Chapter 5 Chapter 4: Spartacus' Activities After Gaining Freedom

Two months have passed since the events described in the preceding chapter. On the morning of the day before January and a half (January 12) in the year 676 of the Roman era (January 12), the violent north wind howled on the streets of Rome, and the gray clouds brought together by the wind made the sky appear bleak scene.Fine snowflakes fell slowly on the wet and filthy stone-paved streets. Those citizens who had something to bring to the big meeting place gathered in piles here and there.But there were not many people standing in the piazza that day. There were thousands of Romans, some standing under the arcades of the great forum, and others under the arcades of many large buildings, where there were: Hestia Senate of Rius, Grecostasis Guest House, Porzius Trade Hall, Frivius Trade Hall, Aemilius Trade Hall, Sepalonius Trade Hall, Temple of Vesta , Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Sadurnas and Yufulius.During his last dictatorship, Camillus built the Temple of Peace in 388 AD to commemorate the peace agreement reached between the nobles and the common people.They also hung out under the arcades of the temples of the patron gods in Rome.At present, the great and wide Great Hall is surrounded by many excellent buildings. Its scope stretches from Traianos Square to Montanal Square, and from the Arch of Constantine to Bondin. Arch; but formerly it occupied a large area between the Capitol, the Palatine, the Esquevellin, and the Verminar.Therefore, the great assembly hall of modern Rome looks very pitiful in comparison with the grand occasion of ancient times.Many people gathered in the Aemilius Trade Hall.The trading hall was a magnificent building, consisting of a broad arcade flanked by rows of magnificent columns, and from the main arcade two flanking arcades branched off.Here, nobles and commoners, advocates and civil servants, townspeople and merchants, all mingled together; they stood here and there in small groups, conferring their respective affairs.The crowd continued to come and go, uttering bursts of boisterous speech.

Deep in the main arcade, facing the entrance gate, but away from the gate, a long row of high balustrades isolates part of the arcade from the rest of the trade hall, making it a separate The place.That was the place of the proceedings, and since the noise from the outside could not easily reach the inside, the advocates could make their speeches before the judges.At the top of the columns that surrounded the entire trade hall was a cloister.From there you can easily observe everything that is posted below. There were many stonemasons, carvers and blacksmiths working on the balustrade of the cloister that day.They adorned the balustrades with bronze shields, on which Marius' victories over the Sembri were depicted in elaborate craftsmanship.

Amyrius Trade Hall is Marcus.Aemilius.Built by the ancestors of Lepidus.Lepidus and Kundus.Rutezius.Cadurus was co-elected this year's consuls, who had already inaugurated on January 1st. Marcus.Aemilius.Lepidus, as we have said before, was a Marian.One of the first things he did as consul was to order that the balustrade be decorated with the above-mentioned shields in the hall of trade built by his ancestors in the year 573 of the Roman era.By this action he showed his loyalty to the populists and his protest against Sulla, who had destroyed all the arches and monuments commemorating his valiant political opponent.

Spartacus was standing in the cloister, among those who watched the comings and goings below.He rested his elbows on the marble railing, propped his head on his hands, and looked indifferently and absently at all this busy and eager crowd. He wore a light blue tunic over a short cherry-coloured burqa, fastened on the right shoulder by a finely carved silver shield-shaped button. Not far from him, three Roman citizens were talking vigorously, two of whom our readers already know, namely Gaius the Hercules.Teullivus and the proud Amyrius.Valin.The third person is one of the countless jobless people who live on the alms of the nobles every day.These vagrants often declare themselves to be the servants of a certain nobleman, they accompany him to the great councils, to the citizens' assemblies, to elect him according to his wishes and orders, to praise him, to flatter him, and to constantly ask him Requests that annoy him.

At that time, it happened that after Rome had won a series of military victories in Asia and Africa, Roman society was indulging in a very luxurious atmosphere and oriental lazy habits. Therefore, Greece, which was conquered by Rome by force, in turn used a weak, obscene and extravagant atmosphere. Conquered Rome.In those days slaves, innumerable and growing in number, took the place of all the work done before by the industrious free citizens.All these factors together destroy labor which is the incomparable source of all power, all morality, and all happiness.At that time, Rome, which outwardly wore the mask of greatness, wealth, and power, already felt the ominous germs of impending doom that were gestating within her.Especially the door-to-door system, which was a terrible cancer at the end of the Republic.It has greatly promoted the corruption of society, and has had devastating consequences, as shown in the new laws of the brothers Gracchus, Sadurninus, and Drusus, and in the intercourse between Marius and Sulla. In a brutal civil war.This was worse later on: Rome was often in conflict, resulting in the rebellion of Catilina, Clotius, and Milo, and all this finally developed into a triumvirate of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus.Any nobleman, any consul, any wealthy and ambitious person can accommodate five or six hundred disciples, and some nobles even have around one thousand disciples.There were citizens who were perfectly able to work, and yet they chose the profession of the doorman, just as their ancestors had chosen the profession of shoemaker, carpenter, blacksmith, or stonemason.The so-called retainers were actually a group of ragged beggars dressed in the toga of proud Roman citizens.They are good at crime and can be bought as loyal lackeys by any faction.They lived on charity, on flattery, slander, and intrigue.

The one in the corridor of the Aemilius Trade Hall with Gaius.Theulivus and Amyrius.The person Valin chatted with happened to be one of the degenerate Romans mentioned above.His name is Apuleus.Dutercinus, because his ancestors migrated from Duters to Rome.He is Marcus.A follower of Crassus. These three people were standing not far from Spartacus, talking about various news in the society at that time.But Spartacus, lost in embarrassing and mournful meditation, did not hear their conversation. Since Spartacus found his sister in the most ignominious condition, his first thought and most urgent concern was to save Mircha from the villain who had abused her and forced her to degenerate. come out.Caterina, who was generous by nature, had other motives in his heart, but he also gave to the freedman all the other eight thousand sestales he had won that day from Torabella. Gladiator went up to deal with it: he wanted to help Spartacus redeem Mirza.

Spartacus accepted the money with gratitude and declared that he would return it in the future, although Catilina had said that he would not pay it back.The Thracian then set out to his sister's employers to redeem her. Naturally, when Mirza's boss saw Spartacus's anxiety about his sister's fate and his anxiety to set her free, he raised the price even higher.He said that Mircher had cost him twenty-three thousand sesterces (he only half lied), pointed out that she was young, beautiful, and gentle, and, after summing up his expenses, stated: This girl A capital worth at least fifty thousand cestels in itself.He swore to Merculis, the god of wealth, and Venus, the goddess of beauty born from the sea foam, that he would never lose a Sesteles.

It is not difficult to imagine how frustrated poor Spartacus was.He begged and even pleaded with this abominable man who sold women's bodies by profession.But the scoundrel was so convinced of his rights, and knowing that the law was behind him, that he was in such a favorable position, that he would not yield an inch. Then Spartacus, in a frenzy of rage, had the villain by the throat, and probably strangled him alive, if an idea hadn't stopped him suddenly, it would have been luck for the whorehouse keeper Otherwise, he would have been out of his body under the terrible pressure of the Thracian fingers. It turned out that Spartacus not only thought of Mirza, his own country, but also their secret business.To the Thracian it was a sacred cause, and he knew that if he went to pay his life, the cause would fail without him.

Spartacus came to his senses and let Mirchha's boss go.But the brothel owner's eyeballs were nearly popping out of their sockets, and his face and neck had turned blue; he was nearly unconscious.After thinking for a few minutes, Spartacus asked the brothel owner more calmly, although he was still trembling with anger and painful agitation when he asked: How much do you want?fifty thousand? I don't want anything, you get the hell out!Go to the devil!Otherwise, I'll call out all the slaves!Mircha's boss shouted out of breath. I'm sorry, please forgive me!I just lost my temper.It's all my fault. Please forgive me. I love my sister. Listen to me, let's discuss it again.

Do you discuss with someone like you?You'll jump on me and strangle me in one fell swoop!Brothel owners objected.Although he had calmed down a little, he kept touching his neck and talking.Get out, get out! Spartacus tried his best to calm the villain, and negotiated with him such a solution: Spartacus would pay him two thousand sesterces at once, in exchange for calling a solitary man in his room. Spartacus can live with his sister in the room given to Mircher.But if, after a month, Spartacus has not redeemed his sister, she remains a slave girl. The dazzling gold coins were very attractive, and the conditions were extremely favorable: Mircha's boss could get a large net profit, and he didn't need to take any risks, at least he could secure at least two thousand sesterces, so he agreed.

When Spartacus actually saw that a small room had been installed for Mirza behind the colonnade of the house, he parted from his sister and went to the house of Treponny in Subra. He told Treponny all that had happened, asked for his advice, and asked for his help. Treponny tried to comfort Spartacus.He promised him to assist and help him, saying that he must find a way to relieve Spartacus' worries as soon as possible.Treponny promised the Thracian: If it is impossible to make his sister completely free, at least she must be able to be humiliated and bullied by no one in the future. Spartacus received the guarantee promised by Treponny, and set off to Catalina's house with a grateful heart, and returned the loan of eight thousand sestais to Catirina, because he This sum is no longer needed.The rebellious nobleman had a long conversation with Spartacus in his study.From the way Caterina took care to receive his guests away from outsiders for their private conversation, it was evident that they were talking about something very secret and of great importance, and no one knew what they were talking about, but from that From day one, Spartacus often went to the nobleman's house, and now they have established a friendship and mutual respect for each other. Since the day Spartacus was freed, his former gladiator boss Akzen has followed him everywhere.The gladiator owner kept pestering him, describing to him how precarious his current position was, saying he had to build a secure life to protect himself.When the gladiator boss talked about the end, he directly proposed to ask Spartacus to manage his gladiator school, or ask the free man to sell himself as a gladiator again.He said he could pay him a fortune that he would not have paid even for a free-living half-blood slave. The so-called mixed-blood slaves of free life refer to those born of free citizens or freed slaves. Free men and female slaves or male slaves and free female citizens.And it should not be forgotten that, in addition to those who were captured as slaves in war, then betrayed as gladiators, and sometimes punished as gladiators for crimes, there was also a kind of people called volunteer gladiators.Usually these people are vagrants, libertines, or rascals.They're all guys who are in debt and don't have the money to satisfy their cravings and desires, or villains who have no regard for their lives.They sold themselves as gladiators and swore their oaths until they willingly ended their lives in the amphitheatre, or in the arena of the arena. Naturally, Spartacus resolutely rejected all the suggestions of his former master, and begged the gladiator owner not to be so concerned about him in the future.But Akzen continued to nail him, haunting him like a ghost or a messenger of misfortune. At the same time, Treponny has begun to enthusiastically work on the fate of Mierza.Treponny loves Spartacus, but maybe he has certain expectations for his future.Treponny is Kundus.A friend of Holdencius and an ardent admirer of this gifted rhetorician, it is possible for him to recommend Mirza to Holdenius's sister, Valeria, and ask her to buy the female slave .Because Mirza is an educated and well-bred girl, she can speak Greek, can massage the body with sesame oil and perfume, understand the good and bad of various cosmetics used by ladies, and can serve the mistress with special care. Fan Laeria is not opposed to buying a new female slave, as long as the female slave can meet her wishes.She expressed her willingness to see Mircher, and then talked with Mircher once.As she liked Mircher very much, she was bought at once for forty-five thousand sestares.Fan Lailiya brought Mierza and several other female slaves to Sura's mansion, because she had already married Sura on December 15th last year. Although this did not accord with Spartacus' original plan for his sister to be free, in any case, as far as Mircher's own situation is concerned, this is a better way out: at least she can temporarily and very soon. Possibly freed forever from the hell of shame and infamy. Spartacus, having placed himself in such a position that he could hardly worry about Mirza's fate, began to work on a very important and apparently secret enterprise.This can be seen from the frequent conclaves he held with Catirina and his continued daily meetings with the nobleman.Besides this, the Thracians zealously visited all gladiatorial schools.Moreover, whenever there was a gladiatorial show in Rome, he used to go to all the taverns and taverns in the districts of Susula and Esquevellin, where he was constantly meeting with a number of gladiators and slaves. What is his ideal, what kind of work does he do, and what is the career he never forgets? The reader will soon understand this. Therefore, Spartacus stood in the upper corridor of the Aemilius Trading Hall on the one hand, and was lost in thought on the other hand.He heard nothing of the conversations of the people around him, and he did not hear much of Gaius.Teullivus, Amyrius.Wallin and Apuleus.Duterginas did not even turn his head in the direction of the loud conversation, and he did not even hear their shouts and rude jokes. Very well, very well, Gaius.Teullives continued talking to his friend.Oh, the loveliest Sulla in the world!Had he not made up his mind to destroy the glorious monument of Mallorca?well!The happy dictator thought it would be enough to destroy the monument to Marius on the Penzi and the arches in the Capitol commemorating the victory over the Teutons and Sembri, so that Marius would no longer be remembered!Really, really, he thought it would wipe out all traces of the immortal deeds of the Albinaman, and the people's memory of him.Poor madman!Because of his cruelty and terrible power, our city may be left without a descendant, and the whole of Italy may be reduced to a heap of ruins, but in any case, it was not he who conquered King Jugurtha, but Marius!Moreover, it was Mario who won the big victories at the Sexter River and Vercella! Poor fool!Aemilius.Valin screamed.Now the Consul Lepidus adorned the Hall of Trades with wonderful bronze shields engraved with the feats of Marius over the Sembri that will be immortalized! I have said that this Lepidus is a cataract in the eyes of the happy dictator! Stop talking!Lepidus What is he!That Crassus' doorman, a fat man with a big belly, said in an extremely contemptuous tone.How could he make Su La feel unhappy?That's worse than a mosquito biting an elephant. Don't you know that Lepidus is not only a consul, but a rich man, much richer than your protector Marcus?Crassus is even richer. I know that Lepidus is rich, but I don't believe that he is richer than Crassus. Have you seen the arcade of the house of Lepidus?It is not only the most beautiful and magnificent arcade in the Palatine, but also the most beautiful arcade in all of Rome! It turns out that just because his house has the most beautiful arcade in all Rome, what's the big deal? You have to understand that this house is unique in the city of Rome, with its arcades made of Numidian marble! What is this?Could he frighten Sulla with his house? This proves that he is a man of great authority, and especially because the people love him, he becomes very powerful. The common people love him.But hadn't they scolded him hard enough for his senseless extravagance and unbridled extravagance? It wasn't the commoners who scolded him, but the nobles who couldn't compete with him and were jealous of him. Mark my words, Valin interrupted.A terrible disaster is bound to happen this year. Why? For a strange thing has happened in Alimina. What strange thing happened there? There is a rooster in Van Lelia's villa that speaks human language. Oh, if it is true, it is indeed a startling omen. if this is truePeople in Rome are talking about this strange thing.That's what Van Lelia and her family members who came back from Alimina said.Even their servants testify to this fact. It's a strange thing indeed, Apuleus.Dutertinas murmured.He was a devout man full of religious superstitions.He was terrified by this incident, so he tried his best to explore the hidden meaning contained in this strange phenomenon, because he was convinced that it was a warning from God. The priests of the divining bird had assembled to explain the hidden meaning lurking in this strange event.Aemilius.Valin said in his piercing voice, then winked at Hercules, and went on: Although I am not a priest of divination, I fully understand the meaning of this strange incident. ah!Apuleus exclaimed. What's so strange about this? ah!oh?But this time Marcus.Crassus' doorman called out in a mocking tone.Then explain to us, do you really understand the meaning hidden in this strange thing better than those divination priests? This was the warning of Vesta, the kitchen god, because one of the virgins who worshiped her had desecrated her. oh oh!now I understand!It turns out that this is true, you have a good idea, and there will never be any other reason than this!Gaius.Teullivus said with a smile. You are so blessed that you understand each other after only half a sentence.But my brain, I must admit, is not so good, I don't understand anything. Why are you pretending to be dumb?How can you not understand this matter? I don't understand, really, I swear to the twelve peace goddesses, I really don't understand What Valin means refers to the ambiguous relationship between your protector and the virgin Licinia who serves the Kitchen God! Vicious slander!exclaimed the loyal doorman angrily.This is a big lie!Not only can't you say it, you can't even think about it! That's what I'm going to say, Valin said teasingly, smiling mockingly. But this is absolutely true. If you have the courage, use what you just said to persuade the kind-hearted descendants of Quilin!With one voice they will affirm this firmly, and will criticize your protector for dedicating profane love to this fair virgin. I want to declare again: this is slander! I understand, sweetest Apuleus.You should have said so, Duterginus.That's fine and completely understandable.But you can't lie to us, no, I swear by the wand of Merculis!Love cannot be hidden.If Crassus didn't love Licinia, he wouldn't sit with her in various gathering places, wouldn't pay special attention to her, and wouldn't look at her so affectionately, okay, let's understand each other !Just let you say no, let's say yes.In gratitude to Crassus for sending you your treasure, if you have courage, pray and entreat to the Venus of Morcia, that she may not let your guardian fall into the clutches of the censor. At this moment, a person walked up to Spartacus.He was of average height, but broad in shoulders, muscular in chest, and strong in arms and legs.There was a look of vigor and resolute heroism on his face.His hair was pitch black, his beard was pitch black, and his eyes were pitch black.He tapped Spartacus lightly on the shoulder, and the Thracian was suddenly awakened from his contemplation. When you think about things like this, you can't even see the people and things around you. Clixus!Spartacus yelled and wiped his forehead with his hand, as if to drive away all the thoughts that were entrenched in his mind.Why didn't I see you! But you just stared at me as I walked down there with our gladiator boss Akzien. Fuck Akzien's eggs!How are things over there, tell me quickly!Spartacus thought for a while and asked. I've met Artorix who came back from outside. Has he been to Capua? have been. Who did he bump into? He met a German named Enomay; the German was the strongest among the gladiators there, both mentally and physically. well!cried Spartacus.His eyes shone brightly with joy and excitement.So what? Enomay was hopeful, and had ideals like mine and yours; so he accepted our plan, and swore an oath to Artorix.He promised to be in Lendurus.Spread our ideas of holiness and justice among the bravest gladiators of the gladiatorial school of Bacchiatus.Forgive me for saying our plan should really be your plan. Ah, if the god who lives on Olympus protects the unfortunate and the oppressed, I believe that the day when slavery will be wiped out of the world will not be very far!Very excited Spartacus whispered. But Artorix told me, said Clixus.Although this Enomayi was a brave man, he was too credulous and not very prudent. This is bad, and very bad, I swear to Hercules! I think so too. The two gladiators were silent for a while.The first to speak was Clixus, who asked Spartacus: And what about Catalina? I am more and more convinced, replied the Thracian.He will never join us. So, he is just a person with a name in vain?Also, is it nonsense for people to praise him for having a great soul? No, he had a great soul, and was extremely intelligent, but his upbringing, a purely Latin upbringing, gave him all kinds of prejudices.I think he wants to use our ideals to change the existing ruling order, but he doesn't want to change the laws that Rome uses to make itself a tyrant to the world. After a few minutes, Spartacus said again: I'm going over to his house tonight to meet up with his group of friends, and I'm going to try to make things clear with them about the joint attack.But I'm afraid this won't get us anywhere. Do Catilina and his friends know our secret? Even if they knew, we would be in no danger: if we disagreed with them, they would not betray us.The Romans didn't have much fear of slaves, and we gladiators didn't see any serious threat to their regime. Yes, that's true, they never treat us as human beings.The Romans also had a higher regard for the slaves who revolted in Sicily eighteen years ago; for they fought mercilessly against the Romans under the leadership of Eunas the Syrian. Yes, the Romans almost treated the slaves who revolted in Sicily as human beings. But they see us as some kind of lowly barbarians. Ah, Spartacus, Spartacus!Crixus whispered, his eyes gleaming with anger.If you can persevere in overcoming every obstacle and carrying out to the end the difficult cause to which you have dedicated yourself, I will thank you more than if you saved my life in the arena.Unite us all, so that we may fight these Roman thieves with drawn swords, and let them know that we are not lowly barbarians, but one like them! Ah, with unwavering tenacity, with boundless vigor, and with all the power of my soul, for our cause, I must carry on the fight, till my life is paid!I will fight tirelessly for liberty till I win or die a warrior for the cause! A strong, deep certainty and confidence can be felt in Spartacus' words.He took the hand of Clixus, who raised it to his heart and said with great emotion: Spartacus, my savior, a great cause is waiting for you!Men like you were born to build great exploits and noble causes.You're bound to go from being an ordinary person to being a hero Or a martyr!whispered Spartacus, his face showing a look of misery, and he dropped his head on his chest. At that time, Aemilius came.Valin's shrill voice: Gaius, Apuleus, let's go to the temple of the goddess of strife, and find out what resolutions the senators have made! Isn't the meeting of elders held today in the Temple of the Peace Goddess?asked Dutertinas. Yes, Valin replied. In the new store or in the old temple? What a fool you are!If the council of elders is in Fulius.If Camillus holds a meeting in the temple of the real peace goddess, then I will say to you, let us go to the temple of peace goddess.But don't you understand that I just told you about the temple of the goddess of strife?The temple that Opimius raised upon the bones of the oppressed people after the shameless and cowardly murder of the Gracchus? Valin was right, Gaius who was about to go away.Teulive said.This Temple of the Goddess of Peace should indeed be called the Temple of the Goddess of Discord. So the three garrulous fellows headed for the staircase that led down to the arcade of the Aemilius trade hall, and the two gladiators followed them down. Spartacus and Clixus had just reached the arcade when a man ran up to the Thracian and said: Hey, how are you, Spartacus, when do you decide to come back to my school? This person is Gladiator boss Akzien. May the waters of the Styx drown you alive!exclaimed Spartacus, trembling with rage, How long will you haunt me with this obnoxious word?When will you let me live peacefully and freely? I'm actually worried about you, Akzien said in a sweetly flattering tone.I am so concerned about your future for your happiness, I Listen to me, Akzien, and take my words to heart.I'm not a child, I don't need a guardian, and if I did, I would never choose you.Mark my words, old man, and don't appear before my eyes again, or I swear to Jupiter of Mount Rodopa, the god of my ancestors, that I will beat you bald head with my fist so hard that you will never die. Sent to hell, then do whatever you want! Spartacus paused for a while and said again: You know the weight of my fist.You probably remember that day when a dozen or so of your gladiatorial Corsican slaves came at me with wooden swords and I beat the shit out of them? The gladiator boss apologized to him repeatedly and told him to believe their original friendship.But Spartacus replied: Go away and don't let me see you again.Don't bother me again! The two gladiators left the bewildered and embarrassed Akzen in the arcade, passed through the Great Council, and turned towards the Palatine District. Catiline had agreed with Spartacus that there would be Meet at the Duluth Arcade. In the year 652 of the Roman era, that is, twenty-four years before the events we relate, the house of Cadulus, who was consul with Marius, was considered by all to be the most beautiful and most luxurious in the city of Rome. one of the mansions.In front of the house was a splendid arcade, in which were displayed many trophies from the Sembri, and the bronze bulls with which they swore their oaths.The arcade became a meeting place for a group of young Roman women.They often hang out here and hold sports activities.It is conceivable that a group of young dandy nobles and sons of knights in Rome will also rush here to admire the beautiful daughters of Quirin. As the two gladiators approached the arcade of Cadulus, they saw a crowd of nobles gathered around the arcade.Those people are here to admire women.There were more women here than usual that day, for the weather was bad and it was raining with sleet. The powdered hands like Olympus's, and the charming breasts and shoulders almost bare, the splendid attire, the flashes of gold, pearls, jasper, and rubies, the variegated colors of the fashionable dresses, A charming picture is formed.Here one sees the most elegant Athenatic toga, gowns, burqas, and tunics of the thinnest silk and other wonderful materials. Gathered in the arcade are stunning beauties.Here is Caterina's lover Aphralia.Orestila; young, beautiful, and dignified Sempronia, whose noble soul and superior wisdom made her called a great woman: she later became exactly like a brave warrior, and Ka Tilinna died side by side in Pistoria; here Aphralia, Caesar's mother; Valeria, Sulla's wife; Licinia, the virgin; Cezilia, the ex-wife of Cra; Livia, the mother of little Catu; here is Persia Dumia, whose ancestors defeated the Latins on the shore of Lakkiri Lake.Lakiria.Here is a pair of famous Fabius.A beautiful girl from the Ambusdus clan.Also here: Consul Minius .Norben's wife Clafchia.Prihella; the most beautiful Domitia, she is Domitius.Daughter of Ahino Barles (Nile's great-grandfather); Amyrius.Emilia, the beautiful daughter of Scaurus; the young but dissolute Fravia; Viglia, the virgin, famous for her exceptional fairness, and hundreds of other ladies and maidens belonging to the most famous and powerful families in Rome. . Inside the wide arcades, young aristocratic girls were doing gymnastics, or batting a ball, a favorite game of the Romans, men, women, and children. On this cold winter day, most of the women gathered here wandered to and fro in order to warm up their bodies. Spartacus and Clixus approached the arcade of Cadurus, and stopped not far from the crowd of nobles and knights in accordance with the rules that should be expected of inferior people at that time, but they的眼光卻在搜尋盧齊烏斯．Sergeus.Catilina.卡提林納正站在柱子旁邊和昆杜斯．古里奧談話。古里奧是一個耽溺於酒宴和荒淫生活的貴族，後來卡提林納的陰謀就是被他舉發的。在他們身邊站著年輕的盧齊烏斯．卡里普爾尼烏斯．畢斯季亞。他是卡提林納陰謀政變那一年的平民階級的護民官。 兩個角鬥士悄悄地走近了卡提林納，竭力使聚集在那兒的一批貴人不注意他們。那時候，卡提林納正用嘲諷的口吻對他的朋友們說。 我想在這幾天之內去結識一下胖子瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇熱愛的貞女麗齊妮雅，把克拉蘇跟愛芙姬琵達廝混的情形告訴她。 對，對，盧齊烏斯．畢斯季亞叫道。把克拉蘇送給愛芙姬琵達二十萬塞斯太爾司的事情也告訴她。 Marcus.克拉蘇竟送了二十萬塞斯太爾司給一個女人？卡提林納詫異地說。這真是比阿利明納的怪事還要驚人的大怪事。據說在阿利明納那邊，公雞竟說起人話來了。 的確，對貪婪而又慳吝的瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇來說，這是非常奇特的。Kundus.古里奧說。歸根結柢說，二十萬塞斯太爾司對他是算不了一回事的，那跟他全部財產相比，只是光亮的第伯爾河沙灘上的一粒沙子罷了。 你說得對，盧齊烏斯．畢斯季亞說，他的眼睛裡閃露著貪婪的光芒，真的，對瑪爾庫斯．克拉蘇來說，這是微不足道的小數。他的財產在七千泰倫脫以上呢！ 是啊，那就是說，他有十五億以上塞斯太爾司呢！ 多富啊！如果不是真有這樣一筆財產，那數字簡直叫人無法相信！ 這些靈魂卑劣的傢伙、笨伯和癡人，在我們這個幸福的共和國裡生活得多舒服啊。走向光榮和名譽的大道，完全為他們開放。我感到自己有使任何一次遠征獲得勝利的才能，但是我永遠也不能獲得將軍的職位；因為我窮，我是個負債的人。如果克拉蘇在明天由於虛榮心想得兩眼光亮，實際上它已經到處開裂，就要崩潰了。 瞧，瞧，演說家昆杜斯．荷爾頓西烏斯多麼高興啊。古里奧說，似乎他想把話題轉到另一方面去。大概，他對西塞祿的離開感到非常高興。現在他在大議場召開的種種會議上就沒有敵手了。 西塞祿真是一個懦夫！卡提林納叫道。他一發覺蘇拉對他青年時代崇拜馬略的情形表示不滿，就連忙逃亡到希臘去了！ 他離開羅馬快有兩個月了。 但願我能有他的辯才！卡提林納緊握著他的大拳說。那我就能在兩年之內變成羅馬的統治者！ 你固然沒有他的辯才，可是他也沒有你的威力啊。 但是，卡提林納顯出憂慮而且認真的神情說。如果我們不能把他吸引到我們這邊來但是把西塞祿拉過來是很困難的，因為他渾身浸透了逍遙學派的哲學思想，而柏拉圖的道德觀念又腐蝕了他的靈魂，這就使他變成了一個沒有骨氣的小人但如果我們不能把他拉過來，有朝一日落到我們敵人的掌握中去，那他就會變成一件反對我們的可怕武器！ 三位貴族都沉默了。 這時候，圍住拱廊的人群微微讓開了一條路，蘇拉的夫人范萊麗雅，在一群貴族陪伴下出現了。其中有肥胖的傑齊烏斯．采季齊烏斯，瘦瘦的艾里維烏斯．梅杜里，昆杜斯．荷爾頓西烏斯以及其他的人。范萊麗雅向自己那頂前面用紫色的繡金絲簾遮住的軟轎走去。軟橋就停在卡杜魯斯拱廊的大門口，轎夫是四個強壯的卡帕陀西亞奴隸。 范萊麗雅一出拱廊，就裹上了一件天藍色的東方厚呢製的寬大披風，那就把她剛才還在拱廊中盡量展覽過的、大自然慷慨地賜予她的全部美貌，跟那批狂熱的仰慕者的貪婪目光隔絕了。 她的臉色是蒼白的，她那對睜開的又黑又大的眼睛動也不動地凝視著。她那寂寞的神情，對一個出嫁才一個多月的女人來說，似乎顯得非常奇特。 她用輕微的點頭和迷人的微笑回答在拱廓兩邊向她鞠躬的那批貴族，她那可愛的微笑淹沒了因為疲乏而引起的呵欠。接著她就握住了艾米里烏斯．梅杜里烏斯和傑齊烏斯．采季齊烏斯這兩個紈褲子弟的手。這是兩個緊隨不捨永遠粘住范萊麗雅的影子，當然，他們兩個是誰也不肯放棄扶范萊麗雅上軟轎的光榮權利的。范萊麗雅坐進去以後就拉下了轎簾，向奴隸們做了一個出發的手勢。 那些卡帕陀西亞奴隸抬起軟轎向前走去，一個開路的奴隸在轎子前面走，另外六個奴隸組成的一支光榮的衛隊，跟在轎子後面。 那些仰慕她的人落到後面去了，范萊麗雅輕鬆地吐了一口氣。她揭起了面紗，開始向兩邊眺望。她那憂鬱的眼光一會兒投向濕漉漉的街道，一會兒望著細雨濛濛的灰色天空。 斯巴達克斯和克利克薩斯站在那批貴族的後面，斯巴達克斯一看到那位上轎的美人立刻認出了那是他妹妹的女主人，他感到某種說不出的激動。他用肘彎碰了一下夥伴，在他的耳畔低聲說： 瞧，這不是蘇拉的妻子范萊麗雅麼！ 她多漂亮啊！我對阿萊拉達的聖林發誓，就是維納斯女神本人也不見得比她更美啊！ 這時候，退職獨裁者夫人的軟轎抬到了他們的身邊；范萊麗雅的眼睛從轎門中漫不經心地望出來，但她的眼光一落到斯巴達克斯身上就停住了。 她感到一陣突然的衝動，好像身上通了電流一般，使她立刻從沉思中驚醒了過來。她的臉上泛起了淡淡的紅暈，她那對美麗的、光閃閃的眼睛，牢牢地盯著斯巴達克斯。當軟轎已經從兩個卑微的角鬥士身邊抬過去的時候，范萊麗雅卻突然掀開了轎簾，探出頭來，又向色雷斯人望了一眼。 你走運了！克利克薩斯一看到那位美人對自己幸運的夥伴投來那絕對是表示好感的多情注視時，不禁叫道。親愛的斯巴達克斯，這位永遠是任性而又剛愎的福爾金娜女神抓住了你的額髮啦，或者說得更確切些，是你抓住了這一變幻無常的女神的辮子了！抓住它，緊緊地抓住它，即使是把它留在你手裡一忽兒也好，要不然，她會改變念頭逃走的。克利克薩斯轉身對斯巴達克斯說出上面這番話時，他看到色雷斯人的臉色已經變了，而且正顯得非常激動。 但是斯巴達克斯很快地克制了自己，帶著自然的微笑答道： 閉嘴，瘋子！你幹嘛要提福爾金娜女神和什麼額髮？我對海克力斯的大頭棍起誓，你的眼光不會比任何一個蒙面角鬥士看得更遠些！ 於是，斯巴達克斯為了擺脫使他非常窘迫的談話，就走近了盧齊烏斯．Sergeus.卡提林納，輕聲問道： 卡提林納，今天晚上是不是要我到你的府上去？ 卡提林納轉過身來對他說： Of course I will.但是你不應該說今天晚上因為天已經黑了；你應該說我們等會兒再見。 斯巴達克斯對這位貴族鞠了一躬，然後在走開去之前說： 我們等會兒再見。 他走到克利克薩斯身邊，開始非常興奮地對他低聲說話，克利克薩斯肯定地把頭點了幾下，接著他們就默默地向那條通大議場和神聖街的大路走去。 我對地獄裡的國王普魯頓起誓！我終於失掉了一向領著我在你心靈的迷宮中闖蕩的線索，畢斯季亞驚異地看著非常輕率地與一個角鬥士進行談話的卡提林納說。 發生了什麼變故呀？卡提林納天真地問。 一位羅馬的貴族，竟和下賤的、出身低微的角鬥士交起朋友來了！ 多可恥啊！卡提林納嘲弄地微笑道。簡直可怕，是不是？接著，他不等對方回答，立刻改換了口氣顯出很認真的態度說：等會兒我在家裡等你們：我們一起吃晚飯，快活一下子然後談一件重要的事情。突然看見前面來了一位衣著華麗的年輕女人。一個年老的女奴隸陪著她，她們的後面是幾個跟班。那個姑娘是從兩個角鬥士走過去的那個方向過來的。 那個姑娘長得非常美。不但她那火紅色的頭髮和雪白的臉顯得很美，一對跟海水一般藍的大眼睛更是非常動人。克利克薩斯吃了一驚，他停了下來注視著她說：我對海蘇斯起誓，這是一個真正的美女！ 於是神態抑鬱、心緒煩亂的斯巴達克斯把低著的頭抬了起來，向那個姑娘瞥了一眼。但那個姑娘沒有去理睬興高采烈的克利克薩斯，卻注視著色雷斯人，並且用希臘話對他說： 但願天神保佑你，斯巴達克斯！ 我衷心地感激你，略微感到困窘的斯巴達克斯答道。謝謝你，姑娘，但願克尼特的維納斯賜福給你！ 那個姑娘走近了斯巴達克斯低聲說： 光明和自由，勇敢的斯巴達克斯！ 色雷斯人一聽到這幾個字眼不禁哆嗦了一下，他詫異地望著那個姑娘，接著皺起眉頭，用一種明顯的不信任的態度答道： 美人兒，我不明白你對我開的玩笑是什麼意思。 這不是開玩笑，你也不用假裝不知道。這是被壓迫者的切口。我是妓女愛芙姬琵達，從前我是一個希臘女奴隸。你得明白我也是屬於被壓迫的接著她露出魅人的微笑，伸出她柔軟纖小的手來，親熱地拉起斯巴達克斯的大手握了一下。 色雷斯人不禁又哆嗦了一下，喃喃地說： 她不但說出了我們的切口，她還知道我們祕密的握手暗號 他默默地向那個姑娘注視了一會兒；那個姑娘呢，卻對他微笑著，顯出一副得意揚揚的神情。 那麼，但願神靈保佑你！他說。 我住在神聖街雅諾斯神廟附近。到我的家裡來吧，也許，我對你著手進行的事業能有一點微小的幫助。 斯巴達克斯站著考慮了一會。可是她固執地重複道： Must come! 我一定來，斯巴達克斯回答道。 Hats off to you!那位有名的妓女用拉丁話說，一面揮手向他表示敬意。 Hats off to you!斯巴達克斯回答。 我也向你致敬，美麗的女神！克利克薩斯說。他在斯巴達克斯跟愛芙姬琵達說話時，站在離他們不遠的地方對這位美貌的姑娘目不轉睛地看了一陣。 克利克薩斯動也不動地站在那兒，目送著漸漸遠去的姑娘。他這樣呆呆地站著，真不知道會站到什麼時候，如果不是斯巴達克斯拉了拉他的肩膀，說： 喂，怎麼了，克利克薩斯，你不準備離開這兒了嗎？ 於是高盧人醒悟了過來。他和斯巴達克斯並肩走去，但還是常常回過頭來。大約走了三百步光景，他停下來說： 剛才你還不願意我把你叫做幸運女神的寵兒呢！唉，你這忘恩負義的人！你應當替這位任性的女神建造一座神廟才是，她的翅膀已經覆到你的頭上來了啊！ 這不幸的姑娘為什麼要來跟我說話呢？ 我不知道而且也不想知道她是什麼人！我只知道維納斯女神如果真有維納斯女神的話也不能比她更美！ 但這時候，一個護送范萊麗雅的奴隸跟班追上了這兩個角鬥士，向他們問道： 請問你們兩位哪一位是斯巴達克斯？ 我就是，色雷斯人回答。 你的妹妹密爾查今天半夜裡在蘇拉夫人范萊麗雅的府邸裡等你，她有要事跟你商談。 我一定在指定的時間以前趕到。 那個跟班走了。兩個角鬥士繼續前進，一會兒就隱沒在帕拉丁山後面不見了。