The Tale of Titus: A Gladiator's Choice
As I spun the yarn of history, the shimmer of the setting sun glistened off the waters of the ancient harbor of Rome. I, Plinius Maximus, the last of the Roma story-tellers took refuge in the echoes of the amphitheater, weaving tales as intricate as Minerva's loom.
My tale began, "Once upon a time, beneath the fierce rule of the Caesars, there lived a young lad named Titus.
Raised in the heart of Rome, Titus was a gladiator, known throughout the empire for his exceptional skills. But, more than his skills, he was known for his golden heart, ready to bear the world's suffering upon his own shoulders.
Known under the gladiatorial pseudonym "Cor Leonis" - Heart of a Lion, Titus lived a life of servitude, his freedom traded for the spectacle of the Colosseum's bloody sands. Yet, amid the cruelty of his world, he dreamed of freedom and love."
By now, a small crowd had gathered, hanging onto my every word, their eyes echoing the excitement of the tale, their hearts beating with anticipation of what was yet to unfold."
I continued, "One fateful day, during the grand celebration of the Floralia festival, he locked eyes with a lady of unparalleled beauty. She was Livia, the daughter of a wealthy Patrician, far beyond his reach. For him, it was love at first sight."
"Unbeknownst to him, Livia too had been enchanted by the nobility she saw in the eyes of Cor Leonis, a stark contrast from the ruthless savagery of her own world."
"For many nights, they stole glances across the crowded Colosseum, their silent longing echoing louder than the roars of the crowd."
After a pause, I weave the twist in my tale, "One day, Titus was faced with a dire truth. The reigning emperor, Caligula, in all his madness and vanity, had decided to execute Livia's father under charges of conspiracy.""
"In this cruel twist of fate, Titus saw his opportunity. He approached Caligula with a bold offer. He would fight the empire's most dreadful gladiator - a Beast from the East, in a battle to the death. If victorious, Livia's father would live."
"Betwixt feverish cheers and gasps from the crowd, the duel that could free his love's father and possibly elevate his own status, commenced."
"There you see, young Titus, a mere boy against the towering Eastern Beast. With each swing of the sword, with each second passed, he was one step closer to his dream."
When Titus finally slew the beast amidst passionate cheers from the crowd, Emperor Caligula, boiling with rage at the unexpected outcome, refused to honor the deal.
"With a broken heart and raging spirit, Titus did the unthinkable. In a swift motion, he took Caligula hostage, pressing the cold blade of his gladius against the emperor's throat."
"In exchange for the emperor's life, Livia's father was freed and Titus demanded his own freedom. Caligula, a puppet at the mercy of the gladiator, reluctantly agreed."
"Titus's victory over the Eastern Beast, his rebellion against the Emperor’s tyranny etched his name in the annals of Rome's legacy. His love, Livia, lived out her days in the safety of her father's protection while Titus, having earned his freedom, vanished into the endless maze of Rome's streets."
As the last vestiges of sunlight melted into the horizon, I concluded my tale, "Thus goes the tale of Titus; a lowly gladiator who defied the might of the Roman Empire, all for love. In a world obsessed with power, he chose freedom and love over all else."
The applause that followed echoed throughout the amphitheater, as the tale of Titus, the noble gladiator, immortalized itself in their hearts."
"But remember, my dear ones," I caution, attempting to impart wisdom in my final words, "While we glorify his bravery, his fame came at an immense price - one needs to be wary of the cost that comes with defying the natural order."
As the crowd dispersed into the night, lost in the echoes of Titus's tale, I wondered what tales the future generations of Rome would weave, what lessons they would learn, and what history they would create. Nevertheless, as the keeper of past tales, I know that stories - relics of our past - are all we truly inherit and it would be upon their shoulders to carry these forward.
