Gaius had seen many men, consuls and generals alike that vowed to win the war, but all had come from the same cloth — rich, influential, aristocratic individuals who sought personal glory and fame. Paullus had said the day prior when Gaius had spoken with him, Rome’s fathers were dead, and it was left to the sons to usher in a new era. Many feared that this nation would not survive another generation, no less another war; so, in response the Senate and people put its trust into the hands of Fabius Maximus.

Gaius had met him years before, the nephew of Varro that had seemed bent on irritating his uncle during that first dinner many months now past. Maximus had been outspoken then, a freethinker with radical ideas that did not, and in many ways still did not sit well with the social elite of Rome. However, like Gaius, Maximus was a changed man. He’s seen too much, and now expected a great deal from those men he was going to lead.

The Senate had just finished granting Maximus the title of Dictator. He would be the sole power in Rome — a king in everything but the name. He commanded the armies, navies and the political powers of the Republic. What he said, no man could question. It was a dangerous gamble, one that the Republic had tried desperately to avoid. The return to the old kings was every Roman greatest fear. However, at the moment, there was no other choice. If Rome was to survive it needed to speak with one voice until the crisis had passed, and the war won.

Gaius stood with the other officers listening to the closing statements from the various senators who applauded the decision to appoint Maximus as dictator. There was no real point to their speeches. The choice had been made and there was little need to justify why Maximus was the right candidate for the title. These men were merely playing the political game that Valerius had said he hated so much about the Republic — covering their own asses and positioning themselves to benefit from Maximus’ new post.

He ignored much of what they were saying as one speaking stood and gave his speech, followed by thunderous applause and cheers as Maximus sat quietly, smiling and nodding his thanks to each speaker. No, Gaius’ eyes had been locked on Paullus, who sat in the left stone marble seat of the consul — the second seat still empty as Varro’ place had not been filled.

Paullus had already stated that he would be staying out of politics and so far, it seemed he was doing just that. Beyond a few choice words earlier in the proceedings the consul had little to say about the historical events of the day.

From time to time, Paullus would turn and look over at Gaius. He could still see the anger in Paullus eyes when they stared at each other.

Gaius didn’t know what Paullus might do. He did not grant his request to release Julia of her marriage vows, and in fact, if he wanted he could drag Julia to the courts and force her to marry him, or perhaps even take away all of her father’s wealth, land and holdings for her violating their contract by having an affair with another man.

Gaius knew he should never have admitted that the two of them had slept together or shared a relationship. However, it was hard for him to lie to the man’s face when he knew the truth any ways. Truth be told, he didn’t regret anything he had said. It did pain him that he had hurt the consul, but he had to say what he felt in his heart. It seemed pointless, now with everything he had seen and lived through to continue to hide his love for her in the shadows — allowing proper Roman edict to stand in the way of expressing his true feelings.

When the last senator finished his long speech and sat back down, Maximus stood up and stepped out onto the Senate floor. He was dressed in his finest white robes with a dark-red tunic underneath. He stood quiet, for the moment, as he allowed the room full of senators to finish their applause before he spoke.

“We have suffered a great deal, we Romans have. Our lands have been tainted with barbarian filth. Our farms burnt, our cities raised, our citizens driven to the four corners of Italy, and our brave soldiers massacred by the thousands. And for what I ask you — for the personal glory of one-man — Hannibal?”

The mention of Hannibal’s name brought a chorus of jeers from the senators. Maximus just raised his hands and signaled for everyone to be silent.

“You have sent forth many of our city fathers to face this threat, and very few have returned alive. We have burned and grieved for too many of our greatest men since this war has started. We have lost entire armies, not once, not twice, but three times. And now you ask me where will we get more? How will we find new bodies to fill the ranks of our brave legions, and how will they be able to stop a man who most believed can’t be defeated?”

There was another chorus of rumbling from the senators as they acknowledged Maximus’ questions.

“If this Republic is to prevail and endure the years to come, we must cast off our traditional ways — our aged system and beliefs, and embrace a new doctrine that will usher in a new era for Rome. I have already set plans in motion that will, within the coming year, restore our legions to fighting strength. No more will our armies be filled with the social elite and those privileged few to own land. I am inviting all Italians, not just Roman born, to join our ranks regardless of property. Even the lowest peasant and beggar have the right to defend his country.”

The Senate began to rumble disapprovingly, but Maximus ignored them and continued on with his speech.

“All personal debts will be wavered for those that choose to serve in the army.”

More rumbling followed that statement.

“I will issue orders for able-bodied slaves to be freed and drafted into the legions. And no longer will these new legions be led solely by the wealthy elite, but by those men who have already proven that they have the experience and strength to fight and win battles, regardless of class or upbringing. And no more will our soldiers be made up of children and old men, draftees or seasonal soldiers. Our armies will be comprised of professionals, experienced officers and men of fighting age. Terms of service will be twenty years, with reward upon retirement with land and citizenship.”

Gaius glanced over his shoulder at the gathering officers who stood with him. They all looked at each other with the same amused expressions on their faces as the senators, all whom had thrown their support behind Maximus, now seemed troubled by his words. While they expected military reform, they hadn’t expected this. In a single speech, the dictator had thrown-away hundreds of years of social edict.

“Rome can no longer look only to her own benefits. We, the whole of Italy and our holdings beyond these boarders are at risk. We must become a singular nation and not just an individual city among many nations. Those cities around us have been loyal during this war despite Hannibal’s calls that they should rise up against us, yet despite what they are threatened with few have sided with him. It is because of these brave Italians whom we are still here today. I will no longer ignore these facts as my predecessors chose to do. Any that joins our legions will be granted Roman citizenship, including a movement that will soon include all the central Italy!”

A loud chorus of jeers and boo's roses to his last statement. Maximus smiled at those who were openly trying to rebuke him, but he had more supporters among the Senate that forced the most outspoken to sit down and be silent.

“We will no longer try to battle Hannibal openly. Our armies have faced him four times, and each time they have met with utter disaster. Alternatively, we will, as I have suggested in the past, will avoid conflict with his army and instead focus all of our attentions on breaking his overstretched supply lines, his support from his barbarian allies, and his native country. Under the leadership of Scipio the Younger, he will lead our legions to Spain and crush Hannibal’s means of supplying his armies here in Italy. I have already recalled four legions from Greece to aid in this effort, and with the new legions, we will be raising in the coming year, Hannibal will have no means to carry out his campaign against the people of Rome and the Republic. He will be trapped here in Italy, too weak to fight, but still too strong for us to meet head-on.”