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Publius Horatius Justinus


Sarah

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PUBLIUS HORATIUS JUSTINUS

42 | 14 October 35 | Senatore | Senator and Soldier | Heterosexual | Wanted | Daniel Craig

 

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Personality

The epitome of a the Patrician Roman male, Publius is the eldest of his siblings and raised to one day lead the family. He is dutiful and takes his responsibilities seriously, and expects others to do the same. From a young age he was both leader and mediator of his siblings and those skills grew and flowered as he grew and were honed by his education and experience in the cursus honorum. 

A true military man, Publius's leadership abilities shine through in the way that he inspires his men, and his sharp mind and excellent grasp of tactics have allowed him to lead them to numerous victories. He's acceptably accomplished politically but his heart lies with the military, where the order, discipline and clear expectations suit him perfectly. He expects the same level of discipline and organisation in his own household, but can show a relaxed, even playful side in the company of his brother or close friends. Behind that discipline and perfectionism Publius is a passionate man, but it's a side that few ever get to see. 

Whilst quite exacting and something of a perfectionist - in a way that can at times make him rather demanding and controlling - he is devoted to his family, and particularly the upbringing of his children since the death of his wife, whom he still mourns deeply. But as long as his house is well kept and those he loves are safe, Publius is quite content with his life and the opportunity to keep doing the work he enjoys, even if he can overwork himself at times. He is not one to leave things undone that need doing. 

 

Appearance

Of average height for a Roman man, Publius is never the less a fairly impressive physical specimen, as he maintains a soldier's physique. His skin is more sun-weathered than that of many men of his class, due to his military career and time spent outdoors, but his striking blue eyes are what draws the attention. He keeps his dark blonde hair cropped short and dresses in quality clothing appropriate for a man of his political stature, or his military uniform if he can possibly get away with it. 

 

Family

Father: Marcus Horatius Justinius

Mother: Livia Calavia (d. 61AD)

SiblingsHoratia Justinia, Livia Justinia, Lucius Horatius Justinius

Spouse: Lucia Gaia (d. 75AD)
                 Agape (mistress in Achaea, 76AD)

Children: Spurius Horatius Justinus (b. 61 AD, 16 yrs old), 
                     Lucia Justina (b. 65 AD, 12 yrs old)
                     Secundus Horatius Justinus, stillborn 75AD with Lucia Gaia 
                     Agapios (b. 76AD, 1 year old, illegitimate) with Agape

Extended family: Gaius Horatius Justinus (cousin), Horatia Sosia (cousin), Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus (brother in law), Calpurnia Praetextata (sister in law?)

Other:

 

History

35 AD: Publius was born, highly anticipated and the first child of his parents. Being destined from birth to be his father's heir meant Publius was both highly valued and heavily pressured to be his best from a young age. His father was very traditional and so had high expectations from his oldest son. Whether he was learning history and languages or swordplay and strategy, Publius understood his father's expectations of perfection and strove to meet them. Naturally, this had a pronounced effect on the boy's personality, making him quite serious, stoic, and rather obsessed with perfection. 

42 AD: At the age of seven, Publius was suddenly no longer an only child, when Horatia came along. Publius was moved to an almost fatherly love of her, wanting to protect and coddle her. Soon enough, in 48 AD, two more children came along, Livia and Lucius, and Publius found himself becoming the leader of the pack (although an altogether strict and protective leader). Whenever arguments broke out among the younger ones, Publius was the de facto peacemaker. He didn't mind the role, though - in fact, he blossomed under it, proving himself to be a natural leader. Throughout his childhood, Publius and the rest of the family followed their paterfamilias around the empire as he served in the military. This life suited Publius well, as he found a growing fascination with the military. 

46 AD: when Publius was eleven, the family spent a year in Germania. Publius loved watching the precise lines of soldiers as they marched, the flash of their swords as they trained. The boy knew that this was how he wanted to live his life - in the military. There were several more moves throughout the rest of his childhood, most particularly one to Hispania in 50 AD, when he was 15. During these moves, Publius continued his education, distinguishing himself as a dutiful student as well as a clever mind, one fit for military strategy. 

52 AD, the family returned to Rome, and in 53, Publius turned 18 and began the Course of Honor by joining the military. He truly shone here, in the military, where he was able to perfect his leadership skills as well as his military mind. He served for five years in Germania, rising swiftly through the ranks though his excellent discipline and leadership. These skills earned him an appointment to Achaea as a Tribune in 58. There, moving among the circles of Greek society in his spare time, he met a girl named Lucia Gaia for whom he fell head over heels and courted for some time before she accepted his marriage proposal. The two were married in 59 AD. Also during his time in Greece, he met his dear friend Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus, with whom he is still good friends and who also married his sister in 60 AD. 

61 AD During the beginning rumblings of civil war his mother was killed in a riot. Like any child who's lost a mother, Publius grieved his mother - but like a man, and moreover a military commander, he maintained a stiff upper lip and vowed to do his part to end the civil war. A few months after the death of his mother, his son was born. 

62 AD Publius served with Caesar in the East before returning to Rome to quell rebellious groups there. 

65 AD his wife bore him another child, this time a girl. But he was soon back to war, unable to spend as much time with them as he would have liked. Eventually, the civil war ended, leaving Quintus Caesar the leader of Rome, and leaving Publius glad he'd chosen the right side. But after so many years serving in the military, the man was ready to settle down and have some quiet years with his children and his wife. He returned to the newly peaceful Rome and began his work as a senator, which he was capable at and yet not altogether as successful at as military life. Over the next few years, Publius would switch between serving in the military and serving in the senate, about a year of each at a time, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Publius and Lucia were keen to add to their brood, but after their two initial children, she suffered several miscarriages, and Publius began to accept that his family was complete, though he never gave up hope they'd have another son. 

75AD Lucia finds that she is pregnant again, and this time the pregnancy proceeds, much to both her and Publius's delight. So he is absolutely devastated when she begins to experience troubling symptoms late in the pregnancy and their infant son is born dead, his beloved wife dying shortly afterwards. It was all Publius could do not to curse the Gods themselves for taking his wife from him, or curse himself for not taking a slave to his bed instead of risking her in another pregnancy. He'd always loved her, and suddenly he was alone. 

76AD Publius stands for and achieves a Quaestorship in Achaea, having fond memories of his past posting there and need to get away from Rome, and takes both his children with him. There, as well as his treasury duties, Publius involves himself heavily in the military, particularly the frontier forts, lending his tactical expertise to help improve their preparation against possible attacks. The posting allows him to ignore the question of re-marrying for the moment, as he can't think of anyone in that role besides Lucia (though if ever he would find another like her, surely it would be back in her home province). He hires a local woman Agape to manage his household and ends up taking her to his bed. It is when Agape gives birth to a child towards the end of the year that Publius realises he needs to return to Rome, for the sake of his family. He purchases Agape a home and makes arrangements to send her a regular peculium for the raising and education of his son, but does not openly acknowledge the child. 

77AD Publius returns to Rome with his son and daughter.

 

 

 

Sarah | AEST (GMT+10) | Discord

@Gothic

Edited by Sarah
Edited his mistress's name as had missed a couple of instances
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