The Gates of Rome

Men respect the silent; they despise the garrulous. - Marius

Perhaps he needs the money. Some of the men live too richly for their purses, if you understand me. Fame would allow him large debts, but everything has to be paid back in the end.

I have been distracted from my duty as a father to some extent, but there is no greater exercise to a man’s talents than the upbringing of his son.

The man attempted to salute and Renius forced himself to smile, biting back his temper at the sloppy manners. He watched the fat figure run away into the buildings and wiped the first beads of sweat from his brow. Strange that such men as that should understand loyalty where so many others threw it aside at the first hint of freedom.

I will need good friends around me if I am to survive my first year of politics. My father described it as walking barefoot in a nest of vipers.