A few senators made sympathetic noises. ‘He doesn’t lack courage,’ said one.
Crassus was pleased to note, however, that the faces he could see were still registering disapproval.
‘Go on,’ directed Lentulus.
‘I had my legions deploy in the classic triplex acies formation. We had trees on our left, which prevented any use of cavalry, so I deployed all of my horse on my right. The enemy came to meet us in much the same fashion. Spartacus has learned to fight as we Romans do. His troops are, for the most part, well armed and well disciplined.’
Shocked cries rang out.
I told you months ago that Spartacus was not to be underestimated, thought Crassus. But you didn’t listen. Secretly, he had been amazed by the degree of the Thracian’s successes, but he would not admit that to a soul.
Longinus waited until there was silence again. ‘His horsemen have been well trained too. They outnumbered my six hundred Gauls by at least five to one. As the armies engaged, my cavalry was driven back, allowing the enemy riders to sweep around to my legions’ rear. After that, the fighting grew very heavy. Despite this, my soldiers held their ground for a long time. In the end, however, the fierce attacks from both front and behind were too much.’ Longinus paused to compose himself. ‘My men broke and ran.’
‘Your eagles?’ asked Gellius.
A shadow passed across Longinus’ face. ‘Lost.’
‘Both of them?’
‘Yes. I stayed until the bitter end, trying to retrieve one. I would have died on the field if it hadn’t been for one of my centurions, who, with his men, forcibly removed me. I wish that I had been slain, but it is also my duty to report my failings to the Senate. This I have done. I now await the sentence of my peers — whatever that may be.’ Longinus bowed his head.
Despite himself, Crassus was impressed by the proconsul’s performance. He is courageous, both in battle and here on the treacherous ground that is the Senate. Crassus soon hardened his heart. He is just another general who failed. His failure will gain me more support. Perhaps today I can make my move. He glanced around the room and was annoyed to see that Longinus’ words appeared to have aroused sympathy in a good number of senators.
The consuls conferred with each other before Lentulus raised a hand for quiet. ‘Our thanks for doing your duty by reporting what happened. While the news of your defeat and the loss of your eagles is calamitous, it is not without precedent.’ He glanced at Gellius. ‘My colleague and I have both failed against Spartacus.’
‘Damn right you have,’ shouted Crassus. ‘Along with all the fools that you sent before that. You bring shame on the Republic!’ His heart raced in the brief pause that followed. Had he gone too far?
‘Shame! Shame on you both!’ cried Caesar.
‘Shame!’ yelled another senator.
The call took on a life of its own, growing in size and volume until the very walls of the Curia rang with it. ‘Shame! Shame! Shame!’
Crassus’ glee knew no bounds. The news of their armies’ previous defeats had produced nothing like this level of discontent. It would surely provide him with more supporters.
The uproar took some time to subside. When it did, Longinus was still in his position before the consuls, straight-backed, head bent in composed acceptance of his fate.
Perhaps because he had defeated Crixus, thereby retaining some honour, Gellius was the first to speak. ‘Longinus must be made to pay for his failure. What punishment would you hand down, senators of Rome?’
A pregnant silence fell.
Crassus was surprised to find himself undecided. Others who had failed, among them the miserable Varinius, had been ordered to commit suicide, although naturally enough, the two consuls had escaped such sentences. Yet neither of them were men of Longinus’ stature. Here was a man from an illustrious family, who had served the Republic as master of the state mint, praetor and, only the previous year, as consul. Why should he have to suffer the ultimate punishment — death — when his inferiors did not? Was exile a better alternative? Crassus regarded Longinus. He’s an able man. It would be pointless to have him fall on his sword. ‘After he has made amends with the gods, let him be stripped of his office, and pay a large fine to the treasury.’
A short pause.
‘I think that would be a fitting punishment,’ said Caesar loudly.
‘Agreed,’ called one of Crassus’ supporters.
Loud murmurs of concurrence rose from his faction. No one else spoke.
Crassus seized the moment. ‘There’s no need for Longinus to die. Not when others who’ve failed also have escaped such a fate.’
‘Too true!’ Caesar’s tone was acid.
Crassus smiled beatifically at the consuls’ futile glares. This is only the start, you fools.
‘Longinus must stand down,’ cried a senator who followed Pompey.
‘Stand down! Stand down! Stand down!’ went the chant.
Irritated, Gellius waved his hand. ‘All right. It seems, Longinus, that your fellows wish you to resign as proconsul. And to pay a fine?’ He glanced out over the floor.
‘YES!’
‘You are to pay a fine to the state treasury of…’ He conferred with Lentulus. ‘… five hundred thousand denarii.’
‘Don’t forget his penance before the gods,’ said a voice.
Longinus lifted his head. ‘It will be the first thing I do when I leave the Curia. I thank my fellow senators for their clemency. I will continue to serve the Republic in every way that I can.’ Undoing the red belt that signified his status as a general, he let it fall at the consuls’ feet. He saluted them, and then, without looking to either side, walked proudly from the room.
An audible sigh rose up from the gathered politicians.
‘And so to the real issue of the day,’ whispered Crassus to Caesar.
‘What to do about Spartacus.’
‘Precisely. The consuls must also be made to pay for Longinus’ failure. The poor choices that he made reflect upon them as leaders of the Republic.’
‘Do you think that this is the time to make our move?’
Our move, thought Crassus with some satisfaction. Caesar is definitely with me. He glanced around, trying to gauge the mood. ‘I’m not sure. Let’s hound them for a little bit and see what happens.’
Fasces clattered on the floor, interrupting their conversation.
‘Longinus’ news may have been catastrophic, but it only firms our resolve. Rome does not take defeat lying down,’ Lentulus announced in a confident voice.
‘The slave Spartacus and his followers must be brought to bay and defeated once and for all,’ added Gellius.
‘Defeated!’ yelled a voice. ‘Rome must be victorious!’
‘Victorious! Victorious!’ shouted the senators.
The consuls gave each other a pleased look. The tide of anger against them seemed to be turning.
‘And who precisely will lead the Republic’s legions to victory?’ Crassus’ loud question cut through the clamour like a hot knife through cheese. Silence descended. He cast a scornful glance at the consuls. ‘You are the elected consuls, the most senior magistrates in the land. I honour your positions, but I am no longer inclined to support you in this war.’ He looked around, smiling at the senators’ shock. ‘Yes, this is now a war. Should we support two men who have already been convincingly beaten by Spartacus? Who have lost no fewer than four silver eagles between them? Who have made Rome the laughing stock of the Mediterranean? I say that to do so would be to imperil our very Republic.’
‘What are you suggesting, Crassus?’ bellowed Lentulus. ‘Are you wishing to seize power, as Sulla did?’
Suddenly, Crassus felt the weight of hundreds of pairs of eyes upon him. He cursed inside. Had he misjudged the senators’ mood? ‘I-’
Lentulus gave him no time to finish. ‘Didn’t you do well enough out of Sulla’s proscriptions?’