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Claudia may as well have announced her intention to sacrifice every baby boy in the empire, by the looks the two men were giving her, but if she was going to win back the favour of the public, she would need to do something revolutionary and momentous.

‘It is simple,’ she said. ‘If there are warrior goddesses in the pantheon, there should be warrior women in Rome. If humans were made in the likeness of the gods, human society should also mirror Elysium. This is surely why I was called to be empress: to improve the lives of women across the empire.’

‘Do we not have enough problems for your taste?’ said Damocles, rather more daringly than usual. ‘You should focus on entertaining the prince, and placating the people so they don’t revolt. Then there’s the issue of the missing legion.’

‘I thought Marcellus was handling that,’ said Claudia, ‘since he has been sent to Britannia and made a general without my say-so.’

Hieronymus shifted guiltily.

‘Has he not?’

‘I know nothing about that,’ he said, unconvincingly.

‘Where did you learn this?’ asked Damocles.

‘I have my sources. I am aware of what happens behind my back. But I won’t remain seated as my cousin attempts to claw back power. I will assert my control over the military by accepting women soldiers.’

‘You barely have sway with the Senate as it is,’ said Damocles. ‘Do you really believe they will approve such a radical notion?’

‘They elected me.’

‘Only after the intervention of a deity. Unless you plan a repeat performance to convince the people?’

‘Perhaps you could hear me out before you attempt to persuade me of what a terrible plan it is?’ she said.

Damocles cleared his throat. ‘Yes, of course.’

‘If we must,’ huffed Hieronymus.

‘The military is struggling to make progress in Britannia,’ said Claudia. ‘Hibernia is beyond us. We have reached stalemate in Germania. Arabia remains impenetrable. An entire legion is missing – thousands of soldiers, spirited into the abyss. Many naval ships were lost in the Vesuvian crisis. We are living in a time of peace, but peace is easily lost.’

‘We are well aware,’ grumbled Hieronymus.

‘I don’t believe in endless conquest, war for the sake of dominion. I’d rather the empire move towards a period of global stability, maintaining what we already have rather than endlessly chasing more. But the borders would be better defended if we were to allow women to serve alongside men,’ said Claudia.

Hieronymus made an offensive noise, halfway between a scoff and a hoot, his furry grey brows hitting his receding hairline.

‘It is inconceivable,’ he said. ‘The generals will protest.’

‘Won’t they be grateful for more soldiers, once they get over their pig-headedness?’ she said.

‘These women would all need to be trained, and equipped, and fitted with armour,’ said Damocles. ‘It will take time to organize.’

‘The same is true of all new recruits,’ she said. ‘Every soldier in every legion is trained and fitted out, just the same. You don’t mean to tell me the empire is short on gold?’

‘General Aquinas won’t like this,’ said Hieronymus.

‘Then it is a good thing it isn’t up to him.’

‘What would happen if thousands of women were to die at war? Who will raise the children of Rome while their parents are out fighting for the empire?’ asked Hieronymus.

‘Women don’t exist just to be your vessels,’ said Claudia. ‘Our soldiers have families. Our wealthy patricians have servants to raise their babies. It does not define them.’

‘What makes you think the women of Rome wish to fight?’ asked Damocles. ‘Your friend here may be the exception.’

Hieronymus glared at Gia, as if she were personally responsible for this state of affairs.

‘Rome has its own fighting women,’ said Claudia. ‘I’m funding a new school for gladiatrices.’