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NERO
By Pueros Chapter XLI Corinth (Dacia, Iulius, DCCCLIX, in the 8th year of the reign of the Emperor Trajan [July, AD 106]) When good men die, their goodness does not perish, But lives though they are gone. As for the bad, All that was theirs dies and is buried with them. - Euripides I hope, dear reader, that you do not become too confused or impatient with the ever-growing cast of characters in my lengthy saga, with Axenius and my beloved Gaius being responsible for adding two more in my last chapter alone. You see, many people had roles to play in my life and times and I have to include them and describe their fates if you are to learn properly about my history and that of Rome during my era in this world. However, although yet more individuals will be introduced, a gradual, sad and bloody culling of some of those already known to you will occur to make tracking of the various personages eventually easier. (Isthmia, Isthmus of Corinth, Achaea, Greece, 55 years earlier, Iulius, DCCCIV A.V.C., in the 10th year of the reign of the Emperor Claudius [AD 51]) Goodness does not consist in greatness, but greatness in goodness. - Athenæus After thankfully another safe and uneventful voyage across the Mare Internum, Gaius and his little entourage of now three happy young boys arrived at the small port of Kenchreai on the eastern edge of the Isthmus of Corinth. Here, they disembarked from their boat to make the short overland journey to the eponymous city, which was located on the western side of the narrow strip of land that links the Peloponnese Peninsula to the rest of Greece. Gaius was intent on reaching Corinth by the next day. My beloved and his boys would then linger for a while in that city in order to rest after the rigours of the long voyage across the Mare Internum. Although the weather had been kind, conditions on board even the most modern ships are generally cramped. The young man from Volsiniis most valuable, despite not being new but 11 years old, souvenir of the trip to Aegyptia had also initially suffered much early and occasional later seasickness, which recommended at least some recuperation on dry land before travel on water was resumed. Corinth can actually be described as being the first major Roman city in Greece. This is because the metropolis had been raised to the ground by the Latin invaders of Hellas almost two centuries before the visit of Gaius and his boys and was only rebuilt a hundred years later when Julius Caesar established a colony there. Gaius already knew, by means of a thoughtful letter from Melankomas, received in Alexandria, that the local sanctuary of Poseidon at Isthmia, close to Kenchreai, had been the scene in spring of the winning by Athenodorus of another adult wreath, this time of pine. Having thus been victorious in the stade race in these Isthmian Games, acquisition of the equivalent trophy of laurel in the next periodos, summers Phythian for Apollo at Delphi, would make the beautiful 18 year-old Aigionian historys youngest-ever periodonikes. Naturally, Gaius and his boys fully intended to be present at the historic event, to attend which they first had to sail up Corinths narrow eponymous gulf to the port of Cirrha on the northern coast. From there, a relatively simple, short and well-trodden overland journey would take them the 6 Roman miles northeast to Delphi, which was also the site of the worlds most famous and important oracle. First, however, before proceeding to Corinth, Gaius intended to stay overnight in a comfortable and respectable inn at Isthmia. The sanctuary of Poseidon was about 650 years old by the time of my beloveds visit and is sufficiently quiet outside of its biennial festivals to enable the local sights to be viewed at leisure. After Corinths destruction at the hands of the Romans almost two centuries before, the devastated city had actually lost not only most of its population and autonomy but also control of the Isthmian Games. The latter only continued under the administration of neighbouring Sicyon, and in that municipality. The suspension of public religious activity at Isthmia was humiliatingly underlined by the demolition of Poseidons altar within the ancient sanctuary. Over subsequent years, the great local structures, including the temple of the sea god and the theatre, scene of the musical and oratorical contests, sadly also fell into ruin. However, the honour of assuming the administration of the venerable, panhellenic Games was to be considered, a century later, one of the most important privileges of the new Roman colony and, as soon as the colonists arrived, they took little time to reclaim this right from Sicyon. Nevertheless, the reclaimed Games were initially re-instituted in Corinth itself, in the citys new stadium, hippodrome and theatre, with ceremonial sacrifices taking place at the local altar of Poseidon. The metropolis was subject to major reconstruction under the Roman colonists, whilst Isthmia had to wait its turn for revival. However, this was well under way by the time of Gaius visit, enabling the spring festival at which Athenodorus had won his pine wreath to be the first to be held at the sanctuary for 200 years. Within the sacred enclosure is the impressive rebuilt Doric temple of Poseidon, as well as the smaller shrine called the Palaemonion. The renowned teacher, Palaemon, had originally been a slave and had accordingly, as was customary, been afforded a Greek appellation by his first Roman master. He had been named after the eponymous Hellenic god, who was called Portunus in Latin. The god, Palaemon, had been born Melicertes, son of Athamas, King of Achaea, and Ino. However, his parents earned the wrath of Hera, Zeus wife, for sheltering and rearing, disguised as a girl, their nephew, the infant Dionysus. Dionysus was the product of an affair between Zeus and Semele, Inos sister. The furiously jealous Hera drove the latter, with her own infant, Melicertes, in her arms into the sea from the Molurian Rock, which was located on the coastal road leading southwest from Megara, through Crommyon, to Corinth. However, the paramount god took pity on the drowning pair and changed them respectively into the deities Leucothea and Palaemon. Meanwhile, the childs mortal body was subsequently carried ashore near Crommyon, by a dolphin. He was subsequently buried on the Isthmus, where the local Games were instituted in his honour and that of Poseidon. The wreaths of pine for the victors derive from the tokens of mourning for Melicertes, whilst depictions of Palaemon usually portray the god standing on a dolphin. Although Gaius was sceptical about religion, whilst he was inside the Palaemonion, viewing a colossal statue of Palaemon so depicted, he prayed for the welfare of the soul of his late eponymous teacher. My beloved, who was still missing me intently, advised me later that he also swore to love me for life. This action is not to be undertaken lightly, as it is said that anyone who swears a false oath before the inner Palaemonion shrine will not escape punishment from the gods. However, Gaius was not to earn such divine enmity, as he was to prove as good as his word. Close by the Palaemonion is the refurbished stadium for the athletic contests of the biennial Isthmian Games, which are second in importance only to those held at Olympia. Also present is the reconstructed theatre where the non-athletic contests, common at all similar festivals except the Olympics, are held. Having seen the local sights and before retiring to his inn for cena, Gaius, always a stickler for cleanliness and appearance, treated himself and his three boys to baths in the large Roman thermal complex, or thermae, at Isthmia, which is ornately decorated with mosaic floors. Some of the other customers appeared to believe, judging from their occasional looks and supposedly furtive comments, that my beloved had to be a serial pederast, having a trio of such delectable, and now nude, young servants in his company. However, the young man from Volsinii was, as usual, content to let them think what they liked as long as they left him and his charges alone. Being left undisturbed did not always happen, as occasionally some people, who came across Gaius and his boys, felt compelled to remark to him on their perception of the situation. Sometimes such commentary was not complimentary or pleasant, with perhaps the best of these slanders being suggestions that my beloved Should get yourself a nice girl! On the other hand, genuine pederasts tried to ingratiate themselves with the young man from Volsinii, no doubt to borrow the favours of one or more of his young charges. Naturally, now being highly skilled in oration and rhetoric, the 21 year-old was more than capable of putting all such people in their places with just one short verbal retort. Happily, on this occasion in Isthmia, no such embarrassments arose, with Gaius main worry instead being that his naked boys might have been abducted by admirers because all three disappeared for a short time, whilst his eyes had been closed during a relaxing massage. However, my beloveds sudden concern proved unfounded when the trio quickly returned before their master had time to launch a search for them. The customary evident happiness of the boys was now supplemented by excitement, as they attempted to describe to Gaius what they had just seen from an outside balcony. Hylas and Achilleus were actually too thrilled for their master quickly to gain the gist of what they were trying to explain in Latin. However, their new 11 year-old companion, with whom the 9 year-olds currently communicated mainly by gesture because he presently spoke only Greek, apart from a few words in the Roman tongue that he had managed to pick up during the voyage from Alexandria, was more succinct. Gaius therefore appreciated mainly from the 11 year-old, who was of Greek not Aegyptian extraction, rather than the 9 year-old Britannian and Sardinian, that what his boys had observed outside was a light ship being hauled over the paved, grooved road called the Diolkos. This leads from Kenchreai to a quay in the western port of Lechaion, which is essentially the harbour suburb of Corinth. It was constructed over half a millennium previously during the local tyranny of Periandros. Thanks for the lucid version, Tyanus, Gaius smilingly replied to the 11 year-olds description of external happenings. Tyanus was actually not the boys original name, but derived from the 11 year-olds original birthplace of Tyana, a largely Greek city located at the foot of the Taurus Mountains near the Cilician Gates in Asia Minor. From there, his late real father and mother had emigrated, when the boy had been a mere baby, to seek their fortune in Alexandria. The latter is the largest Hellenic city in the world, far outstripping Athens in size, wealth and splendour, although, as Gaius had noticed, there were currently some indications of municipal decay after over 80 years of foreign rule. Taxation that previously would have been spent under the Ptolemies to adorn their capital now went instead to aggrandise Rome. The design of Tyanus parents to secure a better life for themselves had sadly gone disastrously wrong when the father had tragically died shortly after arrival in Alexandria. The attractive but impecunious mother had then made the grave mistake of remarrying an initially outwardly charming local man, who actually turned out to be a cruel and lazy drunkard. However, these characteristics proved useful to Gaius because the widower soak had readily succumbed to bribery to sign over his parental power, or pater potestas, over his stepson to my beloved. I suppose that Gaius could have just left Aegyptia with Tyanus without reference to the boys stepfather. However, there was always the chance, albeit remote, that the man might have later successfully tracked down his sole source of income to enforce his parental rights. Anyway, my beloved always liked to conduct, if at all possible, his affairs properly, in terms of both law and morals, even when dealing with such a poor excuse for a stepparent. Presented with the legal document transferring his parental rights over Tyanus to Gaius, rapidly drawn up by a local lawyer, the boys stepfather had happily signed. However, his pleasure did not stem from any thought about the 11 year-old now moving to a better life, and not just because he assumed my beloveds motive was entirely due to pederastic infatuation. The young man from Volsinii was content not to correct this undeclared but obvious, from regular sneers, mistaken assumption, as he saw no point in trying to protect his honourable reputation in such circumstances with such a man. The happiness of Tyanus stepfather at signing the document presented to him stemmed instead from the bag of coins that would be his as soon as he concluded the transaction. The golden money inside represented the earnings the boy whore would have acquired over about 5 years, if the young prostitute had lasted that long. As Gaius had successfully argued during earlier negotiations, the chances of a young male street prostitute retaining his looks, health and even life over such a period were not good. Tyanus was not privy to any of these negotiations and was not even present at the signing of the document that was to bring him to another plain of existence entirely. In fact, after being found naked, dirty and hurt, both physically and mentally in the dark alleyway of Alexandria, he had never seen his stepfather again. Gaius had sent Hylas and Achilleus to buy a tunic from a more legitimate type of street vendor nearby so that their young find could cover his nudity. My beloved then led the boy to the decent harbourside inn in which he and his young companions were staying whilst in Alexandria. There, the 11 year-old had been subject to the remedial body attentions of his finders and was far more acquiescent to the bathing, grooming and repair techniques inflicted on him by kind hands than a certain young pirate had been in the previous year. Gaius had named the newest addition to his retinue, with the boys agreement, Tyanus to avoid confusion with another friend in the young man from Volsiniis circle. However, the 11 year-old would revert to his true appellation, with the ready agreement of my beloved, in adulthood in honour of his late parents. The boy possessed the same real name as another delightful person of Greek heritage in my saga, although, in the case of the 11 year-old, the second i in the appellation had happily somehow not been lost. (Imperial palace, Rome, same time) For from her [Pandora] the whole female sex is descended, a great curse to mortal men with whom they live....High-thundering Zeus made woman to be a....curse to mortal man and partner in vexation. - Hesiod (Theogony) Agrippina had allowed her attractive body to be used by Claudius to satisfy his still lustful urges. However, the 36 year-old Empress again found such wifely tolerance disgusting as, having satiated her soon to be 61 year-old husband, she invariably found her face and naked body awash with phlegm. Agrippinas motivation for providing Claudius with such sexual largesse was, of course, entirely due to the fact that she wanted to solicit some very important concessions from him. For a change, on this occasion, the prizes sought were not yet more treason trials launched against identified rivals to, or enemies of, her ambitions. As long as the accused personages were not close to him, the Emperor was now sadly beginning to acquiesce all too easily to these miscarriages of justice, which were always carried out in secret in the Imperial palace. There were two main reasons for such indifference on the part of the Princeps. First, Agrippina, helped in particular by her current secret lovers, Pallas, Aulus Vitellius and Faenius Rufus, invariably conjured up for her husband convincing evidence of sedition. Second, Claudius was increasingly content to delegate certain matters of state to his wife, who, aided by Senecas wise advice, had proven herself highly competent in aspects of routine Imperial administration. As the Emperor aged, he wanted a quiet life to concentrate on his histories and pleasures and, if that meant letting his spouse have some practical power so that he could get her off his back and into his bed more often, then so-be-it.
On this occasion of sexual charitableness towards her husband, however, Agrippina did not seek the demise of enemies, although she would return to such activities soon, but instead important new titles for her natural son, Nero, and her ally, Burrus. (Corinth, Achaea, Greece, a few days later) For the Corinthians occupied a city on the Isthmus, and had always had a trading centre there because the Greeks, both those in the Peloponnese and those outside it, in the past had dealings with each other more by land than sea, and they passed through the Isthmus. The Corinthians were powerful because of their wealth, as even the early poets illustrate, who give it the epithet wealthy. When the Greeks took to the sea more, the Corinthians acquired ships and rooted out piracy, and provided a market for both sea and land trade, and the city became powerful from money revenues. - Thucydides (1.13.5)
Gaius and his three boys were now staying in an inn in Corinth, which was the logical choice for temporary rest after the voyage across the Mare Internum, not least because the large city has many splendid sights of its own to entertain tourists. However, the selection of the metropolis was also ironic, given Tyanus previous occupation in Alexandria. You see, dear reader, Corinth is renowned throughout the Greek and Roman world for the scale and quality of municipal prostitution, some of which is ceremonially performed for the gods, with a proportion of the income so earned going towards the upkeep of the temples. (Imperial palace, Rome, same time) We have courtesans for our pleasure, concubines for the daily service of our bodies and wives for bearing legitimate children and keeping faithful watch over the goods in our houses. - Demosthenes (59.122) Britannicus did not believe that Agrippina was acting as a faithful wife, particularly in respect of her husbands natural son. The beautiful 10 year-old was again sobbing, whilst Apollinus once more tried to comfort the boy. Dont worry, Apollinus declared, this time unconvincingly, as its only a fancy title that means nothing. However, on this occasion, the handsome Imperial slaves attempts to console his young charge did not work because the latter raised his tearful brown eyes to look into the 19 year-olds face, which clearly betrayed personal concern, before advising firmly The honour of being declared Princeps Iuventutis is not nothing. It clearly indicates that Nero is being groomed to succeed my father, and where does that leave me? My family history suggests that I wont long survive such a succession, despite the best efforts of the likes of Seneca, Narcissus and yourself. The situation is also made worse by the fact that my stepmothers friend, Burrus, has just been promoted to Prefect of the Praetorian Guard. Britannicus assessment of the situation was wise beyond his tender years. The title of Principes Iuventatis, or first amongst the youth movement, had been awarded by the divine Augustus to his two beloved grandsons, Gaius and Lucius, who were the first Emperors original nominated heirs. Gaius and Lucius thereby became princes of an association of the sons of the equestrian order, an organisation designed to promote morality, patriotism and public spirit. This elevation had clearly signalled for the first time that Augustus Principate was moving towards royal, hereditary status. The significance of Neros advent to the same title of Principes Iuventatis was therefore obvious, as was the promotion of Burrus, given that Claudius own accession to the purple had also proven that the Praetorians might have a key role in the succession. It seemed that Agrippina was nicely establishing, bit by bit, the scenario in which her natural son could become the fifth Emperor of Rome, as soon as the 14 year-old came of legal age, although she undoubtedly intended to remain the true power behind the throne. However, where would Britannicus, the potential perpetually dangerous symbol of the true Claudian bloodline fit into such a world? Whilst on the verge of tears himself, Apollinus now feared that he knew the terrible answer to this question but remained diplomatically silent in response to Britannicus last perceptive statement. (Ostia, Latium, same time) Sed fugit interea, fugit irreparabile tempus. (But meanwhile, the irreplaceable time escapes.) - Virgil (Georgica) Lucanus also had tears in his lovely sensuous eyes, albeit for a reason different to those sported at the same time in Rome by Britannicus. The boy was boarding a boat in Ostia, where Claudius port improvement works, immense in both scale and expense and designed primarily to assist the year-round import of grain to the Imperial capital, were still proceeding. However, unlike the previous two summers, the ship returning the 12 year-old home to Hispania for the holidays was without his now 17 year-old friends, Persius and Quintilianus. P and Q instead remained behind on the wharf, as L embarked onto the vessel. Lucanus lachrymation was intensified by recognition that his temporary departure for home represented the end of a phase in his life. He would still be returning to his Roman school, now owned by Axenius but run under the overall management of the busy Cornutus, but Persius and Quintilianus would no longer share his room at the associated residential domus. P and Q had finished their basic schooling, although, with parental approval, they were to stay in shared lodgings in Rome whilst they embarked on their embryonic careers. Supported by continued familial allowances, Persius was to pursue his poetry full-time, whilst Quintilianus was to be a legal apprentice to Gnaeus Domitius Afer. The latter, who had somehow survived being a Consul 12 years earlier in the reign of Gaius Caligula, was considered to be Romes greatest judicial orator, having played key and usually successful parts in some of the most important jurisprudential cases during the Principates of the last three Emperors. However, Qs achievements were eventually to outshine those of his new teacher. (Imperial palace, Rome, same time) Salus populi suprema lex esto. (Let the welfare of the people be the supreme law.) - Cicero (De Legibus) Another eunuch food taster was attending to Claudius, as he screamed at two of his freedmen, Narcissus and Pallas. H....h....how can the grain warehouses be almost em....em....empty, the Emperor shouted, as I havent been t....t....told that there were s....s....supply p....p....problems? Last years weather in Italia apparently wasnt very conducive to good harvests, Narcissus answered, with as much calm as he could muster in the circumstances, and the situation has been exacerbated by a severe reduction in imports from Aegyptia. Last years Nile flood was also disappointing, causing a lessening in fertility and the ability of the country to deliver more than one harvest. Nevertheless, we were assured by the merchants that Romes supply would still be ample. However, our previously successful policy of using Ostias new harbour facilities to try to transport the wheat by sea in winter, outside of the normal sailing season, in order to ensure all-year-round supplies has latterly proved disastrous. Many boats were shipwrecked in gales, with their cargoes ending up at the bottom of the Mare Internum. We have tried to arrange alternative stocks and were originally optimistic at our ability to do so but this has now proven unfounded. We didnt want to trouble you about a fixable problem but now that it seems at least temporarily unfixable.... U....u....unfixable! Claudius yelled in concerned exasperation. Well, the Emperor continued loudly, y....y....youd b....b....better find a s....s....solution and q....q....quickly. If theres f....f....famine in R....R...Rome, Im s....s....sure that the mob will l....l....lynch me. M....m....my only c....c.....consolation, if that h....h....happens, is that Im also sure that theyll l....l....lynch you two as well! In fact, there was in this year a famine in Rome, caused by the disruption of the grain supply. However, Claudius worst fears about a consequent breakdown in social order did not materialise, perhaps because he initiated some efficient measures to alleviate at least some of the suffering, although he was once pelted by an angry mob. As often in such circumstances, it was the lowest levels of society who suffered most, especially the children of the poor, who died in their thousands whilst many of the rich lived as ostentatiously as usual. Nevertheless, some of the wealthy also tried their best to help. For example, Cephas soup kitchens received substantial boosts in financial support from the likes of Pomponia Graecina and labour from caring youngsters such as he adopted son, Suffuscus. A certain 14 year-old friend of the latter also anonymously assisted, an experience that temporarily opened the princes eyes to some of Romes realities. Meanwhile, Axenius actually set up similar establishments within his schools and educational residences. These were paid for from his own funds, supplemented by monies from an appeal to parents of his pupils, as well as from benefactors amongst his acquaintances, such as Petronius. Gaius remained oblivious to Romes distress until it was too late for him to be of practical help. Otherwise, he would undoubtedly have returned immediately to the Imperial capital to do what he could. In fact, he had already made preparations to do so after news of the debacle eventually reached him in Greece. However, when he received a letter from me shortly afterwards, telling him that the worst was thankfully over, after the belated delivery of grain from Aegyptia, he abandoned his plans in favour of honouring his commitment to his parents by completing his tour schedule. (Palatium Britannicum, outside Rome, same time) Nulla res carius constat quam quae precibus empta est. (Nothing is so expensive as that which you have bought with pleas.) Seneca the Younger (De Beneficiis) As I have mentioned, dear reader, I was not, at this same time, attending to Claudius in my role as eunuch food taster. Happily, this state of affairs was not as a result of having experienced the craftsmanship of that other servant of the Principate, the Imperial executioner. Much to the bloodthirsty mans disappointment, his axe and garrotte had remained unused on the day of the arrival of Caratacus and his family in Rome. Their survival thankfully meant mine too. I never subsequently told my king that it had actually been my oratory during the night before, and not his own brave eloquence on the day itself, that had led to this salvation. After all, my Kings noble speech before the enthroned Claudius and Agrippina, the paraded Praetorians and the watching masses might still have led to this joyous result if I had not already intervened. Despite the entreaties of his friend, Aulus Plautius, who had been appalled at both my nerve and motivation, Claudius had not had me arrested but instead listened patiently to my pleading on behalf of my King. I have to confess that I am sure that Caratacus was far more eloquent in begging his own cause on the following day but I had two benefits that he did not. First, I had by now become a discreet intimate of the Emperor, who appeared to enjoy my company when he was alone in the evening. Second, both the Princeps and I knew that the most powerful man in the world owed his young barbarian eunuch food taster a favour, after once distrusting me so much, when a precious goblet had been stolen, that I had been sent to serve as a galley slave. Claudius was never one to shy away from repaying moral debts and he was also usually prepared to show compassion if his enemies displayed genuine regret and no longer represented a danger to him. These personal attributes of the Emperor were, to me, reiterated when, after listening to my pleading, he exhibited a broad smile and announced Your b....b....brave impertinence, Bicilus, has won you the l....l....lives of your King and his f....f....family. However, they shall remain exiled from B....B....Britannia for at least 7 y....y....years and I r....r....reserve the right to judge the n....n....nature of their im....im....imprisonment in Rome until after C....C....Caratacus has addressed me. Caratacus subsequent words therefore ensured that he and his family were provided with a palatial domus instead of cells in the Marmertine prison in which to live. Even Aulus Plautius eventually became reconciled with Claudius generosity towards me and my King. The renowned general was assisted in this change of attitude by five factors. First, unlike many other patricians, Aulus Plautius liked the Emperor enormously and always respected his decisions, even if they went contrary to his advice. Second, Aulus Plautius kind wife, Pomponia Graecina, sought to allay her husbands unjust early annoyance by successfully encouraging him to look upon the display of such Imperial clemency as useful diplomacy. After all, she suggested, showing such consideration to brave regal opponents generally went down well with the Roman public, and might encourage other renegade Kings, currently troubling the Empire, to make peace. Third, Pomponia Graecina additionally propounded that such mercy was practical too. A highly competent and pleasant food taster was surely not to be lost to the Imperial household without really good cause, especially if, as she now advised, their adopted, elder son, Suffuscus, owed a favour to the young eunuchs lover for a coin once given to him on the Vatican. Fourth, Aulus Plautius had thoroughly admired Caratacus brave speech, as a result of which he would himself have granted clemency if he had been Emperor. He also later came to know the King and his kin well and the two men, former enemies, eventually became firm friends, their military backgrounds ensuring that they shared a lot in common. This unexpected development was helped by the fact that Claudius asked his regular drinking companion to find suitable local accommodation for the new exiles. The renowned general asked for recommendations from his assistant, Rufus Pudens Pudentius, who happened to be the secret half-brother, sharing the same mother, of a certain travelling Christian preacher named Paul. He suggested renting to the Britannian exiles, from Imperial funds, one of his own palatial residences in Rome, which was currently barely used because his wealthy family owned so much other property in the environs of the eternal city. The domus concerned subsequently quickly became known as the Palatium Britannicum in honour of the incoming occupants. Fifth, after my role in the salvation of Caratacus, Aulus Plautius took the trouble to become better acquainted with me. I am happy to suggest that he and his family came to like me quite a lot, a feeling that was reciprocated. As a consequence of this happy turn of events, my naked and mutilated dead body had not been dragged down the Gemonian Steps before being cast into the Tiber. Instead, the clothed, unharmed and alive version was accompanying Aulus Plautius in visiting Romes new royal guests at the Palatium Britannicum. Caratacus had demonstrated his excellent Latin during his earlier speech, which was a linguistic accomplishment that was not uncommon amongst the ruling elite of Britannia. Becoming acquainted with the Roman tongue was a helpful skill because of the relatively close and important commercial and political contacts maintained over many years with the worlds greatest military power, Rome, before that strength was turned to the conquest of my homeland. However, Claudius had considered that my presence during Aulus Plautius courtesy visit, on behalf of the Emperor, to the exiles, newly ensconced in their new home, might be beneficial. My knowledge of the Catuvellauni dialect might be useful when the renowned general met the lesser members of my Kings entourage, such as his young children. Claudius also believed that my knowledge, gained over the last 5 years, of Rome and Roman ways might prove helpful to the royal family. They had to acquaint themselves with their new neighbours, who were invariably curious about the exotic new arrivals, and environs, which were both strange and astounding to anyone fresh from pastoral Britannia. I still remembered my own wonderment at my new surrounds, once my initial fear, plus the mental and physical pain resulting from my early castration, had subsided. Claudius had obligingly instructed Aulus Plautius to lend my services to Caratacus if the latter felt that he and his kin might benefit from the presence of a fellow Catuvellaunian, who was now literate in Latin and knew Rome and many of the citys foremost personages. Meanwhile, both the Emperor and the renowned general matched my example by refraining from revealing the role that I had played in saving the lives of the royal family. However, their restraint was entirely based on considerations of diplomacy, whereas my motive was, I now rather immodestly restate, due to the fact that my beloved Gaius had taught me the virtue of humility. I also still retained great respect for the leader of my people, and did not want to diminish the part his noble speech had played in his salvation. I had seen Caratacus and his kin for the first ever time in the humiliating circumstances of the culmination of their arrival parade at the Praetorian barracks. However, despite my impertinence of the previous night, I was not in chains as they had still been. I was instead still acting as the forgiving Claudius food taster, as he picked at some of the bowls of fruit provided to supply him with thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic refreshments and light snacks on that hot summers day. Whilst we waited for the procession to conclude before the Emperor, his wife, Agrippina, enthroned next to her husband, whispered to me. Ive heard of what you dared to do last night, Agrippina announced, whilst displaying a grin. I was not surprised to discover that someone had reported the incident to her. The Empress had spies everywhere, including amongst the slaves who had served Claudius and Aulus Plautius with their late-night refreshments, although I guessed that the most likely source of the information was the Emperor himself. The Princeps would have wanted to clear his merciful intent with his formidable wife in the privacy of the Palace rather than experience a public disagreement later. It is also entirely probable that the redoubtable Augusta would have been able, if she had been so inclined, to persuade her husband to change his mind again and ignore my entreaties on behalf of my King. However, fortunately for Caratacus and his kin, she viewed the intended clemency favourably, as she judged correctly that such mercy would help to improve the popularity of the Imperial family amongst the mob at this difficult time of famine. As was common with Agrippina, I could not tell whether her present smirk indicated affection, amusement, disdain or disgust until she revealed her current attitude by continuing to speak. It was therefore with some early trepidation that I awaited her further words. Im sure most people, Agrippina whispered, would consider you a fool, Bicilus, for risking your life on behalf of a has-been King. However, I admire your brave loyalty. If you display similar aptitudes in future in respect of my son and myself, Ill ensure that you advance far in Imperial service! Thank you, Mistress, I whispered back, whilst quietly noting that there had been no reference to either Agrippinas husband or stepson in her remarks. I next saw Caratacus and his kin several days later in the palatial surrounds of the Palatium Britannicum, where Aulus Plautius, who was slowly coming to terms with the situation, formerly introduced me to my King, whom I now saw close for the first time. He was a handsome, strong, bearded man, of proud bearing in his early forties. Aulus Plautius extended Claudius offer of my services to Caratacus, in the process describing me as an Imperial slave of Catuvellaunian origin whom the Emperor rightly regards highly. I was initially unsure whether such kind flattery was just further diplomacy to boost the worth of the Princeps largesse or genuinely indicated the renowned generals revised opinion of me. I am now happy to report that the latter was the case. After I had bowed politely in response to my formal introduction to Caratacus, he carefully looked me up and down, presumably trying to gauge me, before finally addressing me in my native tongue, which I had not spoken for over 5 years. I have to confess that shame now almost overwhelmed me at that moment. I suddenly realised that I was meeting my King for the first time whilst dressed in the white, purple-edged summer tunic of a slave to the enemy leader, with an unshaven face and neatly groomed hairstyle that must have appeared very effeminate to my hardy, warrior people. My sudden abashment was exacerbated by my initial embarrassing failure to understand what Caratacus had said to me. My reaction to my discomposure was to blush and stutter a reply in Latin, as if I was a younger version of the stammering Claudius. I....I....Im s....s....sorry, S....S....Sire, I requested, but c....c....could you k....k....kindly r....r....repeat w....w....what youve j....j....just said. Meanwhile, Aulus Plautius looked on, clearly embarrassed by my apparent undermining of the Emperors supposed opinion of me. However, my King just smiled forgivingly and reassuringly and replied, kindly in the Roman language, It is I who should be sorry, Bicilus, as I should have known that, after years of neglect, it might be difficult for you to recall your native tongue. This considerate reply encouraged me to formulate a response in Catuvellaunian to demonstrate that I had not forgotten the language of my own people but instead needed the patience of the person with whom I was conversing because I was rusty in its usage. I havent........forgotten........our........tongue, Sire, I announced slowly, but........lack........of use........has made........me.........slow.........in........remembering........the words. Then, Bicilus, Caratacus responded in Catuvellaunian, now carefully measured in delivery to aid my understanding, I shall speak less quickly until you are again fully conversant with the language of your people. I originally said simply that I was pleased to meet you. Now, after Ive talked further with Aulus Plautius here, Id like you to stay to tell me all about yourself and how you came to serve the Emperor of Rome. It was the pleasantness of the maintained smile on my Kings face that indicated to me that my confession would not be considered by him to be that of a traitor, or even of a new servant, but of a fresh friend. (Kingdom of the Silures, western Britannia, same time) In Britain, after the captivity of Caractacus, the Romans were repeatedly conquered and put to the rout by the single state of the Silures alone. - Tacitus (Annals) The pitiful remnants of my tribe, the Catuvellauni, managed to regroup in the western Kingdom of their allies, the Silures. Here, Caratacus cousin, Arviragus, addressed the remaining warriors. His speech was so fall of angry, brave defiance against the Romans that he was elected the new leader, with the aim of continuing to fight the invaders of their homeland. Even without Caratacus, the Catuvellauni and their allies were to continue to prove to be great and often fatal nuisances to the Romans during the years ahead
(Corinth, Achaea, Greece, same time) Only few may venture to Corinth. - ancient Roman proverb (referring to the high cost of sexual tourism in the city) Hylas did not mind losing his platonic night-time position alongside his master. He now shared the comfort of his slumber with his similarly aged best friend, Achilleus. The 9 year-old was also not jealous that the older newcomer in Gaius bed, Tyanus, had taken my place for now as regular sexual entertainment. Despite the advent of the pleasant 11 year-old in their lives, Hylas appreciated that no-one would ever displace me in Gaius heart, although the latter organ was big enough to accommodate others, such as the newcomer. The 9 year-old was instead simply pleased that his 21 year-old master no longer had to resort to furtive use of his own right hand to satisfy his regular needs. Corinth, famous again for expensive high-class whores, as well as reliant on them for much municipal taxation, is dominated by its high acropolis, the Akrokorinthos. This formidable citadel houses a temple of Aphrodite, goddess of love, with many priestesses engaged in hierogamy, or sacred prostitution. The existence of such priestesses stems from ancient times, when it was common to encourage the citys prostitutes to be present at ceremonies in the temple, and when it was not unusual for wealthy citizens to dedicate slave whores to the sacred sanctuary in return for divine favours. Todays female custodians of Aphrodites citadel now demand large sums of money, on behalf of the goddess and themselves, from the male pilgrims who climb up the long, tedious, steep slope to worship and avail themselves of their services. As the sex patrons advance eagerly upwards, and carnally satisfied but less wealthy downwards, they pass Demeters terraced sanctuary, which possesses graded rows of seats, cut into the rock to accommodate the congregation that assembles to view the ritual celebration of this particular divinitys mysteries. Meanwhile, those visitors who cannot be bothered to make the arduous ascent of the Akrokorinthos, to worship and fornicate in the temple of Aphrodite, can frequent Corinths many brothels, which are invariably expensive but excellently furnished, with both whores and trappings. However, cheaper street prostitutes, like Tyanus had been in Alexandria and who might undermine both the citys reputation and tax gathering, are unavailable, as the municipal authorities efficiently ensure that their thoroughfares are empty of such cheap undesirables. At the time of Gaius visit, the rebuilt and Romanised city also boasted a new, pristine Capitolium, a temple of Jupiter, which overlooks a large forum-like public square, an agora, on the western terrace of which, down a short flight of stairs, are a further seven smaller places of worship. Amongst the gods revered in these establishments are Venus, Neptune, Fortuna and, in a little Pantheon, Hercules. Artemis and Dionysus are also worshipped within the agora, as is commerce and municipal government, judging from the presence of several major porticoed shopping arcades and civic buildings. The latter include a tribunal for the administration of justice and making of speeches, a double stoa opening onto offices and a horseshoe-shaped curia with porticoed atrium, flanked by archive and meeting rooms for magistrates and members of powerful corporations, the collegia. Similar facilities are also provided for the collegium of the Augustals, officials in charge of the worship of the Roman Emperors. A vaulted arch marks the beginning of the paved road that links this commercial and administrative hub of Corinth to the busy port of Lechaion. In a nearby public courtyard is a magnificent colonnaded fountain. Just to the north of the forum, on a low hill alongside the road to Lechaion, is the Doric temple of Apollo, built of limestone, lined with white plaster, which was renewed under the Romans. The splendid building, which originally dates back some six centuries before Gaius visit, features monolithic columns, measuring 7 paces high by 1½ wide and decorated with the standard twenty sharp-edged linear grooves. Further north is the theatre, which is aligned to the peak of the acropolis, holds up to 18,000 and possesses a section, indicated by inscriptions on the seats, reserved for the prostitute-priestesses of the Akrokorinthos. A remarkable odeion, accommodating 7000 spectators, would soon be built nearby during the reign of the next Emperor of Rome. Nevertheless, despite these architectural marvels all round him, full of their Ionic columns, Tyanus was currently concentrating on a particular column of more human nature and proportions, in the comely shape of Gaius cock. The boy was using his professional expertise to return, manually and orally, the quickly re-excited member back to rigidity, after servicing the structure once already this evening. (Umbria, Italia, same time) One may most surely earn the esteem of the people by the best words and the finest actions. - Agesilaus The parents of Apollinus and Helius shared mixed feelings, as they left forever the pleasant and productive Umbrian farm, which the late Palaemon had commissioned them to run as estate managers. The property was officially a vineyard but was actually also put to other agricultural use, primarily to help support the workforce. The couple had discovered happiness once more in this place, revelling in their freedom from slavery, the responsibility given to them by a kind and benevolent employer, the beauty of the local countryside and the general affability of their workers. The work had been very hard at times, especially when the grapes were harvested for conversion into wine, but rewarding when everyone told the parents of Apollinus and Helius how good the final product was compared to previous estate vintages. Their labourers had also proved grateful for having a decent and considerate owner and managers by proving to be loyal and productive. Meanwhile, the parental separation from natural sons, who were working in different capacities in Romes Imperial palace, was partly compensated by the adoption of Servius. The parents of Apollinus and Helius were therefore rather sad to be leaving Umbria but were also joyous to be returning to their beautiful island homeland of Rhodus, to where their new owner, Axenius, was despatching them to run another vineyard. Their joy was maintained despite their sadness at now also being separated from Servius. Axenius had fully supported my beloved Gaius action in acquiring the Rhodian vineyard, and exhibited this by rapidly reimbursing the cost and sending his Umbrian estate managers to oversee the viniculture operation. However, he did not adhere to my beloveds written suggestion that Servius take over the Umbrian estate, which was instead to be sold to an acquaintance at four times the price the late Palaemon had paid for the property a decade earlier. In fact, this profitable transaction is often quoted in contemporary economic texts as an example of how wise agricultural investment, coupled with sound, and frequently innovative, improvements in land and labour management, can produce highly lucrative rewards. Such quotes often refer erroneously but perhaps, in the circumstances, meritoriously to contemporary ownership by the renowned teacher, who was actually sadly deceased at the time. Servius heart also possessed great affection for his adoptive parents and the Umbrian vineyard, where he had found the will to live again after his dreadful experiences as a galley slave, as well as love. However, as his generous employer, Axenius, was sending him to serve that love in Rome, as assistant to Cornutus, he too was full of joy regarding his future, especially as his duties would entail becoming reacquainted with the previous summers delightful young holidaymakers on the rural estate, Britannicus and Titus. The new owner of the Umbrian vineyard was Seneca. He was keen to invest in a rural estate, not least as a place to retreat to occasionally from the stifling heat and politics of Rome. However, despite the profit involved, Axenius, who knew the buyer because the young Germanian was the employer of Britannicus principal tutor, Cornutus, was actually only selling as a favour and only as long as the purchaser guaranteed to continue the current working practices. Seneca did not mind providing such a guarantee or paying the inflated price because he astutely realised that acquisition of the vineyard was still a good investment, as long as Palaemons improvements were continued. Amongst the foremost of these reforms had been ensuring the wellbeing of the resident farm labourers, both free and slave, who enjoyed, for the era, excellent rural working and living conditions. Although provision of decent accommodation, food, welfare arrangements and, instead of wages, an allocation of produce to sell for personal reward was expensive, compensation was more than attained by increased productivity. I often regret that most other large landowners, many of whom never visit their estates but simply rely on their vilici to run their farms for them, just as the late unlamented Caius Silius had done, still stubbornly reject such enlightened management. Consequently, many rural workforces endure retched lifestyles, with high mortality, especially amongst children and slaves. I hope that future generations will learn from such social inequity and ensure that workers receive a just share of the bounty they help to create and that most of this wealth does not simply go to those who are already rich and often comparatively pompous, silly and idle. (Palatium Britannicum, outside Rome, same time) The true nature of anything is what it becomes at its height. - Aristotle My retention at the Palatium Britannicum, after the departure on good terms from both Caratacus and me of Aulus Plautius, clearly indicated that my King had accepted Claudius offer of my temporary services, even before he had become acquainted with my background. However, he now learned, in ever-improving Catuvellaunian, a brief outline of my history, after he had invited me to share some fruit juice with him in the colonnaded shade and privacy of one of his splendid new residences magnificent gardens. This was full of colourful flowers and shrubs and centred round an ornate and cooling fountain. Once I had concluded, Caratacus expressed his genuine regrets at the demise of the rest of my family, as well as my testicles. My father and elder brother had, of course, been killed fighting in battle alongside the King, whilst my mother and younger sister had not survived the subsequent journey to slavery in Rome. By this time, Caratacus was addressing me by my real Catuvellaunian name, and not by my slave appellation of Bicilus, originally given to me by Caius Silius. However, I hope, dear reader, that you will forgive my continued teasing. I do not intend to reveal to you what my birth-name is until the concluding chapter of my long saga, although I sincerely believe that it represents the appellation by which I shall be known, if at all, to posterity. (Corinth, Achaea, Greece, same time) Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances. - Heroditus Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, had by now settled relatively comfortably into exile in Corinth. The close acquaintances of Rufus Pudens Pudentius were aided in their resettlement by the mans profession of tentmaker, which he shared with their friends half-brother. After being displaced from Rome by the Emperor Claudius because of the trouble that had erupted between orthodox Jews and members of the new Christian sect, Aquila, who was a Roman citizen despite being a Hebrew, and Priscilla decided to keep their beliefs to themselves. They wanted a quiet life in Corinth until they felt that a return to the Imperial capital could be safely achieved. Aquila and Priscilla therefore kept to themselves their distaste for Corinths most renowned feature, expensive, high-class and sometimes supposedly sacred prostitution. However, their yearning for a quiet life was to be disturbed just two months later, in September, after Rufus Pudens Pudentius half-brother came visiting, with his young companion, Timothy. (Berea, Macedonia, Greece, same time) Therefore, since all nations unhesitatingly agree as to the existence of the immortal gods, however uncertain may be our account of them or their origin, it is intolerable that any man should be so puffed up with pride and impious conceit of wisdom, as to strive to abolish or undermine religion, so ancient, so useful, and so salutary. - Caecillius Paul and Timothy were preparing to set off from Berea, in Macedonia, northern Greece. They proposed to journey south to visit Athens, before proceeding to Corinth, where their sect had a number of supporters, many recently expelled from Rome. The continuing purpose of the two travellers was to promote their beliefs above all others. Rufus Pudens Pudentius had written to his half-brother suggesting Aquila and Priscilla as potential hosts when the travelling preachers eventually arrived in Corinth. Aulus Plautius assistant also stated that he was looking forward to meeting Paul in Rome sometime in the near future. In fact, Pauls eventual arrival in Rome was still some time off, although, when it did eventually occur, it would prove fateful for many. (Domus of Aulus Plautius, Rome, same time) The glorious gifts of the gods are not to be cast aside. - Homer I should be most grateful, Pomponia Graecina declared to her frequent guest, Cephas, if you refrain from addressing me by my new baptismal name of Lucina in these surrounds, as you never know who might overhear our conversation. Cephas believed that baptismal names of his sect were something to be proud of rather than kept hidden. However, he had too much respect for his host not to comply with her wish. Certainly, Pomponia Graecina, he therefore smilingly replied before mentioning the reason for his latest visit, which was to request more money to support his soup kitchens, which, at this time of famine, had never been busier or more needed. (Palatium Britannicum, outside Rome, same time) I am a child of Earth and starry Heaven, but my race is of Heaven alone. - Orpheus Ill now introduce you to my five children, Caratacus advised, having patiently heard and cordially commented on my history, as theyll need most help to become accustomed to their new realities. Residence in this city and palatial domus contrasts markedly with not only our existence since our capture but also our previous lives in Britannia in our roundhouse in the royal enclosure at rural Camulodunon. As well as the splendid residence, Caratacus had been allocated, at a cost to the Imperial treasury that Claudius financial secretary, Pallas, would privately moan about, a large retinue of slaves, as befitted his royal status. My King now politely commanded the servant who had been proficiently attendant on the two of us to gather and fetch his offspring. Soon, three very pretty young sons, Cyllin, Lleyn and Cynon, and two similarly attractive young daughters, Eurgain and Gladys, were brought into our presence for their father to introduce me to them one-by-one. The introductions were to represent a new phase in my existence because Caratacus wonderful children were all to play important roles in not only the history of my era but also my life. (Domus of Petronius, Rome, same time) As long as you are able to add another's light to your own, then do it. - Plato Welcome Quintus Remmius Axenius, Petronius rather formerly greeted his friend, before adding in respect of his guests young twin siblings, and felicitations to the delightful Anacletus and Axenia too! The elegentiae arbiter then noticed the very pretty 10 year-old slave boy attendant on the arrivals before, with hidden cock suddenly rigid, returning his eyes to the young Germanian eunuch and enquiring, despite a drying of the throat, New to your service? Yes, answered Axenius, whose own covered penile member was sadly resistant to such stimulus in appreciation of great beauty because of his gelding, his names Arminius! He looks a bit young, Petronius replied with customary humour, to be your grandfather! The elegentiae arbiter was another person entrusted with the secret of the young Germanians heritage. Yes he does, responded the smiling Axenius, happy to join in the joke, but nevertheless, for his own safety amongst you vengeful Romans, weve dropped the min and renamed him Arius. Petronius returned his gaze to the beautiful, soon-to-be 11 year-old and greeted the neatly attired and groomed blonde, blue-eyed slave boy with the words Well, welcome to my humble abode, Arminius without the min! Arius, who was now fully conversant with oral Latin, as well as competent in his not too taxing chores, which were basically to attend to his new masters menial needs, could not help but return Petronius smile in reply. Thank you, Sir, the boy, with the importantly saved balls, also politely responded. The now 28 year-old Petronius then turned to his now 21 year-old eunuch slave and lover and instructed Please show our guests to their couches. (Corinth, Achaea, Greece, a few days later) O queen of Cyprus, Aphrodite, here into your precinct Xenophon has brought a herd of one hundred girls To graze, glorying in the fulfilment of his vows. Young women who welcome many strangers, Attendants of Persuasion in wealthy Corinth Who burn yellow tears of fresh incense, Often flying in your thoughts To the mother of loves, heavenly Aphrodite. To you, young ones, she has allowed Without criticism in charming beds To pluck the fruit from soft youth. When there is the need, all is fair.... But I wonder what the lords of the Isthmus of Corinth Will say about me for devising such a beginning For the honey-sounding song? - Pindar (Encomion, 122, describing how Xenophon of Corinth had pledged 100 slave-prostitutes to the Akrokorinthos if he won his event in the Olympics [the verb to graze has sexual overtones to the Greeks, whilst Persuasion is another deity associated with Aphrodite)
Gaius, in no need of the services of Corinths prostitutes when he was accompanied by a very willing, gorgeous and skilful one of his own, in the delightful shape of Tyanus, was about to depart the city with his boys for Delphi. As well as hopefully watching Athenodorus winning his wreath of laurel there to become the youngest ever periodonikes, my beloved also wanted to consult the local oracle. However, before he left his current setting, he decided that he must visit the Akrokorinthos, a trip that he had put off because he was embarrassed that the young threesome in his company might assume the wrong motives for the climb up the acropolis. He genuinely wanted just to see the great temple of Aphrodite and not be sexually serviced by the goddess priestess-prostitutes. Gaius also believed that Aphrodites high citadel was not a place to visit with his boys, an attitude supported by the local law because children are banned from climbing to the top of the Akrokorinthos. My beloved therefore made arrangements for the young trio to remain at the tavern where they were staying in Corinth, paying the inn-keeper a generous fee to look after his charges whilst he was briefly away. Naturally, as mischievous young boys, Hylas, Achilleus and Tyanus did suspect that Gaius might use the occasion of his visit to Aphrodites sanctuary to sample the local female wares. Despite my beloveds protestations that he only wanted to gain pleasure from the architecture of the temple rather than that of a feminine form, the naughty threesome was therefore determined to check the truth. As Gaius subsequently endured the steep climb up Corinths high acropolis, passing and viewing the sanctuary of Demeter as he did so, he became subject to an eerie feeling that he was being followed. However, there was no visible evidence to support such a belief, at least until he reached the summit, where the customary bevy of priestess-prostitutes was waiting to offer the often wearied pilgrims refreshments and tours of the locale, as well as their bodies. Gaius became engaged in conversation with what, in his hazel eyes, was the most beautiful specimen on view. However, he genuinely did not intend to hire her for sex but rather as a guide, as he did not see why he could not enjoy the magnificence of the local scenery in all its facets whilst he was being shown around. It was during this preliminary clarification of the precise nature of the innocent services required and agreement as to the fee to be paid for them that my beloved then heard a rumpus behind him. Turning, he saw three young boys in the clutches of a greater number of priestess-prostitutes. Come to rob the pilgrims, one of the priestess-prostitutes was suggesting to the boys, who were struggling vainly to escape from the womens resolute hold on them. Well, she continued, we know what to do with young thieves here. Strip them girls, whilst I fetch a rod! (Campania, Italia, same time) Ego nolo Caesar esse! (I don't want to be Caesar!) - Florus 13 year-old Nero and 14 year-old Suffuscus were once more spending their summer holidays at the Imperial estate in Campania, previously owned by Caius Silius. The two boys were currently alone in a quiet vineyard, resting on the dry grassy ground with their backs against a tree trunk. Their minds were engaged with watching the natural world at work with its many wonders. Look, Nero, Suffuscus suddenly suggested, whilst pointing through sparse branches above into the sky, a raven! His younger companion followed his friends outstretched arm and finger to observe the bird, circling in the blue sky. Do you think man will ever be capable of flying? Suffuscus then asked, as he contemplated the wonders of nature. Only if they become gods, Nero replied. Well, Suffuscus commented, your great, great grandfather, Augustus, is now a god. Perhaps youll follow him and then, when you fly, youll undoubtedly be an Imperial eagle! I once had such hopes, Nero replied, but, since we became friends, I have more modest ambitions more in line with my artistic aspirations, although I dont think my mother does. Well, Suffuscus responded, if your destiny is not in art but politics and you ever prove as great as the divine Augustus, youll deserve to be able to fly! I hope that politics is not my fate, Nero retorted, as Id much sooner be a great musician, poet and actor, especially now that youve helped me with my lyre playing, composition and recitation by encouraging me to practice much more. I was a rather pompous idiot to believe that I was already good at the arts. The ears of your now ever-growing circle of real friends are also much better off, Suffuscus suggested, before both he and Nero dissolved into hysterical laughter. However, such happy amusement was curtailed by the sound of a loud thump on the ground nearby. The reason for this noise quickly became apparent when the two boys noticed the bloody body of the raven, which they had just been watching, lying dead on the grass in front of them. They then heard a loud squawking overhead and looked up into the sky to see a mighty eagle, circling overhead instead of the deceased bird. What does the omen mean? Nero then enquired, as the Romans consider that the actions of birds can indicate the future. Suffuscus was too worried by his immediate interpretation of the happening to confess his true thoughts to his friend. (Corinth, Achaea, Greece, same time) It is an ancient custom in Corinth....whenever the city prays to Aphrodite about important matters, to take along numerous prostitutes to her temple, to join in the supplication of the goddess, and these prostitutes join in the prayers to the goddess, and are later present at the sacrifice....Even private individuals make vows to the goddess that, if what they pray for is accomplished, they will even dedicate prostitutes to her. - Athenaeus (The Wise Men at Dinner, 573) Hylas, Achilleus and Tyanus had, of course, disobediently but adventurously escaped the inn-keeper to follow Gaius furtively. My beloved admitted to me later that he had briefly contemplated allowing the priestess-prostitutes to strip and beat the boys as penance. However, unlike most Romans, the young man from Volsinii did not believe in corporal punishment and so quickly came to their rescue instead, before their female captors had had time to remove the summer tunics of the fruitlessly struggling young males. Nevertheless, Gaius was determined to teach his boys a lesson concerning venturing where they should not go. My beloved therefore commented in Greek, to the woman that he had just hired as a guide, that It appears that my young friends have come to lose their virginity to some of your colleagues. How much do I have to pay to Aphrodite for three of her priestesses to oblige? 9 year-old Hylas and Achilleus and 11 year-old Tyanus, who were all still in the phase of boyhood when girls are considered anathema, were appalled to learn of Gaius enquiry, which my beloved kindly repeated in Latin so that the youngest of the trio could understand what he was asking. The young Britannian was especially horrified because he was a eunuch and therefore literally did not possess the balls to make his little cock capable of trying to entertain a woman. (Domus of Petronius, Rome, same time) By the very fact that we breathe our love into beautiful boys, we keep them away from avarice, increase their enjoyment in work, trouble and dangers, and strengthen their modesty and self control. - Xenophon (referring to pedagogic relationships between young men or youths and younger boys) Petronius was hosting another intimate cena. However, on this occasion, the guests comprised 19 year-old Apollinus and 18 year-old Rubellius Plautus, as well as the Imperial slaves still highly delectable younger brother, 17 year-old Helius, with his own lover, 23 year-old Doryphoros. At the suggestion of Apollinus, Petronius had also invited, for the first time to one of his dinners, 16 year-old Silius Italicus and the similarly aged Marcus Cocceius Nerva, both of whom had recently received their toga virilis. Meanwhile, the hosts new eunuch slave shared his masters couch. None of the patrician guests commented on the presence of slaves amongst the guests, as the dinner was not a formal occasion but arranged purely for pleasure, of a type illustrated by the principal entertainment, which comprised a skilled troupe of sparsely clad beautiful boy acrobats and dancers. (Corinth, Achaea, Greece, same time) Acknowledge sacred things. - Delphic maxim Gaius was suddenly engulfed by feverish entreaties from his boys to permit them to return immediately to the inn. However, after allowing them to stew in their fear for a short time, my beloved instead paid a sufficiently bigger reward to Aphrodite to allow his female guide to ignore the local bylaw and include the young mischievous threesome in his tour of the goddess temple. Meanwhile, all round, newly arrived male pilgrims were quietly entering the deitys place of worship with their chosen female escorts to practice less innocent pastimes in the small private cells provided for the purpose. Whilst subsequently standing with his boys before the large statue of Aphrodite, which represented the goddess altar, Gaius was more quietly prayed, despite his scepticism about such practices. This time, he asked the deity to ensure, if she existed, that the vow that he had made in Isthmias Palaemonion, about loving me forever, came true. It was a rather chastened but relieved threesome of boys that later returned to the tavern in which they were staying in Corinth, where the inn-keeper profusely apologised to Gaius for letting the trio escape his supervision. My beloved readily accepted the mans regrets, appreciating that probably not even the local prison could retain his young charges if they had a mind to be elsewhere. Gaius now prepared to leave Corinth with his boys for Delphi, the Pythian Games and the famous oracle. Although my beloved was unlike most pilgrims who visit the renowned shrine of Apollo there, and the priestess to whom the god foretells the future, being highly sceptical about such matters, he was curious as to what might be said. The young man from Volsinii particularly wished to compare the local soothsaying with that secured from the old woman on the Vatican in Rome, who had strangely resembled Cybele. Gaius was to be genuinely shocked by what the sacred Delphic oracle was to tell him. (To be continued in chapter XLII Oracles)
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