Ludi Matutini 2761 AUC (Nova Roma)/Ludi Circenses/Quarter-Finals

Ludi Circenses Quarter-Finals of the Ludi Matutini 2761 a.U.c.

2:00 PM ~ Live at the Races

Salvete and Good Afternoon Race Fans!

This is M. Verus Paenula with the Aedilician Network REPORTING LIVE and we are here for the start of summer in Roma at the Circus Maximus, waiting as the hoards file into the Circus for this morning’s Circenses Quarter-Finals Races of the Ludi Matutini, dedicated today to the Goddess Vesta.

The weather in Rome today is mostly sunny with a high this afternoon of 73ºF (23ºC) and and 20% chance of rain…excellent weather for the charioteers and the crowds!

As the spectators gather for the races, everyone is preparing for the opening ceremony. As the processional gathers to assemble, dozens of small children are gathering together and forming up in the front of the processional. This assembly will be leading the processional march into the circus for the opening of the races.

Vendors have been here preparing for the races since shortly after midnight, when the Vigils authorized the lighting of special fires in honor of the Goddess Vesta around the exterior of the circus to make ready for the day’s races, which are the first of the three-day series. Since Vesta is the goddess honored in the Ludi this day, many of the vendors are offering custom made metal charms and ceramic statuary of Vesta to the crowds. One vendor is even offering pocket-sized statuary of Vesta with factio-colored attire painted on! Sometimes, I do feel it is almost a sacrilege that some of these vendors are guilty of by means of their earnings off of the public at these events!

Today’s Quarter-Finals will consist of six races. There are many veterans and many new teams on the slate for today. Let us now make our way onto the terraces inside.

2:15 PM ~ Opening Processional

Here on the terraces it appears that someone has spilled an extremely large amount of russata all over the stands. The Reds are here today en masse as force to be reckoned with. This is surprising, as there has been a minority supporting the Reds for several years now. Obviously, the trend is changing for the oldest Factio. As we make our way to our designated coverage area on the platform, we hear tubacins sounding the beginning of the opening processional.

As the processional enters the Circus and proceeds through the Porta Pompae and down the lanes, we see that the processional is being led by dozens of children with their parents (this Ludi also honoring the children of Nova Roma). The children are carrying small statues of Vesta. Next come the members of Legio XXIII, our security for the day, who break off individually from the marching formation upon reaching their appointed posts along the outer track wall. Next come the entertainment troupes, which will perform for the crowds during the intermissions between the races. After them come the Curule Aedile, Quaestor Hortensia and the aedician staff and attendants, followed by the Plebian Aedile and his staff and attendants, then the Praetors, their Quaestors, staff and attendants, then the Censors and the censorial staff, and lastly, the Consules, their lictors, consular staff and attendants.

As the processional makes their way around the far meta post, the tubacins sound again and everyone’s eyes are on the Pompa Portae again.

2:30 PM ~ Entrance of the Charioteers

As the tubacins sound, the Charioteers and their teams enter the Circus through the Poma Portae and begin their processional route around the spina to introduce their teams to the crowds. Everyone is standing and cheering.

First comes the Editor of the Games, Quaestor L. Vitellius Triarius, and his two sons, Lucius the Younger and Quintus, driving his own chariot, Venetus Magnus, leading the procession. Lucius the Younger, dressed in a youth version of the Veneta Charioteer Tunic, is holding the Nova Roma vexillum, while Quintus is holding a small statue of the Goddess Vesta and is waving at the crowds. The crowds cheer loudly and wave back!

Second comes Factio Albata. In the lead chariot, Vita Brevis, we can see Dominus factionis, Cn. Equitius Marinus, holding the brilliant white vexillum of the Whites alongside his driver Petronius Gnipho. Next comes Aoife of the Silures, driving the chariot, Biga Fortuna, also owned by Consular Marinus. Next is the chariot, Pilum, driven by Samicus and owned by Q. Cornelia Quadrata. The Albata fans are standing on their seats screaming for the Whites. Several of the Russata fans are displeased and they exchange words with their rivals the Whites!

Third comes Factio Praesina. In the lead chariot, Velociraptor, we can see Domina Factionis, G. Aurelia Falco Silvana, holding the commanding green vexillum of the Greens alongside her driver, Spandex the Vandal. Next, comes Silvana’s second team, the chariot, Syntarsus, driven by Vindex. Next is Flavius Traianus, driving the chariot, Pride of Valerius, owned by M. Valerius Traianus. Next is Potentia, driven by Drusillus delle Gallie and owned by P. Constantinus Vetranio. The Greens are cheering wildly, while the Blues are yelling “GRASS CUTTERS” in unison!

Fourth comes Factio Veneta. In the lead chariot, Faolchú Dubh, driven by Barinthus the Celt and owned by M. Martiánius Lupus, we see Domina Factionis, Max. Valeria Messallina, holding the vibrant blue vexillum of the Blues. Following her is M. Martiánius Lupus alongside his driver, Ursinus the Briton, in the chariot, Blue Max. Next comes the chariot, Ulixes, driven by Ultor and owned by Gaius Valerianus Germanicus. Following them is the chariot, Aura, driven by Diocles and also owned by Gaius Valerianus Germanicus. The Blues stand almost piously as the Veneta Chariots pass by, then they erupt into a wild frenzy!

Fifth, and the largest contingent of the races today, comes Factio Russata. The crowds erupt with shouts and yells. Soldiers of the XXIII move quickly into the stands to break up a fight which has erupted between Russata and Albata fans. In the lead chariot, we see Dominus factionis, Cn. Cornelius Lentulus, holding the crisp red vexillum of the Reds, unwavering in the wind, alongside his driver, Dorothea, in the chariot, Erinaceus. Next comes Antropophagus, driving the chariot, Germanica, owned by D. Arminus Brutus. Next is Barbarufa driving the chariot, Rubidea, owned by M. Arminius Maior. Next is the chariot, Aurora Rubra, driven by Betelgesius and also owned by M. Arminius Maior. Following them is Poncianus, driving the chariot, Erebus, owned by Gaius Arminius Reccanellus. Next comes Viriatus Sertorius, driving the chariot, Ulpia, owned by Gaius Aemilius Crassus. Trailing them is Amarach the optimistic Celt, driving the chariot, Taurus I, owned by P. Constantinus Placidus. Followed by Amadian, Amarach's brother, driving the chariot, Taurus II, also owned by P. Constantinus Placidus. Next, we see T. Iulius Sabinus Crassus, son of the Consul, driving his own chariot, Aprilis. Followed by Spurius Figulus, a former Legionary, driving the chariot, Blazius II, owned by Sextus Postumius Albus. Next is Ochoa, a Numidian slave, driving the chariot, Gloria Russata, also owned by Sextus Postumius Albus. Behind them is Attila driving the chariot, Cica, owned by T. Popillia Laenas. Next is Scipio Falco driving the chariot Octavia, owned by L. Aurelius Severus. And, completing the Red section is the veteran charioteer, Amara Aigeus the Greek, driving the chariot, Celeritas, owned by Titus Arminius Genialis. The sound at this point is deafening! The Reds enthusiasm for today’s races is incomparable with any other factio here today! The Whites are returning the previous insults to the Reds, but no one can really hear them, much less understand what they are saying!

The processional makes their way around the spina and back to the carcers to prepare for the races. Quaestor M. Hortensia Maior and the aedilician staff brief the drivers on the rules of the races and confirm the race schedules with the teams and Circus officials.

2:45 PM ~ Opening Ceremony

With the preparations finalized, Quaestor Vitellius stands before the crowd with M. Curiatius Complutensis, Praetor Novae Romae, his wife, Q. Fabia Drusilla, and their daughter, Marca Curiatia Complutensis, who is dressed for the occasion as the Goddess Vesta, honored today in the Ludi and for the blessing of these games. Virgo Vestalis, Maxima Valeria Messallina, offers a ritus to Vesta, then Quaestor Vitellius looks to the Consules for the official signal to begin the races. The Consules approvingly nod. Quaestor Vitellius hands the mappa to Marca Curiatia, who smiles, holds up the mappa, letting it blow away into the wind . . . and the charioteers break!

3:00 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race I

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. Pilum makes use of the straight-a-ways and consistently leaps ahead of the others on each lap. Antropophagus repeatedly lashes at the other drivers, who either attempt to avoid the strikes or try to force Ultor out of the race by whatever means. Antropophagus is maintaining the lead over the other competitors, but is becoming increasingly irritated at Flavius Traianus and his lashing! Ultor is close behind, but cannot seem to advance past Pride of Valerius and is suffering badly from the lashing. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. The charioteers continue valiantly down the lanes until the six dolphin is turned, and . . . wait! . . . there is a lot of dust in the turn . . . and . . . yes, there has been an accident! It appears that Germanica has forced Pride of Valerius into the spina wall during the turn. Debris is scattered everywhere. The medici are on the field and are carrying Ulixes off the lanes on a litter, while Circus attendants hook teams of horses to the chariot debris and pull it off the track. Now approaching the finish line, the teams fight down the straight-a-way for the lead position. As they cross, Germanica finishes in lead position, followed by, Pilum, then Ultor. Antropophagus makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while D. Arminus Brutus celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Russata!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Germanica, sponsored by D. Arminus Brutus +++
• 2nd Place: Pilum, sponsored by Q. Cornelia Quadrata +++
• 3rd Place: Ultor, sponsored by Gaius Valerianus Germanicus
• 4th Place: Pride of Valerius, sponsored by Marcus Valerius Traianus (Accident)

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

A goup of soldiers from Legio XXIII demonstrate Roman Army tactics for the crowds as the Circus workers prep the track and make preparations for the next race.

3:15 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race II

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. Rubidea and Vita Brevis are maintaining a constant pace in the early laps, while Velociraptor takes the lead in the third lap by hurrying ahead of the others in the back straight-a-way. The drivers are avoiding Aura as much as possible, as Diocles is passing the curves of the spina at each turn with only minimal clearance between the wall and the left wheel. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. Aura turns the second curve on the fifth lap and sparks fly everywhere. Scraping the spinal wall has slowed him some, and Vita Brevis and Velociraptor pass by into the lead. Rubidea is maintaining a constant pace, but may be too over cautious to win the race. We will have to wait and see. Velociraptor leaps ahead of Vita Brevis, but Petronius Gnipho picks up the pace and is now narrowly behind Velociraptor in second place. Now approaching the finish line, the teams fight down the straight-a-way for the lead position. As they cross, Velociraptor finishes in lead position, followed by, Vita Brevis, then Aura, and Rubidea. Spandex the Vandal makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while Gaia Aurelia Falco Silvana celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Praesina!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Velociraptor, sponsored by Gaia Aurelia Falco Silvana +++
• 2nd Place: Vita Brevis, sponsored by Gnaeus Equitius Marinus +++
• 3rd Place: Aura, sponsored by Gaius Valerianus Germanicus
• 4th Place: Rubidea, sponsored by Marcus Arminius Maior

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

An ensemble of Graeciaen musicians, Minuwar, perform Graeciaen/Aegyptian music as the Circus workers prep the track and make preparations for the next race.

3:30 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race III

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. Down the lanes they move side by side, all maintaining a constant pace. Through the third turn, it is pretty much an even heat, with only Biga Fortuna slightly behind the other three. Safety is obviously on the minds of the drivers after the issues in the past couple of races. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. As the chariots enter the fifth lap, the bust boils as the drivers pick up their pace some, but still running side by side, with Biga Fortuna narrowly behind. The drivers are working their teams to the breaking point. All of a sudden, Biga Fortuna begins charging the teams in front of him, breaking into third position, now second. Syntarsus and Biga Fortuna are neck and neck running the sixth lap. But the seventh lap tells all! Now approaching the finish line, the teams fight down the straight-a-way for the lead position. As they cross, Syntarsus finishes in lead position, followed by, Biga Fortuna, then Aurora Rubra, and Faolchú Dubh. Vindex makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while Gaia Aurelia Falco Silvana celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Praesina!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Syntarsus, sponsored by Gaia Aurelia Falco Silvana +++
• 2nd Place: Biga Fortuna, sponsored by Gnaeus Equitius Marinus +++
• 3rd Place: Aurora Rubra, sponsored by Marcus Arminius Maior
• 4th Place: Faolchú Dubh, sponsored by M. Martiánius Lupus

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

The lanistas from the various gladiator schools present new upcoming gladiators from around the Respublica, which will be featured in upcoming events in the Colosseum as the Circus workers prep the track and make preparations for the next race.

3:45 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race IV

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. Gloria Russata breaks the line first, followed by Erebus, who heads directly for the inside position along the spina wall, hugging it closely down the first straight-a-way. Blue Max is maintaining a safe constant pace, as is Aprilis. Wait! It appears that some lunatic has jumped the terrace wall and has run out onto the lanes! He is yelling something about Gallic persecution, and soldiers from Legio XXIII are now running onto the track to apprehend him before the charioteers make their next pass through. The skilled legionnaires quickly remove the protestor just in time, as the teams roll by like a horizontal landslide. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. As they race through the last laps, Gloria Russata hurries his pace and overtakes Aprilis, then Erebus, who is currently in the lead. Gloria Russata fights to maintain the newly acquired lead over Erebus, but Poncianus does not appear to be willing to lose this race. They are side-by-side, driving their teams hard. Now approaching the finish line, the teams fight down the straight-a-way for the lead position. As they cross, Gloria Russata finishes in lead position, followed by Erebus, then Aprilis, and Blue Max. Ochoa the Numidian slave makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while Sextus Postumius Albus celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Russata!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Gloria Russata, sponsored by Sextus Postumius Albus +++
• 2nd Place: Erebus, sponsored by Gaius Arminius Reccanellus +++
• 3rd Place: Aprilis, sponsored by T. Iulius Sabinus Crassus
• 4th Place: Blue Max, sponsored by M. Martiánius Lupus

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

A troupe of vocalists from Ostia perform an original piece as the Circus workers prep the track and make preparations for the next race.

4:00 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race V

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. Taurus II immediately drives his team within inches of the spina wall, occasionally sparking his wheel against the wall, but maintaining his team with the highest level of skill. Blazius II and Cica are fighting for control of the second position, while Ulpia is in the rear, but only by a few feet. The race is still early yet. As the 2nd dolphin falls, Taurus II is still in the lead, but everyone is wondering how long the left wheel hub can take the repeated grinding on the wall! Cica and Ulpia have now pulled beside each other and are fighting for a solid second position. They appear to be yelling at each other! I would expect that it is not a friendly conversation! Blazius II is in fourth position and is maintaining a constant pace behind the two oppositional drivers in second position. It appears he is waiting for a possible opportunity to overtake the others and move into second position, should the two become entangled out of frustration or one forces the other out of the race through an accident. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. The teams now increase their speed and start their final tactics toward victory. Taurus II is still in the front position, but now Cica and Ulpia have picked up their paces and are hurrying to attempt to overtake the leader. Blazius II is still in last place and does not increase the pace to keep up with the two adversaries at his front. Cica and Ulpia have moved immediately behind Taurus II, hoping the wheel hub will break and give them a much needed break! Now approaching the finish line, the teams fight down the straight-a-way for the lead position. The wheel hub, while very well worn, does not break. As they cross, Taurus II finishes in lead position, followed by, Cica, then Ulpia, and Blazius II. Amadian makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while D. Arminus Brutus celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Russata!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Taurus II, sponsored by Publius Constantinus Placidus +++
• 2nd Place: Cica, sponsored by Tita Popillia Laenas +++
• 3rd Place: Ulpia, sponsored by Gaius Aemilius Crassus
• 4th Place: Blazius II, sponsored by Sextus Postumius Albus

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

Hadrian’s Own, a dance troupe from northern Britannia, performs a short dance to Celtic music as the Circus workers prep the track and make preparations for the next race.

4:15 PM ~ Quarter-Finals Race VI

As the mappa falls, the ropes are dropped and the chariots break the line in a fit of urgency. As the dust boils up into the air, gravel and sand are thrown onto the lower terraces as the chariots rush by. All five chariots are blazing down the straight-a-way exchanging positions with each other. It appears to be a big, confusing mess down on the lanes! This is, by far, the most heated race of the day! Each driver is fighting desperately to gain the lead and is hugging the spina wall as closely as possible, whenever the opportunity arises. They all fight for lead position in the turns, which has almost caused a major wreck in several turns. The horses press on, but are becoming erratic, due to the mass inconsistency in the tactics of the drivers. As the fourth dolphin is turned down, the teams maintain their consistency and now begin to concentrate on the finish line. Racing down the straight-a-way, they all move to the wall, except Celeritas, who moves off the wall and has picked up his pace tremendously, passing Octavia and Erinaceus! They come to the first turn of the six lap . . . no luck . . . Celeritas is still on the outside. The same thing happens at the 2nd turn. The seventh dolphin falls and the same thing happens in the first turn again. Down the back straight-a-way they go! Approaching the last curve now . . .

OHHHH! There seems to be a terrible accident in the curve! As the dust clears, it appears that Celeritas made a last attempt to break into the line hugging the spina wall. Celeritas, Erinaceus, and Octavia have wrecked! There are chariot pieces everywhere on that end of the Circus. Medical teams are rushing out onto the field. Scipio Falco and Amara Aigeus the Greek are being carried out on litters. Erinaceus has no wheels, breaking his axle, but the horses are still in the race and are heading down the straight-a-way toward the finish line! Dorothea is obviously injured, but is hanging on, riding in the basket, which is being torn apart from the dragging. The crowd is going wild, hailing the charioteer in his determination to finish the race! Taurus I crosses the finish line first, followed by Potentia in second place. Riding in on the frame is Dorothea and her chariot, Erinaceus, to finish in third place! What a race this has been!

Amarach the Celt makes a victory lap and the crowds cheer loudly, while Publius Constantinus Placidus celebrates wildly on the terraces with other members of Factio Russata!

Circus officials certify the results and present them to Quaestor Hortensia, who announces the following results:

• 1st Place: Taurus I, sponsored by Publius Constantinus Placidus +++
• 2nd Place: Potentia, sponsored by Publius Constantinus Vetranio +++
• 3rd Place: Erinaceus, sponsored by Cn. Cornelius Lentulus
• 4th Place: Octavia, sponsored by Lucius Aurelius Severus (Accident)
• 5th Place: Celeritas, sponsored by Titus Arminius Genialis (Accident)

+++ qualified for Semi-Finals

4:30 PM ~ Closing Ceremony

As the races come to a close, the Editor of the Games, Quaestor Triarius and Marca Curiatia present victory coronas and bags of gold denarii to each of the victors in today’s races. The Consules present a small statue of Vesta to Marca Curiatia for her participation in today’s events. Quaestor Vitellius announces to the leaving crowd that gates will be open in the morning at 12:00 Noon for those who wish to get a top-rated seat at tomorrow’s Semi-Finals Races, which will begin at 3:00 PM. Everyone is making their way out of the Circus to feast on the early evening food and beverage offerings made especially for the event by local and regional vendors, who have set up shop for the next three days. There is also a special banquet being held on the Trigarium grounds for the members of the Factios, scheduled to begin at dusk each day.

This is M. Verus Paenula of the Aedilician Network, signing off from the Circus Maximus and we will see you here again tomorrow for the Semi-Finals races!

Di vos incolumes custodiant!