Domus Julii Caesares

The consul is greeted at the door by Caesar himself, who cordially invites the guest into his abode. The two took a seat in the tablinum, overlooking the dominus' daughters playing in the garden. A house slave brought some wine, water and dried fruits.

"You honor me with your presence, Consul. It's rare that I received guests of your status, the last time must've been my late brother-in-law before his untimely passing. How is your family faring, and did you enjoy Iberia?"

"A toast to your happiness then, Sulla! I have also been blessed with the birth of a son, may he prove to be worthy to carry on the name Julia."

Caesar partook in some wine to quench his thirst. He shot a glance at the Iberian additions to the consul's entourage.

"It has, especially for my sister now left with a fatherless boy to take care of. We do what we can to help, but it would do her well to remarry some day. Personally I was devastated. Marius was a good man, an able consul who did much good for the Republic. I know you two had your differences, Sulla, but even you have to recognize that."

"My sister is a good and pious woman, you speak the truth."

To a point, of course. Julia was an independent-minded woman, and could easily get her way despite Caesar being the paterfamilias.

He raised an eyebrow at Sulla's offer.

"Oh, you mean the pirate menace in the east? I would be honored by such a commission Sulla, and would gladly accept. However, I do plan to run for proquaestor and raise that war fleet. Should I win, I'm afraid my obligations in Rome will have to come first. However, I hope that offer would still be open should my political career once again prove wanting?"

Caesar chuckled and took another sip of wine.

"Too late to curry your favor? Too bad, but I'll manage. So you'll be taking on the pirates while your co-consul is left to clean up the Italian countryside?"

"With the recent violence in Rome at the hands of the Saturninites, you can't blame the traditionalist senators feeling animosity towards any sort of populist reforms. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them wanted to go back to the manipular legions."

Caesar chuckled to himself at his own little joke. Despite his own patrician heritage, it was clear to him that the old days were long gone, with so many prestigious families succumbing to destitution while new men like Marius rose to the top.

"If it meant some peace and quiet in Italia, I would gladly support such reforms. My farms won't turn a profit if the Samnites burn my crops. I hope, of course, that I can count on your backing during my political career?"

Cinna visits the Domus of Caesar before his eventual departure to Ancona.