Chapter 5: Cemetery of the Temple of War God (Part 1)
"How have I ever failed you to make me so poor?" A widower in ancient Egypt cried in front of his dead wife's grave. Ancient residents believed that dead relatives could act as "arbitrators" between the two worlds.
————————————————————————————————
"Oh, you said this is how you fought in Gaul? When surrounded, all the soldiers had to stand back to back and use shields to resist the swords and swords of the barbarians?" In the reception room of the courtyard, there are shells inlaid. , fish bones and other pink walls, Atiya's eyes widened, and she sat on the couch opposite the guardian with great interest. While drinking pomegranate wine, she listened carefully to the talkative and handsome guest talking about various aspects. anecdotes.
This was a breath of fresh air that she had not seen in her house for a long time. After her husband passed away, due to her status, she rarely attended gatherings among Roman noble ladies. And because her husband was only a knight during his lifetime, there were no prominent figures to pay him respects. Therefore, in the City of Seven Hills, Here, she was just a closed wealthy widow. She was originally waiting for her uncle to come back from Gaul and arrange a new and decent marriage for her. But who would have thought that her uncle, who was the patriarch of the clan, would arrange for her and her child with a piece of paper. Got a guardian.
At that time, Atia was still wildly thinking about whether this young guardian in his early thirties would be like the usual Roman nobles, with the same short wavy hair, wearing a light-colored cloth robe, and sometimes using a pretentious Greek expression. He speaks with a strong accent, sometimes mixed with crude Latin, thinks about honor and official position all day long, looks down on women, and will beat and execute domestic slaves at will. My biggest hobby at home is not having sex with my wife. Instead, he stood blankly in the yard. Scatter millet to feed the chickens.
But when Lepidus appeared in front of her, it was like a surprise for her. He had soft and smooth oriental black hair, and his words were neither humble nor overbearing. He was concise and contagious. He was indeed a hero who had returned from the battlefield and a foreign country, but he had nothing to do with it. Those centurions and big-headed soldiers were so arrogant and rude that they remained polite when talking to anyone. But this kind of politeness is not the kind of generality. When the slave hands over the dining utensils, his thanks are short and powerful. When you talk to him, his eyes always look directly at you gently and sincerely, without any intention of flattery or seduction. Inside, people feel very comfortable. "No wonder the Cato family is so disgusted with foreigners. Rather than hating such people, they are more afraid." This was Attia's final conclusion.
Even if he is talking about the craftsmen in Thebes, Egypt. How to make bow and arrow tails is much more interesting than those politicians shouting on the stage.
"You were actually exiled before. And you came back to Rome without permission?" When Atia finally heard this topic, she covered her mouth with her hands in surprise and excitement. To be honest, her judgment of the Centurion had always been unreliable. She is ignorant and does not know the past of this guardian, but now her mood is that she is actually interviewing a very charming exile. The identity of this "exile" may make other women afraid, but for the encounter, For Atiya, who is curious about everything, this is actually a plus.
"Yes, I risked my life just to correct the unfair treatment of my patron by law and politics, even if it cost me death in Rome." The other party's awe-inspiring answer moved Attia even more. At this time, a colorful The little ball waded across the floor of the living room, and Gululu touched Lepidah's feet. Then he saw, on the porch, a child with light yellow hair, a gold dolphin hanging around his neck, standing very reservedly. Looking at his mother and the guests, but before his mother could say anything, he politely saluted Lepidus, then stepped forward and leaned over to pick up the ball, saluted Lepidus again, and then took steps that few children of this age have. Although his steps were weak but very regular, he once again walked into the courtyard accompanied by his slaves.
"He is an overly reassuring child. He is different from the children of ordinary Roman citizens. He does not go to the streets to play with other children, nor does he like wooden horses and wooden swords. He is frail and sick, but he continues to grow up effectively. , On weekdays, he only likes to read some simple books in the study, or play Egyptian chess with his sister." Atia looked at the thin back of her son Turinus and commented with some sadness, Lepidus just smiled. He smiled and thought to himself, "Maybe you don't know yet that Turinus will become the Holy Augustus in the future, but it doesn't matter. The people who understand children the least in the world are often their parents."
"Oh, you just mentioned your wish to return to the city of Rome this time. Is there anything the Gaius Octavian family can do to help you? If there is a shortage of money, please don't hesitate to ask and I will give you the money. The slaves can collect and withdraw money at any time." Attiya said cheerfully.
No, no money is needed. Lepidus hurriedly explained that at the Temple of War, there will be a ceremony attended by all the citizens of Rome. According to tradition, your family needs to send men to participate.
Attia pondered and said with a hesitant tone, my family no longer has a male who can serve as a priest. Gaius has other branches of the family, you should understand.
"I don't want to be a priest. Just let me blend into the team. I promise I won't bring trouble to your family." Lepidus said with a serious expression. Atiya covered her mouth and smiled. She agreed to the guardian's request without any hesitation. Moreover, Roman law stipulated that the life safety of exiles was not guaranteed after returning to the state on their own, but it never said that people had the obligation to take their lives. In fact, the act of asylum always existed and was rarely met with severe accountability.
"Then I'll take my leave, noble lady. I'm very happy for your hospitality, but I can't stay here for long for the sake of your family's reputation. I just hope that the years will pass quickly and I can see the day when my daughter Corinna and Turinus get married." Lepidus also stood up respectfully and said goodbye to Atiya cordially.
On the morning of the festival, when the temple's deacon slaves began to clean up the square and the parade ground in groups of three or four, they suddenly found that the "audience" had arrived in the dim light under the morning star. About a dozen strong men wearing black cloaks sat on the edge of the fence and the podium, motionless, with fierce eyes. The slaves did not dare to say much. After completing the task, they hid in the courtyard of the temple.
At the first daylight hour in the morning, the temporary priest team composed of male members of the Gaius family entered the square altar one after another. Lepidus became a slave carrying the holy vessel behind him. He followed closely and began to sacrifice the half-cooked viscera of the cow under the guidance of the professional priest of the Temple of War. The surrounding area was full of devout citizens watching.
When the priests began to sing in unison about the legend of half-cooked beef offal and asked the god of war to bless the Romans' martial spirit, a riot broke out at the other end of the square. A group of noble youths came over here, shouting slogans and carrying someone's coffin! (To be continued...)