Chapter 100: Rome and Pharaoh Crassus had followed the instructions in Marcus's letter and made the necessary preparations to receive Auletes with courtesy.
Although the Roman Senate had not yet taken an official position, they had agreed to welcome Auletes as a guest of state for the time being.
Lictors—officials responsible for ceremonial duties—were dispatched to greet Auletes at the port of Ostia. When he finally entered the walls of Rome, the current praetor personally came out to meet him.
Once the decision was made to accept him, the proper formalities had to be observed. This was not only for Auletes but also to uphold the dignity of Rome. Naturally, there was no grand ceremony, as the welcome was more a matter of protocol than celebration.
Auletes, more concerned about the outcome of his fate than the reception, was hardly in the mood for a lavish ceremony. His arrival as a king had been humbling; he had escaped in such haste that he could not bring with him any symbols of his former royal status. With fewer than ten guards accompanying him, even a tribal leader from Gaul would have had a more elaborate procession.
The Senate, eager to pass the responsibility onto someone else, handed Auletes over to Crassus without hesitation.
Although Crassus was an able politician, his skill did not match Marcus's. Still, he showed no sign of being burdened by the task and greeted Auletes warmly.
"You must have had a difficult journey from Alexandria. I was worried, but I'm relieved to see you in good health," Crassus said kindly in Macedonian.
The Ptolemaic pharaohs, including Auletes, were of Macedonian descent, so they naturally spoke Macedonian rather than Egyptian. Fortunately, Crassus spoke perfect Macedonian, allowing the two to converse without the need for an interpreter.
"Thank you for your kind hospitality. I was truly impressed by Marcus Crassus when he came as an envoy last time. He is quite a remarkable person. And now I see where he got his talent," Auletes replied.
"You flatter me. I'm simply grateful to the gods for blessing me with such a son, one who exceeds my own abilities," Crassus said with a modest laugh.
"You are too modest for the head of the richest family in Rome. Your reputation is known even in Alexandria," Auletes remarked.
Crassus chuckled. "I was fortunate to gain wealth and fame, but let's go inside and talk more."
Auletes followed Crassus into his mansion, where he was shown to the reception room. His escorts were told to wait outside in the courtyard while only the two of them entered.
Crassus had already prepared wine and food and dismissed the slaves, serving the finest Samos wine to Auletes himself.
"I never imagined I would have the honor of hosting the great pharaoh of Egypt in my home," Crassus said.
"Pharaoh… Does Rome still consider me a pharaoh?" Auletes asked, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Crassus kept his expression calm, bowing his head politely. "Of course. You are still recognized as the ruler and a friend of Rome."
"And what about the traitor who took my place? Isn't he an enemy of Rome?" Auletes pressed.
Crassus hesitated before answering. "Well, about that…"
"Why did you annex Cyprus if you still consider me pharaoh? It seems to me that was a direct challenge to my position," Auletes said, his expression hardening.
Though he had been wronged, if Rome still recognized him as pharaoh, he was entitled to express his frustration. His anger was both justified and logical.
Crassus scratched his chin, a smile creeping onto his face. "The annexation of Cyprus was not the Senate's decision. As you know, Rome is a republic. When the citizens pass a law in the assembly, even the Senate can't overturn it. There was a troublesome tribune who pushed the law to annex Cyprus. We were all caught off guard."
"You were caught off guard?" Auletes scoffed. "I heard that all the wealth from Cyprus went straight into Rome's treasury. It must have been like picking up money without lifting a finger."
Crassus sighed, acknowledging the truth of Auletes's words. "There are certainly some who feel that way. But, legally, Cyprus was annexed based on the will of the previous king. It wasn't a violation. Still, I understand that it caused you trouble, and the Senate has entrusted me to handle this matter. I promise you that Rome will not ignore the difficulties of its friends."
Auletes's expression softened slightly. With Crassus now in full control of the matter, he felt more at ease. As long as Rome still supported him, he could endure the loss of Cyprus.
"The rebels must be aware of my arrival in Rome. Didn't they say they'd send an envoy?" Auletes asked.
"Yes, they should arrive in about a month," Crassus replied.
"They will claim that the transfer of power was legitimate, and they'll say they're part of the Ptolemaic dynasty, so Rome hasn't broken its ties with them," Auletes predicted.
Crassus nodded. "That seems like a reasonable guess."
Auletes's anxiety grew, his face hardening again. Sensing his concern, Crassus reassured him, "Don't worry. The Crassus family speaks with one voice. If Marcus hadn't been sent to Gaul, this wouldn't have happened."
"It was poor timing," Auletes muttered.
"Yes," Crassus agreed. "However, I recently received a letter from Gaul. Marcus also asked me to apologize on his behalf, but he believes this may be a hidden opportunity."
"An opportunity?" Auletes scoffed. "How can this be an opportunity when I've been driven from my throne? It just makes me look foolish."
Crassus remained unfazed and shared what Marcus had suggested.
"Think about it. Your weakness as a pharaoh was the lack of a solid base of support. This created an opening for those who sought power. When the opportunity arose, they showed their true intentions. They used your daughter to try and take the throne."
Auletes grimaced. "Yes, the very ones I feared have now revealed themselves. They had no power but plenty of ambition, and until now, I couldn't act. But they're the root of my current troubles."
"You couldn't act until now," Crassus said, his voice firm. "But now you have a reason."
Auletes looked up, considering the possibility. "Are you suggesting you'll help me eliminate them?"
Crassus smiled cryptically.
Auletes stroked his chin, contemplating Crassus's words. If what Crassus said was true, he could turn this crisis into an opportunity.
For too long, he had been unable to deal with the powerful nobles of Alexandria who undermined him. But now, they had openly challenged him by using his daughter.
He had more than enough justification to purge them.
And with Rome's help, he could finally muster the strength to do so.
Auletes leaned forward eagerly. "But will the citizens of Alexandria accept my return? To be honest, they don't like me—or Rome—very much."
Crassus paused, considering the situation. "We can't raise an army right away. If resistance in Egypt is too strong, Rome will face criticism for mobilizing legions too hastily."
"So what's the plan?" Auletes asked, his frustration growing.
"For now, just wait. Berenice IV, who calls herself pharaoh, is utterly incompetent. She was thrust into a position for which she was unprepared. In a year—maybe even sooner—her ineptitude will become clear. When that happens, the people of Alexandria will long for your return."
"Will it be that easy?" Auletes asked skeptically.
He knew Berenice's flaws all too well. While she was his daughter, she lacked the qualities needed to rule effectively. She was driven by vanity, and the result would likely be disastrous.
However, he couldn't be certain that Berenice would lose the people's trust within a year or two. If time dragged on, he could end up with nothing.
Crassus, of course, shared the same concern.
But Marcus had assured him in his letter that Berenice's popularity would collapse within two years at most. Crassus trusted his son's judgment.
With this confidence, he replied, "I'm sure. You just have to endure here in Rome for two years. After that, you'll return to Alexandria with stronger royal power than before."
"…Can I really trust you?"
"Of course. My son will return to Rome next winter and will do everything he can to help you."
"Good. If you help me eliminate all the traitors, I won't forget this debt."
Crassus politely acknowledged the debt.
Then, he clapped his hands loudly, signaling the end of the important discussions. Slaves entered, bringing food and wine for both Crassus and Auletes.
Auletes felt more at ease, savoring the wine's aroma. He leaned back against a female slave's chest, closing his eyes in relaxation.
"I'll stay in Rome for a while. And of course, I'll repay you with interest."
A prompt response came, "Of course, your majesty, the one true Pharaoh of Egypt."
Meanwhile, as Auletes enjoyed his time in Rome, Marcus was focused on the map of Gaul, preparing for his final year there.
The map was rudimentary, showing only geographical features and the approximate locations of various tribes. Marcus, however, had memorized modern maps that were far more accurate. This allowed him to mentally correct the crude ancient map as he studied it.
"Anyway, I'll need to deal with the Belgae," he thought.
Marcus considered all potential threats to the Alsace-Lorraine region he had conquered. The possibility of the Germanic tribes crossing the Rhine again was unlikely; the Suebi had been defeated more decisively than in the original timeline, and the Germans were still recovering. Betrayal from the Sequani seemed unlikely as well, especially since Marcus had rewarded their loyalty by granting Roman citizenship to influential figures and agreeing to pay for iron ore transport.
Above all, Gaul now feared Rome's overwhelming power. Marcus had crushed both the Helvetii and the Suebi far more easily than in history. The east and west regions were secure, and the south, already part of the Roman province, was out of the question.
The only remaining concern was the north, where the Belgae tribes posed a serious threat.
The Belgae, corresponding to modern-day Belgians, were among the most warlike tribes in Gaul. They lived far from the more civilized regions of Gaul and bordered the Germans along the Rhine. As a result, they lived in a harsh environment, constantly fighting to survive. They saw Rome's refusal to withdraw its legions as an attempt to dominate Gaul, and many of the Gallic tribes worried that the pro-Roman factions would gain power if Rome stayed.
Intelligence indicated that the Belgae were forming an alliance, which Marcus saw as a growing threat.
"If we leave them unchecked, they'll push south. Alsace will be the first to suffer," Marcus thought.
Strengthening the defense wasn't enough. It would be nearly impossible to focus on resource development while facing an enemy waiting to strike.
Marcus resolved to spend his final year in Gaul crushing the Belgae, believing it was a matter that needed to be dealt with decisively, even if it altered the course of history.
Fortunately, in the original history, Julius Caesar had faced the Belgae in the second year of the Gallic War, which gave Marcus a clear path to follow rather than modifying events too drastically.
Having made up his mind, Marcus warned Caesar about the Belgae's growing power. Caesar, who shared the same concern, immediately ordered the formation of an additional legion.
The Senate, mindful of public opinion, did not oppose the decision.
Now commanding nine legions, Caesar began preparations as soon as his troops were ready. Even pro-Roman Gallic tribes volunteered to supply reinforcements, preferring Rome's favor over opposition.
With a combined force of 60,000 soldiers, including Gallic mercenaries, Caesar advanced into the Belgae territory. His hallmark speed, always one step ahead of his enemies, worked in his favor once again.
The Remi tribe, one of the Belgae tribes, was the first to be caught off guard by the rapid advance. They quickly realized that the Belgic alliance had not yet assembled, and sent an envoy to Caesar.
"We have no intention of fighting Rome. We'll supply food and provide detailed information about the Belgic tribes. Spare us," they requested.
Caesar accepted their offer, promising Roman citizenship to the influential members of the Remi tribe in exchange for their surrender.
With the Remi's intelligence, Caesar gained a clear understanding of the Belgic forces—their numbers, troop types, and regions they came from.
Marcus suggested a swift offensive to Caesar, aiming to weaken the Belgic alliance before they could fully unite.
The Belgic alliance had mustered nearly 290,000 troops from twelve tribes. If they gathered in full strength, they would pose a significant threat to even the Roman legions.
The Belgic tribes, while brave, were not fools. They knew that solidarity was key to facing Rome. The Remi's defection had weakened the alliance's cohesion, and they immediately planned to punish them before confronting Rome.
Marcus anticipated this, already preparing his legion to reinforce the Remi tribe and fortify their defenses.
When the Belgic alliance arrived, they were met with a strong Roman defense and forced to retreat after suffering losses.
They could have taken the town, but they feared fighting the Romans immediately afterward.
After this setback, the Belgae regrouped and decided to confront Rome first. However, Caesar had no intention of engaging more than 200,000 troops head-on. The terrain, with swamps and a river between the Roman and Belgic forces, worked to his advantage.
Using this terrain to his full advantage, Caesar decided to wait it out.
Marcus suggested wearing down the Belgic alliance through attrition.
"Their supply lines are weak. It takes immense resources to feed over 200,000 troops, and most of the tribes are far from their homelands. We, on the other hand, have stockpiled food. Time is on our side," he reasoned.
Caesar agreed and sent out his cavalry under Antony's command to harass Belgic territory.
The Roman cavalry, along with archers, ravaged the Belgae's land, forcing them to retreat as their supplies dwindled.
As the Belgae's supply lines faltered, their resolve weakened, and they began to retreat.
Meanwhile, in the Twelfth Legion's camp, Marcus received news of the arrival of the final piece of equipment he had been waiting for. It was the culmination of all his efforts since the slave rebellion, and he couldn't wait to test it in battle.
Excited, he ordered all centurions and decurions of the Twelfth Legion to gather immediately.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Read 218 more chapters ahead on NovelDex!
https://noveldex.io/series/the-mad-tycoon-of-rome
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━