Macro didn’t answer, just raised his chin a little, causing the Greek to explode with laughter. The other centurions stopped their quiet chattering and turned towards Macro and Diomedes. The Greek raised his hands placatingly.

‘I’m sorry, really I am. It’s just that I’m so familiar with the attitude. You soldiers think that you alone are responsible for expanding the empire, for adding new provinces to the Emperor’s territorial inventory.’

‘That’s right.’ Macro nodded. ‘That’s about the size of it.’

‘Really? So where would you be without me right now? How would your superior over there manage to buy provisions? And that’s not the end of it. Why do you think the Atrebates are so well-disposed towards Rome in the first place?’

‘Don’t know. Don’t really care. But I expect you’ll tell me anyway.’

‘Glad to oblige, Centurion. Long before the first Roman legionary ever shows his face in the more uncivilised corners of this world, some Greek trader like me has been travelling and trading with the natives. We learn their languages and their ways, and introduce them to the goods of the empire. More often than not they’re pathetically keen to get their hands on the accessories of civilisation. Things we take for granted they treat as status objects. They develop a taste for it. We feed the taste, until they become dependent on it. By the time you turned up these barbarians were already part of the imperial economy. A few more generations and they’d have begged you to let them become a province.’

‘Bollocks! Utter bollocks,’ Macro replied, jabbing his finger at the Greek, and the other centurions nodded. ‘Expanding the empire depends on the sword, and having the guts to wield it. You people just peddle tat to these ignorant fools for your own profit. That’s all there is to it.’

‘Of course we do it for profit. Why else would one risk the dangers and privations of such a life?’ Diomedes smiled in an attempt to lighten the tone of the discussion. ‘I merely wished to point out the benefits to Rome of our dealings with these natives. If, in some small way, my kind has helped smooth the path for the all-conquering legions of Rome then we are gratified beyond all measure. I apologise if this modest ambition in any way offends you, Centurion. I did not intend it to.’

Macro nodded. ‘All right then. Apology accepted.’

Diomedes beamed. ‘And if you should change your mind about the torc…’

‘Greek, if you mention it again, I swear I’ll —’

‘Centurion Macro!’ the senior centurion, Hortensius, called out.

Macro instantly turned away from Diomedes and stiffened to attention. ‘Sir?’

‘Cut the chatter and get your men formed up. Same for the rest of you — we’re moving on.’