So it came to pass King Therakles and Queen Sparta, each arrayed in their finest garments of crimson, white and gold, their golden crowns gleaming in the sun, as they rode out in their royal chariot accompanied by a small entourage of body guards on horseback and a few high ranking officials from the military and ruling elite. The excitement and anticipation grew for brother and sister as they hurried down the long winding road towards the mouth of the river on the northern shore of the azure Aegean Sea. The scent of the salt sweeping breezes coming closer amidst the aroma of juniper and cypress trees growing at the foothills of the mountains, thick and lush full of wildlife, the birds singing in the trees. Now the two had seen roman galley ships a few times in the distant past but, when they drew nearer, every member of the Spartan welcoming committee's eyes grew wide, as their mouths dropped open, for there, a few 100 yards off shore, moored in the bay was the largest sailing vessel the Greeks had ever seen, for this was no regular ship of transport, no this was a floating palace.
"I can not believe what I am seeing." Queen Sparta whispered as they beheld the luxury cargo ship while being met at the shore by a small boat with a team of rowers and a few dignitaries of the Emperor, who escorted the two royal persons along with their guests, out to the huge watercraft the likes of which left the two rulers of Sparta asking many questions of the three emissaries whom had come to greet them and lead them to the presence of the Emperor.
This is what they learned; the vessel was some 200 feet long, made of ceder and elm, held together by forged spikes of a copper alloy, complete with lead sheeting to seal the hull, there were also four giant anchors made of solid lead for the mighty ship, with its massive galley, towering masts, sails furled, rigging soaked with sea water, dried salted encrusted on the ropes and then there was the impressive swan necked stern.They were told of the a 2,000 ton cargo hold, filled with a treasury of goods, with such riches as: wheat, honey, fresh fruit, wine, wool, pickled fish and eggs, with stables for horses, cattle and goats, where, above deck, were flower beds, a rose garden with fruiting trees of all varieties, there was an extensive library on all subjects of religion, geometry, astronomy, medicine, etc... and there was erected on deck a small temple for the worship of Poseidon, whom the Romans called Neptune, for a god by any other name is still a god to the Greeks and the Romans alike, however the Romans were not as nearly as superstitious and religious as their neighbors to the east, the Greeks.
Where upon King Therakles and Queen Sparta and their eager party, embarked aboard the the massive structure; which was as if a wonder of the world for their eyes to behold as they waited for the rest of their party brought aboard the ship to meet with Gaius Cyrillus the, long ruling, Emperor of Rome, who greeted them seated upon his golden throne located at the back of the vessel beside a grove of orange trees planted in huge wooden containers some 6 feet tall, serving as shade under the green canopy of leaves; beside his imperial throne stood two large bronze statues, one of the god Zeus, whom the Romans called Jupiter, hurling a lightning bolt, the other the god Neptune, whom the Greeks called Poseidon holding his mighty trident next to the ornately carved wooden throne, gilded in gleaming gold. "Blessed are the gods whom have brought us all here, safely, together, on this most glorious day!" he hailed them as he stood extending out both hands in friendship to the two young monarchs, who were just newly into their own rule after the death of their father King Vyakles, of whom was known to the Emperor personally, and the fearsome Vyakles had always proven a true friend and ally to Rome. King Therakles and Queen Sparta bid him hail as he stood there in all his imperial majesty, he was tall, broad shouldered, the body of a strong athlete, wearing a short white roman toga and sandals, a golden crown of laurel leaves covering his salt and pepper hair, cropped close to his scalp, with eyes as sharp and dark as the night sky with a flash of sparkle as he smiled, he was clean shaven, older, much more mature than her brother, his face darkened by the sun and etched by wind, war and age, but he was charming and handsome just the same, and, were it not for the fact that he already had a wife, Queen Sparta would have, herself, pledged her troth to the Emperor of Rome right then and there on the spot. However, putting her lust for this older, and more regal, most powerful gentleman aside, she did her best to form her words, though leaving her brother to do much of the speaking.
"Emperor Cyrillus!" King Therakles spoke in a rich clear voice shaking his hand telling him "You are most gracious and hospitable to welcome us here on your floating palace, the likes of which we ourselves, can assure you, have never seen of before in our short lives, nor could we hardly believe or imagine a vessel this vast a size can take to the open sea!"
"She is called 'Coronet' and sails mainly along the coastlines.., and to the outer islands on occasion, but she was not built, nor designed to take to the open waters, I had her constructed for my leisure and pleasure, and so it is with pleasure that I can welcome you all, at my leisure." the Emperor informed them as to the true purpose of the ships journey by sea.
"I am quite impressed but I am looking forward to meeting your beautiful daughter, Princess Gianna, of whom I have heard so many wonderful things." King Therakles made mention of the young woman he still had not yet laid eyes upon and he was growing impatient for all this seemed far too familiar and so he became most anxious.
"Ah yes, Gianna is preparing herself after her long journey, her maids are tending to her now.., as we speak. My daughter is looking forward to meeting you as well King Therakles and of this I am most pleased. Princess Gianna shall join us.., momentarily," he paused taking Queen Sparta by the hand saying, as he peered into her bright green eyes " but first.., let us sit and talk with one another for I have many presents to give."
"Ah Emperor..," Queen Sparta smiled saying sweetly "You also have many presents to receive."
"I can not believe what I am seeing." Queen Sparta whispered as they beheld the luxury cargo ship while being met at the shore by a small boat with a team of rowers and a few dignitaries of the Emperor, who escorted the two royal persons along with their guests, out to the huge watercraft the likes of which left the two rulers of Sparta asking many questions of the three emissaries whom had come to greet them and lead them to the presence of the Emperor.
This is what they learned; the vessel was some 200 feet long, made of ceder and elm, held together by forged spikes of a copper alloy, complete with lead sheeting to seal the hull, there were also four giant anchors made of solid lead for the mighty ship, with its massive galley, towering masts, sails furled, rigging soaked with sea water, dried salted encrusted on the ropes and then there was the impressive swan necked stern.They were told of the a 2,000 ton cargo hold, filled with a treasury of goods, with such riches as: wheat, honey, fresh fruit, wine, wool, pickled fish and eggs, with stables for horses, cattle and goats, where, above deck, were flower beds, a rose garden with fruiting trees of all varieties, there was an extensive library on all subjects of religion, geometry, astronomy, medicine, etc... and there was erected on deck a small temple for the worship of Poseidon, whom the Romans called Neptune, for a god by any other name is still a god to the Greeks and the Romans alike, however the Romans were not as nearly as superstitious and religious as their neighbors to the east, the Greeks.
Where upon King Therakles and Queen Sparta and their eager party, embarked aboard the the massive structure; which was as if a wonder of the world for their eyes to behold as they waited for the rest of their party brought aboard the ship to meet with Gaius Cyrillus the, long ruling, Emperor of Rome, who greeted them seated upon his golden throne located at the back of the vessel beside a grove of orange trees planted in huge wooden containers some 6 feet tall, serving as shade under the green canopy of leaves; beside his imperial throne stood two large bronze statues, one of the god Zeus, whom the Romans called Jupiter, hurling a lightning bolt, the other the god Neptune, whom the Greeks called Poseidon holding his mighty trident next to the ornately carved wooden throne, gilded in gleaming gold. "Blessed are the gods whom have brought us all here, safely, together, on this most glorious day!" he hailed them as he stood extending out both hands in friendship to the two young monarchs, who were just newly into their own rule after the death of their father King Vyakles, of whom was known to the Emperor personally, and the fearsome Vyakles had always proven a true friend and ally to Rome. King Therakles and Queen Sparta bid him hail as he stood there in all his imperial majesty, he was tall, broad shouldered, the body of a strong athlete, wearing a short white roman toga and sandals, a golden crown of laurel leaves covering his salt and pepper hair, cropped close to his scalp, with eyes as sharp and dark as the night sky with a flash of sparkle as he smiled, he was clean shaven, older, much more mature than her brother, his face darkened by the sun and etched by wind, war and age, but he was charming and handsome just the same, and, were it not for the fact that he already had a wife, Queen Sparta would have, herself, pledged her troth to the Emperor of Rome right then and there on the spot. However, putting her lust for this older, and more regal, most powerful gentleman aside, she did her best to form her words, though leaving her brother to do much of the speaking.
"Emperor Cyrillus!" King Therakles spoke in a rich clear voice shaking his hand telling him "You are most gracious and hospitable to welcome us here on your floating palace, the likes of which we ourselves, can assure you, have never seen of before in our short lives, nor could we hardly believe or imagine a vessel this vast a size can take to the open sea!"
"She is called 'Coronet' and sails mainly along the coastlines.., and to the outer islands on occasion, but she was not built, nor designed to take to the open waters, I had her constructed for my leisure and pleasure, and so it is with pleasure that I can welcome you all, at my leisure." the Emperor informed them as to the true purpose of the ships journey by sea.
"I am quite impressed but I am looking forward to meeting your beautiful daughter, Princess Gianna, of whom I have heard so many wonderful things." King Therakles made mention of the young woman he still had not yet laid eyes upon and he was growing impatient for all this seemed far too familiar and so he became most anxious.
"Ah yes, Gianna is preparing herself after her long journey, her maids are tending to her now.., as we speak. My daughter is looking forward to meeting you as well King Therakles and of this I am most pleased. Princess Gianna shall join us.., momentarily," he paused taking Queen Sparta by the hand saying, as he peered into her bright green eyes " but first.., let us sit and talk with one another for I have many presents to give."
"Ah Emperor..," Queen Sparta smiled saying sweetly "You also have many presents to receive."
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