1.

Where oars once kissed stone and empire met the tide,
Begin where Rome tied her ships to land.
Face the rising sun and leave the city’s water-born mouth
Through jaws of stone that guard her breath.

→ Answer: Start at the Roman quay of Aquilonia and walk due east through the city gates.

2.

At once, favour the hand of the heart,
But keep your purse closed and your eyes averted—
Human voices cry out silver and flesh nearby,
Yet your feet must trace their edge, never their floor.

→ Answer: Immediately turn left and skirt around the outside of the slave market without entering it.

3.

Walk beside the old spine of the city,
Where stones remember shields and siege.
The path will suddenly twist as sharply as a legion’s drill—
Obey the turn without question.

→ Answer: Follow the path along the Roman city walls and take the abrupt ninety-degree turn to the right.

4.

Now the city presses close on either side.
Pass through the throat of stone, narrow and dim,
Until a climb reveals itself to the side
Like an afterthought the city nearly forgot.

→ Answer: Continue through the narrow tunnel-like passageway until you reach steps and a gate on your left.

5.

Through iron’s mouth and up its teeth you go.
At the top, let your steps favour the right,
And move as one skirting secrets—
Keeping the forum’s back to your shoulder.

→ Answer: Go through the gate, climb the steps, turn right, and head towards the rear of the forum.

6.

Circle the murmuring heart of civic pride
Until the god-emperor bars your way.
Here, reverse your tale in a single sweeping arc,
Honouring Caesar only from without.

→ Answer: Skirt around the back of the forum and make a U-turn to the left around the outside of the Temple of Caesar.

7.

Stone rises in solemn count—
Two tens and two more lift you closer to the sky.
Do not pause.
The climb is part of the question.

→ Answer: Climb twenty-two stone steps.

8.

Advance, and climb again—
This time a handful of steps, easily missed,
Yet required all the same
By those who seek what is hidden.

→ Answer: Walk forward and climb a further five stone steps.

9.

Cross the open breath of the plaza.
When water laughs at your right-hand side,
Turn your face to where the sun stands highest
And descend once more.

→ Answer: Cross the plaza, and immediately after passing the fountain on your right, turn south and walk down five stone steps.

10.

War lies frozen beneath your feet,
A battle captured in tiny stone.
Here, choose the path of the left hand
And enter the mother’s house.

→ Answer: When you reach the battle mosaic, turn left and enter the Temple of the Magna Mater.

11.

Before the Great Mother, look past devotion.
Behind her still gaze—
Where worshippers do not linger—
Your reward waits, patient and unseen.

→ Answer: Behind the statue of Cybele, you find the reward and complete the quest.