"Meanwhile you will be tried as a slave accused of murdering his master
and the investigation will include the questioning of every slave in the
house at the time of the murder. I know you are aquiver with dread of
torture; there will be torture, but I assure you you will not be tortured.
As much can be done today by influence and bribery as could be done under
Perennis or Cleander, only it cannot be done so crudely and openly, and
much else can be done openly.
"We have endeavored to arrange to have you tried by a bunch of jurymen
presided over by a praetor, just as if you were a freeman, according to
Hadrian's law. But Commodus had repealed all such laws mitigating the
rigors of procedure in the case of slaves and Severus has not had them
reenacted. So you will be tried by a magistrate, a deputy of the Prefect
of the City, as slaves were tried before Hadrian's time.
"We shall have, at the trial, to cheer you up, to counsel you, and, if
necessary, to intervene in your behalf, as clever an advocate as any in
Rome. Keep up a good heart, and read these letters."
And he went off.
I had a proof of the truth of what he said of bribery within half an hour,
for I was bathed, my hurts dressed, and I was clothed in new, clean and
comfortable garments and served with abundant eatable food and good wine.
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