Mus

I am Marcus Gavius Amphion Mus, freedman of the great Praetorian Prefect Marcus Gavius Maximus, but you can just call me Mus (everybody does). I got this nickname, I think, because I am a quiet, retiring sort of fellow; people are always forgetting I am around. Actually, this quality of disappearing from view has been very useful in my business. I am the confidential secretary of Maximus (a manu), and as you can imagine, there are a lot of state secrets in the praetorium. I once saw a beautiful altar in Ostia with scenes from the foundation of Rome that perfectly captures how I see my role; the little mouse is hidden, observing everything, while great things are happening all around him. I always picture this altar when I am sitting quietly in a corner taking notes while the emperor confers with Maximus on affairs of state. When Maximus was procurator in Mauretania and Asia early in his career, I accompanied him to those provinces as his slave secretary; he gave me my freedom in recognition of my faithful service. Now I handle all the correspondence and documents for Maximus; I can tell you exactly how many men are in the Guard, who is eligible for a diploma (bronze discharge tablet), and which guardsmen have been disciplined for rowdy behavior. Luckily this is a time of peace so the Guard can stay in Rome. I am no soldier, but if Maximus and the Praetorians went on campaign with the emperor, I would have to go along to keep records.

I have quite a collection of mouse figurines, mostly made of bronze, but my favorite is this glass vase. My wonderful son, Marcus Gavius Juvenis, has just begun his career as a Praetorian Guardsman (being freeborn, he is eligible to serve). He has promised to set up a monument for me when I die that will demonstrate my loyalty to Maximus (and will include, somewhere, a mouse).