Assignment 8

There was a sense of uneasiness in the streets of Rome. Atticus had been preaching about the injustices in Roman society so much so that his political movement began to spread in popularity. Nearly everyday for years he preached upon the rostra in the forum Romanum and by doing so gained many followers in his quest to rid Rome of social injustice. With popularity however he also garnered the somewhat unwanted attention of significant political figures, such as Caesar, who seemingly desired to crush the potential threat of rebellion. Caesar had heard of Atticus and his teachings and did not condone the potential overthrow of the social order. Just as Spartacus met his demise, Caesar was planning a similar fate for anyone in support of Atticus and his desire for equality among all of Rome’s inhabitants.

It all happened extremely fast and quite unexpectedly. Atticus was at the forum Boarium when he first heard the news from his close friend Marcus. There had been a bounty put on Atticus’s head and he was to be captured and sent to Caesar immediately! His fate was not clear but Atticus knew he must take action at once if he were to have any chance of fulfilling his goal of social change. He sent Marcus with a message to Cicero that explained the pressing matter of the situation and arranged to meet him that night on the outskirts of the city. Cicero was an extremely valuable accomplice who had significant political clout and power. His distaste with Caesar also served Atticus well as a partner in spurring the rebellion. Atticus could not return home in fear that soldiers would be waiting there for him, so he fled to a mutual friend’s estate where he could take refuge until the night.

By the time night had fallen Rome was abuzz with the newfound decree. The entire city seemed to be in disillusion as Caesar was sending troops to conduct raids on every part of the city in search of Atticus. He had remained hidden and stealthily made his way to the meeting point where Cicero was already waiting. Their plan was hastily constructed due to the surprising nature of Caesar’s aggression but they knew this would be their one chance to finally overthrow the consul himself and usher Rome into a new era of social change. After refining their plan and waiting patiently deep into the night Cicero and Atticus made there way to the secret meeting place, an old abandoned warehouse, where supporters of all social classes had assembled. Although severely underpowered and undermanned the citizens knew the consequences of the actions they were about to commit and devoted themselves fully to the cause of Atticus. As they opened the warehouse doors with torches flaming and spears raised, it seemed the revolution had just begun.

Assignment #8 Conclusion

         The stories of Spartacus, still fresh in Romans’ minds, had planted a seed of an idea in Quintus’ mind years ago that has now sprouted and has taken over his every waking moment.  Now an elderly slave, Quintus reflected on all the years spent serving his master Titus, who thought of him as little more than chattel.  Quintus knew that murdering Titus meant risking the lives of all the other slaves of the household, but with Titus’ outspoken support of Pompey, Quintus realized that he is not the only one who would kill Titus.  During his morning errands in the market at the Forum, he waited for the right moment and, when the shop keeper had his back turned, stole poison from the apothecary.  He made sure no one spotted him as he made his way back up to Palatine Hill, where he knew the household would be preparing for his master’s banquet that evening.              

With the small bottle of poison safely hidden in the folds of his coarse, gray tunic, Quintus crept through the vestibule and grand front door of his master’s stone dwelling.  As he strode through the peristyle courtyard toward the kitchen in the back of the house, he admired the lush garden under the open roof and the elegantly frescoed walls, enjoying saying goodbye to the grand house; he would not miss the walls that had so imprisoned him.  Quintus longed to be free and never confined to servitude again; especially with freedom so close at hand, he could barely contain his excitement.

The kitchen was bustling with cooks and other slaves preparing to serve Titus and his friends, so it was easy for Quintus to creep in unnoticed with the poison hidden in his sleeve.  Quintus followed the line of slaves serving dishes to the reclined guests seated around the table in the dining room.  Quintus couldn’t help but feel his lips slowly curl into a twisted grin as he handed a special dish to Titus, his voice deep and crackling as he murmured “Enjoy your meal, master”.

Resolution

Resolution

Aurelia was sick and tired of the false accusations her father-in-law was making about her. Whenever her husband Appius was off to his senate meetings, he would come home to another new story about what his wife was supposedly “doing” while he was gone. He thought he knew his wife completely, but these stories were starting to take a toll on his life. His wife was an attractive women and he could only imagine the type of attention she received from other people when he was gone.

Aurelia loved her husband dearly, but she also knew that her father-in-law’s stories were starting to get to his head. He seemed to be getting more and more distant from her, and she decided it was time for her to do something about it. She’s talked to her husband plenty of times, but she now knew it was no use.

Aurelia had never felt more alone in the city of Rome. Her husband was always gone, and her father-in-law didn’t think very highly of her. She thought she could begin a new life with Appius. This all changed when she received a message from her long lost sister. She was south of Rome, in the city of Naples. She too had found a new husband and started a family. Aurelia wasn’t sure how to feel, she thought she would never see or hear from her family again. After exchanging a few more messages through a slave that would travel back and forth between the two cities, Aurelia decided it was time to leave Rome.

She waited until Appius left for his next senate meeting, and while everyone was fast asleep, she took only her most cherished belongings and headed to meet the slave which her sister arranged to pick her up. She left a note for her husband to come home to. As she walked through the dark, she took one last look at what had been her home for the past 4 years. She placed her hands on her stomach and thought of her unborn child being sold into slavery. She knew she was making the right decision.

Final Assignment

Classics 80B

Sapir Ohayon

March 9, 2012

Conclusion

                In a long awaited conclusion to the story of Marcus Julius Antonius, his wife, Antonia, his son, Lucius and their slave, Flavius, we tell of the final day of that was mentioned in the last short story.  For a quick recap, we discovered Marcus Julius Antonius’ favorite holiday and that his excitement had been growing and highly anticipated to celebrate it on that day.  However, just as the family had finished a delicious meal cooked by Antonia, they were preparing to leave when suddenly, Antonia’s water broke.

                As the story ended abruptly and leaving readers with a hunger for more, I will now tell you what happened.  Marcus Julius Antonius fled to find a nearby woman who could help Antonia bear her coming child.  The woman who lived next door was the most experienced “wet nurse” that could be found, since everyone was at the festivities in the Roman Forum in the center of town.  However, she had only helped give birth once before and as a young woman, was quite nervous for the experience. 

                Unfortunately, the story does not end well.  As happens in many Roman households, the baby does not always make it at birth.  There wasn’t sterile equipment and people were very inexperienced with handling newborn children.  To Antonia’s grief, her newborn child’s heart had stopped beating.  The family was in mourning and had to learn to cope with their new loss.  Their son, Lucius was overwhelmed with emotion, since this would have been his baby sister.  He had been very excited to see her and was tired of being the only child.  This even moreso ignited his passion and desire to get away from the house and the life of luxury that he considered superficial and fake.  Lucius left the house that evening, and never returned.

Assignment #8

Marcus’s body ached. He had been in the same position for days. He knew that he would die from thirst and starvation today. When he had been lowered into the second lower level of the tullianum, he had immediately fallen into deep despair. The Mamertine prison was usually reserved for famous prisoners.  The fact that he was thrown here meant he posed a great threat to the members of the Senate. What was even worse is that he knew what his fate would be: just like all the Mamertine prisoners, he would be killed via starvation and then flushed out of the Cloaca Maxima. The builders had been wise in connecting the cistern drain to the large sewer. It made flushing out cadavers that much easier.

In the aftermath of Julius Caesar’s death, rumors of a plebian accomplice to Brutus abounded. Some Romans were skeptical – what praetor would stoop low enough to collude with an ordinary pleb? But others were not so sure. Involving a plebian could be a political tool, as if they were saying “we weren’t the only ones who wanted Caesar dead; ordinary citizens like this man did too!” However, the meager justification was not enough for most and Marcus was thankful that no formal investigation was conducted. But once he knew he was safe, his thoughts quickly became enraged. To be used as a tool for evil was more than he could bear. So in order to right the wrong, he hatched a plan to reveal the opulent corruption of the politicos. He took it as a good omen that when he initially thought of the plan, he sneezed right as an eagle passed overhead. He immediately went to then Temple of Jupiter and offered sacrifices in gratitude and for good luck. He also said a prayer to Justitia, asking for her guidance in his righteous endeavor. Little had he known that his plan would backfire, leaving him in the clutches of the corrupt Senate.

A drop of water fell loudly into a small collecting pool nearby, drawing Marcus out of his reverie. He shouldn’t lose focus now since he was so close to death. Marcus had been delirious from dehydration for days. He knew he was close. He wanted to die. It was too painful being alive. Goodbye world, he thought. Salve, Hades.

Assignment #8 Climax

Jeremy Herman

3/9/12

Assignment #8

                As the boat slowly approached the dock in Athens Triarius was getting antsier and antsier, he soon would be getting off the boat and hopefully finding his wife within the borders of Athens.  He did not know what to expect nor how to locate her in this foreign city which he had few connections, unlike Rome, and had only word from his friend Cicero that she was somewhere in Athens probably close to the port.   This is where his search began.  He started by going around to the shops in the port district, luckily knowing a little bit of Greek, asking if they had seen a tall tan women with green eyes and long brown hair.  However, the most common response would either be “no” or “yeah I see women like that all the time.” His heart sank at these answers, and after a long day of searching with no reward to be reaped, he decided to sit down and rest as the afternoon was slowly inching its way towards the horizon.  Just as he was drinking his wine and coming to the realization that he may never find his love, he heard a giggle that was unmistakably similar to that of Adela and he turned his head with a jolt. It was her.  However she was not walking alone, therefore Triarius decided to trail to two and followed them all the way to a white house on a quiet street which they both entered. 

Triarius was confused and broken; it did not appear as though she was being held captive rather, she was there by her own will.  This confusion soon turned to anger, and Triarius decided to knock on the door.  “Knock, knock” it was the longest 30 seconds of his life.  Adela opened the door with a drink in hand and upon seeing who was at the door was shocked beyond belief, dropping her drink which broke upon impact with the concrete floor.  No words were exchanged between the two; both knew exactly what the situation was.  Soon a man walked to the door besides Adela, “honey, why did you drop your drink, and who is this man,” and upon hearing that the look on Trarius’s face quickly went from shock to anger.  “Wait I can explain” Adela said “he was my lover before I was married off to you under our arranged marriage.”  Triarius however, now heated with anger as he had been tricked by the woman he loved, grabbed his sword from its sheath and with immediate action pierced through the heart of the man by her side. “You broke my heart, now I break yours.” Adela screamed as the man fell to the floor and the blood trickled down the blood stained floor.  He then grabbed Adela forcefully by the arm and said “you’re coming back to Rome with me.”  Adela, not knowing what to do now that her lover was dead at her feet, obliged Triarius’s request, fearing what he would do if she didn’t.

As the two rode the boat back to Rome, not many words were exchanged.  “What are you going to do with my Triarius?” asked Adela “Don’t worry, you will see.” He answered.  Little did she know many people would see, he was going to make an example of her   Heart Broken, Triarius was filled with anger, Adela stopped loving him, but he would make sure she would never love anything ever again.

Assignment #8

Claudius awoke to a noise outside of his hut. It was barely daylight and he was surprised because it was not a very loud one, but it sounded like someone was outside. Since it was so unexpected he had a moment of fear, wondering if he had any enemies who might want to sneak up on him. He quietly got up from his bed and crept towards the doorway. He decided he would get the upper hand by surprising him instead so he thrust open the door and knocked into the beautiful girl he had seen at the Forum. "What are you doing here?" he asked her. She looked extremely shocked and upset, and so he softened his face to let her know he was not angry. "You just startled me" he said, "I'm happy to see you though". She smiled a little, but still looked very shy and apologetic. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I heard this was where you lived, and I am on an errand for my master so I stopped by to see if you were here". The boldness of her action was so unexpected and pleasing that he blushed a little bit too. "I am very glad you did" he told her, "I didn't know how to find you, but I have been thinking of you ever since I first saw you". For the first time, Claudius thought he might understand the concept of love at first sight. He motioned for her to follow him, and they walked down the Palatine Hill together hand in hand. This was the first time since his daughter had died that he could remember being happy. He began to think of how he would break the news to his friends and family, since her status as a plebe was so controversial to his political ambitions. That was not what he wanted to dwell on thought, and he concentrated on enjoying the moment with the girl he now knew he loved.

Spurius final chapter

Spurius and Gaulia lay huddled together beneath a tarp in the back of a wagon. They were headed out of Rome, to be smuggled by ship to southern Gaul. Both Fulvia and Cicero had alerted the guards that he would be leaving the city with a runaway slave, but at the moment the guards, and most of Rome, were focused on something entirely different.

            Spurius could hear their shouts even over the rumbling of the cart along cobblestone. “People of Rome, we are once again free!” they chanted. So they had really done it, Spurius thought sadly. Mark Antony must have arrived too late to stop the assassination. The shouts of the Liberators grew faint as the cart wound it’s way to the river, but the effect of their voices seemed to have spread. Spurius risked a peek out from under the edge of the tarp and saw that the streets were almost entirely deserted. The few people who were out were hurrying quickly home or were whispering to one another with nervous looks on their faces.

            He lowered the tarp and turned to Gaulia, pulling her close to him. She buried her head in his chest and began to sob softly; it seemed the emotion and violence of the last twenty-four hours had finally caught up to her.  

            “Don’t worry, we’re free from it now,” said Spurius soothingly. “We’re going to leave this city and it’s problems behind us and start a new life together.”

            He looked out from under the tarp again and saw that the streets were now completely empty. Even the beggars seemed to have hidden themselves out of site. This did not bode well for the Liberators, who had expected to be welcomed by the citizens of Rome as heroes. Spurius believed that great changes were about to be effected in Rome, and none of them would come about peacefully.

            Spurius held Gaulia tight as they passed over the Tiber and out of Rome. He breathed a sigh of relief that they were finally on their way to true freedom in the West. 

assignment 8

Marius and Antonia have snuck away to her house together after the chariot races. They figured that everyone would be busy feasting and enjoying other entertainments, and the household slaves were gone, so the house was theirs for a while. They talked about their future together, about how they wanted to run away from Rome, to some place where no one knew who they were. Time passed, the sun began its descent across the sky and the two lovers fell asleep in each other’s arms.

            Marius and Antonia were shaken awake by Julia, Antonia’s sister. Julia had a panicked look on her face and she quickly spoke, “Someone has told father about you and the slave Marius. He is furious, Antonia. He is downstairs waiting for you and he knows that Marius is here.”

            Antonia’s heart was pumping furiously. “We have to get Marius, out of here! Father will have him killed!” She hugged Marius and whispered urgently “You must climb out the window, go back to your master and pretend you were never here.”

            Marius looked at Antonia solemnly, his eyes somber. “We cannot hide anymore, Antonia. I will tell your father what has been occurring between us. We cannot lie. Maybe if he sees how much I love you….”

            “Yes, maybe,” Antonia replied carefully. She looked to her sister for support, but her sister cast her eyes away. Antonia knew that she and Marius were alone at that moment. She knew that her family would not support her decision to be with Marius, they would not understand why she wouldn’t want to marry Demetrius as her father wished. But she knew that she could not continue living this way. She had to let her father know, let her family know what she truly felt.

            Antonia stood and reached a hand out to Marius. He took and rose, standing to face her. “It is time,” she said softly. Marius nodded once, a reassuring smile appearing briefly. Together they turned to leave the room, walk down the hall and face their destiny.

Roman Climax

Servius and Adelia knew that their time had come.  As dawn broke on the fateful morning of March 15, 44 BCE, the two slaves were fully awake, adrenaline coursing through their veins.  Holding Adelia with a conviction he had never known, Servius felt his dreams of freedom on the cusp of fruition.  Adelia, his love, was the catalyst, spurring these emotions that Servius never knew he possessed. 

            “You heard the meeting last night Servius,” stated Adelia.  “The deed is to take place at between ten and eleven am, just down the hill at the Theater of Pompee.  We cannot make our escape unless we know the murder has been completed.”  With their modest knapsacks at their sides, holding the few belongings that they possessed, the slaves headed toward the Campus Martius, putting themselves in position to witness what promised to be the cruelest of treachery.

            No more than a couple hours passed before Servius and Adelia situated themselves in around the Campus Martius.  The beautiful gardens and fountains of this public square seemed out of place when considering the violence that was to come.  Waiting patiently, they looked for telling signs that the murder was close.  Servius spotted the first one.

            “Gladiators, Adelia!  Gladiators!  It is too bad that they will not have a chance to fight!  They are only a farce, an elaborate trick.  Your master is could be as smart as he is treacherous.”  Servius’s heart pounded.  It was the first time that he had truly comprehended his witnessing of something of such magnitude, such consequence.  Servius heard Adelia’s breath quicken.

            “There he is!” she said, trying not to speak too loudly.  “Caesar is here! Oh what a fate awaits him!”  Met by a senator that neither slave could name, he was led into a room adjoining the east portico of the Theater of Pompee.  Shortly thereafter, upwards of 50 senators appeared as well, grave expressions presenting themselves with ubiquity. 

            “There’s Servillius Casca,” exclaimed Adelia once more.  “He attended every meeting that we witnessed.”  The senators waited outside theater, as Casca entered.  Five tense minutes passed before a yell from within stirred the blood of both the slaves.

            “Why, this is violence!” cried a voice that was unmistakably Caesar’s.  Shortly thereafter, another shout echoed across the Campus Martius.  “Help, Brother!”  The senators pulled out their daggers and rushed into the theater.  Servius and Adelia knew that Caesar stood no chance.  He had been ambushed, just as the senators had planned.  With an assurance of what was to be ensuing chaos, the two slaves gazed at each other and shared a kiss. 

            “Time is of the essence, Adelia.  We must go now, if ever.”  With a life of freedom awaiting them, the fugitive lovers set off, leaving behind their lives of servitude, and an assassination for the ages.

Resolution

It took Appius a while to let go of the fear and anxiety that accompanied him during the fall out from Caesars assassination. However it was not just him that felt this way. It seemed as if the entire city of Rome was waiting for something to happen, or for somebody to take over. Immediately after Caesar’s death it appeared that the republic would regain the power that it once had. However, many of the major conspirators involved in the assassination were relocated to govern outside legions for their own protection. For instance Brutus (the symbolic leader of the conspiracy) was appointed to Crete and Cassius (the driving force behind the plot) was given Africa. This left a perfect position for somebody to step in and take control.

            It was the day of Caesar’s funeral and Marcus Antonius was to give the eulogy. Appius had heard that many citizens believed that Antony would step in and be the new great ruler of Rome. As Appius made his way to the front of the crowd he saw Roman citizens crying as Antony described the great power as well as treasures that Caesar had brought to Rome. Antony described Caesar’s kindness as well as forgiving nature. Antony mentioned how sad it was that Caesar forbade any citizen from killing his personal enemy yet was ultimately destined for that himself. As Appius looked up he saw the bloody robe that Caesar had been wearing the day of his assassination. The blood along with the tears in the garment showed the merciless way that the senators took the life of Caesar. This evoked anger inside Appius that he had never felt before. He then heard Antony’s call to action. Antony demanded that revenge be taken; he wanted to see the contributing senator’s suffer for what they had done. As Caesar’s body burned on the pyre, Appius grabbed one of the torches. He was accompanied by what seemed like every citizen of Rome as the planned to burn down the houses of the conspirators and force them out of Rome.

Assignment 8- The resolution

The Resolution

As Clodia and her brothers returned home from the circus, Clodia has never felt more adrenaline and excitement in her life.  Their Father Lucius has not yet returned home, so the Clodia and her brothers prepared themselves for bed. As Clodia was lying down, she was reminiscing about all the activity she saw at the circus. She thought about not only the glorious animal shows and gladiators, she was remembering the people that filled the Circus Maximus, she thought about their freedom.  Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by her father, barging into their home. Lucius seemed very frantic and panicked. Clodia did not notify her father that she was still awake, but pretended to be asleep. Clodia knew something was wrong, but her night went so well she did not want anything to ruin it.

The next morning, Clodia woke up and was preparing to begin her daily chores, until she noticed her master has finally left Rome. His home was empty, which only meant that Clodia and her family were finally free people. Clodia then runs as fast as she can back to her hut to confirm the news with her father and develop a plan on what will happen next for them.  When Clodia gets to her father, Lucius is sitting down with a very sadden look on his face. Clodia knew something was wrong, and she had a good idea of what it was.

Lucius explained to Clodia that the master has left Rome, and has granted them their freedom. However, because Lucius did not have very much to support his family, he made the very hard decision to sell back Clodia into slavery.  Clodia’s wall came crashing down when she heard what her father has done to her. Clodia decided not to take what her father has done to her and to take her life into her own hands. Clodia explained to her father that she will not go back into slavery. Lucius distraught about his decision listened to his only daughter. Although arrangements already made for Clodia to have a new master, Clodia explained to Lucius that she is to leave Rome and begin a new free life. Lucius did not argue with his daughter, he only packed his things and followed her.