Dedicated by Gordon Russell at the Italian ruling class,
in the hope that their appointment, one day, resembles the vital challenge of the gladiators .
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Excerpt from The conspiracy of Pompeii , ch . 29
(...) , Diomed, Ajax, Achilles and Patroclus rushed out onto the porch, to embrace the friend and instructor. Vibio raised his palm and ordered to maintain some composure. He looked around to see who watches them. Then, he invited them to follow him to the southern side of the barracks, where there was another large portico, painted with images of Mars and Venus, Mercury the psychopomp and Hercules. On one side of the hall were frescoes of weapons numerous trophies and gladiators: shields, plumed helmets, shin guards, daggers, spears, tridents. Everything was carefully hung on poles, on display, behind a heavy iron gate. (...).
"My friends ..." said Vibio inviting friends to sit on the stone seats adjacent to the wall exedra. "I'm not here to talk about your legal situation. Whatever happens in court, however, I have a duty to do so to survive. "
Diomedes, Ajax, Achilles and Patroclus moved and looked at him in disbelief.
Vibio is cleared his throat and said, " E 'futile recriminations, telling us that is an injustice, speculate . E 'is irrelevant to what they say your fellow gym or acquaintances what they think of the shops and Thermopolium your neighborhood. " Vibio knew he should not allow the men thrown into hell, to think too much. (...). Then he continued: " There is no other way out of ludus that follow her rules . (...). " The ludus can be a voyage without return, but can not be. It's up to you, we can emerge .
"What shall we do now?"
"You start to work out, physically and mentally. In a few weeks you will be called to fight (...). So start a period of opinions from the public and by your instructors. This cycle my friends, is crucial. If they come out fine, if you liked, you hired for the munera regular, where you chance of winning, but also, in case of defeat, to receive the grace of the public . "
Vibio cleared the voice again:" Remember that you will be more valuable and will treat you well. Through you, the customer will engage you get hit with the audience, and this comportarà their great benefits in business and politics. The same will be for you. But if will not be liked , you will use as a filler for whatever . 'll be gladiators anonymous , never fight with samples , thrown into despair but with the first arena . And my friends are desperate, have no ethics, no respect for the opponent. While they are willing to kill to survive now, rather than the defeat coma rule . (...). It's up to you to make a name and a reputation as quickly as possible. It is only from this that you begin to build your own destiny .
Now all nodded, literally hanging from the lips of Vibio.
"One other thing ...». The magister slowly placed her back on the seat and closed his eyes, waiting for the words find the right time to quit: " You must accept the possibility of finding against each other . "
"But it's absurd," said Achilles, "Absurd. I could never sink a blade into the body of a friend, a brother. "
" Welcome to the world of morituri "said Ajax angry. "You have not yet figured out what you're saying Vibio? If you do not dig into my flesh, you shall die and I die. But if we fight, despite the wounds we can save us. "
Silence fell dark on the five. In this place the atmosphere was so different from the gym. None was more stupid, no one was playing with his companion, he made jokes.
In ludus waiting consumed. They began to understand the metaphor of Vibio, man locked in a dark cell, with no lights and sounds. Before them the walls showed the image of exedra Mercury psychopomp which connects the tartar, the dark world of the dead with that of the living. It was no accident that this scene was right there. It was terrible having to wait for the moment with a thousand thoughts of Judgement , namely the fight. When that time would come, would not be enough to win , (...): had to "convince . That was all ' other business.
Gordon Russell is: Dario Battle and Vanna De Angelis
source: www.arsdimicandi.net
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