Word: narcissuses
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...Oddly, Narcissus has no such open command of his own people. Their archaic system demands the people’s support for war, but Narcissus was unable to convince them other than by exaggerating the threat of an imminent Scythian invasion. No matter that any invaders would first need to overcome the border tribes of their own territory, then the Macedonians, then the mountains. Indeed, some Athenians had immediately panicked and rushed to defend the Long Walls...
...worked their wiles on the citizenry, who demanded more and more explanation for the war. They cynically linked the conquest of the Scythians with the Athenians’ own genuflective position within the Empire. The traditionally troublesome Greeks took their poisonous words to heart, and focused their bile on Narcissus, who is increasingly isolated...
...there is a danger for Rome in the weakness of Narcissus. Some here murmur for a closer federation—for trade purposes, of course—with the rest of the Greek world. This cannot be allowed by Rome, if we are to maintain our income from the provinces, and, hence, our control of the Empire. Nor can we contemplate the Greeks trading overmuch with the Parthians. We may be at peace with the Parthians now, but they are a looming presence in the East, and, one day, might do more than trade with the Greeks. Compared to such...
...whilst these attacks emboldened Rome’s august Imperator, here in Athens, Narcissus has failed to assert himself with the impudent citizenry. Perhaps it is time for a more direct intervention by Rome. It might begin with removal of this titular leader, before his meddlesome people do it, and replace him with someone wholly unacceptable to our interests. Athens should then be directly ruled from Rome. Of course, Athenians cannot be given Roman citizenship—they are incorrigibly fractious and unworthy of the honour...
...should, however, look after our useful friends, like Narcissus. I am sure that he would be immensely popular, together with his wife Livia, at the senatorial villas, and at the reading of poetry in the circus. He will not, I fear, last long in Athens if left to his own devices...