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Birth of Marcus Aurelius

Midwives assist in the birth of Marcus Aurelius in a patrician Roman household, while family members await news in an antechamber. The newborn is presented to his father, Marcus Annius Verus, marking

Setting

A lavishly decorated cubiculum (bedroom) in the Domus of Marcus Annius Verus, Rome. The room features frescoed walls depicting pastoral scenes, a high ceiling with wooden beams, and a large bed surrounded by attendants. A separate antechamber holds family members awaiting news.

Characters

Midwife
primary
A sturdy, middle-aged woman with weathered hands and keen eyes, her dark hair streaked with gray and pulled back into a simple bun. Her face bears the lines of experience, and her movements are deliberate and assured.
Domina
primary
A noble Roman woman in her late twenties, with a pale complexion flushed from exertion. Her dark brown hair is damp with sweat and loosely tied back, with stray strands clinging to her forehead and neck. Her build is slender but strong, with the visible strain of childbirth evident in her posture.
Marcus Annius Verus
secondary
A Roman patrician in his late 20s, with a lean but athletic build from military service. His face shows traces of the Annii lineage - high cheekbones, a straight nose, and keen gray eyes that now betray his anxiety. His dark brown hair is neatly trimmed in the military style, and his hands bear the calluses of both writing and swordplay.
Slave Girl
secondary
A young girl, about 14 years old, with a slender build and dark, curly hair tied back with a simple cloth band. Her olive skin is smooth but shows signs of labor, and her large, dark eyes are watchful and attentive. She moves with quiet efficiency, her hands calloused from years of servitude.
Family Elder
background
A stooped yet dignified Roman man in his late 60s, with thinning gray hair combed forward in the traditional patrician style. His face bears deep wrinkles that speak of both wisdom and authority, with a prominent nose and sharp eyes that miss nothing. His hands, gnarled with age, clutch a walking stick of polished oak.

Dialog

Midwife Domina, push now with all your strength—the child crowns!
Domina Juno Lucina, aid me! Let this child be strong... for Rome!
Slave Girl Domina... perhaps... a sip of water?
Midwife Silence! The Domina must focus. Bring more clean linens—quickly!
Domina I... hear... the cries! Tell me... is it a son?
Midwife A healthy boy, Domina. The gods have blessed your house this day.
Slave Girl Shall I... tell the Dominus?

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