Publius and Aulus Manlius Torquatus are still steaming in the hot bath; it’s very cold outside!.

”So who will get your votes for Pontifex Maximus, Publius?”

”A couple of arrogant Patricians? Who cares? I suppose there must be at least a chance that Cordatus would supply me with more of that excellent sherry stuff he produces from his vineyards in Hispania Ulterior, whilst Nasica is just an out and out religious nutter.”

”Er…you mean he is devoted to the care and worship of Rome’s traditional Divinities?”

”Yes, Aulus, of course that’s what I mean. The Candidates for the Praetorship are more interesting though, quite an impressive collection this year. First off we have Cornelius Cethegus – he did well at Catesao and will be celebrating a Triumph when he returns. He should attract a few votes – strange really as I’d always heard he was extremely lazy.”

”And don’t forget there are two more candidates trying to get in on the fame of Catesao. Mucius Ahala, who commanded Legio V and who bore the brunt of the fighting, being wounded too, and Attius Varus, who commanded a cavalry detachment in the thick of the fighting and who rumour says was largely responsible for the battle plan.”

”Hmmm…well, electing three candidates on the strength of one battle may be a bit much, but Cethegus should be successful since he was the Commander. Sempronius Rufus had a victory to his credit as well, beating off those raiders in Illyricum. That should do him some good; he needs extra support since his own voting base is low.”

”Who else? Caecilius Muscella did all right, I thought, in Gallia Narbonensis. He took on far more responsibility than a Quaestor usually does, and more or less ran the civil administration after that fool Tacitus killed himself.”

”Yes, he might be in with a chance. Aemilius Lepidus had a quiet year in Hispania Ulterior, though he did manage some upgrades. I really want Praetors who are going to invest money in expanding their cities, Aulus, it increases the profitability of my factories. What Lepidus did once he might do twice.”

”True. Mind you Apustius Paculus has a lot of useful experience, having been Quaestor in Sicilia for two whole years. There were upgrades during his term there and he had to handle all the details. He must know what he’s doing by this time.”

”But he’s a Patrician. I need someone who will give me permission to build military factories in their Provinces. Junius Brutus is a firm upholder of Plebeian values, he would be a better bet. You know how all the Patricians in the Senate always vote down my generous offers to build military factories in Italy!”

”Not all of them, be fair; and some Plebeians voted against you too!”

”Idiots, who don’t understand how a Plebeian should act! Now I come to think of it, Sempronius Rufus was one of them.”

”So was Varus.”

”Hmm…bad, very bad. Who haven’t we considered? The two Urban Praetors, Maelius Niger for this year and Romilius Corvus for the previous one. They were both competent, but Maelius had to try two perduellio actions – almost unheard of. He deserves some recognition for that. Oh well, I’ll just have to give it yet more thought.”