Porcius, lays in bed, wide eyed and eager for the sun to rise. The dew settles in the misty February morning, just as the glowing sun appears over the Tiber River, soon to peak over the magnificent hills of Rome. He laughs at himself for actually waking up this early, and then thinks and sneers at the thought of the house hold slaves doing this everyday. How miserable their lives are. He thanks Fortuna for his success, and then pulls the wool blanket tighter over his body and waits for the sun to fully rise.
Porcius is so excited today because it is February 15^th, the day of Lupercalia. It is the cleansing festival of Rome, with feasts and rituals meant to rid the city of evil and release new and healthy spirits dealing with fertility. Porcius especially loved watching the men run in goat skin races.
Fabia, also awake before the dawn, lies in bed thinking about what today will hold. She silently whispers a prayer to Lupercus, the god of shepherds, in hopes that she will be wiped by one of them today. Then, she whispers one to Diane, wishing for an uncomplicated birth and a healthy baby. Fabia has been in fear ever since finding out that she is pregnant again. She is well into her twenties and way past her prime time for childbirth. She hopes that today’s festival will help suppress any and all fear and stress that she has been worrying about.
With the strength she finally found to seize the day, Fabia wobbles out of bed and wakes up the “sleeping” Porcuis. They both made their way down stairs to the eating room for breakfast that the slaves had been preparing. They said their prayers to Vesta and continued on their morning getting prepared for the festival. Then they together walked down Palatine Hill and into the forum to watch the rituals and races in hopes of a healthier city and family.