An Exemplar Death of Molten Gold
Sirus had barely left the night sky when news arrived from the far east of the Empire. The Consul Crassus had been captured. His invasion had failed, and he was now at the mercy of the Parthian King Orodes II.
It was well known to the citizens of Rome the brutality of that far flung region. That had been the reason for Crassus’ assignment. But his invasion had failed. The Parthians had overrun the Roman legions, something unheard of in the history of the state.
And now they had the great orator, known for his lavish parties and great wealth. That avarice had been his personal reason for the invasion. But capturing the Parthians, he would have reaped the rewards of the land and their sale as slaves.
That desire and his reputation may have led directly to his defeat. The Roman Consul’s reputation had preceded him. And now the very people he had hoped to enslave had caught him. All of Rome wondered what they would do with him.
The insatiable beast, amassing to himself the wealth of the empire to further his ambitions, was caught. Rumors flew about the forum and the bazaars of what fate awaited the Consul. Would it be enslaved, the most customary practice among Rome’s own legions, imprisonment or execution?
None believed such a great man could be brought so low, surely the Senate would sue…
