Ludi Philippi - Contest (With Prizes)

[Gaia Cassia Longina]

[Gaia Cassia Longina]

Salvete omnes!

For the ludi contest, M. Aquillius and I have worked together to produce a short part of an on-going theatre piece.
This is the first entry of the ludi for this collegium. I hope to see more soon!

This piece will be 5 acts in total and will be released in April 2017.

The Golden Eagles
M. Aquillius & C. Cassia Longina [M. Trevino Aquillius & E. Cassia Trop-Longinus]

Act 1, Scene 1

(At night, in Cassius’ tent. It is the night before the first battle – the sounds of the soldiers preparing themselves can be heard. Dressed in armor, he is sitting at his desk, lit by one candle.)

Cassius (to himself)
I am not sure what I expected. I am always thinking about it. What it means. What it says about me (sighs, pause). In my younger years, Cicero gave me advice that I have thought about ever since. “Virtue is never what you think it is,” he told me, “just remember that everyone makes mistakes.”
I have made mistakes. (chuckles to himself) Oh, yes, I have made them. It’s a human responsibility – to make mistakes.
(Turns to audience)
It’s funny, isn’t it? How two men who do the same thing will be judged differently? By people who do not understand? (Pauses) And just as you, I am forever burdened with the yoke of right and wrong.
(Turns away from audience)
Morality is a houseguest – coming and going as she pleases.
In the end, Brutus (scoffs) – oh, Brutus, everyone will love you, but they will hate me. (Short pause) Why is that? You have made as many mistakes as I have. Yet, here we are, on two opposing sides: you the light, and I, the dark. You, a savior, and I, the destroyer. You climb Olympus’ top, safe from anger’s arrows, secure of envy’s grasp and sorrow’s embrace, above pale time’s reach. As when the golden sun salutes the dawn, glinting off the ocean waves, liberty’s gleaming crown will sit high on your head.
But will I receive the same admiration? (Laughs to himself) No, no. I will be sentenced to crawl and tear my way up from the deepest, darkest realm of the condemned and forgotten.
(Yells of soldiers shake him from his thoughts)
But here we are. If only you listened to me, Brutus, we would be at home. Your virtue cannot do one thing – it cannot win battles.

Messala (cries from off stage)
Cassius! Come!

Cassius
I do not feel like celebrating. Something is terribly wrong. The stars are aligning – but I do not think it is in our favor.

(Stage darkens)

[Gaius Curtius Philo]

A poem that attempts to show the hard decision that Brutus had to face.

The Ides of March

The knife I hold so heavy seems to bear
Not for its weight in iron, but in friend
Is it Fortuna's wish to put the heirs
Of Monarchy and Commonwealth to ends?
How has Superbia become your pare?
How eldritch t'is to me that you won't bend!
But even as my heart dreads still your glare
My ancestors scream out "the Mos defend!"

What evidence should judge a man of worth?
What fielty should guide a pious hand?
Should one ascribe to that which came from birth
Or choose instead the ground they wish to stand?
But what if then we find our Primes in dearth
Demanding that we mend this broken land
Then go I now to slay away my mirth
And brother's blood have swallowed by the Earth...

[Gaia Cassia Longina]

I love this, Victor! Well done!

[Marcus Aquillius]

An Ode to Libertas – the Apology of Cassius & Brutus

Little whispers in the night,
Susurrī silēns noctū
"Free me, free me,
ēmancipāte
what is right?
Quid sānus est?
Let us all be free.
Omnia liber asserant
That's all I ask for.”
Omnia repōscō
Sing me to sleep.
Me dormīre cantātis

That night he caged her
Illa nox ea adripit
Bruised and broke her
Contundit adflīctatque
Stole the soul from her
Anima ex ea furat
In Silent pain he realized
In adflīctātiōnis silentis repraesentat
nightmares were now his dreams
nunc incubi suum somnium fuērunt

Battered fists to feel any thing
Bloody arms to the sky
Away with the king,
They wonder what it's like to feel something anymore.

Wait a moment,
Catch your breath.
Living as if they had a choice
The end is a living death.
Losing their true voice.
Melodies stuck in their head,
A silent song in every breath.
With memories left unsaid,
Dear Ancestors,
Sing her to sleep.

Ancestors,
How should I feel?
I can hear your whispers in my mind
Your memory will be my lullaby.

Spirit of the people,
Muse of freedom,
How should I feel?
Hear their voices,
That will sing you to sleep.

[Gaia Cassia Longina]

It is the end of the (unofficial) Ludi Philippi!

Our winners are:

1. Marcus Aquillius
2. C Aurelius Victor

Congratulations!
Contact me for information regarding your prizes. First prize winners will receive a small gift from Roma and all second & third place winners will receive a denarii reward. And of course, a big thank you to all those that participated!

I hope all enjoyed the annual Ludi Philippi, and until next year - may the gods and ancestors smile upon you!

C Cassia Longina
- Princeps Cassiorum -