Ashley Lewis
6236491
Assignment 7
Entertainment/Leisure
The birds chirped erratically as the swooped over the
sizeable residences of the Palatine Hill. Caepio turned over in his bed,
shielding himself from the light that pierced through his window. He could
already hear the gentle clattering of wooden swords below him as his gladiators
were resuming their morning training under the prying eye of the doctore.
Caepio felt a prod at his side and groaned like a lion awakening from his
slumber.
“We must leave
within the hour if we are to get good seats” demanded Clodia, as she hurried
into the adjacent bathroom.
“Seats for what?”
Caepio called after her, still half-asleep.
“Today is the 15th
of February…Lupercalia!” replied his wife. “Jupiter knows this family needs to
attest to our sins. Luckily the beginning of the ceremony is at the bottom of
the Palatine, at the cave but we must hurry; the chariot racing and other
festivities commence at noon and then we are to see the play of Terence in the
evening. Luckily the beginning of the ceremony is at the bottom of the
Palatine, at the cave Apparently he has comprised a new mime, which I for one
am very excited to see after his last triumph. Everyone thinks Plautus to be
the better playwright but for me Terence will always be number one.” Clodia
rambled on.
“Fine, fine, I will
ready myself. I will be down in ten minutes.
Caepio stumbled down the stairs to the large atrium where
Clodia, his two daughters and Varro (his most trusted slave) were waiting for
him. They left the house and headed down the pebbled road that curled around
the Palatine hill. As they got to a lower elevation Caepio could see the
processions beginning to line the streets and crowds swell on either side. Everyone
wore white. This was to symbolize the people of Rome washing away and repenting
their sins that they had gained over the year. Caepio sighed; he always saw
this holiday as somewhat of a farce, worshipping old legends of the she-wolf,
having he had to hide this from his wife who found it deeply important,
especially as this holiday also related to the Goddess of fertility as she was
trying for her third child…
