Cultural description- Palatine to Market
Naevia awoke just after the
break of dawn as the sun began to pour into the room illuminating her small and
unelaborate living quarters. The other slaves were still in their slumber as
she made for the atrium of the house. Today Naevia was to venture to the marketplace
to buy food for the cena that her master would be hosting. As she left the
house she cast her eyes upon her master’s ludus, where gladiators were already
training. An overwhelming sense of compassion filled her body as she watched the
gladiators in their element; strong, brave and gallant. She headed towards
Velia as a route down to the Forum Romanum. The crisp morning air bit at her
cheeks but the feeling was a welcoming one as she embraced the opportunity to
leave her master’s house, even if for a short while. It was not long before she
reached the bottom of the hill and was at first met by the impressive Greek
style architecture of the Temple of Vesta. She continued striding along the
path until she came to the Regia. This impressive building forced her to stop
and think ‘What if?’ with a sigh of yearning. Focusing back on her task she
continued towards the Basilica Aemilia, a remarkable 90ft structure that
stretched across most of the northwest side of the Forum. There was already
much hustle and bustle around the Basilica and she had to weave in and out of
the crowds that were mounting as the sun rose in the glistening sky. Naevia
passed three men (who looked like they were part of the senate) and
eavesdropped on their heated debate regarding a play they had seen. Laughing to
herself she carried on towards her intended shop and bought an array of food
and spices, worthy of the house of her master. As she headed home she could
hear loud speeches bellowing from Comitium, and dreamt of a world where women
would have their voices heard.
