IS: Lesson - Reading Passage, Story Summary

Story Summary

As we continue reading the story Caedes Intellecta, it is important to remind ourselves of what has happened previously and the events that we can expect to read about in the upcoming chapter. So, let's review and get ready for the next part of the story!

The image to the right is an interior shot of Livia's house on the Palatine Hill in Rome.

Story Notes

Maecenas has been summoned to see Livia and has not yet returned. Anna has informed Pseudolus that there is great danger in investigating Livia, but that Maecenas feels like it is a worthwhile route. Tiberius is upset at the accusations and rumors about his mother. Livia is upset that her trusted spy, Hermanes, could not keep his mouth shut. Hermanes, meanwhile, has been able to listen in on the secret conversation between Pseudolus and Anna. All of the current drama has stemmed from a single death: the death of Marcellus. So, did Livia have something to do with his death? Will Pseudolus be able to continue his investigation, or has he taken a step too far?

As Pseudolus waited to hear any word at all from Maecenas, he contemplated his options. Of course, he did not know that his conversation with Anna had been overheard by Livia's spy, but still, being clever, he knew that there were many possible ways for things to turn out. Mainly, he turned his thoughts to keeping Selene out of any danger; even if it meant his demise, he truly felt it was best to preserve her safety. Pseudolus made a promise to young Selene to always keep her safe, and he had no intention of letting her get mixed up in the serious problems he felt he might face. Whatever was happening at the Domus Liviae (Livia's house), Pseudolus would protect Selene, as promised. All of this, right as the Saturnalia festival was getting underway!

Livia summoned Maecenas because she wanted to hear from him about the rumors spreading around Rome. As important as Maecenas was, he loved to participate in gossip - the poets he supported were always filled to the brim with the talk of the town. His intriguing connection to a mysterious informant also piqued her interest. Hermanes had done well in finding out about the secret meeting, and Livia had decided to find out directly from Maecenas what he knew. Though she was powerful and though she had a great deal of power, Maecenas was not a man to be trifled with. He was her husband's great friend and ally: she had no interest in causing him any trouble. Even so, she suspected that he had some ulterior motives and she wanted to know what they were.

Anna returned to the house of Maecenas to find that her master was still not back. Her concerns grew considerably greater as time passed. She had been planning and looking forward to a raucous celebration of Saturnalia; though she was happy to serve Maecenas, who treated her very well, it was a great joy when the tables turned. Another day passed with still no sign of her master. Anna turned to the one thing that remained: praying to Sol Invictus and offering small gifts. Surely her prayers and gifts would be received at this time of great celebration and Maecenas would return home, safe and happy. As she prayed, a dark figure, cloaked in shadows, slipped into Maecenas' house. The figure found the celebratory wine in the triclinium and slipped a small pouch of herbs into the vessel. Whom did this figure target and what did they put into the drink?

Image of the Domus Liviae courtesy of Carole Raddato. Image posted under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 License Links to an external site..