Chapter 86: The Fate of Egypt (2) Marcus and Ptolemy continued their discussions, covering details such as the extent of Rome's support for Ptolemy in times of trouble, the specifics of Marcus's banking venture, and the amount of sugar that could be exported.
Marcus noticed a subtle change in Ptolemy's demeanor and tone during the meeting, indicating there was more on his mind. However, Ptolemy held back from addressing it openly in the presence of others.
When Marcus returned to his residence, he remained in his formal attire, anticipating a further discussion. As expected, a servant arrived late at night with a message from Ptolemy.
Ptolemy was surprised at how quickly Marcus arrived and confirmed his intuition about Marcus's keen insight.
"You arrived promptly. Did you anticipate my call?" Ptolemy asked.
"Indeed. You seemed to have more to discuss," Marcus replied.
"Your insight is impressive. It was wise to converse with you," Ptolemy said with admiration.
"I understand. So, you wish to speak to me as Marcus Crassus rather than a representative of the Senate," Marcus noted.
Ptolemy smiled wryly. "You seem to see through everything. Is this a natural talent of yours?"
"I wish it were. It's more a matter of refined insight," Marcus explained.
"That's even more admirable. After 20 years on the throne, I've only developed a knack for distinguishing between those who are dangerous and those who are not."
"Isn't that the most essential skill for a ruler?" Marcus asked.
Knowing who poses a threat is crucial for maintaining power and stability. However, Ptolemy shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Such discernment is not as great as it sounds. It's simply a survival instinct. As you may know, I am not the legitimate heir to the previous pharaohs. My ascent to the throne was contentious, and I've had to rely heavily on external support. I chose not to oppose Rome to avoid destabilizing my position."
"You had no other option," Marcus said.
"Indeed. Consequently, I earned the sarcastic title of 'Auletes,' meaning 'flute player,' indicating my perceived weakness. I have few trustworthy allies in the palace, as most seek to use my power for their own gain. The priests of Memphis do not recognize me, so I have learned to rely on my survival instincts over these 20 years."
Marcus felt sympathy for Ptolemy, who, despite his lofty title, had little real power. The people of Alexandria and Egypt did not view him as their true king. Ptolemy must have lived in constant anxiety, clinging to his throne despite the hardships.
Marcus guessed what Ptolemy was hesitant to ask. "Do you feel that the Senate's resolution is insufficient?"
Ptolemy was momentarily speechless, as if Marcus had hit the mark. He hesitated, struggling to articulate his concerns.
This was the harsh reality of Egypt: even a pharaoh regarded as a living god had to be cautious of offending the Senate. Particularly for someone like Ptolemy, with a tenuous power base in Rome, the situation was precarious.
"You need not worry about this conversation leaking," Marcus assured him firmly.
Ptolemy sighed in relief and nodded. "It's difficult to fully trust the Senate. I've heard about Eudogoras's experiences in Rome. The Senate is primarily interested in Egypt's wealth and resources. They are always looking for a chance to annex Egypt, as evidenced by what happened to Pergamon and Bithynia."
"I can't defend the Senate's actions regarding those kingdoms. However, once the Senate passes a resolution, it will honor the agreement as long as you remain on the throne. Rome does not break contracts unilaterally."
Ptolemy acknowledged this but was still concerned about Egypt's future. The fate of Egypt after his death was uncertain, and it could end up like the Seleucid and Antigonid kingdoms, fading into obscurity. The Ptolemaic dynasty's illustrious history could end with him, leaving him unable to face his predecessors.
The situation for Pergamon and Bithynia, once autonomous under Rome and later absorbed, was a sobering reminder of the potential fate that awaited Egypt.
Rome maintained its non-interference policy as long as the king who made the contract with them was alive. However, upon the king's death, Rome presented a will from the deceased ruler and annexed Pergamon and Bithynia as provinces.
The prince of Pergamon, who claimed rightful succession, rebelled but was quickly suppressed and executed after a triumphal parade. Bithynia, on the other hand, became a province with minimal resistance.
Ptolemy feared a similar fate for Egypt.
"The Senate seems to be uncomfortable with my growing royal authority, despite the substantial bribes I've given. You might not know this, given your relatively recent arrival in the Senate, but…"
"So, you aim to gain favor with someone who has real power rather than the Senate itself. It's a strategy with merit, but I think you might be overestimating me," Marcus replied.
"Overestimating? No, I don't think so. Didn't I tell you? I can discern who poses a threat and who does not."
"Hm, so you believe I'm not a threat to you... and you want to win me over?" Marcus questioned.
Ptolemy shook his head slightly. "Quite the opposite. Your potential is so vast that it's difficult to judge. If you were Egyptian, I would have already used all my means to eliminate you. But you're a Roman noble and will likely become a central figure in the Senate, much like Pompey is now."
"I appreciate your high regard," Marcus said.
"It's not a current observation, but it will be in the future. From my perspective, it's more beneficial to align with someone like you, who has a strong chance of being at the heart of the Senate, than with the Senate itself, whose reliability is questionable."
"Do you not worry about my possible ulterior motives?" Marcus asked.
"Of course, I do. I'm cautious. But if our relationship is mutually beneficial, we can avoid those concerns. I prefer to base our connection on mutual advantage rather than trust."
Marcus regarded Ptolemy with an indifferent expression, the real face he rarely showed to the senators. Ptolemy swallowed nervously, sensing the potential danger but also recognizing the advantage of securing Marcus's support for the Ptolemaic dynasty's survival.
He continued before Marcus could respond. "I can support you in various ways once you rise to a higher position in Rome. I can sponsor your business ventures to establish a strong foothold in North Africa. If you aim to influence all of North Africa, you will need my backing. Additionally, I can provide grain at a low price when needed, though not frequently. For example, if there's a famine in Sicily or Asia Minor and you can supply grain from Egypt at a lower cost, it would significantly boost your popularity in Rome."
"That's a tempting offer," Marcus acknowledged.
He had studied historical patterns of good and bad harvests and saw the opportunity in using this to his advantage. More importantly, Egypt's support would greatly enhance his flexibility and increase his success rate from 99% to 100%.
However, considering the future, Marcus realized he needed to reassess his stance on Egypt. Ancient Egypt, with its unparalleled fertility and wealth, was crucial. Even when defeated and made a Roman province, Egypt was treated uniquely, becoming the emperor's personal possession rather than being governed by a provincial governor. Its immense wealth was a powerful asset for strengthening the emperor's authority.
Ultimately, both immediate benefits and future gains were too valuable to discard. After some thought, Marcus decided that the best solution was to secure both.
Marcus smiled brightly as he responded to Ptolemy's offer.
"That's not a bad condition. I gladly accept."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. But let's make our conditions clear. Contracts should be thorough so that if any issues arise, we can clearly determine responsibility."
"I agree. I also have some points I want to clarify."
Marcus and Ptolemy began drafting the terms on papyrus, using "A" and "B" to represent themselves to maintain confidentiality.
The main points of their agreement were as follows:
This agreement will remain confidential. The party responsible for any leakage will bear full responsibility. A will actively support B's royal authority, including bringing a resolution from the Senate if necessary. In return, B will allow A to use the royal family's name in his business upon request. A has the right to purchase grain at 50% below the usual price, exercisable once every 10 years. A must assist B's successor in securing their royal authority after B's death. If Egypt takes hostile action against Rome first, all terms of this agreement will be void. While the detailed document spanned several pages, these were the essential terms.
Ptolemy felt that he hadn't lost much by agreeing to the fourth point.
He was not overly concerned about the first and fifth points, which could invalidate the agreement. It was clear that any breach of confidentiality would be penalized, and Egypt would be unlikely to act aggressively towards Rome unless it faced dire consequences.
The contract was concluded in a way that satisfied both parties.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Marcus left Ptolemy's presence, feeling content with the outcomes of his visit to Egypt.
With everything accomplished, Marcus prepared to return to Rome.
He needed to be back by mid-June at the latest for the official election campaign. Although Ptolemy seemed eager for him to stay longer, he did not insist. Instead, he hosted lavish parties daily to curry Marcus's favor.
Arsinoe and Cleopatra visited Marcus's residence almost every day, often becoming a nuisance.
Cleopatra was always polite, but Arsinoe persistently asked him to play with her.
"Marcus, tell me stories about the heroes of Rome."
"Didn't I tell you about the great Africanus yesterday?"
"I'm curious about Pompey. His fame is well-known even here in Egypt."
"Sigh… Okay. So Pompey is…"
Arsinoe had shed her initial authoritative attitude and now followed Marcus around, constantly asking for sweets.
Cleopatra, concerned that her sister might be inappropriate, remained by her side.
Marcus struggled with the constant attention from the children, finding it challenging to manage.
Spartacus suspected that Arsinoe was feeling very lonely.
"Perhaps the aggressive attitude she showed initially was due to the loneliness she had endured since childhood. The princes and princesses don't seem to get along well, leading to a lack of interaction, with only sycophants around them."
"A kind of psychological defense mechanism?"
"I'm not familiar with that term, but it seems to be what you're suggesting, my lord."
Previously, there was no one like Marcus in the company of Arsinoe and Cleopatra—a person who didn't flatter excessively and was someone they had to respect. He engaged with them when they asked for something, as if he had no choice, and his extensive knowledge and captivating stories made listening to him enjoyable.
To the two princesses, Marcus was the first intriguing foreigner and the most entertaining playmate they had ever encountered. He could not bring himself to be harsh towards the children who frequently followed him.
Ultimately, Marcus set aside his own thoughts and practiced interacting with them as if they were his own children, preparing himself for their future growth. He even created a simple board game for Arsinoe and Cleopatra to enjoy after he left.
The days passed quickly as he unexpectedly took on the role of a caretaker.
Preparations for his return to Rome were completed in less than ten days, marking the end of his time in Egypt. Cleopatra openly expressed her regret at his departure, while Arsinoe, unlike her usual self, whined and asked him to stay for another week. Naturally, Marcus knew that staying was impossible.
He bid farewell politely and promised to meet them again if the opportunity arose.
Boarding the ship back to Rome, Marcus's journey was relentless and swift, each day passing like an arrow until he reached his destination. His thoughts remained focused and uninterrupted, with a clear vision of the changing world map in his mind.
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