As one would also expect, the triumphator was dressed splendidly. Not only was he wearing the customary ‘tunica palmata,’ which is the tunic embroidered with palm leaves, but he also wore the ‘toga picta,’ which is the painted toga. As is the custom, the toga was the royal purple, and it had a border of embroidered gold. The gold reflected brilliantly in the light, and it must have been catching a reflection, because the gold, from time to time, looked almost red. Because the toga is the traditional dress of the ruler of Rome, it was an excellent reminder that this particular man has been chosen as Caesar’s royal emissary. It’s difficult to get my mind around this. From now on, he is going to speak for Caesar. His words are to be taken as Caesar’s words.
I could spend all day describing the triumphator alone, but of course, no man does what he has done by himself. An army is required to conquer, and his is a fine one. So yes, the army of Rome followed him triumphantly, as would be appropriate, and they were certainly decked out in all of their military splendor for this occasion. Some walked and some rode horses---fine steeds indeed. Rome has the finest horses, of that there is no doubt. The spoils from this war must have been great, as it looked like they were all wearing brand new uniforms and brand new armor. Normally, one would expect to see evidences of battle, especially some spatterings of blood, but there were none to be seen. They looked sharp. Crisp and clean. That certainly said something about the way that Caesar felt about this man and his accomplishments on behalf of glorious Rome.
Getting back to the triumphator, I could see that he was carrying the ivory baton. You don’t see this every time either. Yet more evidence about the nature of Caesar’s feelings toward this general, as if the fact of the adoption wasn’t enough to communicate such things. He held the baton aloft like a sword, as if he is charging in to battle right now, with army in tow. I wonder if he lead his army into battle or if he called out the execution of battle plans from the safety of the rear. Something tells me that this general was out front, risking himself bravely for his king, his gods, and his fellow countrymen.
Between him and his army came his bodyguards. He had a group of them. I’ve never seen that many, though I’m told that if this was a ‘triumph’ for the Caesar, that he would have that many, if not more. A general has never had that many bodyguards. I suppose being the newly adopted son of Caesar affords one such luxuries. Perhaps they are necessities? After all, Caesar does have his enemies---there’s always rumblings among the people. One hears things. Each of the bodyguards is carrying a ‘fasces.’ Ah, the symbol of Rome and its power. Has there ever been a kingdom more glorious than Rome? Has there ever been an empire so powerful? When Rome strikes, nations fall. Sure, other empires may have been larger geographically, but none has ever been united in the manner of Rome, with its roads, its aqueducts, and especially its religion. Combined with the wonderful system of Roman justice and the ever-present military to help preserve the occasional outbreak of revolution (though why anybody would want to revolt against Rome, I have no idea), Caesar’s rule is iron-clad. Rarely does Caesar have to execute his power on a grand scale, but when he does, it can indeed be furious, like the falling of the wrath of all-powerful Jupiter himself.
We have all heard tales of the fury of Rome’s legions when unleashed---the ‘gates of hell’ I believe it is called. I would never want to experience it, that’s for sure. Pity those who do. Once the full force of Rome’s military might is marshaled, battles tend to come to an end very quickly. This triumphator, I’m told, had done this very thing. He probably could have refrained from doing so, but then the war would have dragged on and on, and more would have died needlessly. He had an enemy to defeat. He knew that if he could bring down or capture just one general in particular, then Rome’s victory would come quickly. Owing to that, his strategy was to bring it all to a grand conclusion, at a single time and place, and that is just what he did. He risked a great deal by this, but the enemy was defeated and many were spared. A plan executed flawlessly! So not only does it seem that he has very much earned this adoption by Caesar, but he has earned the titles that he bears on this day, which were embroidered on his tunic.
Today, and today only, he bore the titles ultimately reserved for Caesar. Along with the crowds, I read the embroidered titles and hailed him as the greatest of all kings and greatest of lords. When I read them, I thought of Caesar, for the triumphator merely bears the title and the power in proxy. Though he is the greatest of Rome’s generals, and though he has achieved an exalted position, at any moment Caesar could demand him to turn over his army, and he would have no choice but to acquiesce. He will, however, get to keep the crown, the robes, and the baton for the remainder of his life, though I’m sure that if the Caesar asked him to return them, for any reason, he would gladly do so. He’s a man of humility, and that is part of the reason that he is being so celebrated. His popular support is so great and his army so loyal that he could have, at any time, easily marched on Rome and overthrown Caesar himself, but he has chosen not to do this. It probably never even crossed his mind to grasp at Caesar’s throne, which is yet another reason to hail him. Listen to me going on and on. It’s almost like I’m worshiping him as if he were the son of god.
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