[Sighting][First Hand] An Astonishing book

[Marcus Tullius]

[x]Sighting - [ ]Unconfirmed
[x]First Hand - [ ]Second Hand - [ ]Questionable
Date of Encounter: November 3, 1995
Time; N/A
Location: New York, NY, USA

I am pleased to have found this forum, as I fear it may be the only place where I can relate a strange incident that recently occurred. I had decided to revisit my Latin studies, considering all the years I spent learning it in school but never applying it. I began with Caesar’s Gallic Wars, which I am sure many of you also remember from your own schooling, and all went well. Having completed that, I sought something different and chose Tacitus’ Annals. I attempted to order it through a new online bookstore called Amazon, selecting the Loeb volume containing the first three books. I am certain you have all seen the bookstore shelves lined with those small red and green hardcovers; it was from that very collection. All proceeded smoothly, and I was quite satisfied with my progress.

However, when I attempted to purchase the Loeb edition of Books 4-6, I found it sold out. Not wanting to wait, I opted to find the cheapest softcover edition available and begin with that. At the time, I thought the idea of an online bookstore seemed absurd and bound to fail—perhaps there was something else at play.

To my surprise, it was not a cheap softcover that arrived at my door. Instead, I received an old, well-worn, leather-bound volume that appeared to date back to at least the 19th century. Although unexpected, I was delighted; it was certainly worthy of a place on my bookshelf. I began translating from this book, progressing smoothly until I reached Book 5.

Quite unexpectedly, I translated the following passage: “I, Lucius Aelius Sejanus, write this in my final hours before execution as a warning to others who may find themselves about to embark upon my path. You must not accept him. You will not recognize the transaction, which will come from a trusted mentor, until the final instant. These past few weeks, I have endeavored to trace the voice back to prior victims. I shall attempt, as best I can in the time remaining, to record what I have discovered.”

Imagine my astonishment. As you all know, Sejanus rose from obscurity to become nearly a co-emperor during the later years of Tiberius Caesar’s reign. He carried what he believed to be an imperial decree from Tiberius on Capri to the Senate, confident it would confirm his elevation. Instead, it ordered his execution. In all of history, few have risen and then fallen as swiftly as Lucius Sejanus.

Since discovering this text, I have been feverishly translating it into English. While I have no way of verifying its authenticity or understanding how Sejanus might have learned of the information he references, what I have translated thus far is nothing short of astonishing. I would share a precise translation here, but I have somehow misplaced both the book and my notes. Some may describe my apartment as disheveled, but I pride myself on always knowing where I leave a book or note, even if it’s been five years. I will return with the translation once I locate it.

Marcus Tullius

[PenOfDamocles]

Very interesting. Which mentor do you believe is being alluded to here?

[Marcus Tullius]

Sejanus himself was silent on who his own mentor. In book 4 Tacitus states that Sejanus had tied himself to Caius Caesar who was Augustus' grandson and was being groomed by the emperor as his successor. Unfortunately both Caius and his brother Lucius died young which lead to Tiberius being adopted as heir. During this period Tacitus states that Sejanus "sold his person" to Marcus Gavius Apicius. Apicius was one of the most famous gourmets in the Roman world. He was known to have sought out rare ingredients from around the world. Perhaps not all of these ingredients were used in cooking?

[PenOfDamocles]

That is fascinating. I hope you find that book, I’d be interested to hear what else it reveals or at least claims to reveal.

[Marcus Tullius]

I still have had no luck finding either the book or my notes. I don't know what is wrong with me. I feel off somehow. I don't know why I can't remember where I left it. I never forget things like that. Then there is my notes. I shouldn't need them to recall what I translated. I feel so fuzzy headed. The more I try to remember the worse I feel. I think I need to take a day off from looking and just try to rest up.

[Marcus Tullius]

Hello,
I hope you can help me. I discovered this site today and created a new account but it appears it already exists. Not only that but this thread contains the exact information I came here to ask about. It also sounds exactly like what I would write. However this is written in the past and what is written here only just happened. The book is exactly as described but it arrived in the mail this morning. The text about Lucius Aelius Sejanus is exactly as written. I just finished translating it an hour ago. How can it be that this was written in 2024 and why does it say it refers to an event which occurred in 1995? Why does it say that I lost the book and notes? They are on the kitchen table. I just left them there to type this up.

I just went to fetch my notes and they are both gone. Why did the text change to say I left them on the kitchen table? I didn't leave them on the kitchen table I left them on the kitchen table when I went to eat last night. Wait a minute, that makes no sense, the book arrived this morning. How could I have left it there if it only arrived this morning. I am so confused right now. I hope this makes sense to someone. Suddenly I don't feel well. I need to take a break and rest. Perhaps things will make more sense after a nap.

Marcus Tullius

[Fly_Mulder]

Its not just you, I see the posted dates as you say, but whats weird is that your post says 24, but the Tag says Yesturday which was 10/12/25... ZETHUS!?!? Whats happening?! This time issue, the tens of thousands of views...

For you Marcus Tullius, I can only suggest a cleansing ritual that helped me years ago. The book bit may be moot at this point, but the self cleanse is worth it:
Per Katat0nik
My advice? Do not open it again. Get a big tupperware and fill it with salt. Put the journal in, and cover it the rest of the way in the salt. It has to be *completely* covered. Not a corner left out.
Seal the tupperware and store it somewhere far from your bedroom. Outside would even be good, if you have a backyard or balcony. Then, contact your local coven for further purification. You can sometimes find them in yellow pages, but any occult store where you buy crystals and candles and whatnot will have information of groups that meet.
Take a long shower once you store it. Wash every inch. Imagine that you are not only washing your body, but your spirit. Do this three times, and as you do it repeat the words "The only spirit welcome here is my own. I cleanse myself of all words, intentions, and beings that do not belong to me. Only I belong to me, and I belong to only me." For extra protection, rub lavender and rosemary into the soap you are using.
Do not remove the journal from the tupperware unless the leader of the coven you contact says so, and you are in a protected place with other coven members. Make sure not to jostle it around when moving it, causing the salt to slide off *any* of its surface.
Let us know how it goes.

[Marcus Tullius]

The book? You know about the book already? It just arrived today. It is not what I expected. You also mention salt. I am out of salt and will have to pick up a box at the corner store.
That is funny my friend Marcus Gavius was just telling me how had returned from a trip to Cyrene to obtain sal hammoniacum for one of his recipes. He told me he traveled the desert to the Temple of Ammon looking for a different salt as well. He mentioned it was a salt with the ability to revivify that he was seeking.
I could be in Ostia by evening and commandeer a liburnian and be in Cyrene in no time. The Oracle of Ammon surely could perform this ritual you mention. I hope they have enough boxes of salt there. I don't feel well enough to get in the car to go to the supermarket. Will the rosemary in the spice bottle do? I have some in the kitchen.

Marcus Tullius

[PenOfDamocles]

Hi Marcus,

I had to refresh my memory but yes I remember our exchange from all that time ago. The book and your story surrounding what you believed to have discovered within it intrigued me greatly.

You say the book only arrived today yet said the same a few days ago. Do you remember the comment you left a few days ago? What day do you believe it to be today? What date?

Forgive me but your thoughts sounds scattered and I’m hesitant to feed into your confusion lest something health related is at play.

[Marcus Tullius]

I took Fly_Mulder's advice and I feel more clearheaded then I have in a while. Part of my mind is still telling me that the book arrived today. However, whereas before I felt my mind slide away from thinking further, today I am better able to focus and it is clear to me that I must have had the book for a while.

How long I have had it I can not say. There appear to be many holes in my memory. I remember writing parts of these older posts but not others. Most shocking of all is that I have only just realized that I am no longer living in my brownstone apartment in Brooklyn but moved to suburban New Jersey. According to my banking statements and checkbook I apparently moved here a great while ago. However I have no memory of moving and indeed, if I don't focus on thinking, I feel I am still in my old apartment.

When Fly_Mulder mentioned a balcony I was shocked to find out this apartment actually has a balcony. I still feel somehow that I am moving through my old apartment from room to room even though the layout is completely different. I own a car now which I never did when I was living in Brooklyn. I don't remember purchasing it. Somehow it feels right that I get in my car and go shopping for food at the supermarket routinely and at the same time I have no memory of driving nor of the supermarket.

I am not not how to answer your question correctly at the moment. Everything I wrote in the past somehow feels like it has happened today even though if I focus I realize that they did not. I am having trouble taking this all in and feel confused and afraid right now.

Marcus Tullius