“Well, it certainly sounds less scandalous from that point of view. Quintus, I warn you. Now, if at any time, be on your guard against any deed, any expression, which may be construed as an insult to the religion of the state! Do not trust too much to the influence of my position or of my individuality. The law is mightier than the will of any one man. When what we are now planning takes form and life, severity, inexorable as iron, will decide in all such questions. That reckless jest sprang from a mind, which no longer holds dear the eternal truths of religion. Beware, Quintus, and conceal this indifference; do not come forward as a contemner of the gods. Once more I warn you.” “Father....” “Go now, my son, and ponder on what I have said.” Quintus bowed and kissed the stern man’s hand. Then he left the room with a quick, firm step, and a look of devoted love, of passionate paternal pride followed him as he crossed the room, so tall, lovely and handsome. FOOTNOTES: [125] THE CAPITOLINE HILL. _Mons Capitolinus_, north of the Palatine and southwest of the Quirinal. Tarquinius Priscus erected on its summit the Capitolium, that is the temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno and Minerva. [126] FORUM ROMANUM. The Roman forum par excellence, at the foot of the Capitoline and Palatine Hills, was the centre of public life even in the days of the republic. [127] THE SACRED WAY (_Sacra Via_) divided the real _Sacra Via_, which led from the Capitol to the Arch of Titus, and the _Summa Sacra Via_ (the upper sacred street) that extended from the Arch of Titus to the Flavian Amphitheatre. Hor. _Sat._ I, 9 (_Ibam forte Via Sacra, sicut meus est mos._) It was the most frequented street in Rome. The ancient pavement exists at the present day. “Via” was the name of the large principal streets, as it still is at the present time in Italy. [128] CLIENTS AND PROTÉGÉS. These were the clients mentioned in note 99. Juvenal (_Sat._ 5) and especially Martial, in various passages, speak of their pitiable situation, the contempt in which they were held and the ill-treatment they had to endure even from their patrons’ slaves. (See Friedlander I, 247 to 252.) The usual visiting-hour was just after sunrise.