Recovered letters, records, and correspondence from the archives of Vibius Brutus the Wrathful, Paterfamilias of the Brutii

Please make the family estate ready for my arrival in Tarentum. I plan on leaving Rome within the week. As expected, it has been a mindless waste of time shaking hands, hugging, and accepting the condolences of a hundred or so old men who would rather my father had died younger or his armies had failed in Greece. Rome does not suit my tastes. These senators leave a bad taste in my mouth as I consider their hypocrisy and falsehood. You and I know they distrusted father, just as they distrust me and the rest of our family. I find myself rather angry with these old men. Even those younger senators are against us. If possible, I pray I am only called to Rome infrequently during my tenure. The gods know I wish to return to my family and administration in Tarentum. It seems my lot in life to push paperwork and juggle denarii and government from afar. Fate is cruel, Napoleus. Do alert my councilors that we shall convene within a day's time upon my arrival. There are many matters to consider now that I am paterfamilias. The gods show their favor to you. Look for me on the fifth day-to the east.

--signed,

Vibius Brutus

Good health to you and to your father. I write to you requesting reinforcements for the city of Salona. I trust you are aware of the presence of two small Gallic armies here in Dalmatia. My son Oppius is away in Syracuse on campaign for Vibius. I am under siege here with only two small centuries of town watch militia. As you can imagine, they're peasants with cheap, thin shields of bronze and inferior weaponry. There is no fear that the city will fall to these barbarians, for they lack sufficient numbers to surround the city, much less the sophistication to construct siege machines. I do request the dispatch north of any spare units of infantry or light missile troops you might have at Apollonia. I suggest linking them up with Captain Tiberius' relief force marching up from Thermon. I've sent a similar appeal to Segestica and with the blessing of Mars, we should be able to trap the Gauls outside Salona and slaughter them.

Finally, although it is not my place to comment, I hear rumors here at Salona of the court life at Apollonia. I fear you may be accepting too much Greek influence, especially in your family and social life. I strongly recommend you bring your wife to heel before she causes you grief. A Roman household must be kept in good order and the family must be taught proper rules for acceptable behavior. With that being said, I am not your father, and I offer you only advice. Please do send reinforcements as quickly as possible. His Excellency will most likely issue you a similar directive, perhaps even as you read this letter. May the gods smile on you, nephew.

--signed,

Aulus Brutus
Governor of Salona

I again extend congratulations on your appointment as head of our family. I hope to serve with the same grace and favor that my dear father does. I also wish to thank you for my appointment as Governor of Rhodes. The port city is truly magnificent with all the commerce we receive from the great cities of Antioch, Tarsus, and even Alexandria.

I think it best for our commercial interests if we divert the trade fleets from the lands of Egypt and the Seleucids through Rhodes before dispersing their cargoes throughout our domains. Pirates and enemy fleets are still powerful in the waters of the eastern Mare Internum. Until we can obtain powerful naval allies or build our own fleets to secure the great sea, I hope this secondary solution will be beneficial to our interests. Good health, uncle!

--signed,

Titus Brutus
Governor of Rhodes

I trust you are in good health. I am not very well informed here at Rhodes, which I blame on the distance. Some have suggested to me that I am left intentionally ignorant of certain matters, but I imagine that is nonsense. To the point, father, I am not sure where Uncle Vibius is and I would like to forward some comments to him. Correspondence is always slower out here in Rhodes, and last I heard Vibius was moving north on the Via Illyria from Apollonia. If this reaches you after Vibius has passed through, I ask that you forward it to him, father. I am in your eternal debt.

Kindly inform His Excellency of my apologies for the tardiness of the last couple shipments of tax and trade revenues. Various bureaucrats in my administration have held up affairs here at the port and I am having difficulties of every conceivable sort here. I managed to scrape together a quarter-payment for the shipment due in Februarius. I have sent for some experts from Alexandria to help reorganize the family trade houses here. I have also employed a tax farming specialist who has performed wonders.

Unfortunately, bad weather has forced many ships to seek other harbors and we have had some civil problems. I've recruited some additional soldiers to help keep order here, but of course, they require more money. I also fear some of our trade agents may be cheating my government of revenue and I am investigating this scandal. The administrative costs here on the island are just extraordinary, Your Excellency, and I ask for a reprieve during the coming winter season. I do not entirely trust these Rhodesians, and I suspect many Greek sympathizers exist in my colony here. Security costs are exorbitant! Good health and victory to Your Excellency on campaign!

--signed,

Titus Brutus
Governor of Rhodes

How is the weather in Corduba? I trust you are in good health. His Excellency will be sending over to you a small fortune in gold, silver, and silks to help pave the way for future relations with the Spanish. His Excellency is quite impressed by the size and presence of the Spanish navies throughout the Mare Internum. It should also be noted that the Spanish share a common border with our primary enemy, the Gauls.

Caius, we may need you to return to Rome to do some diplomatic hugging and kissing. Two months ago we had a delegation from the Senate visit the army camp here outside Salona. It was a group of Scipii senators from Sicilia. Unfortunately, they weren't sufficiently polite during their audience with His Excellency. They had inferred august Tiberius had been a little too ambitious with his war against Greece. As you can imagine, this provoked an intense rage by His Excellency. As I recall, some pottery was smashed and His Excellency had drawn his sword in the presence of the senatorial delegation. His language had been unbelievable and the senators were all cowering with heads lowered by the end of the audience. I had to intervene to prevent further damage and assure the senators that His Excellency meant no harm.

His Excellency is intolerant of any hint of scandal, unworthy ambition, or treason when it comes to his father. I tend to agree with His Excellency, since I knew Tiberius well enough as I served in young Vibius' household. August Tiberius was simply carrying out the Senate's policy of war with the Greeks and he happened to be rather successful when it came to the waging of the war. The senators had impugned the honor of the Brutii family and that is something His Excellency is most touchy about. So, in any case, I trust you can do a little shoulder patting during your visit to Rome and try to bring some peace to the Scipii senators from Sicilia. The last thing we need right now is acrimony between Rome and Tarentum. May the gods smile upon you, now and always, Caius!

--signed,

Napoleus,
Chief Secretary

V Februarius
Army decamped and began forced march around the northern side of the city. Two companies of Dacians surprised in the woods. They put up stiff, but brief resistance before breaking and disappearing into the forest. Reports coming in that the Dacian king, Vezina the Bloody-handed has arrived outside the city with a strong force.

IX Februarius
Large skirmish outside camp with sizable Dacian force. A few prisoners were taken, but they are of no value to us. Supplies are very difficult to obtain here in the wilderness of the eastern frontier. We are almost completely dependent on the supply trains that snake across the steppes from Dalmatia. Our treasury is also almost always empty, since there is so little money, much less treasure or valuables, to be had here. The paterfamilias is frequently in contact with us, and weekly we receive bundles of dispatches and correspondence from His Excellency.

XII Februarius
In the forested hills outside Campus Iazyges, we were attacked by King Vezina and the combined armies of Dacia, several hundred strong. Most of our mercenary units suffered terrible casualties, absorbing the barbarian charges. At least four hundred of the Dacians were killed, including King Vezina. His body was tied to a tree by the northern road. With little effort the village fell to our army. On His Excellency's orders, the entire population was put to the sword. My count after the bodies were collected and burned is about six and a half thousand. In addition to all the men lost at Aquinicum and our subsequent battles, I estimate at least ten thousand Dacians have been killed.

My stint here in Rome has come to an end, my dear secretary. It is hard to believe from Rhodes, but Rome really is the center of the civilized world. I have never seen so much gold or silver or silk in my life. The amount of shipping in the Mare Tuscanum is incredible to behold, Marcus. Yet, for the immense amount of treasure within this city, there is a substantial mass of beggars and poor people crowding the streets and alleys. Most of the money circulates around the inner circles of the senate and the assembly.

I will be returning within six weeks time, assuming good weather and no delays on the voyage home. A week ago, I sent most of my earnings ahead of me on a grain ship bound for Cyprus. As soon as the ship docks, make sure you have your men take care of the crates and jars marked with the official Brutii seal. The ship's captain will personally be watching over several chests of denarii. It's rather difficult to get large amounts of coins out of Rome's walls, much less out to Rhodos. The money is to be divided in the following manner: I would like to see 500 denarii paid out to the port fund; another 500 is to be sent to the garrison legate; 500 is to be taken directly to my treasury in the palace; 300 will go to the trade house charity; 250 for port repair; 200 for our treasurer; 150 to your estate; and finally, 100 to my son's teacher. Two of the crates in the ship's hold are marked with an "X" in addition to the family seal. That money is to be invested in our government's farming development project. The crate marked "M" is for my personal treasury. The silks are to be sent to the Brutii trade house and distributed amongst the guards and inspectors there. Lastly, there is a crate with an "I" stamped on. That is to be given to Vibius' revenues agent at his estate east of Rhodes. I trust all parties will be satisfied with the arrangements I have made.

--signed,

Titus Brutus
Quaestor, Governor of Rhodes

I trust you are in good health. Forward my compliments to brother Aulus and to your son Sextus. I regret there is little of interest to report to Your Excellency. The eastern steppes have proven every bit the disappointment I feared when I first took Aquincum. I thank you, brother, for the opportunity to continue serving in the armies of the Brutii family at the front, as I did under father. With all due respect, I must be quite frank with you, brother. I must protest again my role in the campaigns of our family abroad.

Dear brother, you know I trust your judgment. Father trusted you, and I have always accepted your headship of the family. That being said, the campaign in the east has taken a sad toll on me. I spent the first half of my life as a general fighting the Greeks in Dalmatia, in the south, and even on the island of Rhodes. When you became paterfamilias, I expected orders to invade Lycia, as father had suggested before he passed on. My army and I were recalled to Dalmatia, however, where I spent some time securing the Via Illyria from brigands and rebels. I assumed I was going to be given a fresh army and sent back to finish the task father began those many years ago.

Dacia? Ever since that war began, I have been frustrated, Vibius. I mean no disrespect brother, but I do not belong in Dacia. Yes, I have scored a dozen major victories and taken Aquincum, Campus Iazyges, Porrolisum, and now have just taken Vicus Venedae. I cannot even pronounce the names of the cities I have taken! Also understand I call them "cities" only in the very loosest of senses. These are really nothing more than piles of wood thrown together with a wall of sticks around them. And these barbarians! Gods, I cannot begin to explain, Vibius, how disgusted I am at having to kill so many of these cattle. My blade is dull and rusty because I have cloven so many of these animals. All these thousands that my army and I have slain in the wilds of the east--they're naked savages--who speak an alien, garbled tongue. There is not one redeeming value of these lands to the east, save perhaps timber for our fleets. It's hardly worth the trouble of looting their shacks, as you are well aware. The treasures I send back to you don't even pay for half the mercenaries I've had to hire to replace my casualties.

Your Excellency, Vibius, brother, I want to fight civilized men! [Fierce underlining of civilized in the letter] Gods, I'm tired of these Dacians-these naked animals. I'm tired of piling up their dead and burning them. I want to face off against armored hoplites--against a phalanx. Worthy opponents of my genius, to the arms of my soldiers! All I'm doing is piling up carrion for the wolves that are more numerous than civilized men out here in the east. I'm weary of seeing the same old flat, grassy plains stretching to the horizons; I'm tired of the endless, thick forests of green trees. Surely there is some petty general who can be sent to relieve me.

Vibius, brother, I don't want to die here. The gods only know, but I fear every day that at one of these skirmishes some fated barbarian will land a lucky blow upon my horse or I and then I will enter the after life. I do not want to die in this wilderness! [more underlining] I am an old man. Please, brother, if nothing else at least recall me to retirement in Apulia on our family estates. Any centurion could handle my job right now: slaughtering cattle. I wish to fight civilized soldiers, not animals. Remember, I remain loyally your servant until death. Blessings to Sextus and to you, dear brother!

--signed,

Amulius Brutus

Long let the memory of Vibius be kindled in your hearts and minds, people of Rome! Vibius brought unending glory to the name of august Tiberius, the Brutii Family, and the people of Rome. Let statues be raised in commemoration of the honor rendered unto Rome by His Excellency, Senator Vibius, Paterfamilias of the Brutii, Governor of Tarentum, and Commander of the Eastern Legions!

Vibius who, while still young, took the reins of power in the Brutii family and continued his father's-and the Senate's-war with the Greeks. It was under Vibius that hated Syracuse fell to Roman arms and Cornelius was avenged! It was under Vibius that the Greek fleets were crushed and driven from the Mare Internum!

When Fate offered the east to Vibius, he grasped his destiny as a captain at his ship's helm! Through the brilliant governance and direction of Vibius from Tarentum, Amulius the Infantryman was able to bring Dacia to its knees! Aquincum, Campus Iazyges, Vicus Venedae, and Porrolissum were all conquered. Civilization was extended from Rome to the wilderness of Pripet and beyond. The numbers of people who answer to our brave Roman governors and legates have multiplied ten-fold!

Our armies were strengthened and our garrisons put on war footing. The Brutii fleets were reinforced and expeditions prepared for finishing off Greece and extending Roman power into Asia itself! Vibius' hands stretched from Rhodes to Syracuse, from Laconia to Pripet! The treasury he amassed dwarfed the war chest left by august Tiberius! Who can criticize Vibius' administration? Have any of the other great families paid so much treasure into Rome and asked so little in return? Name a family that has sacrificed as much as the Brutii under Vibius!

Also do not forget the diplomacy of Vibius. It was Vibius who brought the Brutii into alliance with the people of Spain! With the aide of the immense Spanish navy, the Mare Internum was pacified and our trade fleets protected. Our treasury mushroomed with the boom in trade and our prosperity became exponential. Vibius even secured for us trading rights with Scythia to benefit our new eastern domains. Another alliance was founded with the tribes of Germania to the north. Peace was maintained with Macedon on our Greek frontier. We have enjoyed tranquility throughout our lands because of Vibius! Honor his memory, my fellow Romans. Teach your children to honor his memory. Ave, Vibius! Ave, Rome!

--to be signed in the name of,

Sextus Brutus

--by order of the Chief Secretary,

Alexander, in Vibius' name.

Remember to always honor the memory of your august father. He was a great man who did great things. He burned with undying ambition to see the Brutii family supreme in the Mare Internum and the greatest of the Roman families. Please ensure the previous proclamation forwarded to you is published in Rome and throughout the provinces. A good show should be made of Vibius' life and career, for it suits the purposes of the family.

That being the case, I regret to inform you of some of the realities regarding the family and affairs of state as they stood at the death of your father. Most of this you would find out for yourself soon enough, but I was instructed to send the details via secret dispatch to save you precious time. What Rome doesn't know is what makes Rome Roman. [underlined]

The armies Vibius left to you are actually only four hundred stronger than the ones he inherited, and most of that new strength is simply beefed up garrisons in Greece and the mercenary cohorts serving in the east. The navy has more ships than when Tiberius was paterfamilias, but we have fewer personnel serving those ships because of casualties sustained chasing the last elements of the Greeks out of the Mare Adriaticum.

Neither have the wars gone as well as Vibius intended them too. Gaul defied Vibius personally on several occasions and both Venetia and Noricum remain Gallic. The Dacian War was not desired by Vibius, but it came upon him and he was forced to pursue it to the end. Amulius and the Army of the Victor have been sadly whittled away in the east slaughtering barbarians. They keep recruiting mercenaries, but these are expensive and ultimately are inferior to solid Roman reinforcements. In addition, these conquests, although adding immensely to our domains, have done little to alleviate the expenses of the campaign.

The treasury is one thing you should not have to be overly concerned with. Our Greek cities are flourishing and we reap immense trading income, even after Titus and Rome take their cuts. Vibius has left you a substantial war chest in Tarentum to use at your discretion. Vibius trusts your judgment as his eldest child and paterfamilias. You will do well, and your name will be echoed louder and longer than even Vibius' name.

His Excellency's closing thoughts were for you to prepare for war with Macedon. This is inevitable, although you may want to delay until the plague passes. Gaul must be brought to heel for its long-standing insolence and because it is a nuisance to Dalmatia. Dacia is all but destroyed, so there should be little resistance left in the east. Vibius would wish to see more Romans serving in the army ranks.

Finally, Sextus, do not trust Rome. They will likely continue showering your family with titles, monies, fame, and fortune-but do not trust them! Your duties will require you to play Rome's games, but you must keep yourself aloof from the petty squabbles that infect the senate and the assembly. You are a Roman, but you are also a Brutus. Your loyalty is due to your family first and foremost. You will not fail.

--signed in Vibius' name,

Alexander
Chief Secretary