Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-06-11

THE GLADIATORS.
It was holiday in Rome; the last ola
series given by the Emperor ClaudiUs IN
honor of his easy victories in Britain.
The vast amphitheatre was crowded at an
early hour by an immense multitude from
the various classes ofhuman beings contai-
ned in the Great City. All ranks 81 sexes
the highborn and the neutrality-suspicious.
equestrian, 81 plebeian, congregated there.
| Withholding strangers, ambassadors from
Germany, Parthia, and Armenia, we're as
sembled to witness the proud display Of I'M
Ipenal magnifcence. Claudius himself,
affecting an air of unaccustomed dignity,
and accompanied by the abandoned Mcssa-
lima favored the entertainment with his pres
lence. Expectation sat upon every brow;
the choicest and most popular Of Roman
! Games was to be exhibited. Extraordinary
eyertions had been made to give the exhibit
ton an interest surprising every thing Of
the kind that had preceded It. Foreigners.
or as IL was the fashion to call them, Bar
barians, oftried courage and activity, and
even persons of noble families were the
actors selected for the occasion. The very
excitement created in the assembly by the
preparations for the sport, pronounced its
character; and no one who had witnessed
such a display could doubt, on looking
around, that he was again on the eve Of
bcholding a fight of Gladiators.
Among those vhowere to try their fortune
in the game of life and death, were two
| Britons, from whose approved skill and
| desperate courage, the lovers Of the show
anticipated much amusement. They had
been chiefs ofpetty states in theirown conn
TRY, and having, from mutual auimosity,
refused to coalesce against the common en-
envy, were defeated successfully by Aulus
| Platius. and sent prisoners to Rome. Their
exploits in the amphitheatrc had already
ATTRACTED the notice and appreciation of the
Emperor, and he condeScended to inform
them, that ifthey acquitted themselves ac-
cordlug 10 expectation on this occasion,
they should not only be liberated, but
dismissed with honor and rewards. To
men hopelessly exiled from home and kin
bred, such a prospect afforded sufficient
Temptation to cXertion the most penlous,
and they swore by the Gods Of their faith
ers' land, that they would never submit to
live another day, if they failed to realize
llt. Neither chief knew of the captivity of
his counuyman and foe, and the hope of
vet prosecuting their schemes Of personal
vengeance, mingled in the dreams of these
savage warriors as they contemplated their
return to their native shores.
The combat began. It was not on this
day the humor of the audience to spare the
unsuccessful. and the arena was speedily
soaked with blood. Arrangements had been
privately made that the GladiatOrs, victori-
Ious in their respective divisions, should be
matched against each other, and that the
|conGuerers in this trial should be again d.
yided and opposed until at last the strug-
ole for pre-eminence terminated in a single
combat Man after man bit the dust to the
infinite delight of the spectators. No blow
was parrled IN this encounter reckless
ness of life awnsered the general craving
for slaughter, and in a short space there
remained ofallthe stately human creatures,
every motion ofwhom might have afforded
a lesson TO the sculptor, only two capable
of continuing the combat. One of these
was ofthe class called SeclfOreS. who were
Iarmed with a helmet, shield and a sword
or leaden bullet: the otherwas of Retiarii,
who. without defensive armor, carry a net
for entangling the adversary by casting 1t
over his head, and three pointed lance
for despatching him. IN conseqnence of
the singular ntrepidity displayed by these
men, ClaudIus commanded the amphlthea
tire to be cleared ofthe wounded, a. water to
be supplied, that they might act unimpeded,
and free themselves of blood and dust ere
they terminated singly the festivities ofthe
day. Leaning against pillars on opposite
sides of the arena, with their heads averted
from the multitude and each other, they
submitted to the ablution offered by the
attendants, and moved at the signal with
steps slow but firm, to the centre Of the
Iamphitheatre. As the ReGarius prepared
to cast his net, the eve Of his antagonist
fastened full upon him. An exclamation
IN a toDque unknown 70 Romans, burst