The Funeral Of Archimimus

Infra-Noir #39

by O. Jamie Walsh

The archimimes or arch-buffoons were different from moirologists, those hired to bulk out processions light on mourners, or to shriek loudly where shrieking was the social expectation but the bereaved were shriekless in their grief. In Rome, the archimime followed Vespasian’s funeral cortège. They counterfeited the gestures and manners of the dead as if they were still alive. Caesar himself had his clown-mimic, although when the crowd saw the archimime in the guise of the dead emperor, they rioted.”

7 pages, Chapbook

First published June 1, 2023