Chapter XLI - Noctem Stellas II
© Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017
© Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017
warning: this section features nudity, explicit sexuality and extreme violence in language, images and text - do not view if you may be offended
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the Chapter 'Noctem Stellas' is long - so it has been divided into two parts - with the second part including the aftermath of the day after.
the Chapter 'Noctem Stellas' is long - so it has been divided into two parts - with the second part including the aftermath of the day after.
© Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017
MARCVS ET TITVS
There was a lot of clearing up to do, so the curtain (now a deep shade of blue) was raised, while Domus-slaves removed Glaucus' corpse, shovelled up the sand that he had fouled in his final moments, along with most of the remaining sand.
What had been the combat area was then quickly and efficiently covered with boards, stained dark blue - to provide a firm surface for the slave-boys to 'perform' on.
Meanwhile, Petronius had been dispatched to the basement in order for him to ensure that there were no more problems with the now wet and sodden slaves.
In the pavilion, Marcus invited Titus to 'stretch his legs', while the preparations for the second part of the evening were made.
As they slowly strolled round the finely proportioned Ionic colonnade that surround the 'entertainment' area, the soft sound of music - along with the scent of sandalwood wafting from marble and gilt bronze burners, filled the warm evening air.
"I see you have a ὕδραυλις.", Titus commented, showing off his Greek.
"Yes - I have one here, that I brought from Baiae, and I also have had one installed in the amphitheatre in Baiae.
I like the sound very much - I find it very soothing.", Marcus explained.
"You see .... it's those dammed Greeks - so clever !", Titus said, obviously now relaxing after the excitement of the combats.
"I do hope that you were not too disappointed by the wrestlers and gladiators, such as they were.", Marcus said apologetically.
"Not at all, Marcus.
You know you get so bored by these professional chaps, coming out with the same repeatedly rehearsed moves - and then one 'takes a dive', and because the fighting looks so good, you have to let him be spared.
The problem is, it's not real fighting - and I should know.", Titus replied.
"Indeed....", Marcus agreed, aware that Titus had years of experience of real fighting leading his legions.
"Now your boys had little or no training - but knew that they had to really fight as well as they were able - and the winners did really well - and even the boys who were killed managed to 'take it' - without too much pleading and crying - very good.....
No - I enjoyed the entertainment you put on ..... excellent !",Titus said enthusiastically, slapping Marcus on the back.
It had been a long time since anyone had slapped Marcus on the back with boyish enthusiasm.
The last time had been when he had been with his young Greek friends in Athens.
Now that he was Dominus, he was effectively 'untouchable' - except when he was having sex with a slave, and then the touching was 'mannered' and deferential, even if it was intimate and sexual.
But then perhaps it was only a person of Titus' status who could relate at a level of 'equality' with Marcus, as his friends in Athens had done.
Marcus and Titus then returned to the pavilion.
By then Terentius and Novius and Demetrius had tactfully withdrawn - allowing Marcus and Titus to engage in private discussion.
Terentius and Novius stayed close by, in case Marcus required their advice on any matter arising from his talks with Titus
Demetrius had been provided with an elaborately decorated Hellenic style chair and small table by slaves, so that he could take refreshments while watching the dancing troupe, and Aelius stood nearby, ready to provide any service that his young master might require.
Echelaos, the boys' dancing master, also stood, unobtrusively, nearby - making discreet, and apparently pre-arranged hand gestures, which he used to guide his troupe in their steps.
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| Colonade in the Roof Gardens © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
"I see you have a ὕδραυλις.", Titus commented, showing off his Greek.
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| ὕδραυλις - Hydraulis © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
ὕδραυλις - hydraulis - water organ was invented by Ctesibius (the first head of the Library of Alexandria) in the 3rd century BC. The hydraulis was the world's first keyboard instrument. Ctesibius devised several different kinds of pumps, and used one to pump air at a constant pressure through the organ. Air is pumped (by an assistant) into the box on the bottom, then released through the pipes when the player presses a key. The water portion of the organ is used to regulate the pressure, so that the organ produces a consistent tone and volume.
"Yes - I have one here, that I brought from Baiae, and I also have had one installed in the amphitheatre in Baiae.
I like the sound very much - I find it very soothing.", Marcus explained.
"You see .... it's those dammed Greeks - so clever !", Titus said, obviously now relaxing after the excitement of the combats.
"I do hope that you were not too disappointed by the wrestlers and gladiators, such as they were.", Marcus said apologetically.
"Not at all, Marcus.
You know you get so bored by these professional chaps, coming out with the same repeatedly rehearsed moves - and then one 'takes a dive', and because the fighting looks so good, you have to let him be spared.
The problem is, it's not real fighting - and I should know.", Titus replied.
"Indeed....", Marcus agreed, aware that Titus had years of experience of real fighting leading his legions.
"Now your boys had little or no training - but knew that they had to really fight as well as they were able - and the winners did really well - and even the boys who were killed managed to 'take it' - without too much pleading and crying - very good.....
No - I enjoyed the entertainment you put on ..... excellent !",Titus said enthusiastically, slapping Marcus on the back.
It had been a long time since anyone had slapped Marcus on the back with boyish enthusiasm.
The last time had been when he had been with his young Greek friends in Athens.
Now that he was Dominus, he was effectively 'untouchable' - except when he was having sex with a slave, and then the touching was 'mannered' and deferential, even if it was intimate and sexual.
But then perhaps it was only a person of Titus' status who could relate at a level of 'equality' with Marcus, as his friends in Athens had done.
Marcus and Titus then returned to the pavilion.
By then Terentius and Novius and Demetrius had tactfully withdrawn - allowing Marcus and Titus to engage in private discussion.
Terentius and Novius stayed close by, in case Marcus required their advice on any matter arising from his talks with Titus
Demetrius had been provided with an elaborately decorated Hellenic style chair and small table by slaves, so that he could take refreshments while watching the dancing troupe, and Aelius stood nearby, ready to provide any service that his young master might require.
Echelaos, the boys' dancing master, also stood, unobtrusively, nearby - making discreet, and apparently pre-arranged hand gestures, which he used to guide his troupe in their steps.
The dancing style common in Rome was based on Greek dance (χορός) - which was referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. The dance that had taught to the boys by Echelaos, for this occasion, was the Κόρδαξ 'cordax', which was a provocative, licentious, and often (by modern standards) obscene dance. In his play Νεφέλαι - (The Clouds), Ἀριστοφάνης - (Aristophanes) complains that other playwrights of his time try to hide the feebleness of their plays by bringing dancers onto the stage to dance the 'cordax'. He notes with pride that his patrons will not find such gimmicks in his plays. Petronius (the Roman author- and not the character in this story) in his Roman novel the 'Satyricon' has Trimalchio boast to his dinner guests that no one dances the 'cordax' better than his wife, Fortunata (?). The nature of this dance is described in the satires of Decimus Iūnius Iuvenālis - (Juvenal), who says 'the dancers, encouraged by applause, sink to the ground with tremulous buttocks.' The Roman poet Horace, and the Roman playwright Plautus refer to the same dance as 'iconici motus' (iconic movement). Not surprisingly it was a very popular dance - but only ever watched by patricians, and never danced by them - patricians did not dance - only slaves - or debauched women like Trimalchio's wife - hence the joke.
Echelaos - Choros Magister - Dance Master
© Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017
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| Solo Dancing Boy © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
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| Kithara © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
Petronius was watching the boys, and Echelaos intently - considering how he could use them in the Amphitheater in Baiae.
The entertainment began with just a single boy dancer, completely naked and with his slim young body gilded.
His movements were slow and sinuous, matching perfectly the rhythmic notes of the kithara (the instrument of the God Apollo), which was now leading the gentle accompaniment of the (now muffled) hydraulis.
"So......", Marcus began, trying to sound casual, "how is your father finding it being emperor ?".
Titus took his eyes of the gilded boy, and turned to Marcus and smiled.
"Difficult !", Titus replied.
"You see, he never wanted to be emperor.
He had seen what being emperor had done to Nero - and so did I - and it was not good.
Nero was not too bad in the beginning - like Caligula - but the the power went to his head.", Titus replied.
"But your father - so I have been led to believe - is a very different kind of man.
You said yourself he's 'hands on', and he's a reputation for being 'down to earth'", Marcus countered.
"That's true - but the problem is that Nero almost bankrupted the empire - and the fire in Rome and the Civil War didn't help - so now there's no money - but much needs doing.
It will mean heavier taxes - and many in the Senate are opposed to that."
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| Temple of Juiter Optimus Maximus |
The Fire of Rome was an urban fire that started on the night between 18 and 19 July in the year 64 AD. It caused widespread devastation, before being brought under control after six days. Differing accounts either blame Emperor Nero for initiating the fire or credit him with organizing measures to contain it and provide relief for refugees. The Civil War - during the Year of the Four Emperors - also caused a lot of damage, particularly to the building on the Capitol - including the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus - which, because of its importance, Vespasian nee to rebuild almost immediately.Suddenly Marcus felt as if Gnaeus Octavianus was guiding his words.
"So that's where I come in.", Marcus said, remarkably bluntly.
"Well - you certainly come to the point." Titus said, obviously flustered and embarrassed.
"Look, Titus - I'm no politician, and I don't have time for lots of 'delicate' chat.
I'm no tough general like you - but I have - with Gnaeus, dealt with tough generals, and Praetorian Prefects - and I understand what is going on here."
Titus shifted uneasily in his chair.
"I can help you - and I will help you - if Terentius thinks it is possible and advisable - and if your father makes me a senator, I will support him in the Senate - but I will do this only because I believe that the Flavians are the best chance that the Empire has.
And before I do this - I must first meet your father - in order to assure myself that I am making the right decision." Marcus concluded, sitting back and waiting for a reply.
"Well...Marcus - that's what I wanted to hear - and so much like my father - straight to the point." Titus replied.
"So I'm sorry if I may seem rude or blunt, but that's the way I am.
Probably still and Athenian street-boy."
Marcus, as he spoke, glanced over to where Petronius was standing.
Petronius was looking directly at Marcus, and smiling broadly, but Marcus was sure that Petronius couldn't have heard what he was saying to Titus - so perhaps it was something Adonios had said, or maybe the fact that Glaux was twittering.
"That's good !", Titus said firmly - "and I will send a message to you tomorrow letting you know when my father can see you."
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| Tripod for Titus © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
"And now, my honourable Titus, I have a gift for you to thank you for gracing us this evening with your presence.", Marcus announced formally, gesturing to the other guests to come forward.
And so Petronius, Terentius, Novius, and Demetrius all stepped forward to see two burly slaves carry the most elaborate and costly looking tripod over to the pavilion to present to Titus.
Titus, rising from his seat, couldn't hide the look of surprise.
"But it's magnificent !" he said, gazing in awe at the priceless gift.
"So....just an Athenian street-boy.
Well - when anyone asks me who gave this to me, I will reply, with a grin, 'Just Athenian street-boy' !.
"I can't thank you enough.", Titus continued, obviously moved.
A sacrificial 'tripod' is a three-legged piece of religious furniture used for offerings or other ritual procedures. As a seat or stand, the tripod is the most stable furniture construction for uneven ground, hence its use is universal and ancient. It is particularly associated with (well - who else ?) Apollo and the Delphic oracle in ancient Greece, and the word τρίποδο (tripod) comes from the Greek meaning "three-footed". Tripods are frequently mentioned by Homer as prizes in athletic games, and as complimentary gifts; in later times, highly decorated and bearing inscriptions, they served the same purpose. They appear also to be precious gifts for guests, (as in the case of the Phaeakes, who offered a cauldron and tripod to Odysseus). In the ancient world the tripod was considered to be the 'ultimate' gift."You don't have to thank me - you're a friend !", Marcus replied
"So be seated, and lets watch the boys, and drink some more wine.", Marcus said, making it clear that the evening was far from over.
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| Dancing Boys - Triptych © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2017 |
More wine flowed, along with jokes and ribald comments, as the five original guests, plus Petronius gathered in the pavilion to watch the performance.
After a fast yet, highly erotic dance, eventually the naked boys, very skilfully, but as part of the performance, feigned tiredness - sunk to the floor and slowly melted into each other's arms - entwined and exploring one another, as the music, which had one again slowed, invited a sensual and overtly sexual display.
Marcus turned to Terentius.
"You know these boys were Aurarius' idea.....
We were in the 'Graecostadium', and Aurarius spotted these boys, and suggested buying them, and luckily we had Novius with us - who got them at a good price - but not as low as you could get - obviously.
But seeing them perform I would say that they were worth their weight in gold.", and Marcus grinned at his own joke - (not only was Aurarius' name derived from the Latin for gold - but the boys had also been 'gilded' for the performance)
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