Assignment 3 - Plot Summary

Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River creating a civil war in Rome. The time was now 45 BCE, when Julius Caesar defeated Pompey, which left him as the first dictator of Rome. Appius Antonius, son of Marcus Appius Antonius, has an elite status within the Roman senate. He worked closely under Caesar along with the other high-powered men in Rome. Marcus Appius was proud to see his son take his place as senator and have such a high rank to the public eye. This all changed when Appius married a woman, Aurelia. Aurelia was left stranded after her family was broken up during the civil wars that were taking place in Rome during Caesar’s rule. Appius took Aurelia in, seeing that her family was also of high status before the civil wars took place. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and got married.

Appius was happy with his decision, he thought Aurelia would be a loving wife and represent him well in public. However, Marcus Appius felt his son married beneath him and tried everything in his power to make his son reconsider the marriage. He goes through a lot to strategically make Aurelia look like she is cheating on his son.

While Appius is off handling business affairs, his father feeds him information leading him to suspect his wife is having an affair with one of the many slaves in the house. He trusted his wife, but at the same time was worried because women were not meant to bring shame to the family name. Aurelia becomes pregnant, but is worried her husband will send away her child if her father in law convinces him she is cheating. She doesn’t want her first-born son to be sold into slavery for false accusations of adultery.

As the tensions become more and more apparent between Aurelia and her father-in-law, Appius finds himself stuck in the middle having to choose between his wife, whom he loves dearly, and his father, who is threatening to disown him for shaming the family name. 

 

Assignment 3: plot summary

It was a glorious year; Caesar had crossed the Rubieon a few years earlier. Now he was Emperor. It was the glorious Rome of polished marble and studied discourse. It was also the Rome of the optimates, the ruling elite, and the populares, the have-nots. Have-not is a relative term, to be a populare in Rome was to have wealth beyond imagining in the rest of the world. To be there, to watch unimportant and unobserved was to see the great drama of life. To be great, in the grand years of the empire was to miss much of the true nature of events. To be a small person in a great world is to see it all, and no one is as mobile and ignored as a musician is in the halls of the great. In the great halls, a musician sees everything. As the power of the Emperor Caesar grows, the optimates become more and more fearful and discontent. The people, the populares love their Caesar. Not so the elite, long accustomed to power they do not want to hand it over to the Emperor so they plot against him. They lie to each other. Secretive glances and gestures pass between them as the conspirators plot the end of the Emperor they do not know whom to trust as arguments against the assassination ebb and flow. No one speaks loudly, yet the halls are humming with whispers. A musician does not have this problem; he is important enough to be a part of the conspiracy. He is not even important enough to be noticed. His music is heard, so no one imagines the musician is listening as well, but to listen is half the job, telling the story is the other, from the first murmur fo discontent to the final words, “ET tu Brute?”

Enslaved Love: Plot Summary

Eli is a young slave on Palatine Hill. His master, Emasceus, sends him to market on a regular basis to purchase goods for their compound. Eli’s freedom is quite limited, but he aspires to one day become a member of the Senatorial class. On a particular afternoon, he goes in to the Forum Boarium to purchase meats for his master. After a failed transaction with the merchant Jaredocus, Eli is made a fool for not having offered adequate money. Jaredocus threatens that he will have Eli arrested for being a no good thief. Suddenly, a young girl steps in to Eli’s defense. She is the daughter of a prominent Roman senator. Jaredocus claims that she needs to back off, because she would be in immense trouble if her father were to find out that she defends slaves.

After this encounter, Eli and the young woman, named Ethema, begin talking. However, Eli is afraid that someone will see them and get them both into trouble. Ethema shrugs it off because she is clearly interested in Eli. The two leave the Boarium and head to the waterfront. Enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean day, the two sit along the shore and get to know one another. Eli explains his life on Palatine Hill, and his aspirations for advancing in society. Ethema talks about how she tired of the stringent societal structure and wishes they could have more control over their decisions.

Despite trying to be relatively discrete that afternoon, their conversation was witnessed by a fellow slave, Luc. Luc immediately recognizes Ethema as being the daughter of a Senator. He understands the magnitude of their behavior in terms of it’s disruption on Roman societal order and feels the need to tell somebody. Luc heads back to the compound on Palatine Hill to report this crime to his master. Master Prutus attempts to exile Eli, but Eli flees to join Ethema in the night. Her father catches wind of the crime, proceeds to have Prutus killed, and attempts to catch Eli.

Assignment 3

Jeremy Herman

1/27/12

Triarius a wealthy roman under the time that Julius Caesar was dictator had made his money through hard work, and wealth of his family.  Triarius was a wealthy slave driver who was also an elected official and therefore spent time in the Forum Romanum as one of the people who decided the laws that were to be passed.  As a wealthy and important individual he was well known among roman society and among his neighborhood by his fellow wealthy palatine hill residents, and for the most part his life had been going well.  Triarius is happily married to his wife Adela, or so he thinks, and has two children, his son Bartholomaeus, and his strikingly beautiful daughter Cassandra, however one day everything turns askew and his world his flipped upside down.

                All was going well for Triarius, he had a respected position in the governor class and was well known to people for having great deals on slaves.  One day however Triarius wakes up to find his wife Adela missing, his son Bartholomaeus on his bed dead, a dagger through the heart, a bunch of his slaves missing and the rest of them riled up by the escapees.  At the same time fellow members of the governor class are disgruntled by Caesar rise to power and through that, their decline of power, feeling that Caesars power hungry surge only weakens the republic which has made that class as successful as it is.  All of a sudden Triarius’s life has been changed drasticly and he is the only one to pick up and put together all the pieces.  Triarius is therefore left to find his wife’s kidnapper and avenge his son’s death.  Little does he know, the approval for these actions comes from much higher in roman social standing then he expects.

Assignment 3: Plot Summary

Nemo is a slave, but he wasn't always one. In the year of 69 BCE, Nemo Clodius Atticus was born to a patrician family of middling wealth and stature. His father Marcus Clodius Atticus was a proud supporter of the Populares and although failing in his political career (only holding the position of quaestor twice) became obsessed with gaining a position on the roman senate. Given to disagreements, both being of different temperament, Marcus sold his son Nemo into slavery after a particular bitter disagreement. He later died from an outbreak of tuberculosis.

Unaware of his fathers fate, Nemo spent over a decade as a slave to a wealthy merchant. He accepted his new station without resentment and although being a slave wasn't the most desirable circumstance he made due with what he had. During which time met a girl named Valeriana, the daughter of a well to do plebian merchant, whom he would later fall in love with. After his fathers death, his older brother, also Marcus Clodius Atticus, started searching for Nemo. Upon finding him, Marcus bought and freed Nemo from slavery and welcomed him back into the family.

His brother, a proud supporter of Julius Caesar, is far more successful than their father ever was.

Young as he might be, Marcus had already served several successful terms as quaestor and aedile. He was on a quick road to governor of one of the provinces and senator of rome. On the other hand, spending time with Valeriana showed Nemo the pedestrian side of life in Rome. Although his brother claimed Caesar fought for all the citizens of Rome, Valeriana taught Nemo that the strength of the Roman civilization was not through one man, but through the republic. According to her, Caesar only manipulated the masses for his own means.

With the Ides of March growing ever closer, Nemo learns from Valeriana of the plot against Caesar. Forced to choose between the woman he loves and his own brother, Nemo is left unsure of what to do. Should he stand by while the love of his life is accomplice to murder or try to rescue Julius Caesar, savior of Rome, from his fate?    

Assignment 3

Megara is one of the most divine women in Rome. She is married to Antonius, one of the top soldiers of Gaius Julius Caesar. They have a lot of power and when Antonius had to go off to war in Spain to find Pompey’s son, Megara became lonely and started to seek comfort in one of her slaves from Africa, Promethus. Every night, Promethus would be commanded to bring Megara a cup of tea. They created a system where bring her a cup of tea mean that he would be spending the night with her. Caesar and his troops defeated Pompey’s son in 45 BCE. He returned to Rome with his soldiers and celebrates their win over their own fellow Romans. This did not make the Romans happy about their leader, Caesar but nonetheless, Antonius was proud of what they had accomplished. Megara then finds out she is pregnant. Antonius is very delighter but she isn’t. She believes that Promethus is the father of her unborn child.

For the next few months, Megara sits around while all her slaves cater to her every need throughout the day. Megara and Antonius did not sleep in the same room. He is scared that his dreams about the war fights will interrupt her sleep or even hurt her if he accidentally reenacts the scene. Every night, Promethus would bring Megara some tea so he could touch her stomach to what could be his child. As Megara progressed with her pregnancy, Antonius was had more and more to do and was no longer around the house when Megara wanted to see him. Promethus started to go to her room in the day time and would not leave until hours later. Other slaves started to become suspicious. Then the day came when Megara is to give birth. As she was giving birth, a slave informed Antonius about the suspicious activity that has been going on. 

Assignment#3: Plot Summary- Melanie Arce

It is the beginning of the year 45 BCE in the city of Rome. The civil war against the Pompeian’s’ led by Julius Cesar is continuing as Cesar travels the world to finish killing every last Pompeian. Back in Rome, Cato, a very busy Politian is campaigning the city of Rome in opposition of Julius Cesar’s dictatorship in hope of his removal from office upon his return. Cato’s daughter, Porcia, is young, beautiful and very intelligent.  With her family in the senatorial class, she is expected to follow a very prestigious way of life. Every day she awakes in her private portion of a large villa atop Palatine Hill, where she rarely leaves. Cato has purchased the best Greek prisoner of war he could find to tutor his precious Porcia as well as other slaves for the cooking, cleaning and maintaining her quarters of the house. With Cato’s busy agenda he rarely spends time with his daughter but when he does he primarily speaks of his work in the city and his desire for her to marry his apprentice, Octavio. Octavio is young, ambitious and bound to be a senator with the amount of time and effort he has put forth. The only problem is Porcia has a plan of her own.  She sits at her window every day at sunset looking over the city in wonder as to if she will ever be able to leave this comfortable life in the villa to explore herself and Rome on her own terms. One night while Cato was away overnight for business, Porcia fled to the heart of town, the Roman Forum. It was late and dark, the only people around were the plebs cleaning up from the long day at market. Porcia turned a corner to see what else she could find, and suddenly bumped into a boy. He apologized, looked into her eyes and said, “Hello, I’m Fabius. Come with me.” She stood still and looked back at him as her heart sank, reached for his hand and the two went running down the alleyway. At that very moment she knew that her life would was going somewhere very different, somewhere she only went in herd dreams. But what will Cato think when he returns to the villa with Porcia nowhere to be found? 

Assignment #3

Marcellus, a wealthy land owner in the city of Rome, has become unhappy in his marriage to his even wealthier wife, Helena. Helena is an average daughter of a magistrate, she expects everything and gives back very little to their relationship. Marcellus married as arranged by his parents and after ten years of hearing her complaints he has began to loathe the woman he was once infatuated with.

In the summer of 45 BC, Marcellus, well known due to his wealth of political sway from his wife, meets a merchants daughter named Sura in the Forum Boarium. Sura, much younger than he, is a beautiful and well spoken girl of seventeen who opens the eyes of Marcellus who has been robbed of love for years. Marcellus asks Sura to accompany him back his house on the Palatine Hill to help with the goods he purchased while his wife is away visiting her father. 

Marcellus does this on a number of occasions while his wife is gone and even has dinner with the merchant girl. After Helena returns from her trip, Marcellus has decided he can no longer be in his marriage and wishes to get out any way possible. Marcellus considers breaking the marriage but realizes he would basically be signing a death wish as Helena’s father is a very traditional and vengeful man. Then, one night, Marcellus entertains the idea of having his wife killed as to look like either an accident or outside attack and that’s when he begins planning. The plot for murder and his love for Sura thickens as Marcellus’ life becomes one of secrecy and planning in order to become free of his stagnant marriage.

Plot Summary

Marcus is a simple farmer who only wishes for an easier life. The crops have not been doing well lately and finances are getting tight. With a child on the way and a suffering wife, Marcus’s thoughts are constantly on his shrinking pile of gold and silver coins. Just as he begins to despair that his unborn child will have to begin life without worldly comforts, hope arrives in the form of Pontius Severus, a wealthy senator. In exchange for Pontius Severus’s sponsorship, Marcus agrees to run errands for the senator whenever summoned.

Everything seems to go well at first. His days are busy – juggling the farm and all of the senator’s errands exhaust Marcus but he knows that being busy is better than being without occupation. After a while, Marcus realizes he is genuinely happy and hopeful for the first time in a long time. With money saved up and improving climate conditions, he is able to relax and not worry himself thin over finances or the farm, and ends up ecstatically welcoming a son into his now comfortably established home. It seems that things are looking up for the simple farmer.

This all changes when one day, Pontius summons Marcus and instructs him to commit an act so insidious that even the gods shudder in witnessing it. Though he tries to fight against Pontius Severus, Marcus knows he is no match for the senator in a fight – physically or mentally. Heavily burdened, Marcus does what he is told and then attempts to exonerate his deed. But unbeknownst to Marcus, his crime is only the beginning of Pontius’s master plan. Without realizing it, Marcus had taken the first step down a path from which there is no escape but death.

Assignment 3: Plot Summary

            Servius had always been a loyal slave to the Lucceius family, a respected contingent of the equestrian class of Rome.  Treated with a fairness that any man of servitude would cherish in the year 44 BCE. Servius performed his duties with an ever-present gratitude in his heart.  However, not even the security of fair ownership could draw Servius from the radiant Adelia.  A slave of the Praetor of Rome, Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger, Adelia’s beauty did anything but suggest her low societal status.  After sharing prayers at the Temple of Fortuna Virillis in the Forum Boarium, the draw between the two slaves defied any love that might be forbidden.  Servius had been struck by an unexpected love that engulfed his heart.

            With a fire in their souls that would not be extinguished by policy, Servius and Adelia swore to meet.  After much thought, Servius secretly slips out of his sleeping quarters in the dead of night to be with the longing Adelia.  Although his conscience berates him every step of the way for abusing the trust of his master family, Servius is guided by an attraction he had never known.  As Servius arrives, he is met by the joyful Adelia, who skillfully guides Servius into the Brutus property.  But as the two slaves set out to find a place to be alone, they notice an unusual late-night conference taking place in the Brutus home.  Adelia, knowing how unusual this was, could not help but eavesdrop, pulling the reluctant Servius along with her.  To their surprise, a topic of treason emanated from the meeting room, as Brutus and other politicians of Rome such as Gaius Trebonius and Servilius Casca discussed the growing concern with Julius Caesar, the Dictator of Rome who had recently appointed himself as its ruler for life.  In a short time, it was apparent to the slaves that an assassination was being planned.

            Serius’s family supported the work of Caesar, praising his new police force, centralization of government, and new Egyptian calendar.  With the fair amount of influence held by the Lucceius family, Caesar could be warned of the murderous plans of his senators.  However, Serius’s love for Adelia and fear of punishment creates a dilemma.  

Assignment 3: Plot Summary

The events in this story take place in the year of 45 BCE in the ancient city of Rome. It is an exciting time for the republic as Julius Caesar and his army have just returned from a deciding victory over the Pompeians in the long and bloody civil war. Although glad to be victorious the Roman public has begun to grow wary of Caesar and his most recent extravagant celebrations provide no solace for Rome’s citizens. There is a distinct aura of social and political change in the air and it seems as if this moment in time is a turning point for the future of the republic.

Amadeus, a former slave from the Etrurian region, was freed upon his return to Rome for his heroic acts of valor and bravery in the civil war. Raised as a slave, Amadeus was forced to embrace his position within society. He is a fairly intelligent and educated individual even though his social position is largely deemed other wards. His newfound freedom has granted him liberties previously unknown to him and although gracious, Amadeus is dissatisfied with the social structure of Roman society and his position within it. Not quite a respected citizen and no longer a slave, the personal toil that Amadeus experiences drives him to search for some sort of personal gratification. Finding this gratification in the form of public speaking, he soon becomes a notable figure in Rome’s circle of political philosophers. His preaching gains the attention of significant political figures and his teachings grow to become the basis of a significant political movement. Amadeus unexpectedly soon found himself as the leader of a dramatic revolt in roman social culture as both slaves and freedmen rely upon his teachings for reform and leadership in a quickly changing Roman society.

Assignment three

Third Assignment, Plot Summary.

                The time is 45BCE and Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus has just been defeated at the battle of Munda in Spain. His demise is at the hands of Julius Caesar, who hunts and kills him after the battle. This battle signifies the end of the civil war and Caesar returns to Rome were he gives a lavish celebration for his victory.

                Gaius Cassius Longinus, a Roman Senator, was the one planning to hold the gladiatorial games for Caesar triumphant victory of Pompey’s son in Spain. The games would take place in the middle of the Roman Forum. Senators, Equestrians, Gladiators and their masters from around the Roman Empire would be in attendance of this historic day.

                Marcus Tullius Atticus, a gladiator owner and politician, receives news of the gladiatorial games while his venture through the roman forum. The atmosphere is mixed with emotions, people are rejoicing of Julius Caesar triumph but also in remorse of a fellow Romans death, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus. Atticus is devastated about the death of Gnaeus, but he knows his focus needs to be on the games. He has been training his warrior Flamma for many years for an opportunity like this. Before heading back to his house on Palatine Hill, Atticus heads to the statue of Mars, the Roman god of War. He prays to Mars, for the days upcoming will bring great strength and mercilessness to his warrior as he trains and enters the battleground. He knows his toughest competitor Decimus Junius Brutus Albinus, a Roman politician, will be bringing his best fighter. This is both their opportunities to gain power among fellow tribunes and plebs.  

Barlam plot summary assign 3

Marcus Ignotus, wearied and beaten, wondered to himself if it was all worth it.  He sat outside his tent reflecting on the friends he had lost in the war, and the family he had left behind.  As a loyal supporter of Julius Caesar, Marcus originally joined his leader’s effort to march on Rome and had been with him since crossing the Rubicon river.  Always he had been sure that this was the right and honorable thing to do, but now, as he sat and reflected, he began to doubt.  Time was losing meaning, and everyday that passed Marcus felt himself slipping away.  The constant chase of Pompey’s forces was a struggle for Marcus.  Civil war was changing him as a man, and he worried his family would not recognize him if he ever came back.
Pompey was on the retreat towards Brundisium, and Marcus knew that if Pompey were to escape, this war would only go on for that much longer. As Marcus had feared, Pompey escaped by sea to Epirus from Brundisium.  Blinded by concerns for his family and his own health, Marcus did not see the big picture. With Pompey gone from the Italian mainland, Caesar would be able to destroy the unattended Pompeian army.  After minimal losses in the Battle of Llerda, Marcus and the rest of Caesar’s legion returned to Rome. As a reward for Marcus’ bravery and service, he became right hand man to Mark Antony, who was appointed Caesar’s Master of the Horse, when he achieved dictatorship.
Greatly honored by this position, Marcus lost sight of his true desire, to once again be with his family.  It was Caesar’s plan to chase Pompey to Epirus that was the wake up call for Marcus.  He knew that if he didn’t leave Rome in search of his family, war may take him away forever.  However, if he were to leave, he would be a traitor. Once again sitting and wondering, trapped between his duty to his leader and his family, Marcus prayed for an answer...

assignment 3, Cicero and Anthony

Austin Casey

Plot

Attiseus served under Marc Anthony as a foot soldier in the civil war. He was recognized by Anthony for coming up with an ingenious plan to surprise and flank the enemy in one of the critical battles. Much later, after the war, Anthony spots Attiseus and Tiro casually talking in the Forum Romanium. The next day Anthony sends for Attiseus and asks him to make friends with Tiro and to keep tabs on Cicero. Being loyal to his ex commander Attiseus obliges. Attiseus, with his cunning personality and knowledge of politics woos Cicero into many revealing political debates. Cicero is impressed with Attiseus but feels uneasy about him.

            One day Attiseus intercepts a mail carrier and discovers a letter from Cicero to a dear friend discussing a future assassination plot on Caesar. 

            Meanwhile Cicero is still uneasy about Attiseus so he throws a small party inviting him as well as some others (one of which is a very beautiful and deceptive prostitute that Cicero hires to play the role of an available widow with much interest in Attiseus.) She gets Attiseus drunk and seduces him as well as expressing her fake views to being loyal to Caesar and her dislike of Cicero so Attiseus ends up bragging about the letter to her. During this Anthony is away and has no idea about the letter. Tiro and Cicero realize that this is the case and plot the murder of Attiseus before Anthony’s return. In the middle of the night they murder Attiseus and find and destroy the letter. The rest is history (no pun intended) Cicero is assassinated because of Anthony and Caesars hit list and Caesar is later assassinated as well.

Assignment 3:

                Marcus Julius Antonius, the wealthy young man had always lived up to his father’s high expectations…until now.  His mother and father had shown him the perfect life:  as his father played a large role in the Roman government in 44 BCE, he and his family were in the highest social status.  Therefore, his father expected Marcus Julius to not only follow in his footsteps, but also to exceed their hopes.  Marcus Julius lived a fine life atop the Capitoline Hill with his wife, Antonia, his teenage son, Lucius, and their loyal and hard-working slave, Flavius.

                After many long nights at work, Marcus Julius doesn’t notice, at first, the length of time Antonia spends outside of the house.  She had her list of reasons for leaving – spending time with the local women, reading books, shopping, and taking up her hobbies such as sewing and growing a small garden.  However, Marcus Julius eventually picks up on a tension that sets in the air every time Flavius crosses Antonia’s path.  He couldn’t quite decipher what he was feeling, until he eventually finds out one night exactly what has been going on for the past few months in the side house…

                Meanwhile, the handsome and earnest Lucius feels as though his life lacks meaning.  He tries to approach his father about the subject but Marcus Julius wouldn’t hear anything of the matter.  Feeling as though he is living superficially, Lucius sets to find himself a new life of a lower class and struggles with the many results and judgments of this quest.  Just as Marcus Julius feels his life is crashing in around him and feels lost without faith, Antonia drops even bigger news: there is a child on the way…let’s just say grandfather won’t approve…

-Sapir Ohayon