‘I know. But there’s no concrete proof that Longinus is plotting anything at the moment. All the evidence we have is pretty weak. In which case Scrofa and Postumus might not be guilty of plotting against the Emperor.’

‘Maybe not,’ Macro agreed, helping himself to another mouthful of goat. ‘But they’re certainly guilty of screwing up the situation here on the frontier. Even if we get through this business with Bannus, it’s going to take years to mend our relations with the locals. If we ever do.’

Cato nodded thoughtfully, and then replied, ‘Perhaps the Emperor should consider abandoning Judaea.’

Macro nearly choked. ‘Abandon the province! Why on earth do that?’

‘I’ve seen nothing here that makes me think the Judaeans will ever accept their place in the Empire. They’re just too different.’

‘Bollocks!’ Macro spluttered, and a gobbet of gristle narrowly missed Cato’s ear as it sailed over the dining couch. ‘Judaea is like any other province. A bit wild and untamed at first, but give it enough time and we’ll make them see things our way. They’ll embrace the Roman way of life whether they like it or not.’

‘You think so? When was Judaea annexed? In the age of Pompey. That’s over a hundred years ago. And the Judaeans are still as intractable as ever.They cling to their religious practices as if they were the only things that mattered.’

‘The situation could be improved if we could only persuade them to worship our gods, or at least get them to worship our gods alongside theirs,’ Macro concluded impatiently.

‘Well we won’t manage it. So perhaps we should give up the idea of including Judaea in the empire, or we should crush them, destroy their religion and everyone who holds to it.’

‘That might do it,’ Macro agreed.

Cato stared at him. ‘I was being ironic.’

‘Ironic? Really?’ Macro shook his head and tore off another strip of meat. ‘Well I bloody well wasn’t. If we’re going to make the Empire safe, then we have to make sure that we control this region. Not Parthia. These people will have to accept Roman rule, and like it, or else.’