‘Not that we have elections any more,’ Flavia smiled.

‘No. No, we don’t. But how long has it been since Romans slaughtered Romans in the name of their general’s political ambitions?’

‘As far as I recall, not since the divine Augustus wiped out all his rivals and imposed his dynasty upon us. And, let’s face it, the Emperors have rather a lot of blood on their hands. There are many in Rome who suffered at the hands of Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula. And who is to say that the present incumbent won’t continue the tradition?’

‘Maybe. But how many more might have died if Augustus had not seized control of the army from the Senate and made it the tool of one man?’

‘So it’s simply a question of the relative death-rates, then?’

‘Look here,’ Vitellius asked quietly. ‘Are you really suggesting that we return to the Republic?’

‘No, I don’t think so,’ Flavia replied sweetly. ‘But — just for the sake of argument between friends over a comfortable meal — don’t you think a return to senatorial rule would be preferable to the present situation?’

‘An interesting question, Flavia. Very interesting. Of course there are arguments that can be made in favour of either arrangement. I’m sure there’s a considerable pool of talent that could be drawn on if the Senate had all its powers restored, but I fear that there are rather more senators with designs on accruing power to themselves than there are those who genuinely wish to serve Rome. You only have to look at that nasty business in Dalmatia last year. Poor Claudius had only just been confirmed as Emperor when the mutiny occurred. If a few more legions had joined Scribonianus and the other plotters then who knows how it would have ended? We’re lucky Narcissus’s agents managed to nip that one in the bud.’

‘Nipped in the bud?’ Flavia mused. ‘That’s a nice euphemism for the dozens who were killed. I lost some good friends before I left Rome. I’m sure you did as well. And they’re still hunting down the surviving members of the plot. Not a comfortable time in which to live.’

‘They brought it on themselves, Flavia. Before you gamble in such affairs you should consider the stakes. It’s all or nothing. They lost and Claudius won. Do you think they would have been any more merciful to him if it had worked out the other way round?’

‘No. I don’t suppose they would.’ She nodded thoughtfully.

‘Not that there was ever much chance of them succeeding,’ Vitellius continued. ‘The fools had been old-fashioned enough to appeal to the legionaries’ patriotism rather than their purses. The moment Narcissus showed up with Claudius’s gold it was all over.’

‘It would seem,’ Flavia looked him deep in the eyes, ‘that the moral of the tale is that the army is only as loyal as the imperial treasury is deep.’

‘Why, Flavia!’ Vitellius laughed. ‘I couldn’t have put it better myself! But I’m afraid you are right. At the end of the day it’s all down to whoever can offer the troops the most money. Ancestors, wisdom and integrity mean nothing any more. Money is the font of all power. If you have it then the world turns for you, if not then you are quite helpless.’