The sun was just overhead when a
slave Graecus, named for his origin, was called into his master’s tablinum
(office). He had been summoned to escort the young master to his tutor in the
Forum Romanus and then off to the Forum Boarium to bargain for cattle. “And be
quick about it, or not even the gods can protect you from the lashing to come”
declared the master. With that Graecus wasted no time and began down into
Velia, on their way he marveled at the sights below. Every house on Palatine
Hill was magnificent, made of the best stone; at least two stories high to get
the best light and decorated with only the finest columns and statues. If he
looked out and turned ever so slightly to the left he could see Capitoline
Hill, where the temple of Mighty Jupiter towers over the city. Graecus then remembers his time
constraint and urges the young master along.
The Forum was a place of
distinction. From the wagon covered paved streets to the smell of the
overflowing Aqua Appia that created the marshy public space gave it
recognition. The Forum Romanus is just ahead and the young master begins to
search for his class when Graecus is yet again distracted. The Basilica Iulia
is the local house for the centumviral court and shops. It was rather
impressive with its three stories of white marble, bustling inside with heated
conversations of the court and shouts of the marketer trying to attract customers.
The young master shouts to his slave to leave and carry out his other duties
because he has now found his tutor, so Graecus heads toward the market.
It is a short walk before the Forum
Boarium’s warehouses and docks connected to the mighty Tiber are in full view.
He takes a moment to admire the Round Temple next to the Pons Aemilis and
recollects similar ones from his own country, then proceeds to the cattle
market. It is a good day in Rome for the slave who brings good news because he
has bought two cattle for the price of one. Graecus then hurries back to his
master’s house with the news that is sure to please.
