Theodoric Read Online Free Page B

it had made a highly effective missile. Punishment was duly meted out with a bundle of birch twigs, then, with discipline restored, the lesson resumed.
    â€˜I hear your pet barbarian showed up your young Roman charges,’ Paulus remarked to Demetrius. The two schoolmasters were in a
taberna
off the Mesé, the capital’s main thoroughfare.
    â€˜The cream of Byzantium – thick and rich,’ Demetrius chuckled wryly. Nothing stayed secret for long in the palace. Probably one ofthe
paedagogi
– slaves who accompanied pupils to school, and who waited for them at the back of the classroom to bring them home – had spread the story. ‘At times, I feel I’m casting pearls before swine.’
    â€˜Don’t we all. Your Goth – a bright lad, I hear.’
    â€˜He’s that all right. Somehow, having just one pupil of his calibre in a class makes it all seem worthwhile. Doesn’t make him popular, unfortunately. The others tend to pick on him; that oaf Julian’s the ringleader. Poor little beggar; I speak figuratively – he must be several inches taller than I am.’
    â€˜Then why doesn’t he give Julian a good thumping? The rest would soon leave off.’
    â€˜Not in his nature – a gentle giant if ever there was. But if he chose to he could thrash the lot of them I’m sure. Most people tend to dismiss him as a passive ox, but I admire the lad. I feel he has an inner strength, also that he’s looking for something – trying to find his destiny, perhaps?’ Demetrius paused and shook his head. ‘Sorry. I must sound like Aristotle on the subject of the young Alexander.’
    â€˜No, you intrigue me. What do you suppose it is he’s looking for?’
    â€˜I believe it’s Rome. I think he wants to identify with her, be accepted by her.’
    â€˜Rome? What’s that?’ Paulus grinned and refilled their wine-cups. ‘After the North African fiasco, the West’s finished. There won’t be a second rescue attempt; Gaiseric’s stronger than ever, Basiliscus terrified for his life, has taken sanctuary in Hagia Sophia, the Treasury’s empty, Anthemius no longer has a role. The Franks and Visigoths’ll grab what’s left in Gaul and Spain, and Ricimer could well take over Italy. Anthemius might turn out to be the last Augustus of the West. What would that leave? The Senate and the Papacy. Augustus and Constantine would turn in their graves.’
    â€˜But Rome’s more than just a physical empire. Rome’s an
idea
. And even if the West goes down, the East’s still there to pick up the torch.’
    â€˜And so the race goes on,’ intoned Paulus with mock solemnity. ‘Apologies; you’re right, of course. And who knows? Even if it falls, the West might one day be re-occupied. But back to your young hostage. What is it about Rome that he so admires?’
    â€˜Think what an impact Constantinople must have made on him when he arrived six years ago. To an impressionable youngster from a primitiveshame-and-honour society geared to a dreary cycle of petty feuds and subsistence farming, the city with its statues, paved streets, and great buildings, buzzing with cosmopolitan life and colour – it must have seemed wondrous beyond words. From the first, he showed an interest in the examples of Roman culture to be found everywhere around him: sculpture, architecture, literature, philosophy, science, law – things conspicuously lacking among his own people. He picked up Greek in no time, and was the first in his class to master Latin. He actually
enjoys
reading the classics. How many fourteen-year-olds can you say that of?’
    â€˜Sounds, then, as though he could be in for a big comedown when he returns to his own people.’
    â€˜Sadly, I have to agree. I sometimes wonder if our policy of civilizing German hostages isn’t misplaced kindness. We give them a taste of something