On the second day of the Ludi Ceriales, the citizens of Rome packed into the circus - the race track, that is. It was not a very big affair, with only 5 chariots entered. However, chariot racing was a fan favorite, and there were a few quality teams competing.

From the stables of Cassius Julius Scipio, two teams - the Quadriga Aurea and Quadriga Maxima Aurea - seemed to be quite set on winning, and not cooperating. However, it was commonly held that Aurea had possibly the weakest team on the track. However, when it came to the affairs of Cassius Julius Scipio, most talk was of the bribery charge that had been leveled at him.

The other weakest competitor on the track that day, most fans agreed, was the Squadra Junia Asiatica. Yet another disgraced Senator's entry into the competition, most looked upon Asiatica with pity. However, the team of Fervens Rotae seemed to be a fan favorite.

Rounding out the track was the team of Tiberius Gallus Augur. The popular Tribune-turned-Quaestor, he never failed to give his all to his endeavors, and it showed. His team was widely accepted as the best on the track - only a mishap or perhaps a dirty trick would keep it from winning.

At the fourth hour, nearing noon, the horns blew, and the five teams rocketed out of the gates. For three laps, the teams gradually fell into a steady pattern: Rutilia Gallina, from Tiberius Gallus; then Fervens Rotae, with Maxima Aurea hot on his heels; and bringing up the rear, Aurea and Junia Asiatica.

However, things were soon to heat up! Spurring his horses to lightning speed, Aurea soon caught up with his stable brethren. However, Maxima Aurea was to have none of that. With a flick of the whip the wrong way, Maxima Aurea and Aurea became entangled in a fierce jockeying match. Closing the gap, the two charioteers began striking out at each other more and more - and their horses slowing as a result.

Junia Asiatica took advantage, and spurred his horses on. Coming out of the fifth lap, it looked like Gallus' crew was going to run away with the match, with the two Junii crews in 2d and 3rd, and the Julii Scipiones teams still fighting, having lost the point of the race.

Coming into turn four of the fifth lap, Maxima Aurea's chariot slammed into Aurea, sending them into the wall. The loud crack distracted both the Rutilia Gallina and Fervens Rotae teams - but not Junia Asiatica! Asiatica swooped in on the other two teams, passing their stable brethren, and getting neck to neck with Rutilia Gallina. Despite Gallina's best efforts, the two remained tied - all the way to the finish!

~~~~~

Maxima Aurea won the jockeying match against Aurea, and nearly wrecked Aurea in the process!

Rutilia Gallina and Junia Asiatica tie for first, their two owners are to split the pot.

MAC