(Cassius is half-sunk into his private bath. Enjoying the relaxing hot water, he is counting the monies he has received from farming while his older son, Caius Junior, is sitting on a stool near-by, reading a book under the pale light of a brazier.)

Caius Senior (grinning in an avaricious mood): “Ahhh… Nothing better than gold! Look at this piece, my son. So bright! So wonderfully shaped!”

Caius Minor (indifferent to the old man’s prattling): “Hmmm.”

Caius Senior (putting down the aureus coin, and focusing on his boy): “*clears his throat* Son, the reason I summoned you here…”

Caius Minor (still in an indifferent tone): “Hmmm.”

Caius Senior: “Caius?”

Caius Minor: “…”

Caius Senior (with a stronger voice): “Caius.”

Caius Minor (still focused on the book): “Hmm?”

Caius Senior: “Will you come here? I want to talk to you.”

Caius Minor: (turns the page): “I hear you, Father.”

Caius Senior (irked): “Son, either put that book down or I’ll burn it in the back yard! I’m trying to have a conversation here.”

Caius Minor (tidily puts the book down to the floor, and turns his stool to face his father): “Alright, alright! There’s no need for violence, old man!”

Caius Senior: “The reason I summoned you here is because I believe it’s high time you started your training.”

Caius Minor: “Training? For what?”

Caius Senior: “For your military term, of course.”

Caius Minor: “But I’m only twelve!”

Caius Senior: “And at sixteen, when you are due for your term as a contubernalis, you ought to know how to use sword and shield, how to ride a horse and how to build a tent! Do you know how to ride a horse?”

Caius Minor: “No, but there’s still…”

Caius Senior: “Do you know how to build a tent if asked to?”

Caius Minor: “No, but—“

Caius Senior: “Can you tell the one end of a sword from the other?”

Caius Minor: “No, dad, no. But I have time to learn all these!”

Caius Senior: “Nonsense. It takes years to learn how to properly ride a horse alone. And judging that we Cassii have no soldier stuff inside us, it will take you even more! Or do you prefer being ridiculed by your tent mates?”

Caius Minor (lowers his head): “No, father. But why must I start it now and not next year? Surely, with older age--”

Caius Senior (in anger): “Cease that cowardice behavior this instant! You will go and there’s an end on it! (more relaxed now) I have great plans for you, son. I want you to be the best of your potential, that’s all; if there is any military skill in you, we mustn’t let it lay unexploited! By sixteen, I want you to be hand-picked by someone grand for his staff, and that will only happen if you excel yourself. You’ll see that you will thank me when you’re older.”

Caius Minor (in despair): “Yes, Father.”

Caius Senior: “Oh, do come on! It’s not nearly as tragic as you think it is! Haven’t I passed military training? Haven’t we all? It’s something that must be done, that’s all in it. Or do you prefer being looked down as a coward, as a skipper of military term, as an incompetent? Yes, I thought that you wouldn’t, my son. Now, I’ve been looking for some veteran to hire but--”

Caius Minor (exclaiming): “Why can’t I learn with Uncle Lucius? He was a decent soldier, wasn’t he?”

Caius Senior (thinks): “That will come cheaper… And I have these Games to sponsor… Hmm, maybe… It can be done… Hmm…”

Caius Minor: “Oh, come on Father! Uncle Lucius was the best of his unit!”

Caius Senior: “Well, I doubt that but… alright. Uncle Lucius it is, then.”