The Grass Crown by Colleen McCullough
THE GRASS CROWN
"THE SWEEP OF EPIC EVENTS
JUXTAPOSED WITH DOMESTIC DRAMAS.
THIS IS HISTORY FOR THE TAKING."
New York Daily News
"MAGNIFICENT . . . MONUMENTAL. . .
All the usual adjectives seem inadequate to describe what Ms. McCullough gives us
in this historical saga.
Her combination of impeccable scholarship
and lyrical prose make
THE GRASS CROWN
a pleasant orgy indeed—
satisfying but leaving plenty of room for more.
Atlanta Journal and Constitution
"AN ENORMOUS NOVEL . . .
They don't make them like this anymore. . .
Big, sprawling, sweeping . . . Epic . . . Entertaining
A wonderful old-fashioned historical novel. . .
McCullough succeeds in re-creating a world"
Washington Post Book World
"A STUPENDOUS TALE
OF MURDEROUS AMBITION, GUILE,
ASSASSINATION, TRAGEDY, LOVE AND LUST"
Richmond Times-Dispatch
"A DARN GOOD STORY ...
A huge tale of political machinations . . .
Her characters come to life . . .
But Rome is the real protagonist here,
portrayed with breathtakingly detailed authenticity . . .
THE GRASS CROWN
reproduces a world that is not unlike our own
and that certainly is full of hard-won lessons for us"
Chicago Tribune
"AN EPIC UNDERTAKING . . . The tumble of rousing battles, intrigue
and dastardly doings makes THE GRASS CROWN
even more entertaining than the challenging and enjoyable
FIRST MAN IN ROME . . .
The facts don't get in the way of a good story.
McCullough uses them to tell a great one."
Charlotte Observer
"A MASTER STORYTELLER"
Los Angeles Times
"AN EPIC TALE OF TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH . Desires and ambitions, strategies and betrayals . . . McCullough brings range, passion and insight to her second saga of ancient Rome . . . THE GRASS CROWN captivates . . . The reader benefits mightily" '
Detroit Free Press
"FASCINATING... CHILLING... COMPELLING..
No less weighty or ambitious than its predecessor. ..
McCullough does what she does best: explores characters and their complicated psyches."
San Francisco Chronicle
"TRIUMPHANT. .. Years of Italian wars, expeditions into Asia Minor,
domestic trials and brief happinesses, terrible cruelties, and politics, always politics,
in which sectors, families and the famous
fight for power—by diplomacy, manipulation,
alliances, or the simple art of murder. . .
Magnificent portraits of real people."
Kirkus Reviews
'A QUIETLY MAGNIFICENT TOUR DE FORCE"
Publishers Weekly
Other Avon Books by Colleen McCullough
the first man in rome
the ladies of missalonghi
A creed for the third millennium
an indecent obsession
the thorn birds
tim
Avon Books are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, fund raising or educational use. Special books, or book excerpts, can also be created to fit specific needs.
For details write or telephone the office of the Director of Special Markets, Avon Books, Dept. FP, 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, 1-800-238-0658.
Colleen McCullough
THE GRASS CROWN
AVON BOOKS ANEW YORK
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this "stripped book."
AVON BOOKS
A division of
The Hearst Corporation
1350 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Copyright © 1991 by Colleen McCullough
Cover art by Tom Hall
Published by arrangement with the author
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 91-17009
ISBN: 0-380-71082-X
All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law.
Published in hardcover by William Morrow and Company, Inc.; for information address Permissions Department, William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019.
First Avon Books Printing: July 1992
First Avon Books International Printing: June 1992
AVON TRADEMARK REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES, MARCA REGISTRADA, HECHO EN U.S.A.
Printed in the U.S.A.
OPM 10 987654321
For
Frank Esposito
with love, thanks,
admiration and respect
A note to the reader: to shed light on the world of ancient Rome, several maps and illustrations have been included throughout this book. Their locations are noted on page xi. A list of the main characters begins on page xvii. An author's note appears on pages 983-984. If you would like to know more about the historical background of The Grass Crown, turn to pages 985-986 for a list of consuls holding office during this period and to page 987 for a glossary explaining some Latin words and unfamiliar terms.
The Grass Crown
LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
maps
Italia xii-xiii GC xii.jpg
Mundus Romanus xiv-xv GC xiv.jpg
Conquests of Mithridates 113-110 b.c. 85 GC 085.jpg
Marius's Journey East 114-115 GC 114.jpg
Sulla's Expedition to the East 310 GC 310.jpg
The Homelands of the Italian Insurgents 454 GC 454.jpg
Central Italy 512 GC 512.jpg
Movements of Mithridates in 88 b.c. 742-743 GC 742.jpg
Sulla's Invasion of Rome 818-819 GC 818.jpg
The Flight of Gaius Marius 902 GC 902.jpg
The Siege of Rome 923 GC 923.jpg
illustrations
Gaius Marius 2 GC 002.jpg
Aurelia's Insula 44 GC 044.jpg
Livia Drusa 146 GC 146.jpg
House of Marcus Livius Drusus 164 GC 164.jpg
Publius Rutilius Rufus 278 GC 278.jpg
Marcus Livius Drusus 336 GC 336.jpg
Well of the Comitia 348-349 GC 348.jpg
Marcus Aemilius Scaurus 452 GC 452.jpg
Young Pompey 572 GC 572.jpg
Lucius Cornelius Sulla 656 GC 656.jpg
Mithridates VI Eupator 728 GC 728.jpg
Aurelia 774 GC 774.jpg
Lucius Cornelius Cinna 872 GC 872.jpg
Roman Magistrates 1037 GC 1037.jpg
Shape of Toga 1068 GC 1068.jpg
Triclinium 1073 GC 1073.jpg
[GC xii.jpg]
[GC xiv.jpg]
THE MAIN CHARACTERS
NOTE: Parentheses contain biographical information; brackets contain the character's name or diminutive as used in this book. All dates are B.C.
Caepio
Quintus Servilius Caepio [Caepio]
Livia Drusa, his wife (sister of Marcus Livius Drusus)
Quintus Servilius Caepio Junior [Young Caepio], his son
Servilia Major [Servilia], his elder daughter
Servilia Minor [Lilla], his younger daughter
Quintus Servilius Caepio (consul 106), his father, of Go
Servilia Caepionis, his sister
Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar
Aurelia, his wife (daughter of Rutilia, niece of Publius Rutilius Rufus)
Gaius Julius Caesar Junior [Young Caesar], his son
Julia Major [Lia], his older daughter Julia Minor [Ju-ju], his younger daughter
Gaius Julius Caesar [Caesar Grandfather], his father
Julia, his sister
Julilla, his sister
Sextus Julius Caesar, his older brother
Claudia, Sextus's wife
Drusus
Marcus Livius Drusus
Servilia Caepionis, his wife (sister of Caepio)
Marcus Livius Drusus Nero Claudianus, his adopted son
Cornelia Scipionis, his mother Livia Drusa, his sister (wife of Caepio)
Mamercus Aemilius Lepidus Livianus, his blood brother, adopted out
Marius
Gaius Marius
Julia, his wife (sister of Gaius Julius Caesar)
Gaius Marius Junior [Young Marius], his son
Metellus
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius [the Piglet]
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus [Piggle-wiggle] (consul 109, censor 102), his father
Pompeius
Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo [Pompey Strabo]
Gnaeus Pompeius [Young Pompey], his son
Quintus Pompeius Rufus, his remote cousin
Rutilius Rufus
Publius Rutilius Rufus (consul 105)
Scaurus
Marcus Aemilius Scaurus Princeps Senatus (consul 115, censor 109)
Caecilia Metella Dalmatica [Dalmatica], his second wife
Sulla
Lucius Cornelius Sulla
Julilla, his first wife (sister of Gaius Julius Caesar)
Aelia, his second wife
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Junior [Young Sulla], his son (by Julilla)
Cornelia Sulla, his daughter (by Julilla)
Bithynia
Nicomedes II, King of Bithynia
Nicomedes III, his older son, King of Bithynia
Socrates, his younger son
Pontus
Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus
Laodice, his sister and wife, first Queen of Pontus (d. 99)
Nysa, his wife, second Queen of Pontus (daughter of Gordius of Cappadocia)
Ariarathes VII Philometor, his nephew, King of Cappadocia
Ariarathes VIII Eusebes Philopator, his son, King of Cappadocia
Ariarathes X, his son, King of Cappadocia
THE GRASS CROWN
I (98 B.C.)
[GC 002.jpg]
1
"The most exciting thing that's happened during the last fifteen months,'' said Gaius Marius, "is the elephant Gaius Claudius showed at the ludi Romani."
Aelia's face lit up. "Wasn't it wonderful?" she asked, leaning forward in her chair to reach the dish of huge green olives imported from Further Spain. "To be able to stand on its back legs and walk! And dance on all four legs! And sit on a couch and feed itself with its trunk!"
Turning a contemptuous face to his wife, Lucius Cornelius Sulla said very coldly, "Why is it people are charmed to see animals aping men? The elephant is the noblest creature in the world. Gaius Claudius Pulcher's beast I found a double travesty—of man and elephant both."
The pause which followed was infinitesimal, though everyone present in the dining room was uncomfortably aware of it; then Julia diverted all eyes from the blighted Aelia by laughing merrily. "Oh, come, Lucius Cornelius, it was the absolute favorite of the whole crowd!" she said. "I know I admired it—so clever and busy!—and when it lifted its trunk and trumpeted in time to the drum—amazing! Besides," she added, "no one hurt it."
"Well, I liked its color," said Aurelia, thinking it wise to contribute her mite. "Pink!"
All of which Lucius Cornelius Sulla ignored by swiveling on his elbow and talking to Publius Rutilius Rufus.
Eyes sad, Julia sighed. "I think, Gaius Marius," she said to her husband, "that it's time we women withdrew and let you men enjoy your wine. Would you excuse us?"
Out went Marius's hand across the narrow table between his couch and Julia's chair; she lifted her own hand to clasp it warmly, and tried not to feel even sadder at the sight of his warped smile. So long now! Yet still his face bore the evidence of that insidious stroke. But what the loyal and loving wife could not admit, even to herself, was that the stroke had wrought a tiny havoc within Gaius Marius's mind; the temper that now flared too easily, the increased emphasis he placed upon largely imagined slights, a hardening in his attitude toward his enemies.
She rose, disengaged her hand from Marius's with a very special smile for him, and put the hand upon Aelia's shoulder. "Come, my dear," she said, "we'll go down to the nursery."
Aelia got up. So did Aurelia. The three men did not, though their conversation ceased until the women had gone from the room. A gesture from Marius sent the servants scurrying to clear the women's chairs from the dining room after which they too vanished. Now only the three couches remained, forming a U; to make conversation easier, Sulla shifted from where he had lain beside Marius to the vacant couch facing Rutilius Rufus. Both of them were then able to see Marius as well as they could each other.
"So Piggle-wiggle is to come home at last," said Lucius Cornelius Sulla when he was sure his detested second wife was out of earshot.
Marius shifted restlessly on the middle couch, frowning, but less direfully than of yore, for the lingering paralysis gave the left half of the grimace a mournful quality.
“What do you want to hear from me by way of answer, Lucius Cornelius?" Marius asked finally.
Sulla laughed shortly. "Why should I want anything but an honest answer? Though, you know, I did not phrase what I said as a question, Gaius Marius."
"I realize that. But it required an answer nonetheless."
"True," said Sulla. "All right, I'll rephrase it. How do you feel about Piggle-wiggle's being recalled from exile?"
"Well, I'm not singing paeans of joy," said Marius, and gave Sulla a piercing glance. "Are you?"
They have drifted subtly apart, thought Publius Rutilius Rufus, reclining on the second couch. Three years ago—or even two years ago—they could not have had such a tensely wary conversation. What happened? And whose fault is it?
"Yes and no, Gaius Marius." Sulla stared down into his winecup. "I'm bored!" he said then through clenched teeth. "At least when Piggle-wiggle returns to the Senate, things might take an interesting turn. I miss those titanic battles you and he used to have."
"In which case, Lucius Cornelius you're going to be disappointed. I'm not going to be here when Piggle-wiggle arrives in Rome."
Both Sulla and Rutilius Rufus sat up.
"Not going to be in Rome?" asked Rutilius Rufus, squeaking.
"Not going to be in Rome," said Marius again, and grinned in sour satisfaction. "I've just remembered a vow I made to the Great Goddess before I beat the Germans. That if I won, I'd make a pilgrimage to her sanctuary at Pessinus."
"Gaius Marius, you can't do that!" said Rutilius Rufus.
"Publius Rutilius, I can! And I will!"
Sulla flopped on his back, laughing. "Shades of Lucius Gavius Stichus!" he said.
"Who?" asked Rutilius Rufus, always ready to be sidetracked if there was a possibility of gossip.
"My late lamented stepmother's late lamented nephew," said Sulla, still grinning. "Many years ago he moved into my house—it belonged to my late lamented stepmother then. His aim was to get rid of me by destroying Clitumna's fondness for me, and his thinking was that if the two of us were there together in Clitumna's house, he'd show me up. So I went away. Right away from Rome. With the result that he had nobody to show up except himself—which he did very effectively. Clitumna was fed up in no time." He rolled over, belly down now. "He died not long afterward," Sulla said reflectively, and heaved a stagey sigh through the middle of his smile
"Here's hoping then that Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus Piggle-wiggle finds his return a hollow victory," said Marius.
"I'll drink to that," said Sulla, and did.
A silence fell that was not easy to break, for the old accord was missing, and Sulla's answer had not brought it back. Perhaps, thought Publius Rutilius Rufus, that old accord was a matter of expedience and the battlefield, rather than a truly deep-seated friendship. Only how can they forget all those years when together they fought Rome's foreign enemies? How can they let this Rome-induced discontent blot out all that's gone before? The tribunate of Saturninus was the end of the old life. Saturninus, who had wanted to be king of Rome—and that unfortunate stroke of Marius's. Then, said he to himself, Nonsense, Publius Rutilius Rufus! They're both men who have to be up and doing important things, they're just not the sort to like sitting at home—and being out of office when they are at home. Give them another war to fight together, or a Saturninus inciting revolution, and they'd be purring like a pair of cats washing each other's faces.
Time got away, of course. He and Gaius Marius were in their sixtieth year, and Lucius Cornelius Sulla was forty-two. Not being addicted to peering into the uneven depths of a mirror, Publius Rutilius Rufus wasn't sure how he himself had weathered the vicissitudes of age, but there was nothing wrong with his eyes at the distance from which he now viewed Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla.
Gaius Marius was sufficiently heavier these days to warrant the making of new togas; a big man always—but a fit and well-proportioned one—his extra weight was distributed on shoulders, back, hips and thighs as well as a rather muscular-looking paunch; and to some extent this additional burden he carried had smoothed out his face, which was bigger, rounder, higher in the forehead thanks to receding hair. Deliberately Rutilius Rufus ignored the left-sided paresis, dwelt instead upon those amazing eyebrows, as huge and bushy and undisciplined as ever. Oh, what storms of artistic consternation Gaius Marius's brows had raised in many a sculptor's breast! Commissioned to take the Marian portrait in stone for some town or guild or vacant plot just crying for a statue, those sculptors who lived in Rome or Italy knew before they set eyes on Gaius Marius what they had to contend with. But the look of horror on the face of some much-vaunted Greek sent by Athens or Alexandria to do a likeness of the most sculpted man since Scipio Africanus when he saw the Marian brows—! Each artist did what he could; yet even painted on a piece of board or linen, Gaius Marius's face ended up as mere background for his eyebrows.