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Post by Gandalf on Oct 18, 2021 11:59:25 GMT -5
 On December 17th in the Consulship of Maximus and Lepidus begins the holiday of Saturnalia. Quintus Metellus Pius, ever wishing to outdo his peers, arranged for the most fabulous celebration in recent memory. As was tradition, the ancient class restrictions were temporarily forgotten, with even slaves permitted to wear the pileus cap of the freedman and intermingle with the citizens of the city. All public business was forgone, all businesses closed, all other public events, even criminal trials or declarations of war, were to be postponed. For an unheard of seven day period would the Roman people instead celebrate the freedom of the God Saturn. As always, the festivities began on the Capitol Hill, overseen by the guiding hand of the priests of Saturn, during which the God’s hollow feet were unbound and an animal sacrifice offered to appease Him. Then, Senators would take a large statue of the God down to the forum, placed symbolically on a couch in the Forum, so it was as if Saturn himself did oversee the proceedings. A great public banquet all throughout the city followed, at which all the magistrates and greatest citizens of the Republic were to be in attendance. None missed the holiday, if it could be helped, for the whole of Rome from the richest to poorest were expected to join with the celebration. A 'king of the Saturnalia' was elected from among the slaves and citizens, whom all would customarily have to obey for that given day, and under whose auspices were trinkets and gifts given between fellow Romans. It was a traditional time for liberty, with slaves given license to disrespect their masters without reproach, eat dinner with them, and drink with them. It had become custom in recent years to even allow women and men to intermingle, and certainly at the banquet several female entertainers were part of the ensemble that Pius had paid for to ensure the citizens were satisfied. Metellus had also ensured to pay for the food from his own purse to supplement the city food stores, with even the poorest citizens of Roma being sure to dine tonight on a decent meal by courtesy of the Pontifex Maximus.Of course, several informal distinctions remained; citizens sat with their own kin, clientele, friends, and slaves, which in practice ensured the senatorial and equestrian classes enjoyed a quai-segregation from the largesse of the urban mob at the heart of the revelries. Regardless, the forum was full of revelling, which would of course spill out into the other districts and even outside the sacred boundaries of the Pomerium. Coins would be specially minted to mark the celebration, as they were every year, and put into circulation or even given freely. What would follow this feasting would be several days of games at the Circus Maximus, arranged by Pius from his own private pocket and organised by some of the year's Aediles and Quaestors. First, a parade of all the city's youths in triumphal regalia would introduce the games, led by the foremost of the nobility's sons. It served doubly to introduce them to public life and also to celebrate recent Roman victories over their barbarian foes in the provinces. Then, would the spectacles begin. Mock (and bloodless) gladiator battles with dozens of fighters would take place, recreating the great victories of Agrigentum, Zama and Magnesia. Also featured were the triumphs of Metellus' own family, with the victory at Pydna by Metellus Macedonicus taking centre stage, battled by by hundreds of gladiators, actors, and miscellaneous entertainers. They were all clad in splendid costume that mimicked both the fearsome Roman legionaries and the ancient Macedonian phalangites that conquered all under Alexander himself. Metellus Macedonicus was depicted as austere and dignified, like a marble bust come to life, while the degeneracy and extravagance of the Greeks was given great attention. To spice up the games, a few trained elephants had even been imported from Africa to take their place among the feared armies of Hannibal in the re-enactment of the famous victory at Zama. That they would re-appear at Pydna was perhaps an embellishment of history, but one that Pius would happily indulge in as he celebrated the feats of his ancestor. These would be followed by humorous games, featuring dwarf and female gladiators, to the delight of the crowd, with some attempting to hitch a ride atop of the ever popular elephants. Following each of these games, parties would continue in the streets and in the houses of citizens well into the night, with all restrictions on drinking, gambling, and merrymaking lifted. One unplanned for backdrop, however, was the lingering presence of the Italians within the city. While allowed to join in with the celebrations, they made the point of refusing to even wear the caps of freedmen, an obvious protest to their imagined slavery to Rome. They would linger on the outskirts of every banquet, game, and celebration, an unlooked for presence that was thankfully warded off in the large part by the swelling mob of Roman citizens. Pius would attempt not to notice them as he finished his official duties for the celebration and took his place in the banquet next to his kin; the dozens of Metellans and his in laws from the Crassi, Scipione, and Fabian clans. Naturally, gifts were given between them of varying opulence and extravagance, which particularly among the nobility fostered a spirit of friendly competition.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 18, 2021 19:17:24 GMT -5
Crassus, back where he belonged, feel again at ease. He had lavished friends and clients with a feast to remember at his return, and how he was joining Metellus' own celebration, which was as bountiful and excessive as one could imagine. He cherished partaking in the official celebrations, which he missed, and, of course, a man like him would never miss a private banquet organised by his own kinsman. Wearing a long richly-dyed tunic in Greek style, and even fanciful make up, the former consul looked more like a decadent hellenistic king than a magistrate of the Res Publica. He came to the party walking a leopard by a golden chain, held by an equally gilded rod, inlaid with pearls. An excessive number of slaves in silken robes accompanied the Roman nobleman, holding torches, a number of them parading a golden statue of Bacchus in procession, scantly dressed -most of them were Gauls of fine figure, able to stand the cold-, while some more brought barrels of wine to the party. Every one of them wore a flowery flimsical crown -made of wintery blossoms-, including Capitolinus, but his was inlaid with golden thread.
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 19, 2021 3:21:17 GMT -5
Lepidus attended the festivities. Feeling very out of place. It had been years since he's been in the city for the celebrations and he had forgotten what of a madhouse it was. He spotted Crassus, the loser of Asia dressed in lavish garbs. Where's other Senators of note were nowhere to be seen. Many of them were of course in the Asia Crassus lost. Rather interesting that they were now shoveling the shit that Crassus had caused while he was now here playing someone who mimicked Mithradites himself. Coincidence? Lepidus thought not.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 19, 2021 5:34:49 GMT -5
Pius and his bride both wore long flowing garments of silk from the east, picked precisely for their colour and flamboyance. The only bit of usual attire Metellus sported were the customary red shoes of the Pontifex Maximus. Rather than a crown, the simple freedman’s cap rested on his brow, a precious symbol of hard-won liberty that even the slaves, who were also afforded seats at the table, could temporarily enjoy. They mingled among their masters, as was tradition, and Pius particularly enjoyed the ceasing of formalities between him and his learned Greek slaves.
”Bravo, Crassus. I hope that is not my gift!”
Many at the table laughed and applauded at the theatrical entrance of the returned Pro-Consul, who had managed of course to outdo them all with sheer extravagance. Many shouted the traditional toast, which would doubtless be heard thousands of times over the week’s festivities.
”Are you sure you did not trade places with Mithridates and he comes back to walk among us?”
Pius japed, before presenting all with a gift. Each slave received a small festive statuette of wood or clay, as was the custom, save for his secretary Castor who was gifted a finely bound history of Greece, written by one of the famous Roman authors of the day. Clients that Metellus did not know well were given a cloak or toga, naturally with Pius often receiving a similar gift in kind. To those senators and equestrians he knew personally, gifts required a more personal touch. Fabius Maximus was presented with a small marble statue of Aenaes in the panoply of the Trojans. Scipio was gifted one of the talking birds of the jungle, bought to him by several strapping Gauls in a gilded cage. It delighted them all by simply repeating ‘Nasica!’ at every given opportunity, a light hearted jape at the younger man’s profile. To Crassus, a pristine edition of the collected works of the poet Ennius were given, knowing the learned man enjoyed such cultured pursuits.
“Well, Io Saturnalia!”
Pius raised his cup to the cheering of many at their table, the best in the entire Forum. At that moment, a number of Pius’ slaves approached Lepidus, claiming to bring a gift on behalf of their master. They presented him with a green Gallic cloak, coarse and rough in woollen texture, clasped with a simple brooch of barbarian make. What also came with it was a scantily clad small statue of Venus, in the image of a barbarian woman. It seemed the rumours surrounding Lepidus’ favourite whore had even reached Rome, with jokes of her enjoyed at his expense.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 19, 2021 6:07:25 GMT -5
"Fortunately for you, it is not"
Said the patrician, while the leopard rested in a corner, chewing the bones of some unfortunate cow. He laid on the seat, the hand promptly busy with a cup of watered wine. Crassus' own wife had taken a seat, but she wasn't fond of her husband's theatrics.
"Eupator wishes he was of Roman stock and not some inbred princeling. You should have seen the so-called kings of Egypt"
He added, sipping the wine freely. The golden embroidery over the deep red fabric shone with the torchlight.
"My gift for you is this"
The senator made a gesture with the cup-filled hand and a group of slaves brought something forward.
"A complete edition, richly made, of the Illiad, in the best Greek you might find, brought from Alexandria itself"
In return, the former consul he enjoyed much Pius' own gift, making some histrionic sound of approval.
Scipio, laughed at his own expense. The descendant of Africanus dress more soberly than his in-law, wearing more down-to-earth clothing, including a thick woolen tunic. But the bracelet and the signet ring were of heavy old dark gold. He also wore the cap of the free men.
"This bird honors my ancestors! Io Saturnalia!"
His wife, the eldest Licinia, sat nearby, with pouty lips, admiring the fine arms of a slave nearby. Her hair and tunic were way more flamboyant than her husband's. And she seemingly was enjoying herself, talking freely to those next to her, in a manner and a fluidity that betrayed her parentage. She and her father looked oddly alike.
"Lepidus, be careful, next you might bring some hay-haired barbarians to the Senate"
The patrician laughed.
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 19, 2021 6:32:31 GMT -5
Licinia Secunda still held the fresh face and wide eyes sincerity of youth, but her recent flowering to adulthood having given her an air of the Roman matron’s dignity, coupled with the traditional airs of aristocracy. The Licinia sisters were alike both in looks and manner, it seemed, for she too was enjoying ogling at the fine Gallic specimens her husband had paraded around in a rather fetching uniform. In private, she was a fecund and tempestuous thing, exhausting her husband with demands both in the bedroom and out. As a result of this demanding, the physicians had informed her that she was probably with child. Metellus knew too, of course, but in this early stage it was better to be cautious than to count all the chickens before they hatched. It had been a relief to him that his conjugal duties had been satisfied, for now she would stop pestering him at every waking hour to ‘join her in bed’ when he either had business or other pursuits to attend to. Their age difference meant that, for the moment, they had little in common save biological, and with him not being too old or too stern with her it seemed that she had developed some one sided infatuation. Not that it was entirely unwelcome, of course, but Gods, he needed a holiday. In the meantime he let her expend her boundless energy on conversation with some of his clients while he himself spoke with the eldest Crassus.
”An excellent gift. I am envious, I very much wish to see it myself one day. And of course, their ‘divine’ kings.”
Pius chuckled and imitated the slack jawed and bug-eyed manner that the Ptolemies had become known for. He had met the King of Cyprus, once, the man being a guest of his father’s some years ago.
”Did you see the tomb of Alexandros? Of course you did!”
Metellus tried very hard to contain his excitement. Megas Alexandros, even in death, was a wonder of the world.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 19, 2021 7:31:14 GMT -5
"Yes, I saw The Body"
Said Crassus.
"He's buried, amidst the Ptolemaic kings. They're buried in golden coffins, in splendid mausoleums surrounding Alexander's own"
He gestured fancily, evocative.
"And there he is. His coffin is not of gold or wood or marble, he lays in a magnificent thing made of crystal. And one can behold him, wrapped in purple, dressing armor and with tokens of his life around him, like the Egyptians do"
Crassus remembered the thing vividly.
"He is decayed and withered, but one still can glance what he was and used to be. The magicians of Egypt turned his body into this uncorruptible thing, which is wondrous by itself. Gaunt as one might be in death, Alexandros has still the bearings of divinity and the golden mane was intact under the silken golden shroud, the hand still bears the signet ring and the sword lays by his side"
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 19, 2021 11:05:28 GMT -5
"I truly envy you. I cannot imagine what it must be like, to see the great king as if he still lived."
Even in Roma, Alexander was treated as almost intangible and divine. Not quite a God, in the eastern fashion, but it was not far from the old Roman veneration of their own heroic ancestors. Pius appeared in awe.
"I must see it one day. I pray that fate takes me to Aigyptos before my life is done."
Perhaps it would, given the recent tumult between the Ptolemy brothers. But it was not a day to talk of politics.
"They say Mithridates traipses around in Alexander's cloak. I suppose we might see Sulla doing the same, soon enough."
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Post by FieldMarshal Bismarck on Oct 20, 2021 15:31:30 GMT -5
Pius and his bride both wore long flowing garments of silk from the east, picked precisely for their colour and flamboyance. The only bit of usual attire Metellus sported were the customary red shoes of the Pontifex Maximus. Rather than a crown, the simple freedman’s cap rested on his brow, a precious symbol of hard-won liberty that even the slaves, who were also afforded seats at the table, could temporarily enjoy. They mingled among their masters, as was tradition, and Pius particularly enjoyed the ceasing of formalities between him and his learned Greek slaves. ”Bravo, Crassus. I hope that is not my gift!”Many at the table laughed and applauded at the theatrical entrance of the returned Pro-Consul, who had managed of course to outdo them all with sheer extravagance. Many shouted the traditional toast, which would doubtless be heard thousands of times over the week’s festivities. ”Are you sure you did not trade places with Mithridates and he comes back to walk among us?”Pius japed, before presenting all with a gift. Each slave received a small festive statuette of wood or clay, as was the custom, save for his secretary Castor who was gifted a finely bound history of Greece, written by one of the famous Roman authors of the day. Clients that Metellus did not know well were given a cloak or toga, naturally with Pius often receiving a similar gift in kind. To those senators and equestrians he knew personally, gifts required a more personal touch. Fabius Maximus was presented with a small marble statue of Aenaes in the panoply of the Trojans. Scipio was gifted one of the talking birds of the jungle, bought to him by several strapping Gauls in a gilded cage. It delighted them all by simply repeating ‘Nasica!’ at every given opportunity, a light hearted jape at the younger man’s profile. To Crassus, a pristine edition of the collected works of the poet Ennius were given, knowing the learned man enjoyed such cultured pursuits. “Well, Io Saturnalia!”Pius raised his cup to the cheering of many at their table, the best in the entire Forum. At that moment, a number of Pius’ slaves approached Lepidus, claiming to bring a gift on behalf of their master. They presented him with a green Gallic cloak, coarse and rough in woollen texture, clasped with a simple brooch of barbarian make. What also came with it was a scantily clad small statue of Venus, in the image of a barbarian woman. It seemed the rumours surrounding Lepidus’ favourite whore had even reached Rome, with jokes of her enjoyed at his expense. Lepidus accepted the cloack and donned it, to run with the theme of the day he supposed. He laughed as he held the statue of Venus in the image of a barbarian woman. He liked it and lifted it high, roaring at people to be amazed at his statue. The water wine was perhaps too much. "Fortunately for you, it is not"Said the patrician, while the leopard rested in a corner, chewing the bones of some unfortunate cow. He laid on the seat, the hand promptly busy with a cup of watered wine. Crassus' own wife had taken a seat, but she wasn't fond of her husband's theatrics. "Eupator wishes he was of Roman stock and not some inbred princeling. You should have seen the so-called kings of Egypt"
He added, sipping the wine freely. The golden embroidery over the deep red fabric shone with the torchlight.
"My gift for you is this"The senator made a gesture with the cup-filled hand and a group of slaves brought something forward.
"A complete edition, richly made, of the Illiad, in the best Greek you might find, brought from Alexandria itself"In return, the former consul he enjoyed much Pius' own gift, making some histrionic sound of approval. Scipio, laughed at his own expense. The descendant of Africanus dress more soberly than his in-law, wearing more down-to-earth clothing, including a thick woolen tunic. But the bracelet and the signet ring were of heavy old dark gold. He also wore the cap of the free men.
"This bird honors my ancestors! Io Saturnalia!"
His wife, the eldest Licinia, sat nearby, with pouty lips, admiring the fine arms of a slave nearby. Her hair and tunic were way more flamboyant than her husband's. And she seemingly was enjoying herself, talking freely to those next to her, in a manner and a fluidity that betrayed her parentage. She and her father looked oddly alike. "Lepidus, be careful, next you might bring some hay-haired barbarians to the Senate"The patrician laughed.
Lepidus smiled and coutered to Scipio saying "At least it means I bring back something other than shame and dishonor like crassus" Lepidus said, loudly enough so that crassus would hear it.
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Post by oznerol on Oct 21, 2021 9:18:50 GMT -5
Pius and his bride both wore long flowing garments of silk from the east, picked precisely for their colour and flamboyance. The only bit of usual attire Metellus sported were the customary red shoes of the Pontifex Maximus. Rather than a crown, the simple freedman’s cap rested on his brow, a precious symbol of hard-won liberty that even the slaves, who were also afforded seats at the table, could temporarily enjoy. They mingled among their masters, as was tradition, and Pius particularly enjoyed the ceasing of formalities between him and his learned Greek slaves. ”Bravo, Crassus. I hope that is not my gift!”Many at the table laughed and applauded at the theatrical entrance of the returned Pro-Consul, who had managed of course to outdo them all with sheer extravagance. Many shouted the traditional toast, which would doubtless be heard thousands of times over the week’s festivities. ”Are you sure you did not trade places with Mithridates and he comes back to walk among us?”Pius japed, before presenting all with a gift. Each slave received a small festive statuette of wood or clay, as was the custom, save for his secretary Castor who was gifted a finely bound history of Greece, written by one of the famous Roman authors of the day. Clients that Metellus did not know well were given a cloak or toga, naturally with Pius often receiving a similar gift in kind. To those senators and equestrians he knew personally, gifts required a more personal touch. Fabius Maximus was presented with a small marble statue of Aenaes in the panoply of the Trojans. Scipio was gifted one of the talking birds of the jungle, bought to him by several strapping Gauls in a gilded cage. It delighted them all by simply repeating ‘Nasica!’ at every given opportunity, a light hearted jape at the younger man’s profile. To Crassus, a pristine edition of the collected works of the poet Ennius were given, knowing the learned man enjoyed such cultured pursuits. “Well, Io Saturnalia!”Pius raised his cup to the cheering of many at their table, the best in the entire Forum. At that moment, a number of Pius’ slaves approached Lepidus, claiming to bring a gift on behalf of their master. They presented him with a green Gallic cloak, coarse and rough in woollen texture, clasped with a simple brooch of barbarian make. What also came with it was a scantily clad small statue of Venus, in the image of a barbarian woman. It seemed the rumours surrounding Lepidus’ favourite whore had even reached Rome, with jokes of her enjoyed at his expense. Lepidus accepted the cloack and donned it, to run with the theme of the day he supposed. He laughed as he held the statue of Venus in the image of a barbarian woman. He liked it and lifted it high, roaring at people to be amazed at his statue. The water wine was perhaps too much. "Fortunately for you, it is not"Said the patrician, while the leopard rested in a corner, chewing the bones of some unfortunate cow. He laid on the seat, the hand promptly busy with a cup of watered wine. Crassus' own wife had taken a seat, but she wasn't fond of her husband's theatrics. "Eupator wishes he was of Roman stock and not some inbred princeling. You should have seen the so-called kings of Egypt"
He added, sipping the wine freely. The golden embroidery over the deep red fabric shone with the torchlight.
"My gift for you is this"The senator made a gesture with the cup-filled hand and a group of slaves brought something forward.
"A complete edition, richly made, of the Illiad, in the best Greek you might find, brought from Alexandria itself"In return, the former consul he enjoyed much Pius' own gift, making some histrionic sound of approval. Scipio, laughed at his own expense. The descendant of Africanus dress more soberly than his in-law, wearing more down-to-earth clothing, including a thick woolen tunic. But the bracelet and the signet ring were of heavy old dark gold. He also wore the cap of the free men.
"This bird honors my ancestors! Io Saturnalia!"
His wife, the eldest Licinia, sat nearby, with pouty lips, admiring the fine arms of a slave nearby. Her hair and tunic were way more flamboyant than her husband's. And she seemingly was enjoying herself, talking freely to those next to her, in a manner and a fluidity that betrayed her parentage. She and her father looked oddly alike. "Lepidus, be careful, next you might bring some hay-haired barbarians to the Senate"The patrician laughed.
Lepidus smiled and coutered to Scipio saying "At least it means I bring back something other than shame and dishonor like crassus" Lepidus said, loudly enough so that crassus would hear it.
Said Scipio, throwing his cup at Lepidus. Crassus himself frowned and replied coldly. "Akward thing to do at my own son-in-law's feast, Lepidus. A breach of hospitality and the festive mood"
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Post by Gandalf on Oct 21, 2021 11:03:00 GMT -5
"Come, let us not have crass remarks ruin the day."
Pius interjected, laughing openly at Scipio's remark.
"If the good Consul would show himself an honourable man and apologise, we may put this behind us."
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Post by sforza on Oct 21, 2021 11:04:49 GMT -5
Decianus and some of Rome's citizens look with interest to the brawl.
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Post by Magnate Lucius on Oct 21, 2021 22:45:38 GMT -5
Fabius, who was present at the feast, with his wife, had brought a gift to Metellus, his good brother, as a show of gratitude. The life size statue depicted an ancestor of Pius, Lucius Caecilius Metellus, dressed in military garb with his sword raised victoriously high in one hand and the tusk of an elephant at his side. Like his own ancestor, Lucius had fought the general Hasdrubal at the celebrated Battle of Panormus, which was a turning point in the First Punic War and whose consequences ensured the domination of Rome over Sicily. It is said that this ancestor defeated thirteen enemy generals and captured over a hundred war elephants.
Fortunes blessings, brother. I hope that this gift may be a good adornment for your home.
Atellus motions to it as a pair of slaves bring it forth, pulling down a crimson cloth that hid it and revealing the homage to one of Rome's mighty generals.
Once I return from Greece, I plan to have a similar one be built before the Temple of Mars, situated across from my own ancestor. Heroes of Rome who should never be forgotten and their deeds be remembered for all eternity given their mighty contributions to Rome's great fortunes.
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