The Mad Tycoon of Rome

< 253. Revolution 4 >

Marcus could feel the firm support of the citizens for himself.

This was not a simple level of trust for a promising politician.

The eyes of the Roman citizens who looked at Marcus were now close to worship.

Although he had deliberately induced this to happen, it went as planned without any hitch.

Of course, this was possible because the things that Marcus had done so far were worth it.

It also worked positively that he had kept his distance when the political fight was fierce.

While the senators were fighting over factions, Marcus quietly worked for the benefit of Rome and its citizens.

He had secretly mobilized the opportunists to shape public opinion in order to implant this perception.

Caesar had agreed with Marcus on most issues, but there was only one time when the two did not agree.

Caesar was planning to use the existing title of dictator to push for reforms more actively.

But Marcus strongly opposed using this title.

“The name of dictator itself is a problem. We should not use any word that implies dictatorship, domination, or oppression for our office.”

“But dictator is a legitimate office that has existed in Rome since ancient times. It is obvious that we are in a chaotic emergency situation, so the Senate will not oppose it.”

“We have to go beyond the Senate’s opposition and make them voluntarily give up their power. Of course, even then, the title of dictator is not acceptable. We should rather create a new name that has never existed before.”

Marcus had insisted on the triumvirate for the same reason.

Just by giving the nuance that power was divided into three, the perception of dictatorship would naturally fade.

Even the consuls were two, so the power split into three did not seem so powerful.

Caesar, who understood his intention, scrapped his plan to become a dictator.

He naturally refused all kinds of medals that the Senate wanted to give him.

“I will make it clear here for your confusion. I, Gaius Julius Caesar, declare that I have no intention of becoming a dictator. Rome always values ​​the balance and check of power. I swear by Jupiter that I will continue to cooperate with Marcus Mesopotamia and lead Rome in a way that everyone can coexist.”

Caesar’s oath, which he borrowed from the name of God in front of all the senators, was soon published in Porus Romano.

The news that he refused not only dictator but also imperator was also reported.

The populists urged him not to do so and to become a dictator for a month and end the emergency situation quickly, but Caesar’s answer was always the same.

“You don’t have to be a dictator to solve problems according to procedures.”

The Senate accepted Caesar’s change positively.

Even Cato praised Caesar for being a little more mature after experiencing the risk of assassination once.

But since Marcus and Caesar were on the same side from the beginning, following legal procedures meant nothing.

The influential people of Sosius who entered the Senate as new senators were also their subordinates without exception.

Moreover, the hard-line aristocrats had already been swept away, and the remaining ones had no choice but to watch out, so naturally there were no more people who opposed them.

The only remaining critic was Cato.

The problem was that Cato’s influence was visibly diminishing day by day and he could not effectively check them.

This was largely due to Cicero’s letter from Alexandria where he fled.

Cicero sent letters incessantly to his aristocratic friends, undermining Cato’s reputation.

He subtly revealed that it was Cato, not Brutus, who instigated the assassins who assassinated Caesar.

If Cato had been a friendly person, he would have been caught quickly, but unfortunately Cato was not such a person.

He was originally a person who did not attract fish because he was too clear water.

It was difficult for him to exert great influence on the outside without Cicero adjusting him from the side.

But now that Cicero himself launched a meticulous underwater offensive, he naturally became isolated.

Of course, there were some senators who shared his will, but they were nothing but minorities in the Senate where the number of seats had already increased.

The claim that Caesar dreamed of dictatorship did not work at all, and rather served to highlight Caesar.

On the other hand, Marcus began to work on coloring Rome completely in his color.

First of all, he started with a major improvement in appearance that citizens could see with their eyes.

A large-scale project began to replace everything from bricks to old marbles.

The old temples regained their shining colors, and the squares and gardens became more beautiful.

The facilities of public baths also changed to more sophisticated ones.

Egyptian furniture that drew people’s admiration came in large quantities and Greek sculptures were appropriately displayed.

New books that pursued only fun were added to public libraries open to citizens, and the number of competitions held at stadiums increased by 1.5 times.

The huge budget spent on this was entirely from Marcus’ personal funds.

Marcus’ wealth, which had completely dominated the gold rights of the East, had long surpassed the level that people could estimate.

In this way, Marcus and Caesar eroded Rome from inside and outside the Senate.

This clever move was so flawless that even Caesar, an ally, stuck out his tongue.

“What are you going to do after you have everything in your hands? It doesn’t seem like you want to dissolve the Senate.”

“In fact, we don’t need any fancy authority to lead Rome. As long as we have a system in place, that’s more than half the work done. We only need to have control over the treasury, the army, and the veto power. With these three things, we can manipulate everything in Rome.”

They had already secured the treasury long ago, and Marcus and Caesar could move any legion in Rome as they pleased.

Marcus had one more plan in mind.

He wanted to change the military system of Rome more efficiently and gain complete control over the army.

He had already chosen suitable sites in Rome and Syria and started construction. 

He planned to reveal the results by next year at the latest.

“So you’re going to cut off the fat and take only the core.”

“And then I’m going to tame the Senate slowly. They will become a dependent group that can’t do anything without us. Then, even if we want to step back, they won’t let us go.”

Marcus’s prediction was spot on.

Less than six months after various reforms were implemented, people realized that this was an unprecedented golden age in Roman history.

Even the Senate had no complaints.

Caesar did not take away any more power from the Senate, and Marcus still actively represented the rights of the Senate.

At least it looked like the Senate did not lose their authority.

Illegal and unlawful acts were strictly punished, but there was no need to accumulate wealth by doing such things.

Rome was so prosperous that it was incomparable to before, so they could enjoy a richer life just by staying still.

Knowing this atmosphere, Caesar summoned the Senate on the twelfth day of October and made a bombshell announcement.

“Rome is growing day by day. The threats from outside are gone and the inside is stable. There are no longer those who commit crimes with misguided justice like those poor assassins.

Fear and chaos are gone, and Rome will only walk the path of glory from now on. So I think it’s time for me to give up my power.

I will give up all my authority except for the governor of Gaul and use my remaining strength to fully Romanize Gaul.

After achieving my goal, I will return to Rome and live quietly as a citizen. This is something that Marcus and I have agreed on, and Marcus has promised me that he will make the same decision as me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a huge commotion broke out in the Senate.

“What are you talking about! No, Caesar! You can’t do that!”

A buzzing sound like a swarm of bees rose from all directions.

“Great Caesar! How can we do anything without you at the center?”

“Marcus can’t step back either. At least one of you has to protect the Senate!”

The populist senators who wished for peace almost jumped forward and screamed.

Even those who were classified as moderate aristocrats were no exception.

They ran to Marcus, who was sitting in the back, and begged him to withdraw his decision.

“Marcus, it’s over for the Senate if you step back! You have to keep protecting us!”

“Please continue to protect Rome with your hands. We beg you!”

When Caesar shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn’t help it, Piso looked around the Senate and shouted.

“Rome needs Caesar and Marcus. We want to take this opportunity to make this a law in the name of the Senate and confirm it firmly. Is there any senator who opposes?”

“Agree, agree!”

“Let’s vote right now!”

This farce lasted for over an hour.

Caesar and Marcus pleaded that they were exhausted and wanted to retire, and the Senate refused adamantly.

The populists were already a group that couldn’t even decide what to do without Caesar, and the aristocrats were not much different.

Above all, they feared that there might be a problem with the supply of money coming from the east if Marcus stepped back.

They didn’t even want to imagine such a future.

Even Cato left a word that it was premature for Marcus to step back.

He would have raised both hands in agreement if only Caesar stepped back, but he judged that it would be a disaster for Rome if both of them disappeared.

Three days later, the Senate gathered again and brought a bill that forbade Caesar and Marcus from stepping down.

Fabius, the consul, declared solemnly.

“Rome will always need your dedication. Therefore, we, the Senate, hope that you will continue to maintain your current authority and work hard for the Senate and the citizens of Rome.

As long as you two are healthy, the Republic will always prosper and the voices of happy citizens will never cease.

Therefore, we propose a bill that grants you two the authority of the consul and the tribune of the people permanently. We hope that you will continue to devote yourselves for the glory of the Republic.”

What kind of objection was needed for this?

Caesar nodded his head as if he had given up.

“I accept this honor that is too much for me.”

Marcus also smiled bitterly and accepted the badge that the Senate handed him.

“I feel the heavy responsibility on my shoulders. I will dedicate my life for the prosperity of the Republic.”

Soon, thunderous cheers and applause filled the Senate.

The senators congratulated themselves for holding on to Caesar and Marcus who wanted to step back.

In the endless praise, they sincerely believed that this glorious future of the Republic would continue.

But in fact, no one would call this form of government a republic.

There were no senators who were aware of this huge contradiction yet.

< 253. Revolution 4 > End