Jacob Armstrong
5366711
Assignment 6
Daily
Life
For
the first time in a long while, Nemo did not awake with the rising sun. He sat there,
enjoying the simple luxury of relaxation, a luxury that had not been afforded
him for many years. Comfort and laziness were not things he was accustomed to.
Looking about the room, he admired the extravagance of everything. From the silk sheets of the bed to the numerous
paintings and sculptures around the room, Nemo wondered if this level of
decadence was the norm for his brother or if he was just trying to show off.
After
a time, he arose and got ready for the day ahead. He put on the clothes he
found folded atop the dresser at the foot of the bed, assuming they had been
left out for him. Walking out into the atrium he found his brother talking with
one of the house attendants.
“And
see to it that the newest shipment of wine is picked up before tonight. The
last thing we need is to run out of wine tonight of all nights!” His brother
told the man.
“What
happens tonight Marcus?” Nemo asked. His brother waved the servant away.
“A
feast my brother!” Marcus boasted. “We are hosting a party to celebrate after
the conclusion of today’s games. Many important people will be coming. Finally,
you will get a taste of how the Atticus family truly celebrates! But enough of that,
are you busy this fine morning?”
“No.
Not at all” Nemo chuckled.
“Come
then and let me show you some of the family business. Ah, but first let’s eat!”
After
breakfast Nemo found himself walking alongside his brother through the streets of
Rome. It was a busy day like any other. Making their way through the crowds, it
was not long before they reached their first destination. A housing complex in
one of the poorer parts of the city, the numerous dwellings sat mashed together
along the block. Although there were definite signs of poverty, Nemo did notice
the quality of the housing was greater than what he would expect for this area
of the city. Owned by his brother, they were there to converse with a man named
Crispus, who managed rent and concerns of the nearby houses in exchange for free
housing and a small salary. Apparently, Crispus had been extorting money from
the tenants, of which his brother had discovered. After a short argument,
Marcus informed the man he was being replaced and he was to be out of the
dwelling by the next day. Nemo also noticed he took most of the remaining
extortion money, by no means a small sum, as “recompense.”
They
made several others stops throughout the day. Once stopping at the residence of
a client artist with whom his brother had commissioned a new statue in his
likeness. They also visited a lawyer of his brother’s in the basilica to see
about hastening the construction of a new public bath his brother had financed.
By mid-day they had arrived outside the senate chambers.
“Alas
my brother, I must take my leave of you.” Marcus said, handing Nemo a coin
purse. “Go out and enjoy the finer parts of Rome and then perhaps later we can
go to the Ludi! Today’s games are supposed to be especially magnificent.”
“Of
course Marcus” And with that the two brothers bade their farewells. With Marcus
disappearing into the senate chambers, Nemo went off to explore the city.
