Читать книгу Secrets Of The Rubicon. Rome’s Ruby Red Line онлайн
8 страница из 43
"So, it was forbidden to cross the Rubicon armed for this reason?" asked Hortensius a little alarmed.
"Certainly, but I should add they also placed legionaries to guard it, because sometimes the gods alone are not enough. And seeing that now the Punic threat has disappeared, most people only call it the Rubicon and leave it standing to prevent any barbarians and enemies from the north descending towards Rome." Smiling Caesar added, "Including Roman and Gallic legionaries, of course."
"Therefore Rubicon means ruby-red, noble Caesar?"
"Of course, it is the sacred color of Rome, the ruby color that you still see on all our dispatches and red-bordered notes that we use and receive from Rome,"7 replied Caesar.
"Thank you Caesar, I didn't know. Could you also explain why the Roman legionaries are afraid to cross it, while those of Gallic origin are not?"
"Because whoever is Roman and crosses it becomes a traitor and, it is said, the Gods of Rome will strike them down with a bolt of lightening, while whoever is not Roman will be defeated by the soldiers of Rome helped by the Gods. Or at least so some Flaminia priests say, who every now and then perform a ritual to curse anyone who tries to cross it bearing arms," Caesar answered with a smile.