de minimis non curat praetor.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

Kalends of Maius, nearly noon
The year of the consulship of Isauricus and Sabinus
The Forum marketplace

It is a clear morning, a good omen for the first day of the month. I came to the Forum this morning to hear a pontiff call out the fasti. I could have a slave do it, or I could wait to see the list written up in the Senate, but I like to hear it from the mouth of the priest - and I take some amusement in the scurrying of people as they hurry to arrange their month based on which days are forbidden to carry out business. I have my suspicions that the priests take bribes for the banning of certain days, but I think a man would have to be a fool to risk the wrath of the gods in such a way. In the same vein, I have gone to the temple of Venus, as today is the Vinalia, the celebration both of the wine harvest and of the goddess. I poured wine over her altar - and gave many amphorae to her priests so that they might pray for me. Privately I offered my own prayers to Venus Acidalia, since she is concerned with troubles. Not that I have much faith in her interest in my troubles, since I am sure that Venus is quite content for Tetricus to keep making a fool of himself over that boy. She seems to enjoy men playing idiots in the service of love.

Tonight in honour of the Vinalia I have been invited with my wife to the Palace, as her Royal Highness is giving a party - a small affair, the invitation said, of one or two hundred guests. That should mean much of the Senate will be there, and I have sent word to Ageria Altinia to find an appropriate gift. I know that my wife can be trusted with such delicate matters. It is a relief to me to have so sensible a spouse - we had met only twice before we wed, and I had thought she seemed a clear headed girl, but it could all have gone quite wrong. But she has managed my household well from the first, and blessedly produced our twins within a short space of time, which is a relief for many reasons.

I walk through the crowds, people stepping out of my way when they see my toga praetexta. Many are discussing their plans for celebrating the holiday this evening; I think the centre of Excolo will be rowdy tonight. And I do not doubt that the celebrations at the Palace will also be debauched, given the occasion and the host. Tanicia is always careful to behave perfectly herself, but to encourage bad behaviour in others, and I doubt tonight will be an exception. Luckily I can trust Ageria to behave in a way that is a credit to our family. I am sure that if Tetricus is there I will not be able to say he is doing the Ilicus name any credit, particularly if he brings the boy. Barely sixteen and a plebeian. At least when Tetricus acted as my patron we were closer in age, and I had enough wit that we had things in common besides my looks and his interest in them. Arruns Ramnes is a nothing, an exile scratching out a position based on the charity of his patron and now Tetricus, with only a perfectly unremarkable handsomeness to recommend him.

I am clenching my jaw, I realise, and so I stop at a stall to buy a morning cup of wine. My business for the day is discharged; soon it will be time for the baths and then preparations for the dinner and party tonight. I sip my wine and sit on a bench, watching the crowds of the Forum mill by.

Comments

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

I like to be out at the market in the morning, seeing all the bustle of the town. It's warm already, but I make sure my mantle's still wrapped round my yellow tunic (http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/69777/1/Gallo-Roman-Women.jpg). A maiden should make sure she looks modest. Anyway, my maid Cornelia will scold me if it slips down. I think she's prouder of the family name even than father. We're here to look at hairpins and ribbons for tonight. I do hope Mama and Papa let me go. I do so want to go to the palace, and if I'm to be wed this year or next I guess I'd better be seen at the right places and make sure I look nice. I don't know how I feel about getting married - I mean, of course I want to, what girl doesn't? But I'm scared a bit too. At least Cornelia will come with me. Papa says he'll give her to me as a wedding gift.

I stop at a stall, Cornelia holding our shopping basket, and look at some pretty jewellery.

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

Allectus is sulking, of course. He is making a very great affair out of young Larcius' status. It is in keeping with how he has acted of late. He claims concern that it reflects badly upon me, but it is plain he feels himself lowered by the connection. He has always had a streak of charming arrogance, my Allectus, but his increasing success has noticeably gone to his head.

I have no particular interest in the market, but the morning air is pleasant. There has been something of an atmosphere in the house of late, and I have no patience with that. Tonight's festivities should, at least, prove a pleasant distraction. I have no doubt that Dacia will show herself off well - she has no very dazzling manner, but men find charm in maidenly shyness, I suppose. And perhaps it will improve Calida's mood. I have no wish for her to be unhappy, and the household runs more smoothly when she is content.

I have been grateful for my own diversions in past days. The celebration of the puer lenonii is always - pleasant, though Allectus' refusal to accompany me struck a sour note. His increased fixation with duty and his place as father and husband is tedious; he is becoming quite dull, and I doubt that anyone is deceived that there is any corresponding true increase in his virtue. That he thinks to remark on my own performance of those duties is -

I will not think upon it now, or I shall become discomposed. I refuse to let his foolishness affect me so. He will come round in time - anything else is unthinkable. His place is by my side.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I think I'm finally recovered from the Cerealia eleven days ago. Eight days of celebrations have a way of tiring a man out even if he is not organising them, and if he is - well! I slept for an entire day afterward. But they were a great success, the Emperor himself praising the chariot races at the end, and so I have been in a good mood since. The Cerealia is a great opportunity for the plebeians to show they can throw as good a festival as the curules aediles, and I am satisfied I have done just that.

I had no business in the Forum this morning, but I came anyway since I like to catch up on gossip, and I see my patron.

"Master," I say cheerfully, putting a hand over my heart and bowing my head. Tetricus is a good sort - he spotted my potential and has assisted me in my rise. "Good day to you. It's a fine day."

[tezcatl-ipoca.livejournal.com]

A voice draws me out of my thoughts. "Master. Good day to you. It's a fine day."

"Ah, Valentinus." An admirable fellow, my client; he has made the best of the opportunities that have come his way and those I have managed to present to him. He reflects well upon me, and is pleasant to look upon besides. "It is, a most pleasant day. A fine omen, and most charming for the festival. The gods may be in a kinder mood than they have been of late." I can hope for that much, I think.

I smile at him. "Perhaps your own efforts with the Cerealia have encouraged their benevolence. A very fine showing." Allectus can hardly say that all those I patronise are as worthless as he seems to consider Larcius.

[isidore-excolo.livejournal.com]

I have of course come to pay my respects to the temples today, and to distribute wine for the festival - the amphorae have my cognomen imprinted discreetly in the clay, for it never hurts to remind others of one's own largesse.

Six of my lictors surround me, but at my orders do not push too roughly through the crowd. While proper respect is good, I have found a friendly approach more likely to win friends. And even if they do not have a vote, the Senate finds it difficult to ignore a thousand chanting voices.

I do have them cover the alley when I approach the Mithraeum. Not that I am ashamed of my faith, of course, but Mithras' mysteries are not to be shared, and so I keep my position in the cult close to my chest. My men will enter later, when their duties are complete. I trust my brothers, my syndexioi.

The rites are swift, for it is not a holy day, and I emerge blinking into the sunlight. "We'll to the forum again Crassuss," I tell the chief of my men. "I should be seen before the party tonight." He nods, and we proceed. The crowds are mixed, plebians and patricians alike, and I nod to those of my faction and smile at my enemies.

And watch my rivals. Sulpicius Allectus may only be a praetor now, but I know his ambition. He is one to be wary of, despite his seeming contentedness. I have heard he visits Venus these past weeks, and wonder at it. Has some affair gone wrong? Such things provide a lever which might move a man.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

As I sit with my wine I see Consul Postumius Servilius moving through the crowd with his lictors. I am glad he does not walk with all twelve for his day to day business - it is rather showy to have them all. I will admit that Isauricus always manages the fine balance of living up to but not exceeding his rank. My own two lictors stand a few feet from me, since I hate to be crowded, and it is not as if at the Forum I actually require their protection. They can serve their ceremonial function quite well without breathing down my neck.

I rise as Isauricus approaches and incline my head.

"Consul," I say. "Blessed Vinalia."

[isidore-excolo.livejournal.com]

Ah - our eyes meet and I have little choice but to approach him. It is a subtle game, the politics of personality. Rudeness indicates failure, and so one must be as polite as possible while goading one's opponent into rudeness. Or maneuvering them so that the only polite option is to one's own advantage.

When the knives come out is when we have failed in our duties, and must endure as best we can. I have confidence in my syndexioi.

"Praetor," I greet him in return. "Blessed Vinalia. I am sure you join me in praising the goddess. This has been a fruitful season, for her concerns." Let us see how glad you are of Venus' pleasure in your old comrade, praetor. "The celebrations tonight will do her honour."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

I was up early this morning; my turn to demonstrate the tending of the sacred fire to the novices. I was not terrifically pleased with the newest girls; all three spoiled children from noble families, used to slaves and silk and gemstones and unwilling to take on the duties of a priestess. I drag them from bed in the morning, wailing and simpering, and haul them to the temple to tend the flame and perform their devotions. It isn't as though it's so difficult. The plebian girls and freedmen's daughters that I have trained are always stunned and delighted by the luxury of our home and the ease of our duties. It is only the spoiled noble daughters that give us such trouble.

Well, there is nothing to be done about it. Much though I wish I had the authority to make the selections, I do not. All I can do is take these damnable creatures and turn them into the best priestesses that I can, and try to make sure that at some point they learn just how fortunate they are.

The advantage to having morning duty with the girls is that the afternoons are my own. After passing the initiates on to Amata for their afternoon lessons, I decide to go to the market for lunch. One of the lictors comes with me, of course, but all of them know enough to leave me be once we have arrived. Oh, he stays near enough to call, but he doesn't hang over me the way they did when I was a novice, and it's a relief.

I purchase bread and sliced, cooked pork at a shop, and leave the money on the countertop when the merchant refuses it. A cup of spiced wine from another stall and then I wander, contentedly eating and examining the goods offered. It is good to be out.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

As I move from the stall I cross paths with a Vestal Virgin, recognisable by her white and red ribbons and her headdress. I do admire the Virgins so much! Sometimes I almost think it would have been lovely to be one, though of course that would never happen. Patrician daughters hardly ever end up serving Vesta these days, Papa says. (And he made some joke after that in a low voice, but I didn't quite understand it.)

"Good day, Virgin," I say, bowing to her. I wonder whether to offer her a blessed festival, but I don't know if mentioning Venus would seem offensive.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"Good day, Virgin," says a sweet-faced young blonde girl to me. Polite little thing. A shame we could't have gotten a few girls like her this year.

"Greetings to you, child, and a blessed festival." I nod to her. Venus and Vesta have no animosity towards each other, and I rather enjoy the Vinalia. At the very least some very fine wines are offered to Vesta's temple, usually by blushing girls making penance for what they've done or are about to do. So even we virgins have a fine festival day. "It's a beautiful day for it. The goddess must be smiling on us."

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I have already made my offerings to Vesta both within the house and at her temple today, and also to Cinxia on behalf of my beloved daughter so she may make a good arrangement. She is finally of an age to become a wife, and although there have been suggestions put forth, none have truly pleased me as a good match. I am well aware that marriages are not made for love, but I outright refuse to entertain the idea of someone old enough to be her own father. My darling should have someone fair enough of face, and more importantly, a kindness within him. The one that I once saw in Tetricus when we first wed, when we were younger.

With a sigh, I re-adjust my stola and think I should have made offerings on my own behalf to Cinxia, that my husband think kindly on me again. Or perhaps to Nona, that I might conceive again, and carry to term a son he so hoped for...

But for that to be successful, I would image Tetricus would have to visit my bedchamber, instead of mooning over Allectus, or making a spectacle of himself and that new fresh faced youth that has consumed his attentions.

Some days, I do not know why I bother making offerings to the Gods, for I fear they have stopped listening to my pleas years ago. Ah well, at least I have the party this night to look forward to. I already have my best green gown laid out, the one that matches my eyes, and my emeralds. I should get back soon, for it will take some time for my hair to be arranged, but at least I do not have to dye it like some ladies. Perhaps, just perhaps I will manage to find some new sport tonight. It's not as if my husband cares.

A elaborate hair comb catches my eye, and I stop to examine it, thinking it would match my gown nicely.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

As I cross the market I see my patron's wife is here. I should stop and say hello, which is no hardship as Calida is a fine looking woman and has always been gracious to me.

"Mistress," I say, in acknowledgement that she is married to my patron, "good day to you! What fine weather it is. That is a pretty comb," I say, taking note of what she is looking at.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

My finger dances over the jade inlay when I hear a familiar voice calling out. I turn and my smile to Valentinus does not have to be forced. I have made it a rule never to entice the attentions of any man that Tetricus has given his patronage to...

but I always sighed in resentment of my own rule in Valentinus' case. A very fine looking man, indeed.

"It is a fine day." I agree readily, for it has already brightened considerably. "And I think that is enough of a recomendation for me to indulge in buying it." I remark of the comb with a smile, picking both the green one up and a smaller, pretty orange and red coloured one. I have my slave Ursa pay the craftsman, and I place the green in the basket she carries, but offer the smaller to Valentinus.

"Here, please give this to your lovely little girl." I say with a smile.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

My thoughts have been scattered since I received my husband's letter a few days ago telling me he would returning home. I might expect him at any time, and it has thrown the whole house into disarray. I have tried to contain my panic by making the house as perfect as it can be - spotless rooms, perfectly ordered accounts, the slaves examined and judged to be healthy - but I can't help wishing he'd stayed away for another six months. Or a year. Things are so much simpler without him here. I send him a dutiful monthly letter, he replies, I run the house in his absence and all is well. But now...

I distract myself with a trip to the market. Perhaps that will help.

[jaeresteade.livejournal.com]

Managed to find the house, thank the gods. I knew Rome was big, but there’s knowing a place is big, and then there’s having to find your way through it in a hurry. The house slaves told me their mistress had just gone to the market and asked me what I wanted to with her, looking down their noses and keeping well back from me all the while. Telling them we had the same master whether they liked it or not didn’t pull their eyes away from my hair or my stigma. It’s not hard to read the name after the ‘return to’ marked on my neck, so they couldn’t really throw me out. I did eventually get a grudging description of the lady out of them, though, and they were happy to see me go, even if it was only after her.

The market is full of people. It’s some kind of holiday to Venus and the wine’s flowing. Can’t get my hands on any of that, but I do manage to nick a pear from a fruit vendor’s stall without being caught. Duck into an alleyway and chew it down to the seeds and stem. It’s the sweetest thing I’ve tasted in a long time. Could stand to eat a few more, but I don’t want to risk it. Can’t dawdle too long, anyway, so I start looking for the lady in earnest.

Find a woman matching her description wearing the right colour stola after a while, and then I have to decide what to do about it. The easiest way to mess up Latin is to get the verbs wrong, so I go up to her and bow and tell her that her husband has sending me to tell her that he will be quite near the city. See what she makes of that.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at a stall of exotic spices when an unkempt man with an accent comes up to me. At first I assume he's a beggar and tell him to go away, but then I see our family name branded on his neck. Oh.

"Decimus Ravus has returned?" I say. I feel a little faint. Today? Does it have to be today? I had hoped I might have a few more days, that the roads would be slow... "I suppose at this time of year travel is easy enough," I murmur aloud, because it has been dry and fine. I gather myself and look at the slave. "What is your name, slave?" I ask, not unkindly. "Where did my husband buy you?" Why on earth does Dorus need this barbarian? "And how long do you think it will be before he arrives?" I should head back to the house.

[edmund-white.livejournal.com]

The Forum and the Market are busy today. The Vinalia and the recent games have everyone in a good spirit it seems, which I appreciate. The air itself even is better when the people are happy. The mood is infectious and I find myself smiling as I finish my worship in the temples this morning.

Tonight is the Princess's party, which I am looking forward to. A proper gift must be found, but that is never too hard for me, usually an appropriate thing will catch my eye. So today I find myself wandering the market, one eye on the stalls, the other is as always trained on those around me. One never knows when a social opportunity will arise.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

I walk away from the Vestal Virgin, still feeling a little embarrassed. I wish I had as many social graces as Mama and Papa. I always seem to get tangled.

And then I'm thinking so hard about that I almost bump into -

"Praetor Faustus Servilius," I say, and I feel myself go red. "I'm sorry." I step back and make sure my mantle is pulled round me. He's an important man in the city, and handsome, and I don't think we've spoken since he came to a party of Papa's, oh, years ago. I was still wearing a girl's tunic then.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

As I wander through the market, I spy my husband, but I am not minded to make idle chatter at the moment. We will be spending enough time together this evening, that will sufice.

I do spy my daughter and her servant though, and who should she bump right into but Faustus Servilius himself. Well, perhaps Vesta and Cinxia have heard my prayers after all.

Dacia turns red, but she remains smiling. I try to hang back a bit, and keep unnoticed so I may observe how they act towards one another, to see if he may be a suitable match after all.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

After speaking with Isauricus I have many thoughts to turn over. I walk through the marketplace, one lictor a few paces in front of me, another a few paces behind. I think I catch sight of Tetricus talking to the plebeian aedile Valentinus, but I am not certain I wish to approach him. It is a strange feeling. I am not used to matters being awkward between us. We have argued many times in the past, but this occasion feels more serious than those trifles. It is not something an invitation to dinner, some conciliatory language and then a few hours on the couch after dinner will address.

I sigh and look at some jewelled pieces. I might buy one for Ageria. I like to give her gifts as a mark of respect. And my attentions to her and our children mean that my attentions to Tetricus come in for less criticism. No one can say my affections for him make me neglect my duties.

"How much for this? (http://www.jozefherman.nl/pic/romeins_pic/913.jpg)" I ask. It is a simple copper bracelet, but Ageria is educated enough to remember copper is associated with Venus, so it is an appropriate gift for the day.

[dorian-excolo.livejournal.com]

A little more than haggard and near-filthy from the road, I finally find myself home again; a home I barely recognize, I notice immediately. I wave off my retinue, they certainly have enough to do with all I've brought with me to keep them busy for days, and head inside. It's worse here, in some odd way, than outside. The servants bow, of course, and run after drawing water for a bath, gathering a change of clothes, but I recognize only a few of them and, before today, I imagine the others would be hard-pressed to name me as their master on sight.

I am quite a sight, I know. Even aside from the grime, the wagons of expensive goods and the exoticly dark-skinned slaves, I'm a good hand taller than the boy who left for Macedonia. There are great deal more changes, though, that I don't imagine could be seen outright, and I'm thinking on that as I finally (thankfully) slip into the bath, wondering if that girl I married will recognize me at all.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

When Titia and I return to the house, I think I will have a few hours to make sure everything is ready. But I return to find the place in uproar. The master has returned, and there are wagons everywhere, strange slaves lounging about the place being shooed off the furniture by my house slaves, and apparently my husband is in the bath.

"Oh Diana," I say, giving Titia a helpless look, then think I probably shouldn't pray to the virgin huntress in this case. I send up a quick prayer to Juno, because she knows all about troublesome husbands. "Tell my husband I will be in the lararium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lararium) giving thanks for his safe return.," I tell a slave, who bows and goes to the bath. I am certainly not going in there to greet my husband after two years of not seeing him. That I am in the shrine should seem dutiful enough. "Titia, will you burn some incense with me?" That will steady my nerves.

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

I am glad for Catalina's reassurances. I need a husband, and one placed well enough for our family to continue, but I am still anxious about the marriage bed.

The house is in disarray, full of foreign slaves and confusion. "Oh Diana," Catalina exclaims in exasperation, and I send a silent prayer to Feronia for her. "Titia, will you burn some incense with me?"

I nod. "Of course," I tell her. If her own gods cannot help, perhaps mine can. But after she will have to go to her husband, and I find myself jealous. It's absurd, for they are married, but we have been so close that I envy the space he will take up next to her.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

Well, I seem to have frightened the girl away. I suppose I should have been gentler with her, but that's never been in my nature. Folk seem to think that because I am virginal I should be mild and meek and naive. Bollocks, I say. I have been educated, I have no reason to fear any man, and I refuse to act as though it is otherwise.

I purchase some honeyed cakes at another shop and continue to wander. It is a lovely day, and I see no reason to rush back to the temple.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

After I speak with Calida, I think of wandering home, and as I head away from the market who do I see but none other than the very Vestal I had in mind. Perhaps Venus does smile on me today.

"Blessed Virgin," I say, nodding my head extravagantly, my voice solemn, and then I grin at her. "Silvia, what a pleasant surprise." I have known her for some years now - the Vestals are able to move much more freely in the city than all but the commonest women - and over time we have come to have a friendly acquaintance. "What a fine day for the Vinalia."