‘But it’s preposterous. A revolt would lead to the deaths of thousands - tens of thousands of people. And if Longinus was intending to use the legions to force his way into the palace in Rome he would leave the eastern provinces defenceless.’

‘The Parthians would be in here like a shot,’ Macro quipped and then raised his hands apologetically as the other two turned to him with irritated expressions.

Cato cleared his throat. ‘That’s true. But then Longinus would be playing for the highest stakes of all. He would be prepared to sacrifice the eastern provinces if it meant becoming Emperor.’

‘If that is his plan,’ Florianus responded. ‘Frankly, that’s a very big if.’

‘Yes,’ Cato conceded. ‘But still a possibility that has to be taken seriously. Narcissus certainly takes it seriously.’

‘Forgive me, young man, but I’ve worked for Narcissus for many years. He is inclined to jump at shadows.’

Cato shrugged. ‘Longinus is still a risk.’

‘But how exactly do you think he is going to cause this revolt? That has to be the key to the situation. Unless there’s a revolt he’ll not have his legions, and without them he can do nothing.’

‘So, then, he needs a revolt. And isn’t he lucky to have someone here in Judaea who has sworn to provide one.’

‘What are you talking about?’

‘There’s a man named Bannus the Canaanean. I assume you’ve heard of him.’

‘Of course. He’s a minor brigand. Lives in the range of hills to the east of the River Jordan. He’s been preying on the villages and travellers in the valley, besides raiding a few of the wealthy estates and some of the caravans making for the Decapolis. But he’s not a serious threat.’

‘No?’

‘He has a few hundred followers. Poorly armed hillsmen and those on the run from the authorities here in Jerusalem.’

‘Nevertheless, according to your most recent reports, his strength has grown, he’s becoming more ambitious in his attacks, and he’s even claiming to be some kind of divinely chosen leader.’ Cato frowned. ‘What was the word?’

‘Mashiah,’ said Florianus. ‘That’s what the locals call them. Every few years some crazy fool sets himself up as the anointed one, the man to lead the people of Judaea to freedom from Rome, and eventual conquest of the world.’

Macro shook his head. ‘An ambitious-sounding lad, this Bannus.’

‘Not just him. Almost every one of them,’ Florianus responded. ‘They last a few months, gather a desperate mob behind them and eventually we have to send the cavalry out from Caesarea to knock a few heads together and crucify the ringleaders. Their followers melt away readily enough and then we just have a handful of anti-Roman fanatics and their terror tactics to worry about.’

‘So we saw,’ Macro said. ‘I can tell you, there was nothing low-level about that.’