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| − | ==3:30 PM==
| + | *'''[[Ludi Lupercales 2761 Sprint Race - Semi-Finals (Nova Roma)|Click Here to Read the Narrative]]''' |
| − | | + | |
| − | live from Circus Flaminius, by M' Verus Paenula for CLC
| + | |
| − | (Catena Ludorum Curulium)
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | It is a beautiful, winter sunny afternoon in Circus Flaminius for the
| + | |
| − | beginning of the Lupercales Sprint Race.
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| − | | + | |
| − | People have come from every neighborhood of Rome and from many tribes
| + | |
| − | territories, to assist the first Athletics race. Everybody feels
| + | |
| − | excited at the same time because such an event is not frequent, and
| + | |
| − | also because it is the beginning of this exceptional program of sports
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| − | contests included into the Decennales games, the special games for Nova
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| − | Roma tenth birthday.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The Factiones have accepted to march into the Circus before and after
| + | |
| − | the athletes, to witness their involvement and interest for this new
| + | |
| − | kind of contest. What is wonderful is not only that the old Ludi, the
| + | |
| − | ancient athletic and fighting institutions, have been reactivated for
| + | |
| − | this 14th day before the Kalends of March, but also that every factio
| + | |
| − | has accepted to invoke the support of one God : Factio Iuppiter is thus
| + | |
| − | sponsored by Ludus Albatus, Factio Martis by Ludus Praesina, Factio
| + | |
| − | Quirini by Ludus Russatus, and Factio Iunonis by Ludus Venetus.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Precisely, Factio Iuppiter contestants, so members of Ludus Albatus,
| + | |
| − | have just returned from the Capitoline Hill, where a special ceremony
| + | |
| − | and ritus was given in honor of Iuppiter Optimus Maximus at the Temple
| + | |
| − | of the Capitoline Triad. White supporters are now entering in large
| + | |
| − | groups, the Circus, today used as a Stadium. You can easily recognize
| + | |
| − | them : look ! they are all in toga candida! This is one of the first
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| − | times they look so pure and virginales ! No doubt they will not stay
| + | |
| − | quiet when their champions, the soft-stepping brothers Vestigius
| + | |
| − | Quietus, Marcus and Lucius, will stand on the starting line! For the
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| − | moment, they seem impressed by the presence, in his senatorial seat, at
| + | |
| − | the center of Flaminius degrees, of Consularis Gn. Equitius Marinus,
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| − | now in his senatorial seat, who has received in the temple, from the
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| − | Flamen Dialis and on behalf of Factio Iuppiter, the vermillion and the
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| − | crowns of laurel which is now enlightening the foreheads of the Fratres
| + | |
| − | Vesqui, as they are called by their supporters.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Factio Martis contestants with all their supporters were the first ones
| + | |
| − | here. We must remind that Ludus Praesinus was not this morning in the
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| − | walls of their school, but met in the Praesina Stables, roughly 1,5
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| − | stadia from here, in this Campus Martius area. The aedilician services,
| + | |
| − | specially the police ones, have reported that, once again, the Praesini
| + | |
| − | have considered that the protection of Mars meant making much noise and
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| − | showing aggressive smiles to people in the street several hours before
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| − | the Race, specially deep in last night. Naturally, the aediles have
| + | |
| − | been weak enough not to listen to the protests of the three dozens of
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| − | Campus inhabitants who came to protest against this uproar, and who
| + | |
| − | declared solemnly that they will go towards the praetors to sue the
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| − | State. Really, Factio Mars is appreciated by many people, specially by
| + | |
| − | poets and artists, because one is amazed by the striking contrast
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| − | between these warlike supporters and the sweet Gaia Aurelia Falco
| + | |
| − | Silvana, the illustra patrona of this Factio, today highly
| + | |
| − | representated by athletes Gaius Aurelius Falco Celer and Manius
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| − | Aurelius Falco Rapax.
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| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==3:40 PM==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The marching ceremony is over! People are shouting. The factiones
| + | |
| − | lanistae have just informed their athletes in which semi-finals they
| + | |
| − | will run.
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| − | | + | |
| − | I see that young Iulius Sabinus Crassus, Quirinus's Factio, is keeping
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| − | on stretching and jumping up into the air, but this time in the right
| + | |
| − | Circus's turn, assigned to warming-up. Crassus, unlike many young men,
| + | |
| − | gives much importance to stretching. Sabinus was chosen to represent
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| − | Team Quirinus on the superstitio of his name -Quirinus being a very
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| − | important God of the Sabines - but overall for his possibilities, and
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| − | because he is reputed living in close relation with our environment :
| + | |
| − | he cares about the food he eats, he is globally aware, he is open to
| + | |
| − | Greek and Sarmatian philosophies, etc.. Bad tongues say in a smile
| + | |
| − | that "He is very quirinal" - do not forget that our Quirinus is among
| + | |
| − | our ancient gods the one that cares on food and harvests - and that he
| + | |
| − | could not run on the grass, being afraid injuring it.
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| − | | + | |
| − | But the Reds supporters do not mind these gossips, for they are sure of
| + | |
| − | their strenght, and of Crassus's one. Ludus Russatus physical
| + | |
| − | preparation coach even told me, in his meridional accent, that if he
| + | |
| − | wanted, his champion would just have to make one pace to win the race.
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| − | Info or intox ?
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Factio Iuno, represented by members of the Ludus Venetus, seem
| + | |
| − | confident, too, warming up in special blue-dyed goat skins. The skins
| + | |
| − | are extra-short and have a gilded image of Iuno sewn onto the front
| + | |
| − | side of the skins. It is evident to most here that these are not the
| + | |
| − | skins from the sacrificial goats of the festival in the Lupercal
| + | |
| − | earlier this morning. Many are debating the Blues decision to use these
| + | |
| − | obviously pre-fabricated skins, but the team maintains that the
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| − | decision will be in Iuno's favor. What is not debatable is the number
| + | |
| − | of amphorae of goat's milk that the team has consumed this afternoon.
| + | |
| − | Naturally, the other Ludi are shouting them a few unpleasant words,
| + | |
| − | saying that they are not men if dressed like women, and have all their
| + | |
| − | wine hidden in their athlete's room. This athlete seems not caring all
| + | |
| − | these lazzi, and very concentrated. Despite his young age, Quaestor
| + | |
| − | Triarius' nephew, Quintus Vitellius Triarus Vopiscus, who will run in
| + | |
| − | hte first Semi, seems as determined as the other athlets, as for
| + | |
| − | example Rutilus, also in the first semi, and Celera, both sponsored by
| + | |
| − | Maxima Valeria Messallina. Celera, not to be taken for the already
| + | |
| − | mentioned Celer, seems physically ready. You can see him near Crassus,
| + | |
| − | and Celer, warming-up on the right side of the usual chariot track.
| + | |
| − | Sure Celera does not hear what other Factiones supporters are hurling
| + | |
| − | to him, concerning his name in "-a", and his alleged Bithynian practice
| + | |
| − | resort.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The place around the Circus is as crowded as the Circus itself even if,
| + | |
| − | according the aediles's staff, the situation is better now and under
| + | |
| − | control. The hardest supporters are still in jail, where all colors are
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| − | reconciliating around amphores exceptionally displayed there. Timeo
| + | |
| − | aediles et dona ferentes !
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| − | | + | |
| − | Vendors are selling small statuary of the specially honored Gods,
| + | |
| − | today, and allegedly "blessed," amphorae of goat's milk on every
| + | |
| − | corner. Gee, these guys will stoop to anything for extra denarii! Some
| + | |
| − | women are anxiously waiting for the race to begin ; other ones carry on
| + | |
| − | their particular trade, shouting : "Ad lupam! Ad lupam! Veni parve,
| + | |
| − | veni mi Reme, veni Romule!". Happily, scriba aed. Scholastica and
| + | |
| − | former praetor, very sharp on morality, is still in the Circus, and not
| + | |
| − | aware of this. She is the terror of these kind of female special
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| − | merchants.
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| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ==3:50 PM==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | It is time now for the 1st semi-final! The contestants who kept their
| + | |
| − | tunic for warming-up just put it off. Lucius V.Q. is getting close his
| + | |
| − | lane 1, soon followed by Rutilus at lane 2, Vopiscus and Rapax being
| + | |
| − | assigned the 3th and 4th. From the first rank, one may see that, behind
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| − | the athlete's apparent impassibility, every athlete is seized by the
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| − | doubt, at this precise moment. The Circus crowd is now close to silent.
| + | |
| − | Scriba Lentulus, whose designation as Camillus Concordiae has been
| + | |
| − | announced a few mintues ago, has been applauded. Now his work is of
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| − | another kind: trying to remind the contestants the rules of the race.
| + | |
| − | He is repeating : "Cives athletici, remember that you and we all are
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| − | all brothers! No hit, and stay in your lane! Respect of the rules, and
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| − | Concordia : con-cor-dia !".
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | But the athlets are already, mentally, in their race. The commemorative
| + | |
| − | strip of goat skin for the race, symbolizing those used by the two
| + | |
| − | Luperci in ancient times, has been received from Quaestor M. Hortensia
| + | |
| − | Maior, which is known as a skilled amateur of leather, and left aside
| + | |
| − | by the athletes, near the spina, beneath the first degree or in the
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| − | hands of their Magister Ludi.
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| − | | + | |
| − | The aediles curules are in the grand stand. They have welcomed the
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| − | whole senate, which is nearly as harassing than running and swimming
| + | |
| − | back to Rome to announce Pydna victory. The aediles could not however
| + | |
| − | have the pleasure welcoming Consularis Gn. Salvius Astur, who has just
| + | |
| − | announced his decision to resign his public charges. The aediles have
| + | |
| − | now sat down, the Consules by their side. Consul Piscinus seems calm
| + | |
| − | while Consul Sabinus is a bit nervous: young athlete Crassus is his
| + | |
| − | son, and it is his first official race in Flaminius!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Quaestor L. Vitellius Triarius, in his new toga, is standing by the
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| − | middle of the track, facing the stand, while aedilician scribes are
| + | |
| − | standing on both lines, looking at him attentively. In Vitellius's
| + | |
| − | hand, the famous mappa. The senators facing the quaestor can see that
| + | |
| − | the mappa has, in every one of its corners, the wolf symbol in every
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| − | faction color in competition.
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| − | | + | |
| − | Questor Triarius is raising the right arm. He has repeated this simple
| + | |
| − | move several times during the previous week, even the night, when the
| + | |
| − | whole domus was sleeping : "overall, the right hand!" has he repeated
| + | |
| − | himself. But, naturally, he does not mistake now. He is now turning
| + | |
| − | over and looking up two ranks higher, where aediles and consuls are
| + | |
| − | sitting. The crowd now knows that Vitellius is a hard working man, and
| + | |
| − | we can hear a few "Long life Vitelli!", along with bursts of applause.
| + | |
| − | A short glance, and Vitellius turns back toward the contestants. He is
| + | |
| − | raising the mappa higher than ever. He would be swallowed to the skies
| + | |
| − | by the gods that nobody would be that amazed. Everyone is focusing to
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| − | the mappa. The silence is now total. Even outside the Circus, no noise.
| + | |
| − | Total but now oppressive silence, a strange and anxious one. For it
| + | |
| − | reminds of the wonderful events, but also a few bad times, when the
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| − | open streets were deserted, the city waiting for bad news, or for the
| + | |
| − | enemy marching into the City.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | As in a dream, the mappa has fallen. As four Numidian lions at last
| + | |
| − | released, Vesqui, Rutilus, Vopiscus and Rapax have sprung up from their
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| − | marks!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == 4:00 PM : Semi-Finals Race I ==
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| − | | + | |
| − | Rutilus blasts down the lane ahead of the others like a scorpion bolt.
| + | |
| − | Vopiscus is narrowly behind him, maintaining the pace, but slowing
| + | |
| − | slightly, as not to burn himself out immediately. Let us remind running
| + | |
| − | a stadium needs that you keep some forces for the second part of the
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| − | race!
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| − | | + | |
| − | Lucius Vestigius Quietus and Rapax are closely in pursuit. Now, Rutilus
| + | |
| − | slows and Vopiscus takes the leader's position... Yes, Rutilus moves
| + | |
| − | back into second place. Lucius Vestigius Quietus and Rapax are side-by-
| + | |
| − | side, both vowing for the third position. The contestants are at the
| + | |
| − | middle mark of the 203 meters of the stadium.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Now, Rutilus begins to slow from the overly fast start, and drops back
| + | |
| − | into third, with Rapax speeding ahead. Vopiscus is holding on, throwing
| + | |
| − | a glance over his shoulder when he may still do it with no major risk!
| + | |
| − | The runners are approaching the finish line. The crowd is standing and
| + | |
| − | cheering them on as Vopiscus... or Rapax... Vopiscus... Rapax... no,
| + | |
| − | Vopiscus, at last, crosses the finish line first, but Rapax is close
| + | |
| − | behind, followed by... Lucius Vestigius Quietus and Rutilus. This is
| + | |
| − | incredible... Vopiscus seemed to win easily, by finally the four
| + | |
| − | athletes seem to end in a close time. We have to wait for the time
| + | |
| − | provided by the Helvetian official electronic hourglass, sponsored by
| + | |
| − | Tempus corporation, whose ads you sure have already seen says : "A true
| + | |
| − | Lupus wears a watch Tempus".
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The four contestants are jogging around the Circus for a cool down. The
| + | |
| − | three athletes are shaking hands with Vopiscus, the winner. The crowd
| + | |
| − | applauds wildly and throws flowers down, white, blue, green, red ones
| + | |
| − | onto the sand, for their favoured runners.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Race officials are checking the timers, and Scriba Lentulus brings the
| + | |
| − | final times to Quaestor Vitellius, who has now stepped up on the small
| + | |
| − | rostra built at the middle of the track. He asks for silence. As the
| + | |
| − | crowd finally settles to here the results and times, Quaestor Vitellius
| + | |
| − | announces the following:
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Vopiscus - 1st Place (21"66)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Rapax - 2nd Place (21"83)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Lucius V.Q. - 3rd Place (21"91)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Rutilus - 4th Place (21"93)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | It is a roaring in Flaminius, both to cheer the winner but also because
| + | |
| − | every athlete could have won this very close race!
| + | |
| − | As the servii rake the track and make preparations for the next race,
| + | |
| − | Quaestor Vitellius, under the applauses, thank each one of the
| + | |
| − | contestants individually.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Woo! We see that Lucius and Rutilus seem much deceived! No doubt that
| + | |
| − | they are re-running this 1st Semi in their mind!
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == 4:15 PM : Semi-Finals Race II ==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The 1st Semi runners are now in the stands or their rooms, and the
| + | |
| − | contestants for the 2nd Semi are entering the field and lining up, as
| + | |
| − | directed by Scriba Lentulus in the following order: Celera in Lane I,
| + | |
| − | next is Crassus in Lane II, followed by Celer in Lane III and Marcus
| + | |
| − | Vestigius Quietus in Lane IV. Scriba Lentulus again reviews the line.
| + | |
| − | Now he signals that all is ready to begin.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Quaestor Vitellius stands and receives the nodded approval signal from
| + | |
| − | the Aediles. Once again, the magic time of the falling mappa has come.
| + | |
| − | Out of the starting position, Crassus leaps a good 2 metres ahead of
| + | |
| − | everyone else! The Russata fans in the stands go wild! Celera quickly
| + | |
| − | closes in behind Crassus within a few inches, holding the secondary
| + | |
| − | lead. Celer is advancing at a modern pace in third, followed by Marcus
| + | |
| − | Vestigius Quietus. But wait... now Marcus Vestigius takes the third
| + | |
| − | position over Celer. Crassus is pulling ahead of Celera, and he seems
| + | |
| − | to be in a different league from the other runners. His father, Consul
| + | |
| − | Sabinus, is standing on his seat with anticipation, gripping Aed.
| + | |
| − | Lucilius's arm who, happily, is a strong man.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Everyone is standing on their seats! The Reds are all but insane with
| + | |
| − | excitement! Some spectators from Albatus attempt to start a fight with
| + | |
| − | some of the Russata fans, but they cannot gain the attention of the
| + | |
| − | Reds, whose team member is taking the lead to even greater heights. Now
| + | |
| − | we have passed the fatal middle mark. What will happen ?
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | OOOOH! There seems to be a problem!! Crassus is slowing down! Celera
| + | |
| − | passes him easily, followed by Marcus Vestigius and Celer. Crassus has
| + | |
| − | now slowed his pace, and is grimacing. What is it ? A cramping ? The
| + | |
| − | Circus medicus and staff stand by, but maybe that young Crassus has not
| + | |
| − | simply measured his efforts. Ah, if ever young people had knowlegde,
| + | |
| − | and elder the force! Marcus Vestigius and Celera are approaching the
| + | |
| − | finish line, they are side-by-side in the lead followed by Celer,
| + | |
| − | closely behind. It's anybody's race now with only a few metres to go!
| + | |
| − | This Semi seems as close as the first one! Fantastic! Marcus Vestigius
| + | |
| − | gets his second wind! He pulls a good foot ahead of Celera, crossing
| + | |
| − | the finish line first. Celera second, Celer third, and Crassus half a
| + | |
| − | pace in 4th.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | The crowds stand and applaude the four runners. Quaestor Vitellius is
| + | |
| − | now back upon his rostra with Scriba Lentulus, going over the official
| + | |
| − | finish and announces the following to the crowd:
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Marcus Vestigius Quietus – 1st Place (21"53)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Celera – 2nd Place (21"73)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Celer – 3rd Place (21"83)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | ::'''Crassus – 4th Place (21"98)'''
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | Quaestor Vitellius greets each contestant and thanks them for their
| + | |
| − | participation, then makes a reminder announcement to the crowd about
| + | |
| − | the Finals and Minor Finals races to be held here in the Circus
| + | |
| − | Flaminius tomorrow.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | == 4:40 PM==
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | So, wonderful Lupercales Athletics first day, indeed, here in
| + | |
| − | Circus Flaminius! Romans in the crowd, that I have just interviewed,
| + | |
| − | seem enthusiastic about these kinds of race. Most of our citizens did
| + | |
| − | not know it. Just a few of us, the richer ones, who have had the
| + | |
| − | opportunity travelling to the Olympic Games or to the Isthmic ones, in
| + | |
| − | Greece, knew that there were not on Roman earth just Venationes and
| + | |
| − | Circus chariots or horses contests.
| + | |
| − | | + | |
| − | So this is a first success, and no doubt it is thanks to our Gods! We
| + | |
| − | hope that all the athletes will be able to defend their Factio's color
| + | |
| − | this Su. 17th, and I think specially to young Crassus. The crowd is now
| + | |
| − | dispersing from the Circus to attend the evening's celebrations and
| + | |
| − | prepare for the main event tomorrow. I can see smiles on the faces, and
| + | |
| − | even Lanistae, who show ordinary frowning faces, seem satisfied.
| + | |
| − | It was M' Verus Paenula on Feb. 16th, speaking from Circus Flaminius,
| + | |
| − | for C.L.C., Catena Ludorum Curulium, the aedilitas network!
| + | |
| | | | |
| | </div> | | </div> |
| Line 367: |
Line 48: |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| − | ==The Minor Finals and Finals Races== | + | ==The Finals Races== |
| | | | |
| | <div class="scriptum"> | | <div class="scriptum"> |
| | + | |
| | + | *'''[[Ludi Lupercales 2761 Sprint Race - Finals (Nova Roma)|Click Here to Read the Narrative]]''' |
| | | | |
| | </div> | | </div> |
Enter your virtual runners for the sprint races! Contestants will compete in quarters, semi-finals, and finals up to 4 runners per race.
This page is maintained under authority of the Aediles Curules
