaud and began smoothly recounting Caesar's achievements.
He did not merely list the superficial facts of conquering Gaul, Britannia, and Germania.
He detailed just how much of a boost to future productivity Rome would see by acquiring Gaul and Britannia.
How usefully the abundant resources gained from the Alsace-Lorraine region could be applied.
And he explained in full detail how dramatically future threats had been reduced by subjugating Germania.
"...Beyond this, everyone here knows better than anyone how Caesar saved Rome during the Xiongnu war. Had it not been for Caesar's swift judgment, the Xiongnu cavalry would have invaded the interior of the Italian Peninsula, and I cannot even imagine how massive our casualties would have been."
Strictly speaking, Marcus had gained slightly more immediate profit through the wars.
While Gaul and Britannia were still undeveloped territories, the regions Marcus had conquered were mostly already civilized.
However, because Marcus had his hand in so many different fields outside of warfare, Caesar held a somewhat stronger image as a military man within Rome.
In particular, it was much easier for the public to viscerally feel the battle achievements of Caesar, who commanded forces right north of the Italian Peninsula, than those of Marcus, who mostly waged war in the distant East.
The fact that Caesar had overseen the defensive lines of Rome and Hispania during the Xiongnu war also played a major role.
"...As his track record shows, there has never been a greater general in Rome. Therefore, I propose this: allow Rome's great hero, Caesar, to permanently bear the title of Imperator."
Most of the senators were agreeable, but there were some, like Cato, who showed an unenthusiastic response.
Although Imperator was currently used to designate the supreme commander of a legion, during the era of the monarchy, it had signified the authority of a king.
It might have been a different story if they were creating a new title like Augustus, but holding exclusive use of the title of Imperator exuded the strong impression of a ruler.
Knowing this, Marcus struck first before any backlash could erupt.
"Furthermore, I wish to bestow this profound title upon the great Roman commanders who rival Caesar. Scipio Africanus, the national hero who defeated Hannibal and saved Rome, and Pompey Magnus, who brought the Eastern dynasties to their knees and extended Rome's majesty into Asia. These two shall also be long remembered in Roman history as great Imperators."
As the two names that never failed to stir the heart of any Roman were brought up together, the Senate's reaction shifted to be even more favorable.
Since Caesar would not be monopolizing the title of Imperator, Cato didn't have any particular reason to object.
From Marcus's perspective, it was advantageous; by conferring such an authoritative title upon Caesar, he could project the image of someone aloof from power.
Caesar, who loved vanity as much as he loved practical gain, struggled to suppress a rising smirk, thrilled that he was essentially being officially recognized as the greatest general in history.
In truth, since Marcus would eventually inherit the title of Imperator, he was the actual beneficiary. However, the only ones looking far enough ahead to see that were already on Marcus's side, so it hardly mattered.
No sooner had Marcus's speech ended than Octavian shot up from his seat, applauding and shouting.
"Imperator Caesar! Glory to the guardian of great Rome!"
"Imperator Caesar!"
Following Octavian's lead, the populares senators cheered enthusiastically, chanting Caesar's name.
Soon after, the other senators expressed their approval with applause.
Cicero and Brutus joined in, and ultimately, even Cato clapped—wearing an expression almost identical to the one he had when filth was thrown in his face in the past.
Exactly two claps, no more, no less.
That was the utmost sincerity he could muster for Caesar.
...
After that, the Senate's resolutions proceeded without a hitch.
Marcus did not involve himself in the subsequent matters and relaxed leisurely at his mansion.
Sitting beside him as he savored the aroma of his coffee, Julia picked up her own cup with a radiant smile.
"My father seemed incredibly pleased. Have you spoken with him?"
"My father-in-law? He didn't say anything directly, but was he that happy with it?"
"Of course. Even if he doesn't show it outwardly, you know how obsessed he is with that kind of honor. Rome's only Pontifex Maximus and Imperator. He's probably intoxicated by such grandiose titles."
As expected of his daughter, Julia understood Caesar perfectly.
If Pompey prioritized honor, and Octavian or Marcus focused more on practical gains, Caesar was the type to chase after both.
"I plan to erect statues of past Imperators in front of the temple. They'll be arranged in the order of Scipio, Pompey, and then your father. I'll have to tell them to pay special attention to his statue."
"I'll let them know. By the way, since you've returned to Rome after such a long time, isn't it about time you visited your father?"
"I was planning to do exactly that. It's been a bit difficult to find the time since he left Rome entirely to live quietly, but now that I have a brief moment of leisure, I should go see him."
Crassus had built a villa in a secluded area some distance from Rome, bringing along only his wife and a few loyal freedmen, and was currently enjoying a leisurely rural life.
Following Pompey's death, he appeared completely emancipated from worldly hassles, lust for power, and ambition.
Therefore, Marcus didn't want to make any further demands on his father, wishing instead to let him spend his twilight years in peace.
"I visited him a few times while you were away in the East, and he's changed so much. You might be shocked since it's been a while since you last saw him."
"He's not unwell, is he?"
"No. Even though he's quite advanced in age now, he's very robust."
"That's a relief."
"While you're at it, why not introduce him to the pharaohs of Egypt? Wouldn't it be nice to take this opportunity to bring Danae along and have the whole family gather in one place?"
Her tone was gentle, but for some reason, Marcus felt a sharp sting of guilt.
"Wait, why are you suddenly bringing up the pharaohs...?"
"I heard you spent time in the bedroom with the two of them as soon as you returned to Rome. Honestly, I was relieved to see you still have so much stamina."
"No, that was just because we had things to discuss regarding the succession of the next pharaoh. That was strictly the original purpose."
At Marcus's hasty excuse, Julia flashed a bright, amused smile.
"I know. I was just joking around. But about the succession of the next pharaoh... will our children also serve as the pharaoh of Egypt?"
"They have to. The Egyptian people fundamentally do not wish to be ruled by anyone who isn't a pharaoh. It's a matter of their pride."
Throughout history, monarchs who ruled Egypt had always claimed the title of pharaoh to elicit the voluntary submission of the Egyptians.
This was the case in the distant past when the Kingdom of Kush seized the Upper Egypt basin, and more recently, Alexander the Great adopted the same method.
Even in original history, Roman emperors declared themselves pharaohs of Egypt whenever they were there, so he was simply applying the exact same method.
"Did the two of them agree to that?"
"Because the Ptolemaic dynasty wouldn't be able to survive otherwise. Both of them know there is no other way."
"I see. And then, to celebrate reaching a mutual understanding, you must have spent a very passionate time together."
Lifting her waist slightly to close the distance between her and Marcus, Julia added in a secretive whisper.
"Then I can expect a love no less intense than what those two received, right?"
"...Of course."
"Then since you'll be exhausted tomorrow, let's schedule the visit to see your parents for the day after."
Marcus broke into a cold sweat at this declaration that she wouldn't let him go all day today either, having already worked so hard yesterday, but what else could he say?
"...Leave it to me."
At his answer, squeezed out with feigned confidence, Julia nodded in deep satisfaction.
Their intimate moment as a couple was cut short when a messenger rushed frantically into the garden, panting for breath.
"What is it?"
He had left strict orders not to disturb him during his private rest time unless it was a matter of utmost importance.
Yet for someone to come running so frantically, it meant something incredibly serious had occurred.
Meeting Marcus's gaze, the messenger took a deep breath before pulling a report stamped with Publius's seal from his robes and offering it up.
"News from the East, sir. They say the Emperor of the Han Dynasty has passed away."