Glossary

While some terms are adapted from latin, many are entirely fictional. Please consult academic sources for accurate translations and mythology

Asp— A venomous snake known for its painful bite

Belua —Monster

Cerevisia —A fermented malt beverage

Clipse —Measurement of time that spans five days, there are four clipses in each quad

Coemptio —A reverse dowry, where the groom's familia pays the bride's

Divus —A city on a hill founded by Romulus and Remus, together. After forming their divine city, Remus determined that Romulus did not have the best interests of the city in mind and kills his twin in the night. Because of this, he’s cursed to be the smaller and darker sun in the sky.

Eclipse —Also called the shadowing, when the smaller, less bright sun (the Traitor/Remus) blocks out the center of the King/Romulus. Because the less bright sun is so much smaller and dimmer, it creates a shadowing effect. This happens once a clipse

Flora —Imperial harem worker

Idem —Same

Infirmaria —Clinic or sick house, place for the infirm

Lace herbs —Herbs used for contraceptive purposes

Latrones —A two-person board game where all pieces are shaped the same except one, a king piece called a dux

Mater —Mother

Matulo —Insult meaning blockhead

Meretrix —Often used to mean high-end prostitute, but also used as derogatory term for a woman deemed ‘improper’

Pater —Father

Posca —Drink made by mixing vinegar and water

Praeda —Victim or prey

Pullus —Young bird, used as a term of endearment for children

Quad —A time period of four clipses (20 days)

Remus —The smaller of the two suns, only 10% as bright as Romulus. Also called ‘The Traitor’ after the myth around the founding of Divus

Romulus —The larger of the two suns, responsible for the majority of heat and light. Also called ‘The King’

Sabines —The name of a brothel known for its cruelty. The women in it are also referred to as ‘sabines’ and are typically from conquered nations. The women are slaves, owned and sold by the brothel

Sapa —Wine sweetened with honey, still named after a previous sweet wine that was aged in lead barrels. The old version was toxic, leading to lead poisoning and death. Sapa is also an occasion, similar to an afternoon tea

Soror —Sister

Venefica —Sorceress, witch. Also, woman who poisons

Vidua —Widow

Vir vult es deus vult—A husband’s will is god’s will