Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
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Sara
About Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
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Senator
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Matthew Goode
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Location
Rome
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Face Claim
Matthew Goode -
Location
Rome
Recent Posts
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Atatinus had no doubt that the little blonde haired imp was lying. He had a natural suspicion of most people, but with her big blue eyes and curious expression, this one most definitely warranted it. Still, all things considered, this was not an argument he wanted to be having. It was ridiculous and he felt embarrassment creep through his body like a an ivy vine.
Gessilla looked momentarily confused, as if she was struggling for words. She was a naturally quiet child (or she had been made into one), but this dumfounded silence was a stretch even for her. Diplomatically, she finally spoke: "I...I don't think I said that, b-but it's fine." The little girl swallowed and Lucius felt the tension in the air and his little one's body even at the words, "Can we go get it now? And maybe we play?" Gessilla asked nobody in particular, and Lucius waved his hand as if to allow it.
The nurse dutifully held out her hand for the little girl to take and follow the lead of Valeriana, who seems slightly peeved at the whole situation. Lucius turned and arched a brow at Titus, a light smirk on his lips. "Girls, eh?" He shrugged, "Lets hope they grow out of such petty squabbles by the time they're women." He'd known too many women who never shook off the naivety and foolishness of girlhood and carried it with them in their adult lives in giggles and melodrama. He wanted none of that for his daughters.
"She's your only daughter?"
TAG: @Liv
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Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
. senator .
. current .
A Game of Chance - Mid December 75AD - Lucius & Marcus
Lucius plays a game with Marcus Barbatius
A Little Thief - Early January 76AD - Lucius & Titus
Lucius hunts out a stolen necklace from his daughter at an old foes house
(2)
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"No offence taken, slaves will be slaves." He smiled blandly and followed his host to a set of sofas, reclining on one. Every inch the little Roman matron, Gessilla moved to sit next to her papa with practiced grace that really was more unnerving that anything in a six year old. Such was the household that he kept, alas. "Probably around that time." He shrugged limply and sipped at his wine. There was no need to down it like an oaf, he had manners. "Her mother is her mother," He managed a wry smile - maybe trying to find some common ground although he'd heard Titus was happily married, Lucius was dubious that the institution of marriage could ever really be happy, "We divorced some time ago. But my children are well thank you and I-" was interrupted.
The little girl was all boundless energy and silly, gummy smiles. He had no patience for it, not really - but he wasn't a man of stone and could see how much Titus cared for his offspring judging by the way he caressed her head softly. He felt similarly for his own children, of course, he wasn't a monster, but love and discipline should go hand in hand. Evidently they did not in this household, judging by Valeriana's actions.
"I haven't had the pleasure." He commented with a hint of amusement and without prompting Gessilla greeted her playmate with an animated smile (finally) and a timid: "Hello Val-Valeriana." He reclined back on the sofa, that self-satisfied smile seeping into his features try as he might to keep it at bay. "We were just discussing the day you had yesterday, at the Gardens of Sallust, Valeriana." He arched a brow at Titus, enquiring in a glance, whether he wanted to broach the topic with his daughter or would let Lucius do the honours. He rather hoped it'd be the former, he had no taste for disciplining the unruly children of past acquaintances.
TAG: @Liv
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"Ahhh," Lucius said in his low voice, a smile gracing his lips as he flicked his eyes over the man. "A barber, my apologies. You do get all sorts out at this time of the night, I meant no offence." Had he meant no offence? He wasn't entirely sure. He wasn't drunk by any means but he had the warm glow of a man who'd had a few cups of wine and won well on the tables, and his mouth had gotten the better of his brain for a moment.
The way the man spoke, and the ways those odd eyes darted over him made Lucius sit up a little straighter. How odd this one was. "Sometimes," He said nonchalantly in answer to his question, "When I'm in the right mood and right festival of course, I don't want to be breaking any laws doing it for fun out of festival season." He chuckled. How utterly ludicrous the law was in this respect, he thought again, that a man can't even bet his own money without breaking some statute somewhere. "Why?" He queried and arched a brow, studying the other man as intently as the look he himself was receiving, "Fancy a game?"
TAG: @Atrice
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Well, at least the man had manners Lucius thought as the slave hurriedly brought out some refreshments. He took his cup with no thanks and offered a gracious smile to his host. Lucius wasted no time in allowing Gessilla to explain - she would have done so with a thousand 'ummms' and 'ahhhs' and it would have been painful. Judging by the slightly confused look Titus was giving him, the man wanted an explanation just as much as Lucius himself and there was no point relying on the story telling capabilities of a six year old. "My daughter was at the Gardens of Sallust yesterday with her nurse," He cast a flippant hand over his shoulder, gesturing to the slave girl that accompanied his child, "And I understand she happened across your own charming daughter, your youngest." He kept the polite smile on his face as she spoke although was growing increasingly irritated that his host hadn't offered him a seat. Manners cost nothing.
"And my daughter happened to have a silly little token, a necklace from her mother, which your youngest took a shine to and..." He tilted his head to the side, trying to phrase his words diplomatically, "Requested it for herself. Gessilla foolishly handed it over, expecting it back but alas...your daughter took flight and now it's in her possession." He laughed, as if lamenting the foolishness of girls and children both.
Taking another measured sip of his drink, he shrugged his shoulders - the folds of his pallium slipping ever so slightly. "It's nonsense really, but Gessilla's mother will be full of fury if the gift isn't returned, and I understand one of your slaves was...less than helpful when one of mine visited yesterday to retrieve it. Of course, it's not really a matter worthy of either of us but I thought I'd bring Gessilla herself to make amends with your daughter," He gestured to his youngest behind him who stared unblinkingly at Titus in the way that all young-children do, "And it's been too long since I last saw you Titus. What, it's got to be a few years at least - besides those dreadfully dull parties we all seem to frequent."
TAG: @Liv
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Early January, 76AD
Lucius glanced over his shoulder at his daughter, gripping tightly to the hand of her slave, "Keep up." He ordered with the authority of a man speaking to the senate rather than a six year old girl. Gessilla hurried her pace as much as she could, as did the slave and Lucius flicked his head back around to in front of him, eyes scanning the almost-deserted streets. It was barely afternoon but nobody was about, odd. Then again, this high up the Quirinal, there were sparse few shops and eateries - only the domains of the uber-wealthy. It was also bloody miles from anywhere interesting which explained the distinct lack of plebs that usually could be found crowding the streets.
It had been a short walk over from the Viminal where he lived, but it seemed like it had taken hours with his youngest daughter in tow. Gessilla had been adamant that she didn't want any trouble, and that she didn't even like the ornate shell necklace the other little girl had taken from her. Lucius didn't care given it had been a gift from Gessilla's mother - Lucius' ex-wife - and he wasn't going to become embroiled in another argument with the harpy because his daughter had been careless or foolish enough to give away a family gift. But unfortunately for the little girl, whose father he was striding up the street to see, he was now in a foul mood. He'd sent a slave over to the domus of Titus Sulpicius Rufus to claim back the lost shell necklace only for said slave to be turned away by one of Titus' own. Lucius' boy had been clear that the foreign slave in Titus' household (description - tall, scrawny, haughty, definitely not Italian) wouldn't even admit him, and reiterated that whatever the little domina had taken from Lucius' daughter was now the little domina's to keep.
Slaves! Lucius was exasperated. He'd now had to take time out of his day to come all the way over here for what? A bloody, stupid necklace - gifted by one bitch and refused to be returned by another. It was enough to make him want to pull out his hair.
Fortunately for Titus, Lucius was a master at schooling his expression and demeanour into something more polite than he felt as he knocked on the main door of the house and was hastily admitted to the atrium. The benefit of dressing finely and not being a slack-jawed slave boy, he supposed. He squinted in the light as he was admitted; it was a grey, drab day and the light in the domus wasn't much better. He could hear Gessilla fidgeting behind him with her nurse and Lucius cast a glance over his shoulder, raising a brow at her. She stopped immediately and stood still, respectfully. Another slave loomed into view and cast the trio a curious glance. "Salve sir, may I help you?" Lucius quirked his eyebrow again and gave the slave an appraising look. Gods, what idiots did he have in this house? Surely he should have fetched his master the moment he heard a Senator was in attendance?
"Yes." He managed neutrally, "Please fetch your dominus and his youngest daughter. Tell him Lucius Sempronius Atratinus is here to reclaim something that his sweet little thief took from my daughter." He said the latter words with a smile, which was sickly sweet.
TAG: @Liv
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December 12th, 75AD
Imagine that - being summoned, somebody like him? Of course the invitation wasn't written as a summons, no no, it was perfectly polite and affable and drafted in a way to make it appear that it was just an opportunity for cousins to 'catch up' after all the trials and tribulations of the last several years. Never mind that they were cousins only by virtue of blood and not friendship - Lucius' mother (Publius' maternal aunt) had died when Publius was only five years old. They'd claimed friendship though, of course, throughout their childhoods but the maternal line and its connection was never as strong as the paternal and Lucius far preferred the nature of his paternal cousins anyhow. Still, family was family, and so he dutifully replied that he'd be delighted to reminisce and attend Publius' domus. He just hoped that none of the other family were in attendance so might have some interesting conversation.
He arrived at the domus at the appointed time and ran a hand through his dark hair, neatening it out. He was dressed finely (and practically given the chill) for the occasion,which he was pleased for as he was ushered into the atrium of the domus by one of the slaves. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dull light, illuminated as it was by torches and the great open portion of the ceiling. It was a little after lunch, and the man's clients had evidently left for the day judging by the sounds of children - or teenagers if his memory served him - filling the place. He hoped they weren't intending to join the conversation, he'd left his own children at home in the care of various slaves. It wasn't fitting to have them present for things such as this, not yet at least for his son.
He blinked, growing irritated at being kept waiting as his host loomed into view. He effected a smile on his face and moved to embrace his cousin, "Publius," He said as he pulled back, eyeing the man carefully. "It's been what? Two, three years perhaps?" He'd been on some sort of military expedition if memory served. "Too long in any regard." He made no comment or platitudes on the house - it was as fine as any other domus in Rome and didn't require any special praise. "Thank you for the invitation, I was surprised but warmed to receive it."
TAG: @Echo
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Lucius flicked his eyes up as a male voice filtered down to him. A man, a good few years younger than himself, dressed cheaply. A pleb most probably - the streets were swarming with them. Still, Lucius was not one for outright displays of disgust and vitriol - he preferred to keep that sort of thing tucked away in the recesses of his mind or the privacy of his domus. "Salve." He said neutrally and gestured at the vacant seat opposite him. Saturnalia had relaxed the boundaries of class and plenty of Senators were wasting the night away in the company of slaves and plebs, Lucius was just one of their number for the evening.
"It depends what sort of company you're offering," He added with a smirk and rolled the dice over his fingers, taking in the measure of the man, "I have no need of your services if you're plying your trade." He commented neutrally. He wasn't one for male liaisons, it had just never appealed to him, but he didn't suspect the man in front of him to be a prostitute. It would have been mighty foolhardy to ply his trade so openly if he was, given how regulated prostitution was in the Empire.
TAG: @Atrice
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December 19th, 75AD
The fact that gambling was banned during the year unless on the festival days proscribed in law baffled Lucius. He supposed he understood it - if he really dredged his mind - from a practical perspective in that it caused no end of temper tantrums amongst the sore losers and those caught cheating, enough drama to entice further violence, but surely the Senate or the Emperor didn't need to legislate to prevent against such inane fighting? Ridiculous, and another facet of life in the city that was too rigorously controlled.
The ability to gamble during Saturnalia - as far as he could see it - was one of the festivals only benefits and as he sat at one of the outdoor seats, throwing his dice in the Game of Twelve1 he was currently enjoying, he managed a rare, rueful smile. He'd not really celebrated the previous two nights, aside from ordering his half-sister and son to prepare some meagre meal for the slaves on the first night. He'd shuttered himself away in his room for the rest of the evening and let them have their fun, whilst he stewed in his own melancholy. When all was said and done, he was rather proud he'd only yelled at them to be quiet once or twice throughout the evening.
As he cast his final throw and manoeuvred his piece in the dim light, his smile grew and his opponent - some portly equite man (judging by the gaudy clothes) through down the money Lucius was owed in a huff, before storming off into the dark of the evening, overturning his chair in the process. Lucius only smirked and gestured for a slave girl to right the fallen article with a flick of his wrist. Nobody knew him here, which is why he liked it. The Forum was packed with the festivities and he blended in as just another upper-class man on an evening jaunt. He was dressed finely, as befit his station, but in the shadowy corner of the Forum - with only the flicker of oil lamps and torches, he felt fairly discrete. It's why he'd risked a turn on the table (and won, he hastened to add in his thoughts).
Picking up his cup of wine, he reclined in his seat, in no hurry to find another opponent for a third match. Instead he let his green eyes wander over the forms of the people congregating in the square. Gods most of them were vile; plastered drunk, sweaty and stumbling even in the dead of December. He swallowed the sneer he wanted to affect as he took another sip of wine.
TAG: Open!
1The 'Game of Twelve' or Ludus duodecim scriptorum
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Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
41 | 12 December 34AD | Senatore | Senator | Heterosexual | Original | Matthew Goode
Personality.
Lucius is a Roman Patrician through and through. His families name and fame are critical to his sense of self and he would do almost anything to bring it back to the lofty heights their family enjoyed during the Republic. Personally Lucius is stern and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. He rules his family with an iron fist which includes the management of his children and staff. Whilst not intentionally cruel, he has absolutely no qualms about punishing those who cross him, particularly his slaves and ex-wife whether that be through corporal means for the former, and mind-games for the latter. He's difficult to read and hides his emotions well, which make him seem detached and aloof. Internally though he seethes; both for the stupidity of his father, and out of jealousy for all those things that others have that he wishes for. Whilst he can be amiable and has a few close friends, in comparison to many of his contemporaries he can be seen as a bit of a loner, and not one for the frivolities of Rome. He has loved infrequently in his life, and has no daydreams about achieving it although he cares deeply for his children. He enjoys politicking and has a very sharp mind, which he unfortunately doesn't get to use as often as he likes given his lack of political appointments.
Appearance
Lucius is tall and his bearing (perfect posture, back straight, shoulders pulled back) make him appear even taller. He has a lithe but athletic figure, which has been built through his favourite exercises (running, swimming) rather than hours spent lifting the weights at the palaestra. He has dark hair and tanned skin from years in the Italian sun. He tries to keep his hair short and clean shaven as befits a man of his station. His eyes, however, are an unusual shade of green which glint blue in certain lights. He wears the 'uniform' of his class - and dons a toga for more formal occasions. As befits his stern and unforgiving personality, he prefers more muted hues in his clothes and doesn't understand his contemporaries who dress in the colours of the rainbow. He has a scar on his forehead from his service in the legions as a Tribune, reaching his right eyebrow although it has faded significantly in recent years and is now a silvery-white line.
Family
(TW - child loss)
Father: Gaius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 10AD - died 70AD at age 54)
Mother: Gaia Calavia (deceased, born 18AD - died 40AD at age 22)
Siblings:
Full siblings:
Secundus Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 36AD - died 37AD at age 1)
Aulus Sempronius Atratinus (alive, born 40AD - aged 35)
Half siblings:
Tertius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 47AD - died 68AD at age 21)
Sempronia Papiria (alive, born 50AD - aged 25) - recently divorced
Sempronia Paetilla (deceased, born 54AD - died 57AD at age 3)
Spouse: -
Children:
Gaius Sempronius Atratinus (alive, born 63AD - aged 12)
Secundus Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 64AD - died 68AD at age 4)
Sempronia Atratina (alive, born 66AD - aged 9)
Sempronia Gessilla (alive, born 69AD - aged 6)
Lucius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 71AD - died 72AD at age 1)
Extended family:
Stepmother: Papiria Paeta (alive, born 30AD - aged 45) - is considering remarriage.
First cousins (via his mother who was the younger sister of their mother):
Publius Horatius Justinus
Horatia Justina
Livia Justina
Lucius Horatius Justinus
Other:
Ex-wife: Gessia Ursina (alive, born 47AD - aged 28)
History
34AD: Lucius is born the first child and first son of an unhappy union between Gaius Sempronius Atratinus and Gaia Calavia, two patricians aged twenty four and sixteen respectively at the time. He was born nearly nine months to the date of their wedding and was treated as an auspicious sign of their union, despite lots of arguments and resentment already building between the young couple.
36AD: A younger brother is born between his parents, although he sadly dies in early childhood just after his first birthday in 37AD.
40AD: A final child is born between the couple, Lucius' younger brother Aulus. He's a healthy child but the birth leads to an infection for his mother and she passes away two weeks later. His father is wracked with guilt over their fractious marriage and pays little attention to his sons for a handful of years, preferring to focus on his career which takes him out and into the Empire. Lucius and Aulus are cared for by their paternal grandmother during this time.
45AD: His father returns from some far off province and hastily remarries, having resolved whatever guilt he felt on some far away battleground. His new bride is the fifteen year old Papiria Paeta, although out of respect for their age difference, the couple do not move in together until shortly after her sixteenth birthday.
47AD: Lucius gets another sibling by way of his stepmother; another brother they name Tertius. His stepmother is an amiable woman and settles into family life well, although the growing Lucius never quite grows to like her and finds her presence in his mothers house (even if he can't really remember his mother) irritating.
50AD: Lucius' youngest surviving sibling is born, a sister. A little later in the year he dons his toga virilis for the first time and officially becomes a man in the eyes of the law. He feels immense pride, even if his father shows utter disinterest whilst he is focused on his political career rather than his family life.
54AD: Aged twenty, Lucius starts his climb up the cursus honorum in the year his youngest sibling - another sister - is born. He is elected to the vigintiviri along with 19 of contemporaries and serves in the role for a year, finding he has a knack for magistracy.
56AD: Lucius is appointed as a Tribune in Hispania. He is slightly galled to be going to such a 'tame' province (especially when war rages on in Britannia) but accepts his commission and rides out of Rome aged twenty-two. He serves in the role for four years and performs capably, but clearly is not destined for military life.
60AD: Lucius returns to Rome after his service and takes up a role as a quaestor in Rome. His attention to detail and skill in accounts means he is well respected and his star is on the up.
62AD: Cyprianus' dictatorship causes unease in the family. His father, however, stubbornly refuses to flee to Antioch with the rest of the reduced Senate and takes to his villa near Napoli. Later in the year when civil war breaks out and Clemens declares himself Caesar Lucius cautions his father before proclaiming for any of the men vying for the purple. Ignoring his advice, Gaius throws his support behind Clemens and returns to Rome. Lucius himself has no choice but to follow the will of his father, albeit reluctantly. He stays at the villa and stews in anger. When chaos reigns and the contenders start to fall, Lucius writes to his father and urges him to renege on his support for Clemens. The letter goes on unanswered. After Quintus' triumph, Gaius finally apologises to the family. They are required to pay 25% of their wealth to the state during the amnesty, which they do. The family return to Rome in December, ridiculed and having fallen from their great height.
63AD: Desperate to shake off the infamy of their failures during the civil war, Lucius marries a young senatorial girl Gessia Ursina, daughter of of one of Quintus' long-time supporters Decimus Gessius Ursinus. The marriage is unhappy from the get-go, with Lucius distracted and trying to pick up the pieces of his political career. Nonetheless, they manage to produce a son - Gaius - who is born nearly nine months to the date of their marriage.
64AD: A second son arrives, and Lucius lobbies for further advancement. He makes no progress, and grows increasingly frustrated - lashing out at his wife and staff, and growing estranged from his father as he decides to move out of his domus.
66AD: Lucius finally manages to secure a position (having bought off the election) and is appointed a Curule Aedile. Suspicion is cast over how he could win one of the two patrician seats, but he tries to ignore it and focuses on restoration of the city that was largely destroyed by the civil war and still lies in ruins. His daughter is born this year, and Lucius warms immediately to her - more so than he did his sons.
67AD: Lucius' term ends as an aedile.
68AD: Lucius' daughter dies and he blames his wife. The couples marriage is increasingly fractious and they temporarily separate, with Gessia returning to her father for six months.
69AD: Lucius retreats to the villa after an unsuccessful attempt to be considered for a term as a legate (in the hope it would get him out of Rome and away from his misery). He suspects his previous history as being no more than average in military matters, and his fathers poor choices in politics affect his standing. Furious, he leaves Rome for the year and forces Gessia to return to him. The couple have another (their second) daughter but their marriage is irreparably damaged. When Gessia's father dies, and with her brother absent on duty in the Empire, there's nowhere for her to run to and so she stays with Lucius.
70AD: Lucius' father dies and he becomes paterfamilias. Determined to not let the past haunt him, he returns to Rome and his fathers old domus where he campaigns to be elected Praetor in the upcoming election. His lack of popularity with the imperials, and lack of military honours dampen his chances and he loses. Furious, he lashes out on his family and keeps an increasingly tight grip on them. His stepmother moves out in protest, but as paterfamilias he instructs his his half-sister to remain living with him. Papiria has no choice to agree. Gessia, increasingly disillusioned and desperate to leave, falls pregnant for the fifth time.
71AD: Lucius' third son is born, but not even that can save his marriage.
72AD: Lucius' third son dies, and again, it only deepens the cavernous cracks in his marriage. As Gessia's brother returns from a campaign, she finally has the strength to ask him to pursue a divorce. Forever politicking, Lucius can see it coming and seeks one first - claiming is wife is unstable and damaging to his children. The magistrate, a family friend, sides with him and a divorce is granted. The children remain in his care, and Gessia returns to her brother. Lucius allows her a visitation once a month, and stops it sporadically in punishment for her trying to leave him.
74AD: Lucius quietly attempts to canvas support for another run at a Praetorship, but is told this years are a shoe-in and he should focus on next years elections. He silently seethes at younger, more inexperienced and less-bright men being elected in his place.
75AD: He currently lives in Rome with: his half-sister (recently divorced) and children (his brother having his own domus), and is considering another run at a Praetorship.
Sara | GMT | Discord - Sara#2296
TAG: @Gothic
Topics I Participated In
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A Little Thief
Started by Sara ·
Early January, 76AD
Lucius glanced over his shoulder at his daughter, gripping tightly to the hand of her slave, "Keep up." He ordered with the authority of a man speaking to the senate rather than a six year old girl. Gessilla hurried her pace as much as she could, as did the slave and Lucius flicked his head back around to in front of him, eyes scanning the almost-deserted streets. It was barely afternoon but nobody was about, odd. Then again, this high up the Quirinal, there were sparse few shops and eateries - only the domains of the uber-wealthy. It was also bloody miles from anywhere interesting which explained the distinct lack of plebs that usually could be found crowding the streets.
It had been a short walk over from the Viminal where he lived, but it seemed like it had taken hours with his youngest daughter in tow. Gessilla had been adamant that she didn't want any trouble, and that she didn't even like the ornate shell necklace the other little girl had taken from her. Lucius didn't care given it had been a gift from Gessilla's mother - Lucius' ex-wife - and he wasn't going to become embroiled in another argument with the harpy because his daughter had been careless or foolish enough to give away a family gift. But unfortunately for the little girl, whose father he was striding up the street to see, he was now in a foul mood. He'd sent a slave over to the domus of Titus Sulpicius Rufus to claim back the lost shell necklace only for said slave to be turned away by one of Titus' own. Lucius' boy had been clear that the foreign slave in Titus' household (description - tall, scrawny, haughty, definitely not Italian) wouldn't even admit him, and reiterated that whatever the little domina had taken from Lucius' daughter was now the little domina's to keep.
Slaves! Lucius was exasperated. He'd now had to take time out of his day to come all the way over here for what? A bloody, stupid necklace - gifted by one bitch and refused to be returned by another. It was enough to make him want to pull out his hair.
Fortunately for Titus, Lucius was a master at schooling his expression and demeanour into something more polite than he felt as he knocked on the main door of the house and was hastily admitted to the atrium. The benefit of dressing finely and not being a slack-jawed slave boy, he supposed. He squinted in the light as he was admitted; it was a grey, drab day and the light in the domus wasn't much better. He could hear Gessilla fidgeting behind him with her nurse and Lucius cast a glance over his shoulder, raising a brow at her. She stopped immediately and stood still, respectfully. Another slave loomed into view and cast the trio a curious glance. "Salve sir, may I help you?" Lucius quirked his eyebrow again and gave the slave an appraising look. Gods, what idiots did he have in this house? Surely he should have fetched his master the moment he heard a Senator was in attendance?
"Yes." He managed neutrally, "Please fetch your dominus and his youngest daughter. Tell him Lucius Sempronius Atratinus is here to reclaim something that his sweet little thief took from my daughter." He said the latter words with a smile, which was sickly sweet.
TAG: @Liv
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Forced Friendships
Started by Lucius Sempronius Atratinus ·
December 12th, 75AD
Imagine that - being summoned, somebody like him? Of course the invitation wasn't written as a summons, no no, it was perfectly polite and affable and drafted in a way to make it appear that it was just an opportunity for cousins to 'catch up' after all the trials and tribulations of the last several years. Never mind that they were cousins only by virtue of blood and not friendship - Lucius' mother (Publius' maternal aunt) had died when Publius was only five years old. They'd claimed friendship though, of course, throughout their childhoods but the maternal line and its connection was never as strong as the paternal and Lucius far preferred the nature of his paternal cousins anyhow. Still, family was family, and so he dutifully replied that he'd be delighted to reminisce and attend Publius' domus. He just hoped that none of the other family were in attendance so might have some interesting conversation.
He arrived at the domus at the appointed time and ran a hand through his dark hair, neatening it out. He was dressed finely (and practically given the chill) for the occasion,which he was pleased for as he was ushered into the atrium of the domus by one of the slaves. He blinked as his eyes adjusted to the dull light, illuminated as it was by torches and the great open portion of the ceiling. It was a little after lunch, and the man's clients had evidently left for the day judging by the sounds of children - or teenagers if his memory served him - filling the place. He hoped they weren't intending to join the conversation, he'd left his own children at home in the care of various slaves. It wasn't fitting to have them present for things such as this, not yet at least for his son.
He blinked, growing irritated at being kept waiting as his host loomed into view. He effected a smile on his face and moved to embrace his cousin, "Publius," He said as he pulled back, eyeing the man carefully. "It's been what? Two, three years perhaps?" He'd been on some sort of military expedition if memory served. "Too long in any regard." He made no comment or platitudes on the house - it was as fine as any other domus in Rome and didn't require any special praise. "Thank you for the invitation, I was surprised but warmed to receive it."
TAG: @Echo
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A Game of Chance
Started by Lucius Sempronius Atratinus ·
December 19th, 75AD
The fact that gambling was banned during the year unless on the festival days proscribed in law baffled Lucius. He supposed he understood it - if he really dredged his mind - from a practical perspective in that it caused no end of temper tantrums amongst the sore losers and those caught cheating, enough drama to entice further violence, but surely the Senate or the Emperor didn't need to legislate to prevent against such inane fighting? Ridiculous, and another facet of life in the city that was too rigorously controlled.
The ability to gamble during Saturnalia - as far as he could see it - was one of the festivals only benefits and as he sat at one of the outdoor seats, throwing his dice in the Game of Twelve1 he was currently enjoying, he managed a rare, rueful smile. He'd not really celebrated the previous two nights, aside from ordering his half-sister and son to prepare some meagre meal for the slaves on the first night. He'd shuttered himself away in his room for the rest of the evening and let them have their fun, whilst he stewed in his own melancholy. When all was said and done, he was rather proud he'd only yelled at them to be quiet once or twice throughout the evening.
As he cast his final throw and manoeuvred his piece in the dim light, his smile grew and his opponent - some portly equite man (judging by the gaudy clothes) through down the money Lucius was owed in a huff, before storming off into the dark of the evening, overturning his chair in the process. Lucius only smirked and gestured for a slave girl to right the fallen article with a flick of his wrist. Nobody knew him here, which is why he liked it. The Forum was packed with the festivities and he blended in as just another upper-class man on an evening jaunt. He was dressed finely, as befit his station, but in the shadowy corner of the Forum - with only the flicker of oil lamps and torches, he felt fairly discrete. It's why he'd risked a turn on the table (and won, he hastened to add in his thoughts).
Picking up his cup of wine, he reclined in his seat, in no hurry to find another opponent for a third match. Instead he let his green eyes wander over the forms of the people congregating in the square. Gods most of them were vile; plastered drunk, sweaty and stumbling even in the dead of December. He swallowed the sneer he wanted to affect as he took another sip of wine.
TAG: Open!
1The 'Game of Twelve' or Ludus duodecim scriptorum
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Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
Started by Lucius Sempronius Atratinus ·
Lucius Sempronius Atratinus
41 | 12 December 34AD | Senatore | Senator | Heterosexual | Original | Matthew Goode
Personality.
Lucius is a Roman Patrician through and through. His families name and fame are critical to his sense of self and he would do almost anything to bring it back to the lofty heights their family enjoyed during the Republic. Personally Lucius is stern and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. He rules his family with an iron fist which includes the management of his children and staff. Whilst not intentionally cruel, he has absolutely no qualms about punishing those who cross him, particularly his slaves and ex-wife whether that be through corporal means for the former, and mind-games for the latter. He's difficult to read and hides his emotions well, which make him seem detached and aloof. Internally though he seethes; both for the stupidity of his father, and out of jealousy for all those things that others have that he wishes for. Whilst he can be amiable and has a few close friends, in comparison to many of his contemporaries he can be seen as a bit of a loner, and not one for the frivolities of Rome. He has loved infrequently in his life, and has no daydreams about achieving it although he cares deeply for his children. He enjoys politicking and has a very sharp mind, which he unfortunately doesn't get to use as often as he likes given his lack of political appointments.
Appearance
Lucius is tall and his bearing (perfect posture, back straight, shoulders pulled back) make him appear even taller. He has a lithe but athletic figure, which has been built through his favourite exercises (running, swimming) rather than hours spent lifting the weights at the palaestra. He has dark hair and tanned skin from years in the Italian sun. He tries to keep his hair short and clean shaven as befits a man of his station. His eyes, however, are an unusual shade of green which glint blue in certain lights. He wears the 'uniform' of his class - and dons a toga for more formal occasions. As befits his stern and unforgiving personality, he prefers more muted hues in his clothes and doesn't understand his contemporaries who dress in the colours of the rainbow. He has a scar on his forehead from his service in the legions as a Tribune, reaching his right eyebrow although it has faded significantly in recent years and is now a silvery-white line.
Family
(TW - child loss)
Father: Gaius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 10AD - died 70AD at age 54)
Mother: Gaia Calavia (deceased, born 18AD - died 40AD at age 22)
Siblings:
Full siblings:
Secundus Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 36AD - died 37AD at age 1)
Aulus Sempronius Atratinus (alive, born 40AD - aged 35)
Half siblings:
Tertius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 47AD - died 68AD at age 21)
Sempronia Papiria (alive, born 50AD - aged 25) - recently divorced
Sempronia Paetilla (deceased, born 54AD - died 57AD at age 3)
Spouse: -
Children:
Gaius Sempronius Atratinus (alive, born 63AD - aged 12)
Secundus Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 64AD - died 68AD at age 4)
Sempronia Atratina (alive, born 66AD - aged 9)
Sempronia Gessilla (alive, born 69AD - aged 6)
Lucius Sempronius Atratinus (deceased, born 71AD - died 72AD at age 1)
Extended family:
Stepmother: Papiria Paeta (alive, born 30AD - aged 45) - is considering remarriage.
First cousins (via his mother who was the younger sister of their mother):
Publius Horatius Justinus
Horatia Justina
Livia Justina
Lucius Horatius Justinus
Other:
Ex-wife: Gessia Ursina (alive, born 47AD - aged 28)
History
34AD: Lucius is born the first child and first son of an unhappy union between Gaius Sempronius Atratinus and Gaia Calavia, two patricians aged twenty four and sixteen respectively at the time. He was born nearly nine months to the date of their wedding and was treated as an auspicious sign of their union, despite lots of arguments and resentment already building between the young couple.
36AD: A younger brother is born between his parents, although he sadly dies in early childhood just after his first birthday in 37AD.
40AD: A final child is born between the couple, Lucius' younger brother Aulus. He's a healthy child but the birth leads to an infection for his mother and she passes away two weeks later. His father is wracked with guilt over their fractious marriage and pays little attention to his sons for a handful of years, preferring to focus on his career which takes him out and into the Empire. Lucius and Aulus are cared for by their paternal grandmother during this time.
45AD: His father returns from some far off province and hastily remarries, having resolved whatever guilt he felt on some far away battleground. His new bride is the fifteen year old Papiria Paeta, although out of respect for their age difference, the couple do not move in together until shortly after her sixteenth birthday.
47AD: Lucius gets another sibling by way of his stepmother; another brother they name Tertius. His stepmother is an amiable woman and settles into family life well, although the growing Lucius never quite grows to like her and finds her presence in his mothers house (even if he can't really remember his mother) irritating.
50AD: Lucius' youngest surviving sibling is born, a sister. A little later in the year he dons his toga virilis for the first time and officially becomes a man in the eyes of the law. He feels immense pride, even if his father shows utter disinterest whilst he is focused on his political career rather than his family life.
54AD: Aged twenty, Lucius starts his climb up the cursus honorum in the year his youngest sibling - another sister - is born. He is elected to the vigintiviri along with 19 of contemporaries and serves in the role for a year, finding he has a knack for magistracy.
56AD: Lucius is appointed as a Tribune in Hispania. He is slightly galled to be going to such a 'tame' province (especially when war rages on in Britannia) but accepts his commission and rides out of Rome aged twenty-two. He serves in the role for four years and performs capably, but clearly is not destined for military life.
60AD: Lucius returns to Rome after his service and takes up a role as a quaestor in Rome. His attention to detail and skill in accounts means he is well respected and his star is on the up.
62AD: Cyprianus' dictatorship causes unease in the family. His father, however, stubbornly refuses to flee to Antioch with the rest of the reduced Senate and takes to his villa near Napoli. Later in the year when civil war breaks out and Clemens declares himself Caesar Lucius cautions his father before proclaiming for any of the men vying for the purple. Ignoring his advice, Gaius throws his support behind Clemens and returns to Rome. Lucius himself has no choice but to follow the will of his father, albeit reluctantly. He stays at the villa and stews in anger. When chaos reigns and the contenders start to fall, Lucius writes to his father and urges him to renege on his support for Clemens. The letter goes on unanswered. After Quintus' triumph, Gaius finally apologises to the family. They are required to pay 25% of their wealth to the state during the amnesty, which they do. The family return to Rome in December, ridiculed and having fallen from their great height.
63AD: Desperate to shake off the infamy of their failures during the civil war, Lucius marries a young senatorial girl Gessia Ursina, daughter of of one of Quintus' long-time supporters Decimus Gessius Ursinus. The marriage is unhappy from the get-go, with Lucius distracted and trying to pick up the pieces of his political career. Nonetheless, they manage to produce a son - Gaius - who is born nearly nine months to the date of their marriage.
64AD: A second son arrives, and Lucius lobbies for further advancement. He makes no progress, and grows increasingly frustrated - lashing out at his wife and staff, and growing estranged from his father as he decides to move out of his domus.
66AD: Lucius finally manages to secure a position (having bought off the election) and is appointed a Curule Aedile. Suspicion is cast over how he could win one of the two patrician seats, but he tries to ignore it and focuses on restoration of the city that was largely destroyed by the civil war and still lies in ruins. His daughter is born this year, and Lucius warms immediately to her - more so than he did his sons.
67AD: Lucius' term ends as an aedile.
68AD: Lucius' daughter dies and he blames his wife. The couples marriage is increasingly fractious and they temporarily separate, with Gessia returning to her father for six months.
69AD: Lucius retreats to the villa after an unsuccessful attempt to be considered for a term as a legate (in the hope it would get him out of Rome and away from his misery). He suspects his previous history as being no more than average in military matters, and his fathers poor choices in politics affect his standing. Furious, he leaves Rome for the year and forces Gessia to return to him. The couple have another (their second) daughter but their marriage is irreparably damaged. When Gessia's father dies, and with her brother absent on duty in the Empire, there's nowhere for her to run to and so she stays with Lucius.
70AD: Lucius' father dies and he becomes paterfamilias. Determined to not let the past haunt him, he returns to Rome and his fathers old domus where he campaigns to be elected Praetor in the upcoming election. His lack of popularity with the imperials, and lack of military honours dampen his chances and he loses. Furious, he lashes out on his family and keeps an increasingly tight grip on them. His stepmother moves out in protest, but as paterfamilias he instructs his his half-sister to remain living with him. Papiria has no choice to agree. Gessia, increasingly disillusioned and desperate to leave, falls pregnant for the fifth time.
71AD: Lucius' third son is born, but not even that can save his marriage.
72AD: Lucius' third son dies, and again, it only deepens the cavernous cracks in his marriage. As Gessia's brother returns from a campaign, she finally has the strength to ask him to pursue a divorce. Forever politicking, Lucius can see it coming and seeks one first - claiming is wife is unstable and damaging to his children. The magistrate, a family friend, sides with him and a divorce is granted. The children remain in his care, and Gessia returns to her brother. Lucius allows her a visitation once a month, and stops it sporadically in punishment for her trying to leave him.
74AD: Lucius quietly attempts to canvas support for another run at a Praetorship, but is told this years are a shoe-in and he should focus on next years elections. He silently seethes at younger, more inexperienced and less-bright men being elected in his place.
75AD: He currently lives in Rome with: his half-sister (recently divorced) and children (his brother having his own domus), and is considering another run at a Praetorship.
Sara | GMT | Discord - Sara#2296
TAG: @Gothic
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Sara's Tracker
Started by Sara ·
Charis
. slave to tertius quinctilius varus .
. finished .
. back in time .
How to Train Your Dragon - September 71AD - Charis (Erea) & Ambrosius (Turi)
Charis spends quality time with her brother in Britannia.
Trading Words - Winter 71AD - Charis (Erea) & Aia (Aius)
Charis trades blows with the interprex of the occupying legion.
Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters - December 72AD - Charis (Erea), Ambrosius (Turi) & Nymphias (Ardra)
In Britannia, Charis spends time with her family.
. seventy-four AD .
Little Bird Caged - Late March 74AD - Charis & Rufus
Now enslaved, Charis meets Rufus in the market.
The Meat Market - Late March 74AD - (NPC Charis), Tertius & Spurius
Charis is sold to Tertius Quinctilius Varus.
An Introduction - Late March 74AD - Charis & Teutus
Charis is shown the ropes by fellow-slave Teutus.
Great Expectations - Late March 74AD - Charis, Tertius & Teutus
Charis is formally introduced to her dominus.
Lost and Found - Late April 74AD - Charis & Cynane
Lost in Rome, Charis stumbles across a fellow Briton.
Respite - Late April 74AD - Charis & Gaius
Charis tells her story to an old Equite.
In Dreams - Early May 74AD - Charis & Tertius
In the garden, passion and tension flares between Charis and her dominus.
Years Apart - Early May 74AD - Charis & Airs
Charis chances across the interprex again.
Carpe Diem - Early May 74AD - Charis, Cynane & Helios
In the gardens, a drunk Charis is too loose with her words about her dominus.
Garden Games - Mid May 74AD - Charis, Teutus & Antonia
Spending time with fellow-slave Teutus and his half sister, their domina, Antonia.
The Bridge is Crossed - Mid May 74AD - Charis & Tertius [M - S]
Having found out about her gossip, Tertius punishes Charis and forces her into his bed.
Under the Morning Sun - Mid May 74AD - Charis & Teutus
The next morning, Charis reflects with Teutus.
What goes around... - Early June 74AD - Charis, Alexius & Helios
Charis confronts gossip Helios, and is saved by Alexius.
Daggers After Dark - Mid June 74AD - Charis & Thessala
Charis is attacked and injured, only to be saved by a Gladiatrix.
The Show Must Go On - Mid June 74AD - Charis & Tertius
Charis reveals her injuries to Tertius, who takes pity on her.
Life is a Lemon - Late June 74AD - Charis & Cynane
Charis and Cynane catch-up.
Work and Play - Early July 74AD - Charis & Helenus
Charis chances across a thermae slave.
Special Treatment - Mid July July 74AD - Charis & Tertius
Charis and Tertius reconnect and take their relationship further.
New Beginnings? - Mid July 74AD - Charis, Teutus, Tertius & Hector
Charis is informed of her new position, officially becoming Tertius' bed slave.
Summer Showers - Late July 74AD - Charis & Rufus
Charis runs into Rufus and spends the afternoon with him.
Reginus Georgus - Late July 74AD - Charis & Hector
Bitter and jealous, Hector needles Charis.
Lost in the Moment - Early September 74AD - Charis & Alexius
Charis reconnects with Alexius, who faces the sting of a slap.
A Visit - Mid September 74AD - Charis & Alexius
Charis apologises to Alexius.
I'm not your errand boy - Early December 74AD - Charis & Teutus
Charis and Teutus make up after their vicious argument.
A Trojan and a Goddess - Early December 74AD - Charis & Aeneas
Charis stumbles across a face from her past.
A Proposal - Mid December 74AD - Charis, Tertius, Titus & Longinus
Charis serves at a meal of her dominus' and finds out about her sister.
About Time - Late December 74AD - Charis, Tertius, Teutus & Hector
Charis witnesses Teutus' freedom ceremony.
Festivities - Late December 74AD - Charis & Tertius
Charis and Tertius celebrate Saturnalia.
. seventy-five AD .
Unhappy News - Late February 75AD - Charis
Charis finds out she's pregnant.
Agony Aunt - Late February 75AD - Charis & Cynane
Alone and scared, Charis seeks advice from her friend.
A Favour- Late February 75AD - Charis & Teutus
Charis borrows money from Teutus for an abortion.
Revelations - Late February 75AD - Charis & Tertius
Tertius finds out Charis is pregnant after she botches her abortion. He imprisons her in her room and they argue.
Broken Conversations - Early May 75AD - Charis & Tertius
Charis, broken, submits to Tertius and they talk.
Time for Miracles- Late May 75AD - Charis & Alexius
Alexius tries to fix Charis.
Awakening - Mid June 75AD - Charis
Charis feels conflicted over her struggles.
Blue Sky - Late June 75AD - Charis & Tertius
Charis and Tertius reconnect as they discuss their child.
Evening Shade - Late June 75AD - Charis & Gaius
Charis meets a soldier in the Gardens of Sullust.
The Equality of Man - Late June 75AD - Charis, Tertius, Teutus & Hector
As an earthquake strikes rome, the domus is cast into chaos.
No Boundaries - Early July 75AD - Charis & Cynane
Charis finally reunites with her best friend after five months apart.
Exotic Finds - Early July 75AD - Charis & Aia
Charis meets Aia by chance.
A New Beginning - Late August 75AD - Charis, Tertius & Cynane
Charis gives birth to her child.
(44)
. current .
God Help the Outcasts - Late June 75AD - Charis & Aglaea
Charis commiserates with another Varus slave and learns a secret.
Transformation - Late August 75AD - Charis, Tertius & Teutus
Charis' child is recognised as freeborn.
Just One Night - Mid December 75AD - Charis & Alexius
Charis lets loose for one night.
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