SP: Lesson - Reading Passage, Story Summary

Story Summary

As we continue reading the story Caedes Intellecta, it is important to remind ourselves of what has happened previously and the events that we can expect to read about in the upcoming chapter. So, let's review and get ready for the next part of the story!

The image to the right shows a statue bust of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. The bust is located in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, but was originally on display at the Forum of Gabii.

Story Notes

Marcellus, though young, was already participating in the Cursus Honorum (the path of honors - a set of Roman political offices) before his death. In 25 BCE, he served in the military under his uncle, the emperor Augustus, and alongside the future emperor Tiberius. In 23 BCE, he was elected Curule Aedile, nearly 15 years younger than the minimum age requirement for the position. His quick ascension in the Cursus Honorum caused certain members of the senatorial class, men who had waited their turn, to be invidens - jealous!

Pseudolus, in his investigation, focused first on this piece of information: his age and the early power of Marcellus made him a target of political intrigue. Rome's political system was incredibly brutal, at times being a literal cutthroat match, with young men constantly battling amongst themselves to gain office and the prestige that came with it. Pseudolus wondered who had the most to gain (asking himself: cui bono)? Because of the danger involved, Pseudolus, while investigating these jealous men, had to be certissimus - most certain in his decisions before making any accusations.

While Pseudolus followed up on rumors within the household involving Marcellus' peers, Selene sought information from someone closer to the source. Due to her status in the imperial house, Selene received an invitation to a dinner party at the house of Maecenas, one of Augustus' closest friends. At the party, Selene attempted to keep a low profile and managed to overhear an intriguing conversation. Selene was audax - courageous.

Agrippa was one of Octavian Augustus' closest associates, a Roman general who was able to command Octavian's forces to victory over Antony and Cleopatra. Augustus trusted Agrippa, and while he outwardly maintained that there would be no succession of rule, many believed that Agrippa was named his heir and was going to take Augustus' place as emperor upon his death. That all was changing with the meteoric rise of Marcellus.

What could power and jealousy do to an ambitious man?