Chapter VI
Mars Calls Romulus to Heaven
Original
Literary translation
§ 6.1
.
The Campus Martius lay at a bend of the Tiber.
§ 6.2
.
In the Campus Martius, young Roman men exercised their bodies diligently.
§ 6.3
.
In this way they kept their bodies strong and vigorous.
§ 6.4
.
After the games, they swam in the yellow waters of the Tiber.
§ 6.5
.
Thus the Tiber refreshed their tired bodies.
§ 6.6
; ; .
Here Romulus happened to be administering justice to his citizens; he praised good citizens and blamed bad ones.
§ 6.7
; .
Suddenly a crash of thunder terrified the people; great downpours from the sky drove the men and women away.
§ 6.8
; .
Romulus alone remained calm and fearless; he saw his father Mars in the sky.
§ 6.9
: “,” , “ ; .
Then Mars called to his son in kindly words: “Enough,” he said, “you have ruled on earth; now you will rule in heaven and among the stars with your father and the other gods.
§ 6.10
.”
I shall carry my son to heaven.”
§ 6.11
.
Then he urged on his wondrous horses.
§ 6.12
.
Romulus hurried with his father to the stars.
§ 6.13
.
The sky was clear again.
§ 6.14
, .
The Romans were again walking in the Campus Martius, but they could see the king nowhere.
§ 6.15
, , .
Soon, however, Julius, a young Roman, was making his way along the Roman road toward the city.
§ 6.16
, , .
Suddenly, to his left near the road, he saw Romulus, majestic and serene.
§ 6.17
— .
He was terribly frightened—his hair stood on end.
§ 6.18
, “ ,” , “ .
But Romulus said in kindly words, “Julius, there is no reason to be afraid.
§ 6.19
.
Now the Roman citizens will worship my divine power and call Romulus Quirinus.
§ 6.20
, .
They will build temples and altars, and bring gifts to the altars.
§ 6.21
, .
They will always cultivate the art of war and attend to their weapons, and will diligently train their bodies in military service.
§ 6.22
.”
Thus Quirinus will protect the Roman people.”
§ 6.23
, .
So Julius reported Romulus’s words to the people, and the Roman citizens built a round temple.
§ 6.24
.
In the round temple they worshipped the divine power of Quirinus.