Salvete omnes,
YES!!! GO RUSSATA!!!! RUSSATA!!!!
Congrats Reccanellus and thank you for bringing this victory for Russata!
Valete optime,
Crassus
From:
Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of luciaiuliaaquila
Sent: quinta-feira, 26 de Abril de 2012 21:40
To:
Nova-Roma@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Nova-Roma] Ludi Ceriales 2012/ 2765 FINAL RACE!!!!!!!!!!!
Ludi Ceriales 2012/ 2765 Final Race
Iulia omnibus salutem
Pompa
Pontifex Maximus C. Petronius Dexter honored Mater Ceres with an
exceptionally reverent ceremony and sacrifice, do ut des, this morning as
the sky lightened; a few golden rays briefly peaked through the gray skies
as twilight turned to day. Led by the Magistrates and Pontifices in their
finest togatae, the Pompa Circenses commenced from the Capitolium, which was
bedecked in floral garlands and arrangements as was the entire route. Made
even more festive by the gaily dressed spectators, many in the colors of
their factions tossing delicate blooms of the same colors towards the
procession! Sacerdotes and Pontifices, including oracle et diviner Pontifex
L. Julia Aquila, blessed the spectators with sheaths of golden wheat as they
wove their way around the city on this most auspicious day. They were
followed by a bigae in which rode Aedilis Plebi Publius Ann�us Constantinus
Placidus, wearing the traditional supreme purple robe of a triumphator! The
Consuls, Censors, Praetrix , and Aedilis Curilis rode in bigae driven by
past circenses victors! Equites and Tribunes rode fine young steeds
alongside them. The procession wove its colorful, melodious way from the
Capitolium, along the crowded Clivus Capitolinus to the Roman Forum.
By this time the procession had grown behind the Aedilis: the finest Roman
youth on the finest young steeds led by young nobiles M. Iulius Aquila and
Ti. Iulius Sabinus Crassus, dressed in the colors of their favorite team.
They were followed by more youth on foot, budding soldiers they, but the
crowds' roars and bellows became deafening when the adorned quadrigae and
garlanded agitatores came into view. Soldiers, fine in their gleaming clean
paluditi, took a defensive posture against any perceived or real harmful
actions towards the quadrigae or the agitatores � however as before, lovely
young lady maidens garbed in sensuous revealing tunicae of various
translucent colors, climbed into the chariots flanking beaming appreciative
drivers and running their delicate fingers through the agitatores' tresses.
Fanatici and gaily clad dancers of all ages from toddlers to elders, some
dressed as winged nymphs, danced with abandon! Others in purple tunicae
wielding swords and short spears performed a dance of war pageant while
stomping their feet in time to their frenetic drums! Other adult dancers
donned helmets of bronze and wore crests of the various houses of old Rome,
but all twirled and gyrated to the tempo determined by percussion
instruments! N. Bocco Paganini of Genua introduced a gourd shaped instrument
with strings made of sacrificed lamb sinew and on it he wove mellifluous
technical fireworks from his Caprice no.24 using a bow strung with the hair
of red headed virgins! Accompaniments' of auloi, tibiae , and lyre elevated
the level of the ecstatic and mirthful expectations of the games but also
added to the grace of the dancers. Mocking the dancers and singers, a chorus
dressed as satyrs and sileni in whoolly tunics, goatskin loincloths,
colorful hair spiked and decorated with colorful floral garlands, followed
with antics that brought laughter to the crowds! They sang while kicking up
their hooves `fire on the Palatine! Run boys, run! Pluto's in the House of
the Rising Sun!' Citizens were dancing, dancing in the street! Citizens sang
in the street! Wine appeared to be ever flowing into the accepting mouths of
Romans! Nourishment from the lifeblood of Bacchus!
Sprays of multitudes of red, blue and white flowers were tossed at the
crowds from actors and mimes; from there the throng continued along the Via
Sacra followed by more solemn Romans carrying golden bowls and exotics
perfumes signaling the procession of the Gods. The statues of the Gods in
lavishly silk garments were also appointed with gold and other precious
metals, fine pearls, red coral and rare jewels. They were carried upon
highly adorned wheeled litters with lightly veiled high enclosures that not
only served as vehicles but as moving saculla. The procession continued
travelling along the Vicus Tuscus before arriving at the Circus Maximus
through the Porta Triumphalis. The Pompa approached its d�nouement when the
chosen boys (those with both parents living) pulled the tensae transporting
the statues and their exuviae to their place in the circus where they were
put on display in their own special pulvinar. As if to put a final touch to
the spectacle, birds of the auspicious variety, infinite in numbers and
colors, swooped down before the Pulvinar of Gods, lingered seemingly with
heads bowed before the effigies (although they may have been eating) than
swooped up straight towards the heavens in a vision of many colors, as if
they were gentle fireworks from the east!
Felicita: "Good Morning Roma! Welcome to the Ludi Ceriales 2765 FINALS! What
a glorious Pompa to begin this final race! The weather is 72 degrees under
cloudy skies, it will be a warm one today so I hope we have all left our
cloaks at home! I am Poppaea Solin Sergia Felicita sharing the skybox with
the handsome agitator, breeder of the finest steeds and chariot designer,
Vitus Herminius Aquilinus and old friend and local celebrity, Balbus Gallus
Hilarius, owner of the premier beauty and couture salon, the Inner Peacock!
Hilarius: "Yes good morning to all! Please check your programs for the
festival activities after the Race! Of which there will be many! I must make
mention of the fabulous feast that has been laid out before us by those
purveyors of gustatory delights "Apicus Aliments on the Esquiline" here in
the skybox. A larger version has also been provided in the magistrates
pulvinar and spectators will find various concession sites with many of the
less perishible delicacies for discount prices today only! *A beautiful
young boy and girl bring a platter to Hilarius* Ahhhh! Delightful!
Fantabulous! We have stuffed gold skinned dates from Thebes, sow udders, sow
vulvas, rare sow wombs, boars heads, roasted loin of boar, roasted loin of
row deer, roasted force-fed fowl, *takes a breath and a swig of Chian wine,
and as his eyes rove over the fern and verbena dressed banquet he
continues*boiled teals, roasted duck, roasted hare, roasted, fish quiche,
soft cheeses, hard cheeses, raw oysters, sea urchins, thrushes baked under a
thatch of asparagus and clams! And four kinds of wine! In addition to the
coveted Falnerian, there is Chian, Lesbian and Marmartine! Oh la la! *he
stands and turns in his voluminous deep red silk toga, today wearing the
color of his faction, announces gaily*
WELCOME TO THE LUDI CERIALES FINAL RACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
*loud competing cheers between the Albatae, Russatae and Venetae subsume all
other sounds in the circenses*
Aquilinus: "What a fine beginning to a day of such promise! The Troika has
begun making its procession, show-casing the prowess of both men and
beasts!"
Hilarius: "People, oh people, fird of all, please make your final selections
and second of all, get thine posteriors back to your seats or to the cavae!"
Felicita: *casts a sideway look at Hilarius, chuckles, her mellifluous voice
sounding over the loudspeakers* "This troika bears excellent promise to the
races! The factio's cheers are deafening, I myself cannot help but be moved
to cheer along for all the quadrigae! The scent of floral wreaths waft even
up here in the broadcast booth where even the rose petals gently fall upon
our fair tresses! *they all look up to see young men and boys of the
different faction who have climbed high upon the circus and are providing
the rain of flowers* I would like to thank the Praesina, who are not
represented today in the races, for the lovely greenery they so generously
lavished around the circus today!"
Hilarius: "It appears as if the dancers, the fanatici and acrobatics on
horseback are vying for attention � away from the quadrigae! Even a parody
chariot the colors of all the factions driven by a fire-eater and pulled by
four fire-eaters dressed as steeds but collectively look more like a dragon!
Oooops, they are being ushered away by the foot-soldiers as the race is
about to start! The Albatae are leading a wave, and not to be outdone,
Veneta and Russata are responding in kind! Oh still my beating heart! All
those youths leaping and dancing, wearing only subligaculum the colors of
factiones and floral garlands! "
*throngs of spectators cheers and throw garlands the color of their favorite
factions into the air*
Aquilinus: "The crowd is especially lively today, and it appears the calvary
are on hand once again � just in case! I, myself, have been conserving my
energy for tonight's soirees, and dancing and singing with a particular
Sacerdos Veneris�" *smiles and waves ot that Sacerdos who returns the
gesture in kind, with an affirmative nod* Well citizens and peregrine it
seems that the troika has returned to the ostia and are taking their places
in the carceres
*pauses waiting for the cacophany to die down to a dull roar than with a
laugh his rich voice continues shouting louder after each quadrigae is
announced*:
In lane I, post postio, Tonitrus, owned by P. Porcius Licinius and driven by
Rutilius for Veneta
Lane II, Erebus, owned by C. Arminius Reccanellus and driven by Poncianus
Sergius Caesar for Russata
Lane III, Fulmen Punicum, owned by Consul C. Tullius Valerianus Germanicus
and driven by C. Hanno P�nulus for Veneta
Lane IV, Decimator, and owned by M. Iulius Aquila and driven by Serapis
Tutor for Albata."
*an amplified and renewed wave of excited cheering ensues for the quadrigae
and agitatores while they make a last minute check of the tack, chariots and
horse. Aquilinus and Hilarius stand, leaning on the edge of the skybox
watching the teleprompter and the people! the people in all their glory!
Felicita, stands near the edge of the skybox apart from the others but is
pleasantly surprised when her husband, L. Sergius Coxo, slips behind her,
taking her in his arms and gifting her with a sweet kiss on heated breath
redolent of cherries; his slowly pressed lips gently rest upon her skin a
flame of desire. Hilarius stares enchanted, fanning himself with his red
scarf.*
Felicita, blushing, straightens but still allowing him to keep his arms
around her, comments into her headset: "Once again the stands are enveloped
in a sea of Red, White and Blue flags and Pom Poms, yes those Pom Poms are
back again!!!! A most handsome crowd! The magistrates' wives look as if they
are ready for the runway! Oh, look! The catapults again! Shooting tiny flags
of red, white and blue!!!!!"
Aquilinus, whose attention has been on the quadrigae, takes a quick glance
towards the lover's, his lips curl into a smile and almost makes a remark
when Aedilis Placidus takes his place at the Pulvinar, shouting over the
cheering of the crowds:
"Aedilis Placidus is preparing to start this Final Race!
The quadrigae are in position in the carceres behind the gates!
The trumpets sound!
From the Magistrates box, Aedilis Placidus drops the mappa and they are
off!!!!"
Aquilinus: "Erebus and Decimator take off like blazing fury in front of the
other, Erebus claiming near the spina! Fulmen Punicum is behind them but his
position prevents the Tonitrus from being able to pass! The Fulmen Punicum
is lashing Tonitrus as they go around the meta! Hanno is already trying to
eliminate the competition! Tonitrus handles the turn well! Erebus and
Decimator thunder towards the second lap! Fulmen Punicum is now focused on
the other quadrigae, and Tonitrus, biding his time, trailing at a steady
pace!
The dolphin turns in the second lap, it's Erebus 1st, Decimator 2nd ,Fulmen
Punicum 3rd and Tonitrus 4th! There is a fast run down the straightway with
all quadrigae maintaining their place! Whoaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! Tonitrus has come
up wide around the metae and charges into the lead! He has centered himself
in the track strategically! Decimator thunders foreward and positions
himself near the spina but not passing the Tonitrus! It is Tonitrus in the
Lead position, with Decimator on the inside in second, almost flanked by
Fulmen Punicum in 3rd with Erebus on the inside in 4th as they head down the
stretch. Hanno lashes Decimator! He's trying to smash him into the spina!
Hanno gets too close! Serapis Tutor slugs him with a gloved fist! Hanno
falls into the chariot holding onto the rim, his horses control themselves!"
*the mob is cheering and jeering, there is fighting in the stands and in the
cavae, Serapis Tutor is laughing, his long dark hair unleashed of it bonds
and flowing in the wind*
"Erebus moves ahead of the Fulmen Punicum! The Fulmen Punicum has regained
control of his quadrigae ! Erebus prevents from passing him as they turn the
curve into the 3rd lap!
It's Decimator in first but Tonitrus is almost neck in neck in 2nd , Erebus
is two lengths behind in 3rd and the Fulmen Punicum coming up the rear! And
he is angry! Erebus passes the Tonitrus! Charging ahead is Fulmen Punicum
lashing at Tonitrus! Tonitrus lashes back and urges his horses forward!
WHOAAAA! The Fulmen Punicum has swung something into the side of the Erebus!
Paint and wood are flying! It looks like metal as well! A piece of debris
struck the Fulmen Punicum! Both quadrigae are swinging into each other
uncontrollably! The Tonitrus is dashing with urgency around the two battling
quadrigae! Tonitrus has passed the Decimator! Decimator gains the lead once
again and is near the spina! It looks like Hanno and Poncianus have wounds
from the debris! Their bodies coated with blood and sand! The Fulmen
Punicum, quadrigae fully recovered, has lashed his way past a wounded
Erebus! How can Poncianus see? Blood must be obscuring his vision?! Folks -
blood is raining on the tracks! Decimator and the Fulmen Punicum are once
again exchanging lashes! Fulmen Punicum moves into first place! His horses
sport a rich lather which, mingled with Hanno's blood asperses the other
quadrigae!"
*shouts, fighting breaks out in the stands, the roar is deafening, the
soldiers rush into the stands and the cavae*
"The dolphin turns into the 4th and final lap! 1st Fulmen Punicum, closely
followed by Decimator in 2nd, Tonitrus in 3rd and a wounded Poncianus in
Erebus last. Decimator makes his move along the spina! Fulmen Punicum Is not
having it! But neither is the young soldier Serapis! Serapis sends a flurry
of lashes against Hanno! Hanno is returning them with enraged shouts!
Serapis lobs a loaf of bread at Hanno and moves the Decimator into the
Fulmen Punicum! The arc, side panel of the Fulmen Punicum's felly, has
cracked inward and is forced against Hanno's legs by wind pressure! It is
waffling back and forth! The antyx (rim) has flown off! Tonitrus is fending
off huge pieces of the Fulmen Punicum! Erebus has just lashed passed
Tonitrus! He appears focused! The entire quadrigae are enveloped in a fog of
red sand! He passes the Fulmen Punicum and the Decimator as they regain
control of their quadrigae! Decimator surges forward and has regained
position near the spina as they pass the meta for the final time. The
Decimator and Erebus charge down the track neck in neck to the finish line!
The Fulmen Punicum and Tonitrus are not far behind! It looks like a dead
heat for the Erebus and Decimator as they cross the finish line!"
*spectators rush out of the stands! the calvary form a barrier! shouts and
screams are so loud one can't hear themselves think! sight is obliterated by
a blizzard of red and white!*
"People! Citizens! The Race officials will have their decision any second
now! Train your eyes to the monitor for replays from different angles!
I have the official decision!
In 4th place, Tonitrus, owned by P. Porcius Licinius and driven by Rutilius
for Veneta
In 3rd place, Fulmen Punicum, owned by Consul C. Tullius Valerianus
Germanicus and driven by C. Hanno P�nulus for Veneta
In 2nd place by a hair, by a fraction, Decimator, and owned by M. Iulius
Aquila and driven by Serapis Tutor for Albata
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I GIVE YOU EREBUS, OWNED BY C. ARMINUS RECCANELLUS
DRIVEN BY PONCIANUS SERGIUS CAESAR FOR RUSSATA WINNER OF THE 2765 LUDI
CERIALES CIRCENSES!!!!!!!!!!!
What a Race! Be careful leaving the Circus, get out safe because there are
many parties and feasts all over town this night!
This is Aquilinus, and on behalf of Felicita and Hilarius I bid you all Good
Night!"
Aquilinus turns to Hilarius: "Hilari where are Felicita and Coxus?"
Hilarius, giving him a `you really have to ask look': "The excitement was
too much for them, they left in a rush but I understand their litter was
a-rockin' even before it pulled away! Sistuh girl better watch out or she be
birthin' more babies!"
Aquilinus, offering a hearty laugh ad twinkle in his eyes: "Would you join
me at the stables, quite a few fights have started, I might be needed."
Hilarius: "Oh please, tell it to the hand! Go! Go off and get into trouble!
I'll be there directly,"
*claps his hands to his servants who gather the huge amount of leftover
buffet in huge "doggy bags"*
Hilarius: "I will be there shortly to collect the sweat from the agitatores,
to make perfume of course."
Aquilinus, rolls eyes: "Of course, well I am gone, will see you at the
Russatae victory parties!"
Hilarius, shouts after Aquilinus as he bounds down the stairs of the skybox:
"of course you will, who do think they contracted as planner for all those
parties!"
Hilarius: "That's all folks!"
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