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- 01/29/2021
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
Rome - 2. Chapter 2
He spent hours watching the erection of a building for one of the Senators. When he walked away, he knew how to make cement, cut stone, and make bricks. He saw a physician treat a cut. He watched, asked questions, registering all of the new information in his mind. When he read a scroll concerning the Greek Campaign, he would tell Duccius. They would discuss a battle that was recorded or the strategy that was utilized by the Roman Army. In his way, without realizing it, he was educating Duccius on battle strategies that one day may save his life.
His grandfather, Gaius, gave him a desk, sheets of papyrus and ink, to encourage him to write what he learned. When Lucinius reached the age of ten, he had a small chest of scrolls. If you looked at what he had written, you would see where he recorded how to make cement, cut stone, make bricks, treat minor cuts, weave cloth, and make pottery from clay. Because of his father’s displeasure, he kept most of these writings at his grandfather’s home.
When Duccius reached the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Roman Army. Appias was proud and gave a large feast in Duccius honor. Lucinius was sad to see him leave. They were more than brothers. They were friends. At the feast, Lucinius gave a medal to Duccius that had the picture of Mars. He told him he prayed to Mars to keep him safe. A priestess gave him this medal to give to him. Duccius hugged his brother, but when Appias saw this, he grabbed Duccius and told him to attend to his guests, pushing Lucinius away.
Celia saw this and was afraid for her son and how Appias would act after Duccius left. As long as Duccius was there, he would protect Lucinius. Now there would be no one. She had one coin to spend, her father and his friends in the Senate. Gaius had watched over the years after Lucinius was born how Appias acted toward him. Between Celia and Gaius, they selected a slave from Gaius’s household that would live in Appias’ home as a personal slave to Celia. The slave was Greek, and she spoke only Greek. She had two tasks: one was to minister to Celia, and the second was to report to Gaius any attempts by Appias to harm Lucinius.
In Senate chambers, Gaius would talk about the achievements of Lucinius. His friends would make comments to Appias about how lucky he was to have two sons worthy of the gods. Now Appias was in a bind. If he did anything to Lucinius, the Senate might turn against him. Gaius had mentioned to Appias he told the Consuls about Lucinius and his early age achievements. Without threats, Appias understood it was hands-off when considering doing anything about Lucinius.
Lucinius continued to study and read the scrolls in the Library as well as the Temple. The priest would take the time to answer his questions, and the priestess would teach him the songs of the gods. It seemed he became a favorite no matter where he went. People were glad to see him. He was extremely popular among the working class. If he had a coin, he would give it to the beggar. If he had any fruit, he would offer some to the poor. As a result, he became a favorite of the common people. It didn’t take long for the Senate to take notice. This put even more pressure on Appias to accept him. Celia told Appias that he was creating a favorable impression of the family among the people. Appias had to rethink his treatment of Lucinius. His fellow Senators were congratulating him on having two exceptional sons. Appias decided on the outside he would be friendly, but on the inside, he still didn’t like Lucinius. He was too popular, and he wasn’t a fighter. He didn’t live up to what Appias expected his sons to be.
When Lucinius reached the age of fourteen, Gaius held a feast in his honor. Appias didn’t understand why Gaius was doing this. If Lucinius were sixteen, he would have understood, but not fourteen. Gaius knew that as Lucinius grew older, he would be looked upon as a possible candidate for the Senate when he reached the age of maturity. He used this feast as an opportunity to introduce Lucinius to the members of the Senate. He had even invited the Consuls. Appias now had to smile and show how proud he was of his son. Even under the smile, he didn’t like what was happening.
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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