After his inspection Fabricius decided there was no need to worry about Aelia Capitolina which the ancient city of Jerusalem was named now. The Emperor Hadrian had totally destroyed Jerusalem and built new walls and a new city. He named it Aelia Capitolina and Jews are not allowed within the city or to approach it any closer than the miles covered by a roman legion on a days march. The garrison was up to standard and first class troops were in control of the city and it's surrounding area. Fabricius stayed a few days and then returned to Caesarea Maritima and boarded the Aggamemnon and sailed for Nicomedia.

Fabricius sat in his curule chair under the awning that he had ordered set up at the stern of the ship. It was cool there and he could observe the workings of the vessel and it's crew. The Aggamemnon was a huge ship. She was the largest of the grain ships bringing grain from Alexandria to Ostia before Fabricius had bought her and had her converted for his private use. The ship is three masted with a capacity of around 1700 to 1900 tons. The wood required in her construction would have been sufficient for over 60 triremes. The copper nails used in her construction weighed from 10-15 lbs each.

The ship has 3 decks. The lowest deck is for the crew'a living quarters and cargo as is the hold beneath it. On the 2nd deck are cabins for the ship's officers and passengers including a 4-room complex with mosaic floors for the tetrarch. On the upper deck there are promenades shaded by grape vines growing in large pots, a gymnasium for energizing, a bathing room with 3 copper tubs and a 50-gallon stone tub, a small library, and a small temple sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and patroness of sailors.

In the bow there is a wooden fresh-water tank with a capacity of 20,000 gallons also a salt-water tank for fish to be eaten on board. Also stables for 10 horses. The upper deck, like the fighting deck of a warship, extends out over the sides of the ship and is supported by stanchions in the form of 9-foot high wooden statues of giants. Eight small fortification towers stand on the upper deck and a raised platform with a catapult capable of hurling 180-lb. stones up to 100 yards and long spears as far as 200 yards. The upper deck is protected by a high iron fence and 120 marines man these fortifications. The ship carries 12 anchors, 8 of wood with lead stocks, and 4 of iron. Also several ship's boats with a capacity of 78 tons (larger than most merchant ships in the ancient world).

Fabricius loved the huge vessel and spared no expense on her upkeep and repair. He was glad that the Aggamemnon was not the fastest ship on the sea. It gave him time to relax and refresh himself from the pressing duties of ruling a tetrarchy as large as his. He would be in Nicomedia soon enough so he decided to enjoy himself while he had a chance.