a sadder commentary on the boasted civilization of
ancient Rome than this her own greatest spectacle.

Here were warriors who had fought in foreign wars and were familiar with
deeds of valor, yet they felt no indignation at the scenes of cowardly
oppression displayed before them; nobles of ancient families were here,
but they could find in these brutal shows no stain upon their country's
honor. Philosophers, poets, priests, rulers, the highest as well as the
lowest in the land, crowded these seats; but the applauding shout of the
patrician was as loud and as eager as that of the plebeian. What hope
was there for Rome when the hearts of her people were, universally given
up to cruelty and brutal oppression?

Upon a raised seat in a conspicuous part of the amphitheater was the
Emperor Decius, near whom the chief people among the Romans were
gathered. Among these there was a group of officers belonging to the
Pretorian guards, who criticised the different points in the scene
before them with the air of connoisseurs. Their loud laughter, their
gayety, and their splendid attire made them the object of much attention
from their neighbors.

Several preliminary spectacles had been introduced, and now the fights
began. Several hand-to-hand combats were presented, most of which
resulted fatally, and excited different degrees of interest according to
the courage or skill of the combatants. Their effect was to whet the
appetite of the spectators to a keener relish, and fill them with eager
desire for the more exciting events which were to follow.

One man in particular had drawn down the admiration and applause of the
multitude. He was an African from Mauritania; of gigantic strength and
stature. But his skill seemed equal to his strength. He wielded his
short sword with marvelous dexterity, and thus far had slain every
opponent.

He was now matched with a gladiator from Batavia, a man fully equal in
stature and strength to himself. The contrast which the two presented
was striking. The African was tawny, with glossy curling hair and
glittering eyes; the Batavian was light in complexion, with blonde hair
and keen gray eyes. It was hard to tell which had the advantage, so
nearly were they matched in every respect; but as the former had already
fought for some time, it was thought that the odds were rather against
him. The contest, however, began with great spirit and eagerness on both
sides. The Batavian struck tremendous blows