SPQR Blues 3 part XIX (the rest!)

[spqrblues]

Shocking! I took a whole hour out of my workaday to ink a comic! Later I will finish and post episode XX, which was supposed to be posted yesterday, but... oh, never mind, just check back tonight, we'll see what happens....

Comments

Magic Beans?

[(Anonymous)]

Well, a nice handful of something anyway. Ya know, I've come to the conclusion that Mus' Pater isn't really a bad sort. He's focused on providing for his family... a practical Roman businessman, but he took the new acquisition pretty well. Of course he doesn't like Felix, but after all, the boy ran away from home and became a SOLDIER. Some things are just about inexcusable. It could be worse, Mus and his sister could take up the banjo. I assume sending Mus to Rome will get him out of Volcano-range. Good thinking.... or do I have it wrong again. Keep hanging in there, DRW.

Re: Magic Beans?

[amedia.livejournal.com]

Mus' Pater isn't really a bad sort.

You know, DRW, I think you've hit the nail on the head - meritahut is trying to misdirect us by making Mus' Pater (Mupiter?) all crabby about it, but if we look at what he *does* instead of what he *says* - not a bad sort at all.

Re: Magic Beans?

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

Major props for classical etymological "Mupiter" pun. I think I'll just call him that from now on. In my head, anyway.

Re: Magic Beans?

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

I think they should take up the Roman organ (http://users.ipa.net/~tanker/organs.htm). An organ (http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxk116/muse/organ.htm) is so much louder than a banjo; the neighbours will just love it.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

wow, yeah this is a great view into Roman thinking, morals and conduct.

"cruelty is everywhere" - you have priorities at home/we don't need another mouth to feed...Wow, that's good stuff there!

although "running away to become a soldier" isn't nesesarily a bad thing - Felix pretty quicky got himself a "desk job", already getting himself a lucrative position...Despite a 25 year enlistment, Roman soldiers did get "garunteed" pay, 3 times a year, a regular paycheck to a civilian Roman would be a dream come true - case in point, the father here is concerned with accounts and drumming up buisness. Hopefully someone like Felix could work hard, stay alive, and work up the ladder, becoming a (Miles Immunis), no more dirty work, becomes double-paid (duplicarii</>), could even end up five-times-paid (sesquiplicarii), and scrimp and save and send that extra money back home - historically some soldiers did that.
Soldiers also got the benefit of the best healthcare in the world at the time, more than any civilian could pay for....And daily rations and food, and learning of skills, if they don't already have one they can use.

Of course, the BAD side of being a soldier is obvious, risk of getting killed...Having to kill people, in between usually Looooong periods of near inactivity, which is covered with twice daily drill and work detail...which can get really monotonous really quick. Nothing's changed in 2 millenia!

[meritahut.livejournal.com]

:)

Great summary of the soldierly life (But of course, coming from our resident soldier!)

So, Felix running away to soldier isn't entirely what Mus's father--uhm, Mupiter--is upset about. Factor in that Felix, the heir to his family line, abandoned the family trade, family obligations, and a possible closely-related family bride; but he might have made something of himself as a soldier (in spite of the family declaration that a military career was off limits). It's where he went (not his choice) and what he did there (not so much his choice, either) that's the wedge between them. Maybe someday he and Mupiter can work this out.

I'm beginning to miss Chapter II now :)

(fooey, I wish I could fix that missing </i> tag. darned lj.)

[kyleen66.livejournal.com]

Awww... Mus is going to Rome? Felix will miss him!