Marcus Ignotus, wearied and beaten, wondered to himself if it was all worth it. He sat outside his tent reflecting on the friends he had lost in the war, and the family he had left behind. As a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar, Marcus originally joined his leader’s effort to march on Rome and had been with him since crossing the Rubicon river. Always he had been sure that this was the right and honorable thing to do, but now, as he sat and reflected, he began to doubt. Time was losing meaning, and everyday that passed Marcus felt himself slipping away. The constant chase of Pompey’s forces was a struggle for Marcus. Civil war was changing him as a man, and he worried his family would not recognize him if he ever came back.
Pompey was on the retreat towards Brundisium, and Marcus knew that if Pompey were to escape, this war would only go on for that much longer. As Marcus had feared, Pompey escaped by sea to Epirus from Brundisium. Blinded by concerns for his family and his own health, Marcus did not see the big picture. With Pompey gone from the Italian mainland, Caesar would be able to destroy the unattended Pompeian army. After minimal losses in the Battle of Llerda, Marcus and the rest of Caesar’s legion returned to Rome. As a reward for Marcus’ bravery and service, he became right hand man to Mark Antony, who was appointed Caesar’s Master of the Horse, when he achieved dictatorship.
Greatly honored by this position, Marcus lost sight of his true desire, to once again be with his family. It was Caesar’s plan to chase Pompey to Epirus that was the wake up call for Marcus. He knew that if he didn’t leave Rome in search of his family, war may take him away forever. However, if he were to leave, he would be a traitor. Once again sitting and wondering, trapped between his duty to his leader and his family, Marcus prayed for an answer...
Pompey was on the retreat towards Brundisium, and Marcus knew that if Pompey were to escape, this war would only go on for that much longer. As Marcus had feared, Pompey escaped by sea to Epirus from Brundisium. Blinded by concerns for his family and his own health, Marcus did not see the big picture. With Pompey gone from the Italian mainland, Caesar would be able to destroy the unattended Pompeian army. After minimal losses in the Battle of Llerda, Marcus and the rest of Caesar’s legion returned to Rome. As a reward for Marcus’ bravery and service, he became right hand man to Mark Antony, who was appointed Caesar’s Master of the Horse, when he achieved dictatorship.
Greatly honored by this position, Marcus lost sight of his true desire, to once again be with his family. It was Caesar’s plan to chase Pompey to Epirus that was the wake up call for Marcus. He knew that if he didn’t leave Rome in search of his family, war may take him away forever. However, if he were to leave, he would be a traitor. Once again sitting and wondering, trapped between his duty to his leader and his family, Marcus prayed for an answer...
