Post by Admin on Jul 27, 2016 17:13:35 GMT
With the success of the naval expedition (read; slaving raids) against Alanya, Julian chooses to parade many of the spoils during his triumph, awarded by the Senate of Carthage for his reincorporation of Mauretania into the Empire. The strange armour of Horse Archers and the most decorative examples of Germanic armour are paraded, together with an assortment of the most foreign-looking slaves. All have been purchased from the raiders by Julian. The Tysoti are invited to participate in the parade, marching on horseback alongside Romans. They are expected to hold themselves with a high bearing and abstain from all excesses until after the triumph - Julian hopes to make a big show of how the ravaging barbarians that once plagued Italy have now been subjected to Roman civilisation, and have improved in every respect so as to be almost civilised. During this archaic ritual, there is a coordinated effort to use the title 'Restitutor Orbis' (the restorer of the world) in reference to Julian. Julian is eager to adopt this title as a sort of motto for his rule, with the reintroduction of Roman rule in Mauretania as the first step towards the restoration of the Roman world.
The parade is a little disjointed, with the triumph ostensibly being in celebration of a victory without bloodshed in north Africa, but with a long train of slaves and bloody battlefield trophies from Alanya accompanying it. The population of Carthage don't seem to mind much, as they are given a great feast, plenty of wine, and a fistful of denarii.
After the ceremony, the Tysoti and Romans dine together in the palace, with plenty of wine and food provided to reward them for their dignity during the ceremony. Plenty of meat is provided, although Julian himself distances himself from barbarity, and makes a show of piety, by abstaining from meat in favour if vegetables, and largely sticking to Roman staples such as bread, wine, and oil. Sweet and savoury pastries are provided, though the diners are subjected to a reading of Pliny first, to drive home the point that pastries were a sign of a civilisation at peace with itself.
The mixed dining habits, the contrasts of endorsing gluttony while making a show of temperance, and the attempt by Julian to appear saintly by abstaining for meat, while drinking the blood of Christ with rapacious frequency, might make one think that Julian wasn't sure what he was, or what he was doing, but that is the inevitable consequence of layering propaganda on top of reality. Julian wanted there to always be more food than one needs, in order to satisfy his guests and reward his allies, but found it necessary to provide ammunition for those who wished to praise his virtues. Of course, he could easily find writers to praise his temperance regardless of his actual practice, but chose to be seen in admirable practices so that he might actually be admired without having to pay everyone off.
Svetovida is granted her private audience towards the end of the banquet. All must stand for Julian's exit, but are allowed to continue their celebration without him.
The parade is a little disjointed, with the triumph ostensibly being in celebration of a victory without bloodshed in north Africa, but with a long train of slaves and bloody battlefield trophies from Alanya accompanying it. The population of Carthage don't seem to mind much, as they are given a great feast, plenty of wine, and a fistful of denarii.
After the ceremony, the Tysoti and Romans dine together in the palace, with plenty of wine and food provided to reward them for their dignity during the ceremony. Plenty of meat is provided, although Julian himself distances himself from barbarity, and makes a show of piety, by abstaining from meat in favour if vegetables, and largely sticking to Roman staples such as bread, wine, and oil. Sweet and savoury pastries are provided, though the diners are subjected to a reading of Pliny first, to drive home the point that pastries were a sign of a civilisation at peace with itself.
The mixed dining habits, the contrasts of endorsing gluttony while making a show of temperance, and the attempt by Julian to appear saintly by abstaining for meat, while drinking the blood of Christ with rapacious frequency, might make one think that Julian wasn't sure what he was, or what he was doing, but that is the inevitable consequence of layering propaganda on top of reality. Julian wanted there to always be more food than one needs, in order to satisfy his guests and reward his allies, but found it necessary to provide ammunition for those who wished to praise his virtues. Of course, he could easily find writers to praise his temperance regardless of his actual practice, but chose to be seen in admirable practices so that he might actually be admired without having to pay everyone off.
Svetovida is granted her private audience towards the end of the banquet. All must stand for Julian's exit, but are allowed to continue their celebration without him.