JOURNAL OF GAIUS DECIMUS FLAVUS, a.d. XII Kal. Sextiles a.u.c. CDXXIV (approx. August 21, 331 BC)

…With the Romans and the various Gallic tribes having concluded a peace, I have been free for the past several months to enjoy the exploration and mapping of Gallia Celtica. Of particular note, my dear Hipparchus, is a rather curious group of cave-dwellers I have been trying to communicate with. The interesting thing with these folks, is that they are not in any obvious way related to the other Gallic tribes, nor do they seem to have much contact with them.

One of the elders has taught me that his name is called “Timeteller” in his own tongue, and in deed is something of a wise man and perhaps a soothsayer among his people. I have given a cognomen of “Cranius”, for the shape of his head is somewhat larger than the typical man, either Roman or barbarian.

These cave-dwellers are for the most part, much more robust than the average person, even larger than the Gauls and the more northerly Teutoni our legions have encountered. Cranius, for example, stands about 7 pedes tall, and is easily half again my own weight, with the tone bulk of a fighting man. Moreover, this Cranius claims to have seen some “seven score and five summers and winters”, and that the eldest of their number have attained nigh unto nine score years. However, I rather find such statements to be self-magnifying and certainly spurious, as even the strongest of men seldom see past four score years. Cranius himself appears to be a healthy three score years of age, at most.

Cranius, like most of his tribe, have a pronounced brow-bone as well, much more so than the typical Gaul… of which he says that once most of mankind once were possessed of this feature, with larger heads - especially the brain-case. He also claims that all men alike once lived for several centuries of years, and that all of us, even Romans, have migrated here over time from Arabia and Parthia and Babylonia after some legendary flood which destroyed the old gods and the Titans, this incredible length of life quickly waned to the spans we know today.

What a fantastic tales he does weave, and I think his people have given him a name that well suits him. As I am a student of the deeds of our illustrious Jove, and his companions who have filled the deep mists of our past with many wonderful legends, I shall endeavor to uncover the myths of these people as I did with the Senones and send my report to Magister Appius Sempronius as always.

I look forward to coming to Massalia next month, perhaps before the Ides of Octobres, and to have a dinner with you and dearest Portia. May the peace of your fathers and Jove guard you as always,

C. Decimus Flavus