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‏״Убийство — это юридический термин, Гордиан. Он не применяется к рабам и не имеет смысла на поле боя״

Every man does what he must, to protect his share of the world.

‏״Ты веришь, что у каждого человека есть предназначение? Даже у рабов?»Тирон пожал плечами. «Не знаю. У великих людей есть предназначение. Возможно, у остальных из нас оно есть лишь постольку, поскольку мы пересекаемся с ними и играем роль в их судьбах».״

‏״Каждый мужчина любит вспоминать свои юношеские проступки, но никто не любит, когда ему о них напоминают״

We walked straight through the Forum without pausing. I wanted no rumors of catastrophe to spoil my mood. The daily dose of fear and mayhem could wait for another hour.

I felt like an actor who leaves the stage before the final scene, with no more lines to speak, while the drama goes on. Was this how lemures felt, observing the living?

Even slaves could speak freely on the Liberalia, the day of Dionysus, because the sacred power of wine transcended all earthly shackles.

Men like Caesar and Pompey— they're not heroes. They're monsters. They call their greed and ambition 'honor,' and to satisfy their so-called honor they'll tear the world apart.

"Tiro, we must get inside the walls, quickly."

"Indulge me, Gordianus. Today is Liberalia, you know!"

"I should like to indulge you by sitting you down on one of those giant phalli the priests of Dionysus carry."

What good was the much vaunted power of the paterfamilias, if it could not stop a woman from weeping?

"Just another problem to be solved, eh? You always told me there was no such thing as a big problem, just lots of smaller problems intertwined, like knots in a rope. Start at one end and work your way to the other. A good attitude to have when the whole world is falling apart. Where shall we start?"

"Where is he?"

The older guard looked thoughtful. "Now what is the name of that place? In Greece, close to the water ..."

"What town in Greece isn't close to water?"

"Isis and Osiris, Papa! How can you possibly read such fine writing?" She squinted at the parchment.

"Contrary to prevailing opinion in this household, I am neither deaf nor blind," I said.