Vespasian: Tribune of Rome by Robert Fabbri

showed signs of make-up, rouge on the cheeks and kohl around the eyes. It was framed by a series of carefully tonged brown curls that covered his ears and forehead. On his feet, which seemed far too small for his body, he wore a delicate little pair of red leather slippers. Vespasian had never seen anyone so outlandish in his life and had to fight to suppress a gasp.
    Gaius came forward and embraced his sister. Despite her distaste for his lifestyle and obvious surprise at his size, she seemed genuinely pleased to see her brother and submitted to his affectionate greeting.
    ‘Gaius, it has been too long,’ she said as he released her from the folds of his body. ‘I trust that we find you well.’
    ‘Never better, never better,’ he replied, taking Titus’ arm in a firm grip. ‘You’re looking well, my friend; the country air must suit you. Is that why you don’t come to Rome more often? Well, you’re here now and it will be my pleasure to offer you all hospitality. Now, Sabinus, it’s been four years since you were here and it must be ten years since I last saw Vespasian.’
    The brothers stepped forward and bowed their heads to their uncle, who put a hand on each of their shoulders and looked them up and down. ‘Fine boys, Titus, fine boys, you must be very proud. Sabinus, I look forward to hearing about your military service. I’m sure that it was the making of you.’
    ‘Indeed it was, Uncle,’ Sabinus replied. ‘And now I wish for a junior magistrate’s position.’
    ‘Of course you do, and you shall have it, my boy, you shall.’ Gaius turned to Vespasian. ‘And what does the younger brother want, eh?’
    ‘To try to serve Rome and my family,’ he replied.
    ‘Well said, my boy, you’ll go far with that attitude.’ Gaius squeezed Vespasian’s arm. ‘But in what capacity first, eh? The army?’
    ‘Yes, Uncle, like Sabinus, as a military tribune.’
    ‘Excellent. I’m sure that can be arranged, I still have connections with the two legions in which I served.’ Gaius saw Vespasian’s eyes widen in disbelief, and laughed. ‘Oh, dear boy, do you think that I was this size all my life?’
    Vespasian reddened, mortified that his thoughts had been read.
    ‘No, I was once as fit as you two, as your mother will confirm. I choose to be this way now; or rather I choose the good life that makes me this way. Rome now has an emperor who tolerates lifestyles like mine, unlike his predecessor, the divine Augustus, who was a prude who led an austere life and expected everyone else to do so too. The gods bless Tiberius for allowing me to indulge myself and to be fat and happy.’ He smiled at Vespasian. ‘Well, let us hope that I can be of service in promoting your careers in this fine city of ours. That is after all what you are here for, eh, boys?’ Gaius chuckled.
    ‘Yes, Uncle, thank you,’ the brothers said in unison.
    ‘No, no, don’t thank me yet, I haven’t done anything. Wait until you have just cause, then I trust that you’ll find a way to thank me,’ Gaius said, turning back to his sister. ‘Now, Vespasia, I’ll have you shown to your rooms, then I’m sure that you would all appreciate a bath and a change of clothes after your journey; I have a set of very excellent baths here, unless of course you would prefer to go to the public ones?’
    ‘No, Gaius, we would be most happy to use yours,’ Vespasia replied.
    ‘As you will. I shall have them brought up to temperature immediately.’
    He clapped his hands and four house slaves appeared from the corner of the room. They were all youths in their early teens with long blond hair down to their shoulders. They wore bright red tunics that seemed very short to Vespasian’s eye.
    ‘These boys will show you to your accommodation,’ Gaius said. He looked apologetically at his sister. ‘I’m afraid, Vespasia, that there is a shortage of female slaves in this household. I trust that you have brought your own.’
    ‘Indeed, brother, they