Celebration of the Armilustrium

**Pontifex Maximus** · October 26, 2012, 04:17 PM

The Pontifex Maximus called for the Armilustrium to celebrate the end of the campaigning season. As all the soldiers engaged in the battle against the Volsci had returned, it was time for the ritualistic purification of their weapons and the storing of weapons for winter. As custom dictated, all those who took part in the battles of the past year are compelled to attend and meet in the Campus Martius, where the matrons of Rome will wreathe them in flowers. After this initial lauding, trempets will sound the procession to the Aventine Hill, where sacrificial animals will be offered and the ritual cleansing will be completed. The excess meat will then be given to the city's poor.

The Pontifex Maximus, Tiberius Aemelius Mamercus, arrives at the Campus Martius dressed in his priestly garb. he is not attended by lictors and moves freely among the crowd.

**tyboman** · October 26, 2012, 10:35 PM

Titus Caecus Servius arrives for the ceremony, he moves through the crowd, greeting those men from his Ostian Century as he sees them.

**Sonke** · October 27, 2012, 08:10 AM

Marcus Sempronius Lucullus arrives for the ceremony

**Rhapture** · October 27, 2012, 12:32 PM

Valerius attends the ceremony wearing his Aedile's toga.

**Pontifex Maximus** · October 28, 2012, 09:54 AM

Tiberius descends the dais and finds Valerius among the throng

It would appear that most have chosen not to participate...such flagrant disregard for tradition is a stain on Roman honor.

**Pinkerton** · October 28, 2012, 10:02 AM

Tullius arrived, he had fought bravely in the battle against the Volsci

**The Stig** · October 28, 2012, 08:58 PM

Although Sextus had not been present at the battle, he still wished to show some support for Roman steel. To this end, he made his way to the ceremony, hoping to curry favor with the newly released levy.

**Gandalfus** · October 29, 2012, 04:02 AM

Lucius arrives anyway.

**Okmin** · October 29, 2012, 10:18 AM

Marcus Licinius arrives a bit late.

**Lucius Malfoy** · October 29, 2012, 10:32 AM

Lucius arrives for the celebration

**Pontifex Maximus** · October 29, 2012, 02:07 PM

Tiberius began the ceremony as a troop of soldiers escorting a line of bulls made its way into the Campus Martius. The animals were quite docile, a good omen from sacrificial animals. Finally he turned to face the crowd to deliver a short address.

"Once again the gods have shown us the path to victory against the Volsci, and once again we must cleanse our sons of gore that is offensive to the gods of the city. The city must remain a bastion of peace, and it is good that wars occur outside its borders. It is necessary to cleanse our weapons and to hang up our swords and armor as the winter season approaches. We will not hold another levy until the spring, at which time our weapons shall once again be drawn against our attackers, but blessed by the gods. The gods of war must be appeased by this ritual. Now we shall take time to wash the blades blood was drawn with in the fountains of the city before we sit down to eat and celebrate Rome's victory in the streets."

Tiberius descended the dais and began walking in the direction of his house were a large table had been erected in front. As he had not participated in the battles, he need not cleanse himself or ritually store his weapons.