Thermae Romae

[Crozimodo]

Thermae Romae



Whether to relax, or find someone to talk politics with, the Roman baths are much more than just a place to wash, deals have been decided in these walls, wars started and concluded, marriages made, indeed almost all aspects of Roman life can be bartered and discussed in these baths, few things that occur here haven't been witnessed before.

[Maiar93]

Flavius jumped into the steaming baths. He wants to relax after the exhausting term as a Praetor, but a little chat wouldn't hurt too.

[Merula]

Marcus notices Corvenus enter the baths, and swims across to greet the man,

Ave Praetor! A good year was it not?

Smiling,

Oh and i must say now gave you my support for your position as Consul, friends should help each other as you know and i gave my word on our friendship.

[Maiar93]

Flavius answers in a light tone:

Yes, i knew you would. I knew that you are a man of your word since we met. It's a shame you didn't nominate on any office, tell me do you have any plans for that in the future?

Flavius said in a tone which he hoped would be helpful and interested.

[Kubrick]

Marcus Sempronius enters the bathhouse and passes by the Senators.

'Salvé Senators, a good day for a bath, isn't it?'

He then goes down into the bath and sighs. Over thinking the past year. A good year for a first year, and with the current standings he had become Quaestor for the next term without even campaigning. He only left his villa for leisure strolls and hours in the Curia.

[Merula]

Salve Sophus, come, Corvenus and myself were just about to talk about the year in politics, an interesting topic for interesting times!

He turns back to Corvenus,

To answer your question my friend I did not nominate for an office because the only office i could possibly win would be Tribunis Plebis, and Lepidus is running for that! Ha, no i will bide my time, there is much yet to do before i look to a office, a tree must have roots you know!

And well done Sophus on picking the perfect position to run for, i don't know why any self respecting Senator would vote for that Caldius to look after our money! he laughs...

[Kubrick]

Marcus laughed, the man was right. Quaestor was an easy spot to win with Caldius as opponent.

'Well yes, as so many plebeians it is my vision to become part of the Tribune but I have to support my friend Imperious. Who sadly has to battle Lepidus. But they are quite neck on neck though. But well, I mostly picked Quaestor because it fits me, coins make a Sophus.'

[Maiar93]

Corvenus turned to Sophus, 'clearly the best man for the office' he thought.

I rejoice that you were elected as Quaestor. With such a financial expert as you as the office-holder, our finances will prosper! Let you know, i voted for you. I could not vote for Imperious as i wished, poor man, having to face Lepidus in the elections.

He continued,

If you are interested in some news of my plans, yes, i do intend to capture Bononia myself. Yet i have taken the little advice i've got, and decided to leave the cavalry out. Would they have much of use, anyways...

But what about you? How are your family and friends? What are the recent news the plebeians speak of? Feeling comfortable in the pool, he let his tongue loose and spoke maybe too much, bah, what did he care. Maybe he was too light-hearted, when in such a serious place as the Senate and politics.

[Kubrick]

Marcus smiled and kept silence for a while, flattering usually makes a Sophus uncomfortable, this moment being no exception.

'I shall do my utter best to fill the coffers. In these times the state needs money, and it needs a lot of it.' Corvenus intention to lead the legion himself did not surprise Marcus, true politicians take every chance for glory, this young lad was no exception. Battles he had seen plenty in his time but not sieges. Sieges where tricky, it required the utmost of both parties. 'With sieges I can not give you much advice, though I admire your will to lead the battle yourself. All I can say is that it would be wise to keep the Triarii near the rest of the infantry, with battles like these it can go wrong pretty fast.'

'As for my family, my wife is doing splendid. Although we do not spend as much time together as we used to do. The Curia takes many hours from my life.' Marcus thought about his sons, he had not heard much from them, only a letter from Tarentum. But that was months ago. 'As for my sons, I am certain both Gaius and Publius are doing fine in the army. Maybe you will even meet them at Bononia.' Marcus smiled after saying this, he knew how ambitious his firstborn was. He would take any chance to impress the Consul if he could.

'The plebeians.. What I hear on the market from old friends is that they rejoice at the defeat of the Epirotes and the rebellious legion. But you know the masses, within a few months they don't even remember Pyrrhos.' Marcus shook his head, there was a reason why some plebeians remained poor.

He did not even mind this man's loose tongue, what a refreshment in contrast to the Curia where everyone spoke in such official manners. He enjoyed the water, a perfect temperature. Great with this weather.

[Jingo Eugene]

Senator Crispus enters the thermae and takes a seat near the other senators, listening casually but intently.

[Merula]

The bath was so pleasant that Marcus had nearly lost conciousness, just willing to let the water take him to sleep, but he became interested again after Sophus told about his children,

You have boys in the army Sophus? I too have my only boy, also named Gaius serving in Legio I, he was there when they took Taras and Rhegium, maybe they know each other?

What positions do your sons have, are they Tribunes or did they run away like mine did and join the Miles! He laughs bitterely, but he has made his peace with me now, and apparently is also making quite a name for himself i believe...

[Kubrick]

He looked at Merula. 'Both tribunes, they make me very proud. My firstborn is a tribune in Legio I so perhaps they do know eachother, he works closely with the troops in the first line. The young Hastati.'

Marcus nodded at the newcomer 'Welcome, also coming for some relaxation?'

[Maiar93]

Flavius looked at Sophus, the lucky old man.

I am happy for you, you have two sons serving in the army. I will show them favour if i happen to meet them. Me, on the other hand, have nothing that could resemble me of a family... well, if you don't count my cousin, who's a drunk on the streets.

He turned to Crispus

Welcome Crispus, come on, sit with us and join our chat. We were just talking about our families: how is your family?

[Jingo Eugene]

Cripsus nods to the other senators and sits down.

"My family is well, two of my boys have just joined the army. So I am proud and worried. My wife on the otherhand was distraught to hear about it." He chuckled, "I only managed today to assure her that they wouldn't be sent anywhere quite yet."

[Kubrick]

Marcus nods in agreement.

'I know the feeling very well, the burning pride that your own sons are doing their duty but at the same time that feeling that they might get hurt. But, they are old enough and probably more man then their old father, face it we are not the youngest anymore, so I'm sure they can look after themselves. It's what they train them for, innit?'

[Jingo Eugene]

"Yes, without a doubt. To be honest, I am just as worried for their peers as I am for them. They are well disciplined boys, but they still cling onto some boyish behavior. Namely arguing with one another over the silliest things. But they will do fine. Just paranoia I guess." He said with another chuckle,

[Maiar93]

Flavius came for one last relaxing bath. He was seeking for relaxation, as his last term was so exhausting.

He said aloud: Of all the things man has to face for his country.. i got this.

[Kubrick]

Marcus had been sleeping, the quiet dripping of water on marble and the pleasant temperature where the cause of that. He was sitting on the edge of the bath, leaning against a marble pillar with his legs in the water. Just out of sight for people who walked in and took a bath. The entering of Corvenus however, had awoken him.

As he heard Corvenus splashing in the water he spoke.
'Perhaps your quest for glory was not appreciated.'

[Scottish King]

It had been a long day for Decimus and he couldn't wait to take a bath. But he was also here for other reasons. He had heard that senators frequented this bath and this would be his opportunity to meet some of them and perhaps persuade one to sponsor him. As he slipped in the bath, Decimus saw one man who he had heard to be senator but he was engaged in conversation with another.

Oh well, Decimus thought and closed his eyes to enjoy his bath.

[Kubrick]

Marcus watched the man walk in the bathhouse, a new face. He inspected him, he had seen a battle and not just one, looked healthy, not particularly rich. But then again, clothing does not say much. Marcus his clothing was always a bit humble compared to some other people who didn't even match his own wealth by far. The man didn't greet them, nor paid attention to them. Rude. This was a friendly place after all.

He coughed and shouted across the bath.
'Greetings, I haven't seen you here before. Let me introduce myself, Marcus Sempronius Sophus. Senator of Rome. Who do I have the honour with?'