Victoriam!
Dressed in fragrant laurel, he was a victor against Barbarians from the North. General Lucius Sulla had once again Rome before his feet. This was another day a triumph, a day to be benevolent, a day of smile and orgies; tomorrow there would be trials: tomorrow there were traitors to be killed and maimed.
The Auriga was a young boy with blond hair, a captured prince of the barbarians, and though he knew his duty well, he hesitated before daring to whisper:
Memento Mori, memento mori, General
General Sulla grinned and tousled the boy’s hair.
You too, my prince.
I have always dreamt about the habit of the triumphants of Rome having a slave whispering a remainder that they also would die. General Sulla was one of the really big generals of Rome and I imagine that also he would go through Rome in triumph, and I have always guessed that there would be those that were less happy when he returned than others.
Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix
Friday Fictioneers are blogging to the same picture each week in 100 words. We are led by general Rochelle Wisoff-Fields and often we reach 100 contributions. Check it out.
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May 20, 2015
Björn Rudbergs writings 
I didn’t know about that tradition – a good one, and a good story.
I remember my father telling me this.. it’s a story that probably have been enhanced by myth.
Thanks for a peek into history. I like the contrast between the benevolence and orgies, and killing and maiming. Nicely done, Bjorn
I think it is what’s called segregation of duties today.
I always liked the tale of the slave behind the victor whispering. Being pragmatic, I can well imagine the Romans doing this for real. I heard this as a child and it deeply impressed me. This was an excellent bit of Fiction. I like the General tousling the boy’s hair.
And I can feel that the boy is a little bit scared too ..
Yes. For in reminding the general, he is also reminding himself….
A clever piece and a lesson in botany: I didn’t recognise the laurel. 😉
I’m not sure it’s a laurel but it could be that 🙂
Well, I definitely can’t advise you.
Nice one Bjorn. And I was sure if was a laurel too.
Thank you, but there are other trees with similar leaves
Dear Björn,
A unique use of the prompt. Nice one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
We should think outside the box shouldn’t we?
Always and absolutely! It’s what I keep saying. 😉
Creative take on the prompt!
Thank you 🙂 I try to think out of the box.. and I have always loved the story of memento mori..
I love a bit of Roman historical prose now and again. Have you watched Spartacus? Brilliant programme. Shows the Roman Empire in all it’s gory finery.
I have not watched Spartacus.. but I still remember Derek Jacobi as I Claudius, one of the best TV-series ever made.
Interesting. I imagine too there were plenty happy to see some of their oppressors not return. Though, then the slave only changes hands. Well written Bjorn.
For the slaves it probably didn’t matter… when the cat’s away the mice will play. 🙂
Thanks for the fresh look at ancient Rome, Bjorn. So much of that culture has heavy influence even today. The stories bear retelling.
All my best,
Marie Gail
The stories and even myths… Great source of inspiration
An absolute beauty of a post. Really loved the way you worked this prompt! 🙂
Greetings from London.
Thank you … I had fun writing it.
Wow! This was beautiful! I learned something new today (history and I were never friends). I thoroughly enjoyed your story…
Thank you, and thank you for the picture. I hope it was laurel..
Nice bit of history and a well done story.
I love history.. and the tale of the slave has always intrigued me.
Bjorn, your blog/writing is like a frequent necessary vacation/escape–many thanks!!
Ha, we all try to add value to the readers.. I’m happy you like it.
Indeed I do. If open mic is later, I’ll probably see you there…
It’s tonight 🙂
Yaay–I’ve got one all ready to go.
for such a military man, it’s interesting that he died peacefully in retirement.
Maybe a result of how he balanced orgies and trials?
I like the events he has planned – smiles and parties tonight, trials and executions tomorrow.
It’s like the bread and circuses..
Poignant reminder of man’s mortality. Nicely told story!
I’ve learned something today – thank you!
Rosey Pinkerton’s blog
Thanks for a story from history! I can see the victor riding through Rome with a crown of laurel around his head.
Lily
Yes, this leaf does remind me a laurel. Nicely done!
Interesting take, Bjorn.
Nicely told, Bjorn. I suspect the boy was also the General’s bedfellow – the Romans of the era were notorious for sleeping with boys.
Great story, thoughtful and educational. I’m rather proud that I actually know about Sulla. I suck at history, but years ago, I read Colleen McCullough’s (sp?) books about Rome and found them good reads.
And the leaves are definitely laurel shaped (I’m not sure what it is either.)
A unique take indeed. Makes me want to read much more of this – you really took us there. And that boy is both scared and very brave!
Shouldn’t it be You TOO, my prince?
I always enjoy your stories because they are so different from the world that I know.
Of course it’s too.. Thank you, I enjoyed writing this one.
Loved it but at the same time was horrified by it. Imagine having to ask to be killed also. Glad I live in these times where I do. Really well done. This one will stick with me.
I knew of that tradition. We’d do good to remember that also. Of course those generals were very likely not to live to be old. He looks like a really powerful man. Rome always seemed to be full of traitors and underhanded doings. Good historical fiction, Bjorn. Well done. 🙂 — Suzanne
I didn’t know of this tradition. The Romans didn’t hesitate to live out each day fully like it might be your last and this would be encouraging for them to do so. Such a clever piece of historical fiction and expertly done. Come to think of it, this does look like a laurel leaf.
A great take on the prompt. I’ve always found that tradition to be an interesting one. Good story. 🙂
I’ve never been to one, but I imagine those orgies could be quite exhausting. As far as the other tradition goes, I’m glad it’s been abandoned over time.
Imagine to have to do the maiming with a hangover.
When generals wore laurel crowns and princes were slaves. I wonder what the general meant when he replied ‘you too’ to the prince? Doesn’t seem to make tomorrow seem very hopeful, does it?
Ellespeth
He meant that they are both mortal.
Yes. My imagination just gets carried away.
Ellespeth
I’m forever fascinated by all things Roman, but did not know about this tradition. I love the human touch with the General tousling the boy’s hair with the same hand that would have slaughtered numerous men in battle!
This is fantastic! I’ll have to share this one with my boyfriend, I think he would really enjoy it. 🙂
Nicely done story of the duality of humanity and a great history lesson. Thanks!
Not only did I read a good story, I learned something too!
Fascinating bit of history! The Romans must have been very grounded to remind themselves of their mortality. I wonder how in the end their brazenness led to their downfall …
I had to lookup the General, very interesting bit of history there. But what made me appreciate your work more was when I looked up “memento mori”. I do think a link to it will help the rest of us http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memento_mori
A minor typo “You to, my prince.” should be “You too, my prince.”
And now of course a timely piece in the light of your nation’s great victory over all of Europe (the new Europe that includes Australia). Just remember to be humble after the excess!
It’s as if you were there telling a tale of what you actually saw.
I love the close-up of a moment in history – fascinating.