With a setting of over two thousand years ago, Saylor accurately depicts an era of murder, treachery, assassination, and the sense of uprooted-ness that the Romans felt while dealing with the fall of their civilization. Rubicon is concerned with the beginning of the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey, which would eventually lead to the end of the Republic and the establishment of the Empire. As Caesar crosses the Rubicon river into Italy with his troops, Rome succumbs to fear over his intentions causing the government and economy to break down. This also causes thousands to flee in search of refuge. Once a place of beauty, Rome is the last place people want to be. Rome was slowly being torn into two factions by Caeser and Pompey, however Rome could not easily be split without ruin altogether. Those who did stay were torn between sides and are shaken daily by rumors of their imminent death.
Rumors were running rampant throughout Rome. At any corner you could here news of Caesers battles and plans of destruction by a man selling bread. This was something that Gordianus found puzzling. He was not accustomed to hearing such news from a man on the street. Slaves are also portrayed as being very useful and loyal to there masters. Some are freed slaves and some are turned gladiators sworn to protect valuables. After the Romans have fled, they have left their honest slaves to guard their homes, families, and treasure.
Pompey, brilliant and beautiful, who was once revered as a commander touched by the Gods. With his age he has lost his beauty and brilliance, as well as an unwillingness to compromise, bringing Rome down in flames with him. Because of his indecisiveness and uncertainty, he has allowed Caesar to march on Rome, and now he has his back to the wall. It appears Pompey has lead his people astray, and leaves them with only one alternative: to flee the city. However, in the time of crisis, he demands the peoples allegiance under penalty of death, even though it is almost certain Caesar will prevail.
The Essay on Cicero Caesar Rome Pompey
Marcus Tullius Cicero, is remembered in modern times as the greatest Roman orator and innovator of what became known as Ciceronian rhetoric. He was the son of a wealthy family of Arpinium. He made his first appearance in the courts in 81. His brilliant defense, in 80 or early 79, of Sext us Roscius against a fabricated charge of parricide established his reputation at the bar. After his election ...
Cicero, much like Pompey, is portrayed as a self-righteous and conceited person, who is concerned only for his welfare. Both men represent Roman self-assurance and dignity, one being a military colossus and the other a political genius. Cicero and Pompey had always triumphed in the past, but now both men were scared.
While Gordianus is a fictional character thrown into the mix, he makes good assumptions about the chaos around him, but his self-proclaimed ‘good morals’ in killing Numerius to save his son would be protested by Grau. There is an interesting parallel between the two men and an almost identical situation. While Grau argues that there is a difference between a man who kills in war and a man who kills in his spare time, Gordianus says that there is no difference. “What’s the difference between killing whole villages and armies, and killing a single man? Caeser’s reasons and mine are different only in degree. “The consequences and the suffering still spread to the innocent” (p. 265).
