Snapshot #
Aurelia Popidia is a pragmatic noblewoman and a key logistical leader within the Seven Widows. Often described as an "anxious steward," she is defined by her pale features and the wax tablets she constantly carries. Unlike the more traditionalist Caecilia Vettia, Aurelia was quick to see the economic necessity of industrialization following the eruption of Vesuvius.
Biography #
As the manager of the House of Popidius's vast wool interests, Aurelia was instrumental in solving the "Yarn Glut" of 79 AD. While others hesitated at the cultural shift of the horizontal loom, Aurelia focused on the ledger. She was the first to implement the "Radius Volans" (Flying Shuttle) in her workshops, proving that the machines could feed the starving families of Campania. She serves as the administrative engine of the Picentian regional state.
Roles & Ranks #
- Master Steward: Responsible for the logistical management of the Popidius estates.
- Factory Supervisor: Leading the transition to mechanized weaving floors.
- Member of the Seven Widows: A logistical architect of the regional resistance.
Relationships #
- Livia: Her strategic leader. Aurelia provides the data and logistical support for Livia's political maneuvers.
- Caecilia Vettia: Her senior peer. They represent the two faces of the Picentian elite: Tradition and Pragmatism.
- Marcus: She worked closely with Marcus to translate future blueprints into buildable Roman workshop layouts.
Key Appearances/Events #
- The Deployment of the Radius Volans (80 AD): Overseeing the first successful test of the horizontal mechanical loom.
- The Steamboat Retrofit (81 AD): Coordinating the removal of factory engines for naval use.