Chapter 74 Meeting with the Ruling Class

Since Marcellus first assumed the role of Emperor, he had been met with resistance at every corner. Though he butchered the senate, and crucified those who were engaged in extensive corruption, these brutal actions had not entirely deterred the wealthy elites from conspiring against him. The Frumentarii had been reorganized to infiltrate these small conspiracies, and now, under the direction of Sigefrida, they had gained much viable intel.

The most recent threat report shows that many of these conspiracies had been abandoned. Largely due to the massive economic upturn that was beginning to take place as a result of the distillation and pottery business that Marcellus had introduced. In particular, the pottery was being sold not only in Roman borders, but across the Sassanid Empire and all the way to India.

With the most criminally corrupt officials being removed from the Roman bureaucracy and replaced with those who had merit, as well as accumulation of silver and gold that was being circulated across the Western Roman Empire thus improving its economy, many of these patrician clans were changing their opinion about Marcellus and his dictatorship.

In a few short months, Marcellus had gotten rid of two of the three threats their realm faced, earned the loyalty of the Theodosian Rebels in Hispania, stabilized the economy, to the point where it was no longer on the verge of collapse, and had begun the process of rebuilding the Roman Army to its former glory.

That’s not to say that there weren’t many problems that plagued the Western Roman Empire, but for the first time in many years, it was no longer rushing towards the cliff, and had instead taken a slow stroll towards its edge.

Months had passed since the Eastern Roman Empire met with the Huns, and as a result they were forced to accept Marcellus’ bribe. For the time being, the Eastern Roman Empire would focus its military on the threat to the east.

With Placidia’s engagement to Marcellus, and the rapid expansion of the Roman Army, the young emperor of the east, or more accurately, his mother was unwilling to risk an attack on the west while the Sassanids were still pestering her forces on her eastern borders.

This relieved pressure from the Eastern Roman Empire allowed Marcellus to spend the winter mustering his forces so that they could march into Gaul in the late spring, or early summer. As a result, Marcellus had formed a brief, yet stable peace during the winter of 408 AD. The Western Roman Empire were capable of living in peace without fear of a serious barbarian invasion into their heartland.

Today Marcellus rose with the dawn, as he normally had. This time, the warm spring air assailed his olive flesh. Causing him to form a pleasant smile on his face as he climbed out of his bed. Spring had finally arrived, and with it, he could begin to introduce his agricultural innovations across the territory he currently held.

After spending the morning exercising in the Palace’s yard, and eating a meal with his fiancee and concubine. Marcellus soon found himself in a meeting with several wealthy landowners. In the late Roman Empire, the precursor to feudalism had taken shape. With most plebeians being tied to the lands of their local patricians. It was these men that Marcellus had to convince to introduce his agricultural advancements.

Among these men who were gathered, many were names who Marcellus recognized from the reports written by his Frumentarii. Some of these men had previously conspired against his rule, but had withdrawn their support after the economy improved, while others were still actively engaged in plots against the emperor.

Marcellus did not care in the slightest. Those who made an attempt on his life, or those close to him, would be eliminated before they could pull it off. For the moment, it was more important to convince these men to obey his commands.

While these wealthy men gathered in the royal Palace dressed in their fine silk clothes, Marcellus wore his signature armor. It was this air of militancy that caused many of the men in this room to despise him. Marcellus was more of a military dictator than he was an emperor. The people did not recognize his rule, but what remained of the Roman army did, ensuring he had the power to act as he pleased.

By Marcellus’ side were two members of his elite guard. Though Marcellus was reviving the concept of the Legions, he was not returning to the ways of the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorian Guard was responsible for the deaths of too many past emperors, including Aurelian. Thus, he continued to make use of the Palatini, or Palace Guards, who were the most elite and loyal members of his army, selected to personally protect him.

The Emperor sat at a large table across from the wealthy landowners who had, until now, acted with impunity in the domains they ruled over. He cleared his throat before addressing the men who sat across from him with varying expressions.

“I know you are all wondering why I have summoned you to Ravenna. So allow me to make this clear, we have developed new agricultural technology, that will increase food production significantly. It is because of this that I wish to spread it across the realm. Naturally, since many of you either own the land, or have been placed in charge of it, I must ask you to make use of this new technology so that the Empire can prosper.

I have already paid for the construction of the equipment and have stockpiled it during the winter. While this winter was mild, compared to others, we have still lost many of our citizens to starvation. It is with this in mind that I want you all to make use of these new innovations to increase food production so that no Roman will ever starve again!”

In response to this, one man in particular scoffed before speaking his mind. Whether he was mad to condemn the dictator of Rome to his face, or just did not care about the consequences, the man spoke of a matter which caused Marcellus great pain.

“And whose fault is that? All those people who died they were from villages that you and your army of rebels ransacked on your journey to Ravenna. You think we have such short memories that we don’t remember who is responsible for this man-made famine that plagues our lands?”

Marcellus frowned when he heard this and glared at the man intensely. He sighed heavily before responding to the man’s insults with a stern tone in his voice.

“While it is true that my army was forced to ransack Roman villages like a band of common brigands, let’s not forget who put me in such a position. Had Honorius not kidnapped my mother and demanded I hand myself over to him for an unjustifiable execution, I would have gladly marched on Ravenna in the spring, when my armies were well provided for, by the very agricultural innovations I am trying to introduce.

I understand you lost a brother during my campaign against corruption. I am certain you resent me very much. However, it is not my fault that those people starved; it is my predecessor’s. I suggest you be careful with your accusations, or else your words may come across as outright slander. Need I remind you what happened to the Senate when they tried to steal from me my right to rule?”

The tension in the air was like a guillotine hanging above the patrician’s necks. It was not just this one man Marcellus was threatening, but everyone in the room. Like a true dictator, he wasn’t giving them a choice in the matter. Either they would introduce his agricultural reforms, or he would replace them with men who would.

The man who had previously spoken up against Marcellus and his past actions could not find his voice. The intense glare that Marcellus was giving him was one of an apex predator who had caught a hare in his sights. Would the hare provide sustenance to such a massive beast? Hardly, but it would be fun to tear it apart, nonetheless.

A cold sweat broke out on the man’s brow as he realized the situation he was in. This new Roman Empire was no longer ruled by codified laws and the people’s consent, but by the iron fist of a tyrant. At any moment, the guards in this room could turn their blades upon him and everyone else. This very thought convinced the man to bow his head and apologize for his remarks.

“I am sorry, I was out of line… I will do as you have requested.”

A smug smile formed on Marcellus’ lips as he heard this. He then nodded his head and shifted his fearsome gaze onto the other patricians.

“Are there any other complaints?”

There was a universal shaking of the heads, as the patricians were too frightful of the consequences should they voice their thoughts aloud. Upon seeing this, Marcellus stood up from his seat and walked towards the door. The rest of the men in the room sat frozen in their chairs, too afraid to even look at the man who ruled over them. Marcellus abruptly stopped right when he reached the door before leaving one last remark.

“I will have the devices delivered to your fields. As for the matter of the three field system, it will be properly explained to you and your farmers when the devices arrive. Until then, you may either stay in the city or return to your homes. What you do from now on is no concern to me.”

After saying this, Marcellus left the room where the patricians universally sighed in relief. They never knew how fearsome the man was until they met him in person.