Post by Gandalf on Aug 23, 2021 12:06:10 GMT -5
The College of Augurs was a prestigious institution, with winning a seat likened by many to holding a Consulship or celebrating a Triumph. Long had it been the domain of the nobles and upper classes, a traditional mark of aristocratic authority that allowed the holder to take omens on behalf of the state. Augurs communed directly with the gods, and delivered their messages to the Roman people.
Rome had lost respect for its traditions, for its integrity, for its gods. That much was clear to Metellus. Upright men such as himself lost out to graspers like Marius and corrupt fools like Servilius Caepio. It was up to him to restore the trust that the Roman people held in their magistrates, and their deities. Numidicus had encouraged his son's ambitions, tacitly suggesting that he arrange a meeting with one of the Augurs.
And so he did. A few members of the College had been invited to a symposium at the grand Metellan complex on the Palatine. It was nothing conspicuous; several of Metellus' clients and friends in the Senate had also been invited, as well as a number of other prominent citizens and equestrians that he knew only by reputation.
But the priests were the clear guests of honour. Metellus sat with them, ate with them, drank with them, joked with them... Politics was to be avoided, although most present at the party shared the same sympathies, he would not risk offending their sensibilities with such business-like talk.
"...And so, I would offer my patronage to the Collegium. For too long has Rome ignored the divine at our own peril. One could call the Cimbri divine retribution."
Quintus chuckled to himself, raising a cup of wine. A number of Consuls had fallen in battle to them already, which had already been blamed on the ignoring of poor omens.
"Should we see victory in the field, it is my grand ambition to build a temple greater than Rome has ever seen. A thanks to the Gods. And a gesture of my good will to those who keep them in our favour."
He quietly hoped that they were drunker than he; Metellus had taken to watering down his wine considerably now that business seemed to encompass all hours.
Rome had lost respect for its traditions, for its integrity, for its gods. That much was clear to Metellus. Upright men such as himself lost out to graspers like Marius and corrupt fools like Servilius Caepio. It was up to him to restore the trust that the Roman people held in their magistrates, and their deities. Numidicus had encouraged his son's ambitions, tacitly suggesting that he arrange a meeting with one of the Augurs.
And so he did. A few members of the College had been invited to a symposium at the grand Metellan complex on the Palatine. It was nothing conspicuous; several of Metellus' clients and friends in the Senate had also been invited, as well as a number of other prominent citizens and equestrians that he knew only by reputation.
But the priests were the clear guests of honour. Metellus sat with them, ate with them, drank with them, joked with them... Politics was to be avoided, although most present at the party shared the same sympathies, he would not risk offending their sensibilities with such business-like talk.
"...And so, I would offer my patronage to the Collegium. For too long has Rome ignored the divine at our own peril. One could call the Cimbri divine retribution."
Quintus chuckled to himself, raising a cup of wine. A number of Consuls had fallen in battle to them already, which had already been blamed on the ignoring of poor omens.
"Should we see victory in the field, it is my grand ambition to build a temple greater than Rome has ever seen. A thanks to the Gods. And a gesture of my good will to those who keep them in our favour."
He quietly hoped that they were drunker than he; Metellus had taken to watering down his wine considerably now that business seemed to encompass all hours.
