Page 56 of Agrippa

She fixed me with her piercing eyes and waited for me to agree.

I would not have chosen to put it as categorically as that. I did not share her high opinion of Tiberius for a start. I agreed with Augustus: he was an awkward, raw young man, no leader. On the other hand, almost anyone would be better from my point of view than Marcellus, and Tiberius at least was still betrothed to my eldest daughter, Agrippina. Having observed the calibre of most politicians, I was not without ambition. Once the marriage took place, I could find myself the father-in-law of Augustus’s successor. That would further strengthen my position and make me, at least for a few years, the most powerful man in Rome.

It was time for me to put myself first.

I said she had my support.

Livia gave one of her rare smiles, as fleeting as a flash of sunshine on a stormy day.

– I thought you would see the advantages. But we can’t do it alone. Our next step must be to recruit an ally from the senatorial faction. I believe I have found just the man.

– And who is that?

– Calpurnius Piso.

It struck me as such an outlandish suggestion, I snorted in disbelief. Perhaps she was not as clever as I thought!

– Piso? Who fought with Pompey against Julius Caesar in the civil war? Who applauded the assassins and took up arms against us at Philippi? It’s a miracle he’s still alive! I thought he had retired from public life.

– Patricians like Piso never retire. They bide their time. He has eight consuls in his family tree. He longs to be the ninth. No one is more influential among the Republican old guard.

– But he’ll never agree!

– He already has. I spoke to him yesterday. If we make him consul next year, he’ll support us.

The speed of her manoeuvring left me as usual flailing in her wake. She seemed to take pleasure in watching my slowness to catch up, waiting for me to ask the obvious question: how could we make Piso consul, given that Augustus and Murena had only just been elected?

– We shall create a vacancy and appoint Piso suffect consul.

– You want Augustus to step down?

A pitying look.

– No, that would defeat the whole purpose of the plan. It is Murena who must go.

– And does Augustus approve of this?

– He will.

A few days later, I went to call on Murena.

I went armed and in full military kit, accompanied by twenty legionaries, who pushed past his steward and stationed themselves in his atrium.

Murena emerged half dressed to find out what was going on. He was surprised to see me, and alarmed.

– Agrippa, what is all this?

I came straight to the point.

I said I had come with the authority of Augustus to inform him that unfortunately circumstances had changed. Due to his illness, and in the interests of the stability of the state, it would be necessary for him to have as his consular colleague a figure who carried greater weight in the Senate.

– Accordingly, he must ask you to resign. He sends his apologies. I am sure he will be able to find you some special command overseas as compensation, perhaps even a governorship.

– This is an outrage! On what grounds am I supposed to resign?

– I would suggest ill health.

– But my health is good.