Time Travels with Truffle: Dateline September 23rd, 38 AD - Rome

 

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Time Travels with Truffle: Dateline September 23rd, 38 AD - Rome

Rome glittered beneath the late summer sun, its marble temples draped in purple banners and gold ribbons. The streets overflowed with cheering crowds as Emperor Caligula prepared to unveil his most shocking proclamation yet. At the front of the procession stood Senator Marcus Aelius Varro, his wife Livia, and their young daughter Claudia, who clutched her small reddish orange Pomeranian, Truffle, tightly in her arms.

Today, Caligula would declare himself — and his beloved sister Drusilla — living gods.

The crowd roared as Caligula appeared in a gilded chariot, Drusilla beside him, both crowned with laurel and jewels. Priests burned incense, soldiers marched in perfect formation, and musicians played hymns to the “divine siblings.” Claudia’s eyes sparkled with excitement at the spectacle.

But Truffle trembled.

Her ears flattened, her body stiffened, and she whimpered softly — a sound almost lost beneath the thunder of the crowd. Claudia looked down, alarmed.

“Mother… Truffle’s frightened,” she whispered.

Livia placed a steadying hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “She senses what we cannot yet see,” she murmured. “This is no ordinary parade.”

Marcus frowned. “We cannot leave Rome now. It would appear disloyal.” But even he felt a chill as Caligula raised his arms and demanded worship, his eyes wild with divine self certainty.

Truffle pressed herself deeper into Claudia’s arms, shaking violently.

Claudia’s voice cracked. “Please, Father… she’s terrified.”

Marcus looked at his daughter, then at the trembling dog. His jaw tightened. “Very well,” he said at last. “We will go to the villa.  Just until things blow over.”

Within days, the Aelius family departed Rome for their quiet estate in Campania, far from the emperor’s gaze. Truffle relaxed the moment they left the city walls, curling peacefully in Claudia’s lap as the carriage rolled into the countryside.

They had no idea how completely this decision would save their lives.

Safely away in their villa, the Aelius family heard the rumors from the Capitol — each more horrifying than the last.

The last shreds of Caligula’s fragile sanity shattered.

• He made his horse, Incitatus, a senator, providing him a marble stall and servants.

• He married his sister Drusilla, then murdered her, claiming she carried a god greater than himself.

• He turned the imperial palace into a brothel, forcing senators to prostitute their wives and daughters for his amusement and to refill the coffers he had emptied by his extravagance.

• He declared war on Neptune, ordering his legions to collect seashells as spoils of victory.

• He executed senators on whims, confiscated estates, and demanded worship as Jupiter incarnate.

Marcus Aelius Varro listened to each report with growing horror. Many of his closest friends in the Senate were killed. Others were humiliated, ruined, or forced into degrading spectacles.

But his family remained untouched — because they had left Rome the very day Caligula declared himself a god.

Because Truffle had trembled.

In 41 A.D., Caligula’s reign ended in blood. The Praetorian Guard, exhausted by his cruelty, assassinated him in a palace corridor. Rome erupted in relief as Claudius — scholarly, cautious, and most importantly, sane — became emperor.

Only then did Marcus bring his family back to Rome.

As they walked through the calmer streets, Truffle trotted proudly beside Claudia, her reddish fur glowing in the afternoon sun. Marcus paused, looking down at the little dog.

“Many gods have ruled Rome,” he said softly, “but only one saved my family — and she has four paws.”

Claudia hugged Truffle tightly, tears in her eyes.

And Truffle, ever watchful, ever loyal, wagged her tail — ready for whatever history would bring next.

And once again, History is gently guided by a tiny paw.