The two pontiffs had proceeded some way, when Coecus stopped. "What
have you done, Gaius, with this young nephew of yours?" he asked. "Have
you managed by this time to teach him the worship of the gods?"
"As to my success, I can say but little," answered Gaius. "A strict
watch is, however, kept over him; for I believe that he would escape
from me even now, could he obtain the opportunity. I have an affection
for him, and hope in time, as he grows older and gains more
intelligence, to make him see the folly of the faith his mother adopted,
and to induct him into our mysteries. I have already endeavoured to
make him understand that he need not believe in the gods more than we
do, or in the tricks of the augurs, of whom Cicero wittily observes, `It
is a wonder they can ever look each other in the face without
laughing.'"
"If you care for his welfare you will follow the plan you have adopted,
and we may have the lad elected some day as a member of our college,"
said Coecus. "We must be very careful of our interests, and I doubt not
that if we are wise we shall still retain the management of the sacred
affairs of the city, and may even extend our influence over the whole
country, whatever changes time may bring about. For my part, I have
confidence that our system will endure, and that we shall still retain
the power we have hitherto enjoyed."
"May the gods favour us!" answered Gaius. "Happily, the people are
easily deceived and led, though the patricians may give us some
trouble."
"We can manage them by showing that it is to their interest to support
us," observed Coecus: "I have not studied human nature without
discovering the follies and absurdities to which the minds of men, no
matter their rank, are ready to submit. Think what a vast amount of
intellect and skill, aided by the labours of the abject toilers for
their daily bread, has been employed in erecting these superb temples
and magnificent statues of the gods; and yet we despise both one and the
other, except for their external beauty, which we can appreciate even
better than they do."
The pontiff, as he spoke, stretched his right hand over the scene of
architectural magnificence which, as he and his companion looked
westward, was displayed to their eyes. They had just passed through the
arch of Titus, on the top of the Summa Sacra Via, when the Capitol, with
all its glories, suddenly burst on their view. On the summit of the
hill was seen the vast and magnificent temple of Jupiter Optimus
Maximus, with those of Juno and Minerva on either side, its roof of
gilded tiles vying in splendour with the eastern sun now shining on it,
and deriving additional lustre from the background of that deep blue
Italian sky against which its outlines were sharply defined. A complete
forest of high pillars, perfect examples of the art of the greatest
sculptors of Greece, supported the lofty roof. The pediment and
acroterium were adorned with statues--scarcely, however, to be
distinguished at that distance. Near the temple stood a colossal statue
of Jupiter, the majestic features of the face, turned towards them,
being clearly discerned. Not far off was another gigantic statue of
Apollo; while around the principal temple were clustered others of
lesser size, as if to do it homage, the intervals and the space in front
being adorned with statues, which appeared at that distance like living
men and women. A depression of short extent separated the Capitol from
another abrupt elevation, on the summit of which stood the citadel, or
acropolis, crowned by the magnificent temple of Juno Moneta, also
surrounded by similar temples,--the elegant one of Jupiter Tonans,
another, that of Fortuna, and the temple of Honour et Virtus. On each
side the ground was covered, almost to the verge of the Forum, with
thickly-clustered dwellings, but of no great height, so that the view
from the sumptuous mansions on the Palatine of the sacred and triumphal
processions which passed that way should not be obstructed. Close to
them was the dwelling of the Rex Sacrificulus, while on the left
appeared the temples of Vesta and of Castor, behind which ran the Nova
Via, directly at the base of the Palatine. Descending a steep
declivity, beneath the arch of Fornix Fabian us, on the left, stood the
Regia, or house of the Pontifex Maximus, and at the corner of the Forum
beyond it rose the superb temples of Antoninus and Faustina, and that of
Divus Julius, as the first Caesar was called when he took rank among the
gods. The temple stood on the spot where his body had been consumed at
his apotheosis. The Forum, which they had now reached, was surrounded
by magnificent buildings, many others crowning the neighbouring hills to
a hundred feet in height, giving it an air of extraordinary grandeur.
On looking eastward, on the crest of the Aria Capitolina was seen, lined
by a double row of porticoes one above the other, the Tabularium of
Catullus. Below it, to the north, stood the Temple of Concord, and on a
lower level, nearer the Forum, rose the temple of Saturn, its pediment
surmounted with figures of Tritons blowing horns. In front of it was
the Milliarium Aureum, or gilded milestone, set up by Augustus as a
standard for distances within the walls. Behind it lay another small
temple--that of Ops; and visible from the Forum, on the eastern face of
the hill, was the ill-famed Tarpeian Rock, whence criminals condemned to
death were wont to be precipitated. At the upper end of the Forum,
under the Capitoline Hill, was the Comitium, adorned with fresco
paintings, and covered with numerous statues surrounding the tribunals
of the Praetor Urbanus. Here also was the sacred fig-tree, the Ficus
Ruminalis, under which Romulus and Remus were nursed by the wolf, so the
populace believed. On the south-western extremity of the Forum was the
Basilica Julia, and not far off the still more magnificent temple of
Castor, from its position on a lofty terrace visible on all sides.
Farther on, at no great distance from the arch of Severus, in front of
the Curia, was another celebrated temple, the last we shall mention, of
bronze--that of Janus Bifrons, the two-faced deity, the index of peace
or war. Many more buildings surrounding the Forum might be mentioned,--
the Aedes Vesta, encircled by a grove, near the temple of Castor, and
the column of Phocas,--while to the north was the Forum Augusti, with
its Curia. A fine road between the Capitoline and Quirinal Hills led
into the Campus Martius, through the splendid Forum of Trajan. Numerous
other temples of equal grandeur were visible, the porticoes, or chief
entrances, looking, whenever possible, westward, which side was at the
same time faced by the divinity within, so that persons offering prayers
or sacrifices at the altar looked towards the east; the eastward
position being considered of the greatest importance by the
superstitious idolaters of old. The custom, originating among the
worshippers of the Sun, who were wont to watch for the appearance of
their divinity above the horizon, had been generally imitated by the
heathen world, though the source whence it had been derived was
forgotten. When it was impracticable to build a temple in the favourite
position, it was placed, like that of Jupiter Maximus, in such a manner
that the greater portion of the city could be seen from it; and when
erected by the side of a street or road, it was always so situated that
the passers-by might look in to salute the divinity, to obtain a
sprinkling of holy-water, and to leave their votive offerings in the
eager hands of the watchful flamens.
The two pontiffs, little regarding the magnificent scene which has been
described, hurried into the Regia, or house of the Pontifex Maximus--for
though the office had long been held solely by the emperors, the
building was inhabited by the chief pontiff and several of his principal
coadjutors. It stood hard by the house of the vestal virgins, who were
especially committed to the care of the pontiffs. They had, indeed, the
lives and liberties of the fair damsels under their complete control,
and could, should a vestal be found guilty of breaking her vows, punish
her with imprisonment, or put her to death by entombing her while still
alive. Entering by the ostium, the two pontiffs passed onwards through
the several courts known as the atrium and the cavum coedium into the
tablinum, where, having thrown themselves upon couches surrounding the
central table, ready slaves removed their sandals and head-gear, while
others brought water to wash their hands and feet. A third party
meantime spread the table for the prandium with various dishes, hot as
well as cold, fish, eggs, and refreshing beverages, light wines, and the
seductive calda. The pontiffs took good care, whatever the outside
world might say about the matter, to live well on "what the gods
provided."
"We have had a fatiguing walk, and require something to restore our
exhausted strength, while a hard day's work is before us; but I have
never prepared with greater zest to engage in a spectacle such as is
about to take place, convinced as I am that it will repay us for all our
trouble," remarked Coecus.
They were soon joined by several other pontiffs, who came to hear the
result of their visit to the Curia Hostilia, and to make final
arrangements concerning the order of the procession.