Mogurix was somewhat surprised to see a large number of spectators along the way. News that a beautiful young Goth girl was to be executed had apparently spread rapidly in the city. Such unique entertainment promised an arousing and sadistic break from the everyday tedium of the provincial capital. Many citizens, mostly male, both young and old, had turned out to leer at the girl’s naked and wretched progress. Many of these came prepared with mud and dung and even small rocks to fling at the damnatam (condemned, doomed). As soon as Barbaria emerged from the gate, naked except the brief loincloth and carrying the patibulum, symbolic and practical for her execution, jeers and obscene shouts rose from the crowd to meet and torment the lonely, abused Goth girl.
“I am so glad to have you here, Centurio,” said the Praeses, using a perfumed handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow. “As you saw, a Gothic chieftain is here. The slavegirl now appears to be his daughter and he, of course, wants her released. Given the relative mildness of her actions and the harshness of the sentence, I’m sorely tempted to do so. What do you think?”
Calistus was taken aback by the Governor asking his opinion on a legal matter. True, he was the senior military man in the province. However, his experience was all military since he had joined the legions twenty-two years ago when only seventeen. He took a moment to think, his chin in his hand. Then he faced his superior head on and answered.
“Praeses, I am just an indoctus miles (ignorant soldier). However, I too have wondered at the severity of her sentence for the mild nature of her crime. I have, without hesitation, supervised and observed her punishment up to now, and I can honestly report that it has been one of the most extreme, short of death, that I have ever seen. Her march here with the patibulum on her scourged shoulders will surely drain any reserves of strength she possesses.” The Praeses nodded in agreement.
Domine, if I am ordered to crucify the girl, I shall do so with the full brutality that sentence entails. However, if you ask my humble opinion, I feel that a commutation at this point would not fail to meet the standards of justice.”
Antonious smiled and nodded. He was relieved to hear this sober judgment, in line with his own, from a man he respected highly. But, he saw a look of doubt on the Centurion’s face.
“Quid aliud (what else)?” he asked
“I am most reluctant to mention due to it being a matter of politics, of which I am completely unaware. But there is such an issue, perhaps beyond my place to comment on.” added the Centurion.
“Ut placet tibi, Gaii, (please [go on], Gaius),” said the Governor, using his subordinate’s first name to put him at ease, “I respect your judgment in all matters. What is the other issue?”