Chapter 22
Imperial Palace, August 423
“THOSE DAMNABLE HUNS are raiding in the north again.” Theo slammed the report down on Pulcheria’s worktable.
She looked up with a weary smile. “Asclepiodotus brought down the wrath of the holy men and the ire of our people. Isidorus fails to stop the Huns ravishing our borders in Illyricum. How many of these convenient Christians will fail you before you understand they are not worthy of your trust?”
“‘Convenient Christians’?”
“Those who convert or profess greater zeal than they feel in order to curry favor with our court. They don’t feel God’s grace as we do, in here.” Pulcheria placed a hand over her heart. “They look to the ancient philosophers for reason, rather than the Word of God for belief.”
“Do you count Athenais among these ‘convenient Christians’?”
Theo’s scowl warned Pulcheria she was treading on dangerous ground. She shrugged. “She observes the forms but reads more frivolously than I’d like. I caught her and Placidia giggling over those wretched love poems by Ovid last week. Really, both grown women with children! How can they stand that rubbish?”
“Dearest Sister, they have taken no holy vows of chastity.” Theo’s mood shifted. He leaned to kiss her on the cheek. “I would be most upset if my wife did.”
“Placidia is a widow twice over and of sufficient years she should have no interest in the urges of the flesh.” Pulcheria turned her attention to the report of Hunnish activity.
“Placidia is only ten years your senior. Hardly a decrepit elder.”
Pulcheria looked up in time to catch the tail end of a smile on Theo’s face. “Other than the sin of enjoying love poems, how do you feel about our aunt? You’ve had over four months to observe her and winkle out her secrets.”
Pulcheria leaned back. “She and her children attend daily prayers and exhibit modest behavior. She keeps the fast days.”
“Is Placidia one of your convenient Christians?”
“No. I sense a genuine religious devotion in her. Placidia is troubled and seeks something. She turns to God for solace.” Pulcheria tapped a fingernail on the desk. “Maybe the rumors are true.”
“You think our gentle aunt capable of gutting an enemy?” Theo’s eyes lighted with interest at this possibility.
“Never underestimate the strength of a woman in a righteous cause.”
“Are you speaking of Placidia or yourself?” Theo smiled.
Pulcheria raised an eyebrow, answering with another question. “What do you think of Athenais’ proposal that you betroth your Eudoxia to the young Valentinian?”
“It’s not a bad idea, but my daughter is still an infant. I don’t like to think of her leaving us.”
“The idea comes from Placidia. She has not given up her ambition that her son rule in the west. I’m sure she thinks the betrothal will make you look more favorably on her petition.”
“Of course the proposal comes from Placidia!” Theo snorted. “Sometimes I feel you treat me as a lack-wit, Sister.”
“Never, Brother.” God give me strength! I wish he weren’t so prickly on that subject. She rose to rest a hand on his shoulder. “Your wits are sharp, but your heart is tender. You want to do all in your power for those you love. I understand, but few would do the same for you.”
“I know you have only my interest at heart, as does Athenais.”
“Of course.” Pulcheria withdrew her hand.
A commotion at the door brought their heads around.
“My apologies, Augustus, Augusta.” Helion entered, followed by a begrimed messenger. “There is news from Ravenna.”
The messenger fell to his knees and extended a letter.
Theo took it, broke the seal and scanned it. “Honorius is dead.”
“God save his soul.” Pulcheria crossed herself, murmuring an additional prayer.
Theo dismissed the servants. “We must tell Placidia.”
“You go. She’s in the nursery with Athenais.”
*****
THEO SURVEYED THE SCENE from the nursery door. His wife and aunt chatted on a padded bench. His daughter careened about the room, followed closely by a young servant girl ready to pick her up or offer a helping hand. Walking was a new skill and evidently must be practiced at all times. The older children studied in another room.
Athenais sensed his presence and looked up.
“Speaking of my love…” She rose to greet him with a warm kiss as he entered the nursery.
Placidia picked up Eudoxia and carried her to her parents. “What brings you to the nursery at this time of day, Nephew?”
He took Eudoxia from her and chucked her under the chin before handing her to Athenais. “I’m afraid I bring distressing news.”
“What?” Placidia put her hand to her heart.
“Your brother Honorius is dead. We just received the dispatches.”
“Oh!” Placidia’s eyes widened in shock. “What did he die of?”
“Dropsy.”
“My poor brother. The family affliction. Our father died of the same illness.” Placidia shook her head. “His health has been fragile for some time.”
Theo reached out to his aunt. “It is no small thing to lose a brother, even if you are estranged.”
“I would have liked to be with him in the end, to let him know I forgave him.” Tears glistened in Placidia’s eyes. “I hope he did not die alone and abandoned. I would not put it past Castinus.”
“The general is mentioned in the dispatches.” Theo shuffled his feet, knowing his aunt would not take the news graciously.
“In what way?” Placidia nearly hissed.
“Honorius knew he was dying and sent several documents, among them a strong recommendation that General Castinus administer the West in my name.”
Placidia suppressed a cry of outrage but could not keep the anger from her voice. “Castinus persuaded Honorius to this course, or even substituted his own wishes for those of my brother. By rights, Valentinian should be emperor in the West. Honorius confirmed my son as Caesar and heir three years ago.”
“Without my consent.” Theo snapped. “As sole emperor, it is my right to designate a co-ruler—or not.”
The sympathetic moment between the two shattered like fragile glass. Athenais clutched their daughter to her chest, glancing with alarm at him and his aunt. At her distress, Theo’s anger lifted as quickly as it came. Before he could speak, Placidia bowed in acknowledgement.
“Of course it is your decision, Nephew,” she continued, her tone softening. “You will choose the colleague you feel best. Now is not the time to discuss this important matter. After the mourning period will be soon enough.”
Theo noticed her careful choice of words, assuming he would choose a co-ruler. Valentinian, at five, could not rule in the West. Placidia wished to be named regent, but that would have to wait. His grandfather ruled singly. Perhaps he would do so, as well. He would discuss Castinus’ proposal with the council.
Placidia bowed. “I should tell the children. Honoria was particularly fond of her uncle.”
*****
October 423
FOLLOWING THE WEEK OF MOURNING, Pulcheria and Theo negotiated with Castinus for two months over the fate of the West. Placidia haunted the palace, upbraiding them by her very presence. Athenais persuaded Theo to approve the betrothal between Valentinian and Eudoxia, with no objection from Pulcheria. It went a little way to assuage her guilt at stealing the boy’s birthright. Pulcheria had yet to decide if Theo could rule alone even with her guidance. He wanted to travel to the West to assess the situation for himself, but there always seemed some reason for postponing the journey.
Pulcheria and Theo were holding audience in the Daphne when another messenger from Ravenna arrived. He bowed and extended a packet. “From Emperor John, ruler in Ravenna of the western Roman lands.”
“What did you say?” Theo leapt to his feet, blood draining from his face. The audience chamber grew silent.
“The people of Ravenna have seen fit to acclaim John as Emperor in the West.” The man fell to his knees. “He sends his most felicitous regards to his co-Emperor and wishes for your good health.”
“Who is this John who usurps the diadem in the West? Where is General Castinus in all this?”
“I only bring the messages, Most Noble One.” The man stretched full length on the floor.
Theo snatched the packet. “Detain him until we’ve had a chance to review these messages.”
Two guards escorted the wretched man from the audience chamber.
Theo signed for two pages to attend him. “Find General Ardaburius and have him attend me in the council room,” he ordered the first, then turned to the second. “You, find and escort my Aunt Placidia to the council room. She should be in her residence.”
They bowed and hurried off.
“The rest of you leave us, except for the council. Attend me.” Theo strode off to the Consistory.
Pulcheria hastened to catch up. “What is it? Why do you need the council?”
“When we’re all together.”
Pulcheria fumed. Since when am I just one of the council?
They entered, taking seats at the head of the massive table. Senior administrators sat along the sides in strict order and rank. General Ardaburius came racing into the room a heartbeat after the last sat. Theo banned servants from the room and placed guards on the door.
When everyone settled, he tossed the papers on the table.
“It seems we have rebellion in the West. A man named John has declared himself emperor.”
Pulcheria pulled the sheaf of papers towards her, quickly scanning them. “It seems General Castinus became impatient. These read like his words.”
“Why would he maneuver such a ploy? He has to know it would displease me.”
“In my negotiations with him, he’s proved a wily adversary.” Pulcheria put the papers down. “The General is too smart to declare himself emperor. He wished to rule in your name in the West. I suspect the betrothal of your daughter to Valentinian panicked him. He read the wrong message in that action, thought you kept him at bay while preparing to replace him with the boy and his mother. Castinus knew Placidia would not tolerate him in her government after his machinations to have her banished, so he raised another he could control.”
“This cannot stand, Augustus.” Helion looked around the table at everyone’s assenting nod. “This John must be overthrown. The only question is whether you do it in your own name or that of Valentinian.”
Pulcheria nodded her agreement. The Master of Offices betrays his preference. Has Placidia been whispering in his ears? Theo could name another—an adult man—to hold the West, but he does not contradict Helion. Is he still thinking of sole rule?
“How soon could we launch an attack?” Theo turned to Ardaburius.
“A full army?”
Theo nodded.
“Not before spring.” The general stroked his chin. “We will need to withdraw some veteran troops from the Persian front and recruit, train and equip reserves. With the Huns active, we cannot leave our northern border undefended.”
“You all agree?”
“Yes.”
“Then leave us…all but Ardaburius and Helion.”
The other officials trooped out.
“Theo!” Athenais cried from the door, a protective hand over her stomach.
Pulcheria started. Was Athenais with child again? How would that affect Theo’s decision—particularly if the child was a boy?
Athenais hurried inside. “I heard what happened in the audience room.”
The guards again shut the door on the much smaller conclave. Theo filled her in on details of the dispatch.
“What are we to do?” Athenais shook her head.
Theo’s glance strayed to his wife’s still flat stomach. “We have a decision to make. This usurper must be ousted, but who will take his place?”
“Would you rule the West as well as the East?” Athenais asked.
“Sister?” Theo turned to Pulcheria first.
“You are a good emperor, but the West would be a terrible burden. Gaul and Hispania are in constant turmoil. It took General Constantius years to pacify those barbaric tribes and still they fight each other and rebel against Rome whenever the mood takes them. Our grandfather ruled the entire empire from his horse. He led his own armies, ranging over the frontier. He made his sons co-rulers after his death, because he knew neither could hold the empire together on his own.” Pulcheria rose. “I will aid you in whatever you decide.”
“Athenais?” Theo’s gaze softened.
“I will accompany you wherever you travel. If you lead an army yourself, I will be in your tent.”
“I won’t lead an army, my Sweet. That’s why I have good generals.” He turned to Ardaburius. “General, what’s the military situation in the West? Will they stand with John? Will they be a threat to an invasion force?”
“The armies in the West are weak and disorganized after decades of fighting the barbarians. General Castinus had some slight success in Gaul, which slipped away when the Gothic auxiliaries left the field. I doubt he could put up much of a fight. Felix, in charge of the Italian reserves, is barely competent. Their most able general, Boniface, is in Africa.”
“Boniface is a good friend of our aunt’s.” Athenais said. “He sends funds to Placidia for her upkeep, since Honorius confiscated her western inheritance.”
“So Boniface would likely support Placidia if she led an invasion in Valentinian’s name.” Theo rubbed his smooth-shaven jaw. “We could send fewer troops if Boniface came from Africa. Guard!” Theo shouted. “Bring me a scribe.”
A short time later, Placidia hastened into the council chamber. =
Pulcheria took her hand. “Dearest Aunt, we have a serious development in the West.”
“I heard. A man named John has declared himself emperor. If I remember, he was a supervisor of clerks with no military background or blood claim to the diadem.”
“The upstart has the nerve to demand I acknowledge his claim over your son’s.” Theo’s mouth twisted. “I imprisoned his envoy.”
“You favor our claim?” Hope lightened her aunt’s features.
Pulcheria waved a hand as if dismissing an insignificant problem. “Of course we favor your claim. The empire is too big to rule alone, and Theo and I have all we can handle here in the East, with Ruga and his Huns threatening in the north and the Persians restless on our eastern borders. We leave the rest of the barbarians to you.”
A scribe brought Theo several parchment pages. Grinning, he signed each with a flourish, put his seal to the wax, and handed them to Placidia. A smile dawned over her face as she read the imperial confirmation of her elevation to Augusta and Valentinian’s to Caesar and heir to Honorius.
“You named me Regent.” Placidia put down the decrees. “Thank you, Nephew.”
“You are the best one to rule in your son’s name. You know the people, the barbarians, and the bureaucracy.” Pulcheria arched an eyebrow. “It is always better to have blood protect blood during a minority.”
“This one,” Theo waved the last sheet, “is an order to General Ardaburius to prepare an army to invade Italy and take back the imperium for Valentinian. I will accompany you myself and crown my young cousin in Rome.”
Placidia bowed low. “My sincere thanks to you, my dearest nieces and nephew. God sent me to you for succor in my darkest hour, and you gave freely of your love and wisdom. I and my children have lived with you in amity. We will not forget to whom we owe our future good fortune.”
Athenais left her chair and embraced Placidia. “I will miss you, Aunt, and so will little Eudoxia. You are my closest friend. I count the days until we are reunited. God keep you safe.”
Theo joined them, putting his arm around his wife’s waist. “Fear not, my love. It will take many months to complete our plans and gather the army. Placidia and the children will be with us through the winter. Leave us now. You need your rest.” He kissed her cheek. “Placidia, please stay and tell us what you know of this John.”
Pulcheria sat back, pleased at the outcome. Her aunt was a shrewd, strong woman. She would fight like a lioness for her children and the empire. She watched with pride as Theo questioned Placidia. Yes, he acted wisely and with decisiveness in this matter. He is growing into the emperor she wanted him to be.