As he walked, leaving his house and
kissing his wife on the cheek, there was a great sense of pride and gratitude
in the air around him. It was a warm and
humid summer day and the clock had only struck eleven; Sextus Cornelius Triarius
was a wealthy aristocrat and therefore had a large house overlooking the Forum
Romanum, and was on his way to the Forum Boarium to pick up some meat from the
market. In order to make his way to the
market, Triarius had to walk down the Via Sacra which was swarmed with people
as usual. Gradually he made his way down
the cobblestone road, and walked through the Arch of Titus onto the Forum
Romanum where he was greeted by flocks of people many of which selling some produce, giving public
speeches on their opinions, and criminal trials being held.
As he continued to walk he
could see the mighty columns that upheld the Temple of Vesta and the striking
regalia, Triarius could also see the massive Basilicas, Sempronia, and the one
where he worked Basilica Aemilia.
Triarius however had no interest in roaming around the Forum Romanum as
he saw enough of it every day when he worked, and therefore quickly continued
his stroll in the direction of the Forum Boarium. Gradually as he got closer he could begin to
see the columns which made up the Round Temple and not too far behind it the
massive concrete Porticus Aemilia. Most
importantly though he could see his destination the massive Horrea, and the
flocks of people both wealthy and poor, there to buy meat for supper. As
Triarius approached the Horrea and the Forum Boarium he felt happy; Rome was
the greatest city in the world.
