Getting there at 7:08 was a mistake, closed. “Damn it! Guess I’m going hungry tonight.” I went without eating many night so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
Arriving back I was met by some maintenance guys that were smelly but he was happy to see for they were the only way I was sleeping in that room tonight. The mess was cleaned and everything was smelling like AJAX. I didn’t care, that or raw sewage.
Laying in my bed was like a huge weight being lifted off. All my problems were gone until the next morning when they had to be faced all over again. As I closed my eye to go into my slumber I thought of the movie I had watched in Civ. For some reason it had stuck in my mind but I couldn’t quite understand why…….
Opening my eyes, I saw the sun and that’s all I could see. I felt as though I was moving in and out of conscience. It was so bright. Pain. I felt an immense pain coming from my chest. My face hurt too. My head was blaring with the pain I thought only one could with the pressure of some large animal stepping on it. I haven’t felt this bad since I fell out of that tree at my uncle’s house and went through the windshield of a car. My eyes hurt from the sun, all my senses were disoriented and I had no idea of the world I was in. I reached to probe what was causing the pain on my chest. I was greeted by the most awful site I had ever seen. A slash wound had been made across my chest, my dark tan well developed chest I might add. I worked out a bit in my day but never had I had a chest like this or this tone of skin. This wound was deep, looked like it had been made by some type of a broad sword. It was also infected with maggots which disturbed me beyond words.
Looking around I discovered I was no longer in my bed, which would explain the hard surface I was laying on. We were moving which gave me the hint that I was in some sort of cart. On both sides their were men walking in blue like clothing that covered no more than the essentials and their chests. Looking down at myself I realized that I had the same outfit on, why was still a mystery though. The cart I was laying in had wooden stakes covering me that were parallel to the ground. I don’t know whether they were to keep me in there or to keep me from falling out. I assumed the bottom was made of the same because my back was being dug into by the ridges that the stakes would most likely make.
Focusing my attention back on my chest I realized that the maggots were still there. Reaching my hand up to brush them away I was stopped by one of the men on the side of the cart wearing a matching uniform to mine. “It will help clean it” he said in a deep tone. He was a black man and very muscular like he had worked for many years at his body. I realized though that he was as muscular as I was in this body. My head bobbed to the bumps and ruts on whatever surface we were going across. I swung my head to the right and just before I lost consciousness again we were approaching a town……
Waking up I feel worse than before with my head ache and the wound bleeding in my chest once again. This time I was sitting in the corner of a dimly lit room with the rest of the men that were on the journey here. They were all sitting on the floor or on benches whatever they could find most likely. The black man that stood next to me while I was in the cart was sitting beside me. He looked at me and pointed to my left arm, “Were you in the army?”. I looked at my arm and saw the letters ”SPQR”.(21) I thought back and remembered that most militaries back in the early A.D.s placed a tattoo on the left arm of there soldiers.(22) But where was I, or better yet when? “Is it?” asked the dark skinned man. “I’m not sure.” I replied, and I was sure that he wouldn’t be satisfied with that answer. “Where is this?” I asked.
“You are with a man that trains us to fight the gladiators, he bought us from a slave trader.”. I noticed that he had an accent that I wasn’t quite familiar with but I knew it was somewhere from Africa. The man spoke again, ”The only thing you have left now is to hope we die in the coliseum in front of the emperor Marcus Aurelius.”.(1)
Marcus Aurelius, where had I heard that name before? I remembered a bit about him, one being he ruled from 161to 180 A.D. and that he managed to push the Barbarians out of Rome in the Marcomannic Wars.(2) Was I in that battle? I had the mark of a soldier but I was now a slave. Was I a deserter to the army and that’s why I’m here? I didn’t have any idea but I knew the chances of finding that out here was next impossible. If somehow I were sent back in time then the first thing I had to do was figure out how to get back but I didn’t even know how I got here in the first place. At least now I had somewhat an idea of what time I was in now if I was truly a soldier from the war against the barbarians. It took place in 167-168 A.D.(3)
That’s the best I could estimate at that time.
If I were to be a gladiator, this time would be the best for Marcus Aurelius had his Gladiators fight with blunted weapons.(4) For this I felt a bit relieved for.
A man enters the room and tells everyone to stand in 2 ranks and face each other. He walks through and looks at everyone of us with a stern face. “I am here to train you in the ways of fighting in the gladiatorial games. Even though we used blunt weapons there is still great danger with the large clubs and maces that are used.”
“Yee-Haw” I thought to myself. If I can just make it through this day I think I’ll be ok. Next we were marched to an outside area with benches where we sat to eat. Upon entering the room there was wash basin full of water with a red tint most likely blood and particles of dirt and other unknown things. This disgusted me to the point in which I wasn’t sure I could eat but like the others I felt as though I hadn’t eaten in days. The food that was given to us was less than appealing most likely made up of some sort of grain or beans or something of that nature. Like in the military you get less than adequate time to eat. They herded us like cattle into a little practice area where weapons and such pieces of armor like chest protection and others were placed. We were ordered to get our weapon not any armor.(5) One man stood in the middle alone. He pointed to the man in front. The man being rather large that was calling us forward had a sword too, it was wooden though most likely for a sparing match to see who has what skill.(6)
Instantly I thought I was done for, I had no experience in fighting what so ever. I would for sure be hurt badly. This gave me great butterflies in my stomach almost to the point of throwing up. One after another he called each and every man forward until I was reached. “You, come forward!” The man spoke in a loud tone. I moved forward reluctantly. Almost as soon as I got to him he swung his wooden sword. I thought for sure it would strike me and knock me out but to my surprise I swung my sword to meet his. I turned to meet another strike with surprising skill. I then struck the man in the ribs and then across the face. He was knocked out cold on the ground.
“Soldier” I heard a voice growl from behind me. Back in line with the rest. Still shocked at what I had just done I walked away while looking at my hands in amazement. Maybe in getting this body I also got the skill this body acquired during it’s time in the army. The man that yelled at me walked over and looked me up and down. “You’re good with a sword, you’re going to have to be because you’ll be wearing only chest ant arm protection.”
Nice, It figures we would be the Retiarius gladiators. That’s one thing I actually remembered from history class. Retiarius gladiators were the only ones without head protection and wore practically no protective armor.(7) If I remember correctly we were the more mobile gladiators but were much more susceptible to wounds.(8) This didn’t bring any comfort to me.
Next we were moved in to a small arena type structure most likely a practice area. Still with weapons in hand we were instructed to fight one another. No one was on any one’s team just an all out rumble. This got me scared to the point of vomit once again but I managed to keep it down. Every one broke apart to there separate ways in the little sub-par practice area. “Commence combat.” yelled a man standing in the upper part of the circular area. The only thing preventing his fall from 15 feet were wooden railings.
The fight had started before I knew it. One man rushed at me with a wooden staff, I don’t even know if they called them that in these times more likely a stick. He swung with a great force to my thigh and smashed his staff against me. The pain shot through every conceivable part of my body. But amazingly I was still standing. Almost by instinct I struck fast and hard with my sword striking him to the stomach. He bent over grabbing his abdomen. I then brought my fist down onto the back of his neck knocking him unconscious. I didn’t know whether to be amazed or shocked by the fact that I had done that to someone. The battle was over quickly and I was still alive. The day continued that way for the most part with an occasional break to eat and take a leak in a dirt ditch.
That night the prisoners or slaves whatever you wanted to call them talked to each other. The black man like usual sat next to me. “Hello, my name is Corellus.” I had no idea what my name was. Lets see what was a cool Roman name that I heard once. “Flightus” I said in a deep voice I had never heard before. After all I was a flight student from Florida Tech.
“Flightus?” he said. “That is a peculiar name”
“Yeah, so is Corellus.”
“I suppose so.” he said with a grin. “Every one says that you and I and a few others were chosen above the rest to go to the Coliseum tomorrow.” “That will be the day above the rest to prove our selves and fight for our freedom.” “For now though I’m going to get some rest.” “Good luck tomorrow, Flightus.”
“Good luck to you too Corellus and good night.” I spoke as though I thought that tomorrow was my last day, but who knows it could be. I wish I knew what this was about and why it was happening to me, maybe it was one of those be thankful you’re not there thing to teach me a lesson but only god knows.
The surface I had the privilege of sleeping on was hard and the most uncomfortable I had ever been on but the training had tired me so that I had no strength left to complain.
The next morning the four chosen including me, Corellus, and a few others, were greeted by the lanista.(9) He was what I remembered the leader of a gladiatorial troupe.(10) He brought us to a room separate from the others and stood us in a line. “My name is Therosius. I too was once a gladiator and fought for my freedom in the great Coliseum.” He spoke in a great thunderous voice as though he meant every word which I’m sure he did. “Today if you survive you will too be granted your freedom. Fight well and you will go home.”
All I could think is “God I hope so”.
We were brought to cage on wheels that reminded me of the type they transported lions in. I along with the others were shackled and placed in the cage for obvious transportation.(11)
The trip couldn’t of been more than three hours but the heat made it seem like years. We were close to the heart of Rome while at our training area because the Coliseum was right in front of me in all its glory. The Coliseum was said to hold 45,000 to 55,000 people in it including the emperor.(12) I didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified but one thing was certain this was going to be a day to remember.
Upon entering the huge structure we were brought to a room where the weapons were hung neatly on walls along with body armor. Choose your destiny I thought, which weapon was the one this body was most used to using. Who knows. The sword and the chest protector with some arm protection would be the outfit for the day. No head gear of course that would make too much sense.
The beginning of today’s events would start with editor beginning the ceremonies.(13) He was normally the emperor or a high ranking magistrate. The music that accompanied the parade at the beginning could be heard from where I was seated. Behind a gate with a direct view into the arena. I don’t think they knew what “psyching” out was but they sure were doing it to me.
This morning events started with some mock fights between a spectator and an official gladiator.(14) Funny if I didn’t have the urge to blow chunks all over the guy in front of me. After this they had some animals perform tricks while others were pitted against each other while others were killed by the bestiarii.(15) This was a fighter that specialized in killing exotic animals. After this was done and over, the lunch break came. This was like a modified intermission at a long movie. The only difference here was that you had the pleasure of witnessing the execution of a heinous criminal. Damnatio ad bestias was the form of execution today where the condemned is placed in the arena with violent animals.(16) Entertaining to watch and also one of those things where you say thank you god I’m not in there.
After this came the heart of the events. The individual gladiatorial combat was next and I knew this was the point in which to urinate in my loin cloth under my armor. I knew one thing though and that was I didn’t want to be that guy who given the thumbs down in the pollicem vertere or the turning of the thumb.(17) I also didn’t desire to be the one dragged out of the arena by another slave and a man that some believed dressed in a Charon.(18) He often tested the body to make sure it was dead.
I knew one thing at this point and that was I desired no more than to be home, or anywhere else.
Standing behind that gate waiting for it to rise and waiting to meet whatever fate is in store for me I thought of every place I wish I were. The gate with one swift motion rose. And I walked out into a crowd of at least 50,000 spectators that would decide my destiny. My opponent was a large man in full body armor nearly twice the size of myself although my skill might of surpassed his, I still had no desire to try. I wasn’t going to run though because as I remembered, cowards die quicker than the fighters.
We stood next to each other and face the Emperor himself although he looked rather young. This can’t be the emperor but his son Commodus.(19) If it is I know that he is to take the empire after the death of his father. He turns out to be a bastard of an emperor too if I remember correctly. “Gee I hope these are still blunt weapons.” I thought to myself in an oddly calm demeanor.
Facing the emperor I stood a mere four-feet from the man that in a minute or two was about to try and bury his rather large hammer into my head. Words that I have never heard came from my mouth, “Those who are about to die salute you.”(20) I had no idea if this body knew this phrase prior to this because I hadn’t learned it when I inhabited it.
The emperor or whoever this was acknowledged us and we walked our separate ways. I looked into the crowd knowing that I was just a mere spectacle and a sporting event for these people. Knowing this just made me want to live more because I knew here no one would mourn my death. At this instance I realized that I wasn’t going to go down quietly, I was going to fight till the end.
I turned around and saw my opponent charge at me. I ducked from his first swing of his hammer and laid my blunt sword into his crotch. This irritated him a great deal. He back-fisted me in my jaw. This sent me a good six-feet, it hurt but not as bad as I thought it would. I got up in a hurry knowing that a swing of that hammer wouldn’t be far behind. Just as I had thought as soon as I rolled to get up the hammer slammed to the ground right beside me, yeah these weapons were blunt but they sure as hell could kill someone just as quick as the sharpened ones.
Getting up, I realized he was still lifting his hammer for another swing so I took the courtesy of swinging my sword into his belly. That knocked the wind out of him and sent him to the ground. Well you know what they say “Take advantage of the situation”. So I did. I kicked him in the ribs a few times than he grabbed my foot and tipped me over then picked me up and threw me to the ground. I clenched my sword tightly in my hand for it was the difference between life or death. I lay on the ground looking and the sandy surface I was on with the blood coming out the side of my mouth. I think he punctured one of my lungs but I wasn’t sure. It felt like there was major damage done whatever it was. Getting up I felt like a sack of stones. He charged and hit me in the chest with his shoulder knocking me down again. This time though I shot up and punched him in the face then swung around and struck him with my sword. He fell this time but he didn’t move.
Looking around to find the Commodus with a grin on his face. He stood and looked with his thumb out parallel to the ground. Then came the judgment. Thumbs down just as I had expected. I looked to the ground at my fallen opponent. I thought of every thing for him that I had thought about; family, friends, and anything that meant something to me. This man no matter how much he desired to kill me still was a human being. I couldn’t take his life.
I dropped my sword and faced Commodus. “End him or you will be ended” he said. I stood, threw sword down and gazed at him with nothing to say. I wasn’t going to kill him even though I knew I was destined myself to die. Guards were called out all around me. “On your knees” spoke the emperor. I got on my knees, I couldn’t believe I was dying for another man especially one that wished me dead. I’d rather die than live in a world of pain and torture the rest of my life. I saw one guard stand next to me with a sharpened sword. He spoke, “Head down!” he said. I felt no resistance rise in me for some reason, I felt as though it was a noble death. I would of never of done this in my life back home but this life was different. This life I felt was based on chivalry and virtue. It was time for me to face my destiny.
My last sight was that of the soldier bringing the blade forward to meet my neck. I felt nothing. I heard nothing. The world around me faded. I was alone for an eternity.
Awaking, I found myself looking At a cream ceiling with the smell of AJAX strong in a room that I had longed to be in. My body the pale white as before. No wounds no well developed muscle. Just me. How long had I been asleep? I looked at my clock. 6:00 in the morning. Early yet.
I think I was woke early for a purpose. Maybe to reflect. I saw all my every day problems fade away at the thought of being sent to such a place again. The world back in that time was a harsh one that was there to teach lessons of manhood and nobility. A world where one man had the all foreseeing power to do what he wished. This frightened me now more than when I was there. How did our world survive. I only lasted two days in that awful place. That was more than enough for me to see that this world now was a great place and that was to cherish it for all I could and never to let any of it’s precious moments go.
The Days of a Gladiator
Tom Loveless
Dr.Ruane
Mon/Wed-5:00
Quad 1 FOOT NOTES
(7), (8), (9), (10), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17) = .
(1), (2), (3), (4), (19) = .
(5), (6), (11), (18), (20), (21), (22) = .
WORKS CITED
“Arena.” Gladiatorial Games. 12/November/2001 .
“The Emperor Marcus Aurelius.” Mediterranean Basin Chronology. 12/November/2001 .
“The Roman Gladiator.” Classic Technology Center. 12/November/2001 .