SPQR- Chapter 9 + Analysis
Before entering the arena, the wolf and his lion cellmate were given white robes known as candidae to wear, a sign of innocence most often worn by politicians. The whiteness of these garments was a symbol of purity and innocence as they faced the most unforgiving and ruthless judge, jury, and executioner in the world- the Emperor and his subjects.
"I wish you courage as you pay the price for your heinous acts," the vulture who handed them their robes said "May the gods have mercy on you when you die!" It wasn't quite the words of encouragement that either the wolf or the lion was expecting but both Martellus and Eliezer knew that their times had come. The Judean knew that his penitence was almost complete and thusly welcomed his own death as payment for those awful acts committed out of ignorance and hatred. The Roman knew that his death would be noble and ultimately for the beenift of the Empire he had dedicated his toward helping. If the Emperor Domitian in all his wrath and cruelty would be overthrown, it would take the sacrifice of noble and brave men willing to forfeit their lives for causes greather than themselves. And such a sacrifice would be made today.
As the two walked out into the sand-filled arena which would serve as their grave, they could hear the roar of a bloodthirsty crowd ready to see these two criminals die in the most gruesome manner possible. Beneath the pavilion, near the western end of the stage, the Emperor sat shielded from the blazing Italian sun, ready for a debauched afternoon of murder, as was the custom of the people. After quieting the raucous crowd, the leopard stood up and began to speak.
"Pax, populi Romanus! I present to you this fine day, two condemned criminals whose disgusting and lewd acts are a threat to the well-being of this Eternal City. One was a Judean terrorist, convicted of murdering a well-respected and innocent magistrate in cold blood." The crowd hissed and yelled obscenities at the lion who was covering his muzzle in shame. "And another, a soldier and Senator unworthy of both titles. His treasonous words and thoughts against me are an insult to the State and a sword against the gods themselves." Now the stinging disdain of the Romans fell on the wolf- the anger was so present that even the air around these two had its own pressure and heat. But no matter what happened, they would not falter in the face of adveristy, especially not Martellus.
"Are there any last words that this Jewish interloper has?" Nothing but silence came from the lion's maw, an indication that he was very much at peace with the world and ready to accept the punishment. Soon, one of the Emperor's bodyguards fired at him, piercing his heart with an arrow. The lion staggered around, though he was not at all panicked as the blood spurted on the sand- this was what he had been waiting for. His body hit the arena floor with a thud and then he died, having fulfilled what he had set out to accomplish a year ago.
"And now, for this Roman citizen. There has been more than enough murder today and I would gladly pardon him, if he would only recant those stupid comments and worship me. I feel guilty about having to murder a Roman, especially one of great stature." The Emperor's words rang hollow as he had been involved in the deaths of many Romans, which included the Senators and their familes. For him to claim any sense of guilt or remorse over killing yet another enemy was blatant hypocrisy and Martellus knew this, as he contemplated his own fate. Soon, the wolf was asked the same question as his Judean friend.
"When I was young, I swore fealty to this city as a soldier to protect it from evil men. People of Rome, I said I would lay down my life for your welfare and protection- today I rejoice in finally having that opportunity to do so. I risked my life for you in war unlike this coward. I will die so that you may live without fear." The bloodthirsty crowd was calmed by the calmness in this wolf's voice- here stood before them someone brave enough to live (and die) for the people and city which he loved so dearly. And then Martellus turned and faced the leopard,a blinding light of justified anger in his eyes "And you who claim to be doing the will of the people, may judgement fall upon you. You claim invincibility and a divine right to rule over us but those will be taken from you in a sudden disastrous moment."
After his speech, the wolf saw that the only one remaining under the pavilion was the Emperor himself- the archer who had killed Eliezer could not bring himself to kill an innocent man. So the Emperor, filled with hatred and anger would carry out the grisly deed. Martellus stretched out his arms as far as the robe he was wearing would allow, inviting the bolt which would end his life. His request was granted, and the sharp pain began as the arrow entered his lungs, causing his blood to be shed all over the sandy floor. The wolf realized his destiny was to die for the sake of his beloved city.
With the last of his strength, the wolf yelled "Sic semper tyrannis" and then he died.
Aftermath: Within six months, the mad dictator would be overthrown, replaced by the eldest senator who was called Nerva. The people of Rome would no longer be content to live in fear of a totalitarian and to some extent, the wolf's passionate appeal for their hearts affected them. News reached Cecilia who along with her cub was disguised in the burlap rags often worn by vagrants and living in Puteoli to avoid the Imperialist goons. Nerva pardoned Martellus posthumously and gave Lucius, the senator's only son a generous stipend for the rest of his years so that Cecilia and him would not be poor for the loss of income. Since Martellus' corpse was never found (likely dumped into the Mediterranean Sea, a common fate for condemned felons), the wolf's Senatorial robes and his gladius which he wore on his final meeting at the Senate were buried underneath the hill, represnting Martellus' service to the city as both a Senator and a soldier.
Analysis: While this story was obviously fictional, I have written this story which takes place between 70 and 95 AD as accurately as possible. The behaviors of the Emperors in the story are consistent with what the history books record. Vespasian was hard-working, wise, and truly did seek to end the Imperial cult and his son Titus was equally diligent, though he would be forever linked to the desturction of the Jewish temple. Perhaps portraying Domitian as a character with no redeeming qualities was a bit extreme.
However, his reign was one marked by terror and it was not for no reason that he was assassinated on September 8, 96. According to the historian Suetonius, all the statues that bore the Emperor's image were destroyed, those loyal to Domitian in the Senate were deposed, and the dean of the Senate, a man by the name of Nerva was installed in his place. For a moment, religious freedom was allowed and the Imperial cult ended, though the city was still a violent place to live.
Works that inspired and informed me as I wrote this epic story were Edward Gibbon's "History of the Decline of the Roman Empire" for information on the Empire's politics, "After Jesus: From 0-600 AD" edited by Gayla Foster, which gave me the details of Roman social life and for inspiration as to the heroism of Martellus Lisenius, I looked to the Aeneid by the Roman poet Virgil, particularly the character of Aeneas.