Marcus Aemilius Lepidus was home, a brief respite before returning to govern Hispania Ulterior. Of the last 4 years he had spent but a scant 5 months in Rome as consul. Otherwise, he was somewhere in the island of Sicily or the Iberian Peninsula. Or last year, fighting across North Africa to restore peace and the security of King Masanissa’s thrown. The years wore in with his service to Rome. Even his adventuresome wife, the dazzling Pulchra, he thought was growing weary of chasing him around the Mediterranean. But soon they would be back in Hispania Ulterior. Returned to the palace in Malaca where they were first wed nearly three years before.

It was a reserved occasion, this family meal the eve before Lepidus’ departure. Peace was restored to Rome’s allies in Africa and the east under the competent generalship Publius Atius Varus. The days of battling in the senate house with the likes of men such as Caius Fabius Mutentinus and the ever persistent tribune of the plebs Publius Antistius Camillus were in the past. The short lived rivalry with the wealtiest man in Rome, Publius Manlius Torquatus, had even seemed to be defused. Lepidus himself was one of the richest men in Rome now, and he earned it respectfully. He did so by the continued support of the Roman people to govern her most prized possessions, and he did so without the need for corruption by plundering or unleashing the tax farmers on his subjects. The Aemilii were blessed by the gods, having saved their poor family from being dropped off the senate rolls.

But despite all the great fortune, it was to be another year away from Rome. However, this year Lepidus would bring his children and it would be up to his brother Giaus and his wife Julia to produce the children to fill the house with life.

“Marcus”, Giaus finally bellowed out as he was about to pop a fig in his mouth. “What extraordinary beasts you brought this year! Much more interesting than those scraggly animals you had last year.

“I most apologize for the lack of entertainment you had last year, but there are just not nearly as many exotic beasts in Citerior as there are in Africa.

“Indeed. And I’m sure most of what you have is on loan from the good king, Masainissa. You hardly let anything be sacrificed or fight in the games.

“Heavens no! Those beasts cost a fortune and will be returned to Masinissa.

“Really though! The rhinoceros was an incredible beast. And the slaves fighting the tigers, well you could have at least given them something more than just wooden swords to fight with.

“Nonsense! Perhaps if the tigers were facing some real gladiators I would have. But to risk harming something of such value on that gangly lot of condemned men. Really!!

“Well, a few of the prisoners you brought back made a decent show with their swordsmanship when they fought each other.” Gaius decided to have his fun and press further. “Oh but I know. As was last year, you didn’t want to have a greater triumph display and show up your good friend Nero.

“Now you really go too far!” Lepidus knew his brother was jesting with him, but he took it personal. “Last year I was awarded an ovation because of my rank. All was done to make it as close to the appearance of a triumph as possible. This year my triumphal parade and victory games were as grand as any that Rome has seen.

“Touchy aren’t we, my brother!

“The people all turned out to cheer our return. That’s all that matters.