11 Nero the Goat

After the Book of Nero Chronicles spread far and wide, the Senate used them as propaganda against Agrippina's threat to the united citizens of Rome and the nobles surrounding Rome. 

They all joined forces to stomp out Agrippina's influence in Rome. 

They begged Nero relentlessly outside the Palatine Hill, day and night, pleading for her to take her crown as Emperor.

Even the senators, the supposed voice of reason, knelt outside her chamber, begging Nero to take her rightful place as Caesar and put an end to Agrippina's audacious reign.

Agrippina had a knack for making self-serving decisions that ruined Rome's interests as long as it benefited her as regent and mother of the Caesar. 

She made enemies left and right and reveled in her power without considering the consequences. 

The tipping point came when they begged Nero to rid them of Agrippina's meddling once and for all. 

As long as Agrippina was out of the picture, they didn't care what Nero did, even if it meant raising their luxury tax. 

They had collectively worked to suppress her mother's influence in court.

Now, she knew her time had come; it was the time she came into power and when her mother's reign came to an end.

Nero rose from her chamber and was met by Burrus in the hall, her Praetor guards dutifully protecting the Emperor as they escorted her to the throne room. 

All senators present bowed their heads in submission after they saw Caesar accompanied by her mighty guards. 

The sight of Nero with her mighty guards silenced any opposition or dissent, adding to her aura of dominance. 

The bloodlust radiated from their experience enough to tell in the room present who was in charge.

Nero took her seat on the throne, oozing elegance and composure despite it being her first time. 

She scanned the room, nodding in satisfaction at the obedience and lack of opposition. 

Even her mother's oppressive aura couldn't stand up to the intimidating Praetor guards.

Then, the citizens of Rome began to pour in one by one, presenting their problems. 

Most issues were minor and left to the Senate to handle. 

But one citizen from Gaul entered the throne room with a pressing matter—a bandit problem plaguing their village and surrounding towns and cities.

"What do you think about this, ladies and gentlemen?" Nero asked diplomatically, looking at the ladies and gentlemen present.

"I think we can trust Vindex, Nero. In no time, he would suppress the bugs like them," Agrippina winked at Nero, signaling her agreement with the suggestion and at the same time wanting Nero to save face.

But Nero had none of it.

"If Vindex were truly competent, this incident wouldn't have happened, mother," Nero replied firmly. "I, Nero Claudius, demoted his rank to Vice Provisional of Gaul and promoted Vespasian as Provisional of Gaul."

"According to Vespasian's performance in suppressing the Jews and his merits in incorporating Jerusalem into Rome's rules, he deserves to be promoted as the Governor overseeing Gaul. Vindex's poor performance in suppressing bandits doesn't compare at all to Vespasian's. He doesn't deserve that position if he couldn't even suppress bandits." 

"Is there any objection?"

"No, Caesar."

"Thank you, Caesar, for the trust," Vespasian expressed his gratitude for his promotion to Governor of Gaul.

"You deserve that position, Vespasian. Don't betray my trust," Nero added. 

"I won't," Vespasian nodded and returned to his position.

Indeed, he admired Nero for bluntly calling Vindex incompetent to his face without sugarcoating. 

Who didn't know that Vindex was a big shot in Gaul and the most powerful general in Rome? 

Even their previous Caesars, Caligula and Claudius, needed to respect him if they didn't want to lose control of Gaul. 

Even the senators present admired Nero's courage; they voiced no objection because they grew weary of Vindex's arrogance, especially his neglect of his duty as consul and his monopolization of the legionaries that were supposed to belong to Rome. 

No matter how many times he was called upon by previous Caesars, he never budged from his territories. 

That arrogance irked them. 

While they voiced their silent support, only Agrippina was angry at her daughter's decision, but there was nothing she could do as many senators and Praetor guards had their eyes on her, preventing her from speaking again.

"Caesar, I have something to say about the matter of Gaul," someone suddenly interjected when he saw Lady Agrippina isolated on all sides, even her own faction in Gaul was on the brink of being dismantled by Caesar and greatly distressed. 

Otho, without hesitation, stepped in to save the day. 

Of course, he knew that saving the day shouldn't be too subtle and had to be righteous to the cause of Rome.

He spoke with a worried look on his face.

"I think he wouldn't necessarily obey our arrangement, Caesar. Most of our citizens in Gaul support him, and even our legionaries respect him. There is no second hand that would be allowed to rule above him in Gaul. If we forcefully interject his rules, I'm afraid he would humiliate our newest appointed government and diminish our prestige." 

Rather than bluntly saying that he wanted to save Agrippina, he mentioned the consequence of Caesar's actions showing hostility towards Vindex, which would lead to instability in Rome.

"Since when has Rome acted weak and diplomatic?" Nero asked in doubt. "Do you know how we won Gaul, Carthage, the Jews, and Britannia, Otho?"

"We won not by flattery, but by conquest and blood!"

"And you tell me that we need to flatter incompetents like Vindex?"

"He can't even defeat bandits. What qualifications does he have to challenge our authorities and rules?"

Senators present nodded their heads, proud that their monarch was no coward. None among them offered a compromise.

Since when could senators be overridden by others at will? 

They had their own pride and stared at Otho menacingly.

"But I don't think they would welcome Vespasian, Caesar. They wouldn't rebel against us, that's for sure, but it doesn't mean they could not play a trick and use this opportunity to make them think we are weak by humiliating Vespasian," Otho added, mentioning Vespasian in hopes that he would give up this impossible task of making Vindex submit to their authority.

"Vespasian, do you agree with what Otho said? Do you feel that you couldn't take up this job?"

"That's not what I meant, Caesar..."

But Otho's voice was forcefully interrupted by Vespasian. 

"The Jews have the answer to Otho's question, Caesar. If he has any doubt about it, he could go there himself." 

The senators present laughed along with Vespasian's sarcastic remark and nodded approvingly. 

Otho was greatly humiliated by Vespasian and the Senate's laughter, and he lowered his head to hide his fury. 

When he saw Lady Agrippina didn't defend him or say anything for him, he was discouraged and defeated. 

And to add insult to injury, Nero spoke.

"Have you heard it, Otho? Now, you have been demoted from your office as Consul and appointed by me as Commander of the Watchmen in Jerusalem. You will not leave Jerusalem a half-step until you fully understand your place."

"Yes, Caesar," Otho bowed his head, trying to hide his displeasure. 

The position of Commander seemed good, but Otho knew it was not good at all, especially since watchmen were the lowest among them, full of plebeians, with little reward but high demand. 

That was what being a watchman was about—seeming honorable but with little money and respect. 

This was also why he was so upset about being appointed as one. 

Moreover, Nero didn't even hide the fact that she had humiliated him in front of many people, enough to make him have great resentment against her.

"I'm not done with you, Otho. You shall learn humility next time and try not to question your monarch or think yourself the most genius in the room!"

"Now, disperse."

Note: I know that in Ancient Rome, the correct terms for Provisional and Vice Provisional are proconsul and propraetor. However, because many people are unfamiliar with these terms, I will use Provisional and Vice Provisional. I'm informing you of this because I want to use grammar that is easy to understand for the masses and for those who are unfamiliar with Ancient Rome.