Slipping into her long white stola, positioning her small bare breasts to maximize their perkiness, she moved out into the garden courtyard in the compound of the temple of Cybele. She always thrilled at the sight of the well-tended and fragrant roses, the emerald ferns, and the other flora of the garden. However, in the wee hours of the morning when everyone else was sleeping, the full moon spreading its shimmering light over the landscape, she was awed by the sense of mystery that surrounded her. A mystery that was enhanced on virtually cloudless mornings by thousands upon thousands of dazzling stars in an inky sky.

Puzzled by the jittery feeling that propelled her, Parthenia strolled over to the exterior door in the garden wall. Nervously she lifted the wooden latch, opened the door, and strolled out into the city streets. Casual walking outside the compound, forbidden under Caligula (Little Boots) and Tiberius before him, had been recently legalized by Claudius Drusus (45 CE). Claudius, a sophisticated man who loved learning, was scholarly, wise and gentle, and seemed to recognize the significance of the Gallae to the citizens of Rome. After all, had not Roman forces been losing the Second Punic War until the Sibylline Oracles of Cumae predicted the way to ascendancy? The text of the prophesies had promised victory if Rome would move the shrine of the Magna Mater(Great Mother) from Pessinus in Phyrgia to Italia.

Five Roman senators were sent to King Attalus in Pergamum to request the sacred black stone and the illustrious Claudia Quinta formally received the Goddess at Ostia in 204 B.C.E. Thus the Metro'on (Mother Temple) was raised upon the Palatine Hill. True to the prophecy, although the armies and navies of Carthage had been laying waste to the Republic, the tide of battle turned under the Great Mother's protection and within two years the war was finished. Rome emerged victorious.

Roman citizens were awed by the mysterious forces that stirred in the spirits of the Gallae. Because of this traditionalists in positions of authority feared social mixing. They feared ``Oriental'' influences on the residents of Rome. Oh yes, they could live in the Great City, practice their magic in favor of Roman Culture, pleasure them with games, song, and dance, but freedom to roam the streets ... not until Claudius was proclaimed Emperor after the murder of Caligula.

Of course, liberty to roam the streets didn't encompass the dark of the morning when respectable people should be asleep. Parthenia knew she could suffer severe consequences if the night guards found her out and about at this time. Nonetheless, compelled by some mysterious force she was helpless to do aught else.

Near the center of town was the plaza and a well beneath a sheltered ramada. Sitting down on the ledge of the well she tried to puzzle out why she was taking such a risk. It was a danger to her and, perhaps, even of some danger to the sisterhood. Did not the actions of each Galla reflect on the entirety of the Gallae? Perhaps it was time she returned to the compound.

At that moment a silhouette stirred in the dark shadows on the opposite side of the well. Parthenia, startled and afraid it might be one of the guards, made to run away.

``Wait! Please! Don't go!'' pleaded a masculine voice as the shadow transformed into Sabinus Tarquinius, a senator of Rome. She knew little about the man, save that he was respected by all who knew him. ``I won't harm you or let harm come to you. I give my word.'' Parthenia, nodded her head slightly, and settled herself back on the ledge of the well. ``You are a Gallus of Cybele, are you not?'' he asked.

``Yes, I am! But we consider the masculine address an insult. Only the guards address us with such contempt, and not all of them,'' spoken softly, her words came more as a gentle reminder than a harsh rebuke.

``Oh, of course, I'm sorry. I meant no offense. It's well known in Rome that good fortune smiles on those who treat the Gallae with respect. It's also well known that those who treat Gallae poorly suffer grave consequence.'' replied the Senator, moving closer to Parthenia and placing a hand on her knee.

``In either case, it's not the Gallae that bring this to pass,'' she answered. ``Our Goddess, Cybele, favors kind people and sends good fortune to them. Mean spirited people make their own dark fortune. The Mother doesn't direct it to them. What brings such an illustrious citizen of Rome to the streets at this time of morning?'' she questioned, knowing he could ask what brought her out as well. With few exceptions, only the disreputable roamed the night.

``My wife is very ill. She has been ill for the past three years. She takes little food, can't leave her bed, and doesn't speak. She can do nothing for herself. All her needs must be tended by servants. It has been nearly six years since she was as a wife to me. I am so lonely and a man has needs that can not be put off forever. Please, understand what I am saying. I care for my wife. She was a dutiful woman and she gave me two worthy sons and an exceptionally fine daughter. I am a principled man. I have no wish to offend the Goddess, but ... I sometimes think I should end my wife's suffering, and my own, in the only way left to me. Hemlock, they say, is painless.'' pausing in his narrative the Senator waited for a response.

``You would take her life, then?'' asked Parthenia, without trace of judgement in her voice.

``... and my own,'' he replied. ``I couldn't live with the knowledge of such a thing,'' he continued, his hand still resting warmly on her leg.

``You must dismiss these dark thoughts. You've lived an honorable life, a noble life. You've raised fine children to be noble citizens of Rome. You can't pass on a legacy of horror. Nor can you do this to Rome. Rome admires you and has been good to you. Is this how you envision to repay her?'' Parthenia, speaking with soft considerate tones, placed her left hand gently on top of the hand resting on her leg.

``What can I do, then?'' asked the Senator, desperate pleading in his voice.

``You must take a concubine to wife and begin to live again, to attend festivals and plays. You must take joy back into your life. Let your servants help your wife through these last days. They will tend for her until she slips beyond this realm. You must do whatever is necessary to keep away the dreadful thoughts that are consuming you,'' she said, gently admonishing the Senator. Then Parthenia smiled and patted his hand.

``Would you come with me, lay with me?'' he asked, knowing she would turn him down.

``I can't! I have someone special who makes my life complete. I must return now,'' she spoke with her somber tones. ``It was meant that I find you and tell you what you needed to know. It's not your time and out of your pain will come your greatest joy.''

Then, rising, Parthenia returned to the compound and to her lover, Rhea, still soundly sleeping in their bed. Slipping off her clothes and sliding into bed, Parthenia smiled and thanked the Mystery for once again allowing her the privilege of helping someone in need.

When dawn came Parthenia rose and began preparing the morning meal. Shortly, Rhea, fresh from her morning toilet, added her efforts to the morning chores. As she straightened the bed covers Rhea questioned Parthenia about her activities of the morning,``Did you leave our bed last night?''

``For awhile!'' answered Parthenia.

`Where did you go?'' Rhea continued with her questions.

``I spoke with Senator Sabinus by the well in the town square,'' she replied matter-of-factly.

``You know I don't like you to leave the compound at night. It hasn't been that long since we were forbidden to go out. Rome could make it illegal again,'' complained Rhea.

``Yes, I know.'' responded Parthenia, setting the last of the frumenti on the table. ``Let's eat! I will try to do better.''

Later in the morning a young couple, carrying a newly-born child, entered the temple and asked for Parthenia by name. When Parthenia presented herself they asked her blessing on their child. The man was a `miles' (Roman Soldier) named Laurentus and his wife was called Lavinia. The child, a boy, had been named Marcus. Parthenia called down the blessing of Cybele on the child and prophesied a life of duty and exemplary honor. She neglected to tell them that she thought it would likely be far too short. Sons of Roman soldiers often became soldiers themselves and were not noted for the length of their years.

``You may not remember us, priestess, but you were at our wedding. You blessed our union and promised I would live to see a son born. This is that son! We will leave some denarii when we depart, but is there anything else you would ask of us?'' queried the soldier appreciatively.

``Yes, there is something you can do for me. When you hear another soldier scorn us, make jest of us, call us Galli and not Gallae, tell them that they are rude. If we decided to leave Rome because of such attitudes your enemies would once more take a toll of Roman lives,'' threatened Parthenia, still disturbed by the Senator's use of the masculine forms.

``Yes, M'lady, I do and I always shall. The Gallae have been good to us. You best of all,'' responded Laurentus as he and his family made their way out of the temple.

Returning to the waiting arms of Rhea, Parthenia requested a glass of Falernian wine and, after it was served, she bade Rhea sit beside her and talk. ``Rhea, will it ever change? The ignorance and hatred we must endure is such a great sadness.''

``I know, my sweet love, but you are loved by so many people. Surely, you can't be distressed over a few ignorant soldiers,'' reproved Rhea. ``Our mysteries grow from the pain. Without the pain, from where would our strength come?''

``Yes, but even the Nazarenes are starting to despise us. When their Messiah still lived he respected us and talked of our spirituality, promising their heaven for those who castrate themselves for the sake of righteousness. Now, with their prophet crucified, there's that citizen of Rome, what's his name ... oh yes, Saul of Tarsus (Paul) and he speaks of us with hate and malice. Soon he will be more important to the Nazarenes then their Annointed One. How could they allow a Roman citizen to defile the gentle beliefs preached by their Christ? Don't they understand that it was Jesus that brought their salvation, not those that came after him?'' uttering her words with passion Parthenia was near to tears.

``It's true enough. I've heard rumors of this man Paul. His words will surely not bear that much weight. Jesus has been dead for seventy or eighty years, maybe more. Paul never met him. He can't speak for him and those who follow Jesus know the truth,'' returned Rhea, attempting to comfort her distraught lover.

``Perhaps you're right, for now. What of the future? When time has blurred the separation between the word of Jesus and the word of Paul, what then? Will they still spurn the doctrine of Paul, or will his doctrine become holy and the true voice of their gentle shepherd be brushed aside? Does not the roar of the sporting events at the Circus Maximus draw more attention then the peaceful music and sensuous dancing at the temple?'' inquired Parthenia, unwilling to drop her line of reasoning.

``I don't know, my love. The future you speak of is too far off for me to know,'' countered Rhea in frustration, obviously not wanting to pursue the subject further.

Late in the afternoon Parthenia left the compound to purchase rare cloth for ceremonial robes. It was, after all, the week of the Megalesia (Great Games), the festival of Cybele, Eternal Mother of All Gods and the Eldest of the Elder Gods. As she moved from stall to stall, choosing and picking those items she wished to purchase, she was treated with respect, almost a reverent awe, by all the common folk. However, rounding a corner she came face to face with a surly imperial soldier. ``Out of my way, Gallus,'' he commanded, pushing Parthenia aside. Irritated by his remark, she nonetheless backed away.

In the next moment the soldier pushed a young girl to the ground. She couldn't have been more than thirteen. When Parthenia rushed over to help the child up and soothe her injured pride the soldier made to strike Parthenia. Swiftly, like the strike of a serpent, Parthenia grabbed the wrist of the soldier, and then stepped in close and looked directly into his eyes. ``This doesn't become you, fine sir,'' she spat venomously from a tight lipped mouth. ``This child has done you no injury.''

It was dangerous to confront a Roman soldier so directly, but the Mystery was on her and the soldier, sensing this, backed down, albeit with a gruff remark to save face.

``I've no time for the likes of you,'' he growled and then stormed off.

Turning to the young girl Parthenia smiled and gave her a quick hug and then returned her to her mother who was standing near by. ``Thank you, priestess. Will you be at the Procession of the Pine Branches this evening?''

``Yes, of course. I wouldn't miss the commemoration of Attis. Because the God is saved, we are saved. Blessed be Cybele, Mother of the Gods,'' replied Parthenia with sincere enthusiasm, ``Besides I'm offering the invocation.''

That night, before a gathered crowd of devotees of Cybele, Rhea pridefully at her side, Parthenia spoke the following words of summoning:

``Mother of the immortal gods; she who prepares a fast-riding chariot drawn by bull-killing lions, she who wields the scepter over the sacred pole, she of many names, the Honored One; thou who occupies the central throne of the universe, and thus the earth; she who provides delicacies to eat; by thee who brought forth the race of immortal beings; by thee who rules the rivers and the seas; come ye to our feast, O' Lofty One. Delight in our drums O' tamer of all, savior of the Phrygians, bed-fellow of Kronos, child of Uranos, Old One, Elder Goddess, life-giving, passion loving, mirthful One, let us gratify you with our acts of personal piety and joy. We shall make love and laughter in your Holy name this night!''

Turning to Rhea, before the mingled crowd, Parthenia embraced her and then they kissed, a long lingering kiss that left no doubt of their love for one another. The crowd cheered and then began the singing, dancing, and reveling everyone had been anxiously awaiting. ``Thank you Rhea,'' whispered Parthenia, ``that was a lovely invocation. I don't know what I would do without your knowledge of the formalities.''

``Nor I without your presentations,'' responded Rhea.

``Yes, but I also need your sweet and gentle nature. Not all Gallae are as tender and lovely as you,'' cooed Parthenia, who had already had her first goblet of wine.

``There are even fewer like you. Your strength sustains me more than you might know,'' said Rhea, running a gentle hand through her lover's hair.

``Let it be said then that together we accomplish far more than either could alone,'' smiling Parthenia offered Rhea a large chalice of wine. ``To the Great Mother, let us celebrate with the others.''