Catus and Bacchus stood at the doorway, looking out at the faces of Rome, silent in the one moment, and then exploding into a cheer that splashed like a great wave throughout the Forum Romanum.
“Io Saturnalia!” they all shouted, including the priests. “Io Saturnalia! Io Saturnalia!”
Then, the entire populace that was packed into the heart of Rome writhed and wriggled and laughed their way to the long tables that had been set out the length of the forum for the convivium publicum. At the same time, the image of Saturn himself was paraded into their midst to rest upon the stairs of the Senate opposite the temple, to preside over the public feast.
“What a waste of public funds!” Catus muttered, and Bacchus turned upon him.
“A waste? Why, it is the public who benefits from this very feast.
