Pothinus

"Servilius, Julius Caesar summons you for a shave. He complains that last time you didn’t use enough oil," said Faberius.

"Master, my flask of Roman oil is running very low…"

"Then go to the kitchen, tonsor!" Faberius gestured impatiently. "Caesar uses their oil for his hands, and he likes it. Go. Quickly, slave!"

Servilius left the royal quarters where Caesar’s forces were lodged. He walked through wide corridors lined with exotic plants. In a bright courtyard, an Egyptian slave knelt with his face buried in his hands; blood dripped between his fingers.

Servilius meant to pass by, but the slave heard his steps and lifted his face — a young man, bleeding heavily from nose and mouth. Their eyes met; something in the boy’s gaze stopped him.

"What happened to you?"

"The eunuch… he struck me."

"By Zeus! For what?"

The young man wiped blood from his face with trembling hands.

"Ptolemy sent me to summon him. When I reached his chambers, he was speaking with Achillas, so I waited… Oh, my teeth… they ache terribly."

Servilius opened his pouch. "Here. Chew these herbs — gently."

"Caesar's man, no! I should not speak to you. The eunuch forbids it!"

Servilius seized his arm and pulled him behind tall plants.

"This will ease the pain. Do not chew too much, or it will make you sleep." The slave put a small amount in his mouth, closed his eyes, and with effort swirled the herbs, swallowing the bitter juices with difficulty.

"Better?"

"Yes… less pain."

"Now — what did you hear?" The young man trembled.

"Caesar's man, he will kill me."

"Caesar remembers favors. You might end up serving Cleopatra herself. Speak."

The slave swallowed hard.

"Pothinus ordered Achillas to raise the army."

"He beat you for that?" The Egyptian young man nodded, then lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with Servilius. "You heard something else... something about Caesar and his men?"

The Egyptian nodded again and raised his head to meet Servilius’ gaze.

"Pothinus ordered Achillas to block the canal to the palace… and they mean to poison the well."

Servilius inhaled sharply. "By Zeus…"

"I must go."

The slave vanished into the corridors. Servilius waited, then continued toward the kitchen.

"Who goes there? Halt!"

He turned. Pothinus stood before him.

"You are one of Caesar’s slaves. Why are you on this side of the palace?"

"I am fetching oil from the kitchen…"

"In the future," Pothinus said sharply, "you will speak to my attendant. You are not to leave the Roman quarter."

"Sire… Excellency…" Servilius met his gaze. "I obey only Caesar’s orders."

Pothinus’ eyes narrowed. "Insolent creature. I could have you thrown into the Nile."

Servilius bowed. "Caesar would not be pleased. I am his barber."

Pothinus clicked his tongue in irritation. "Then go. Do not keep your master waiting."

Servilius bowed again and continued on his way.

"Servilius! I sent for you; where have you been? I hope there is no bloodshed this time!" Caesar exclaimed.

"Caesar, forgive me; I went to the kitchen to fetch oil," Servilius said, setting down on a table next to Caesar a sharp blade, a flask of oil, and a cloth of pure white Egyptian linen. As he began applying the oil to Caesar’s face, Servilius spoke in a very low voice, almost whispering into his master’s ear:

"Caesar..."

Caesar’s expression lit up with restrained curiosity as he turned his head slightly toward his barber. He narrowed his eyes as Servilius whispered. When Servilius finished his report, Caesar sprang from his chair, wiping the oil from his face.

"Go now... Tiberius!"

The marble walls of the banquet hall gleamed amidst the magnificent spectacle celebrating the reunification of Queen Cleopatra and King Ptolemy XIII as co-rulers of the Egyptian throne. Hundreds of slaves continued to serve delicacies worthy of the occasion while musicians and dancers performed in the incense-filled air.

"Does the food please you, Caesar?" asked Pothinus, reclining on a couch opposite Caesar's.

"Very much so! You have been a splendid host. I wonder what else the night holds in store for us. Perhaps you could tell me, Pothinus — why has the palace supplied spoiled grain to my soldiers?"

"Caesar, we ought not to discuss such matters in public, especially while celebrating an occasion so glorious for Egypt."

"Oh! We shall speak of far greater problems soon enough! Achillas, could you assign some of your men to patrol alongside ours? It would provide a morale boost. It would show the Alexandrians that we are friends, not enemies; don’t you think?"

From his couch, looking past Caesar, General Achillas noticed unusual troop movement near the banquet hall.

"Caesar, if you'll excuse me... nature calls," the general said as he rose from the couch and left the hall. Caesar watched him go. Once the general had left the room, Caesar signaled to Centurion Marcellus, who was standing guard beside him, and he too departed. Moments later, Marcellus returned.

"Caesar, General Achillas is nowhere to be found. He has vanished."

"Old fox!" Caesar muttered under his breath. "Have the men move in; we’re taking the hall right now!"

Marcellus nodded once and departed with purpose. Moments later, legionaries entered the banquet hall from all entrances, overpowering ceremonial guards.

"What is the meaning of this?" Pothinus snapped in protest, getting up from his couch. "This is a ceremonial dinner!"

Musicians and dancers halted their performances and moved to the side. A murmur ran through the hall, and visitors and dignitaries sat upright. King Ptolemy stood up, legs and arms opened, looking in all directions with his mouth wide open in astonishment.

"Achillas! Guards!" managed to say the young monarch.

"Little brother." Cleopatra spoke to him in a witty tone. "Continue your dinner... Romans are here to protect us. Have no fear."

As Ptolemy attempted to leave, two legionaries stood behind him.

"Sire, sit down and remain calm."

"See? Nothing to worry about. We have not had the best part of our dinner yet." Cleopatra reassured him with a wide smile, gesturing with her hands.

"This is outrageous! A guest of the palace has never performed such desecration... in the history of Egypt," Pothinus protested strongly.

"You are plotting against your Queen for your own benefit!" Caesar interrupted him with vigor.

"Me? What is this?" Pothinus interjected, and with an arrogant tone added, "Is this a trial?"

"You are behind the Alexandrian revolt which has cost Roman lives!"

Pothinus's face went pale as two legionaries moved behind him.

"You have plotted with Achillas to dam the Royal Channel to the palace, trapping us, and to poison our water well to murder us all. Do you deny it?"

"Caesar..." Pothinus opened his eyes wide in horror, glancing over his shoulders. The two soldiers looking at him frowned. His tone subdued, he moved his trembling hands in front of him in an imploring posture.

"Do you deny it?"

Caesar spoke in an accusatory, thunderous voice. The legionaries pushed down on Pothinus’ shoulders, forcing him to return to his couch with violence.

"Caesar... you are mistaken... you have been misinformed..." said Pothinus after hitting his couch. "I can arrange the payment of Ptolemy's debt...  this tings require time... I can arrange that immediately!"

"It is a little late for that, old asp!" Shouted Cleopatra from her throne. 

Caesar stood up from his couch.

"King Ptolemy and the princesses will remain in their chambers, under my protection, and are not to leave their confined areas without my permission. Queen Cleopatra will remain by my side." Looking around the hall he added, "Dignitaries and guests are to leave the palace at once... or stay and suffer the consequences of what you are about to witness; which you select will not change the outcome."

Late that night, the head of the eunuch Pothinus was placed on a spike on display in front of the Royal Palace for all to see.