Chapter 38: A Day in the Life of Flavius Stilicho
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
In the city of Ravenna sat the Imperial Palace. In years passed, the capital of the Western Roman Empire was moved from Rome to Mediolanum, however such a northern city proved to be unsecure and had been ravaged in a previous war. As a result, Ravenna now stood as the Imperial Capital. The city of Ravenna was embedded in a swamp, and it was because of this it was naturally superior in its defensive position.
Flavius Stilicho was the Supreme Commander of the Western Roman Army. Unfortunately for him, he now acted as a glorified babysitter of an overgrown child. The Emperor Honorius was a young man in his early twenties, and despite this, he was dim-witted, lazy, hedonistic, and outright petty. It was because of men like Stilicho that the Empire was even still standing.
Currently, the Goths were occupying Noricum, and the usurper Constantine III had taken over the diocese of Britannia and Gaul. If he made a move on either of them, the heartland of the Empire would be ravaged by one or the other. Thus, because of that, he could only rely on buying temporary peace to sustain the borders of the Empire.
Despite this, there were many equally petty senators who thought of such a thing as a major insult to their pride and honor. Stilicho was living in a nest of vipers, and every single one of them was trying to influence the young emperor to act against him.
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Net
If you want to read more chapters, please visit NovelNext.Com to experience faster update speed
It was for this reason that the man smiled when he read a report from Castra Regina. Unbeknownst to him, at the time he was convincing the Senate to agree to Alaric’s demands, the man himself had marched on Castra Regina. Thankfully, Marcellus was able to deter the gothic invasion with a simple threat. Still, it was testament to the young general’s reputation that a man like Alaric stayed his hand.
Marcellus’ actions had bought Rome time, time to prepare the ransom so that Alaric would not invade. Of course, Alaric was a filthy barbarian and he could not be easily trusted. While reading this letter, Stilicho also saw the words that Marcellus had left him.
“I intend to transform my limitanei into a force that our ancestors would be proud of. It will be difficult, but it is the only way I can defend this land I have been tasked with protecting. Because of this, I have spent a fortune commissioning arms and armor for my soldiers. They train every day, and are not allowed to slack off on their other work.
Just know that each man who stands among my ranks is willing to die to defend the border from the Gothic threat. You must do your part to negotiate on behalf of all of us Romans to ensure that Alaric stays his hand. I fear I am not in a position to do anything other than deter the man. Just know that should the day come that Alaric brings his troops into my territory, my soldiers will fight to the last man to protect its people.”
Stilicho could only shake his head when he read this. Despite being half-vandal, Marcellus had considered him a true Roman, something the members of the Senate disagreed upon. If only a man like Marcellus ruled the Empire, perhaps it would not be in its current state. After reading the letter, he cast it into the fire. It was best that Honorius did not find out about Marcellus’ attempt to further enhance his troops. The petty fool might actually accuse Marcellus of treason.
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Net
Dwelling upon this, he decided to do everything in his power to conceal the manufacture and sale of the goods that Marcellus had requested. At the very least, there would not be a trail for Honorius to follow. He decided to write a letter to the foreman of the Roman Manufactorum, explaining to him that Marcellus was commissioning the goods on his behalf. If Honorius were to find out about this deal, then Stilicho could always say he was simply acting to strengthen the border defenses against the Gothic threat.
After doing this, he left his chambers and soon found the Roman Emperor staring at his pet chickens with a dejected gaze. Whatever had occurred, Honorius was clearly in a foul mood. With a heavy sigh, Stilicho approached the man and questioned what was on his mind.
“Your majesty, is there anything I should be aware of?”
Honorius did not immediately respond, and instead cast out a handful of seed for the chickens to feast on. After doing so, he began to complain about his life.
“Despite Marcellus’ punishment, my sister still writes to him. I fear that the girl has fallen for that scoundrel. Yet, I do not have any proof. Tell me, how should I punish the bastard for wooing my little sister?”
Stilicho knew it was something petty, but he didn’t realize it was this bad. He had no choice but to advocate on Marcellus’ behalf.
“With all due respect, Honorius, your sister is old enough to wed, and you have yet to find her a proper partner. I know you despise Marcellus, but he only has Rome’s best
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
In the city of Ravenna sat the Imperial Palace. In years passed, the capital of the Western Roman Empire was moved from Rome to Mediolanum, however such a northern city proved to be unsecure and had been ravaged in a previous war. As a result, Ravenna now stood as the Imperial Capital. The city of Ravenna was embedded in a swamp, and it was because of this it was naturally superior in its defensive position.
Flavius Stilicho was the Supreme Commander of the Western Roman Army. Unfortunately for him, he now acted as a glorified babysitter of an overgrown child. The Emperor Honorius was a young man in his early twenties, and despite this, he was dim-witted, lazy, hedonistic, and outright petty. It was because of men like Stilicho that the Empire was even still standing.
Currently, the Goths were occupying Noricum, and the usurper Constantine III had taken over the diocese of Britannia and Gaul. If he made a move on either of them, the heartland of the Empire would be ravaged by one or the other. Thus, because of that, he could only rely on buying temporary peace to sustain the borders of the Empire.
Despite this, there were many equally petty senators who thought of such a thing as a major insult to their pride and honor. Stilicho was living in a nest of vipers, and every single one of them was trying to influence the young emperor to act against him.
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Net
If you want to read more chapters, please visit NovelNext.Com to experience faster update speed
It was for this reason that the man smiled when he read a report from Castra Regina. Unbeknownst to him, at the time he was convincing the Senate to agree to Alaric’s demands, the man himself had marched on Castra Regina. Thankfully, Marcellus was able to deter the gothic invasion with a simple threat. Still, it was testament to the young general’s reputation that a man like Alaric stayed his hand.
Marcellus’ actions had bought Rome time, time to prepare the ransom so that Alaric would not invade. Of course, Alaric was a filthy barbarian and he could not be easily trusted. While reading this letter, Stilicho also saw the words that Marcellus had left him.
“I intend to transform my limitanei into a force that our ancestors would be proud of. It will be difficult, but it is the only way I can defend this land I have been tasked with protecting. Because of this, I have spent a fortune commissioning arms and armor for my soldiers. They train every day, and are not allowed to slack off on their other work.
Just know that each man who stands among my ranks is willing to die to defend the border from the Gothic threat. You must do your part to negotiate on behalf of all of us Romans to ensure that Alaric stays his hand. I fear I am not in a position to do anything other than deter the man. Just know that should the day come that Alaric brings his troops into my territory, my soldiers will fight to the last man to protect its people.”
Stilicho could only shake his head when he read this. Despite being half-vandal, Marcellus had considered him a true Roman, something the members of the Senate disagreed upon. If only a man like Marcellus ruled the Empire, perhaps it would not be in its current state. After reading the letter, he cast it into the fire. It was best that Honorius did not find out about Marcellus’ attempt to further enhance his troops. The petty fool might actually accuse Marcellus of treason.
This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Net
Dwelling upon this, he decided to do everything in his power to conceal the manufacture and sale of the goods that Marcellus had requested. At the very least, there would not be a trail for Honorius to follow. He decided to write a letter to the foreman of the Roman Manufactorum, explaining to him that Marcellus was commissioning the goods on his behalf. If Honorius were to find out about this deal, then Stilicho could always say he was simply acting to strengthen the border defenses against the Gothic threat.
After doing this, he left his chambers and soon found the Roman Emperor staring at his pet chickens with a dejected gaze. Whatever had occurred, Honorius was clearly in a foul mood. With a heavy sigh, Stilicho approached the man and questioned what was on his mind.
“Your majesty, is there anything I should be aware of?”
Honorius did not immediately respond, and instead cast out a handful of seed for the chickens to feast on. After doing so, he began to complain about his life.
“Despite Marcellus’ punishment, my sister still writes to him. I fear that the girl has fallen for that scoundrel. Yet, I do not have any proof. Tell me, how should I punish the bastard for wooing my little sister?”
Stilicho knew it was something petty, but he didn’t realize it was this bad. He had no choice but to advocate on Marcellus’ behalf.
“With all due respect, Honorius, your sister is old enough to wed, and you have yet to find her a proper partner. I know you despise Marcellus, but he only has Rome’s best
In the city of Ravenna sat the Imperial Palace. In years passed, the capital of the Western Roman Empire was moved from Rome to Mediolanum, however such a northern city proved to be unsecure and had been ravaged in a previous war. As a result, Ravenna now stood as the Imperial Capital. The city of Ravenna was embedded in a swamp, and it was because of this it was naturally superior in its defensive position.Flavius Stilicho was the Supreme Commander of the Western Roman Army. Unfortunately for him, he now acted as a glorified babysitter of an overgrown child. The Emperor Honorius was a young man in his early twenties, and despite this, he was dim-witted, lazy, hedonistic, and outright petty. It was because of men like Stilicho that the Empire was even still standing.Currently, the Goths were occupying Noricum, and the usurper Constantine III had taken over the diocese of Britannia and Gaul. If he made a move on either of them, the heartland of the Empire would be ravaged by one or the other. Thus, because of that, he could only rely on buying temporary peace to sustain the borders of the Empire.Despite this, there were many equally petty senators who thought of such a thing as a major insult to their pride and honor. Stilicho was living in a nest of vipers, and every single one of them was trying to influence the young emperor to act against him.This chapter upload first at NovelBin.NetIf you want to read more chapters, please visit NovelNext.Com to experience faster update speed It was for this reason that the man smiled when he read a report from Castra Regina. Unbeknownst to him, at the time he was convincing the Senate to agree to Alaric's demands, the man himself had marched on Castra Regina. Thankfully, Marcellus was able to deter the gothic invasion with a simple threat. Still, it was testament to the young general's reputation that a man like Alaric stayed his hand.Marcellus' actions had bought Rome time, time to prepare the ransom so that Alaric would not invade. Of course, Alaric was a filthy barbarian and he could not be easily trusted. While reading this letter, Stilicho also saw the words that Marcellus had left him. I intend to transform my limitanei into a force that our ancestors would be proud of. It will be difficult, but it is the only way I can defend this land I have been tasked with protecting. Because of this, I have spent a fortune commissioning arms and armor for my soldiers. They train every day, and are not allowed to slack off on their other work.Just know that each man who stands among my ranks is willing to die to defend the border from the Gothic threat. You must do your part to negotiate on behalf of all of us Romans to ensure that Alaric stays his hand. I fear I am not in a position to do anything other than deter the man. Just know that should the day come that Alaric brings his troops into my territory, my soldiers will fight to the last man to protect its people.Stilicho could only shake his head when he read this. Despite being half-vandal, Marcellus had considered him a true Roman, something the members of the Senate disagreed upon. If only a man like Marcellus ruled the Empire, perhaps it would not be in its current state. After reading the letter, he cast it into the fire. It was best that Honorius did not find out about Marcellus' attempt to further enhance his troops. The petty fool might actually accuse Marcellus of treason.This chapter upload first at NovelBin.NetDwelling upon this, he decided to do everything in his power to conceal the manufacture and sale of the goods that Marcellus had requested. At the very least, there would not be a trail for Honorius to follow. He decided to write a letter to the foreman of the Roman Manufactorum, explaining to him that Marcellus was commissioning the goods on his behalf. If Honorius were to find out about this deal, then Stilicho could always say he was simply acting to strengthen the border defenses against the Gothic threat.After doing this, he left his chambers and soon found the Roman Emperor staring at his pet chickens with a dejected gaze. Whatever had occurred, Honorius was clearly in a foul mood. With a heavy sigh, Stilicho approached the man and questioned what was on his mind. Your majesty, is there anything I should be aware of?Honorius did not immediately respond, and instead cast out a handful of seed for the chickens to feast on. After doing so, he began to complain about his life.Despite Marcellus' punishment, my sister still writes to him. I fear that the girl has fallen for that scoundrel. Yet, I do not have any proof. Tell me, how should I punish the bastard for wooing my little sister?Stilicho knew it was something petty, but he didn't realize it was this bad. He had no choice but to advocate on Marcellus' behalf.With all due respect, Honorius, your sister is old enough to wed, and you have yet to find her a proper partner. I know you despise Marcellus, but he only has Rome's best
