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CEREALIA LITERARY CONTEST
TEXTS

IN SUMMA

1 � Hymn to Ceres

2 � Rhine River Patrol � Chapter I

3 � Rhine River Patrol � Chapter II

4 � Rhine River Patrol � Chapter III

5 � Rhine River Patrol � Chapter IV

6 � Roman Spain

7 � Roman Trade

8 � The Wind among the stones

9 � Dedicating yourself to the gods of Rome

NOTE: The Rhine River Patrol was asked to judge the chapters separately. In this case, I address the judges take a deep look on the chapter as a sole work . Eventually, they can give an average grade and changing it, let me say 5% up or down, according the quality of the chapter.

INSCRIPTION 1
Piperbarbus Ullerius Venator

Hymn to Ceres
(Green Folk Speak)

Mother Ceres send us life;
In growing things upon this Earth;
Fruitful Bounty of Your Kindness;
Which we must earn, though Gift of Work

Listen closely and hear the sounds,
Of root and branch, of stem and leaf,
The small, still voice of all plant life,
Surrounding us, bespeaking us
- Chorus -

From earth and sun, from wind and rain,
With helping hand and on their own
Plants grow from seed, make wide world bloom,
Produce their fruits, become our Wealth
- Chorus -

In kitchen plot, in vasty fields,
We sow and reap, we till and wet,
We scrape and scratch, we dig and hoe,
Our labors hard, our rewards good
- Chorus -

In beauty's form, they please the eye,
And odors sweet, do tickle nose,
In blossoms bright, do honeybees,
Find the stuff which, may become mead
- Chorus -

In plainer form, there is good use,
Not only food, but healing, too,
In fruit and nut, in pulp and seed,
In stem and leaf, in rind and root
- Chorus -

From stem and boll, we fibers gain,
To spin out yarns for weaving cloth
To form the threads which become rope,
To cover us and bind things tight
- Chorus -

Without plant life, we would be not,
They are the stuff, of all being,
Sustaining us, sustaining world,
So hear them well, give rightful thanks
- Chorus -

Listen closely and hear the sounds,
Of root and branch, of stem and leaf,
The small, still voice of all plant life,
Surrounding us, bespeaking us

- Chorus -

- Chorus -

INSCRIPTION 2

Marcus Minucius Audens

Rhine River Patrol - Chapter I

    The dawn slowly became more prominant in the distant sky as Apollo's Chariot approached the rim of the world. The smell of melting pitch began to drift upon the air, it's heavy odor heady and strong but somehow pleasing to one long accustomed to such, and the saw-pits, by the launching ramps, added to this aroma, the rich smell of new-sawn lumber.  These odors in the predawn hours raised many memories in the mind of this man as he looked over the shipyard laid out in front of him, from his psition on a small hill just inland of the Lower Rhinus Ship-Building yard.  The ship-storage sheds lay together just across. The river, still half-full frm the winter storage, and now silent, prior to the mustering of thier crews.  Only two sentries moved along the narrow river-frontage piers.

    The piles of lumber which had not so long ago been the only indication of intention, were now reduced to a mere few planks and in thier place were three fine new liburnians, almost complete.  Soon, once again, the calker's hammers would begin thier unceasing chatter, and the shipyard would once again become alive.  But for now, only a few slaves stirred, feeding the fires, under the pitch pots, lighting the shadows along the waters edge with thier flickering , dancing flame-light. The river itself flowed smoothly along, without a ripple, a quiet entity now, undistubed and moving toward it's ultimte destination to the deep sea at the end of it's long journey.  Marcus made a sign of respect to the Rhinus God.  He knew better than most, of the rage and damage of which the river God was capable when prevented or interfered with, by the actions of men.  He knew too, the destruction that could be wielded by the minions of the God Rhinus in time of flood or of the ice break-up each year when the Rhinus God rampaged in his bed and brought destruction and suffering to those who scoffed at the power of this strange diety whose faces were many from peace to disaster when finally disturbed from his winter's sleep.  The Rhinus was a valuable ever-flowing road, whose service to carry upon it's bosom trade and patrol was as necessary to Rome as were it's much vaunted land roads, for the ever-hungary legions and growing cities of Germania.  It was prudent, indeed, to show a proper respect to such a diety as this, particularly since his well-being as well as military career depended in large part upon his affinity for this fluvia upon which he now gazed. 

    It was a good time to be alive, thought Marcus, as he stood feet wide apart as though braced against a quartering sea, even though the land was solid beneath him.  Marcus Fulminatus Vindex, the newly appointed "Navarch" of the just as new patrol squadron of the Classis Gernanica stood on land as he braced himself at sea, and his rolling gait, as he traversed the yard told anyone curious enough to be interested that he was a sailor who had spent much of his life at sea.  Although officially designated as a Patrol Squadron, and assignedto patrol duties on the Lower Rhinus Fluvius, it was known only to the Classis Praefect, himself and the Senior Centurion assigned to the Squadron, that this unit under his command would have the task of clearing the Rhinus Delta of a particularly disturbing pirate band operating against Roman and Roman-chartered Merchant ships supplying the Western Roman Legions. 

    His previous service as Triarchus of the of the "Vesta," a trireme out of Classis Misenensis (Misenum), had been blessed with the capture of another pirate off the coast of Sicilia.  This fool has tried to take a ship contracted to the Emperor Trajan, and when caught, he and his crew, some 30-40 in number, had been cruciied, and most of the cargo from Trajan's chartered ship had been recovered.  The capture and subsequent rescue of the Emperor's goods had caught the attention of the Emperor, and had resulted in a nice promotion and a new command on the frontier.

    All this suited the sailor just fine, as the gilt and pomp of Rome disturbed him in some mysterious way, and he longed once more for the lonely stretches of coast-line, a dawn patrol, and finally the problem of pitting his seamanship against that of the elusive thieves of the sea.  Whatever may be said about thier crimes and thier greed, it had to be recognized that they were illusive, well versed in the tactics that fitted their particular efforts, and seemed to be very well informed into the bargain.

    As the day became brighter, Marcus wandered closer to the three liburnians lying on thier individual launching forms.  Soon all three would be ready to taste the water of the Rhinus for the first time, and then all that would remain was the rigging of the vessels from the vast coils of cordage and supplies of the loft over the cordage walk where the sails were cut and stored.  Each vessel had mounted on her bow, a small scorpion-catapult capable of firing both bolts, stone balls and flame arrows, an addition insisted on by himself.  His friends in the Legion stationed at Misenum, and the nearby Praetorian Camp had suggested a unique arrangement of ready ammunition built into the ship's upper works to assist in maximizing the  firing rate of this weapon.It had worked well on "Vesta" and he had duplicated the plans on these three vessels, as well as the "Pinnata," his command ship, a trireme of clean lines, which was now tied to the rigging pier, shortly to be completed and within a tenth day moved to an anchorage to make room for the first of the liburnians off the launching cradles. 

    He would have to give some thought to thier naming, and to the special prayers, offerings and ceremony of the naming.  He did not wish to leave this, just to the Pontiffs alone, who dealt in such things but wished  to at least be visible in this very important ceremony.  It bodes well, he thought, to be in the eye of the Gods, when putting oneself in harm's way, particularly on an unforgiving sea, and against a wily and ruthless opponent.

    As the workers began to fill the yard, and the day was well started, Marcus turned his steps toward his office on the hill.  Part of the Principia for the fleet Praefect here was allotted to senior Naval Officers, and his small office was next to the Praefect's Cornicularius, who acted as both the Praefect's Adjutant, and where the records of the shipyard and local fleet were kept on file.  In a few minutes, Marcus would meet with the Cornicularius and the five Centurions who actually ran the shipyard, and the Legion Cohort stationed here to form the Legion Marines, who would man the squadron.  After the Morning Report, Marcus would meet briefly with his four triarchi, and then with the Praefect to discuss the latest reports from the Classis Praefectus and from Rome pertaining to his squadron's assignment. 

    His picked up his pace as he climbed the hill to the Principia thinking again, that it was a good time to be alive.

INSCRIPTION 3
Marcus Minucius Audens

Rhine River Patrol - Chapter II
"A Meeting"

The Principia (Headquarters) for the Shipyard sat on the bald crown of A small hill overlooking the shipyards immediately, and also providing a  long distance view of a long stretch of the Fluvius Rhinus as It emerged from the heavy leaf-denuded forest upriver, and finally disappeared  into the reed-choked muddy delta area far downriver. Beyond the delta a sliver of blue water could be seen in the early spring dawn against a dark bowl of the sky to seaward.  This bright metallic blue color of a precious stone, in contrast to the muddy brown of the Rhinus, served to reassure Marcus Vindex of the presence of the Mare Germanicus far downriver. Somehow such assurance was comforting to him.  He was used to the open ocean, and still felt crowded by the banks of the Rhinus even as broad as the river was.  The hill had been shorn of most of it's trees some time ago, but two remained in front of the Principia.  Their gnarled trunks and dark  green leaves seemed to soften the brightly painted outlines of the Principia building, and shaded the entrance from the heat of Sol at midday.  

Marcus reached the top of the timber and stone steps and walked out Onto the wide smooth stone area that lay in front of the Principia.  The Fleet Praefectuswas a popular Senator and used to the very best that could be provided.  This included the unusuall extensive stonework that surrounded the Principia Building and his private quarters as well.  It was said that his personal treasure was extensive, so he could probably afford such touchs of elegance. 

Marcus walked briskly across the flagstones, not wishing to be late for the Morning Report, but also unwilling to appear to be an anxious hangers-on to the Fleet Praefectus' skirts. He approached the steps leading to the entrance, where two legionaires stood guard with pilum, gladius and scutum.  Above them in twin oval niches set into the outer wall of the Principia, directly above the guard stations were the two ornate half-lifesize statues of Mars, the Holy God of War / Agriculture and Neptune, the Holy God of Water, both of which also stood guard on the honors gathered within the inside Principia chapel.

The guards snapped to attention as he entered the gateway, flanked as He did so, by the two heavy wooden doors with their detailed carving, also indicative of the Holy Neptune and Mars.  Marcus was of the opinion that Neptune's place in the outer niche should probably be substituted by The Rhinus River Spirit, since the influence of Neptune on the Rhinus Fleet seemed to him to be far less that that of the Spirit of the Fluvius Rhinus.  That particular spirit seemed to be most capricious and destructive, with it's rumbling and quaking during the long winter, and it's wild and far-reaching floods of the spring season.  Even now the level of the river was increasing, and some of the "fabri" (engineering specalists) were shoring up and strengthing the river docks and piers, that the increased river current threatened.  Add to those concerns the  submerged sand bars that mysteriously appeared and disappeared each year, the eddies which were a constant problem for the oared warships in the turns of the river, never in the same place twice, and finally the heavy waterlogged timber debris, that floated just below the surface, or which was embedded in the bottom of the river waiting for the opportunity to punch a hole in a careless or unsuspecting vessel.  The Fleet's "Gubernators" (river pilots) would soon be out on the river (his own assigned pilots included) updating the above changing conditions and trying to at least keep abreast of the Rhinus Spirits and thier seasonal changes.  The ice damage each year along the river done by an obviously angry river god was extensive.  He hurled his "glacies" (ice) weapons against any man-made improvements along the river, and these attacks were extremely destructive.  As if that were not enough, this debris, propelled by a wildly strong river current made this broken material, in it's turn, a further weapon to be used against installations farther downstream.  However, his view of the Religio was consideed to be somewhat strange among his friends and superiors, and so he kept his opinions of such behind his teeth.

Marcus strode purposefully through the outer unroofed courtyard.  The covered verandah occupying the whole four sides of the square except for the Main entrance, and the entrance into the "basilica" (cross-hall), was still dark. Marcus could just pick out the various papyrii notices posted there for the fleet and the shipyard.  Ahead of him was the group of  junior centurions gathered to get the day's orders and the password. Standing beside the Praefect was the Cornicularius (Adjutant) with a  Wax tablet and stylus prepared to write down any last minute directons orquestions from or directed to the Fleet Praefectus.  Behind the  Praefect stood a clerk with several papyrii rolls under one arm in case something needed to be further reviewed. Next to this clerk was a smallfour-legged table with a three-legged stool.  For the most part it was the Cornicularius, his clerks, and the staff Centurions that ran the shipyard.  The Praefectus was simply there to provide judgements in matters of dicipline, hear any special requests and give out general overall direction as might be needed.

As Marcus approached, the Praefect looked up and nodded a greeting, and the centurions turned toward him to see who was coming in.  The Cornicularius looked up briefly and then twisting his mouth in distaste, he concentrated again upon his notes, making a point of further ignoring the naval officer's approach.  He and Marcus had experienced several heated  dscussions regarding the allotment of shiprights and lumber for the vessels under the Navarch's responsibility.  The Cornicularius, one Quintus Aurelius Probus, a Cohort Centurion of some experience, and who apparently thought of himself as an excellent candidate for praefectus or better still a "Tribunus Angusticlavi" (equestrian rank with a narrow purple stripe on his tunic).  Marcus sighed and supposed that he would have to get to know the gentleman a bit better, and see if he could not smooth over this rough spot.  It would not do at all to have the Adjutant at cross purposes with the completion of the patrol squadron. The piracy problem that he was to address grew worse with each passing month, and, of course, the secrecy shrouding the special task of this squadron did not include the Cornicularius.  It would be up to Marcus to get Quintus Probus on his side.

Just to one side of the central group, stood a large man in full parade dress of a Cohort Rank Centurion.  His "phalerae" were highly polished, and he wore on his dark hair the Corona Civica.  Two torques, one at each shoulder, gleamed dully in the subdued light, and he carried his helmet in the crook of his right arm, with a hefty peeled vine staff with what looked like five siver rings along it's length, in his right hand.  His armour was silvered, and shone with a sheen that indicated a lot of work had been expended on the effort to keep it so.  Overall, his turnout was excellent,  his uniform and equipment showing the field use of an experienced officer, but the care and work to keep it virtually faultless to Marcus' exprienced eye.  The Naval Officer was impressed, and rather surprised when the Centurion, having gained his attention, crossed over to him, and in a low voice said,"Silvius Appius Verus, Centurion, Pilus Prior, Third Cohort, Legio II Adiutriix, reporting for duty Sir."

INSCRIPTION 4
Marcus Minucius Audens

Rhine River Patrol - Chapter III

Now he had done it!!!!  The overseer, a great brute of a man lay groaning on the gravel, holding a broken arm, badly broken if the sharp point of the bone projecting through the skin of the lower arm accompanied by severe bleeding was any indication.  Two guards were looking his way, and along this gravel trail high on a stony ridge,there wasn't much of a place to run.  Deciding quickly he snatched at the large knife at the downed man's belt, and the stout staff lying beside him.  A quick swipe across the overseers throat with the knife took care of all of his debts to this brute, and he jumped off the path and onto the steep gravelly slope.  He immediately lost his balance and began to tumble heads over heels towards the rocky pit somewhere below. Shouts from behind him heralded that he had been seen and chase was likely to follow close behind.  In the tumbleing his head hit something hard and he blacked out completely. 

He heard voices nearby and lay completely still. He was on his stomach lying down slope.  He felt a heay covering all over his body as though covered with dirt.  He was covered with dirt, and gravel, and rock. His head was wedged under a larger boulder or he would probably have had his brains knocked out of his head during his slide downhill.  He opened his eyes, but all he could see was the heavy dust raised by the landslide that he had started and the dirt and rock which now covered him.

"Where the hell did that scrawny bastard go?" said a nearby voice.

"Shutup and look, slugfoot!!  You're here for a reason, and that ain't to exercise yur wagging jaw!!! responded a harsh voice somewhat further away.  "And be careful,: added the harsh voice,"He got that dumb begger's knife!!!!"

"I'll shut your damned trap, you overbearing son of a---------," said the nearby first voice but much lower in volume.

'How long before this guy finds me' thought Gaius.  Can I jump up and get this guy, and die fighting or wait until I am found and then enjoy being crucified! Not an enviable choice.  He still had the knife in one hand under this cascade of dirt, but the staff was gone.  The man closest to him walked over, his footfalls heavy in Gaius' ear. The man knelt close by Gaius' head and muttered, "Well what's this, and Gaius could feel the guard's touch on the knife. 

Not time to reason this out.  Could he make the stroke that would kill the guard?  Was his arm free? No time,  Gaius gathered his strength and erupted out of the dirt and gravel blanket that covered him.  He made a wide slashing motion with the knife as he moved in the direction of his closest opponent.  He connected!!!  With a groan the guard sank to his knees holding his belly.  The knife stroke had opened a gaping wound, through which the guard's life was spurting away.

"What the hell is your problem Marcus?  Can't you keep your mind on what we're doing??!!  Find that damn slave!!!!  The voice was closer now, and Gaius could hear his approach. 

Gaius grunted an answer hoping that it would pass for a disgruntled reply. At the same time he rammed his fist in the kneeling guard's mouth, and cut his throat.  The man slumped in death under his hand. The dust cloud was fast clearing, and Gaius cautiously looked around. The boulder under which his head had been jammed.  His body ached all over, He could hear the yells from above on the trail demanding some kind of report. The second guard was comng his way, wiping his running eyes, and cursing to himself.  The man had lost his helmet in his wild run down slope, and Gaius picked up a large rock at his feet.  At the same time that the second guard saw his partner dead on the ground, Gaius hit the man in the back of his head as hard as he could with the rock.  The man fell stunned.  God what luck!!!!  How long could it last?  Gaius moved around the boulder and crouched out of sight from those above.  He looked downslope, and saw a line of low brush extending up the ridge. Probably some sort of a water spring or seep.  It was almost four ship-lengths away,  If he could get to that cover he would have a chance.  He had killed three times, and they would not stop thier chase, but in the woods he certainly had a better chance than on the open mountainside.  Quickly deciding, he gathered his strength, and again lurched downslope towards his brushy goal.  Shouts erupted above him on the trail and an archer took careful aim at the running fugitive.

INSCRIPTION 5
Marcus Minucius Audens

Rhine River Patrol - Chapter IV

The big man sat at a small table looking over the wax tablet in his hands.  The tablet seal was broken and the blue thread of the Maratime Directory hung to one side of the tablet frame.  The room in which he sat was small and an oil lamp stood on one corner of the table casting  a quavering light over the table as well as a dim dancing light along the walls.  The flame of the lamp stirred in the movement of the draft that omehow crept through the tightly shuttered window, high on the right wall.

The man sat on a rough bench with a cloak about his shoulders, and underneath the cloak he was dressed warmly in long sleeved and long-legged tight trousers of a fine wool.  His boots were soft light colored leather laced tightly around his ankles.  Close beside the table was a bronze bowl on a three-legged stand, heaped high with burning charcoal.  Standing next to the lamp was a large red pottery cup half-filled with watered wine, from which the man sipped from time to time.

The man�s hair and eyebrows were thick and a very light blond, almost white. He was a good looking man, but somewhat older, and his eys were a pierching blue.  His right hand covered his mouth as he thoughtfully checked each line on the tablet with a pointed steel stylus.

The man pulled his cloak closer about him as a strong gust of wind rattled the window shutter, and a fine mist of snow drifted to the rough board floor.  He frowned at the disturbance, and again focused his attention on the list before him.  Otho Germanicus Sulla considered the cargo listing before him, and damned the stupidity of the man who had sent the information under the seal of the directory.  A personal seal would have been just as secure, and would not have drawn attention to the tablet.  As it was every slave in the compouind knew that the �Captain� had recieved an official communication, and were gabbling among themselves throughout the camp, about how soon the ships would go out again.      

�Surely the transports carrying this cargo, would have a naval escort, and that was a serious consideration,� Otho thought.  These supplies were the first of the season for the Legions and Naval Bases upriver, and his previous raids on merchant shipping has made the shipowners shy, and they demanded protection from the military.  His customers would pay well for a cargo of corn, oil, and wine, not to mention the five bolt catapults known in the legions as �scorpions�, a very large consignment of hand weapons, several crates of catapult bolts, spare catapult skiens, leather tents, and several bales of cured leather hides, as well as fourteen bales of woolen cloth.  Balanced against that kind of a temptation, was the thought of engaging naval units that would be sheparding the transports through the Oceanus Germanicus, and up to the mouth of the Rhinus Fluvia.

He reviewed in his mind the three liburnians that lay under thier camoflage nets well up the marsh inlet close by the camp.  They were fast thes liburnians, but thier speed and manuverability gave up defensive elements in a test of strength with naval warships.  No, he would have to devise some sort of trick to deflect the escorts, and the weather wuld play a great part in such an effort.   He would have to move his base soon , deeper into the maze of the extensive marshes around the mouth of the Rhinus, that did such a good job of hiding himself, his men and his ships.

The soft shuffle of a leather sandal at the doorway, drew Otho�s attention,and he looked up to see a much smaller man than the �Captain� leaning in the doorway.  The man was very dark skinned, wth black hair,and  slight build.  H wore a black tunic that was none too clean, with a badly tarnished gold chain around his neck.  The man wore a patch over his right eye, and the long red scar from chin to his hairline indicatd how he recieved his wound.  The scar puckered strangely around the man�s mouth twisting his face into a kind of permanent maiicious grin.  He wore a long-bladed archer�s knife which hung in a finely crafted sheath made from deerhide with the fur side out, and decorated lavishly with brass and copper studs, which had gone green with neglect..  Supporting the knife he wore a wide leather girdle which was also decorated in a similar fashion to the knife sheath.  He wore a legionarie�s cloak and padded leg protection tied with leather thongs against the cold.  He too wore soft leather boots tied high on his ankles. 

�So,� said the smaller man, leaning against the rough timber doorframe,� do we have a new opportunity coming down to us from our friends in Rome?�  He had a sly and oily manner and when he spoke his voice was soft, but had within it a contemtuous inflection.

�Do not sell these people short.  I expect them to call for and get a strong naval escort,� replied Otho curtly and with distaste. Tiberius �Patch� Onus, sneered at the caution in the voice of the �Captain.  �Those escorts are of little value, in stopping a lightening raid. like my men and I are capable of.  We have taken them every time,� he finished with prideful gesture.

�Yes, we have been successful,� replied Otho,�and I credit you for those successes, but I have heard that there is a new force being gatered somewhere up the Rhinus.  I think it would be prudent to look around a bit.  We have sufficent time before the shipment is due.�

�In the is kind of weather?  You must be crazy.  Who is going to cross the Marsh to the coastal road in this snowstorm,� said �Patch� straigtening his body in the door.

Otho rose from his chair slowly, like a large bear, heavy, powerful and dangerous, revealing as he rose a heavy pugio in a metal sheath suspended from his shoulder by a baldric, and  strapped  to his side with a plain leather belt.  �Any damned sailor that I order to go, that�s who,� he said leaning forward his knuckles on the table, �be he Captain or slave!!�  He spoke softly, but with a real menace in his voice.

Patch fingured the hilt of his knife for a moment, holding the eyes of his senior.  �So say you,� he said , his voice quiet but threatening.

�Aye, so say I, until some one thinks he is better than I am.  Go for it Patch, let�s settle it here and now,�  Otho also caressed the hilt of his pugio, with a determned grin ,that belied, his tensed shoulders, and one hand on the edge of the table ready to hurl it out of the way.

Patch held Otho�s gaze for a full minute, and then his eyes, dropped, and he said in his usual soft voice,� oh, not this day �Captain,� this last delivered with a strong hint of contempt.  �I�ll send the boy, he�s a sharp one.  He�ll find out if your nightmares has any basis.�  This last comment was delivered with a strong note of sarcasm. 

Otho ignored the challenge as he again took his seat.  �Send Julius With him, or the �boy� will get into trouble for fair.�  He waved a dismissal, and again picked up the wax tablet.

Patch executed an exagerated bow in the doorway and then turning disappeared into the darknes of the house beyond the �Captain�s� office. Otho gritted his teeth.�Damn that miserable slug.  I�ll have to kill  Him one day, and that day gets closer with every insult.�  He tried to interest himself again in the tablet, but the thoughts of his knife severing Patch�s throat was all that he could see.

INSCRIPTION 6
Marcus Minucius Audens

Roman Spain

The Peninsula of Iberia was one of the most prosperous of the Roman Empire.  It boasted a thriving trade, as well as a strong road network, and several large urban centers.    The exports were Gold from the Cordillera Cantabrica in Northwestern Spain, Copper from PaxIlia (Beja -- in modern Portugal), Silver from the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada in Southern Spain, Olive Oil from the area around Italica and Hispalis (Seville), and Fish Sauce from processing factories set up along the Southern Coast and from Carthago Nova (Cartagena) a Mediterranean seaport.

A Roman Road came South from Gallia Lugdunensi (France) and crossed the Pyrenaei Montes (Pyranees Mountains) close by the Northeastern Coastline of Spain.  The road followed the Coastline South through Emporiae (Ampurius), Tarraco (Tarragona), Carthago Nova and then Westward across the Sierra Nevada Highlands to Gades (Cadiz) on the Mare Gades.  From there the roads turned North to Italia (the first community of Roman Ciizens in Spain, established by WScipio Africanus in the 3rd Century B.C. for the veterans of the war against Carthage) and Hispalis on the Flumen (River) Guadalquivir and from there branched to the East, West and continued Northward toward the high internal plateau of Tarraconensis, and the cities of Toletum (Toledo) on the Flumen Tagus , Segovia, CaesarAugusta (Saragossa) on the Flumen Iberis Ebro, From this Northern Point the road network leads to Clunia, Legio (Leon), Augusta Asturia, Lucus Augusti (Lugo), and the seaport of Brigantium (La Corunna) on the Mare Cantabricum, and the Oceanus Atlantico in the extreme Northwest Coast of Iberia.

From Hispalis the road leads East to Pax Iulia, and then Northwest to the West Coast seaport of Olisipo (Lisbon) at the mouth of the Flumen Tagus.  The road continues North to Scallabis (Santarem) and finally to Bracara Augusta (Braga), before turning toward the Northeast and Linking with the road leading to Brigantium.

Eastward from Hispalis, the road goes to Astigi, and Corduba on the Flumen Baestis Guadalquivir, and then to the East Coastal Road and Carthago Nova.

Tarraco (Tarraconensis), Corduba (Baetica), and Merida (Lusitania) are Provincial Capitols.  There is a Legion Base at Legio, (close by Asturia Augusta, and the following cities are seats of Provincial Council; --Lucus Augusti, Asturia Augusta, Braga, Clunia, Caesaraugusta, Scallibis, Pax Iulia, Hispalis, Astigi and Gades. 

The major agricultural and sea-based exports wine, olive oil and Garum (fish sauce) was transported in clay containers called "amphorae." These containers were shaped like a wide mouthed jar at the top of the container and were pointed on the other end.  Thet were sealed at the mouth and shipped cushioned in straw.  The pointed bottom faciltated the use of the container in a counter with a hole cut into it to allow the amporae to stand upright.  The pointed end often rested in a wooden  block cut to fit.

The provinces of Iberia, boasted of fine stone bridges spanning the various rivers such as the still standing bridge over the Flumen Tagus at present day Alcantara), the great aqueduct of Segovia, and the extensive mines in the area of Rio Tinto  (with thier remains of screw pumps and water wheels used to drain the deep mines of water seepage).

These above structures, with the very extensive major and minor road network probably indicates that the engineering skills of the Empire were lavished upon these provinces in grateful response to the generous exports to Rome of badly needed goods.  It is recognized that Southern Spain was thoroughly Romanized by the time of the final conquest in the north of Iberia in 19 B.C.

References:

--The Penguin Historical Atls of Ancient Rome," Chris Scarre, Pnguin, 1995;

--"Roman Spain," Keay S.J., British Museum Pub., 1988;

--"Alas of Classical History," Talbert R.J.A., Croom - Helm, 1985.

Note:- The information in these refernces is taken from the archaelogical findings in the Iberian Penisula, as well as the ancient writings of Livy. Polybius, Tacitus and several other writers of the period.

INSCRIPTION 7
Marcus Minucius Audens

Roman Trade

While the Romans were famous for the roads they constructed across the empire, they were also adept at establishing a flourishing sea trade which took them to India and into the Mare Erythraeum (Indian Ocean) and beyond.

Trade items within the Mediterranean Basin included such commodities as:

--Grain, wine, olive oil, pottery vessels, glass, metals (lead, iron, tin, copper, and gold), , stone (white or colored marble from Asia Minor,  building stone / tiles), textiles (cotton. fine linen,and silk), animals, and slaves.  

The transport of bulk goods was accomplished by sea as a more efficient method of movement.  It is from the Edict of Prices laid down by the Emporer Diocletian in 301 A.D. that we learn the fact that it was more expensive to ship grain 75 miles inland, than it was to transport grain from Spain to Syria.

In recent yars, the large number of Roman shipwrecks discovered by archaeologists around the Mediteranean Sea attest to the volume of sea trade in the area, together with it's attendant dangers.  The more important items of trade around the Mediterranen were OLive Oil, Wine, Grain and Metals.  We also know that the grain fleets from Carthago, Africa (modern day Tunisia) and Egypt were so important to Rome that control of these provinces were placed under special appointees to insure a steady supply of grain to Rome for the "corn dole" to it's urban population.

Metals and Oil were sought in the lower extremities of Hispania,in the ancient city of Gades (Cadiz), wine from Tarraco (Tarragona) and Massila (Marsailles), Metals and Wine from Rome, Grain and Metals from Sardinia, Oil and Wine from Aquilia (Grado) and Bononi (Bologna), Wine from Ephesus and Athenae and Oil from Antiochia.  The following materials were transported overland to the nearest Medierranean Ports; Metals  from Northwestern Hispania, Toltum (Toledo), Caesaraugusta (Saragossa),Tolosa (Toulouse),.Metals from Britain, Wine from Augusta Trevororum, Metals from Augusta Vindelicorum, and Metals from Arabia.

Further afield the trade routes extended up the Nile River from Alexandria to Meroe' and Axum which were also major trade centers and recieved thier goods overland across the desert from the Red Sea
ports..

The trade routes extended  through the Sinus Persicus (Red Sea) and it was here in Arabia (present day Yemen) and in the "Horn" of Africa (present day Somaliland) that the fragrant incense producing areas were found.  From the major trade centers of Antioch, Damascus, Selucia / Ctesiphon another trade route extended   through the Persian Gulf. 

Both th Red Sea Route and the Persian Gulf Route led into the Arabian Sea and from there on to Muzirus on the Western tip of India, and from there further on to Masulipatum and Tamluk on India's Eastern Coast through the Mare Gangeticus (Bay Of Bengal).  From there the routes cross the upper reaches of the Mar Gangeticus and then pass through the Straits of Malacca and into the Magnus Sinus (South China Sea) and then to the Major trading Center of Oceo (near the modern day city of Saigon in South Vietnam).  From there there is some mention of the possibility of routes south  and north along the Vietnam and Chinese Coast.

Overland was the well known "Silk Road" by whitch the silks from China traveled. The road extended from Seleuca / Ctesiphon in the West through thr trading centers of Ecbatana, Rhagae, across Parthia (South of the Caspian Sea) and then on to Hecatompylos. Merv, Samarkand, Tashkent, Urumchi, Turfan and then to Hami which is found on the southern edge of the Altai Mountain Range and the Gobi Desert.

At Hami the "Scythian Route" to the East from Tanais on the shores of the Sea of Azov meets the more southerly route briefly.  This route crosses the Volga River near Volgograd, passes just north of the Ural River, South of the Ural Mountains and North of the Caspian and Aral Seas, across the Isimskaja Steppe, and followed the Irtys' River to Semipalatinsk, South of Lake Zaisan.  .From Hami across the Gobi Desert and North of Lak Nor to Langchow thn to Changan (Sera Metropolis -- near the present day city of Xi'an) in Serica (China).  From there the "Silk Road" follows the Hwang Ho (Yellow) River to Luoyang (about 400 miles West and just South of the mouth of the Yellow River). 

Roman merchants traded gold, glassware, and other manufactured goods which turn up today as far away as Vietnam and Malaysia Romans normally paid for goods in silver and gold coin, and a great Many such coins have been found as far away as Afghanistan and Indochina.

The goods primarily traded for in the various areas outside the Mediterranean Basin was :

--spices of all kinds, perfumes, silks, cotton steel, drugs and precious stones.

Goods which were exported from Rome were:

--jewelry, cut gems, glassware, clothing, amber, coral, and purple dye.

Refernces:

--"The Spice Trade of the Roman Empire, 29B.C. to A.D. 641," J. Innes Miller, Oxford at the Clarendon Press,1969;

--"Handbook To Life In Ancient Rome," Adkins and Adkins, Oxford University Press, New York / Oxford, 1994;

--"The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Rome." Chris Scarre, Penquin Group, London, 1995.

INSCRIPTION 8
Gaia Flavia Aureliana

The Wind among the Stones

The wind always blows here among the stones even in summer. On really hot days, it can be a gentle murmur, a welcome dissipation of the heat reflected from the white limestone Wall that still stands guard across the fells of Northern England. Along the central sector, Hadrian�s Wall and ditches can be seen in their best state of preservation. They run for miles along the ridges of the hills and dominate the undulating skyline. To the north, the empty moors stretch out into the far distance, where the hills of southern Scotland can dimly be discerned.

Walking here alone, away from the tourist centres with their groups of enthusiastic visitors, free from the noise and pressure of modern life, you are grateful for the beauty and the solitude. Only the call of the wheeling peewit and the far off bleating of grazing sheep disturb the silence. It is a place of tranquillity, a place to heal the soul.

But other eyes have not seen it so; other hearts have not found this peace. Not far away, in the remains of a ruined turret, the lonely sentry post between two milecastles, a single word has been scratched in the stone � SATIS. What intensity of emotion has been poured into that one word! What stranger from a warmer climate has seen the beauty marred by tedium, loneliness and the implacable elements?

He has watched the summer days shorten as autumn approaches. He has felt the chill in the morning air that threatens worse to come. He has watched the trees put on their opulent displays of red and gold, their final act of defiance, before relinquishing their leafy vestments to stand stark and skeletal, as if surrendering every spark of life.

The wind strengthens from the west, driving the clouds before it, bringing the autumn rains. The rain turns the moors to bogs, the roads to mud. Dampness pervades everything; the sun struggles to break through the persistent blanket of cloud. No welcome rest after a summer of campaigning can be anticipated here. No glory has been gained in combat; no tales of bravery will be exchanged among comrades over an amphora of wine. The garrison has not been sent here to fight, but to patrol. Its task is to regulate passage across the Wall, ceaselessly to guard its gates. At the edge of Empire, boredom sets in and thoughts turn more frequently to families and friends at home.

The wind and rain get colder as winter encroaches. The wind searches into every nook and cranny, giving no respite. It chills to the bone. When it drops a little, the clouds themselves descend, covering everywhere with droplets of moisture, reducing visibility to a few paces. Who can now tell what lies beyond the ditch? What enemies gather, what monsters roam in the darkness on the other side of the Wall?

The sun, when it appears, has little strength, and becomes the precursor of the frosts at night. The winter nights are long this far north. If the wind changes direction, it brings in snow from the east. Then no wool or leather will keep out the cold. It numbs the hands and feet and endows metal with the qualities of ice. Even the warmth of the bathhouse cannot stave off such cold for long. How bitter sweet the memories of home become. The warmth of Dalmatia, Africa and Asia seems like a dream, recollections from another life, from a time when there was joy and hope.

Yet at long last, the wind changes again. After deepest winter, the wind now comes from the southwest. It chases patchy clouds across the sky, creating moving mosaics of light and shadow across the moors below. It brings with it vague scents of warmer lands, the stirrings of new life. The days lengthen; the trees come into leaf again; the flowers open. The handiwork of the Goddess is seen everywhere. Perhaps she has not returned as quickly or with such exuberance as is her custom further south. But she has come again, promising her bounty to everyone in the months to come. The wind is softer now, whispering suggestions of new a posting, a reunion with loved ones, a farewell to the Wall.

The wind always blows here among the stones no matter what the season, a constant reminder of what it means to be away from home.

INSCRIPTION 9
Diana Moravia Aventina

Dedicating Yourself to the Gods of Rome

I offer this text in honor of the Cerealia Ludi. May the Gods find my offering pleasing!

When the Gods call you to their service, it is not as if a light breaks forth from the heavens and surrounds you. You are not hit by a lightening bolt thrown down by Jupiter thereby gaining enlightenment and the knowledge of the true meaning of life. It begins with more of an idea in your head�one that persistently seems to stay on your mind. Maybe you were sitting on the sofa and saw a television program on the Roman Gods, or maybe you were walking through a bookstore and a book on Roman mythology practically jumped off the shelf and landed in your shopping basket.  Or maybe you went on vacation to Italy and visited the ruins of some Roman temples and somehow it felt familiar to you or even stronger�you felt like you had come home. However the Gods have planted the seed in your mind, you�re �hooked�. You find yourself reading everything that you can about these Gods. Somewhere along the way, you realize that you no longer consider it �mythology�. The Gods have come alive for you and you feel as it your eyes are opened for the first time in your life. 

So now what do you do? In my opinion, when one accepts the Gods of Rome as their chosen Deities, the time should be marked with a ceremony. Why? Simply because the Gods have called you and the polite thing is to officially answer them that you�ve heard J   Even more, you have set your feet on a new path and the day should be marked forever in your life as one that is special. 

On April 25 1997, I did a ritual dedicating myself to the Gods. It was not a dedication to any pantheon in particular. Basically, I dedicated myself and waited to see who came and claimed me J Anyway, the day of my self-dedication ritual is one I always remember as my Pagan birthday. I had always been religious, but it was during early 1997 that I realized that what I felt and believed was within the spiritual paths labeled under the heading of Paganism.

Here is an outline of a simple self-dedication ritual that I have written in honor of the Cerealia Ludi. I would like to state that the ritual below is not based on historical fact or ancient text and should not be considered as an �official� part of the Religio Romana. It has neither been seen nor approved by the Collegium Pontificum.

Dedicating Yourself to the Gods of Rome

You�ll need the following items: a candle or two with holders and a lighter, some incense and a fire proof incense burner

While thinking of the ritual that you are about to perform take a shower or a bath. One should be clean and fresh when  performing a ritual. 

1)     Find a quiet place in your home or outdoors where you are sure not to be disturbed for a half hour or so.  Since I don�t have a back yard, I prefer to stay indoors in a room that I use only for mediation and rituals. It is better to be indoors than to constantly be distracted by outside noises or by looking over your shoulder to see if someone is coming up behind you.

2)      Light your candle and incense making sure that they are both burning in a safe place far from hanging curtains. You don�t want to be worrying that you will accidentally set the house on fire during your ritual J

3)     Sit on the couch with your feet on the floor and your arms comfortably on your lap or at your sides. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply for a few seconds and try to clear your mind of outside worries and focus on the business at hand. A good way to calm your mind is to make a mental list of everything that you would normally be worried about or distracted by. For example: work problems, financial problems, something urgent that you have to do later in the day, the food shopping, the kids, etc. When your list is done promise yourself mentally that you�ll get back to worrying about them later. Another way is to mentally visualize yourself throwing each of these worries in the garbage pail. Whichever way you choose will send a signal to your mind that it can stay calm and undistracted for a little while.

4)     Picture a soft & relaxing light surrounding your ankles. Mentally tell your ankles to relax as you visualize the light removing the tension from your ankles. Work up through your knees, your thighs, pelvis, back,  stomach,  shoulders, arms, neck, face and then the top of your head. If you find yourself distracted just pick up at the body part where your mind began to wander and do it again. When you are finished your body will be relaxed and in a receptive meditative state.

5)     Visualize yourself outside a Roman temple. Inside you can see that there are Priests or Priestesses inside tending the Temple. Let your intuition and your imagination guide you! You stand with head bowed until either a Priest or a Priestess come outside to acknowledge you. Unless you have the following text memorized open your eyes and read the following, still visualizing yourself standing outside the Temple with the Priest/Prietess.

Priestess/Priest:

Who stands before this Temple to dedicate himself to the service of the Gods of Rome?

Candidate:

I am (your Roman name) _______.  I am a simple pagan who has heard the call of the Gods whispering in his ear at night. Grant me my desire and permit me to respond by dedicating myself to the Gods of Rome and all that they represent.

Priestess/Priest:

(Your Roman name) , this is not a matter to be taken lightly. For your heart, mind and soul must be committed to the paths of the Gods and the Goddesses. Do you desire to join your destiny to that of the Gods? 

Candidate:

Yes, I do. I wish to dedicate my life to following the path that the Gods set before me.

Priest/Priestess:

Do you promise to act always with clementia, dignitas, veritas and pietas in both your public and private life? 

Candidate:

Gladly do I promise this.

Priest/Priestess:

Do you (Roman name) __________ pledge to honor, serve and love the Gods of Rome?

Candidate:

Gladly do I pledge to honor, serve and love the Gods and to protect that which is theirs.  Let no one speak ill of my Gods, for ever will I defend them.

Priest/Priestess:

______ (Roman name), let thy life be in the service of our noble Gods. From this day forth, you shall be counted amongst those who serve the Gods of Rome and in return the Gods will give you wisdom and knowledge.

Candidate:

May Jupiter protect and empower me.

May Juno teach me to drink through lips that speak of kindness.

May Minerva teach me to see through eyes that are wise.

May Venus teach me to feel through a heart that is compassionate.

May Diana teach me to live in oneness with the Earth

May Vesta bless my home and hearth.

May Asklepios bring me healing.

May Fortuna bring me good fortune.

May Apollo give me inspiration. 

Priest/Priestess:

In the name of the Gods and Goddesses of Rome and those who serve them, may the blessings of our Gods go with you as you set forth on your new path.

Candidate:

In this sacred place and on this sacred day, I am changed. From henceforth I walk on the path set before me by the Gods of Rome. Forever shall I honor, respect, and cherish this oath that I have taken on this day.

The Priest/Priestess bows and returns into the temple. Close your eyes again (if they were open) and sit quietly for a few moments visualizing the Temple in front of you slowly fading out of your inner vision. You may sit quietly for a few moments in contemplation or you can slowly open your eyes, stretch out your muscles and then blow out the candles and put out the incense. Have a snack to eat and treat yourself! You have taken the first step on the path of a new adventure and only the Gods know where it will lead you!

May the Gods guide you on your spiritual path!