After the Pompa, on a day of clear blue skies and as magnificent as the days before, the ritual to Mars commences.
*********************************************************************************************************
Sacrum Marti
SALUTATIO
“Hail Father Mars and hail You immortal Gods ! Come, come (Gods), take in this ceremony, and protect it!
PRAECATIO
“Father Mars, guardian of our success, even as You led the legions of our forefathers to bring Romanitas to the ancient world, lead us that we may spread the benefits of Romanitas yet further. I beseech You that You rightly guide us in our actions and take into Your holy embrace Your sons and daughters of Nova Roma. I beseech You that with Salus and Concordia You heal our conflicts, unite us in a common purpose, and with victorious success increase the dignity of Nova Roma.”
SACRIFICATIO
Father Mars, to You deservedly I give thanks. Mars Gravidus, look down and preserve us! I do beseech you by your good genius, come forth (down to us)! No longer keep us in suspense! Father Mars, we come before You this day with open hearts, pure and chaste. By these offerings we seek to honor You. May You hear us, O Mars, and may You honor us this day with your presence. As You have so often (before), so (now) accept (these) offerings and bless our community.
Father Mars, by offering this incense to You I pray good prayers, so that You may be propitious to me to our sacerdotes, to the Senate and to the People of Nova Roma. Father Mars, as by offering to You the incense virtuous prayers were well prayed, for the sake of this be honored by this small portion of wine. Accept (our) libations and send upon us Your kind thoughts. May You grant Nova Roma concord and a richness of life!
“Father Mars, may You be strengthened by this libation, may You be honored by this wine. In You, dearest Father, in Your hands do we place our safekeeping.”
LITATIO
Mars Gravidus, to You I give thanks. Father, while offering incense to You virtuous prayers were prayed well, for the sake of this be honored by this small portion of wine.
PERLITATIO
“No more, Gods on High, do I ask of You today; it is enough.”
“Thus it is done. May all the Gods above and below always love you and wish you happiness in all that is good.”
“May the immortal Gods make it so, as fortunate as it is pious.”
*********************************************************************************************************
IVLIA: Quirites, Socii, Peregrinisque welcome to the continuation of the Ludi Circenses, this is your commentator L Julia Aquila. With me is V. Herminius Aquilinus who is most well known as the Charioteer Vitus who has returned to Rome after many years in Liguria to race for the first time for the Albatae and who has been graciously treating us to his commentary on the races.
Today we have a very special race for the Fourth Quarterfinal. There are only two chariots in this race but they are both formidable. The wildly popular Stolo, *the crowd booms with support* last year’s winner driving Incitatus for the Venetae and owned by esteemed Tribune C. Petronius Dexter is pitted against C. Maria Caeca’s Procella Nivosa driven by Arienrhod for the Albatae!
Many Thanks go to the Cornelii for the wonderful and well tended buffet in the commentators’ box and also for providing the feasts and refreshments for today’s special quarterfinal!
*white “snow” seems to issue from the cheering and the sky is awash in white and blue confetti, Maria’s supporters surround her and keep her glass with filled with Falerian, Hermannus by her side, while Petronius assisted by Aiofe tends to his interests and maintains a post close to the track as his charioteer Stolo makes sure all is well. Petronius’ excitement is very evident even though he has been quiet this Ludi*
Missi sunt currus!
They're off!
VITVS: Out of the gate Stolo guides the Incitatus into a steady trot apparently not being overly concerned that the Procella Nivosa guided by Arienrhod is passing him, but also at a steady pace. It is important to note that these horses, even when going their fastest are actually trotting and not galloping which is difficult, if not dangerous, in yoke and harness. This kind of trotting, racing trotting, can be just as fast and is a sign of a well trained hot blood.
Before the Procella Nivosa can get ahead the Incitatus maneuvers into first place as they race down the stretch before the second lap.
The dolphin turns into the second and Arienrhod is amidst a red cloud of sand and pounding hooves, she is reaching into her waist sash and throws something towards Stolo!
A blade is sticking out of his forearm!
Without slowing his pace he pulls it out and tosses it to the side, not even glancing back at her, a spray of blood washing over him. The steeds of the Procella Nivosa are quite lathered as she presses them harder to catch up with the Incitatus who is not maintaining a steady pace as the third dolphin turns.
Arienrhod has caught up with Incitatus midway in the first stretch of the third lap, she violently pushes him close to the spina – oh by the Gods there is an overturned sausage cart in the way!
Stolo’s steeds jump the cart and the Incitatus flies over it tipping forwards and knocking Stolo over the front-piece!
*loud collective gasp from the crowd*
Stolo is holding on but he if he falls at that speed he will be trampled by the hind quarters of his horses and run over by the chariot!
He recovers using all his strength!
Stolo has pulled himself back over the chariot! His well trained steeds have astonishingly maintained pace and position close to the spina!
The fourth dolphin is turned; the Incitatus is on the heels of the Procella Nivosa and is leaving the inside to pass her!
She gives him a derogatory hand movement and he smiles a chilling smile as he pulls up next to her and swings the Incitatus into the Procella Nivosa sandwiching it between him and the spina. A wheel of Procella Nivosa lifts on a small rise while the Incitatus thunders away with ease leaving the other chariot dangerously tipping into the center.
OOOOOHHHH and the Procella Nivosa is down!
Arienrhod has rolled to the ground and is lying very still!
Stolo, driving Incitatus as if he is being chased by hellhounds is racing towards the finish as his fans go crazy!
He is awash in an ocean of blue matter issuing from every corner of the Circus!
INCITATUS DRVEN BY STOLO FOR THE ALBATAE OWNED BY TRIBUNE C. PETRONIUS DEXTER GOES TO THE SEMI-FINALS!!!!!!!!!!
*The crowds begin to stomp and cheer in deafening continuous waves, clouds of blue confetti and blue flowers shower down from the highest bleachers, the big screen is nearly obliterated in a sea of blue*
This has been some race today omnes! We just had word that Arienrhod is battered and may have a few broken bones but she will recover. Her husband Hermannus and her owner C. Maria Caeca are by her side. The hot-walkers are busy ministering to and walking the overtaxed steeds of the Procella Nivosa to prevent shock and pneumonia.
Congratulations to C. Petronius Dexter! And to Stolo and the quadrigae of the Incitatus! There is a joyous celebration going on by the gates and there will be many feasts tonight in anticipation for the semi-finals.
JVLIA: This has been an exciting and terrifying race cives and peregrines! But there is more to come!
The line up for the first semifinals are in post position the Drunas driven by Nervia for the Albatae owned by Consul Albucius, then Tempestas Noctis driven by Nicodemus the Thracian for the Venetae owned by Statia Cornelia Æternia then Luxogenes driven by Eporicus for the Albatae and Fulminata driven by Lucius Furius owned by A. Vitellius Celsus for the Venetae.
For the second semifinal in post position is Ventrus Albus driven by the flaxen haired Hermannus for the Albatae owned by C. Maria Caeca, Vita Brevis driven by Aiofe of the Silures for the Albatae on loan to Iulia Aquila, me, by Cn. Equitius Marinus and Incitatus driven by Stolo for the Venetae owned by C. Petronius Dexter.
VITVS: The Circus will be closing early today to prepare for the semifinals but the forums, the marketplace and the main streets will be ready to receive you, you guests and citizens of Rome! The Horatii are providing the feast and refreshments until dark! Be safe and see you at the semi-finals where anything is possible! Feasting and endless refreshments at the semi-finals will be provided by my kin, the Herminii!
*he turns to Julia, his azure eyes twinkling*
Domina, are you ready to party meum corculum?
JVLIA: *teases Vitus* Sane, meum delicium! But first we must stop in the carceres so I can examine Arienrhod and prescribe unguents and herbs – also to make sure her bones are set properly, there has been a lot of drinking today.
*makes a salutation to the masses*
Omnes, see you at the races!
Narratio resumetur…
To be continued…
©Aquila (Note the Ritual in smaller text and within the borders is free domain)
No comments:
Post a Comment