The Last Roman: Honour Part 14

'My men?'

Justinian looked past him to the bucellarii lined up on parade; the point was obvious, some gesture should be made, like a close inspection, but Justinian was not to be drawn. He merely waved a dismissive hand.

'Will be looked after by the Excubitors, I'm sure. But they will, of course, be required to depart the city and move to the Galatea barracks.'

'My comitatus?'

'May stay within the confines of the city.'

Linking his arm, Justinian led Flavius past the guards at the palace entrance and into the cool interior, talking away like an old acquaintance, ignoring the deep bows that attended his pa.s.sing as well as those of a more lowly station who knelt as if in an act of worship. His topic was the burdens of state, which were of course something he would love to put aside, a proposition that his companion took for what it was, window dressing. Justinian loved his role and only the Grim Reaper would separate him from the exercise of power.

'The real problem is that whatever the court officials do that is taken badly, I get the blame.'

Flavius was tempted to reply 'poor you', instead he pointed out the obvious. 'You do have the power to remove those who thwart your will.'

'Flavius, they are not the problem, it is those carrying out my express wishes that do that. John the Cappadocian removes a whole raft of people drawing stipends for doing nothing, but when they combine it is me they curse.'

'I have heard he is doing well.'

If Flavius was seeking to say he was corrupt it was not very well hidden, not that he intended it to be, but the reply from the Emperor answered several questions.

'Theodora has great faith in him.'

'Ah.'

'I can afford to buy off Kavadh only because John has seen to my coffers. If he looks to his own needs in the process then he is no different to anyone else I would employ in that task. The notion that any of my officials refuse to take bribes is one only the likes of you could hold.'

'Since you do not compliment me often, Highness, I will accept that one with grat.i.tude.'

Justinian grinned like a naughty child, before a quick glance at the now closed door of the private chambers. 'We are alone, Flavius, you may call me by my name.'

That had the recipient look at the same door and pulling a face, the inference being plain: in this place they were never alone. Justinian began referring to the unrest, of which Flavius had received an inkling prior to his entry into Constantinople, the imperial view that it was not as bad as was being reported by the urban prefect.

'There are always grumbles in the city and that crescendos if you deprive lazy bureaucrats of their places. Besides, what one of my predecessors did not have the odd upheaval to contend with?'

'So it can be contained?'

'The city regiments are available to put a cap on any trouble.'

The entrance of Theodora stopped the conversation. A quick look established that she seemed more comfortable in her imperial status there was an aura about her now as there was in her husband but whereas Justinian had let that soften, there was no reduction in her manner for the sake of old acquaintance. She produced a smile, there was a greeting, but neither could be said to convey any warmth. Flavius then found himself on the receiving end of a series of rapid-fire questions that bordered on an interrogation, she demanding an explanation for the defeat at Callinic.u.m, brushing aside the proposition that Flavius had said all that had to be imparted in his despatch.

'They are never enough,' she insisted as her husband nodded. 'The written word cannot fully describe what ...' There was a pause then, before she added, 'The truth.'

'The truth is I failed, Highness.'

That being brushed aside, Flavius looked to Justinian to keep his wife in check, only to be reminded that it was not something he either wished to do or perhaps was capable of, which left his favourite general exposed to an uncomfortable period of explanation, one in which he refused to allot the blame for the defeat to any other cause than his own incompetence.

'Such n.o.bility,' was the parting shot as Theodora reminded Justinian, just before she left the chamber, that there were other matters requiring his attention, things more important.

'We shall talk again,' the Emperor imparted quietly, adding the kind of smile that conveys a lack of liberty to do as you wish. 'And do not mind Theodora, she fears only for my well-being and that of the empire.'

'The good Lord help you if you do not do as you are told.'

That being said to an empty room had no consequences and he left the palace to lead his men to Galatea and see them safe to their barracks under the command of Solomon.

Over the next week, Flavius, who had returned to the city, sensed the growing unrest for, divested of his military garb, he was at liberty to walk the streets and overhear what was being said, to sense the febrile nature of the feelings of both factions, the Blues and the Greens. It was a mystery to him how rival chariot racing teams could morph over time into what they were now: political forces and sworn enemies.

From time to time he came across Procopius their coincidental meeting seemed frequent who had the same understanding of what was happening as he: Justinian was stoking pa.s.sions as he sought to introduce edicts curbing the disturbances: limiting numbers permitted to gather outside the Hippodrome, higher fines for misbehaviour and a curb on too overt a display of allegiance. Such efforts to calm things turned out to have the absolute opposite effect and matters came to a head in the one place where the two polities gathered to vocally cheer on their charioteers.

The Hippodrome was packed, the early January weather was clement and the races were in progress when the trouble started. As reported it was small to begin with but it spread like a bushfire until the whole stadium seemed involved and the groups looked close to killing each other. The urban prefect, Eudaimon, asked and was given permission to enter the Hippodrome and not only quell the disorder but to arrest the leaders of both, people well known to the authorities. Seven men in all were taken up and a special court was set up which condemned all of them to death.

Such a show of force did not calm things, quite the reverse. Locked up in the urban prefect's gaol until the following day, their plight drew a crowd to protest at their impending fate, which continued into the morning as they were taken to the newly constructed scaffold to be hanged. The point at which the ropes began to choke then set off great lamentations, yet still the parties remained separate, one side cheering the drop of an enemy while keening and praying at the fate of one of their own.

Satisfied that the deed had been completed, Eudaimon led his men away, which allowed the mob to cut down the victims, whereupon they found two were still alive. Monks from the monastery of St Lawrence took both survivors to their cloisters which, being sanctified ground, they hoped would keep them safe. Eudaimon, unwilling to make a forced entry, posted guards outside to deny the whole monastery food until the monks surrendered the two miscreants.

This situation continued for months with no sign of the monks complying with the Prefect's demands, this while the atmosphere within the city walls went from bad to worse: the two surviving leaders, it transpired, consisted of one from each side, a Blue and a Green, and both having similar grievances they decided to combine.

Flavius, observing the mayhem that followed, took cognisance of one glaring fact: the regiments stationed permanently in the city were as factional as the general population. This was a factor which had kept them useful since they would only ever be employed against one or the other and only when called to contain a situation out of control.

Now that the Blues and Greens were acting in concert, what then? The answer came on the next occasion Justinian and Theodora entered the imperial box, to hear the entire a.s.sembled crowd in the Hippodrome, a stadium which held thirty thousand spectators, chanting in unison and their anger was aimed at him. The cry on which they combined was 'Nika', the Greek word for 'Victory', and it was plain the person they saw as the enemy needing to be defeated was Justinian.

Sat close to him Flavius watched as he tried to maintain an expression of unconcern Theodora looked thunderous. If that worked at a distance it was certainly possible to observe the tenseness of his jaw and the odd furrowing of the brow in close proximity. Seeking to make a joke he made much play of laughing, which inflamed the crowd even more.

These protests should have ceased once the races began and the crowd became distracted; they did not, if anything they increased with shouting spectators flowing onto the compet.i.tion area to get closer to the imperial podium. With the chariots unable to run the races were abandoned and the crowd, flushed with what they saw as success, poured out into the streets and headed for the palace of the urban prefect, killing the guards and, once they had freed the prisoners there, setting fire to the building.

They then rampaged through the city, setting alight to two churches, including St Sophia. Next the Senate House went up in flames as well as the Baths of Zeuxippus and Alexander, all very close to the imperial palace. Nightfall brought some relief as weariness took over but the following morning the Hippodrome was once more packed with a fractious, screaming mob, audible to the gathered and frightened council.

The demands of the rioters' leaders were discussed. Flavius was present in his capacity as magister but did not seek to partic.i.p.ate, merely to observe. The mob insisted on the removal of John the Cappadocian, of Tribunia.n.u.s and Eudaimon, all of which, to the dismay of Flavius, his councillors advised Justinian to consent. The temptation to step forward and d.a.m.n this as unwise was strong; no good would come of seeking to placate a mob, it had to be resisted, but he saw the feeling was so strong in favour he knew he would not change minds.

There was, however, one action he could initiate himself and he left for a brief moment and collared his old comrade from the Excubitors, Domnus Articus. 'I need you to send a message to Solomon to bring the bucellarii within the walls. Justinian needs protection. Send word to my comitatus as well.'

'The city regiments?'

'Have not moved and nor will they, in my opinion, which is a blessing, for with the Greens and Blues united they would be more of a danger than an aid.'

'The Excubitors will do their duty.'

'I don't doubt it, Domnus, but you might be too few.'

The proof that concessions only feed a mob was proved when Justinian returned to the imperial box to address them, offering to grant an amnesty to those who had misdeeds to their name, including their still condemned leaders. Having seen their previous demands met the crowd yelled him down and vocally called for a new emperor, naming Probus the nephew of Anastasius as their candidate, which rendered the presence of the inc.u.mbent superfluous.

Justinian re-entered the palace, his first demand being that both Probus and his cousin Hypatius leave the city. Never a man noted for his bravery and well aware of how fickle a crowd could be mobs who create emperors can just as easily destroy them soon after Probus immediately did as he was ordered, which resulted in the burning of his house.

But the rioters found a less than swift Hypatius trying to flee and took him as a virtual prisoner, escorting him to the Hippodrome where in the absence of a crown they declared him emperor by placing a gold necklet on his head, the news of this quickly conveyed to the imperial council chamber, causing Justinian to lose his nerve.

The mob were against him and it transpired that, despite the claims of Domnus Articus, the Excubitors had decided their best course in this crisis was inaction to neither aid nor hinder the man they were tasked to protect, which implied that powerful forces, senators and perhaps some of those dismissed officials, were conspiring with the rioters.

There was a fast galley waiting in the private palace harbour and the notion was to get to the imperial armies in Thrace and seek their aid. If Flavius had mixed opinions of Theodora, they were tempered now as she stepped forward to address not only her husband but those gathered to counsel him, in a voice as strong as it was pa.s.sionate.

'Run? To where? Wherever we go will we not face the same? We will be found and if not killed be dragged back to be torn limb from limb by that mob in the Hippodrome. Those who have worn the crown rarely survive its loss and I have no wish to see the day when I am not saluted as Empress. If we are to perish, Husband, let it be standing and facing those who would harm us, not skulking off like thieves in the night. Remember the old saying. Royalty is a fitting burial shroud.'

'Your men are in the Excubitor barracks, Flavius Belisarius,' whispered Domnus Articus, who had sidled into the antechamber as Theodora was declaiming to pa.s.s this on. 'Also, Mundus has fetched his Heruls, three hundred in number. I am with you too.'

The aid of such a fine warrior, a Gepid n.o.bleman and magister militum per Illyric.u.m, was very heartening yet it would be foolish to think the odds to be substantially altered.

'We may all die, Domnus.'

'A soldier's fate.'

The arrival of Na.r.s.es, the elderly eunuch who had at one time been Flavius's commander, threw another voice into the discussion and had some positive information to impart. He had gone into the Hippodrome carrying a bag of Justinian's gold with which to bribe the Blues, also reminding them that both Justinian and Theodora were supporters and that Hypatius was an enthusiast of the opposition.

He could now definitely report that the mob were not as united as they had once been. Many of the Blues were aware that things had gone too far and they certainly did not want Hypatius as emperor. He had distributed the gold as gifts to those more inclined to waver, with promises of more from Justinian. They were now slipping in groups out of the Hippodrome to go to their homes.

'So most of those remaining will be Greens,' he concluded, 'and also those who relish in making trouble, whatever the grounds.'

The sound of studded boots on marble floors had Flavius pulling out his sword. Normally forbidden in the presence of the Emperor it had seemed to him sensible to be armed. He relaxed as Solomon and Mundus appeared, fully armed. Justinian was looking at Flavius with something approaching fear, his eyes darting between the face and the weapon. Was he about to be betrayed by one of the few people in whom he reposed trust?

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

Observing that look of fear offended Flavius and some of that feeling was in the nature of his less than respectful explanation, the fact that neither the city regiments nor the Excubitors could be relied upon and that this being so he had thought it wise to bring the men he had led in battle into the city to join his personal guard.

'On your own word, without seeking permission.'

'Sometimes it is necessary to act without that.' Justinian looked at Mundus, far from rea.s.sured. 'Mundus has brought his men as well, because he is loyal, as I am, to your person, though I think you must thank Solomon for his presence.'

Theodora spoke up, the voice unfriendly. 'And what, having done that, do you recommend, Flavius Belisarius? You have yet to offer any advice and I have never before known you shy of telling us what is right and what is wrong.' Her black eyes narrowed and the tone changed to one of sly innuendo. 'Perhaps you have your own reasons to have the bucellarii to hand at such a time.'

Tantamount to an accusation of perfidy Flavius responded with scant respect for her rank. 'He is not only my friend, Lady, he is the Emperor to whom I have sworn allegiance.'

Eudaimon asked for and was granted permission to speak: removed to satisfy the mob he had not yet been replaced as urban prefect. 'We must take control of the city.'

It was Flavius who replied, earning a black look from Theodora. 'We do not have the means. The city regiments may well oppose us, but if we can capture Hypatius that could remove the focus of the revolt.'

'We must consider whether that will that not make matters worse?'

Justinian got a look from his wife then that made him blench, though her words, carefully calculated not to diminish him, belied the feeling behind them. 'How much worse can it get? I have already said I will not run away, so if I am to die, let it be here and let it be soon.'

Justinian had a look on his face that seemed to imply he wished the decision be made by anyone but himself, so Flavius, for the lack of anyone else proposing any action, took up the baton.

'Mundus, you take the outer gates in case they try to smuggle Hypatius out. I will try to get into the Hippodrome and find him.'

'He will not come willingly if you do.'

'If I find him he will come. I think him no more willing than Probus to be in the situation he now finds himself.'

'And if he refuses?'

'Then his reign will be brief. Solomon, place our men to cover the inner gates.'

Na.r.s.es was quick to object. 'There will still be Blues there who wish to leave. They must be allowed to do so.'

Flavius had no time for such considerations. He raced along the corridor that led to the imperial box, which as usual had Excubitor guards at the gate. His demand that they stand aside was refused and so the door to the imperial box remained locked. Frustrated but determined Flavius gathered up his comitatus and headed for another and lesser known way in. This took them through the still-smoking ruins of the Baths of Zeuxippus to a point just beyond one of the entrances, to a postern gate and a small staircase that led to a service door which opened on to the imperial box.

There he was faced by another set of armed men and they were vocal in their loyalty to Hypatius. The option to attack them was there but in such a confined s.p.a.ce it was full of risk. If the crowd got wind of their presence and exited through the nearby gangway, he and his men could be trapped in the pa.s.sageway, a too confined s.p.a.ce in which to fight. Yet the presence of those guards told him Hypatius was where he expected him to be, on the podium where he had very likely been crowned.

'Find Solomon. Tell him to bring the bucellarii to this gate.'

That took time but Flavius had no intention of going into the stadium with only a hundred men at his back. Once Solomon and his six hundred bucellarii had arrived he had only one order to give.

'Weapons out,' he commanded, 'we will have to fight our way through the crowd to get Hypatius.'

'And if they oppose us?' asked Solomon.

'Then they pay whatever price is demanded.'

The noise within the stadium was so loud that, even with studded boots striking the stone staircase, no one heard Flavius and his men until they were almost upon them. One or two turned from their cheering to see the proximity of these men in armour, weapons drawn, and they panicked, seeking safety by pushing forward and that impacted on those on the terraces before them, causing the whole crowd to surge.

Even with that there was no s.p.a.ce to give quarter; once in amongst these rioters Flavius and the bucellarii would be ma.s.sively outnumbered and that was seen by those who were the first to face them. Their screams of fear drowned out the cheers of others and soon the ripple of dread filled the stadium as Mundus, on the other side of the Hippodrome, entering by what was to become known as the Gate of Death, sent his German mercenaries into action.

Unbeknown to Flavius, Na.r.s.es had gathered up enough armed men to seal the gates to the stadium, including the one he had just employed, trapping inside the entire audience who had been so recently cheering the crowning of their new emperor. Once the killing started it became impossible to stop for those seeking to flee were trapped. The men Flavius led were fresh from b.l.o.o.d.y battle in the east, and hardened by what they had done they were not about to extend mercy.

Mundus and his huge and bloodthirsty Germans, armed with long swords and axes, were soon in the element they so loved, slashing left, right and centre at whatever stood in their way and nothing was going to stop them once their bloodl.u.s.t was kindled.

Even if Flavius, having captured Hypatius as well as his brother Pompeius, had wanted to call a halt he would have been shouting at deaf ears. All he could do was lead his two captives out of the Hippodrome, through the now open door to the private corridor, through which were now pouring Excubitors to join in the slaughter, they having seen which way matters were going.

There was not enough sand on the racing track to soak up so much blood and given there were no open exits the men Na.r.s.es had put on the gates killed those who tried the slaughter went on for hours until the stone tiers of seating were littered with dead bodies and slippery with gore, men mostly, but also some women and the occasional child.

When the citizens of Constantinople were dragooned into clearing the stadium, the body count was established as the capacity of the Hippodrome: thirty thousand were dead. Also, executed on the orders of Justinian, were the two nephews of Anastasius taken by Flavius, even though they had been given no choice but to go along with what the mob demanded. Several senators and former officials were likewise executed even if nothing could be proved against them; suspicion was enough.

A pall now hung over the city and it was not only made up of smoke. For a long time emperors had been obliged to placate the mob in the Hippodrome, often called to plead with them to be allowed to continue their rule. The charioteer factions had become too powerful, sure even as they competed with each other that they had a divine right to approve or disapprove the actions of the wearer of the purple. That was now gone, though there was no certainty it would not resurface.

That so many had died was a cause for repentance, but underneath the display of that lay the knowledge that the present inc.u.mbent had achieved a level of personal and unbridled power that had not existed since the days of the early Caesars. If he had not done the deed or even set it in motion, Justinian garnered as much credit for the actions of others as he had previously attracted blame.

He would never be loved he was not gifted that way, regardless but he was feared, which suited him. Theodora was held in even more dread, for it was soon common knowledge she made sure the tale was disseminated of how she had refused to flee and how she had sworn to revenge herself on the population of the city.

To those who supported the imperial couple she was seen as the real person who saved the empire as well as a co-ruler and she delighted in the caution with which even the most patrician senator now treated her. There was no more condescension directed at her lowly birth, while she made no attempt to hide her contempt for their pretensions.

One person not exposed to any of her malevolence was Flavius Belisarius; it seemed as if her att.i.tude to him had swung round and he was now cosseted by her, invited into her circle of friends, many women and men who formed a sort of court separate to that of her husband. A loose lot, they reminded Flavius of the company he had enjoyed with Petrus in those dockside taverns-c.u.m-brothels for, involved as he was with court matters, it was good to relax among people who seemed not to care one whit for the progress of the empire.

Even dining with Theodora and Justinian together was rarely overly formal and it was on such occasions that he really began to understand the nature of their political relationship, which really came down to a sort of joint rule in which Theodora was free to say as much as she wished about the future actions needing to be taken, advice Justinian either took or ignored.