SEPTEMBER 18th.
ludi circenses finals
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LUDI CIRCENSES ( finals ) :
Presented by : Aula Tullia Scholastica
Caius Curius Saturninus - races calculations
| A. Tullia Scholastica quiritibus, sociis,
peregrinisque bonae voluntatis S.P.D. [Disclaimer: the following is a work of fiction intended for entertainment. It is based on information supplied by the contestants, race calculations provided by C. Curius Saturninus, which include the order of finish and any accidents, coupled with the writer's knowledge of relevant matters and personalities. It is not intended to offend anyone]. [We return to the Circus Maximus for the final race of the Ludi Romani]. The excitement is building in the Circus Maximus as the final race in these, the most important games of the year, will soon get under way. The spectators have been scurrying about, trying to get some refreshments and to make that last pit stop at the latrinae before the increasingly-muddy mappa drops. They are making their way back to their seats; soon the Porta Pompae will swing open, and the four horsemen of the apocalyptic race will emerge. Meanwhile, the four charioteers and the assorted grooms, veterinarians, wainwrights, smiths, physicians, etc., check and re-check everything: the horses, the chariots, the tack, even the charioteers themselves. There's no room for error now. The various workers of Factio Albata have had an especially difficult task before them, for Incitatus was damaged in a collision during the first semifinal race as you no doubt recall, and has had to have some emergency repairs. The horses seem well enough, and the driver, Furius Bellator, was merely shaken (not stirred...), but the chariot box was not so fortunate, and there is some question about the integrity of the wheel and axle assembly. They had to make a quick switch on one wheel, or so I hear, and there has been a lot of hammering and sawing and what have you behind the scenes--far behind the scenes, in the Albata stable, not in the waiting area under the watchful eyes of several interested parties. Finally, everyone seems satisfied with the repairs and the condition of all involved--men, beasts, and vehicles are ready for the final race. Incitatus has been brought back to the waiting area, and reunited with Furius Bellator and his team; the eyes of the young Crassus and his assistants, like those of the two Veneta aurigae and their helpers, seem to sweep over it nonchalantly, but their powers of observation are carefully honed, and anyone who thought that these veterans didn't notice every nick would be making a serious mistake. At last the Porta Pompae opens for the final time today; the chariots make their way to the carceres, and the drivers draw their lots. First is Crassus of Aprilis, the lone Russata representative, who again draws Aries; then it is Incitatus' turn, the sole Albata chariot, whose auriga, Furius Bellator, gets Capricorn; next is the first Veneta entry, Velox Puteolanus Sors, whose driver, Felix Celeris, selects Aquarius. Last is the second Veneta contender, Equus Magnus. Its charioteer, Orionis Draco, again draws Leo. They take their places in the carceres; the attendants signal that all is ready. Consul Buteo Modianus rises once again, and the crowd grows still. The tension is palpable; the air crackles with excitement--but for a few moments, the horses are the noisiest things in the Circus. Consulis manu mappa decidit, et missi sunt! A roar rises from the crowd... This time even the initial pace isn't really slow, but prudent drivers still conserve their steeds' strength for those crucial final laps. Equus Magnus leads the pack as the round the turn. Orionis Draco is keeping close to the metae, and seems determined to see how close he can come without touching them or any part of the spina. Incitatus is next as they head into the second lap. At least at this early point in the race, Furius Bellator's tactics are quite different: he's content to slow down on those dangerous curves, but picks up speed on the straightaways. Velox Puteolanus Sors and Aprilis seem to be biding their time as the dolphin drops, and they enter the third lap. Now one leads, and now another; they are closely bunched, and it doesn't take much for the last to become first, and the first, last. The pace quickens as they head into the fourth lap. Incitatus is taking the straightaways at a good clip, and is now in the lead, with Equus Magnus, Velox Puteolanus Sors, and Aprilis close behind. The horses are churning up the mud on the track, and spattering it all over the chariots and charioteers as well as themselves. Incitatus certainly doesn't look very white any more, nor does Furius Bellator's tunica. In fact, all of them should be taken to the fuller's as soon as this race is over--and the aurigae should head for the baths. Aoife isn't the only one who needs a good scrubbing now. Down on the track, things are starting to get serious. They're coming round the turn approaching the fifth lap, and there's not much holding back any more. Equus Magnus takes the turn so tightly that one wheel is lifted off the ground, and passes Incitatus. Not to be outdone, young Crassus is feeling his oats as he comes alongside, the breeze flattening his loose ringlets against his damp forehead. Velox Puteolanus Sors soon overtakes both, however, and is in second place. Around the turn they dash again, with Equus Magnus so close to the spina that its wheels are throwing off sparks. The horses are giving their all; there's only one lap to go. Everything rests on this sixth lap, and the seventh and final one to follow. The horses are thundering down the track on the straightaways; the chariots rattle, and their wheels sing. The dolphin drops for the seventh lap, and the crack of whips is added to the percussion section of the symphony. There's also an odd hum from Incitatus' replacement wheel...let's hope it's all right. Oh, dear! Bellator is dropping back, and Aprilis passes him; Incitatus takes the turn, and as it does, the replacement wheel parts company with the axle. The left side of the chariot box is dragging on the ground, and Furius Bellator is cursing roundly as he reins the horses in, trying to balance himself on a one-wheeled chariot. Albata's hopes are completely dashed now; a groan goes up from the Albata fans, whereas Veneta's and Russata's have just risen, and the mood is upbeat among their partisans, especially among Veneta's, for they have two contenders to Russata's one. Equus Magnus, however, may have peaked too early; the horses are heavily lathered despite the mild weather, and are plainly tired. They have reached their limits, and drop back with the finish line in sight. Both Orionis Draco and owner T. Licinius Crassus use some rather ungentlemanly language about this turn of events... and neither is thrilled that young Crassus, that comparative neophyte who just lost his competitive virginity, has passed them...but Velox Puteolanus Sors now squeaks by Crassus and Aprilis, and wins by perhaps half a nose. A thrilling finish! Owner L. Vitellius Triarius is ecstatic! His friends are congratulating him, clapping him on the back...while matters are less festive elsewhere. The Albata partisans are crestfallen, and sums of money seem to be changing hands hither and yon; in fact, I think I see Praetor Paulinus exchanging coins with someone else... The tension is broken as another series of races draws to a close; the blue banners of Veneta wave everywhere, for a chariot from that faction has taken the prize. Russata fans, too, are happy to see an upcoming champion in Crassus, whose skill increases with every race he enters. His father, Aedilis Curulis T. Iulius Sabinus, and all the Russata partisans can be proud of him. Perhaps Albata will have better luck next time; perhaps, too, Praesina might field an entry or two or three to make things more interesting. We'll just have to wait and see. The fans are making their way toward the vomitoria (exits/entrances), and as they depart for home, we bid you farewell. This has been A. Tullia Scholastica, reporting from the Circus Maximus. Valete. |
