The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-18
PICTURES on STRANGE LANDS.
aDomotian In tho Cirons.. ;,


All Rome is streaming out towards the Col
iseum, where all kinds Of amusoments are
prepared for tho inperator. Under the laden
monday sun, through the rolling waves OF
dust, along highway and byway, crowd hun
dred thousand human beings on horseback and
vehicle chariot and palanquin, men and wo-
men, mostly in holiday attire, and many ac-
companied by their slaves. The donsely
packed, noisy rabble crowding around tho gi-
gantic oval portal which was reared by the
compulsory labor OF Hebrews taken as prison
ers of war by Vespasian and Titus, and
stands as q monument to perpetuate them in
history, are kept in order and at q respectful
distance by armed soldiers to keep the
passage clear for the high and the select of
Roman society. An hour has already passed
since the seven stone tiers of the immense en-
closure commenced filling up with the pre-
ferred masses, all the seats allotted to them in
the lower circle, while above them, in thirty
tiers rising one above the other, every space is
crowded with a surging sea of citizens. I'M
der tho covered gallery, still higher up,
ladies in white waving costumes adorned
with spangles, bracelets and dazzling rings,
fill up the space, languidly cooling their paint
besm1rched faces, behind gaudy fans; and
above them, on the column-supported roof,
the plebians or common people, present sea
of heads, which are but little observed by
the gay crowds below, yet themselves have an
unobstructed view Of the grand living pam
Drama spread out at their feet.
The circus guards have drawn the
huge canvas curtains over the
apex Of tho building to protect
the vast audience from the burning rays of tho
sun, and all is ready. The time for the On
trance of the imperator has arrived The
tumultous voices of the throng are monentar-
ally hushed las II in breathless OK peotaucy of the
great event and all is as silent as the tomb.
But, harki From the distance are heard the
long-drawn sounds of the tubas that herald his
approach. With these sounds now mingle the
wild, discordant howlings Of the hungry lions
and wild dogs, confined in the giant cage be-
low the arena, still restrained in their mad
thirst for blood, until tho dread moment ar
rives for them to act their part in the horrid
drama about TO be presented to tho eager
spectators.
The pompous and gaudy train Of senators in
their togas enter and take their seats in the
lower tier, near the arena. Then In separate
division Of this tierappear the vestal virgins,
clothed in dazzling white, and take
their seats, and with tlieir statue-like faces
turned toward the massive iron enclosure under
the cage Of the wild animals, whero the con-
demned Christians are confined and awaiting
their horrid doom of being torn to pieces by
wild beasts. Young girls, blooming In health
and beauty, old men with hoary heads and
flowing boards, matrons and youth, praying to
their God--some in stoical submission some
in tears, and others In trembling and agitation.
Finally a commotion, and through tho lofty,
tripple-arched portal procession OF Roman
slaves bearing upon their shoulders
the canop!ed platform upon which golden
chair swimming IN wave Of luxurious uphol-
stefy, wrapped in raiinents which resemble
white cloud, the ruler OF the world is seen TO
enter, surrounded by his bodyguard in dazzling
armor clad. All arise as by common impulse
and cast their eyes towards him; he lies
dreamily exhausted on his pillow and ia at
tracted by nothing. The female slave behind
him watches attentively the movement of
every posing fly to drive it away with her
fan, lest IL disturb the "hgh and
lofty one" Sc watches his every movement
and inien. But he stirs mott Not a muscle OF
his languid countenance Is moved. a single
wink Of his eye, o single beck from his hand.
and he could pour out a cornucopia OF JOY and
blessings, or empty pandora box-spreading
terror and death yea be could be a God or a
devil. Nothing today however, Domitian the
malignant tyrant wants nothing today His
heart Is rigid, isbrain empty; his loathings
for himself and the world has made him cal
lous, and benumbed his faculties; dimly starcs
his eye no fibre Of his feeble body movesl
Tho ravenous beasts greet him with
their unearthly howls as he Is borne past their
cage to his throne, but he hears them not.
From tho dungeons Of the Christians arise tho
cry Of "Mcrcyi" "Mercy," but he pays no at
tention to the heart-rending sounds.
But, see, one OF his fingers move. The heavy
eye-lids slowly lift. A thought seems TO agi-
tate him--a thought that1f he was 10 give ear
70 the cries OF those appealing TO his mercy, or
II WeFo iHbISty W buTIl MS AdCt bOWhfu
them yes, only little, and IL he were u. give
TO these unfortunate ones their life, after their
untold sufferings Of the horrors Of death,
would not his heart pulsate more freely?
Would notia blissful feeling Gil his soul, and
would not all surroundings assume new life
and color. and would not the blue heavens
smile upon him as the greatest and the mighti-
est Caesar, AZ a very deity Of pnwer2
The warm blood seems already coursing
through his veins.
But, mol Suoh a course could afford no
qualification 20 him. To spare life gives him
no pleasure, least Of all 70 spare the lives Of
those Christians, for the best part Of tho grand
spectacle In the circus today would thus DO
lost, and the tens OF thousands Of spectators
around him might murmnr. No, II will DO a
far greater Amusement 90 spend an hour IN wit
Messing tho spectacle Of those women and men
being torn topieces by the teeth Of tho hungry,
bowling beasts, 10 crafty his demonia-
cal excite him into nomentmy
life and display his murdcrous character before
all tho people, rs bloodthirsty devil.
Languidly, slowly, lao rises from tho throne
chair ia his lodge aud takes his place. IIo
bockons and tho grand entertainment begins