Historical
Narrative
by: Sapir Ohayon
It
was 45 BCE and the wind blew frighteningly outside the house, causing
Marcus Julius Antonius to not only worry about his small crops
growing out in the yard but to also think about the recent events
surrounding his world around him. First, he thought about his family
life. Luckily, his family was of a high class because of his
father's good work in the government. They were considered to be of
the equestrian class – high class, although not as high as the
senators. He lived a very comfortable lifestyle although there were
still problems at home.
His
wife, Antonia, was set to marry him by her grandfather, also known as
the paterfamilia – the male head of the family. As her grandfather
had been the eldest male of the household, he held the legal right to
arrange her marriage. Antonia was only sixteen years old at the time
because women were often married very early. Marcus Juius Antonius,
however, was thirty-two years old at the time of their marriage. She
was quickly pregnant and their son, Lucius, is now thirteen years old
and blossoming into a rebellious young man, extremely interested in
politics and war.
Marcus
Julius Antonius also reflected upon recent changes in the political
structure of Rome. Just a few years after a period of major warfare
in and around the area of Rome, there had been lots of fighting and
bloodshed. However, after Caesar's defeat of Pompey's sons in March
of this year in Spain, Caesar was welcomed back to Rome and appointed
the dictator for life. There were many celebrations over his
triumphs and there were even triumphant arches built in his honor.
As
Marcus Julius reflected upon these current events, he noticed the
many changes that the war has caused. He noticed an increase in the
amount of slaves, particularly those who were captured as prisoners
of war. Because of all of these new slaves being brought into Rome,
there is a cultural phenomenon occurring – Rome is being more
culturally diversified. Since there is an increase in the amount of
slaves and manpower, there is also an increase in the size of farms.
There is increasing hostility between the rich and poor of Rome,
making Marcus Julius uncomfortable and wondering where the next few
years will lead him...
