The
distinctive smell of the Porticus Aemilia
filling with fish from the Tiber tickled the nostrils of Marcus Augustus. The
smell meant many things to many people, but to Marcus, it meant it was time for
his daily trip to the Forum Boarium. Today was like a thousand others he’d had
before, yet still it felt different somehow. Marcus quickly arose and gathered
his belongings. A few empty baskets waiting to be stuffed with goods from the
market, and a satchel of letters to be delivered to the other prominent
socialites on the hill. A walking stick completed his outfit. Down Palatine hill
towards Velia Marcus strode, proud of his city with its humble beginnings at
the teat of a wolf.
As Marcus moved past the Regia, he remembered the tales
of the days of priest kings, and thanked the gods for the Curia and the Senate.
Suddenly, Marcus remembered why today was a special day. His son had been
having leg pains and he needed to visit the Temple of Vesta. Marcus quietly
slipped in, and made his offer. To the air he spoke “If you heal the legs of my
son, I will sacrifice my life savings”. It was a substantial offer, but there
was none in Rome who loved their son more than Marcus Augustus.
The market was alive today, filled with shops set up by
every farmer, herder, and merchant in the area. Marcus bought what was needed
outside the Basilica Sempronia, making sure to shop at all of his master’s
favorite stands. Through it all, the flowing Aqua Appia carried Rome’s water
into the life giving Tiber. Marcus looked to the sky and thanked the gods he
was a roman.
