Conflict of Orders

After having met with a senatorial commission outside the pomerium, Titus Furius Pavo Imperator, was granted the grand and magnificent honor of a large triumph through the streets of holy Rome itself.

The triumph would encompass all the typical trappings of such a fantastical occasion. First, great billboards were carried on horse carts down the streets, showing off the new land conquered by Pavo Imperator, as well as examples of how that land looked, with trees, plants and handpicked slaves upon the wagons. Then came the wagons of loot, glittering in the extraordinary sunlight that blessed this parade. Then, wagons laden with spears and shields of Spartan origin, bearing the imagery of this foreign land and its kings.

Then came the significant slaves, including Spartan nobility and the son of Nabis himself, prodded along by legionaries as they were forced to march past jeering crowds. The humiliation of Sparta was complete.

Then came the Imperator himself, Titus Furius Pavo, wearing a splendid purple toga, a crown of made of laurel tree leaves, and with his face reddened with paint, in reference to Jupiter himself. As he rode past the cheering crowds, his troops coming in behind him occasionally threw golden coins to them and sang gaudy songs of their victories.

Finally, Pavo Imperator passed the senators, who all stood in recognition of his great victory abroad. The triumph slowly made its way to the Circus Maximus, where before a gigantic crowd, Pavo Imperator was hailed as a great hero of Rome. Then, the procession made its way along the Via Sacre, finally terminating at the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus.

Here, as is tradition, the prisoners who had been dragged along the triumph were ritually strangled before the Temple of Jupiter and before the cheering crowd. Finally, two bulls were also slaughtered as a sacrifice to Jupiter. Then, turning to the assembled crowd at the Temple of Jupiter, Pavo Imperator was given the occasion for a short speech:

Consul Furius Pavo rose the steps of the Temple of Jupiter so the greatest scores of the populace and soldiers could see him. He stood as he often stood in the Senate, with his noticeable hawk-like nose shaping his face even under the pain and laurels. He rose both arms above his head to gain attention of the assembled masses.

Denizens of Rome! The aggressor and upstart Nabis has been defeated and the ancient, proud warriors of Sparta humbled! It is only though the immense efforts of our honored legions that such victory over Grecian foes was possible and through our combined virtue as true Romans!

Through the blessings of our Gods, we won on the battlefields of Greece. That is why I will be personally funding a Huge Temple to Juno, Protector of Rome, for their continued favor.

Covered in the blood of our slain foes, our legions conquered Spartan phalanxes. To cleanse them of gore, I shall be personally funding a Humungous Bath Complex for Rome.

Wreathed in victory, they have returned to Rome itself. To commemorate our people’s immense conquest and honor the valor of the Legions who endured all asked of them, I will be personally financing a Large Triumphal Quadrifrontal Arch. As the celebration and passions of this day fade from memory, it shall be etched in stone forever!

Consul Furius Pavo shook both arms at the crowd before ascending the steps of the Temple of Jupiter to begin depositing all the spoils promised to Rome.