I have a lot of criticisms for the writing in Heroes of Olympus, but I will forever be grateful that that book series gave me the scenes where Percy interacts with the roman senate in son of Neptune.
I adore these scenes on so many different levels.
There are two senate scenes in son of Neptune, and I am obsessed with both of them, partly because they really highlight some of my favourite aspects of Percy’s characters: His intelligence, his social awareness, his leadership abilities and his ability to easily understand the emotions of others.
For one, he completely matches, and sometimes even outmaneuvers, Octavian’s oratory skills. Little reminder: at the time of these two senate meetings, Octavian is an 18- year old guy, who is Augur of New Rome, who has grown up in Camp Jupiter, whose family has lived in New Rome for generations and who has consistently been characterized as an extraordinarily talented orator, who even Reyna struggles to deal with in front of the senate:
Suddenly Percy understood what an effective speaker Octavian was. He sounded reasonable and supportive, but his expression was pained. He carefully crafted his words to put all the responsibility on Reyna. This was her idea, he seemed to say. If it went wrong, Reyna was to blame. If only Octavian had been the one in charge, things would have been done more sensibly. But, alas, he had no choice but to support Reyna, because Octavian was a loyal Roman soldier. Octavian managed to convey all that without saying it, simultaneously calming the senate and sympathizing with them. For the first time, Percy realized this scrawny, funny-looking scarecrow of a kid might be a dangerous enemy. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
‘It’s not you.’ Reyna scowled. ‘I hate senate meetings. When Octavian gets talking …’ Percy nodded. ‘You’re a warrior. Octavian is a talker. Put him in front of the senate, and suddenly he becomes the powerful one.’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘You’re smarter than you look.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 15, Percy)
‘Why should we trust these Greeks?’ Octavian was saying. He’d been pacing the senate floor for five minutes, going on and on, trying to counter what Percy had told them about Juno’s plan and the Prophecy of Seven. The senate shifted restlessly, but most of them were too afraid to interrupt Octavian while he was on a roll. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
Yet, Percy, a complete newcomer, who has never in his life attended a senate meeting or has trained in oratory skills, not only manages to interrupt him in a very effective and even charming way, which makes other members of the senate laugh, but even makes Octavian look ridiculous in what is normally his natural habitat:
‘The camp is safe,’ Octavian continued. ‘I’ll be the first to congratulate our heroes for bringing back the legion’s eagle and so much Imperial gold! Truly we have been blessed with good fortune. But why do more? Why tempt fate?’ ‘I’m glad you asked.’ Percy stood, taking the question as an opening. Octavian stammered, ‘I wasn’t –’ ‘– part of the quest,’ Percy said. ‘Yes, I know. And you’re wise to let me explain, since I was.’ Some of the senators snickered. Octavian had no choice but to sit down and try not to look embarrassed. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
With a couple simple sentences, he completely flips the conversation, takes control of the debate and forces Octavian into a defensive position.
At the same time, he shows good restraint and doesn’t fall for any of the tricks Octavian uses to try to rile him up
When Octavian, for example, denies them any kind of provisions on their quest, Percy accepts it without complaint, deescalates a potential tense situation between Frank and Octavian and simply focuses on the matter at hand instead:
‘Praetor, if I may,’ Octavian said. ‘Oh, great,’ Percy muttered. ‘Here it comes.’ ‘The camp is in grave danger,’ Octavian said. ‘Two gods have warned us we will be attacked four days from now. We must not spread our resources too thin, especially by funding projects that have a slim chance of success.’ Octavian looked at the three of them with pity, as if to say, Poor little things. ‘Mars has clearly chosen the least likely candidates for this quest. Perhaps that is because he considers them the most expendable. Perhaps Mars is playing the long odds. Whatever the case, he wisely didn’t order a massive expedition, nor did he ask us to fund their adventure. I say we keep our resources here and defend the camp. This is where the battle will be lost or won. If these three succeed, wonderful! But they should do so by their own ingenuity.’ An uneasy murmur passed through the crowd. Frank jumped to his feet. Before he could start a fight, Percy said, ‘Fine! No problem. But at least give us transportation. Gaia is the earth goddess, right? Going overland, across the earth – I’m guessing we should avoid that. Plus, it’ll be too slow.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
Even when Octavian personally attacks Percy by insinuating he might be a spy, something which directly goes against his fatal flaw, Percy doesn’t engage with his taunts at all. Instead, he sees through what Octavian is trying to do, keeps his own emotions in check and continues as if nothing had happened:
‘Really?’ Octavian said. ‘You seem to know a lot about our enemy’s plans, Percy Jackson.’ Most insults Percy could shrug off – being called weak or stupid or whatever. But it dawned on him that Octavian was calling him a spy – a traitor. That was such a foreign concept to Percy, so not who he was, he almost couldn’t process the slur. When he did, his shoulders tensed. He was tempted to smack Octavian on the head again, but he realized Octavian was baiting him, trying to make him look unstable. Percy took a deep breath. ‘We’re going to confront this son of Gaia,’ he said, managing to keep his composure. ‘We’ll get back your eagle and unchain this god …’ He glanced at Hazel. ‘Thanatos, right?’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
Because of this, Percy seems like a reasonable and responsible roman, and not as the untrustworthy, rash, incapable danger Octavian tries to portray him as.
But it’s not only Octavian he outperforms. During the second senate meeting, where they discuss whether they should let the Argo II land in New Rome, a lot of senators and Lares are vehemently against the idea, and even Reyna expresses her doubts.
Yet, Percy, on one of his very first days as praetor and during only the second senate meeting, he ever attended, counters every single argument the opposite side provides perfectly.
When a lar insinuates that Percy is untrustworthy, he brings up the appearance of two of New Rome’s most highly respected gods and their respective interactions with him:
‘Ha!’ shouted a Lar from the back row. ‘The last time a praetor tried to interpret the Prophecy of Seven, it was Michael Varus, who lost our eagle in Alaska! Why should we believe you now?’ Octavian smiled smugly. Some of his allies in the senate began nodding and grumbling. Even some of the veterans looked uncertain. ‘I carried Juno across the Tiber,’ Percy reminded them, speaking as firmly as he could. ‘She told me that the Prophecy of Seven is coming to pass. Mars also appeared to you in person. Do you think two of your most important gods would appear at camp if the situation wasn’t serious?’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
When Reyna herself expresses doubts that Romans and Greeks could ever work together, Percy brings up the newly formed alliance between the romans and the amazons:
Reyna stood. Percy watched her anxiously. Her opinion could change everything – for better or worse. ‘You claim this is a combined quest,’ she said. ‘You claim Juno intends for us to work with this – this other group, Camp Half-Blood. Yet the Greeks have been our enemies for aeons. They are known for their deceptions.’ ‘Maybe so,’ Percy said. ‘But enemies can become friends. A week ago, would you have thought Romans and Amazons would be fighting side by side?’ Queen Hylla laughed. ‘He’s got a point.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
He also consciously uses Jason’s reputation in his argumentation, because he knows what a significance he holds to the romans and he even swears on his life, something which has a huge significance in roman society:
‘I know it’s hard to believe,’ Percy said. ‘But I think I’ve earned your trust. I’m on your side. Hazel and Frank – I’m sure they’re meant to go with me on this quest. The other four are on their way from Camp Half-Blood right now. One of them is Jason Grace, your old praetor.’ ‘Oh, come on!’ Octavian shouted. ‘He’s making things up, now.’ Reyna frowned. ‘It is a lot to believe. Jason is coming back with a bunch of Greek demigods? You say they’re going to appear in the sky in a heavily armed warship, but we shouldn’t be worried.’ ‘Yes.’ Percy looked over the rows of nervous, doubtful spectators. ‘Just let them land. Hear them out. Jason will back up everything I’m telling you. I swear it on my life.’ ‘On your life?’ Octavian looked meaningfully at the senate. ‘We will remember that, if this turns out to be a trick.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
And he even brings up his own position as a praetor, because he understands how much honor and respects this position holds within Camp Jupiter and reminds them of his own action in the battle against Polybotes:
‘Praetors!’ the messenger cried. ‘What are your orders?’ Octavian shot to his feet. ‘You need to ask?’ His face was red with rage. He was strangling his teddy bear. ‘The omens are horrible! This is a trick, a deception. Beware Greeks bearing gifts!’ He jabbed a finger at Percy. ‘His friends are attacking in a warship. He has led them here. We must attack!’ ‘No,’ Percy said firmly. ‘You all raised me as praetor for a reason. I will fight to defend this camp with my life. But these aren’t enemies. I say we stand ready, but do not attack. Let them land. Let them speak. If it is a trick, then I will fight with you, as I did last night. But it is not a trick.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 52, Percy)
It’s not only insane that he comes up with these incredibly smart and logical counters on the spot, without having to think about his answers for too long, but it’s even more impressive that he managed to tailor his argumentation perfectly to the values and beliefs of roman society, a society, Percy has only been a part of for like a week at most. He shows an incredibly amount of cultural fluency.
But even aside from his argumentation, the way he acts really shows what a good leader Percy actually is. For one, he acts very decisive and confident in front of the other characters, even when he feels the very opposite, and is not afraid to take full charge of the conversation. At the same time, he fully understands when the people around him become scared and panicked, in which case he tries to calm them down as much as possible:
‘Silence!’ Reyna called. ‘Senators, we must act like Romans. Mars has given us this quest, and we have to believe it is possible. These three demigods must travel to Alaska. They must free Thanatos and return before the Feast of Fortuna. If they can retrieve the lost eagle in the process, so much the better. All we can do is advise them and make sure they have a plan.’ Reyna looked at Percy without much hope. ‘You do have a plan?’ Percy wanted to step forward bravely and say, No, I don’t! That was the truth, but looking around at all the nervous faces Percy knew he couldn’t say it. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
Finally Senator Larry stood. ‘I know what Mars said, but that’s crazy. Alaska is cursed! They call it the land beyond the gods for a reason. It’s so far north that the Roman gods have no power there. The place is swarming with monsters. No demigod has come back from there alive since –’ ‘Since you lost your eagle,’ Percy said. Larry was so startled, he fell back on his podex. ‘Look,’ Percy continued, ‘I know I’m new here. I know you guys don’t like to mention that massacre in the 1980s –’ ‘He mentioned it!’ one of the ghosts whimpered. ‘– but don’t you get it?’ Percy continued. ‘The Fifth Cohort led that expedition. We failed, and we have to be responsible for making things right. That’s why Mars is sending us. This giant, the son of Gaia, he’s the one who defeated your forces thirty years ago. I’m sure of it. Now he’s sitting up there in Alaska with a chained death god, and all your old equipment. He’s mustering his armies and sending them south to attack this camp.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
‘If this begins the ancient prophecy, we don’t have resources to send an army to these Doors of Death and protect the camp. I can’t imagine even sparing seven demigods –’ ‘First things first.’ Percy tried to sound confident, though he could feel the level of panic rising in the room. ‘I don’t know who the seven are, or what that old prophecy means, exactly. But first we have to free Thanatos. Mars told us we only needed three people for the quest to Alaska. Let’s concentrate on succeeding with that and getting back before the Feast of Fortuna. Then we can worry about the Doors of Death.’ (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
The senate scenes also really highlight how skilled Percy is at understanding the emotions of the people around him through the way he immediately understands what Reyna is thinking and feeling, someone who is consistently characterized as a person who keeps her emotions close to her chest:
Reyna must have recognized this, too. A look of irritation flashed across her face. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
‘Foes bear arms to the Doors of Death,’ Reyna said. ‘That’s the Prophecy of Seven …’ She looked at Percy, and for just a moment he could see how scared she was. She did a good job of hiding it, but Percy wondered if she’d had nightmares about Gaia, too – if she’d seen visions of what would happen when the camp was invaded by monsters that couldn’t be killed. (The Son of Neptune, Chapter 14, Percy)
God, I love these scenes. They’re easily some of my favourite scenes in all of heroes of Olympus, and provide such a good characterization for Percy.
Son of Neptune Percy Jackson, you will always be famous.
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