C. CLODIA CONCHA: Avete Quirites, Amici et Inimici! This is your commentor Cardia Clodia Concha filling in for our Mistress of Ceremonies, L. Julia Aquila who is not only performing her duties as Curule Aedile but has a chariot entered in this first quarterfinal of the Ludi Romani 2763! With me this morning in the broadcast booth is local celebrity Faustus Fannius Felix who has so generously donated the new stadium monitor you see overhead, over the officium.
F. FANNIUS FELIX: That baby is 180 feet wide by 50 ft tall my love!
C. CLODIA CONCHA: “Concha” to you big boy! What wonderful weather we have this morning, it is a cool 65 depress and very sunny with just enough of a breeze to remind us it is fall! The Circus is packed! I see this morning’s Pompa Circensis filing in, the Magistrates and other high officials follow after the Curule Aediles – dozens of young girls and boys sprinkling trillions of white flowers about as if it were snowing, I can smell their sweet scent all the way up here! Gardenias! Magnificent! Placidus looks dashing in his Toga Praetexta and Julia Aquila lovely in a white tunica and palla both are sporting a wide purple stripe on the border of their respective garments. Placidus just announced free food and drink after ritual courtesy of the Annaea. Oh the wonderful scents of the food coming off the many carts being pulled into position! The wine will be flowing I am sure!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: I only hope, last year we had Falernian, surely they will not forget us.
C. CLODIA CONCHA:*rolls her eyes with attitude and flicks her hand towards the door as servants begin to place heavily laden trays of various delights and various beverages, including Falernian, upon the banquet table*
Citizens and visitors to great Rome what a pompa circensis on this first day of the races! Following our Magistrates and Religious officials are the charioteers in their vestis quadrigaria representing their teams, their gleaming standards held close by their standard bearers, musicians, dancing girls, fire eaters, mimes and actors galore! The plaustra is joining the pompa, carrying the mystically enchanting images of the Gods to their places, and what is that I see?
*she leans closer, her deep ebon eyes focus in on a splendid site*
Oh by the Great Gods! Magnificent tiny bronze chariots each borne by a tiny white pony with shaggy manes and tails carrying ornate statues of Cybele and Neptune and Iuppiter and Minerva! The esteemed Senators are entering the pulvinar; their skyboxes. Consul Quintilianus looking well, one of his prize Salukis at his side and a fine looking woman at his other side is joined by his filius, Censor Modianus.
F. FANNIUS FELIX: Yes, the Consul is a fine judge of horseflesh, and of women as well.
C. CLODIA CONCHA: *her eyes flash a fiery warning towards Fannius and she whispers away from the mike*
I warn you Fauste Fanni, do not embarrass me or I shall serve your precious parts to my swine
*she bares her ultra white teeth towards him in a chilling smile and announces to the crowd*
Yes, he is a fine man, as both Consules are!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: *mutters under his breath before taking a long draught of wine* Evil woman, evil cantankerous woman…
C. CLODIA CONCHA: Omnes at the pulvinar we see Consul Albucius and his family settle in his box as more Senators file in. There is our esteemed Marinus and his family, accompanied by Julia Aquila’s grandson M. Iulius Aquila who is sitting beside him. I wonder if young Iulius Aquila will join Julia in the Aediles’ skybox to watch her chariot’s race. I see her by the stables speaking to her good friend Petronius Dexter, both are laughing, if only she would have worn a mike we could eavesdrop!
Over there in the pulvinar, next to the lovely Aedilis Plebis Enodia and the fair Merula, is the captivating Rogatrix Æternia who seems to be taking small black rectangular objects from Senatores Sulla and Cato and slipping them into the folds of her deep brown cloak, ignoring their protests. She is flashing a dark and dazzling smile of warning at them as they take their seats.
*Clodia waves at Palladius* Senator Palladius is here as well, he has traveled some way from the country – oh but look, here comes Censor Sabinus and family! There is another from the North country, eh? None other than Caesar! And Severus from the South! So many of Julia’s cousins are in Rome for this Ludi, Villa Iulia will be packed with guests, but the Gods know it is big enough! A star studded Pulvinar for sure! Perusianus, Leanas, Maior, Paulinus and many others as well!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: *waves at Petronius* Hrumpf there are also notables in the stands where the reg’lar people are! Yo! There are Octavius Priscus and Livia Ocella making their way to the top of the bleachers, both are new to Rome! Decia Scriptrix and Iulia Agrippa are looking radiant, very beautiful, and seated next to them I see Crispus, a hard working young man who brings common sense to our Forum and who has worked hard to bring this Ludi to you, as both those esteemed Matrons have. I know I am not alone in saying that I wish Crispus was less vigilant in the forum – a good dirty violent fight is needed to clear the air sometimes!
*Concha throws one of Rota’s stuffed dates at Fannius’s head and cast an even more evil eye at him, he shrugs without wiping the vestiges of the delicacy from the side of his forehead and continues in a more officious tone*
With everything in place the Ritual to Minerva is about to begin, Camilla Maria Caeca, Sacerdos Iovis Corvus, Pontifex Lentulus, Flamen Portunalis Petronius, Augur Agricola and other Sacerdotes, Pontifices, Pontifex Maximus Piscinus and the Curule Aediles are beginning the ritual now, they have just called for silentum.
*The broadcast box goes silent for the duration of the ritual to Minerva*
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SALUTATIO
“Hail Minerva and all You immortal Gods above! Why not arouse Yourself and graciously attend the ceremonies that we hold in Your honor with Your divine presence.”
INVOCATIO
“Proud, warlike Goddess, great honor and wisdom of Your Father, powerful in war are You, on whom the grim helmet is borne with its frightful decoration, hear me, Minerva. Listen. Gods and Goddesses of our ancestors, You who cherish this City and these sacred groves, listen. Gods of our forefathers, I make this offering of incense to You and pray with good prayers that You will look kindly and favorably upon us and our children, on our houses and on our households.”
SACRIFICATIO
“To Minerva and the Gods deservedly I give thanks. Minerva, look down and preserve us, I do beseech you by your good genius. Come forth! We wish for You.”
“Minerva, we come before You this day with open hearts, pure and chaste. By these offerings we seek to honor You. Hear us, O Minerva, and may You honor us this day with your presence. As You have so often before, so now accept these offerings and bless our civitas. Never has Mars or Bellona with Her battle spear inspired more ardent calls to arms on the war trumpets than You, Minerva. May You with Your nod accept this sacrificial offering. Accept our libations and send upon us Your kind thoughts. May You grant Nova Roma concord and a richness of life!”
“Minerva, to You we make this offering of incense and pray that You will look kindly and favorably upon us, upon our children, on our homes and our households.”
LITATIO
“Minerva, may You be strengthened by this libation, may You be honored by this milk. In You, Minerva, in Your hands do we place our safekeeping.”
PERLITATIO
“No more, Minerva most chaste, do I ask of You today; it is enough.”
“Thus it is done. May all the Gods above and below always love you, cultores Deorum, and wish you happiness in all that is good.”
“May the immortal Gods make it so, as fortunate as it is pious.”
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C. CLODIA CONCHA: A very beautiful ritual, a breathtaking sight to behold!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: *licking his fingers, the side of his face now clean and a heaping plate of food before him*
And now Quirites, Socii, Peregrinisque the quadrigae are parading around the track, the noise from the crowds is deafening! The stands are a sea of Red, White and Blue flags…and…er…Pom Poms, those damn Pom Poms again this year!!!!
*While the crowd works it way into a loud frenzy of song, shouting and colors waving, he shouts over to a servant boy*
Cover those sausages I don’t want that sparkly stuff getting into them again this ludi!
*he releases a loud hardy laugh* Sorry omnes but I need my strength to fend myself against the Valkyrie I share a box with.
*Fannius can feel the heat of her eyes boring into his skull and downs a full glass of wine before continuing*
For the first race this Ludi, in post position, is Veneta’s Tempestas Noctis driven by Nicodemus the Thracian and is owned by St. Cornelia Æternia, next is Albata’s Drunas, driven by Nervia and owned by Consul Albucius. In third position is Russata’s Germania driven by Antropophagus owned by D. Arm. Brutus, next on the outside, is Albata’s Prima Lux driven by Vitus and owned by Curule Aedile, the exquisite Julia Aquila, Domina of the Albata.
From her Magistrates box, Aedilis Curules Julia Aquila drops the mappa and they are off!!!!
*Jumping from his chair the girth of Fannius follows with ease as he grasps the edge of the announcers box excitedly shouting*
Straight out the gate Albata’s Prima Lux and Russata’s Germania surge forward to gain place nearest the inside – what speed those steeds have! I only hope they are not wearing them out too early to gain an advantage!
Close on the heels of their dust Albata’s Drunas driven by the fierce Nervia maneuvers to make sure that Veneta’s Tempestas Noctis makes no gains.
*Nervia shouts in a booming voice to Anthropophagus ‘futue te ipsum et caballum in quo vectus est!’*
Hm, I thought the Consul was going to talk to her after last Ludi *He grins cunningly* I am glad it did not sink in; she is swiftly pushing aside the Germania.
Whoa, what… look! Albata’s Vitus is taking the Prima Lux well in the lead, by at least a length; the flaxen manes of his golden chestnut stallions give the air of demigods carrying their fine-looking passenger towards Mt. Olympus itself! But our candidate for demi-goddess Nervia is not to be outdone, her magnificent team is close on the tail of the newcomer and her eyes are shooting spears of lightening! As they go into the second lap it is Albata’s Prima Lux in first followed by Albata’s Drunas, Russata’s Germania and Veneta’s Tempestas Noctis!
C. CLODIA CONCHA: Vitus is very focused but he does flash a magnanimous smile to the ladies now and again, did you notice he almost matches his horses, his hair is a golden chestnut with flaxen streaks? Oh those muscles!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: The race my dear, I mean Concha… *laughs heartily as she smiles back at him*
C. CLODIA CONCHA: As they enter the second turn Albata’s Vitus is clearly in the lead, his horses do not seemed taxed at all by Albata Nervia’s attempts to push him into the spina! A tussle between the two is ensuing as they race at incredible speeds. The whips come out; the tip of Nervia’s whip grazes the flank of one of Prima Lux’s stallions! Vitus scowls and shouts something at Nervia and with a slight maneuver of his chariot he sends the Drunas wide! Veneta’s Tempestas Noctis and Russata’s Germania take advantage of the Drunas misfortune and race in its place, both neck to neck, both Nicodemus the Thracian and Antropophagus are intensely focused on passing each other. As they make the turn into the third lap it is Prima Lux in first, Tempestas Noctis and Germania both tied in second, nose to nose and Druna last but coming up fast and furious!
There seems to be no reason for any tactics at this point although Prima Lux is supporting an even pace, conserving just enough energy to stay ahead of the pack and the clear favorite as the Albata swarm from the stands to loudly cheer him on. The crowd bellows, Brutus is shouting and waving red flags as Germania passes Tempestas Noctis and is firmly in second place. With the Nervia’s whip working overtime, the Drunas overtakes the Tempestas Noctis pushing it from the outside almost into the rear of the Germania placing third as they race towards the 4th and final lap! The crowds are screaming! Albucius is shouting, both arms in the air waving white flags!
F. FANNIUS FELIX: By Iuppiter’s whatsis! The Drunas is surging ahead, what a woman that Nervia is! If I get drunk enough I may ask for her hand! Close behind is the muscle bound Thracian, Nicodemus who is swiftly closing the gap with Tempestas Noctis and staying close to the spina, still in fourth place in the last lap. Drunas is challenging Germania but Germania holds on to its swift focused pace while blocking the moves of Tempestas Noctis – what a driver, surrounded by those who wish to make him fail! Nervia shouting all sorts of curses at him! We can only guess what is on her mind but she seems so determined!
With a shout to his horses Anthropophagus’ steeds fly towards first place leaving Drunas and Tempestas Noctis behind him! Germania and Prima Lux are neck to neck! What is this, a small smile blooms on the face of the handsomely rugged Vitus; his lips form words unheard to us and his steeds pick up speed with an ease as if they are spawns of Pegasus himself! The stallions appear to floating!
Julia Aquila is hugging her arms close to her body and appears to be softly jumping in place! The Albata and her friends Marinus, Maria, and Scholastica amongst them surround her; even the Veneta’s Petronius is by her side!
What is that?!? A loud crack and snap just resounded throughout the circus, *Fannius points and looks at the huge monitor* the leading horses are nervously turning their ears sideways!
The crowd is shouting something urgent and unintelligible to Vitus!
C. CLODIA CONCHA: No! Oh no!
Something has broken off the Germania! A wheel! The Germania goes down! The wheel speeds underfoot the team of the Prima Lux! Antropophagus falls backwards in the currus, the pole and yolk fly into the air, the yolk horses are reared up on their hind legs and the trace horses have tumbled to the dirt!
Prima Lux’s team struggles to keep afoot! Vitus appears to be saying something to them! The trace horse on the left begins to fall but the other three are pulling in the opposite direction led by the right trace horse lifting the golden chestnut stallion back to his feet!
Thundering past into first place is the Consul’s Drunas, Nervia is laughing loudly at the fallen Germania! She is followed a length behind by Tempestas Noctis; both chariots making a wide berth around the stricken quadrigae on the outside!
The crowd is roaring!!! The stands are a mass of White and Blue! Great reddish clouds trail the two leading chariots as they race onto the turn before the final stretch!
The Germania is out but will the Prima Lux be able to catch up?
Anthropophagus just jumped from the downed Germania and is tending to his frightened horses with care. In a flash of human speed Vitus leaves the Prima Lux running towards his hot-bloods, his wounded Stallion is standing but he is clearly unable to run the race. Vitus takes a moment to examine him than runs towards Antrophagus.
Is there going to be a fight? The crowd calls for blood! Many of the Albata feel they have been cheated of a victory! Soldiers are on alert!
Wait folks, he is tying the Germania’s team to the back of his chariot with Antrophagus upon one of the steeds then climbs back into the Prima Lux and urges his horses into an easy jog towards the finish line.
Tempestas Noctis takes advantage of the distraction and being on the inside Nicodemus the Thracian begins to push the Drunas in attempt to send her wide, he is shouting “potas currere, sed te occulare none potes”! But Nervia is smiling and makes a rude gesture with her finger towards him! She shouts something to her team and they speed forward taking the lead and the win, by two lengths!
ALBATA’S DRUNAS WINS THE FIRST QUARTERFINAL!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS CONSUL ALBUCIUS!!!!
Tempestas Noctis comes in an impressive second!
Prima Lux is in third place and the Germania is fourth – the crowd cheers for the two Charioteers who ran a noble race!
The crowds are insane! Security is heavy; the air is filled with White and Blue confetti, pom poms and flags!
Albucius races to Nervia and lifts her into the air where she is borne by many strong arms and carried about!
Loud shouts from Æternia are heard as she and her friends run to Nicodemus the Thracian! Æternia tosses blue flower petals over the Thracian’s head and places a rare black linen cloak about his shoulders!
After a few reassuring mutual embraces Julia Aquila assists Vitus in examining the stallions as this appears to be their main concern. Brutus likewise assists Anthropophagus, who is visibly disappointed and can’t stop from glaring over at Nervia who is completely ignoring him.
F. FANNIUS FELIX: Oh enough already Concha, “as the screw turns” Lady Luck has made her choice and our two winners Consul Albucius’ Drunas and Rogatrix St. Cornelia Æternia will go onto the semi-finals. The others are out, out and out. Better luck next year! Bah!!! *laughs loudly*
Congratulations to the Albata and Venata!
Congratulations to Consul Albucius and to Rogatrix Æternia whose chariots go onto the semifinals!
Now my dear Concha I see Rota, and his fine wife Sonja, bringing in some fresh culinary delights for the Intermessio and the show is about to begin! I see they are also setting up a booth for you to ply your wares *his lips curl in a lascivious grin eyeing her shining raven locks and the way the pale red fabric of her frock stretches across her hips* I mean… to sell… your luxurious fabrics! I understand your designers created many of the dancers costumes as well as… erm… servicing those people of Rome who are searching for something a cut above the rest!
*The huge monitor begins showing clothing of exquisite design and fabrics surrounded by picture within picture of the activity at the stables, the vendors, the stands, the pulvinar and other advertisements. The clothing is moved to the side and in the center a replay of the race is greeted with loud shouts and cheers*
F. FANNIUS FELIX: Come Concha, let us go down into the crowds before I am tempted to stay here and partake of what is left and indulge in a few of the servitors for dessert!
C. CLODIA CONCHA: *rests her arm on Fannius* Yes I had better get you out of here before that dour face guard sticks you with his pilum.
F. FANNIUS FELIX: *as they walk to the stairway Fannius mumbles to her* My dear Concha, it is not I he wants to stick with his pilum, you have ignored him in totality and this is why he is so dour!
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Until the Second Quarterfinal…valete optime!
Narratio resumetur…
To be continued…
©Aquila (Note the Ritual in smaller text and within the borders is free domain)
©Aquila (Note the Ritual in smaller text and within the borders is free domain)
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