The Rubicon · Episode 1 of 1
The Vote
7:20 · 49 BC · Free
Caesar’s planned return from command in Gaul divides Rome, and Curio wins overwhelming Senate support for disarming both Caesar and his former ally Pompey, only to see the proposal blocked and Pompey charged with defending the city.
CurioSay both names.
Episodes
- 1Playing
The Vote
Caesar’s planned return from command in Gaul divides Rome, and Curio wins overwhelming Senate support for disarming both Caesar and his former ally Pompey, only to see the proposal blocked and Pompey charged with defending the city.
- 2Soon
The Last Decree
Caesar’s representatives seek a compromise that would leave him two legions, but Cato insists on a public hearing and the Senate moves from demanding Caesar’s resignation to overriding the tribunes who oppose its measures.
- 3Soon
The Far Bank
Caesar faces a boundary he cannot lawfully cross with an army, but his troops are already occupying Ariminum when the hesitation reported by Suetonius gives way to his own crossing with the Thirteenth Legion.
- 4Soon
The Disguises
Caesar makes his case to the soldiers by displaying the fugitive tribunes, as his own account describes, then takes three more cities before Rome receives news of the invasion.
- 5Soon
Those Who Remain
Pompey orders every senator to follow him or be counted for Caesar, drawing frightened, uncommitted men into his departure from Rome while others seek refuge at their country villas.
- 6Soon
Terms
Caesar proposes that both commanders return to their provinces and disarm, but Pompey’s conditional acceptance demands immediate withdrawal and Senate arbitration, which Caesar rejects rather than halt his advance.
Transcript
Rome, before the civil war
CurioSay both names.
PompeyChoose your next words carefully.
CurioCaesar gives up his command. Pompey gives up his command. There. Neither name is difficult.
PompeyAnd when he refuses?
CurioThen you will have his answer. I am asking for yours.
PompeyYou would put my name beside his?
CurioWill you let me?
PompeyYou want my consent. You shall not have it.
CurioYour command is in Spain. You have stayed here, in Rome, in politics.
CurioWhat would you lose by giving it up?
PompeyAsk me something else.
CurioThen let the Senate answer. If Rome asks Caesar to surrender his command, will it ask the same of you?
Rome, late 50 BC
NarratorThe men you heard are Curio and Pompey. This is Rome, late in the year 50 BC.
NarratorCurio is a tribune of the plebs and Caesar's ally. His proposal would require both commanders to surrender their armies and commands.
NarratorPompey's command is in Spain. He has never gone there. He remains in Rome, active in its politics.
NarratorCaesar holds command over Cisalpine Gaul, Illyricum and Transalpine Gaul. He has held those provinces since 58 BC.
NarratorHe wants a second consulship. He has the right to stand for election without being in Rome. Pompey himself supported that right.
NarratorBut Pompey now demands that Caesar surrender his army and provinces before he stands. The order matters: first give up the command, then seek the office.
Rome, after the summer of 50 BC.
NarratorIn 52 BC, Caesar had gained the right to stand for consul without coming to Rome. Pompey had supported that right.
CurioI want an answer I can take back. A short one, if you please.
PompeyCaesar must give up his army and provinces before he seeks a second consulship.
CurioYes. That is short.
PompeyThen you should have no trouble carrying it.
CurioYou supported his right to stand without being in Rome.
PompeyAnd you have asked what I require now.
CurioSuppose he agrees. What may I promise him from you?
PompeyYou may carry my answer. You may not make promises in my name.
CurioI would rather carry something he might accept.
PompeyThen persuade him.
CurioHelp me. Give up something yourself.
PompeyWhat would you have me give up?
CurioWhatever you ask him to surrender.
PompeyYou came for my answer.
CurioI have it. I shall ask a different question.
Rome, 1 December 50 BC, after the Senate’s vote.
NarratorOn the first of December, fifty BC, the Senate voted on Curio’s proposal. Caesar and Pompey were both to give up their armies and commands. Three hundred and seventy voted for it. Twenty-two voted against.
CurioWill you give me your answer?
PompeyYou have had enough answers for one day.
CurioThree hundred and seventy for both of you to surrender your armies and commands. Twenty-two against.
PompeyI heard you.
CurioThen I need not repeat it.
PompeyYet you will.
CurioUntil you answer. Neither man keeps an army. Neither man has to yield to the other. Tell me what you object to.
PompeyAnd you will carry my words to Caesar?
CurioGive me words that I can carry to anyone.
PompeyYou ask for my answer. You seem very particular about what it must be.
CurioI thought the number might persuade you.
PompeyThen you have mistaken a count for my consent.
CurioVery well. I shall stop asking what you think of the proposal. What will you do with the vote?
Rome, 1 December 50 BC.
PompeyYou have your answer.
CurioI have several answers. None of them tells me whether you accept.
PompeyThen stop choosing your questions so carefully.
CurioWill you lay down your command if Caesar lays down his?
PompeyI reject the proposal.
NarratorThe Senate had passed the proposal by three hundred and seventy votes to twenty-two. Pompey rejected it. So did the consul.
CurioShall I repeat that?
PompeyYou heard me.
CurioYes. But when I say it outside this room, I would rather you did not discover that I had misunderstood.
PompeyYou came to ask. You have asked.
CurioThere is still time to give me something else to repeat.
PompeySomething that pleases you?
CurioSomething I can use. A condition. A word you want changed.
PompeyDo not bring it back to me with a word changed.
CurioVery well. I will give them your answer as it stands.
Rome, December 50 BC
NarratorConsul Gaius Claudius Marcellus seized on rumours that Caesar was preparing to invade Italy. He charged Pompey with defending Rome and the Republic.
CurioPreparing to invade. Who has seen him?
PompeyYou would have me wait until someone has?
CurioI would have a name. One man who will say what he saw.
PompeyTake that question to the consul.
CurioI am asking the man who would act on his answer.
PompeyAnd if I do nothing? Will you answer for that?
CurioYou need not do nothing. Ask him for proof.
PompeyI will make ready.
CurioBefore you know whether there is an army coming?
PompeyThat is when preparations are useful.
CurioThen give me something I can repeat. If the rumour proves false, will you stop?
PompeyI will judge what Rome requires.
CurioThat leaves a great deal to you.
PompeyYes. You may repeat that.
Rome and Ravenna, December 50 BC
NarratorCurio's tribunate ended on the ninth of December. He complained to the people about Pompey and consul Marcellus.
CurioLet Pompey come and answer me. Marcellus too. I have spoken here, where either man can hear me.
NarratorCurio promptly fled to Caesar at Ravenna.
CaesarSit down.
CurioI would rather stand.
CaesarThen stand. What do you need from me?
CurioAn answer I can use. I have had enough of choosing words that leave every man a way out.
CaesarIf I send you back, will you go?
CurioWith what?
The record, after Curio’s departure from Rome
NarratorThe source set is Crossing the Rubicon; Caesar’s civil war; Julius Caesar; Gaius Scribonius Curio, tribune in fifty BC; Rubicon; and Cisalpine Gaul.
NarratorThe supplied extracts record a vote on the first of December, fifty BC. Three hundred and seventy senators supported Curio’s proposal. Twenty-two opposed it. Both Caesar and Pompey were to surrender their armies and commands.
NarratorPompey and the consul rejected the proposal.
NarratorMarcellus then used rumours of an invasion to charge Pompey with defending Rome and the Republic.
NarratorThe private exchange between Caesar and Curio was reconstructed from that failed proposal and Curio’s recorded journey. These extracts do not give their words. They show no disagreement on these events.
NarratorAfter his tribunate ended, Curio complained publicly about Pompey and Marcellus. He then fled to Caesar at Ravenna.