Chapter Three
M
y uncle Julius!” Octavian surmised, “One of his most elegant accomplishments.” He referred to the descripto orbis, the Great Registration ordered by Julius Caesar which had taken thirty-two years to complete. Octavian also held the title, Caesar. Under that title, he had actually finished his uncle’s work. Under that title, he had defeated the forces of Mark Antony and Cleopatra. Now he had been accorded the designation, “Augustus Caesar,” emperor for life.
“It is in our obvious interest, don’t you think, that the empire should be apprised as to the extent of its tax-base?” The Roman Senate robed in white trimmed in gold, reclined in their respective places of honor. “The precedent has been set by Caesar. I shall therefore build on this precedent by ordering a decree that every male in the empire be valued as to his profession, his fortune, and as to his dependents.”
This decree came to be known as the Breviarium totius imperii, written on skin parchment in Augustus’ own hand. In addition to the number of citizens, both freedmen and slaves, it provided information on the empire’s allies under arms, the nature and composition of the fleets, of the kingdoms, provinces and of the tributes, or taxes. When Augustus died some fourteen years later, the actual count of this registration was made public for the first time. The Roman Empire, vast beyond comprehension, counted more than twenty million souls, yet had no sense of functional humility. There were problems. Chieftains, Clan leaders, Sheiks, Shamans, Satraps and kings tended to rebel or have their own way of caring for these matters of state. Of these, a powerful king in the region of the Hebrews, Herod the Great enjoyed the greatest power and influence.
The states under the rule of Herod were among the allied kingdoms, or regna reddita. However influential his reach, he could not have refused to submit to and be a cooperative part of this registration. All of the coin in Herod’s states bore the image of Caesar. He had no choice. He must comply.
Augustus continued, “I shall appoint twenty of the ablest and most trusted officials, who are rigidly devoted to administrative procedure to accomplish this task. They shall travel to every state governed by Caesar and shall cause to be registered every male in his home and his property. They shall assemble the required staff necessary to accomplish the task and shall do so under the decree and authority of Caesar.”
“What of Herod?” This from one of the senators representing the eastern provinces.
“What of Herod?” replied Augustus. He considered the question by repeating it. “What of that disingenuous old fool? Do you anticipate a problem?” He remembered with no small revulsion the Jewishness of the Hebrew potentate. Though Herod was not a Jew in the strictest sense of that term, he was thought of as such by Roman authorities. “Is he not a Roman ally?” The implied threat was clear.
“Just a complication, Caesar. He will want to carry out the registration the Hebrews as they have done it for generations.”
Augustus appeared irritated. He looked at his polished fingernails disinterestedly. “And just how is that, Pontius? I am sure you are expert in such matters?”
“Eminent Emperor,” responded the senator acidly, “I am merely your servant, but yes, I have lived among the Jews.”
“You are to be envied, Pontius.” A twitter of laughter.
Ignoring the slight, the senator continued, “The Hebrews return to their place of birth for such things. They like to connect their odd existence to their ancestral roots.”
“How the census is taken is of small importance to me, senator. However, I do require thoroughness and accuracy. Let Herod do it his way, but I will instruct the field governor to watch him. Enough of this! Let it be carried out! Bring me the seal.” And thus it was that the decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that the entire world should be registered.
