Chapter 2: A Very Brief Intermission
How to carry a head
The National Mosaics of the Republic of Palatiparvu
Panel #1
Explanatory Plaque Text
It is December 7, 43 BC, and we find ourselves, as viewers of this panel, examining something of a traffic jam. We are at the side of a road in Formia, Italy, and before us clusters an assemblage of men, women, children, horses, dogs, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, hens, and slaves – plus carriages, chariots, litters, and hand carts. All of this clogs the road, which runs from the estate of Marcus Tullius Cicero – indeed, that Cicero – to the sea, to the port, to the docked and waiting ship that the statesman and author hopes to take to Macedonia, and safety.
We should say, to clarify, that this plan was what Cicero was hoping to carry out until now, just now. At the moment he is not planning anything. His head has been cut off.
A difficult day for Cicero!
At least we can report with confidence that no day will ever be harder.
Look, there. Yikes. Around and around in the dust at the center of the boulevard rolls the great man’s head.
It leaks.
The two soldiers who have just carried out the execution argue with one another about whether it would be better to carry the head and hands – soon also to be severed – back to Rome in a single bag, or two.
Decisions, viewer!
Decisions!
this is fun, i like this. i was getting ready to print all of chapter 2 like i did chapter 1, but i don't think there's a need, haha.
Yikes!