Гладиатор

           Atthesametime,threeotherteamsappearedinthearenafromdifferententrances.TherewasnowatotaloftwentygladiatorsontheColosseumstage.Allworethesamearmorandcarriedlongdouble-pointedspearsandheavymetalshields.TheystoodinalineandfacedtheEmperor’sseat.Itwasstillempty.FiftyroyalguardssurroundedtheareawhereCommodusandhisfriendswouldsit.

           ThenCommodusandLucillaentered-andthecrowdwentwild,cheeringandshoutingsalutes.LucillaandLuciuswenttotheirseats.Commodusmovedforwardandwavedtothecrowd.

           GaiusandothersenatorsneartheEmperorwatchedinsilence.Theyhadjustheardthelatestnews:Tohelppayforthegames,Commoduswastakingthehousesandmoneyofsenatorshedisliked.

           Commoduslookeddownatthegladiators,andMaximusfrozeashefelthiseyesrestonhim.Hestaredupatthemanhehatedandwantedtokill.OnonesideofCommodushesawQuintus.

           Ontheotherside,LucillaandLucius.Thedistancebetweenthemwastoogreat-thiswasnothischance.Heknewtherewouldbeabetterone.

           WhenCassiusgaveasign,thegladiatorsallsalutedwiththeirspearsandshouted,"Caesar-wesaluteyoubeforewedie!"OnlyMaximuswassilent.

           Cassiussteppedforwardtointroducetheafternoon’sevent."OnthisdaywereachbackintohistorytobringyoutheBattleofCarthage!"Thecrowdcheeredloudly.Theylaughedatthegladiators,dressedasthesoldiersofCarthage,thebattle’slosers.