Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-05-14
THE TWO GLADIATORS.

1T was a holiday in Rome; the last of
ries given by the Emperor Claudius, in honor
Of his easy victories in Britain. The vast ans
phitheatre was crowded al an early hour by an
immense multitude from the various classes Of
human beings contained in the Great City.
All ranks and sexes--,he highborn and the
neutrality-suspicious., equestrian, and piebeau,
congre gated there. Wild looking Strangers,
ambassadors from Germany, PaIthia and Arr
nenia, were assembled TO witness the proud
display Of Imperial magni6cence. Ciaudus
himself, affecting On air Of unaccus,omed dig
nisy, and accompanied by the abandoned Mes
salia, favoured the entertainment with his pre-
sence. Expectation sat upon every brow, the
choicest, most popular Of Roman Games was
TO be exhibited. Extraordinary rxer;inns had
been made % give the exhibition an interest
surprising every thing Uf the kind thai had
preceded it. Foreigners, or as II was the Gus"
tom TO call them, Sarbarians, of tried 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 cha,
racter: and no one who had witnessed such 4
display could doubt. on looking around, that he
was again on the eve ct beholding fight Of
Gladiators.
Among those who were 10 try their fortune
in the game Of life and death, were two Brtons,
from whose approved skill and desperate cou-
rage, the lovers of the shew anticipated much
amusement. They had been chiefs of petty
states in their own country, and naving, from
mulual luminosity, refused 10 coalesce agains,
the common enemy, were defeated succe ssive-
Is by Aulus Platius, aud sent prisoners to
Rome. Their exploits in the Amphi,heatre
had already attracted The notice ard approba-
ton Of the Emperor, and he condescsnGed to
inform them, that il they acquitted themselve IS
according to expectation this occasion,
!. they should not only be liberated, but dismiss
sed with honors aud rewards. To men hope
lessy exiled from home and kindred, such
prospect afforded sufficien, temptation TO exer-
ton the most perilous, and they swore by the
Gods of their fathers land; that they would
never submit to live another day, il they filled
to realize il. Neither chief knew Of the captiv-
ity Of his country man aud foe, and the hope Of
yet prosecuting their schemes OF personal VEN
geance, mingled in the dreams of these savage
warriors as they contemplated their rsturn TO
their native shores.
"The combat began. l, was not on this day
the humour OF the audience 10 spare the unsuc-
cessful, and the arena was speedily soaked with
blood. Arrangements had been privately made
tina, the Gladiators, victorious in their res pee
tiye.diysions should be matched against each
other, ard tha! the corquerors III this trial
shou>A be again divided and opposed, until
al last the struggle for pre- ,eminence terminal
ed in single combat. Man after man bit The
dust TO the Infinite delight OF the spectators.
No blow was 2arried in this encoun,er-reck-
lessness OF life answered the general craving
for slaughter and in shor, space there re-
manned Of all the stately human creatures, ev-
cry motion OF whom might have afforded les
son TO the sculptor, only two capable of con-
tinuing the combat. One OF the Sc was of the
class called SecuioreS, who were armed with
helmet, shield and sword or eaden bullet:
the other was Of 2etiarii, who, without deGen-
sive armour, carry net for entanging the adj
vtrsary by casting il over his head, and a three
pointed lance for despatc hing him. IN conse>
quence of The singular in,repidity displayed by
these men, Claudius commanded the amphl-
tn. aire 10 be cleared Of the wounded, and water
to hr supplied, that they might act unimpeded,
and free themselves of blood and dust ere they