Daughters of Rome by Chappell Alex

Author:Chappell, Alex [Chappell, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-06-20T00:00:00+00:00

FLAVIA

XII

Flavia Valeriae S.D.

I shall write today, Valerius, about my most recent experiences in Antioch, and perhaps now that Father is no longer around to prevent your letters from reaching me, I can hope for a response from you.

The house Crispus’s father purchased for us in Antioch is about half the size of Father’s country villa. It’s the smallest home I’ve ever lived in, but it’s my home. I’m the domina, the mistress of the household, and I’m trying to forget my problems by making this domus as beautiful and comfortable as possible.

Besides the slaves we brought with us, Crispus has used his father’s money to purchase several more. It will only be a matter of days now before I have everything in order.

I’ve given each slave an assigned set of duties. I’ve taken so quickly to my new role of dutiful Roman matron that any man would be proud to call me his wife. But I’m not happy. My accomplishments in the home are futile attempts to fill an empty void in my soul. This is what it’s like to be a daughter of a patrician family. It’s a life of loneliness and meeting all the expectations Roman society says I must fulfill.

It would be so much easier if I loved the man I’m married to. It might at least be tolerable if I respected him. But I have neither of these advantages. I also have no friends to lean on for support. Even after several weeks in the city, I still haven’t become acquainted with any of my neighbors, so I wandered around this domus, inspecting the work of the servants, trying not to drown in my own boredom.

It was in a state of such overwhelming boredom that I wandered near the kitchen today and happened upon an interesting conversation. I so deeply crave the sound of a friendly human voice that I loitered out of sight to listen to Dionysia’s cheerful banter with one of our newly purchased Greek slaves.

"This new form of worship you’re telling me about. . ," Dionysia said with great curiosity in her voice. "You say it comes from Judea? It must be very unique to attract so much attention from so many people so quickly."

"It is," Phaedra, the new slave, assured her. "I have listened to them preach. These men from Cyprus and Cyrene teach about a man named Jesus Christ. They say he’s the Son of God and that he suffered for the sins of the world, was crucified, and then rose again from his tomb after three days."

"And there are witnesses of this?" Dionysia asked. Her voice was skeptical but her interest was definitely piqued.

"I had the same question," Phaedra said, "and so did others in the crowd. The men told us Jesus appeared to several witnesses soon after his resurrection. First to a woman in the garden near the sepulcher where they laid him. Next to a group of women who were commanded by an angel to tell his disciples he had risen.

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