Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus

• Quote

  "A good ally and a very poor enemy, I would imagine."

• Face Claim

  Sam Hazeldine

• Location

  Roma

• Activity Level

  Fast

Recent Posts

1. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   May 15

   "I'm sure they did," Aulus replied dryly. "They can wait, however. Now. Horatia has suggested, and I concur, that perhaps there should be a dedicated midwife in residence here, because Juno knows her priestesses aren't capable of acting in that capacity." They probably had the position as a favour from some past Consul or Emperor, treating it as a hobby or sinecure. "Obviously, such a woman needs somewhere to live, and there should be a birthing room too, although presumably any woman coming to the temple wants to pray to the goddess. I wonder how much of a sacrilege it would be to have such a room within the very walls of the temple?"
   And how much of a desecration those old biddies considered it for Horatia to have given birth within the very sanctuary itself, almost.
   He had come up here to scout out the land; rebuilding a temple was a worthy use of funds, and to rebuild a temple to Horatia's wishes would be a fitting tribute. Not that the fluttering bats consecrated to Juno Lucina would see it that way, probably.
   "I wonder how many women have found themselves in a similar position, coming to pray and finding themselves needing the more direct intervention of a good pair of hands," he added.
    
   @Chevi
   
2. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   May 14

   It might well be Aulus' imagination, but he could swear the chief priestess looked as if she'd bitten down unexpectedly on a lemon. She wasn't short, as Roman women went, but Aulus was tall for a Roman man; her head was approximately level with his chest, which lessened the effectiveness of her approach. And probably didn't help with the overall sourness of her presumed disposition - Aulus conceded that perhaps he was being less than generous because it was his wife and child that had been endangered. And not everyone was unaffected by blood and pain, something he was all too familiar with from his own military background.
   "Thank you. I hope it would not be inappropriate of me to take a walk in the sacred grove?" This was a temple for women; while there were a few things Aulus had in mind, none of them were blasphemous in any way and he could only hope that his very male presence (and Felix's) would likewise not be blasphemous.
   "Oh, no, not at all - of course you may," she managed, though the sour lemon expression seemed not to have dissipated very much.
   "Thank you. Felix."
    
   @Chevi
   
3. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   May 2

   Aulus let out a laugh. "I should hope so - though if anyone leaves a foundling on my doorstep, this might be a good place to bring him." Give the old biddies something to keep themselves out of trouble.
   He didn't know what the old biddies expected the box held but they were bound to be somewhat disappointed. He had come to thank the goddess for granting them a child and so naturally he had brought a model of a woman's uterus - completely anatomically correct, he had been assured, very solemnly, by its manufacturer. Quite what use the goddess found for all the various models of bits of the human body, Aulus couldn't say, but it was tradition and both he and Horatia were very firm believers in tradition even if they had ended up being the most unconventional traditional couple in Rome.
   Adding somewhere nearby where a midwife could live and could attend to any devotees caught as unaware as Horatia had been... that would be another acceptably devotional gift. Whether or not it would be acceptable to the priestesses would be another question.
   He pulled the sinus fold of his toga over his head and took the box from Felix, walking forward to the altar to lay it before the marble representation of Juno Lucina (whose expression seemed somewhat pained. Obviously not made by the most talented craftsman...)
    
   @Chevi
   
4. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   May 1

   "Your mistress has always been a woman of eminently practical sense," Aulus observed dryly, and couldn't help arching an eyebrow as he saw the reception committee waiting for them. He was wearing the plain white toga virilis today, as befit a Senator without a magistracy.
   "It seems the ex-Consul is more worthy of a reception than the ex-Consul's extremely pregnant lady wife," he added to his ever-faithful Felix, before addressing the waiting priestesses. "Ladies. I understand that this may be an unusual place for a man to be, but I have come to give my thanks to Juno Lucina for safely overseeing the birth of my son."
   Which, please note, you did not, leaving it to a slave to deliver him went unspoken, though the silent thought could be plainly inferred, if they chose to recognise it.
   The priestesses fluttered, as priestesses were wont to do (he had half a mind to inquire of his sister whether she had ever fluttered, as a Vestal) but allowed him into the quiet darkness of the temple to present his gifts to the goddess.
    
   @Chevi
   
5. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   April 30

   "A few more benches would be easy enough. A midwife would be a sensible precaution, though I doubt the priestesses will appreciate the insinuation that this is a good place to have a child."
   Right now, though, it was a terrible place from a medical point of view, and surely the goddess would be relieved by having a competent pair or two of human hands so that she didn't have to keep putting herself out to ensure the safe delivery of every child.
   "Thank Juno that Longinus' girl was here," he added. He didn't dare to think what might have happened to his wife if she had been on her own; the priestesses had been next to useless.
    
   @Chevi
   
6. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   April 30

   The Temple of Juno Lucina, April 77
   Aulus had felt that he should make offerings to the relevant gods for the safekeeping of his wife and infant son, and one of the most important was Juno Lucina, the person of Juno who was responsible for childbirth and motherhood.
   And, most relevant, in whose very temple Aulus' wife had given birth to their second son. Apparently the priestesses hadn't been amused by this, nor had they been very helpful when push came to shove. Or rather, when push led to the birth of a baby.
   He felt rather out of place in this sanctum of a goddess whose remit was that most womanly of affairs, but he needed to leave his own offerings and make his own prayers... and possibly to chivvy the old, holy bats into being a little more helpful the next time someone went into labour on their doorstep. Being even an ex-consul had to be good for something...
   And once his errand here was done, he was determined to find some small gift for Horatia that she would appreciate - even a woman of simple tastes liked to be given surprise gifts on occasion, after all.
   "I can't believe the priestesses of the goddess of childbirth aren't better prepared to deal with the realities of actual childbirth," he said to Felix, pausing in the walk up the hill to the temple at its summit. "Especially after they've had to walk up here."
   It was no wonder Horatia had gone into labour, as late on in her pregnancy as she had been, with even the moderate exertion of this walk.
    
   @Chevi
   
7. 

   You'll Know It When You See It (I)

   April 17

   The praeco's attempted message was reinforced by the lictors at the door of the Curia. "You'll have to wait, the Senate is in session!"
   As it turned out, the session was over sooner than usual (Aulus was not quite sure which god had managed to arrange that minor miracle!) and it wasn't long before he found himself standing outside the Curia doors, at the top of the flight of steps leading down to the Forum. He was wholly unprepared for the half-wild woman who accosted him there, bearing a white cock which she was holding upside down from its legs - the best way to carry live chickens, in Aulus' admittedly limited experience of such things.
   Whatever his personal thoughts, his well-honed politician's sense of duty won out. "How may I help you?"
    
   @Kah
   
8. 

   Home away from home

   April 9

   "Well, that would be an interesting choice for an ex-Vestal," Aulus said dryly. "I can see how that might appeal to you, though - and I don't think that is an area the Augusta has considered." He crossed one leg over the other, leaning back in his seat. "What sort of thing would you consider doing for them?"
   And what sort of future would the children have, born out of wedlock and with no paterfamilias willing to take them up, he wondered, recalling the moment he had first held his own son Titus, thus bestowing on him all the rights of a Roman citizen. He had been unable to do the same for his daughter Calpurnia, although he knew that his father had done so as the paterfamilias - really, it should have been Tiberius who took Titus up, but Tiberius and Aurelia spent their days at the villa at Baiae, only coming to Rome for very special occasions - they had come back when Aulus had returned from Britannia, and again when the family had returned from Raetia. He suspected that Tiberius would make the journey to see Aulus take his seat as Consul, and when Titus took his toga virilis.
   "I don't expect you to have a fully-hatched plan right now, but if you want advice or help that I can give, you have first claim on my time after Horatia."
   And if she needed funds for anything, he would help there, too.
    
   @Chevi
   
9. 

   Home away from home

   April 2

   "The only cause I know of right now is the Augusta's plan to build some sort of orphanage or home for the children left orphaned by the civil war," Aulus said. "Admittedly, the youngest of them would be twelve or so now, so I think the plan might expand to cover any and all orphans in the city, which is not an insignificant number."
   He wondered, idly, how many of them might have found themselves sold as slaves - might still do so - if there was no relative to claim them.
   "I can certainly pass on word that you might be interested in helping, if that is the case. Or maybe you have your own ideas?"
   If she did not, no doubt she and Horatia would put their heads together and be able to cook something up between them. Gods knew there were enough potential causes within the city to furnish both of them with enough work for a decade or more!
    
   @Chevi
   
10. 

    Welcome Home

    March 20

    He shifted until he could put his arm around her, and smiled down at the tiny baby she was cradling.
    "He is perfect - you are perfect," he said, and returned her kiss, tenderly. "I will have some food brought to you - you've had a difficult day. Take as long as you need to recover - although if I find you've started exerting yourself again needlessly, I won't be best pleased." The smile on his face softened words that might otherwise seem harsh. "You can send your girl for any of you books and scrolls that you may want, and I am sure that both Calpurnias will rise to the challenge of running the house to your standards."
    He would come and sit with her again in the days before she returned to taking the household reins again. Footsteps outside made him look up.
    "It seems your wet-nurse has arrived," he told her, and bent to kiss his son's forehead. "I shall let you get settled with her."
    He crossed to the door, turning just long enough to give mother and son another fond glance before leaving to make way for the wet-nurse and Horatia's maid.
     
    @Sara
    

Topics I Participated In

1. 

   Gifts for the goddess

   Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · April 30

   The Temple of Juno Lucina, April 77
   Aulus had felt that he should make offerings to the relevant gods for the safekeeping of his wife and infant son, and one of the most important was Juno Lucina, the person of Juno who was responsible for childbirth and motherhood.
   And, most relevant, in whose very temple Aulus' wife had given birth to their second son. Apparently the priestesses hadn't been amused by this, nor had they been very helpful when push came to shove. Or rather, when push led to the birth of a baby.
   He felt rather out of place in this sanctum of a goddess whose remit was that most womanly of affairs, but he needed to leave his own offerings and make his own prayers... and possibly to chivvy the old, holy bats into being a little more helpful the next time someone went into labour on their doorstep. Being even an ex-consul had to be good for something...
   And once his errand here was done, he was determined to find some small gift for Horatia that she would appreciate - even a woman of simple tastes liked to be given surprise gifts on occasion, after all.
   "I can't believe the priestesses of the goddess of childbirth aren't better prepared to deal with the realities of actual childbirth," he said to Felix, pausing in the walk up the hill to the temple at its summit. "Especially after they've had to walk up here."
   It was no wonder Horatia had gone into labour, as late on in her pregnancy as she had been, with even the moderate exertion of this walk.
    
   @Chevi
   
2. 

   You'll Know It When You See It (I)

   Started by Bestia · April 13

   "Out of my way, plebians! Make a hole!"
   The crowd parted like waves under the prow of a ship. Stares came Bestia's way - as they always did - and vigiles nearby reached for their implements. The woman's face was a mask of frustrated determination, her hair more tangled than usual. Old leaves trailed down to the ends of her curls, and on either side, twigs laid flat against her skull. It gave the impression of an animal with its ears laid flat, or a deer with its horns growing down. Her feet and legs were muddy to the knees and elbows, and her ragged, patchwork tunic was in ribbons at the bottom. Fresh scratches and bruises covered her face and arms, dry trails of blood streaking down. Fear and disgust painted the Roman faces around her at her state.
   It didn't matter. Bestia came painted in the hues of earth and body for a reason, and that reason was prophecy. In the forests outside of Rome, in shelter only known to her, a message had come amidst drinking and dance. Intoxicated and thoughtless, Bestia throwing herself into shadows brought alive, she'd heard whispers. They came between the crackles of a fire heavy with offerings and the woman's ragged panting.
   And then, in the corner, crowned with laurel leaves and holding the bottle of wine she'd poured, she'd seen his face. Bacchus. Her god, standing there in the skin of a leopard, half-realized and half-dream. The whispers came and drowned her then, and though his lips were unmoving, Bestia knew the words were his.
   Now it was time to act on those words. Bestia marched up to the steps of the Senate, a white cock under her arm squawking and kicking wildly. She'd bound its legs and body with twine, but that didn't stop it from wriggling, crowing and trying to peck at her. The praeco, crowing out the day's news as he always did, trailed off to turn and look at her from his podium. "Madam!" he called. "Madam, please, Senate is in session and no man or woman is to - "
   "Shut it, you fat bastard!" Bestia snarled back, looking over her shoulder at the praeco. "I have a message to deliver!"
    
   @Sharpie
   
3. 

   Welcome Home

   Started by Horatia Justina · February 21

   Immediately following on from Juno, bless us, end of January 77AD
   Horatia only had eyes for her son as the litter meandered its way back towards the domus. The evening was drawing in now, but she knew - despite her exhaustion - she needed to leave the sanctuary of the temple and go home. She had sipped her wine and fallen into a peaceful doze, her son curled on her chest whilst the priestesses and their slaves tidied around her.
   And then tidied her. No woman, immediately after childbirth was going to look presentable and Horatia was no different. As the litter deposited her down outside of the domus (as close to the door as they reasonably could get her), she saw her slave rush out to greet her - thick cloak in hand. Horatia smiled at the thoughtfulness. The pale green tunica she had been wearing had been soaked in blood and so she had stripped after washing into a thin, scratchy tunica owned by the priestesses. The baby was merely cradled in a blanket. Her hair had been combed and was braided in one simple one down her back, but she didn't look herself; the woman with not a hair out of place usually and nor should she. She let the girl cover her shoulders and her son in the cloak and then with support from the litter bearers, made her way slowly (very slowly) through the door into the domus.
   She breathed in deeply and as the door clunked shut behind her, she felt herself relax - the tension and panic of the preceding few hours washing out of her by the serenity of her home. She didn't know if Calpurnia or Aulus were in, or her children but the place was oddly quiet. Until she heard footfalls from the direction of the tablinum. She raised a hand pre-emptively, or her spare one anyway given the other was holding the child to her chest; "I'm fine, I'm fine." She breathed and tried to look reassuring but she winced as she walked and offered her husband a weak smile. "The...temple was more eventful than I thought it would be." She cleared her throat. This wasn't proper...but...Aulus had waited the nine days for Titus...and close to six years with Calpurnia..."Your son." She pulled back the folds of the cloak very gently so she could see the dozing, tiny baby against her chest. 
    
   TAG: @Sharpie
   
4. 

   The birth of something wonderful

   Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · February 2

   August 61AD
   It had been nine days since the birth of his son. Nine days since he'd spent half the day pacing the atrium - to the lararium, turn, back to the tablinum, turn...
   Of course he hadn't set eyes on his son in those intervening days. They'd needed to be sure he'd live, and it was bad luck (or something) for the father to see the child before the formal presentation. He adjusted the green tunic he was wearing, and then the brooch that fastened his pallium at his shoulder. The brooch had been a gift from his wife, a sturdy masculine thing with a carnelian carved with the head of Minerva. He chose it the most frequently of all the various fibulae he owned, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.
   Eventually he became aware of the slave waiting to draw his attention.
   "Domine, everything is ready...?"
   He nodded. "Let your mistress know."
   The slave nodded and retreated and Aulus made his way to the atrium to wait for his wife, refusing to give in to the urge to begin pacing again until she appeared.
    
   @Sara
   
5. 

   Home away from home

   Started by Calpurnia Praetextata · January 11

   End of the year, 75AD
   Calpurnia was accompanied by a procession of servants on her way to her brother's domus. She was glad that he'd agreed to host her, for the time being (which, if it was up to her, would be quite a long time). It was a day of firsts: the first time she was outside, wearing a civilian's stola rather than the Vestal veils. The first time she walked the streets as a Roman maiden (the thought made her smile) rather than a Vestal Virgin. The first time she would be visiting her brother with the intention to stay. The first time she would live with her family since she was nine years old.
   It was a strange thought, after thirty years of service at the Vestal House, to return to society as a civilian woman. She wondered what her family would think now. On her part, she was feeling elated. Cheerful, even. She got out of the litter the moment the domus came into view, and walked up to the door herself, dressed in a sky-blue stola and a matching palla in a darker shade. Now that she was allowed to wear them, she planned on wearing a lot of colors.
   "Tell my brother I am here" she told the slave at the doors. She needed no introduction.
   @Sharpie @Sara
    
   
6. 

   Guess What?

   Started by Horatia Justina · November 13, 2021

   Late August, 76AD
   Summer was drifting to a close and Horatia was grateful. There was a breeze through the domus that she sorely needed as she hesitated for a moment in the gardens, letting it blow the edge of her palla and the hem of her stola. She'd been out that morning and hadn't bothered to undress again into something more informal now she was back home. She fluttered her eyes shut and took an inhale deep in through her nose, filling out her lungs until she couldn't take in another gasp and then she exhaled, trying to straighten her thoughts, trying to make this work. She had always been a woman of great composure, and even now she found that she couldn't cry - she attributed that to the shock more than anything else. She did another long, languid breath to try and draw in some of the serenity from the gardens and then when it did nothing to help the beating of her heart against her ribs, she turned on her heel and strode through to the open side of Aulus' tablinum. 
   She lingered on the edge, choosing to lean against one of the pillars. "Do you have a moment?" It was rare he was in at this time of day - usually he was at the senate, or seeing clients or otherwise engaged with their new Caesar at the consilium. She chose to see that as a fortuitous sign from the Gods, rather than the coincidence it was. 
   She had been unwell for weeks. It had started with a tiredness that she couldn't shake; she'd wake up in the mornings and be so exhausted she had to return to her bed by noon. It was unlike her, but she'd convinced herself and her family that it was just some ague going around that she doubtless picked up from some of the women she saw at her book club, or the new charitable endeavour she was researching with one of Tiberius' clients - a man who ran a slew of boarding houses (which Horatia had a mind to turn into something solely for women). Then, of course, the nausea had started. Foods she had used to enjoy turned her stomach but again - she had pushed aside concerns from her slaves and instead insisted that it was a consequence of the tiredness. It was only when she fainted because she'd not eaten anything until cena, that Aulus had insisted she see a medicus. The news had torn through her like an arrow to the gut. 
   'And your menses? Regular?'
   'No,' She'd replied - because the silphium she religiously took made them erratic. 
   'When was the last time you bled?' 
   'Two...perhaps three months ago.' 
   'And nothing since then?' 
   Nothing. Usually there was...something, but for close to three months there had been nothing. And the kindly old man with his gentle smile had tapped her on her hand and chuckled. Exhaustion, nausea, tenderness of the abdomen, no bleeding. She was pregnant. She was thirty-three years old, with a Consul for a husband, two teenage children, a lifetime supply of silphium stashed in her bedroom and she was pregnant. She had thrown up in the middle of his office. He'd merely laughed. She felt like she would wretch forever. 
   Despite the precautions she'd taken, and every single fibre of her being being filled with dread at the prospect of another birth, it was happening. There was nothing for her to do. Besides tell her husband. She offered a wan smile and spoke again; "I can come back, if you're in the middle of something." 
    
   TAG: @Sharpie
   
7. 

   Sunshine and dirt- what more does one need...

   Started by Tacita · September 12, 2021

   A new home, a new family to serve…while yes that meant a new routine, change was something Tacita was very familiar with. She had been a part of Aulus’ household now for about 4 months and although she had been a surprise to the household, she had certainly done her best to try and fit in. When it came to duties she was also fairly easy going – she wasn’t overly familiar with the more ornate jobs a female slave might do but she was good with general household tasks.
   This day found her assisting the gardener- which meant she got to be outside enjoying the sun. She took off the satchel she always carried with her, which gave her the ‘voice’ she didn’t have and set it on the ground next to her then knelt next to the flower bed. With the beautiful July weather the plant was flourishing, but there were some dead blossoms on it which needed to be removed. Tacita stretched out a hand and with a gently twist the blossom came off in her hand. Taking a moment before reaching for the next dead head she looked down at the one resting in her hand- gardens had always amazed & intrigued her. It amazed her that something so beautiful could come from a seed in the dirt. She set it down and reached for the next one ready to remove it as well.
   
   (Open- to anyone in Aulus' household)
   
8. 

   From one generation to the next

   Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · September 7, 2021

   The Curia was slowly emptying of people after the most recent session of the Senate, and Aulus found that he was one of the last to leave, having been waylaid by some ancient senator who must have been twice his age if he was a day, who only wanted to talk his ear off about taxes, the grain dole, the cost of games these days and other inconsequential things.
   He turned to head from the august chamber, pausing before he emerged into the sunlight and the presence of his lictors (Horatia had a point about them, even if Aulus wouldn't admit it - they did rather get in the way when you wanted to be a private citizen... on the other hand, part of the thing about being Consul was that you weren't a private citizen for the entire time you were in office. It was rather the point, after all!)
   There was someone else taking a momentary breather in the shade of the Curia's colonnade, a young man who must be just starting out on his political career. At first Aulus thought it was his son, but Titus was still a few years short of joining the Senate.
   "Claudius Sabucius," he said, once he caught a better look at the other. "Good afternoon - I trust you didn't find today's session too tiresome?"
    
   @Sarah
    
   
9. 

   Meet the family

   Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · July 24, 2021

   Aulus had the wit to dismiss his lictors before entering the house - Horatia had despaired when she'd learned he was not only entitled to twelve lictors as a Consul, but couldn't dispense with them. He had promised to try to make it easier for her by not having them in the house when they weren't needed, although the domus was certainly big enough for them - they had families of their own, anyway, and probably appreciated being able to see them from time to time.
   Aulus and the new slave, Tacita, were therefore alone as the ostiarius opened the door to admit them. He caught the eye of one of the house slaves in the atrium and bid him fetch his mistress, and Felix.
   He hoped Horatia wouldn't mind his gift, however odd she might think it.
   "This is your mistress, my wife, Horatia Justina," he said as his wife made her way towards them, Felix behind her. "And my body slave, Felix."
   He smiled at his wife, urging Tacita forward. "Horatia, I've brought you a gift. This is Tacita - she doesn't speak, but she does write, and is learning to read. I thought she might be useful."
    
   @Sara @Jenn @Chevi
   
10. 

    Marital Moments [M]

    Started by Horatia Justina · July 18, 2021

    31st October, 60AD
    Athens
    Horatia fiddled with the stem of the goblet of wine she held in her fingers. When she was a girl, dreaming of her wedding as all good young Roman women did, she hadn't exactly pictured this. A short, sharp ceremony in Athens with few of her friends and family, and none of her husbands, followed by an intimate party. It wasn't exactly the grand affair she had planned, but she had found it perfect in its own, unconventional way.
    At least she'd managed to procure a suitable outfit in the six or so months since her father had agreed to the match and haggled out the details. She wore the traditional white tunica recta, tied with the knot of Hercules. It had pained her that her mother hadn't tied it, as she ought to have, but she couldn't leave Livia and Lucius to attend and so had stayed in Rome - with her best wishes sent by letter. The red veil which has sheathed her face during the remarkably short ceremony was now pinned up into the six braids of her up-do, sheathed by a floral coronet. She looked the part, even if she didn't exactly feel very wifely; being in a foreign land and with Aulus' military colleagues surrounding them at the gathering. 
    They'd process to the house that Aulus had rented for her and a few slaves shortly, the small party gathering through the streets as they would have in Rome - but with much less fanfare, and more derision from the Greek locals, no doubt. For now though, she was content to sip her wine and make polite small talk to the men and women that had been invited; friends of her family in the province, and his most likely. Occasionally she found her eyes wandering back to Aulus - her husband - and a light flush came to her cheeks. She tried to distract herself with inane conversations; and she was currently embroiled in one with a friend of Publius' about his families villa. According to him, Formaie was far nicer than Baiae. She nodded and prayed that somebody would come over to save her from the dullness soon. 
     
    TAG: @Sharpie
     
    

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