Fellow members of the decuria, as leading citizens, we bear the responsibility for our town's welfare. I fear that we have neglected an important matter. The Temple of Poseidon has fallen into a state of disrepair. We honor many gods in our city. My family, on its own lands and with its own money, has built and maintained the Temple of Fortuna Augusta; with my own money, I am making the necessary recent repairs to it. Popidius Numerius has paid for the reconstruction of the Temple of Isis, and we welcome his young son as our newest council member.

Poseidon, god of the sea, of earthquakes, of volcanoes, may be angered by our neglect of his temple. We depend on his good will not only for safety of our fishing, shipping, and trade, but for protection against disasters such as this last earthquake. Is there no one among our leading families who will accept this responsibility? Surely we must find a way to show proper respect to this god, or we may face his wrath in years to come.