Vercingetorix

Chapter 2

Six Years Earlier

 Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus (Pompey) and Julia Caesaris (Caesars Daughter) lay together on a large cushioned curule. The bench-like seat easily accommodated both of them. Pompey was, as most Italians, a short and stocky man. His mind, however, was far from average.

 Though he had achieved some clout from stolen glories, his military resume was lavish with triumphs of his own as well as bountiful pursuits for Rome.  And while he did not carry the wealth of Crassus or the prestige of Caesar, there was not a heart in the Roman Empire that would dare stand against him.

Julia was considered to be beautiful even among the fairest of the royalty. What was not such common knowledge was she had a darker persuasion about her. Having such a venerated and fierce father had not been lost on her. Once as a child she had feigned illness and accused a servant who had deprived her of swimming for a day of poisoning her. It was to be the first of many to be deviously removed by her subtle hand and cunning demeanor. It was not her beauty alone that so excited Pompey.

Together they had become easily the most discussed couple in the entire republic, and it was not often flattery. A man who openly infatuated excessively with his loved one was seen as docile and indolent, two things Pompey could not necessarily dispute in his latter months. Such things were currently lost on him.

The royal couple was enjoying a performance of acrobatics by some Numidian nomads. They were four in total and for about an hour now they had done a variety of acts. Throwing each other into the air for heightened backflips and spins, always landing on their feet. Climbing on top of each other until they could reach the top of the roof running along the villa, and then one by one climbing up one another until all four had successfully stood and bowed at the top.

There was about twelve or so other prominent individuals Pompey had invited amongst the spectators, and they had let out a great applause at this. The Numidians proceeded to scale one another back down to the floor until they stood in front of the couple once more.

“Oh, my Pompy, “ Julia said. “How do they do such things? I am sure you know their secrets.”

“Secrets?” Pompey answered. “The same force propels them as any other foreign man.” He turned to Julia and a small grin crossed over his lips. “Roman gold.”

He produced a small shiny gold coin that had been quite recently pressed. On its back was the standard of the tenth legions and the front side his face. He flicked it towards the Numidian’s and a small boy who had been standing to the side quickly ran over and grabbed it.

Seeing this, the three men who had been standing at shoulder length now spaced out a few feet from each other. The man who had been jumping over them stopped for a moment and began stretching his legs, preparing himself for the great feat now before him.

Pompey had seen this display many times throughout his campaigns, but he knew it to be Julia’s first and he feigned anticipation that easily matched her own. Unlike many politically arranged marriages, Pompey truly adored his wife.

“Oh, Pompy!” Julia was sitting up in the chair now and making small clapping motions with her hands, her eyes locked on to the man now preparing to make his jump. Pompey’s eyes were running up and down her exposed back and across her neckline.

The small Numidian man lunged upwards from a crouched position and hurdled towards the three man line equaling at least a 10 by 6 obstacle. Julia let out a little cry of excitement as he reached the edge of his jump. He cleared them as easily as he had done the others and after he had landed, properly bowed to the Roman couple. They politely gestured back and Pompey threw another piece of gold.