[Part 1 - due to limits in the amount of images I can upload on my phone. Part 2 will follow soon. Let me know your thoughts, ideas and predictions for the storyline!]
Today was finally the day. I grew up in a rather wealthy environment, big mansions, expensive cars and multiple holiday houses. I could get everything I wanted, and have someone else do it for me. I was the definition of a spoiled brat.
I have always been interested in the Roman Empire. Now I study history, and specialized in Ancient Rome. My focus is on societal hierarchy and the place of slaves and non-citizens.
Growing up I had always envisioned myself in a big Roman villa with an army of slaves and servants. When I found out a place like that actually exists, I had to visit.
My dad pulled some strings with an old fraternity brother of his’, whose brother owns property on the island.
After a short email exchange, today was finally the day of my visit. As I approached the pier, I saw an older man in a crisp white toga. He must be important. Surrounding him were some 10 men my age. All naked except for a small loincloth.
I introduced myself to the man, who told me to call his name was Senator Marcus Aurorius. I looked around, all of the kneeling men are gorgeous. “Who are they?” I ask the senator.
“We don’t care who they are. These are all voluntary enslaved. Ancient Rome had a huge amount of slaves in the population, something we want to recreate. We offer free housing and food, training and a small salary to volunteer slaves. It’s a tough job, as soon as they sign they no longer have any control over their lives. Their contracts run from a couple of weeks to up to 10 years. We can do anything do to them, as long as it is legal. You can see some already start to doubt their choices. They all do at the start. I hope I can win one in the auction this afternoon, it’s been a while since I bought fresh livestock to train.
After a while the boat docked, a traditional vessel. We boarded. After we left, the senator took me with him. "We are going to inspect the merchandise!" He exclaimed, quite excitedly. We walked towards the front of the ship, were older men in drab tunics were overseeing the kneeling slaves. "Freemen." He explained. "They have been released from slavery, often after years or decades of service, but choose to remain in the employment of their former owners or other island citizens and oversee the slaves. These work for the Island Council, which is responsible for the general upkeep of everything a government is responsible of. These men here, for example, are tasked with slave transport."
The men bowed their heads slightly to the senator. We approached the first slave. "State your name, age, origin and why you chose to be enslaved." The senator calmly ordered.
"My name is Mike, I am 19 years old and am from Salt Like City, lord. He responded. I submitted myself because I have always been submissive, and knew that serving on the island is my destiny, lord."
We moved on and halted before the next slave. "You, slave?" He said.
"My name is Matteo, I am 18 years old and am from Rome, my lord. I grew up near the Forum Romana and fantasized of life in the ancient city. I had my first hard-on in history class, when slavery in Ancient Rome was discussed. I then knew I somehow had to serve. I am proud to kneel here before you, my lord."
This repeated with the rest of the slaves. All seemed quite excited for what was ahead of them.
"Slaves, this morning you left behind your old lives. You were stripped of your modern clothes and had your freedom taken away. Now, it is time for the next step in your enslavement. It is time to receive your permanent collar. By law, all owned slaves must be collared with a City Council provided collar at all times. It has been engraved with your free names and slave numbers. Your slave number will be your new identity. The overseer will read it aloud one time before collaring you, you must know it by heart. It will be used to track your existence. Every time you are being sold or change owner in any other way, it will be registered by the Council. You will have no choice in who owns you, who uses you or what you are ordered to do. Overseers, please proceed with the collaring. Slaves, thank the overseer for receiving your collar. May your collar remind you of your status as a slave and may it motivate you to be the best slave you can be."
Quickly after the collaring ceremony finished, we reached the port of the island. "Roma Nova, there she is!" The senator exclaimed excitedly. Look there, Arthur, that is our promised land. As soon as we arrive, I will point out the visitor's centre. Your host, young citizen Ocatvius, will be waiting there for you. You will be given a tunic to wear as we do not allow modern clothing on the island. Octavius will have received extra from the Council, so you are guaranteed fresh clothing during your stay.
As we approached the shore, I saw plenty of people in the harbor. Most seemed to be freemen or other free people. I knew that there were also plenty of 'regular' laborers, being paid a normal salary and living in regular circumstances on neighbouring islands. Amongst them, I saw a citizen. He held a leash, with on it a beautiful slave on all fours.
"That is Mars, he is known for his slave dogs. He is looking for a new one, and is hoping to buy one off of this fresh batch we are bringing in. I have always been interested in having a well-trained slave dog, so I might buy one off of him. Mars really knows how to train them properly, he must have had at least 20 or 30 over the past 10 years.”
I looked at the man and his slave. The handsome boy was kneeling obediently, not moving an inch.
As we walked off the ship, the senator pointed out a small building. Octavius will be waiting there for you, so you can get changed. Although you look very handsome in this outfit, it can’t be allowed onto the island. It was a pleasure to meet you and introduce you to the first aspects of our life, I am sure we’ll be seeing each other again in the next days!”
With that he said goodbye and left. A group of 6 burly slaves appeared with a litter chair. He got in and they walked away.
I continued walking towards the small building. A slave opened the door for me. “Welcome, sir.” The boy said. Inside, I found Octavius. He was way younger than I had expected, he seemed to be my age. He was so handsome, even more gorgeous in his luxurious toga with a beautiful slave kneeling besides him obediently. He was a real man.
“You must be Arthur! Welcome to Roma Nova, paradise on earth. I am Octavius. I became a citizen one year ago, after my late father left me his property on the island. I haven’t left since. This here is my slave, one of them anyways. I own about 30. I will be your host during your stay. I am excited to show you life on the island. Perhaps you will become our newest citizen, as I understand and see that you come from money. Being a citizen is expensive, I will tell you all about it. But first, let’s get your handsome ass into a more proper outfit. You look amazing like this, but I think we have something great for you.
“Slave, take our guest to the changing room and assist him.” He ordered the kneeling boy. The slave stood up obediently, not saying a word. He walked towards a door, I followed. He closed the door behind me.
“Sir, may I please undress you? I have been instructed to strip you of all modern clothing and dress you in a special tunic.”
I nodded.
He started unbuttoning my shirt, carefully taking it off and folding it before he continued with my shoes and pants. It felt quite amazing to be served like that. I thought he was done as I stood in my underwear, but he gently pulled those down too. I now stood naked, even more exposed than the slave.
“You have a great body, sir. A cock most men can only dream of. I will be hoping to serve you soon, sir.” He blushed a bit.
From a wardrobe, he pulled a very long tunic and put it on me. “Now you are ready sir, please let’s return to master Octavius.”
The slave hurried back to kneel besides his master. Octavius didn’t pay any attention him, but looked at me as I appeared from the door. “Arthur! You look amazing! You look like you belong here. A real, citizen’s, toga would definitely suit you. I hope my slave behaved well, it must’ve been weird to be undressed by it and to be naked in its presence.” He petted the kneeling boy for a while as we talked about life, getting to know each other.
It turns out that his father used to be one of the biggest landowners on the island. He was a succesful entrepreneur and retired early on the island after divorcing his wife. Octavius’ brother had had no interest at all in the island property, so Octavius was lucky to claim it all at 19 years old, making him the youngest citizen by far.
“Let’s go to my villa. We can set you up in one of the guest rooms and I can assign one of my slaves to you for the duration of your stay. I live outside the town on the family estate. I own some houses in town too, but those are small and rented out to the freemen and laborers. Not suitable for men like us. We’ll be going across town, so you’ll be getting your first impressions. I’ll point out stuff as we go.”
We walked outside where a litter was awaiting us at the front door. With one command the 8 gorgeous 8 black slaves knelt down, lowering the litter for us to get in. They were all very muscular, clearly trained well for their jobs. Their dark black hides a nice contrast to the bright white loincloths. I felt powerful and privileged as they started walking. Octavius clearly enjoyed his role as a host, and couldn’t stop pointing out what we saw as we crossed town. I also noticed that all the freemen we passed bowed their heads at our passing. Apparently a mandatory sign of respect from the former slaves to one of the island’s most popular men.
I was getting quite excited by the power dynamics at play, the amount of slavery and submission going on. I had chosen to study this topic for a reason.
“I see the bulge beneath your tunic, Arthur. Are you enjoying life as a citizen’s guest? The power you now wield? I knew you would. A good thing we don’t wear underwear here, the slaves can easily take care of things like this. I’ll make sure you are getting seen to as we get home.”
I was a little embarrassed. Never before had I experienced this. But also intrigued. Would I already get to use a slave?
As we left town we crossed through the beautiful countryside. Some fields were being worked by groups of men. Octavius explained that most were free laborers, working here as salaries were higher than average. They can be recognized by the black tunics.
We shortly stopped at a field where a group of young men in black tunics were working. They greeted their employer and continued working.
“I would really enjoy having some of these as my slaves, but I am afraid they won’t accept that.” They know that the pay is higher but have all refused my proposals before. Now I just get to watch them, life is so unfair.”
That sounded so spoilt to me. This guy owned probably tens of slaves, inherited a big estate and still felt like he didn’t get enough. I watched the guys toiling on their knees under the hot sun. For them, life is unfair.
We stepped back into the litter and continued our journey. Octavius ensured me we were nearly there. “My villa was designed after a very Roman villa that was destroyed decades ago, but it used to belong to the wealthiest and most influential families. It has been scaled down, but it is believed to have housed many emperors and hundreds of slaves. I currently live there alone, some 25 slaves take care of the estate, the household and most importantly, me. The slave I brought with me today always comes with me, wherever I go. But at home I have some others that have been trained to take care of me. My overseer is a freeman who became my father’s first slave at 18 and was released 25 years later.”
A huge gate showed up, the litter was lowered in front of it. Octavius explained we had to enter the estate by foot. A beautiful slave opened the big gate for us and I was stunned by the beauty of the villa. A gorgeous mansion with the mountains in the background. We entered the front yard and continued towards the front door. I noticed that the slave we had with us, had dropped to its knees and was now crawling. “He is not allowed to walk on his feet on the estate grounds.”
I was very surprised by the size of the estate, I had not expected anything like this. Octavius told me the estate was the biggest property on the island, but there were some bigger mansions with less surrounding property.
Stepping inside was wonderful. Each room seemed to come straight from the history books. He showed me around and then we went to a guest bedroom. 2 slaves were already waiting.
“This will be your room, if that’s okay? I have ordered these slaves here to prepare it for your stay. Since you may be staying for a while, I thought you might appreciate having a personal slave to accommodate you and ensure a comfortable stay. Please, inspect these two here and see if either of them is to your liking. If you prefer a different race, I also own some blacks and asians. Lean and muscular slaves. Let me know.”
I walked closer to the two slaves standing there and walked around them. Octavius encouraged me to touch them, experience their bodies. Although they were both very handsome and muscular, neither of them made me excited. I was curious about what else Octavius had in stock. I knew the black slaves from the litter, although handsome as well they were a bit too rough for me.
“Can I see an Asian one, perhaps?” Octavius nodded. “Good choice!” And ordered one of the slaves to fetch him.
[End of part 1! Stay tuned for part 2]
