Salvete omnes!
This is Servius Atius, reporting to you again this afternoon live from Roma, the Eternal City!
We are here at the Circus Maximus, awaiting the official start of the Semi-Finals for the Ludi circenses for the Ludi Romani 2767 a.u.c.! As we celebrate the oldest of the Roman games, we go now to our correspondent inside the Circus, Julia Gellia. Julia, what is it looking like inside? The crowds out here are immense.
Atius, the crowd inside is about the same. The citizens are making their way to their seats and are dressed in the colors of their factions. The seats are really beginning to fill up now. There are numerous factio banners waving and people are somewhat rowdy, but all in all, it looks like everyone is here to
have a good time and WIN. I’m getting the word that you have just received the results of yesterday’s Quarter-Finals, so I’ll pass it back to you, Atius.
Yes, Gellia, I have just been hand the official results and I think we have time to cover the results before the procession enters inside.
In the Quarter-Finals Races, the officially certified results from yesterday are as follows:
QF Race I
1st Place – Florius, driving Ballista for Team Russata – M. Cornelius Rutilus, Dominus
2nd Place – Pankakis, driving Blueberry Suripius for Team Veneta – Ti. Vitellia Triaria, Domina
QF Race II
1st Place – Amadan the Celt, Amarach's younger brother-He may be not as tall and strong as Amarach, but he is very skilled in the art of
chariot-driving, in spite of the fact that he looks a bit silly - always with a boyish smile on his face. Driving for Team Russata and also owned by Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus
2nd Place – Maleos of Alexandria, driving White Lightning for Team Albata – G. Decius Laterensis, Dominus
QF Race III
1st Place – Amarach the Celt, driving Firefy for Team Russata – Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus, Dominus
2nd Place – Atrectus, driving Currus Bibulus for Team Veneta – M. Pompeius Caninus, Dominus
QF Race IV
1st Place – Vellocatus, driving Potentia - M. Pompeius Caninus, Dominus
2nd Place – Quebius, driving the Green Griller for Team Praesina – Q. Vitellius Triarius,
Dominus
Although the drivers are both veterans, the two Russata chariots owned by Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus, are new addidtions to the racing circuit here in the Circus Maximus.
Also, this is the first Semi-Finals race for the Vitellians, Quintus and Tiberia, Children of the Aedilis curulis. It is unique to note, that Quintus’ chariot will be racing for Praesina, rather than the traditional Veneta line-up of the Vitellii! Good luck to both of them.
So, we have the preceding charioteers that will advance to today’s races.
Looks like this is shaping up to be a great day for racing here in the Circus Maximus!
We pause now for a word from the Aventine Guild of Bakers.
***********************************************************
Today’s races are being brought to you, in part, by the Aventine
Guild of Bakers.
Tired of eating stale bread? Does the mold bother you? Suffer no more. The Aventine Guild of Bakers uses only the finest wheat and barley in our loaves. We pride ourselves in offering you the best bread in the Eternal City. Always buy from local vendors in the Aventine, and buy daily for the freshest loaves. We have distribution points in the Forum Boarium, outside the Temple of Ceres, and mobile vendor carts on the Vicus Columnae Ligneae, Vicus Fortunati, Vicus Laci Tecti, Vicus Mundiciei, Vicus Portae Naevia, and the Vicus Silani Salientis. We also offer vendor shops on the Vicus Portae Trigeminae, Vicus Trium Viarum and Vicus Valeri.
Remember, if it doesn’t say “Mons Aventinus,†it wasn’t made on the Aventine!
***********************************************************
And we’re
back! This is Servius Atius and we are now inside the Circus Maximus awaiting the opening procession of the Ludi circenses Semi-Finals of the Ludi Romani.
We’re here with some of the Veneta fans to get their reaction on the events today. So, would each of you tell us who you are and where you are from?
I’m Tiberia Cornelia from Cora. I’m Tita Herennia and I am also from Cora. And I am Aulus Durmius from Signia. I’m Sextus Villius from Ferentinum.
So, what do you guys expect to see from today’s Races?
(Herennia) I think we will be in for some challenges from the Russata Team. They had a pretty tough show for the Quarter-Finals.
(Cornelia) Yeah, the Albatans are going to present us with some challenges, but nothing the Blues can’t handle.
(Villius) I have confidence in Veneta
and their ability to win this thing outright!
(Durmius) I’m really just here for the Falernian vendors, LOL!
So, there you have it people! We will see what happens for Veneta! Good luck to you guys!
Now, we focus our attention on the carcers, where the processional is about to begin.
The herald is now announcing the competitors in Today’s Semi-Finals Races. Let’s listen:
OPENING CEREMONY
“Welcome to the Circus Maximus for the Semi-Finals Races of the Ludi Circenses for the Ludi Romani 2767 a.u.c.! (Crowds erupt in loud cheering and jeering the opposing factiones)â€
“Today’s races consist of the following:â€
“In Race I, we have:â€
In Carcer I –
Florius, driving Ballista for Russata – M. Cornelius Rutilus, Dominus
In Carcer II – Amarach the Celt, driving Firefly for Russata – Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus, Dominus
In Carcer III – Atrectus, driving Currus Bibulus for Veneta – M. Pompeius Caninus, Dominus
In Carcer IV – Quebius, driving the Green Griller for Praesina – Q. Vitellius Triarius, Dominus
“In Race II, we have:â€
In Carcer V – Vellocatus, driving Potentia for Veneta – M. Pompeius Caninus, Dominus
In Carcer VI – Maleos of Alexandria, driving White Lightning for Albata – Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus, Dominus
In Carcer VII – Amadan the Celt, driving Aurum for Russata – Pub. Annæus Constantinus Placidus, Dominus
In Carcer VIII – Pankakis, driving Blueberry Suripius for Veneta – Ti. Vitellia Triaria, Domina
“Drivers, mount your chariots and await
the mappa!â€
Well, folks, there’s the lineup. And, it looks like the procession is about to begin!
(Cornicens and Tubacins are blasting a regal intro beat from the floor of the Circus)
Out of the carcers are marching the Miles Gregari of Legio II Sabina, which is the Pontifex Maximus’ favored Legio. Man they do look mighty and powerful! It’s no wonder any on the outer reaches fear the ground upon which they have tread.
Behind them is a special escort of the Priests of Iuppiter, carrying a gilded figurine of the god Iuppiter Optimus Maximus. As you know, these games, as well as the Plebeian Games, are dedicated to Iuppiter.
Here come the acrobats, however, these are a special troupe, not the ones we saw earlier in the Quarter-Finals. These are from around the Respublica and have been formed especially
for this event, featuring new and upcoming young talent. For many of them, this is their first time performing before such a crowd.
Now comes the procession of the charioteers. But wait, what’s this?!??!?
Leading them is the Curule Aedile, L. Vitellius Triarius, himself, dressed in his senatorial toga, wearing sunglasses, waving to the crowd from his personal chariot, the Midnight Flyer, that big blue and chrome trimmed piece of spina elegance. It seems he has the song, “Promised Land†by Elvis Presslius, blaring on the externally-mounted speakers! The Veneta crowd is going wild! He is leading the charioteers down the straight-away and they are all waving wildly at the crowd who is responding like a hoard of crazed lunatics! What a show this is going to be!
Followed by the Aedile and the charioteers are the Elected Officials of the Respublica
entering on special chariots! Many of them, especially the Consuls, are driving chariots from their own stables! What a show these guys are putting on, and the fans are all about it! I might also mention, in honor of Iuppiter Pater, each of the chariots in Today’s procession are bearing a ceremonial lightning bolt.
Everyone is taking their places and the charioteers are lining up in the carcers, preparing to launch from the gates.
SEMI-FINALS: RACE I
The Curule Aedile rises, the crowd quietens, the mappa is raised, and...down it goes!
The gates fly open and their off! It’s QUEBIUS in the Green Griller in the lead, followed by ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus. Next is AMARACH the Celt in Firefly, closely followed by FLORIUS in Ballista. As they run down the sunny straight-away toward the
meta post, it is brightly spewing its golden rays all over the Circus...a beautiful site! They are approaching the meta post for the first turn, and we will see how that goes. Here they go...
Around the first turn, and ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus takes the lead over QUEBIUS in the Green Griller. They are spanning out and racing down the back side. Making the second turn and FLORIUS in Ballista overtakes AMARACH the Celt in Firefly. It’s anybody’s game as the first dolphin is turned on the top of the spina. Gellia, what is it like over on the spina?
Well, Atius, it’s DUSTY over here, but we’re hanging in there. Our table is now officially covered in sand, but the audio is still working. They have just turned the second dolphin, and...can you still hear me...the sound over here is deafening! I’ll turn it back over to you, Atius.
Yes, we
can hear you! So back to the race as the third dolphin turns, it’s ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus still in the lead with FLORIUS in Ballista and QUEBIUS in the Green Griller running side by side and AMARACH the Celt in Firefly looking for an opportunity.
As they approach the meta post, they turn and OHHHH! AMARACH the Celt in Firefly inserts himself in between QUEBIUS in the Green Griller and FLORIUS in Ballista. They are lashing each other with their whips! The dust is flying everywhere and the chariots are fighting for lead position. ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus keeps turning around checking his position as they approach the opposing meta post.
Around they go in a fury and here they come, flying past the curule chairs as the fourth dolphin is turned, and on to the next turn they go. Coming up on the turn, ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus checks backwards again, and OH NO! He has bumped the spina pretty
hard, the chariot wobbles a little and then straightens out. Good luck on that one! Iuppiter must be watching over him!
No, he’s not. QUEBIUS in the Green Griller has just taken the lead, cutting him off in another hard bump into the spina wall. ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus is furious! Now it is QUEBIUS in the Green Griller, ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus, and FLORIUS in Ballista and AMARACH the Celt in Firefly in a dead heat for third as they round the turn.
Here we go as the fifth dolphin drops and the battle is on. There seems to be a giant dust ball rolling around the track here in the Circus Maximus Today. Gellia, are you still with us?
Yes, we are watching diligently as they are coming straight down the backside. HEY, AMARACH the Celt in Firefly just pulled around FLORIUS in Ballista and is bearing down hot and heavy on ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus, who still
is holding second at this time. Atius, back to you, they are coming up on the far turn and we just can’t see them from where we are at this point.
Yes, Gellia, we have them in a close turn AND FLORIUS in Ballista HAS JUST CUT IN FRONT OF ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus TO DOMINATE SECOND POSITION! QUEBIUS in the Green Griller must be worrying now, but it’s still anybody’s game. They are turning down the sixth dolphin now, so we enter the last lap of this race!
We can see over in the carcers that the chariots for the next race are lining up now. The horses are snorting madly and bucking wildly out of control. They can feel the power of the track and are going mad waiting on the start. They just cannot wait to hit the dirt! Let’s see where we are now.
Approaching the first meta post in this lap, the crowds are on their feet cheering wildly, the sound is absolutely
deafening! Around they go to the back side. Gellia, what are you seeing?
Atius, it is absolute chaos, absolute chaos! They have bunched together and are lashing each other and trying to drive each other into the spina! It’s wild, I say! They are going down the backside and it looks like QUEBIUS in the Green Griller and FLORIUS in Ballista are now fighting for first, ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus in second and AMARACH the Celt in Firefly has fallen back to third position again. Back to you!
Yes, here they come around the last meta post!
Looks like it is QUEBIUS in the Green Griller in the lead. OHHHH! ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus just overtook FLORIUS in Ballista for second position! OHHH! AMARACH the Celt in Firefly has pulled around on the outside and is driving his team HARD, I mean HARD!
AMARACH the Celt in Firefly has just
overtaken FLORIUS in Ballista and is pushing hard against ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus! The fight is on! ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus and AMARACH the Celt in Firefly have their wheels tangled up and are trying in these last few seconds to break loose! They are bouncing into the spina repeatedly as one tangled mess! OHHH! They’re free and AMARACH the Celt in Firefly loses some control and veers off to the right and is slowing down. The remaining three are all about the win, driving hard and coming up fast on the finish line!
THERE IT IS FOLKS!
IT’S OVER!
It’s QUEBIUS in the Green Griller for the Win!
Factio Praesina takes home the corona for this one! The Factio Praesina are going wild! What a race...WHAT...A...RACE...it has been!
QUEBIUS in the Green Griller is now driving up to receive his
corona from Aedile Vitellius, who congratulates him! He makes a victory lap around the Circus and then off the field. It’s time for the Second Race!
We go now to Gellia, who is with Q. Vitellius Triarius and his sister, Tiberia. So, Quintus Vitellius, how does it feel to run your first Semi-Finals Race and get the win?
Awesome, truly awesome. My dies natalis was a few days ago, and this just tops it off!
And how old are you?
XI.
SO, let me ask your sister...Are you ready for Pankakis to win the next race?
YES! But, if he does not, that will be okay. It’s about the thrill of the race more than the win for me, I think...It’s the anticipation!
And you are how
old?
IX.
So, where did you get the chariot name?
My favorite Breakfast food. And the driver, Pankakis, well...he’s a Greek...and the name just paired well with the chariot, so I chose him to drive. He’s done this before in other places.
Well, Atius, that’s the word from the Domus Vitellia! Back to you now.
Thanks, Gellia.
The officials have just released the results and it looks like this:
*** 1st Place – QUEBIUS in the Green Griller for Factio Praesina
*** 2nd Place – ATRECTUS in Currus Bibulus for Factio Veneta
*** 3rd Place – FLORIUS in
Ballista for Factio Russata
*** 4th Place – AMARACH the Celt in Firefly for Factio Russata
SEMI-FINALS: RACE II
After a brief pause to rake the track and remove the debris thrown down by the fans, the spina staff has reorganized, knocked of the dust, and is now giving the signal to the officials that they are ready to begin.
Everything gets quiet. Aedile Vitellius stands with mappa in hand, raises the mappa, and...it drops and the carcer gates fly open!
Out of the gates it’s VELLOCATUS in Potentia, followed by PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, then MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning, and AMADAN the Celt in
Aurum.
Down the straight-away they go furiously! Approaching the first turn, it’s kind of messy, but they make it through. They round the turn onto the back stretch and MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning makes a cut to overtake VELLOCATUS in Potentia. It doesn’t work. PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius anticipates the call and charges forward. MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning attempts it again. For the second time, it doesn’t work. AMADAN the Celt in Aurum pulls to the outside and charges past MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning who did not see him coming up from the rear. VELLOCATUS in Potentia runs hard for the next turn and clears the turn a good chariot length ahead of the rest. He is running his horses maybe a little too hard this early on, but, maybe he knows something we don’t. In any case the first dolphin falls with VELLOCATUS in Potentia in the lead, followed by
PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, then AMADAN the Celt in Aurum, then MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning. They make the next turn and it is a little bumpy for PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, as AMADAN the Celt in Aurum forces him into the spina wall, causing a large long fresh scrape around the corner of the spina wall end. Gellia, what are you seeing?
I’m seeing dust and more dust. They have just passed us by. OH NO! One of the Circus staff has just fallen of the wall onto the track. They are racing to get him back up on the wall before the charioteers come back around. Two men are grabbing him as the second dolphin falls and they approach the curve. Looks like he has been successfully pulled back up and here they come. It’s PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius up front, followed by VELLOCATUS in Potentia. Looks like VELLOCATUS in Potentia took the lead somewhere along the way in all the
confusion. Next is AMADAN the Celt in Aurum, then MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning. Back to you Attius!
The third dolphin has been turned down and MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is fighting for third as they approach the turn. Through the turn, MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning seizes the opportunity to pull ahead of AMADAN the Celt in Aurum! As they were entering the turn, MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning bore down hard left on AMADAN the Celt in Aurum, forcing AMADAN to pull back or loose a wheel to the spina.
MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning clears the turn and plays catch up to the two opponents in front of him. As they proceed down the back stretch, it’s still PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius maintaining the lead, with VELLOCATUS in Potentia following closely behind. Gellia, can you see what is going on back there?
Yes,
Atius, it’s crazy! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is charging VELLOCATUS in Potentia for second position! They are running neck-to-neck down the back stretch. As they approach the back turn, PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius races smoothly around the bend.
OHHHH! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is attempting the same maneuver on VELLOCATUS in Potentia that he pulled off against AMADAN the Celt in Aurum on the other turn....can he do it....YES!!!! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning has overtaken VELLOCATUS in Potentia for second position! As they race up the track, the officials are turning the fourth dolphin down. The crowd is going mad at this series of ever-changing events, especially the Factio Albata fans!
Now through the turn and on the back side again, it is AMADAN the Celt in Aurum and VELLOCATUS in Potentia competing for
third. MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is charging hard on the back bumper of PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, who is not about to give up his lead at this point. Back around to the front side, MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is charging PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, but with no success. They are all still running strong. They make the next turn and BANG!
AMADAN the Celt in Aurum has forced VELLOCATUS in Potentia into the spina...and hard! But, VELLOCATUS in Potentia maintains the lead over AMADAN the Celt in Aurum! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is still trying to force PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius to give up his long-standing lead...AND HE DOES! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning has taken the lead over PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius! No wait, PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius is lashing his opponent fiercely and it does the trick, thrusting
PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius back into the lead!
Now they are coming into the turn and AMADAN the Celt in Aurum is on the inside locking wheels with VELLOCATUS in Potentia on the outside! They are fighting each other to free the lock. BAM! The wheels come unlocked, but VELLOCATUS in Potentia is in a bad way! The chariot comes loose and so does the left wheel! VELLOCATUS in Potentia is fighting to keep the chariot from flipping over and is running off to the right out of harm’s way on one wheel! What a driver! He has successfully prevented a catastrophe, but it looks like he is done for the day. The remaining three competitors fly by the Officiants and the fifth dolphin is turned down.
Making their way down and around, they are all bunched together. Gellia, can you see the results of the turn in all the dust?
Yes, Atius, PANKAKIS in
Blueberry Suripius is still in the lead and MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning and AMADAN the Celt in Aurum are fighting for second. It looks like AMADAN the Celt in Aurum and MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning are rotating back and forth by a nose length for second position as the race down the back stretch. Back to you.
Here they come around the meta post and its PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, then AMADAN the Celt in Aurum, then MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning out of the turn. But WAIT! PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius is experiencing something wrong! We cannot tell at this time what it is, but he is slowing down slightly. MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning leaps forward taking the lead over PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius. AMADAN the Celt in Aurum makes a move on PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius, but he averts the call and maintains second as the sixth
dolphin is turned down. Off they go into the turn.
It is still anybody’s guess as to which team will win at this point. Fighting their way down the back stretch, PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius has regained the lead over MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning, with AMADAN the Celt in Aurum in third position. Back around the turn, they race down the front straight-away with no change as the seventh dolphins id turned down. This is it folks! The last lap of the race. MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning is charging PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius as they go into the turn. Will he attempt to take the lead? Yes, he lashes PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius as they go into the turn and forces himself in front of PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning has taken the lead!
Down the back stretch they go!
AMADAN the Celt in Aurum pulls up beside PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius and is attempting to beat him to the curve... and he does! But, it looks like HE’S TAKEN THE CURVE TOO FAST! He starts to slide and PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius slides through on the inside to take second position over AMADAN the Celt in Aurum. This mishap has allowed MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning to pull ahead by about two chariot lengths.
Toward the finish line they run...and run hard! PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius is charging fast to catch up with MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning. Will he make it? NOOOOO! MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning crosses the line by a head’s length to win! The Factio Albata Fans GO CRAZY! People are jumping up in the air and throwing things all over the Circus in celebration!
The Official is making his way over to the
Aedile with the official results. Aedile Vitellius stands and loudly yells:
“ALBATA! ALBATA! ALBATA!â€
IT’S OVER AND IT IS THE COLOR WHITE!
Looks like the final results are:
*** 1st Place – MALEOS of Alexandria in White Lightning for Factio Albata
*** 2nd Place – PANKAKIS in Blueberry Suripius for Factio Veneta
*** 3rd Place – AMADAN the Celt in Aurum for Factio Russata
*** 4th Place – VELLOCATUS in Potentia for Factio Veneta
The streets in Roma will not be
safe this afternoon unless you are wearing WHITE...but, hey, most people are wearing white, right! ...Anyway...
This is Servius Atius and we are signing off with another successful round of races at the Circus Maximus!
Stay tuned for the Circenses Finals later on today!
******************************************************************
NOTE: The race results for this event were randomly generated through the Virtual Racing Assistant (VRA) Program by the Aedilis curulis, assisted, witnessed and verified by Ti. Vitellius Triarius (eldest son of the
Aedilis curulis).
