The End of a Dynasty

by David Adkins

  *

  It was late morning when I left the palace, leaving Drucilla in charge of the servants. I had already informed Otho and the Empress of my imminent departure. I knew that the contest between Aria and Glyca was not until the afternoon and therefore I had plenty of time. I had no wish to arrive earlier because there was no desire on my part to witness the massacre of many unfortunate Christians in the arena. I found the idea of these poor wretches being torn apart by vicious lions or raging bulls or whatever other animals were on show slightly repulsive.

  I made my way to the forum of Augustus and sauntered past the Temple of Mars, perhaps the most imposing building that stood in the forum. I was surrounded by monuments that told the story of Rome’s imperious past and, after stopping briefly for a drink of water, I turned into the Via Sacra. I then headed south past the Temple of Peace and the Baths of Titus until I stood before the mighty Colosseo which now seemed to dominate the entire city. This massive building stood as a symbol of the power of Rome and the supremacy of the Flavian Dynasty. I went to the north entrance as I was a guest of the Emperor and I found myself going into the huge complex alongside many wealthy knights and senators. I felt the tension as I made my way into the seating area. The bodies of the Christians had already been cleared from the arena and a cleanup process was in progress. I had arrived during a pause in proceedings which enabled the crowd to partake of refreshments. As I made my way towards the front I spotted Petronius and Hylas seated in a roped off area. I headed towards them to offer my good wishes.

  “Sit with us for a few minutes,” Petronius invited as I approached them. “Aria and Glyca will be the second contest of the afternoon.”

  I sat down and nodded to Hylas who looked a worried man. “Do not worry, Hylas, for Aria is sure to triumph,” I offered.

  He tried to smile. “I know that ninety nine times out of hundred she would win but it is the other time that concerns me. It just takes a slip or a mistake and the unexpected can happen.”

  “Aria will not slip for she is sure of foot and she is too experienced to make a mistake,” I assured him.

  He nodded but he still looked fraught with worry.

  “Yesterday was most successful,” beamed Petronius. “The opening ceremony was a grand affair and the gladiatrix contest between our two novices exceeded all expectations. It was a great contest and they are two of the most promising prospects at the school. Fortunately, Domitian adhered to tradition in the case of novices, and spared the loser. I would not have wished to lose such a young and talented gladiatrix. They both hopefully have years of great contests ahead of them.”

  “That is good news, Petronius, and I am happy to hear that all is going well.”

  “A good and entertaining show is just what we require after the success of last year’s games,” he added.

  “I need to make my way to the Emperor’s box,” I said and I turned to Hylas. “All will be well,” I assured him. My heart was a little heavy for I did not want either Aria or Glyca to die, but I knew that one of them had to and I should want the survivor to be Aria. Indeed, I did want that outcome but I felt guilty about Glyca for despite, all she had done, I had feelings for her. I was also sorry that I had not gone to see her the week before when I had visited the school.

  I stood up and smiled at Hylas and Petronius and then made my way back to the centre aisle. I headed down the aisle towards the arena passing the boxes of many prominent Roman citizens and senators. Domitian’s box was on the southern side of the complex in a most prominent position and as I neared it I could see the Emperor with Corelia at his side. Apart from the two of them there were two other people in the box who I did not recognize. Casperius and a contingent of guards were standing by affording Domitian the protection that he desired. He was always worrying that a conspiracy was hatching and that plotters were waiting to attempt assassination.

  I reached the box and nodded to Casperius who acknowledged my greeting with a nod of his own. It might have been my imagination but things had seemed to have thawed a little between me and the Praetorian Prefect. “Come, Parthenian, and sit down,” invited Domitian. “This is my very able chamberlain,” he informed his two other guests. They both smiled politely but I guessed that my status was not grand enough for two obvious aristocrats. “This is my friend and the most eminent senator, Manius Glabrio, and his wife, Livia,” he informed me. “Now, Parthenian, come and sit the other side of Corelia.” I sat down in the seat indicated. We sat in a row with Domitian in the middle with Corelia on one side of him and Manius Glabrio on the other.

  I turned and smiled at Corelia, who looked dazzling. She was wearing a dark blue stola and with her stunning good looks she looked a vision of Roman virtue and beauty. I wanted to compliment her but I remembered the warning that she had given me, and so I had to be careful with my words, for Domitian was close and might hear. “Greetings, Corelia.”

  “It is good to have you join us, chamberlain,” she replied.

  “Are you nervous?” I asked.

  “I am confident that Aria will win but I am also a little nervous.”

  I watched Domitian chatting leisurely with Manius Glabrio but I also saw the Emperor’s hand running along Corelia’s thigh. I tried to ignore it.

  “Why do you do it?” I asked her, looking at the arena.

  She gave me a stern look for she had misunderstood my question. “Be careful what you say,” she whispered.

  I continued. “I know that many gladiators and gladiatrices have no choice but to fight in the arena but some do have a choice such as you, Corelia. Why take the risk?”

  “I grew up at the gladiatorial school and my father was the owner and so I was in that environment all my life.”

  “I would have thought that might have put you off,” I offered.

  “It is not really about where I grew up.” She looked for the right words. “It is because when you are younger life without taking risks is no life at all. It is difficult to describe but when Hades is waiting in the shadows and ready to pounce at the slightest error you feel truly alive. Most women in their mundane lives never have the opportunity to enjoy that feeling. It is a feeling of power and independence.”

  “But you no longer feel that way,” I said.

  “That is true for I think that as you get older your perspective changes.”

  “You are a clever woman, Corelia.”

  “How are things at the palace?” she asked.

  “They are quiet.” Our attention was then drawn to the creaking and grating sound emanating from below.

  Domitian then turned to Corelia. “Now for some real action; those Christians were too pathetic to provide us with a real spectacle.”

  A metal gate at one side of the vast arena was slowly opening. The noisy clank of machinery flooded the amphitheatre as the gate cranked up. With it the noise from the crowd grew louder in anticipation of the contests and blood bath that would surely follow. The growing frenzy was hushed by the voice of the games announcer as he introduced the two contestants.

  “Aria is after this,” said Corelia tensely. I wanted to take her hand and comfort her but it was more than my life was worth.

  The two gladiators emerged from gates at either side of the arena. Both were large men and both looked formidable. I shuddered at the thought of having to face one of them in the arena. The contest began and I was drawn to the expression on the Emperor’s face. He was truly absorbed in the contest but still his hand remained on Corelia’s thigh, much to my annoyance. Domitian was not disappointed for the contest was long and contracted and full of strength, skill and bravery. The battle swayed back and forth and it was difficult to predict the winner. At last one of the gladiators thought that he saw his chance and moved in for the kill. He committed himself and swung his mighty sword but it only cleaved through air. He had made a terrible mistake and he had left himself open. I saw the expression on his face as for a second he was aware of his fatal error. The huge blade of his opponent e
ntered his body bypassing the scant armour that provided only limited protection. He fell lifeless to the arena sand, blood flowing freely from his fatal wound. His body twitched briefly and then went still. The defeated gladiator had fought his last battle.

  “The Emperor will not have to reach a decision on that one,” I offered.

  Corelia replied softly. “His decision is always the same and that is death so at least he has been spared those horrific moments of waiting.”

  “I thought that he spared some yesterday,” I said.

  “Only because traditions demands that when novices under the age of eighteen fight then the defeated will be spared. We cannot expect anyone else to be spared for the remainder of the games, for Domitian does not have a sparing reputation,” she whispered.

  “I see,” I sighed as I watched the corpse dragged from the arena and the other gladiator acknowledge his generous applause before he too exited the arena.

  “This is it,” said Corelia nervously. “If anything happens to her I will never forgive myself.”

  I wanted to hug her. “You could not stop her, Corelia, for she was determined to go ahead with this. You did everything you could.” I looked towards Hylas on the other side of the aisle that dissected this part of the Colosseo. The poor man was looking mortified.

  “I was never one to believe that the gods control our destinies but if they do then I hope they look kindly on my Aria,” she said.

  The metal gate on one side of the vast arena was slowly opening. The noisy clank of machinery flooded the amphitheatre as the gate cranked up. From it emerged Glyca, armed with sword and shield. She was given a good reception by the expectant spectators.

  The voice of the games announcer hushed the crowd. “I give you from nearest Asia the beautiful and beguiling gladiatrix, Glyca, otherwise known as the sorceress.” I smiled that she was being given that title.

  The gate at the other side of the arena rumbled, and from it emerged a young woman holding a gladius and shield smaller than the one held by Glyca. She appeared to be much surer of herself and her surroundings and she was greeted by much cheering as she strode confidently into the arena. Like her adversary she wore only light armour and both had long dark hair flowing down their shoulders. Both were also strikingly beautiful and entered the arena bare-footed but not bare-breasted.

  The announcer’s words silenced the noise amongst the spectators. “I give you Aria, the new Queen of Sparta and protégé of the greatest ever gladiatrix, Corelia.” I glanced at Corelia and smiled. He continued his build up. “Aria is, however, a great gladiatrix in her own right and is from our own school right here in Rome. They are two formidable gladiatrices who will give us a great contest. Let the contest begin.”

  “Do not build it up too much,” whispered Corelia.

  Both antagonists raised their swords and looked at the Emperor. Domitian stood up with a purple handkerchief in his hand and a mad gleam in his eyes. He held the handkerchief aloft and the crowd became delirious. He looked at the two gladiatrices and gently released it, allowing it to flutter gently to the floor. The contest had begun.

  *

  Aria and Glyca circled each other with Aria smiling and Glyca looking nervous. Aria stepped forward and landed several blows on Glyca’s shield and Glyca backed away under pressure. Aria slowly and methodically followed her prey and then attacked again. Once again she swung her sword and this time the blows that landed on Glyca’s shield were heavier and less easily defended. Glyca backed away again but then decided to launch her own attack. She swung her sword six times and Aria blocked three with her own sword and three with her shield. I was amazed how easily Aria blocked the blows for Glyca had put so much effort into them.

  “She is keeping the contest alive for a while and then she will finish Glyca off,” Corelia informed me confidently.

  Once again Aria went on the offensive and aimed two heavy blows at Glyca, who just about managed to desperately counter them with her shield but stumbled backwards from the effort. Aria, however, did not follow up her advantage and allowed Glyca to recover her balance and retreat, putting distance between her and her tormentor. It seemed all too easy for Aria and I feared for Glyca. I noticed that Casperius was looking pale with worry.

  What happened next astounded me for Glyca laid first her sword and then her shield on the arena sand. “Is she surrendering?” I asked in wonder at this turn of events.

  “I do not know,” admitted Corelia who sounded a little concerned.

  Glyca indicated that Aria should do the same and to our astonishment Aria did exactly that. Corelia was on her feet. “Pick up your weapons, Aria,” she screamed at her protégé.

  “What do they think they are doing?” shouted an agitated Emperor.

  I looked across at Hylas and he too was on his feet shouting and then when my attention went back to the arena I was amazed to see Glyca approaching Aria without her weaponry. She covered half the distance towards her foe and then invited Aria to join her. Aria hesitated and then started walking slowly towards Glyca. It was as if Hylas’s wife was mesmerized and the sorceress had placed her under her spell. I remembered the words Glyca had once spoken to me. ‘In a brawl I can hold my own with any woman.’ I suddenly knew for certain that she intended to turn the contest into a taverna type brawl and Aria was throwing away her huge advantage and falling into the trap. If she could disable Aria in a brawl then she could go back for her sword and finish Aria off. It all suddenly seemed very clear to me.

  By the way that Corelia was shouting at Aria to go back for her weapons it was also clear to her. Aria was now in range of Glyca and Glyca threw herself at her in a furious attack. Both women went down and Glyca was seeking advantage from the savagery of the onslaught by biting and scratching and yanking Aria’s long dark hair. The initiative remained with Glyca who was on top of her stricken foe and she punched, bit and kicked with a rage that seemed to come from the depths of Hades. Aria was taking a beating but at last she managed to get over the surprise at the savagery of the assault and to start fighting back.

  The two women rolled over and over on the arena sand as they battled for superiority. The brutality continued, for now both women were fighting for their lives. Glyca still held the upper hand but I sensed she was tiring and needed now to render Aria senseless so she could then go for her sword and finish the job. Aria was still looking relatively strong despite the many bleeding cuts on her body inflicted by the teeth and nails of Glyca. It must have been the years of training as a gladiatrix that had improved her stamina and helped to make her impervious to pain. Another series of heavy blows from the fists of Glyca, however, at last seemed to achieve her objective and Aria was motionless. Glyca rolled off her and for a moment seemed too tired to regain her feet, but after a few seconds she roused herself.

  Corelia was suffering agonies next to me but the Emperor seemed amused by the unexpected turn of events.

  Glyca walked slowly towards her weapons and picked up her sword. I wondered what she would do. Would she simply stab Aria to death or would she, as etiquette and procedure demands, seek the Emperor’s decision as to life or death for her opponent? To ignore arena practice would be dangerous for her, and I was sure that she would know that. She walked slowly back towards Aria’s stricken body but as she drew close she did not get the opportunity to choose. Aria came unexpectedly to life and kicked at Glyca’s legs, sending her tumbling to the sand. Aria was on her feet aiming some savage kicks at Glyca’s body and then she rushed for her own weapon. Glyca, to her credit, got quickly back on her feet with sword in hand but she was still too late. Aria had picked up her sword and we were back to a gladiatrix battle rather than a brawl.

  Corelia’s relief was tangible. “Now be careful, Aria, and finish it,” she shouted with renewed enthusiasm.

  Aria advanced steadily on her foe in a determined fashion and, despite the beating she had taken, she looked fitter than her opponent. Glyca was breathing heavily and she had a desperate ex
pression on her face. It was evident that she knew her chance had come and gone. When Aria was within range of Glyca she attacked with controlled fury and the blows rained upon her opponent. Glyca was trying to block the attacks but was wilting under the pressure. I marvelled at how well Glyca had fought but now it was not enough for she was on her knees as a result of the onslaught. Aria clubbed her on the head with the handle of her sword and Glyca crumbled to the arena sand. She had been knocked almost senseless and now lay motionless on her back; no resistance left.

  Aria planted her foot on Glyca’s throat and placed the tip of her sword over Glyca’s heart. One downward thrust and the sorceress would be dead. Aria looked at the Emperor in triumph for now, at last, she would have her revenge and I knew it would be very sweet. Domitian stood and held out his clenched fist and smiled serenely at the baying masses. He liked to milk this moment of absolute power over life and death. Then to my amazement Casperius was at his side and they were talking softly but in animated fashion. Corelia glanced at me and I shrugged. This discourse went on for several minutes and I could see the perplexed expression on Aria’s face in the arena below. Domitian did not look pleased as Casperius moved back to his position at the entrance to the box. Once again Domitian held out his fist but this time he did not keep the crowd waiting and promptly pointed his thumb to the sky. Glyca had been spared.