A year of tumult
After the bloody escape of the gladiators, this was taken by the people as a bad omen, and Titus Longinus Vestinus was not elected to the position of curule aedile. It became known that Primus Fabius Falco, his client, who was standing for position of quaestor, was the one responsible for organising much of the disastrous games, and in any case he was tainted by being present at the day of the bad omen, so that he also was not elected.

Magnetia was elected Consul, for the second time (Sulla's laws prohibiting this had been repealed by the Senate on his death), and to his surprise Hercules Iulius Andronicus elected for the first time - Andronicus had not nominated himself, but Cassius Appius had stood and nominated him, and this was seconded by many others; while Andronicus did not seek this position, he would not refuse it if given him. As curule aedile were elected Quintus' would-be patron Spurius Caesto and Publius (the non-entity).

The games were not the last time Rome heard of Gunfrud the gladiator and his men. They fled south to Vesuvius, and gathered many other slaves around them, quite a number of them gladiators. Clodius was given command of 3,000 militia and sent to deal with these bandits. Arriving at the mountain, he saw that it had but one way off, and that easily blocked. Rather than assault up the road losing many of his men's lives, he resolved to besiege Gunfrud and starve out the ragged band. The band was not so ragged as he expected, though, for under Gunfrud's instruction they made ropes and ladders from the forest on the mountain, climbed down a cliff at dusk, gathered together on the plain, and fell on Clodius' forces from behind, utterly routing and destroying them. Now enriched with the arms and armour of the militia, and with escaped slaves daily coming to them, they were a more serious foe.

Marching north past Rome and toward the Po, Gunfrud's men sacked Cremona and surrounds, and it was noted that he prohibited the bringing in of gold or silver by merchants, and would not allow his own men to acquire any, but he bought largely of iron and brass and did not interfere with those who dealt in these articles. Supplied with abundant material from this source his men provided themselves with plenty of arms and made frequent forays for the time being. When they next came to an engagement with the Romans they were again victorious, and returned laden with spoils. Consul Magnetia with the 9th Legion went against them, leaving Andronicus at home with the 10th, 11th and 12th defending Rome and surrounds. He encountered them outside Cremona, and there in a fierce battle was driven away, falling back on Ravenna.

At this time in Gunfrud's camp there was an argument between Gunfrud and his fellow commanders. The party of Gunfrud wanted simply to march out of the Roman lands, disperse and go to their homelands. The party of Jugurtha, the large African, wanted to continue the pillaging of Roman lands, and perhaps even destroy Rome itself. For the moment the Jugurtha's party won out, and so they turned back from the Po and marched south. By now they had 20,000 fighting men, and as many camp followers, baggage train, and various hangers-on. Not wanting to risk another fight with Gunfrud at this time, Magnetia fell back from Ravenna onto Perugia, sending for Andronicus to give him more legions. Andronicus wanted to march out immediately with the 10th, 11th and 12th, but the Senate would not permit it, only allowing him to send the 10th and 11th and insisting he remain in the City.

The 10th and 11th legions joined the defeated and miserable 9th in Perugia in September, and within a few days the city had 25,000 fighting men before it. Magnetia thought that 12,000 good Roman soldiers could deal well with 25,000 rabble, though he was more cautious this time. He placed the 9th under Pulcher in the centre, saying that they would be flanked by their braver fellows, and thus supported by them. He sallied forth and the battle hung in the balance, but then the 9th broke and fled under the press of Gunfrud's men. Pulcher's horse was captured by Gunfrud himself, and the standard only saved by the valour of Optio Xeno the Greek, who picked it up and fought with it when the signifer fell. Gunfrud now turned to deal with first the 11th and then the 10th, and seeing that his forces were divided and struggling, Magnetia ordered the retreat sounded, and fell back behind the walls of Perugia while Gunfrud's men plundered the surrounding lands. He then sent messengers to the Senate, recommending that they have recourse to the appointment of a Dictator, since Gunfrud might now march on Rome, defended only by a single legion.

In Rome there was tumult and fear. Masters were variously suddenly kind, or suddenly brutal to their slaves. Slaves were surly and disobedient, and many fled. A large number of freemen were hired to do work on the estates of the optimates, and slaves sat idle. Andronicus summoned the Senate, and passed on the messages of his colleague. They passed a motion to appoint a dictatore seditionis sedandae causa (dictator to put down the rebellion), and the decision as to who fell upon Andronicus, since his colleague was unavailable.

"See to it that Rome comes to no harm"
In that year, Vestinus and his clients, though idle in public affairs, they had not been idle in private affairs. Falco spent a lot of time assisting his patron at his business, strengthening the relationship between them. Quintus busied himself with the education of his slave-boy, while Calidus between seeing his patients tended to the lion, who in June was delivered of twin cubs, male and female, these Falco named Romulus and Remus. Vulpurnius was delegated to tame them.

In the Senate, Vestinus was quiet during the debates on Gunfrud and this the Third Servile War. At times there were murmurs against him. Like a man of honour he had accepted all responsibility for the failure to provide proper security at his games, and the loss of lives and property since. Much of his fortune was being spent in recompensing those plundered by the German slave.

Not surprised he was then to be summoned to the Senate in October. He and his clients proceeded there in some nervousness. "Perhaps this will be my trial", said Vestinus. On entering the Forum, they saw that the Senate was sitting not in the curia hostilia, its usual place, but in the Temple of Mars and Bellona, where they sat when speaking on matters of war. As he walked in past the great statues, he saw the two curule chairs of the Consuls - the chair in which senior magistrates sat - sitting vacant. He was greeted warmly by Andronicus. The first senator pounded his staff on the floor and called the Senate to order. A sacrifice of a pig was made to see if the omens were good this Senate meeting. Silence fell across the Senate floor, the warmth and smell of sweatof many bodies, the smell of blood and burning oil. "The augurs are good", said the priest, and Andronicus rose and spoke.

"Rome is threatened by grave harm, as her serviles rise against her, against the laws of men and the will of the gods. My colleague Magnetia has now been thrice defeated by Gunfrud, twice by battle and once without battle! Now Gunfrud marches on Rome itself, and we have but a single legion with which to face his 30,000 men. On the recommendation of my colleague and with the will of the Senate and people of Rome, we are going to appoint a dictatore seditionis sedandae causa. The choice of which man to appoint was not for me a difficult one. There is here one man who has given much to Rome, and who knows intimately this man Gunfrud. I therefore appoint Titus Longinus Vestinus, Dictator. See to it that Rome comes to no harm." Andronicus waved at the lictors, who bore forth another two curule chairs, to sit above and behind those of the Consuls.

Vestinus spoke. "I thank the Senate and people of Rome for this honour which they have pressed upon me. May Jupiter grant that it bodes well for Rome. If I may, I should like soem few hours to decide whom to appoint as my Master of Horse." This was granted him, and a lictor showed him to the office of Dictator, last occupied by Sulla. In this dusty old room there were many papers. Vestinus summoned his clients. "Clear out these papers", he said. As they took them away, they glanced at them, and saw lists of names from the Proscriptions. "Gaius Iulius Caesar," said Calidus, "who was that?" "Oh I don't know," Falco replied, "some cousin of Andronicus', I think."

"Now," said Vestinus. "Whom shall I name my Master of Horse?"

"How about Falco?" said Quintus.

"Falco?" Vestinus looked surprised.

"Well," said Falco, "I do not consider myself worthy, but -" and launched into a long speech about being too humble, but if called would reluctantly serve and so on.

"No," said Vestinus, unconvinced by Falco's roundabout promotion of himself, "It would not look well to appoint you, too much like nepotism. There may be some other office for you. But for the same reason I cannot of course appoint Antoninus, in any case he's not in the city. Normally nepotism's alright, but it's a bit much for a dictator. And I do not think you ready, you have not ever held public office, after all. Now, who else is there?"

Falco looked disappointed. "Andronicus... but he's already Consul. Obviously not Magnetia, even if he didn't keep losing battles he's not even here. Caesto -"

"Not Caesto," said Quintus quickly.

"Ah no, not Caesto," agreed Vestinus. "Cassius Appius is a possibility. Antoninus' uncle."

"Not him. He is too greedy."

"But the Dictator and Master of Horse have no control over the public treasury."

"He'd find a way."

"Possibly. Then who does that leave?"

"Varro," said Falco. "Why not Varro? He is honest, and has the support of the plebs."

"He's a Tribune of the Plebs. Those are the only officials not subject to the Dictator's authority. He cannot be Master of Horse."

"You could ask him to resign as Tribune of the Plebs, then make him Master of Horse."

"True. There is no precedent, but... a Dictator's powers are unlimited, except for the Treasury. Very well. Send for him."

They went and found Varro while Vestinus caught up on reports of the war. Varro was nervous to be summoned by the Dictator, but they told him not to fear. When Vestinus asked him to resign as Tribune of the Plebs he became angry, but then it was explained that he was to be Master of Horse, and he was content.

"Ride north, save the republic, and my daughter."
Now they conferred as to what to do. Vestinus was of the opinion that Gunfrud came not to sack Rome, but Ostia, the port of Rome. "He has now 30,000 men, and perhaps as many hangers-on. He must feed them, and has winter coming. If he takes Ostia, he has the grain stores there, and more coming from Sicily and Egypt. And then of course Rome will starve. We have too many people to feed, especially with all these refugees from his plundering. So this is my plan. I will raise two new legions, the first to be of all men discharged from the legions in the last ten years, and the second of fresh men. I will take the fresh men and the current legion, the 13th, to Ostia. The re-enlisted veterans I will leave to defend Rome. I will send you north with a messenger to Magnetia. His three legions will come down to Ostia, to surround Gunfrud as he tries to assault the city. While you are up there, I ask you to see to Iulia and Antoninus. They were at their country estate near Ancona, and I fear for their welfare. Ride north, save the Republic, and my daughter."

They saluted, and went out.

On the road
Well-equipped with legionary arms and armour, the three travelled north with Marcus the messenger. All were unused to riding, and only Marcus and Quintus had any experience of it. They ended each day with bruises and blisters and chafing, which were well-soothed by Calidus' ointments. One night Falco was on watch, bundled in his cloak against the cold, and three ragged slaves came up to the campfire. "You are travelling to join Gunfrud, too?" the black-beared Gaulish leader of them asked.

Falco was evasive, questioning them. They were all Gauls, and lately escaped from Ancona. Falco suggested to them that they were better to head home, but the leader said, "No! We must join with Gunfrud! He will sack Rome, and we can be free forever." Falco tried to persuade them that Gunfrud's cause was done, that Rome marched with 50,000 men, but they were unconvinced. Gunfrud seemed to them a demi-god, undefeatable. "Did you not hear how he flew down from the mountain upon Clodius' men, and defeated six times his number? Blessed by the gods, he is!"

At this point one of the escaped slaves noticed Quintus' armour bundled under his spare blanket which he snored on as a pillow. Their eyes darted about to the horses, the boots of those they shared the fire with. They began to edge back. Falco drew back his cloak and called out, waking the others. "In the name of the Senate and people of Rome, hold!" Quintus and Calidus awoke, and Quintus stood with his spear, ready to throw it, calling a terrible war cry. One of the slaves vomited on himself in terror. Falco advanced, sword drawn, "On your knees, slaves!" They complied.

They now debated what to do with the slaves. Falco was in favour of slaying them on the spot, as was proper for escaped slaves. Quintus agreed. But Falco had second thoughts, it seemed it had not the heart to slay begging, terrified men, even if they were slaves. In the end he told them to begone, and they ran into the night, tearfully thanking him for his mercy.

"What orders?"
The messenger and escort went into Perusia, through the camp of despondent and dishevelled legionaries, past the twelve lictors of the Consul with axes on their bundles of rods, and into the tent of Consul Magnetia. They saluted him. "What news from Rome?" he asked. He looked older than his forty years, aged by defeat and dishonour.

"Gunfrud is marching on Ostia, and the Senate has had a dictator appointed as you advised. Andronicus chose Titus Longinus Vestinus, our patron. He has made Varro his Master of Horse."

"Varro? The Tribune of Plebs? Extraordinary. That's not even lawful. I suppose he's changed the law. Well. Let's see the messages."

Marcus stepped forward, "Sir, the Dictator Vestinus asked that you read this first, it is his report of the state of Rome." Magnetia read through it, and looked sadder. "And the next?"

"This one, sir," Marcus looked grave. Magnetia read through it, and sagged like a wineskin being emptied. He looked up at Falco in some surprise with sad eyes. "I see. Vestinus fancies himself a Cincinattus, and me Minitius. What else?"

"The next message, sir, is for Falco." Marcus handed him the scroll, sealed with the seal of the Dictator. He unrolled it, and read it out.

"I have removed Magnetia as Consul, as he needs to learn to be a Legate first. I name you, Primus Fabius Falco, as commander of these three legions. As soon as you think practicable, take such men as can march and make for Ostia, there to catch Gunfrud in his rear and crush him between us."

Magnetia removed himself from his curule chair and pushed it aside. "You are not Consul, only General. Remember that."

Falco stood stunned and overwhelmed, his ambitions being fulfilled too quickly for him.

"Well, General," Legate Magnetia said with sarcasm in his voice. "What orders?"

Plans made, and things discovered
After recovering from his shock, Falco began discussing his course of his action with his associates. Magnetia informed him that the first defeat before Cremona was his fault, he had underestimated Gunfrud's men and gone too far forward, falling into a trap like Varro at Trasimene. But the second defeat here at Perusia he blamed on the cowardice of the 9th, they had broken and fled.

"What do you recommend to recover their morale?"

"Decimation. Call them out, and have them kill every tenth man."

"Won't that hurt their morale?"

"Well, they won't be happy, but it'll harden their resolve. An army should fear its commander more than they fear their enemy."

"You didn't do this."

"No use doing it if we're sitting in camp."

They made a roll call. The 9th was at half-strength with 2,250 men, the 10th and 11th each had 3,000. There were another 1,500 men who were wounded but might, given time, be able to fight, and another 500 men who would perish no matter what.

"Perhaps," said General Falco, "we should slay all the wounded men, and march immediately."

"That would indeed be a bold act," said Quintus, "and focus the men. Or make them mutiny, hard to say."

"Hmmm."

"But first you must make the men swear allegiance to you. Remember they do not swear to the republic, but to their commander. You cannot order them anything now."

"Well, let us wait a day or two. In the meantime, take a squadron of cavalry and ride to the east to Ancona, discover the fate of Antoninus and Iulia."

Fist was clapped to chest and came out in salute. "Sir!" Quintus turned and marched off.

A day or two of idle time passed while Falco consulted with Magnetia and the legions' legates, especially that of the 9th, Pulcher. The men became restless, uncertain who was leading them or what was happening. Falco tried to arrange accomodation for the wounded men in Perusia. He sent Calidus as his emissary, perhaps forgetting Calidus' experiences as an emissary with Antoninus. Calidus met with the city fathers, and gravely offended them by beginning with a threat: "If you do not allow his men to be quartered here, General Falco is willing to have you all put to the sword." Naturally they refused an accomodation, and Falco was hurriedly advised by Magnetia that in fact only a Dictator had such authority. The city fathers said that if theyr eceived an order from the Dictator, then of course they would accomodate the men. "Until then," they said, "do not bring men under arms into our city."

Falco then discussed with Magnetia the possibility of butchering all the senior officers, as an example to the men. Magnetia was horrified. "Never has this been done!"

"What about decimation?"

"For the troops, yes. But never for the officers. Relieve them of command, certainly, but you cannot simply kill them all."

"It's within my powers as General."

"Technically... perhaps. But then who would be officers in their place? What sort of men would volunteer?"

"Troublesome city fathers, wounded men, useless officers - by Mars' bloody sword, can't I kill anyone?"

"You can kill every tenth man. But I believe the Dictator would most like you to kill the enemy."

On the third day Quintus returned, reporting that Antoninus' estate was looted and burned, but that an old slave still there had told him Gunfrud's men had come through, and taken Iulia and Antoninus hostage, and their children, too. Antoninus had only gone after being clubbed to the ground unconscious.

"Summon the men," said Falco. "Now we know what we must do."

Grand speech & indecision
"Soldiers of Rome! Citizens!" Falco's voice boomed out to the 8,250 men assembled. "You have suffered defeat. But now Rome stands undefended. Your families, your friends, your people - undefended before mere serviles! Magnetia has... been relieved of his command, and I appointed in his place. I will march and fight! Who is with me? Who will swear allegiance to Primus Fabius Falco?" A ragged cheer went up, and they swore. Now Falco called the three Legates forth, and had them personally swear allegiance.

"Flavius Pulcher, give me your sword." Pulcher, Legate of the 9th, looking about himself nervously, drew it and handed it hilt-first to Falco. Falco looked at it, considered slaying Pulcher on the spot, and handed it back, blade first. "In other times, men who led other men to defeat fell upon their swords. Consider that."

"It was not my fault," Pulcher said. "The men broke. I recommend decimation."

"Two hundred and twenty-five men to be slain. Perhaps the first fifty by you?"

"What? The men slay each-other, that is how it's done. Officers don't get their hands dirty with such things."

"Hmmm." Falco stopped for a moment, uncertain, then went on. "Did you hear that, men? Your commander blames you for his failure! He wants you to be decimated!" Jeers rang out. "Pulcher, I am removing you from command, and putting Lucius Maellius Quintus, veteran officer of the Civil War, in your place." He turned to his associates. "Quintus!"

Quintus saluted. "Sir!"

"Take your place with your men."

"Sir!" Quintus reached and took Pulcher's legate's helm from his head, turned and marched off, thinking, "he gives me the legion that broke, marvellous."