The Roman Forum

 January 44 BC, The Roman Forum

Gaius Epidius Marullus and Lucius Caesetius Flavus stand in front of the crowned statue of Caesar in the Roman Forum. The tribunes stare at each other for a while, and there is a slight nod between them, a nod so discreet that the mass of people gathering around them fail to notice. There are whispers upon the air.

Marullus clears his throat, turning to a guard nearby. “What is the meaning of this?” He makes sure that every single word of his is perfectly pronounced, and he gestures at the diadem resting on the statue.

“We all know that the wreath symbolizes great Jupiter and royalty.” Flavus joins in, also projecting his voice, “Is Caesar aware of this? Or is he trying to tell us something?” He steps up to the statue, flicking off the wreath and tossing it into the arms of the addressed guard.

The guard is startled; the crown itself was never placed on the statue by anyone during his hours, nor did he remember seeing it in the morning when he passed the statue earlier. There was no such thing before. And the last time Caesar himself was here, he was also the one on guard duty.

If it was not Caesar who crowned himself, then who was it?

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