#ancient rome

Ancient Rome was the biggest, richest, and most spectacular city on Earth. It was also the most dangerous. This video outlines how a hypothetical time traveler could avoid running into trouble on the mean streets. If you enjoyed this video, you might be interested in my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans.“ Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:28 An overview of Rome’s neighborhoods 2:35 Good neighborhoods 3:17 Bad neighborhoods 4:37 Practical advice for the time traveler 5:12 Don’t hang out in seedy tabernae 5:49 Don’t talk to barbers 6:21 Avoid houses of ill repute 6:40 Hiring a bodyguard

A Promise I Was Meant to Keep Brutus and Lucius have returned to Rome after their years long campaign in Greece. The new Legate wanted to show his appreciation for his Centurions hard work. Pairing: m/m Ancient Rome OCs Tags: Smut, drunk sex, power play Word Count: 4.7k Notes: MDNI. Part one of a two shot series about my Roman boys. Enjoy. <3 “…..Come live with me.” Brutus said with a small slur in his voice as the previous few cups of cheap wine had obviously taken its toll. The loud background noise of the tight and cramped bar melded with the man’s statement and Lucius only caught those last few words. Though, upon hearing them, Lucius choked on his drink mid swallow and pounded on his chest a few times to clear his throat. “Excuse me?” Lucius questioned the man across from him, still not believing what he was just asked. “Come live with me.” Brutus repeated as he placed his elbows on the table and rested his chin on the back of his palms. Lucius watched as Brutus’ lips twisted into the barest hint of a smitten smile as he looked over the other man. There was silence between the two as they simply stared at each other for a long moment. Brutus awaited his reply while panic ran through Lucius’s veins. And Lucius knew how much Brutus loved making him squirm. Though, from the more serious tone in Brutus’ voice, this wasn’t just the patrician’s usual teasing. Ever since the pair had returned from the campaign in Greece they had been almost inseparable. Brutus, a greenhorn legatus, and Lucius, a seasoned centurio, ended up making quite the pair on the battlefield and Brutus looked to Lucius for support and advice in important military decisions. Brutus may have been his commanding officer but it didn’t take long for Lucius to find himself thinking of Brutus outside of this role. Outside of this role, outside of his clothes, and into his bed. What began as an unbreakable bond between brothers in arms developed into something much more than either of them expected. The last year of peace in Rome had been one filled with wine, sex, debauchery, and deep conversation as the pair laid together in the bed of some rented room in a small inn. It was all so exciting and taboo which made their frequent flings all the more exhilarating. Though that’s what they were in the end. Flings. Lucius knew his place in Roman society and just how out of reach Brutus was. Both socially and matrimonially. “You know I can’t do that.” Lucius said in almost a whisper despite the loud din of the small Aventinian bar. As the words left his mouth he felt his chest tighten. By Jupiter he wished that wasn’t the answer. What Brutus and Lucius had between each other was frowned upon but not unheard of. A physical relationship between two men, one a patrician and the other nothing but a plebian, was common though kept hush hush and out of the eye of the public. If Lucius accepted Brutus’ offer he knew just how much this would stain the other man’s political and personal reputation. “You’re my legatus. What we’re doing already isn’t…” Lucius added but he trailed off as his voice cracked and he felt a knot form in his throat. The centurion quickly finished the other half of his wine to clear his airway from emotion. “I’m not your legatus anymore, remember? No legions allowed across the Rubicon.” Brutus said as he leaned across the table to gently stroke the side of Lucius’s hand. At the obvious loving touch, the centurion quickly looked around to make sure no one was watching and realized that the other patrons were much too busy conversing with each other to pay attention to two strangers in the corner. Being around Brutus always made Lucius feel like all eyes were on them. “You may not be a legatus anymore but you’re still a patrician. Not to mention having a seat in the Senate.” Lucius said as his fingers unconsciously moved to interlace with Brutus’. “I’m just a plebian. A simple soldier. Not to mention about ten years older than you.” He said with a sad smile as he lightly squeezed Brutus’ hand before placing it back around his empty wine cup. Brutus picked up the pitcher with a small thoughtful ‘hmmmm’ and filled up Lucius’s cup for him. “I like that about you though. All those grays in your stubble.” He purred and Brutus’ eyes trailed from the wine pouring out of the pitcher to admire Lucius’s face. The centurion let out an audible gulp under his lover’s affectionate gaze. No matter how scarred, beat up, or bleeding Lucius was, Brutus always looked at him as if he was a sculpture in the Temple of Jupiter. Lucius ran his hand over the scratchy stubble that covered the lower half of his face and gave Brutus a pompous smile before shaking his head and focused back on the problem at hand. Damn he was so distracting. “You know it would ruin your reputation. Not only yours but your mother, sister, hell your future children.” Lucius said with a frown as that knot in his throat began to form once more. He took a large drink of wine to clear it up. Brutus’ smile fell for a moment at Lucius’s words but the same love drunk grin quickly replaced it. “Hm. I don’t care. I just want you.” He said and leaned forward in his seat and it wasn’t long until Lucius felt Brutus’ hand on his knee. “Besides, I’m the paterfamilias of the Valerian family now. Who is going to say no?” “Brutus…” Lucius said and his tone was a mix of pain and begging. Pained from having to deny the one thing he wanted and begging for Brutus to move his hand further up his thigh. “Just think about it, hm?” Brutus mused as his hand continued to roam up Lucius’s leg and under his tunic. “You’re drunk, love.” Lucius said and made sure to keep his voice low at his pet name to Brutus. “So are you.” Brutus replied with a teasing smirk as his hand brushed against Lucius’s growing bulge between his legs. Lucius let out a mix of a moan from the caress and a sigh from Brutus’ insistence. He unconsciously shifted his hips further into the touch but Brutus pulled his hand back and set it onto the table before Lucius had the chance. The centurion gave the other man a sharp look for the teasing touch and his eyes followed Brutus as he stood from his seat. “Think about it.” Brutus repeated as he threw a few coins on the table. Lucius looked at the metal glinting in the candle lit bar with a sense of envy. It was pocket change for a patrician. Though Lucius always knew he could make up for Brutus’ spoiling in other ways. “I will.” Lucius said with a small sad smile. It was a lie. The answer was already chosen. Not by himself but by the society they lived in. “It’s pretty dark outside.” Brutus said though the tone of his voice was hypothetical and playful as he looked through the windows to the streets outside. “It’d be a shame if a wealthy patrician such as myself ran into trouble on his way home.” He added and turned back to Lucius with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Lucius gave Brutus an amused smile before pushing himself from the table and, as he did so, the room began to slightly sway. It seemed he had drunk more than he thought he did. “Then it seems you need an experienced centurio escort you back to your villa.” Lucius said with a slur as the alcohol ran freely through his system now that he was finally standing. The streets of the Aventine were dark, dingy, and dirty as was par for the course on this side of Rome. Brutus’ toga marked him out apart from the rest of the plebeian late night crowd but the pair ran into no trouble apart from a few strange looks. It was expected for a man of Brutus’ status to have bodyguards and from an outsider’s perspective that’s all Lucius was. Lucius gripped the hilt of his gladius as a pair of rough looking men sized up the oblivious, and obviously drunk, Brutus. Most likely gauging if it was worth attempting to rob him and his guard but, when their eyes met Lucius, they quickly diverted their gaze and went back to their dice game. He let out a soft disappointed sigh that they didn’t even bother to try. It would have done Lucius good to get some of this frustration out through violence. What other way does a soldier know how to deal with pent up emotions like these? As Lucius was getting lost in his own thoughts the toe of his sandal caught on an uneven stone in the street. Reality came rushing back as the adrenaline through his system kicked into overdrive to make up for his alcohol addled reaction time. However, before Lucius could even bring his hands up to catch himself, he felt strong arms from behind him wrap around his waist. With a soft tug, Brutus pulled Lucius back into his chest. The centurion’s breath hitched in his throat. He always forgot how small he felt in the larger man’s arms. “Careful now. I thought you were supposed to be the one protecting me.” Brutus quietly murmured into Lucius’s ear and planted a soft kiss onto his neck. Lucius went stone still in his lover’s embrace fully well aware they were standing in the middle of the street. In full view of every man, woman, and child who walked by. “Come on, loosen up. I can help you if you want.” Brutus continued to pur against the centurion’s neck as his grip on Lucius’s waist began to lower. The centurion gently took Brutus’ hands and untangled himself from the other man before his fingers got any closer to his crotch. Spinning around to face Brutus, Lucius cleared his throat and his stone cold expression turned sheepish under the patrician’s appraising gaze. He could feel Brutus’ eyes drinking in his own form underneath his ragged tunic. “No need to be shy.” Brutus teased as he bumped his hip into Lucius causing the other man to slightly stumble. “Besides, you’re cute when you blush.” He added with a sly wink before continuing his way down the street. Lucius opened his mouth to retort but didn’t have the chance before Brutus began walking again. He felt his face beat red hot and he knew the wine was only partially to blame for his blush. After a few moments of standing in the middle of the street like a love struck idiot, Lucius quickly rushed to catch up to Brutus and fell back into step with him. “Kind of feels like we’re back on Asia Minor, hm?” Brutus asked as he looked up into the cloudy night sky for a moment as he reminisced. Lucius shot Brutus a quirked brow at the statement before asking, “How do you mean?” “Well, it’s always been easy to walk with you.” Brutus said as he looked down to Lucius’s legs which were walking perfectly in sync with his own. Lucius followed Brutus’ gaze to their sandaled feet as they stepped together in time like they had for the entirety of that campaign. Rhythm perfectly reflected in their movements long before they ever got together romantically. A sign from Fortuna herself. “It’s hard to think that was so long ago.” Brutus continued as they walked and the alcohol stained his tone with hints of melancholy. “Remember how terrified I was on that ship? I’d hardly ever held a sword before then.” Lucius gave Brutus a warm and gentle smile as he thought back. The scared patrician who had never seen actual combat smuggled onto a ship to Greece on the run from the man who assassinated his father. Part of Lucius wondered where he would be if he hadn’t offered to escort the Valerian heir across the sea or even who he would be now if he had never met Brutus. “And I had to protect you from the pirates that tried to take our ship. I’m pretty sure I still have a scar or two from that one.” Lucius teased and playfully jabbed Brutus in the ribs. The patrician let out a large laugh at his own terrifying memory that he can now look back fondly on. “Hey! I’m sure I got at least one!” Brutus said and returned the playful jab to which Lucius responded with a laugh of his own. “Hah! Scratched one perhaps but definitely not killed one.” Lucius said and he wiped a humorous tear from the corner of his eye between gleeful chuckles. It wasn’t long before the winding back end streets of the Aventine gave way to paved roads and beautiful domus carved out of marble and constructed with high quality brick. Lucius awkwardly shifted on his feet at the change of scenery as he looked around at the glamor of the Roman upper echelon. It was hard not to feel out of place on this side of town. Even when he was by Brutus’ side, most people assumed he was either a beggar or a servus . Though, he’s thankful he didn’t join the ranks of the other poor and washed up veterans who didn’t have a war to fight. Lucius supposed not everyone was fortunate enough to bed a wealthy patrician. “And we’re home!” Brutus exclaimed as he threw his arms out and did a spin in front of the gate to his lavish domus. “Ah, I’m home. I guess.” He quickly corrected himself and gave Lucius a small apologetic smile. Lucius returned the gesture as his head craned up to see the entirety of the large mansion. It stretched for almost the entire block and he could already see the shuffling shadows of servus inside getting things prepared for the arrival of their dominus. It didn’t take long for a slave to approach the gate and unlock it for the pair. Swinging open the decorative metal, the servus gave Brutus a large bow and completely ignored Lucius’s existence. “Welcome home, Dominus.” The servus said and stayed in his bowing position until Brutus waved a hand allowing him to straighten back out. “I’ll take my leave of you, Valerius. I’m glad to help you make it home safe and sound. Vale.” Lucius said to Brutus, addressing the patrician by his formal family name, and gave him an orderly salute. It always killed him to say goodbye like this every night. So stuck up and proper. Having to leave without so much as a kiss or a short embrace. As Lucius was returning his hand to his side, Brutus grabbed it and pulled the centurion through the open gates. “Nonsense! You’re coming in for a drink.” Brutus said with a mischievous smile as Lucius was too busy trying not to trip over his feet as he was taken through the threshold of the domus. The servus simply looked with a neutral expression on his face, not giving away any of his thoughts on what just happened in front of him. If anything, that almost made Lucius feel worse. “Bring us bread, olive oil, and wine to the garden.” Brutus shouted out as the pair passed by the door of the kitchen. The painted walls and intricate inlaid mosaics rushed past the pair and Brutus didn’t slow down for a moment. Not even when one of the serveii popped their head out of the kitchen to double check what his request was. Meanwhile, Lucius thought his heart was going to jump out of his throat. What would happen if Brutus’ mother saw him here? If a slave decided to spread a rumor? Or worse, if legatus Lucullus was here visiting. What would his general think of the centurion then? Lucius couldn’t handle having that on his conscience. “Bru- Valerius I-” Lucius stammered out, attempting to keep the addresses polite to outside ears, as he was led through the lavishly decorated hallways of the mansion. Everything happened so fast though there was no use in resisting. Lucius learned that a long time ago. When Brutus made up his mind on something he could be stubborn as an ox when it came to convincing him to change it. Fitting for the patrician’s cognomen nickname. The pair eventually came to a full stop toward the back of the domus and Lucius had to catch himself or else risk tumbling right into Brutus. The smell of fresh flowers and exotic plants overwhelmed Lucius as he realized that his lover had dragged him into the garden. The beams of moonlight from the full moon bathed the pair in a holy glow as they stood in this small tranquil space. For a moment it felt as if the world was just them. Perhaps Lucius was actually dead. Those two thugs did jump them outside of the bar and he had finally made it to Elysium with the person whom he wanted to spend eternity with. Brutus quickly turned around to face Lucius while he was still taking in the environment of the garden. He leaned down and kissed the other man on the lips and lingered there for a long moment. Savoring the taste of his lover that he had been looking forward to sampling all night. Lucius let out a small gasp of surprise as Brutus pulled him from his enchanted thoughts. He leaned into the gesture and his body begged Brutus not to pull away but unfortunately they both had to for a breath of air. His head clouded by wanton desire, Lucius reached for Brutus waist but quickly pulled away as he heard the rustle of leaves that announced the servus entering the intimate garden. The servus simply bowed his head and laid the platter of bread, olive oil, and wine on the garden table before quickly exiting. “I told them not to disturb us unless I asked.” Brutus said as he took a few strides toward the table and poured each of them a cup of wine. “If you won’t move in with me, at least spend a night with me here.”. He begged before leaning up against a painted pillar in the garden and took a drink, his eyes never leaving the centurion. “You know I would in a heartbeat my sweet, I just-” Lucius began as he took a large stride toward Brutus. His tone was begging and desperate for him to understand but his lover cut him off by simply shaking his head with a smile. “I know. You’re a much more honorable man than I am Lucius.” Brutus said and the sound of Lucius’ name running off of the patrician’s tongue was enough to send a long pleasurable shiver down the centurion’s spine. “But for tonight…” Brutus began as he took an equally long step toward Lucius and met him in the middle of the garden. “Can we just play pretend?” He asked in a tone bordering on desperate as he gently caressed Lucius’s face and ran his thumb across the centurion’s cheek. “Of course my love.” Lucius breathed back in reply and placed a hand on Brutus’ chest. “You know I’d follow you into the depth of Tartarus if you ask.” He added and his voice was hardly above a whisper as he leaned up and placed his lips on Brutus’. The patrician tasted like bitter grapes and sweet honey. This time both of them were afraid to pull away. As if they did this perfect moment suspended in time would end and they’d both wake up alone in their respective beds. Instead, Lucius’s lips gently parted and Brutus took this as an invitation to run the tip of his tongue over his lover’s teeth. The cup of wine fell from Brutus’ hand and clattered to the floor. The dark red liquid splashing against the stones and wonderfully forgotten about as the patrician’s fingers quickly grabbed for Lucius’s hips. The centurion was happy to oblige and he pressed his body up against Brutus’ and gently pushed the patrician to pin him to the pillar. Brutus’ hands ran down Lucius’s hips to his ass and squeezed tightly. Desperately. As if everything he had worked for before this point and time depended on it. Lucius let out a soft moan against Brutus’ lips as the larger man picked him up off of the ground slightly. His tiptoes the only thing keeping him to the ground, Lucius fell into Brutus with a growing need. If two bodies could become one they would do so in this moonlit moment sheltered in their own quiet tranquil garden. The pair’s tongues exchanged that bitter after taste of wine before Brutus began rutting himself between Lucius’s thighs. “Dominus…” Lucius breathed out and he reached for Brutus’ shoulder to steady himself in his suspended state. Though the pleading tone and the use of an honorary title only caused Brutus to double his efforts. The only thing covering the two men at this point was a simple piece of cloth. Brutus in his pristine toga and Lucius in his frayed tunic. The two pendulums of Roman society briefly swung together in time. “Room. Now.” Brutus growled against Lucius’s lips before taking a bite at his centurion’s mouth. Lucius let out another small groan at the violent gesture before he felt his feet touch back on solid ground again. The mixture of absolute pleasure and alcohol accumulated in the world spinning for a moment as the centurion found his footing. Though, as Lucius was about to tangle his legs between themselves he felt a hand on his back. Brutus pushed Lucius upright and straight back into him. Lips awkwardly finding each other but not before taking a few small victories on a cheek or a chin. Brutus’ hand never left the small of Lucius’s back as the two lovers stumbled out of the garden and straight into the wall of the hallway. Already Brutus was grappling with clumsy fingers to find Lucius’s belt as the pair spun and twirled together toward the staircase to the upper floor. The belt hit the mosaic floor with a clatter and Lucius could already feel the soft breeze hit the skin of his torso underneath his tunic. With another step, Lucius tossed Brutus’ sash to the ground. Next, Lucius managed to kick off a sandal. All the while their mouths only took a brief hiatus from each other before crashing back with an even more fevered rush. By the time the pair were up the stairs they were both stark nude. The only evidence laid behind was the line of linens they made between here and the garden. Brutus continued to lead Lucius around the corner before pushing the other man against the door. Even if he wanted to, there was little Lucius could do against Brutus’ needy grasp. The centurio willingly gave himself up to his legatus. He was always the best when following orders and there was no other man whose orders he would want to follow more. Brutus was the one to break away from the kiss first as he moved to plant needy marks down Lucius’s neck while his free hand blindly grasped for the door handle. Once found, Brutus pushed it open and the couple had to catch each other or risk falling onto the floor of the patrician’s room. At this point, all of Lucius’s worries of being found out had faded into the backdrop of silk curtains and comfortable pillows as Brutus led him to the bed. The centurion landed on the down comforter with a small ‘oof’ as Brutus crawled onto the bed on top of him. “Imagine waking up cocooned in silk every morning.” Brutus purred as he grabbed one of the sheets and ran the fabric over Lucius’s toned abdomen. Whether it was from the touch or the softness of the fabric, Lucius wasn’t entirely sure, but he let out a touch starved moan nonetheless. “Not a care in the world.” Brutus continued against Lucius’s lips as he lay the sheet in between the two. “The only thing you have to worry about is loving me and I will give you the mortal equivalent of Elysium.” He added as he moved to one of Lucius’s nipples and gave it a testing nibble. The friction of the sheet between the pair only heightened the sensation. It wasn’t long before the sheer sheet was stained with patches of liquid from the pair’s needy organs. The lovers let out a moan in tandem as Lucius bucked his hips to move his legs around Brutus’ waist. The centurion pushed through the outside stimulation and managed to wrestle himself so he was on top of Brutus. The patrician let out a small gasp as he was flipped over but didn’t make any movement to correct Lucius’s decision. The centurio simply slid off of his legatus and kneeled on the floor. Lucius’s hand delicately ran from Brutus’ shoulders, down his back, and to his thighs. The patrician’s erection standing firm in front of his mouth. “I would worship you like a god every morning and every night if you could make this dream a reality.” Lucius prayed as he lowered his mouth and ran a tongue up Brutus’ shaft. The patrician let out a heated moan at the sudden warm sensation and gripped the stained silk sheets tight between his fingers. “I would refer to you as Jupiter himself, my love.” Lucius continued as he put the entirety of Brutus inside of his mouth. With this simple gesture and act of service, Brutus’ eyes closed in tight ecstasy as Lucius continued to work. The patrician managed to untangle one hand from the sheets and roughly grip Lucius’s shortcut hair. The centurion moaned around Brutus’ length as he worked which only heightened the sensational pleasure that was coursing through his body. “I will.” Brutus promised between gasps of lustful air. “I promise to all of the gods above I can give you that and more.” He vowed as his hips moved in sync with Lucius’s tongue and mouth. “Now, pleasure yourself with this thought. Turn that fantasy into a reality.” Brutus commanded and Lucius was more than willing to oblige. A soldier always knows how to follow through with his orders. The centurion wrapped his hand around his own throbbing need and began to pump as he continued to pleasure his legatus. After a moment, Lucius’s motions synced with each other. With each bob of his head and a flick of his tongue, he would run his own calloused fingers over his length. Every sound that came from Brutus’ lips only stoked the fire inside of Lucius’s stomach. As the patrician became closer and closer to his climax so did the centurion. Lucius felt Brutus’ cock twitch in his mouth before he felt the warm sensation of his ejaculation sweep across his tongue. He pulled back as it filled his throat and the strings of fluid between his mouth and Brutus glinted in the light of the full moon. Lucius swallowed and felt the sting of the liquid on the back of his throat and, as he did so, finished himself off. Spraying his own seed across the same silken sheets that he was promised only a moment earlier. “That’s a good soldier.” Brutus praised as the stars from the night sky seemed to fill Lucius’s eyes for a moment. His mouth tasted like a mixture of wine, salt, and honey. A mixture fit for the gods Lucius had no doubt. Brutus released his grip on Lucius’s hair and reached down to pull the centurion up into bed with him. He pulled Lucius closer for a long kiss and he savored the taste of himself on his lover’s lips. “Thank you.” Brutus said with the crack of his voice being a sign of the true emotion backing up his words. “Thank you for playing pretend with me tonight.” Lucius nestled his head between Brutus’ neck and his shoulder before taking a deep breath and savoring the smell of sex on his lover’s skin. “Perhaps someday soon it won’t have to be pretend.” Lucius replied with a hopeful tone in his voice. “One day it won’t be.” Brutus said with absolute conviction before kissing Lucius on the forehead. “One day it won’t be.” He repeated before pressing his forehead up against his lovers. It wasn’t long before the pair drifted off to sleep together. Filled with thoughts and prayers for the future. For nothing could be better than this night they shared together.