Tarpeian Rock—a place where executions were held. Crimials of the highest degree and political threats were thrown from this cliff to their inevitable deaths.
Tata—Roman term for father, closer to the modern “daddy”.
Tecombre—The military order to break from the testudo formation and revert to their previous formation.
Temple of Ascelpius—located on the Tiber island, it was a temple of healing. The sick and ailing made pilgramages here in hope of healing.
Temple of Bellona—dedicated to the consort of Mars and goddess of war, this was a temple often used for meetings of the Senate when they needed to host foreign emmisaries or meet with returning generals awaiting a triumph. It lay outside the city limits, but close to the Servian wall.
Temple of Castor and Pollux—often times referred simply to “Temple of Castor”, it remained at the entrance of the Forum by the via sacra. It was often used for meetings of the senate, as it was actually larger than the Curia. Speeches were often given from the temple steps as well.
Temple of Concordia (Concord)—a temple devoted to peace and reunification in the Roman Forum. It often held meetings of the senate.
Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus (Optimus Maximus)—a temple devoted to Rome’s patron God, which resided on the Capitoline hill. It was sometimes referred to as the “Capitol”.
Temple of Saturn—a temple of deep religious signifance which lay at the foot of the Capitoline hill in the Roman Forum. Sacrifices were often held here following a triumph, if the generals didn’t surpass it to sacrifice at the aformentioned Temple of Jupiter.
Testudo—The “tortoise” formation. The command was used to provide additional protection by linking their scuta together.
Teutones—a tribe of northern invaders with uncertain origins which fought Rome for over a decade. Along with the Cimbri, they nearly defeated Rome. Sertorius began his career by fighting these tribes.
Tiber River—a body of water which connected to the Tyrrhenian sea and flowed along the western boarder of Rome. The victims of political assassinations were unceremoniously dumped here rather than receive proper burial.
Tiberinus—the god of the Tiber river.
Toga virilis—Literally “toga of manhood.” It was a plain white toga worn by adult male citizens who were not magistrates. The donning of the toga virilis represented the coming of age of a young Roman male.
Tribe—Political grouping of Roman citizens. By Sertorius’s time, there were thirty-six tribes, thirty-two of which were rural, four of which were urban.
Tribune of plebs—Elected magistrates who were designed to represent the interests of the people.
Triclinium—The dining room, which often had three couches set up in the shape of a U.
Triumph—A parade and festival given to celebrate a victorious general and his accomplishments. He must first be hailed as imperator by his legions and then petition the Senate to grant him the Triumph.
Valetudinarium—a hospital, typically present in Roman military camps.
Via(e)—“Road,” typically a major path large enough to travel on horseback or by carriage.
Via Appia- (see Appian Way).
Via Latina—“Latin road”, led from Rome southeast.
Via Sacra—the main road of ancient Rome, leading from the Capitoline hill through the forum, with all of the major religious and political buildings on either side.
Via Salaria—“Salt Road” led northeast from Rome. This was the path Sertorius would have taken to and from his home in Nursia.
Zeno—The founder of Stoic philosophy. Sertorius was a devoted reader of Zeno’s works.
Acknowledgments
I’m going to do something a bit unorthodox for the acknowledgements of this book. Although there are so many to thank (family, friends, editors, designers, beta readers, reviewers, supporters, those who studied and wrote the incredible research which makes a book like this possible, and my readers), I want to use this space for something special.
This book is dedicated to a good friend of mine who was unjustly taken from this world by an unidentified shooter on December 1, 2020. It’s been difficult to mourn during this time where there is already so much pain and turmoil, but as the months have dragged on I’ve continued to think about Andre and the legacy he left behind.
I want to use this space to tell his story. It makes me smile to think that anyone still reading might be willing to hear about my friend Andre, and perhaps be inspired by his life.
I wrote this shortly after his death and would like to share it with the world now. This is more personal than I would typically share in this space, but I’m willing to be vulnerable for his story to be told.
Andre was my brother.
I still remember the first time we met. Andrew was the one who introduced us, we met at his apartment downtown. We found out we shared a similar passion for business, and we both had big dreams. We believed in motivation.
The two of us really clicked. We talked constantly about what we would one day accomplish, about all the future might hold in store for us if we only worked hard enough to take hold of it. We’d sit in my car with the engine on in the church parking lot and talk about going into business together and starting a hedge fund. His passion inspired me and we pushed each other. Sometimes we’d argue. Sometimes we’d cry when things got hard and we didn’t know how we were going to make it.
We came to know Christ together. We served in soup kitchens together. We “got swole” together (our way of saying we put on three pounds of muscle). We kicked our feet up and wasted Saturdays together. It seemed like my whole Freshmen year Andre, Andrew and I were together—pursuing Christ, our dreams, and laughter.
We loved football. One day we’d split ownership of an NFL team, that’s what we decided. I always had my doubts, but Andre believed. He always believed that you could get what you wanted if you were willing to sacrifice for it. And it was so exciting to just hear him talk. The world seemed larger when he was around, possibilities endless. The inspiration and excitement of youth was never choked out of him by everyday life.
Even after time passed and he moved away, he’d still call and tell me again about all the amazing things we were going to achieve.
When Addison died—even from half the country away—he was one of the firsts to reach out. I was so devastated I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone, so I didn’t reply. He gave me some space and reached out again the next week. He said, “Brother I’m always watching over you like a hawk”. That’s the kind of guy he was. When you were one of his people, you stayed that way no matter how far away you were or how rarely you talked.
He loved everyone he met, and they loved him. He kept everybody laughing just being himself. He was made for comedy.
I never saw him treat someone poorly. He had this persistent habit of making everyone around him feel like a giant (and not just because of his lack of height!). He built everyone up. By the time I published my first book he was telling everyone I was a famous author. When I joined the army, you would have thought I was a Medal of Honor recipient to hear him tell it.
He loved his family. He talked about his momma and grandparents all the time. He wanted to achieve big things so he could give them big things. And up until his last day he was still fighting to achieve the impossible. And he would have too.
It’s a sad, sad world when a guy like that… who lived to make everyone smile… is taken away from us so young.
I’m sorry, brother. I would have visited or called more like we talked about if I had known. I always thought there was more time.
I’ll miss you, brother. But I’ll see you again. Enjoy your mansion in the sky and get mine ready. We’ll buy a football team when I get there.
Thank you so much for reading. I’ll be back with more scrolls soon!
Always keep fighting,
Vincent B. Davis II
About the Author
Vincent B. Davis II is an author, entreprene
ur, and soldier.
He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, and has served in the United States Army since 2014.
He's the author of seven books, four of which have become international bestsellers. When he's not researching or writing his next book, you can find him watching Carolina Panthers football or playing with his rescued mutt, Buddy. You can connect with the author at vincentbdavisii.com or at [email protected].
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