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SPQR
The Acts of Max & Rex Born: A Novel of Rome 2031
In 390 B.C. Rome was sacked and burned by the Gauls. It would rise again, first as a republic, and then as an empire. The old capital was sacked in A.D. 410 by the Goths. The new capital of Constantinople was sacked by the 4th Crusade in 1204. Rome would rise again, only to fall to the Turks in 1453, ushering in Modernity. What if Rome rose again?
 
A Novel of Rome 2031
Doris and Orpheus are two runaway slaves, twin brother and sister, seeking the secret Catacombs of Elysium. Unable to bear the separation of being sold off to various owners at the estate auction of the late kind master, the “Synchronous Twins” make a bid for that rare thing called liberty, their harried flight offering a view of a Rome that could have been.
SPQR: “Senate and Populace or Rome”
Inspirations
Edward Gibbon’s the History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, and
The Acts of John and Thecla, a novel of late antiquity about a fugitive duo.
A question about the rejuvenative capacity of Rome and America, posited by Electric Dan, during a truck drive from Joliet, Illinois, at the hour of sunset on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Quote
“Under the deplorable reigns of Valerian and Gallianus the Empire was oppressed and almost destroyed by the soldiers, the tyrants and the barbarians.”
-Edward Gibbon, Chapter 11
Dedication
For Electric Dan fellow fighter and friend
Contents
BarleyMan in a Can
Act 1: Increase Publico, Censor of New York
Dusk, Ascentday, First Day of Sepulcher
Increase Publico’s Gentile Fault
Act 2: Orpheus Synchronus, Unbranded Slave of the Censor
Descent, Ascentday, First Day of Sepulcher
Increase Publico’s Patrimony Draught
Act 3: Doris Synchronus, Unbranded Slave of the Censor
Night, Ascentday, First Day of Sepulcher
First Sword of All Rome
Act 4: Ernest O’Neal, Under Barrister of the House Equis, First Knights of Christ
Noon, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Tyke of Pipes
Act 5: Tyke of the Orphan Pipes
Ascent, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Under Hellsong Pipes
Act 6: Tyke of the Orphan Pipes
Dusk, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Storm of Bawdy Spites
Act 7: Bruno the Younger, Lictor at the Gate of Pipes
Dusk, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Of Iron Gripes
Act 8: Bruno the Younger, Lictor at the Gate of Pipes
Dusk, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Brand of Victors
Act 9: Antonius Sixt, Conductor of Plebes
Descent, Caesarsday, Second Day of Sepulcher
Phoenix of Motes
Act 10: Jubal McClinton, Notary of Oaths
Dawn, Marsday, Third Day of Sepulcher
Dandy Man of Notes
Act 11: Beatrice Flynn, Mother of Nuns Under Chapel Station
Advent, Marsday, Third Day of Sepulcher
Flaxen-Haired Lady of Stropes
Act 12: Minicus Thrax, Fresh Sword of Scots
Night, Fishday, Fourth Day of Sepulcher
Clyde of Taps
Act 13: Doris Synchronus, Runaway Slave of the Censor
Night, Fishday, Fourth Day of Sepulcher
Bride of Traps
Act 14: Doris Synchronus, Runaway Slave of the Censor
Night, Breadday, Fifth Day of Sepulcher
Occulator Nimbus
Act 15: Pictus Trent, Camera Obscurist of The Manhattan Daily
Internment, Breadday, Fifth Day of Sepulcher
The Train to Litigation
Act 16: Vestus O’Connor, Coach Attendant
Advent, Wineday, Sixth Day of Sepulcher
Uplift Station
Act 17: Kent Regis, Barber of Uplift Station
Descent, Wineday, Sixth Day of Sepulcher
Tantallus of Snipes
Act 18: Tantallus Prince of Snipes
Night, Wineday, Sixth Day of Sepulcher
Bloody Gold
Act 19: Gentile Publius, Censor and Editor
Dawn, Carnival, Seventh Day of Sepulcher
Death Served Cold
Act 20: Dray Porter, Lanista at Barelyman Sands
Advent, Carnival, Seventh Day of Sepulcher
First Born
Act 21: Nubio Atlas, Eunuch at Barleyman Sands
Noon, Carnival, Seventh Day of Sepulcher
‘Over a Damned Pictocan?’
Epilogue: John McClellan, Third Caesar, Imperator of North Pannonia
Ascent, Seventh Day of Sepulcher

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