Chapter 10 Chapter Nine: How a Drunkard Imagines Himself the Savior of the Republic

In Lucius.Cornelius.Nearly four full years after Sulla's burial, fifteen days before March 1 (February 15), Roman AD 680, did the descendants of Quirin celebrate the Feast of Rupercaria.It was a day that Romulus and Remus set up to celebrate the founding of Rome and to honor their nurse Rubielka and Pan, the god of fertility, and also to commemorate the magical childhood of Romulus and Remus. . The so-called Rupercaria refers to a cave or grotto in the forest dedicated to Pan under the southern slope of the Palatine Mountain.It faces the Great Council of the City of Rome, or rather, between the Via Nuova and the southern slope of the sacred Palatine Hill, facing the Rumilia fig tree.

The origin of this shepherd's festival predates the existence of Arcadia, as many historians then and now believe.When the Arcadians migrated to this region and lived under King Evandel, there was a festival dedicated to Pan, the god of fauns, and the rites of sacrifice were thus the same as they were on the Lygian hill in Arcadia. Similar to what is being practiced. In any case, the origin of these ceremonies is not entirely plausible, but there is only one thing that cannot be doubted, and that is that the festival has always been held.It was not considered obsolete even at the end of the Republic, and the dictator Caesar issued a special order regarding the celebration of Rupercaria.

The Rumilia fig tree that stands in front of the Ruperkaria Cave is considered a sacred tree by all.Because according to the legend, the she-wolf happened to feed Romulus and Remus under a fig tree here.This is where the name of Rumi's fig tree comes from, because Rumi's fig tree means the nurse fig tree.When the first fig tree grew old and withered, the priests replaced it with another with solemn ceremony, and whenever the fig tree planted thereafter withered, they always replaced it with another with the same solemn ceremony. .There was a superstition among the Romans that the city of Rome always prospered when the nurse fig tree was green.

Therefore, the Rupercaria Festival on February 15, 680 AD, was celebrated with grand ceremonies in full accordance with past conventions. Early that morning the priests of Ruperkas had assembled in the Rupercaria Cave.Those priests are all the best young children selected from the nobles.There they waited for the ritual to begin. Among these priests of Rupercas we can see: Lucius.Tomizius.Ahainobalbus was a handsome, fair-haired youth of twenty-one, who was elected consul in AD 700;Cornelius.Lundulus and Kundus Fu and Us.Karenus, both of them were twenty-four years old, and they both became consuls later, the former was in power in the Roman era 705, and the latter was elected in the Roman era 707. Regent's Palace; Vibius.Panza, who had just turned twenty-five at the time, met Attilius A.Hirstius was elected consul together; that year Vibius.Panza and Marcus under the city of Mosina.Antony's army fought, but he could not see the final victory of his legions, for he had died in the field with his colleague Hirzius.

While the young nobles of the Ruperkas priesthood were standing in the cave of Ruperkaria in sacrificial robes, a large group of young nobles came towards the cave. They sent two twenty-one-year-old Young people: Marcus.Claudius.Marcellus and Servius.Sulpicius.Rufus, the fathers of both men had been consuls, and they themselves were later elected consuls.Both youths wore white togas and crowns of ivy on their heads, for they would play important roles in the sacrifice that was about to begin. As soon as the group of youths had assembled with the youths in the cave, the dedicated deacon took up a knife and killed the twelve sacrificed sheep and the same number of puppies.Then one of the priests of Rupercas took the short sword prepared by another priest, dipped it in the blood of the sacrifice, and then in Claudius.Marcellus and Sulpicius.Rufus touches it on the forehead.So the other priests of Rupercas began to wipe the blood from their foreheads with a few pieces of skin soaked in goat's milk.As soon as the blood was wiped away, Marcellus and Rufus laughed loudly, according to the custom.This ceremony, according to traditional practice, is a symbol of the purification of the shepherd.

Immediately after this ceremony, a washing ceremony was held in a special corner of the cave.Then Priest Ruperkas, the cleansed youth, and their group of friends sat down at the table.On those tables, delicious food and the most mellow wine have already been prepared for them. While these priests of Rupercas ate and drank, the caves began to fill with Roman citizens.They also crowded the grove of Pan outside the cave, the road before the south slope of the sacred Palatine, and all the streets adjoining.Among the crowds in the streets there were especially many women: married women and young girls, many of them from noble families, accompanied by their servants, slaves and gladiators, where waiting.

What they were waiting for there was clear as soon as the happy, drunken procession of priests of Ruperkas burst out of the cave.The priests, each wearing a great mass of sacrificed animal skin over his tunic, and carrying in his hand a thong of the same skin and a whip, rushed through the streets noisily pouring rice out of caverns, Whip anyone who touches them. The girls all believed that the whipping of these leather thongs dedicated to the shepherd would help them get married; the married but childless women deeply believed that the whips had the magical power to conceive them.So the ladies and girls ran all over the streets to meet the priests of Ruperkas, and stretched out their hands to receive their whippings.Suddenly there was a frantic and joyous uproar in the street.The crowd welcomed the priests of Rupercus with shouts and shouts of joy, and they thus ran into the main street of the city of Rome.A group of young priests of Ruperkas headed for the Colosseum, and from there they followed the street where the Temple of the Goddess of War Perona stood to the Rue Triumph, then turned right and passed the Temple of Janos, Turn right again and follow Faro Mandry Street towards Tiber Island.Another part of Ruperkas priests.Run through New Street and Tempel Noor Street, then turn into Africa Lane and run towards Eskvillin Gate.Right here at the city gate, the young priests waited for their families to bring several four-horse chariots carved with bronze patterns and painted brilliantly.The young priests got into those carriages, surrounded by a great crowd of citizens on horseback and on foot, and proceeded along the Via de Tontivoli towards the sacred grove of Albunia, a few miles from the city, where the , the famous sulfur spring is still flowing there.Every year on the Rupercaria Festival, those Ruperkas priests always go to the woods by car after the sacrifice.According to ancient legends, there lived Fauni, a descendant of the magical Latin king Faunas.In secluded corners of the green woods, priests of Rubirkas can receive divine revelations.As we have already said above, another part of the priests of Rubirkas set out for the island of Tiber.They turned left half way through Faro Mandry Street and followed the short Tiber Lane to a wooden bridge quickly.Eleven years later, that is, in 691 AD, the Senate ordered the conversion of the bridge into a stone bridge, and in order to commemorate the achievements of the road director Fabrizius, his name was used as the name of the bridge. .

On the sparsely populated Tiber Island, there are three famous buildings, namely: the Temple of Isguerapius, the Temple of Jupiter and the Temple of Faunas.Among them, the most magnificent and magnificent temple of Isguerapius was in Kundus.Fabius.Guerges and Junius.Brutus.It was established in 462 AD of the Roman era under the reign of Steva.Thousands of people died from the terrible plague that prevailed that year.Rome sent a group of envoys to Greece to Epidaurus, the city of Epidaurus, the god of medicine and medicine.When the Roman envoys arrived at the temple of the God of Medicine, one of the many sacred snakes in the temple, a domesticated non-venomous brown snake, crawled towards them.The team of messengers thought its appearance was a divine sign: the serpent who served the god of medicine had shown mercy.Automatically extend goodwill to them.So they went to their boat, and it was said that the snake also swam behind them.They took it to a boat, and carried it back to Ostia, and entered the mouth of the Tiber, and sailed up the tide, and when their boat reached the gate of Troy, the snake crawled out suddenly, It jumped from the boat into the river and then disappeared on Tiber Island.The divining priests interpreted the serpent's wayward behavior as the will of the god Iscurapius, that is to say, that he wanted to build a temple dedicated to him on that island.Thus the temple was built.

Five hundred and fifty-five years of the Roman era, according to Justice Fulius.A wish before the god Pulpoleo built a smaller but as gorgeous Jupiter near the magnificent Temple of Iscurapius. temple. In the year 558 of the Roman era, perhaps six years later, the mayor Gnaeus .Tomizius.Ahino Balbos and Gaius.Scrippanius.Curio obtained a large fine from three rich merchants in the cattle business, and with this money they set up a temple next to the temple of Iscurapius, almost opposite the temple of Jupiter. A third temple was built dedicated to the god Faunas. Thus the fact that there were three temples on the small island of Tiber clearly proves that before the stone bridge of Fabrizius and Cestius was built, the city of Rome and this island In addition to using small boats and ferries to communicate with each other, they also use wooden bridges supported by piles like the Subrizius Bridge.

Priest Ruperkas and a large escort came to the island by way of a wooden bridge to dedicate the sacrifices he had brought to the god Faunas, who was related, according to mythology, to Pan, the god of fauns. .The custom of Ruperkaria ends here with a new feast.The hotel, which opened next to the temple of Iscurapius and is famous for its wonderful cuisine and fine wines, had already prepared everything. The tourists who came out of the Eskvillin Gate and decided to spend the day on the island were as excited as the priests of Ruperkas.They went to the caves and woods near the sulfur spring to visit the god Faunas.

In both ancient and modern religions, the mystical rituals have often become an excuse for the joyful but more or less obscene pastime or entertainment, which cunning people use the superstition of the masses to perform. Ritual.The feasts were held at their own expense by the vain priests of Ruperkas.For they consider the office of the priests to be very honorable; besides this, there is one more thing that gives them great satisfaction, that is, these merry priests can not only whip beautiful girls and charming young women without restraint.And get their tender smiles and kind words in return. Under the arcade in front of the Temple of Faunas, a twenty-five-year-old youth was leaning on a pillar and watching the bustling crowd and the priests of Ruperkas running around.He was tall and strong, and no doubt he must have great strength.Every part of him is beautiful.His strong, sculptor-like neck and haughty head gave him a dignified air.Her curly hair, as glossy as ebony and perfumed, framed a high, broad, white forehead.Those expressive, piercing, and commanding eyes were very handsome.The look of those eyes, full of good-natured smiles, could captivate the hearts of all, and from time to time in his flaming gaze, in the wrinkles of his forehead, and in the blackness of his almost locked eyes The steel-like will revealed in the thick eyebrows can conquer everyone.His nose is straight, very well defined and beautiful, the mouth appears narrow, but the protruding lips, which are quite thick when closed, give a strong impression of ambition and sensuality.The snow-white face, with a barely perceptible olive tinge, made this noble, great, majestic, and handsome man all the more attractive. This is Gaius.Julius.Caesar. His attire was incomparably elegant.Over his purple-edged white linen tunic, which was cinched at the waist with a purple ribbon, was a snow-white toga made of very thin silk, trimmed with broad pale blue lace.The delicate, elegantly drooping ruffles of the bodice and wide sleeves accentuate the beauty of this very handsome figure. At that time Julius.Caesar was twenty-six years old. He was born on July 12, 654 AD.He already had a high prestige in Rome by virtue of his education, eloquence, hospitality, courage, energy, and refined taste. Gaius.Julius.Caesar was Marius' nephew as far as his aunt Julia was concerned, and was completely Marian in terms of his associations, friendships, and personal preferences.At the age of eighteen he married Lucius.Cornelius.Chenna's daughter Cornelia.Cinna was elected consul four times, and he was also an obvious supporter of the Teuton and Sembri conquerors.When Sulla eliminated his political opponents and became dictator, he immediately ordered the killing of two Julius who supported Marius.And asked the young Gaius.Julius.Caesar divorced his wife Cornelia.But Caesar showed an unwavering strength of character.unwilling to obey his orders.So Sulla was about to order him to be sentenced to death. Thanks to the intercession of several powerful Sulla sects and all the virgins who served the sex god Vesta, he was rescued and he was not allowed to follow the persecution period. Countless victims died. But Caesar felt that he himself would not be safe as long as Sulla ruled Rome, for the dictator, when many intercessors begged him to spare Caesar's life, said: You know nothing, but I have a presentiment Well, this young Julius is worth several Marius!Caesar fled to the province of Sabina, where he lived in seclusion in the mountains of Ladia and Tibaldina until the death of Sulla. After Caesar returned to Rome, he immediately under Minuccius.Under the command of General Salmus, he set out on an expedition and took part in the siege of Mytilen.In that battle he showed such great valor, and his ability to use weapons was so superior to anyone else, that it is said of him that his bravery surpassed human talent and imagination.Indeed, he had more than once shown his valor, and once he had risked his life in battle to save the life of a soldier; for this feat his superiors awarded him a citizen's laurel.Caesar then set out to King Nicomides, king of Pithnia, and in a short time a great friendship was formed between them, on which various slanderous gossips arose, and in the satirical articles of the time, Caesar was known as the queen of Picinia. When Pubrius.Silverius.When Vatier was appointed commander in chief to lead the Roman army on an expedition against the Silesian pirates whose activities centered on the city of Isavre, Caesar set off with Vatier. He participated in several battles, showing that he was an extremely good warrior . When the expedition was over, he set out for Greece, where he wanted to be taught by the famous philosophers and visit the schools of the most famous orators.But when Julius.When the ship that Caesar and his servants were on sailed near the Gulf of Yassus and the island of Formmagus in the Archipelago Seasporatis Islands, they were overtaken by pirate ships, and they all became pirates. captive.But Caesar not only showed great bravery in such a situation, but also showed his natural power of giving orders to others, which later ruled the world.When Caesar asked the pirates how much ransom they would need to set him free, the pirates offered a very large sum of twenty talents, but Caesar then replied haughtily: "I am worth more than that, and the one who redeems me will pay for me." You fifty talents.But then he said that as soon as he was free he would run after the pirates, catch them, and order them to be crucified.The courageous answer of this proud son of the city of Rome is a testament to his strength of character and sense of his own dignity.Caesar had no doubt that the promises of the Julius would be believed, and that he would be able to obtain this sum quickly.He sent his servants to Ephesus and Samos and other nearby cities to collect ransoms.The money arrived quickly, and he paid the ransom to the pirates.But as soon as he got his freedom, he immediately recruited several sculls in the nearby harbor and set off to chase the pirates.He attacked, routed, and captured them, and handed them over to the local Roman governor to crucify them.When Caesar knew that the governor did not want to execute the pirates and was going to sell them into slaves, he ordered all the pirates to be crucified on his own initiative, and declared that he was ready to apologize to the Roman senators for this action. The court and the people are responsible. All this made Julius.Caesar gained great fame, and then, when he openly and boldly accused Sulla Paganius.Cornelius.Torabella's prestige increased even more during his crimes as governor of the Macedonian province.He attacked with such firmness and argument that the most eloquent Cicero had difficulty exonerating his client.And it still depends on the large amount of money, power and personnel relationship with Rabeira. Caesar was reputed to be the son of the most elegantly dressed family, the most astute swordsman and sportsman, as he was always the winner in shows and contests in the arena.He enjoyed great prestige in Rome, and even when he was not in Rome, there was a great deal of sympathy for him.Therefore, at the beginning of 680 A.D., Aurelius of the High Priests.It is not surprising that Caesar immediately ascended to this exalted post after Cauda's death. Such was the man who stood at the entrance to the temple of Faunas, watching the crowds who came and went at the temple of the island's god of medicine and Faunas. Hello, High Priest Gaius.Julius.Caesar!Jidus.Lucretius.Callus approached Caesar and called. Hello, Carus, replied Caesar, taking the hand of the future author of the long poem "On the Nature of Things." The group and Lucretius.Carus and the young nobles who were going to have fun together, everyone said a lot of cordial words of welcome to the future conqueror of Gaul. Honor and praise to the noble Julius.Caesar!Said Metrobius, who came out from the temple of Iscurapius with many entertainers and jugglers.One bowed deeply to Caesar, his head almost touching his hand. Ah, Metrobius!Julius.Caesar exclaimed with a mocking smile.I see you never waste time for nothing, do you?You never let go of a holiday, and you never let go of even the slightest opportunity for fun. What else to do, noble Julius.Caesar!We should enjoy the life God has given us to the fullest Epicurus didn't warn us in advance I know, I know, Caesar immediately interrupted the actor, lest he should struggle to quote Epicurus' quotations.After a while, Caesar kept scratching his scalp with the little finger of his left hand so that the pleasure on his head would not be interrupted, and at the same time drew Metrobius to his side with the index finger of his right hand. You listen, he said. Metrobius left his artistic companions at once, and approached Caesar in haste, while an entertainer called out after him: We are waiting for you at the Isguerapius Hotel! I'll be right there, replied Metrobius, walking softly up to Caesar, smiling sweetly and saying: It seems that some god must have protected me today, so that I can get this precious opportunity to serve you, the most beautiful man of the Julius tribe. Caesar raised his usual smile and replied with a slightly contemptuous smile: Best-hearted Metrobius, I would like to trouble you with a small matter.You are not often at Gnaeus.Julius.Walking around the house of Norbanas? Needless to say!Metrobius exclaimed in an exaggerated tone that was very familiar to Norbanas.The dearest Norbanus has treated me very well, and has long since done so with my famous and dear friend, the immortal Lucius.Cornelius.when sura was alive Caesar's face flashed a look of disgust that he could hardly detect, but he immediately replied with an honest look: Well, then, you know Caesar thought about it, and then said.Metrobius, you may come to my house for dinner tonight.At that time I can tell you the matter calmly. How happy!What an honor!O most gracious Caesar, how grateful I am! Hey enough, your thanks are enough!Go, your friends are waiting for you.See you tonight. Caesar bid farewell to the mummer with a stately gesture.Metrobius said grateful words of gratitude and bowed again and again, then left Caesar and walked towards the nearby Iscurapius Hotel. Caesar's dignified and majestic politeness and contemptuous tone reveal his majestic and strong character.Since the opponent he was talking to was a flattering scumbag, and Caesar himself was a famous conqueror of women's hearts, it was likely to be thought that he must be trying to find out from Metrobius. Get news about some kind of love affair. When the crowded crowd made a noise around the three temples, thanks to the acquisition of Julius.Metrobius, delighted with the high honor of being a guest at the house of Caesars, entered the Hotel Iscurapius.He began to boast to his companions who were already at table, describing to them how Caesar had invited him.But no matter how sumptuous the dinner to come, the exuberant Mummer munched vigorously, and at the same time drank even more vigorously the mellow Veritern wine that his innkeeper prepared for his customers.There were quite a number of guests in the tavern that day, all in high spirits, and each with a good appetite, which filled the tavern with cheerful chatter, the clink of plates and glasses full of wine. Clinking glasses. The banter, banter, laughter, and tumult of Metrobius's table made the old actor's head dizzy, and he did not know how fast the time had passed, nor how much he had drunk. Linville Turn Wines.Another two hours passed, and the poor man could not even move his tongue from drinking too much, but he could still think and understand that he was in a very dangerous situation: if another hour passed, he would lose his mind. Without mobility, it would be impossible to go to Caesar's for dinner.He decided to leave his partner at the same table, so he supported the table with both hands with difficulty, and stood up straight again with difficulty.He bid farewell to the people at the same table, trying to stammer and explain that he had to leave, they were waiting for him and he was going to Kai︱K︱Kexia's house for dinner. The actor's words set off fits of laughter and jests from his tablemates, but as Metrobius stumbled towards the door, a stream of banter and bitterness accompanied him all the way to the threshold of the tavern. It's good that you go to Kesha's for dinner!The person sitting next to him called after him. Poor Metrobius, his tongue has been cut out!cried another. No, it wasn't his tongue that was cut off, but his feet, and look how he wobbled! Metrobius, don't dance, you are not on the stage! Go on, Metrobius, you'll wipe all the walls here! Your efforts are in vain, the boss here will not pay you to clean the walls! Look at the way he walks!It bends like a snake! At last Metrobius came out into the street, muttering to himself: Laugh, laugh, you ragged paupers!But I, I'm going to have dinner at Kekesha's place. He's a high-class, famous, big man. Kekexia likes entertainers!I swear by Jupiter of Capitoline Tor!I don't know how, what's going on, this Veritron wine must have been mixed with something, this wine is as deceitful as the heart of Ave Ave Ave Kipida! The drunk old alcoholic stopped after walking twenty steps to the bridge leading to the city, swaying back and forth.He just stood there thinking for a few minutes, and finally, he came up with a good idea, tried to turn around, and stumbled towards the man.He swayed constantly, breaking to the left, then to the right, toward the second wooden bridge that connected Tiber Island with Mount Janigul.He crossed the wooden bridge across the Tiber River and walked slowly towards the road leading to the top of the mountain.He crossed the main road at the Tonkadural Gate, and continued up the hill until he came to a fork.At these points the road forks into two roads: one leads to the top of the hill to the right, and the other turns left to the Subrizius Bridge, from where one can cross the Trijanmin Gate to the city. Center to go. At the fork, Metrobius' zigzag ceases: he stops hesitantly, not knowing which path to choose for his solitary walk.Metrobius' intentions were clear: he decided to take advantage of Julius.Two hours before dinner at the Caesars' house, fresh air and walks revived him from the drunkenness that had been brought on by overzealous drinking.It was a good idea, and it proved that Metrobius hadn't lost his mind. He stopped at the fork in the road, shaking his limp, feeble legs, and murmured with the index finger of his right hand to his forehead. : Which side should I go?Go to the top of the mountain?The air is naturally cooler there and I feel so hot as hell but the calendar tells me February is the winter month Well, is February winter?Let it be winter to those who don't drink cooper and phallon But to BacchusDionysius swears!The air is so clean here I must go up to the top of the mountain but what will I see there?The tomb of the good king Numa though I I don't respect King Numa at all because he doesn't like wine you see he doesn't like wine but I don't believe he doesn't like wine I'm going to tell the twelve peace I swear by the goddess, I don't believe that he and the forest goddess Agariya only talk about national affairs!Maybe some flirty stuff mixed in And maybe wine I don't want to go to the top of the hill I hate the king I'd rather go to the ground I must go The drunken Metrobius grumbled in this way, and he really hated the non-drinking Numa Bryant.King Pombilius.He turned off the stone-paved mountain road, turned and walked towards the branch road leading to the gate of Troy, because the road leading to the top of the mountain would lead him to the tomb of King Numa, which was discovered on the mountainside a hundred years ago. go. Metrobius still walked at the same zigzag pace as before, but his mind was no longer so noisy, and the smell of alcohol from his mouth also slightly dissipated.While he was drawing wonderful pictures on the ground with his feet, he continued to attack abstinence and non-drinkers, especially poor King Numa.In a short while he came to the sacred grove of Fulina, the goddess of storms.The wood was just halfway between the Cestius and Subrizius bridges. As soon as Metrobius stepped into the shade of the woods, he sucked in the fresh air that filled his chest.Then he went deeper into the woods, looking for the quiet, cool corner he desperately needed.He wandered along several trails, when suddenly he saw a small circular clearing in the center of the woods, on which stood a large tree with flourishing branches and leaves.He sat down in the weeds with his back against the trunk of the century-old tree. What a miracle!he muttered.Never would I have imagined that in this sacred grove of the goddess of the storm, I would find a good place to calm the storm that was raging in my head!In good conscience, it is very good to be in the embrace of nature!Really, the attractiveness of a shepherd's life is not just a poet's fantasy.The life of a shepherd is wonderful indeed!Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, live a happy secluded life in the quiet wilderness. The young goats are jumping in the fresh green grass. The little sheep are bleating and the streams are gurgling. The oriole is singing. What a beautiful life!What a pastoral!Metrobius' eyelids grew heavy, and he was about to be overwhelmed by the Sandman.However, a new idea suddenly hit him, and he woke up immediately. He twisted his fingers and said to himself: Yes, it is a wonderful life, but it is best that the stream is not crystal clear and cool of water, but of Farelon wine!Ah, water!I can never agree to that No, no, I can never agree!Tell me to drink water?If I don't drink alcohol for a few days, I will die of lovesickness!water!How boring!Such a bland drink! Metrobius, while making these remarks, opened and closed his eyes for a while, his thoughts were confused, his mind was stunned by the nightmare, but he still stammered and twirled his tongue : Farelon wine, yes that must be much better In the hotel of Iscurapius, I was given that wretched wine of Veritus It made me dizzy and still ringing in my ears Sounds like I've fallen into a beehive At this time, Metrobius fell asleep.He had wild and strange dreams, and the scenes in his dreams reflected the intermittent thoughts he had before falling asleep. He dreamed that he was standing on a dry and barren wilderness, with the scorching sun overhead.How powerful the sun is!Metrobius was sweating profusely, his throat was dry, he was so thirsty, so thirsty, he felt a pain in his chest, how restless, how frightened he was, but how good it was luck!He heard the gurgling of the brook, and he ran towards the brook. He wanted to run fast, but his feet seemed to have taken root on the ground, and the brook still rang far away.Metrobius couldn't understand how this unfortunate thing happened, but he knew that the stream was filled with Farelon wine. Well, it was very strange, the sound of the stream was like someone talking .Metrobius was dying of thirst, he wanted to drink, he ran and ran, and at last he came to the stream.However, when he was about to jump down to enjoy the Farelon wine in the stream, Numa.King Pombilius suddenly stood before him and forbade him to drink.King Numa, with his long, white beard, was terrible in appearance; he looked sternly at Metrobius, and scolded him loudly.This Numa.King Pombilius has a metallic, sonorous voice!He spoke some angry words, and Metrobius heard only a roar that seemed to come from the brook, and suddenly, the brook was not at all like Fareron wine, it was blood!Then King Numa lashed out at poor Metrobius even more, and flung himself upon him majestically, and cried out to him: you are thirsty!Will you drink blood, you wretch?You came to drink the blood of your fellow man, you bastard! The dream became more and more terrifying.Metrobius' heart constricted uncomfortably, terrified by the old king's stern reprimands.He ran away, stumbled on a tree root, fell to the ground, and finally woke up from the nightmare At that moment, Metrobius could not understand where he was, whether he was dreaming or awake.He rubbed his eyes, looked around, and realized that he was still in the woods.But it was already dark, and only the moonlight shot down from the gaps in the thick shadows, driving away the darkness.他苦苦地把思想集中起來；想清楚地回想一下，但怎麼也不行。他還是聽見努瑪．波姆比里烏斯王那憤怒的聲音，跟他在夢中聽到的一模一樣，因此在最初的一剎那，梅特羅比烏斯還以為自己仍舊在睡覺，仍舊在繼續做那個惡夢呢。但他很快地明白，他已經醒了。他開始模模糊糊地記起，他怎樣走到樹林裡來。最後，他明白：他在夢中聽到的叱責聲，其實就是活人的聲音，而且那聲音就是從離他不遠的那片空地上傳過來的。 我們要以死亡對付死亡！我們寧願為了我們的幸福和安寧而戰死，絕不願為了娛樂那批壓迫者而角鬥倒斃！某一個人正在慷慨激昂地繼續把話說下去。這批瘋狂的人形野獸，像里比亞荒野上的猛虎一般渴血，他們一看到被壓迫者的鮮血就覺得快樂；現在就讓他們自己也拿起短劍跟我們的短劍來拚一下吧，讓他們的鮮血跟我們的鮮血流在一起。讓他們懂得，在奴隸、角鬥士和不幸的人們胸中，也跳動著人的心。我對住在奧林帕斯山上的所有大神起誓，他們會相信，偉大的朱庇特創造出來的人是一律平等的，太陽照耀著所有的人，土地大公無私地給所有的人帶來收獲，而且所有的人在自己的生活中都毫無例外地具有享受幸福和快樂的權利。 一陣深沉有力但是微帶壓抑的讚歎聲，回答了這番在深夜的寂靜中發出來的熱烈演說。 梅特羅比烏斯立刻明白，聚集在這兒的人顯然是一批想對羅馬共和國造反的傢伙；而且，這個看不見的演說家的響亮聲音，他覺得很熟識。 可是這是誰的聲音？梅特羅比烏斯在什麼地方聽到過這聲音？在什麼時候？這一切他卻無論如何也記不起來了，雖然他拚命運用已經恢復的理智，竭力在自己的記憶中搜索著。 無論如何，梅特羅比烏斯明白，他必須不給他們看見，不然他就會倒楣。 他輕輕地爬了幾步，躲在他靠著的那棵樹的粗大樹幹後面，然後屏住呼吸，拿出全副精神，竭力把每一句話都聽得清清楚楚。 是不是可以說，經過四年來頑強不屈的祕密工作，解放的曙光終於出現了呢？另一個人發出沙啞而又低沉的聲音，操著生硬的拉丁話問。 我們是不是可以開始戰鬥呢？第三個用比前一個人的聲音還要沙啞、低沉的聲音問。 可以開始戰鬥！梅特羅比烏斯剛醒就聽到的那個人的聲音回答。阿爾托利克斯明天到 梅特羅比烏斯一聽到這個名字就知道說話的人是誰無疑，這就是斯巴達克斯；那時梅特羅比烏斯就一下子明白了這兒所發生的事情。 阿爾托利克斯明天到拉文那，斯巴達克斯說。他去通知葛拉尼克斯，叫葛拉尼克斯把他率領的五千二百個角鬥士準備好他們是我們起義大軍的第一軍團。克利克薩斯，這兒的第二軍團由你率領這軍團是由我們被壓迫者同盟住在羅馬的七千七百個盟員組成的。第三和第四軍團由我和埃諾瑪依率領，這兩個軍團是由加普亞倫杜魯斯．巴奇亞圖斯角鬥學校裡的一萬名角鬥士組成的。 兩萬人編成的角鬥士軍團！埃諾瑪依用雷一般的聲音大喜若狂地吼道。兩萬人！great!我對地獄裡的神起誓，好極了！我可以打賭，我們一定能夠看到蘇拉和馬略的驕傲兵士的鎧甲是怎麼在背上扣住的！ 但是現在，當我們把什麼都商量妥當以後，我得要求大家：我們每一個人都得記住自己被壓迫的祖國，為了我們祖國的苦難，也為了這一把我們團結起來的神聖事業，斯巴達克斯說，我們一定得十分小心而且保持清醒的頭腦。因為不論什麼樣魯莽的行動都會使我們整個事業遭到打擊。我們為了這一事業獻出了整整四年的不屈不撓的艱苦工作。任何不合時宜的爆發，任何大膽但沒有經過考慮的行動，在目前都是不可饒恕的罪惡。五天以後，你們可以聽到我們起義的第一陣行動，而且可以知道：加普亞已經落在我們起義者的手中了。雖然埃諾瑪依和我首先會把我們的隊伍拉到開闊的田野上，但是一有可能，我們就要對康滂尼亞的首府進行勇敢的攻擊，那時候，你們在拉文那的或者在羅馬的人就得集中自己的力量衝出來跟我們會合。但是，當加普亞的起義還沒有爆發，你們在外表上就得顯得和平時一樣的安定和鎮靜。 當斯巴達克斯說完了話，所有聚集在這兒的角鬥士就開始進行生氣勃勃的亂哄哄的談話。他們的人數大概是二十五個左右，這是被壓迫者同盟的領導核心。 他們互相交換著意見，互相鼓勵著，互相說出彼此的希望，互相回憶著往事而且互相熱烈地祝賀。接著，他們就開始散會。他們一面熱情地交談著，一面剛好向梅特羅比烏斯躲的地方走來，但是斯巴達克斯突然喊道： 弟兄們，為什麼你們全朝著一個方向走？你們應當三三兩兩地分散開來，互相隔開五六百步遠才是。你們回到城裡去時，一部分人可以穿過采斯季烏斯橋走，另一部分人可以穿過蘇布里齊烏斯橋或者是艾米里烏斯橋走。 當角鬥士們聽從領袖的命令從樹林中分路出去時，斯巴達克斯經過索索發抖的梅特羅比烏斯藏身的那棵大樹，拉住克利克薩斯的手說： 等會兒我們在獨眼魯泰茜雅那兒碰頭，你可以在那兒告訴我，在最近五天內那批鎧甲是不是能夠按照約定的時間運到。 我現在就是去跟那個騾夫碰頭，他曾經答應我，盡可能迅速地把那批鎧甲運來。 還運鎧甲哩！埃諾瑪依輕蔑地叫道。我們要鎧甲做什麼？我們的信仰就是我們的短劍，我們的勇氣就是我們的鎧甲。 克利克薩斯迅速地邁著大步，向采斯季烏斯橋的方向走去。斯巴達克斯、埃諾瑪依和阿爾托利克斯卻一起迴轉來，向蘇布里齊烏斯橋走去。 I see!我們勇敢的梅特羅比烏斯想，角鬥士們意去愈遠，他的膽子也就變得愈來愈大。真見鬼！我們的共和國上空竟出現了這麼一片烏雲！兩萬個武裝的角鬥士！這已足夠引起一次像以前在西西里那樣的大規模內戰了！而且不論就勇氣和韜略來說，那個領導西西里奴隸造反的敘利亞奴隸攸納斯跟斯巴達克斯比較起來，那就差得多了。Yes.自然囉，這是天意派我到這座樹林裡來的。無疑，偉大的神把我選做他的武器，以便把共和國和羅馬從危亡中拯救出來恰恰如此，再沒有別的理由可以解釋了。在從前鵝不是也幹過這麼一番大事業嗎？難道我還不適合嗎？鵝！天啊，我這醉漢竟會引用這麼一個比方！ 梅特羅比烏斯對他把自己與禽鳥相比的引證感到非常生氣，他站了起來，開始仔細傾聽。接著他猶疑不決地在樹林裡走了幾步，他想確實知道：角鬥士是不是都走光了，會不會留下打埋伏的人。 他記起凱撒曾經在黃昏時等待他去參加晚宴，但現在已將近半夜了，太遲了。這使他非常懊惱，但他立刻為自己找到了安慰，因為他想：只要他太太平平地走出傅林娜女神的聖林，他就可以立刻趕到凱撒那兒，把他偶然發覺的角鬥士造反的密謀告訴凱撒了，而凱撒一定會立刻饒恕他的。 當梅特羅比烏斯確信所有的角鬥士都走光了，他就出了樹林，並且快步向采斯季烏斯橋走去，同時暗自盤算：如果不是他喝醉了酒，他是不會到角鬥士集會的傅林娜女神的樹林裡去的，他必須替自己這次醉酒祝福，替自己這嗜酒如命的癖好祝福，甚至對那不久前他曾經大加詛咒的葡萄酒，現在他也覺得是極其神聖的美酒了。這一切使他得出兩個結論：一個結論是必須把酒神巴珂斯當作羅馬的特別保護神，替他建造一所新的神廟。另一個結論是：因為像梅特羅比烏斯喝醉酒這麼普通的事情，居然能拯救羅馬共和國，可見神的意圖是莫可揣測的。 他這樣仔細地思索著，終於走近了凱撒的家。他一面進去，一面叫奴隸立刻去通報主人，叫凱撒立刻到書室裡來，因為他，梅特羅比烏斯，有極重要的、可能關涉到共和國命運的消息報告他。 凱撒起先對梅特羅比烏斯的話毫不介意，因為他認為這戲子是一個酒鬼、一個狂妄的傢伙。但是，他想了一想以後，還是決定去聽聽梅特羅比烏斯的報告。凱撒向客人們告了罪，出了三榻餐廳，向書室走去。焦急不安的梅特羅比烏斯就把角鬥士們的密謀約略地告訴了他。 凱撒覺得這個消息非常奇怪。他向這個戲子提出幾個疑問，以便斷定那事情是不是出之於醉漢的幻覺。當他確定了事情的真實性，不禁緊鎖雙眉，站在那兒苦苦地想。接著，他顯然採取了某種決定，浮起不信任的微笑對梅特羅比烏斯說： 我不能懷疑你所報告的都是事實，可是真的，這一切都太像神話了。這一切會不會是由於你在伊斯古拉庇烏斯酒店裡痛飲維里特恩葡萄酒以後，由於醉酒而極度興奮的頭腦所想像出來的幻覺呢？ 啊，高貴的尤利烏斯．凱撒！我不否認自己嗜酒如命，特別是碰到好酒，梅特羅比烏斯顯出生氣的樣子答道。我不否認，就連現在我的頭還是昏昏沉沉的，但是我在傅林娜聖林中聽到的那些話，啊，高貴的凱撒，我可以發誓，的確是千真萬確地聽到的，而且把它一字不易地轉告了你。一場酣睡和雅尼古爾山山腳下的新鮮空氣，早已使我清醒過來了。那時候我已經完全恢復了神志。難道你存心要讓共和國遭到危難，不去警告執政官和元老們嗎？ 凱撒低下頭來，似乎在考慮什麼事情。 危險一分鐘一分鐘地在增長呢。 凱撒不作聲。 梅特羅比烏斯也不作聲了，但從他的姿勢和痙攣的動作中可以看出，他正感到非常不耐煩。終於，他忍不住了，向凱撒問道： 您究竟準備怎麼樣？ 凱撒抬起頭來，答道： 不論這事情對祖國有多大危險，梅特羅比烏斯，我還是願意親自作出判斷來！ 你怎麼能判斷戲子想要說話，但是凱撒立刻打斷他說： 如果你能允許我，我要親自對這事情作出判斷來 啊，高貴的凱撒，你怎麼說出這種話來！我是來跟你商量的。如果你願意，我可以把發現這一密謀的榮譽心甘情願地讓給你，因為我知道而且堅決地相信：蓋烏斯．Julius.凱撒是很慷慨的，他絕不會忘記替他效勞的人。 謝謝你的盛意，梅特羅比烏斯，謝謝你對我的建議。但我並不想從你偶然發現的祕密中獲取利益，我只想證實而且確定一下這事情的實際情況不，這樣做是為了正確地考慮一下我們應當怎樣行動。 梅特羅比烏斯連連點頭，表示他同意凱撒的意見，於是凱撒對他說： 現在你上三榻餐廳去，在那兒等我。但是梅特羅比烏斯，你得小心，你在傅林娜聖林中聽到的話可不能對任何人講，我們現在談的話也不能洩漏，我現在離開屋子到外面去的情形也不許提起。一小時以後我就回來，那時候我們再商量，為祖國的利益應當怎麼辦。 我一定執行你的命令，凱撒。 你放心好了，我會酬謝你的；命運之神的冊子上並沒有寫著：蓋烏斯．Julius.凱撒命中註定，直到死都只配戴一頂在鬥技場中賽事獲勝的桂冠。 Gaius.Julius.凱撒說完了就走到書室隔壁的房間裡去，讓梅特羅比烏斯去咀嚼他那番意味深長的話。過了一會兒，凱撒回來了。他的右臂上掛著一件質地厚實的黑色罩袍，無疑，那是屬於他的某一個奴僕的，另外還有一副掛著他那短劍的紫色佩帶。凱撒脫去白色的餐袍，把佩帶掛上了肩，披上罩袍，把風兜覆到頭上。他與梅特羅比烏斯告別時，又一次囑咐他，叫他到三塌餐廳裡去等他，但切不可對任何人說起角鬥士密謀造反的事情。接著，他帶了一個奴隸離開了屋子，急急忙忙地向那條通維納斯酒店的巷子走去。 凱撒除了巴拉丁區的那所房子之外，在蘇布拉區的中心還有一所住宅。那時他甚至是常常住在蘇布拉區的，他認為這樣做，可以獲得住在羅馬這一區的貧民的好感。凱撒曾經不止一次地脫去華麗的長袍，換上粗布的短衣，在蘇布拉區和埃斯克維林區那些汙穢而又陰暗的巷子裡到處訪問貧民，對他們進行慷慨無比的幫助。因此凱撒對這些充滿了痛苦與恥辱的下流場所和每一個最偏僻、汙穢的角落是瞭如指掌的。 維納斯酒店離開凱撒那所建築精美的小住宅並不遠，他很快就來到了那條汙穢的巷子。獨眼魯泰茜雅的酒店中發出來的喧嘩聲，破壞了深夜的寂靜。 凱撒帶著奴隸進了酒店，向外面那個大房間的四周迅速地看了一下。在那個大房間裡，妓女、平民、掘墓人、假裝乞丐的流氓、殘廢的人以及其他羅馬社會的渣滓，像平常一樣喧鬧地吃喝著。凱撒向這些人看了一眼，就向裡面的小房間走去，他立刻在那兒看到十幾個釋放角鬥士和角鬥士圍坐在餐桌旁。 凱撒向他們很平常的招呼了一下，和他的奴隸一起在房角的條凳上坐下了，然後命令酒店裡那個衣索比亞女奴隸替他們取兩杯采古巴葡萄酒來。他裝出一副漠不關心的態度，和自己的奴隸說著無關重要的話，同時卻目光炯炯地注視房中角鬥士的行動，傾聽他們的談話。 斯巴達克斯坐在埃諾瑪依和克利克薩斯的中間，他的臉色蒼白，悲哀，憂鬱。從蘇拉去世到現在四年來，色雷斯人的容貌起了顯著的變化。在他目前的容貌中出現了嚴峻的成分，那是以前所沒有的；寬廣的前額已經布滿了深陷的皺紋，那是驚恐和憂慮的痕跡。 當同伴們叫斯巴達克斯的名字時，一向只知道斯巴達克斯名字的凱撒就深信自己的猜測並不錯，他一看到那些人就立刻以為：斯巴達克斯只能是那個身材魁梧的美男子，因為他那極其尊嚴的態度和精力充沛而又智慧的臉是非常特出的。 Gaius.Julius.凱撒用愈來愈憐惜的心情注視著這位釋放角鬥士，他一看到他就立刻產生了好感。凱撒用具有天才的偉人的敏銳目光。看到斯巴達克斯具有偉大的心靈和天賦的才能。他明白：命運之神註定要斯巴達克斯建立崇高的功績，而且幹出一番驚天動地的大事業來。 女奴隸阿蘇兒拿來了葡萄酒，凱撒拿起一杯，叫他的奴隸拿起另一杯，說： 喝吧。 奴隸喝完了他的那杯酒，但凱撒卻只是裝裝飲酒的樣子，其實他的嘴唇連一滴葡萄酒也沒有沾到。除了水之外，凱撒什麼也沒有喝。 過了幾分鐘。他站了起來，走近角鬥士的餐桌。 你好，勇敢的斯巴達克斯！He said.但願命運之神永遠對你微笑，這是你應得的。你能不能為我花費一點時間？我想跟你談一談。 餐桌旁的人都回這頭來，只聽見好些人發出驚奇的叫聲： Gaius.Julius.凱撒！ Julius.凱撒？斯巴達克斯站起來說，他的驚異也不亞於他的同伴們，他還從來不曾看見過凱撒，因此不認得他。 請你們不要作聲！這位未來的獨裁者阻止他們說。要不然的話，明天全羅馬城的人都會知道，一個大祭司，黑夜裡竟在蘇布拉和埃斯克維林的小酒店裡逛蕩！ 斯巴達克斯詫異地瞧著這位不速之客。凱撒在當時雖然還沒有幹出大事業來，但他的威名已經傳遍了羅馬城和整個義大利。斯巴達克斯仔細地觀察著凱撒那剛毅的、具有過人精力的外形，不禁對他英俊的容貌、山鷹一般的銳利目光、線條極其和諧的體格、高貴而又鎮靜的態度以及強有力的外貌，感到非常驚異。色雷斯人對這位有名的尤利烏斯族的後裔默默地看了好一會，然後答道： 我將感到非常榮幸，尤利烏斯．凱撒，如果這對你有什麼益處的話。 你必須暫時離開你勇敢的同伴們，我要和你一起到城牆那邊去散一會兒步。 驚詫的角鬥士們互相使著眼色。斯巴達克斯答道： 能夠和羅馬城最有名望、最高貴的貴族一起去散步，對一個窮困的無名的釋放角鬥士來說，那真是莫大的光榮。 勇敢的人絕不會永遠窮困，凱撒答道，他向門口走去，一面向自己的奴隸做了一個手勢，叫他在酒店裡等他。 唉，斯巴達克斯嘆了一口氣以後，一面跟著凱撒走出來，一面說，當獅子拴上鐵鏈的時候，牠還有什麼威力呢！ 這兩位非常的人物穿過酒店的那個主要房間，走出了酒店，往巷子裡走去，默默地向城牆邊走去剛剛走到四年前蓋烏斯．維萊斯的那釋放奴隸被角鬥士們處死的地方。 一輪明月在天空中照耀著，它把憂鬱的銀光傾瀉到城牆外蔥蘢繁茂的果樹園、菜園和葡萄園裡，也傾瀉到城外廣闊的原野上。那片原野伸展得很遠很遠，一直伸展到好像許多黑糊糊的巨人一般、矗立在地平線上的杜斯古爾和拉丁的群山那兒。 在深夜的靜寂中，凱撒和斯巴達克斯來到城中最後幾所房屋和賽爾維烏斯．杜里烏斯城牆之間的野地上。蒼白的月光照耀著他們，遠遠看去好像兩個白色的幽靈。他們停了下來面對面地站著，默默地動也不動，好像在努力估計和打量對方。他們都明白：他們代表著兩種敵對的思想，兩面敵對的旗幟，兩個敵對的世界：專制和自由。 凱撒首先衝破這一沉寂的氛圍，對斯巴達克恩說： how old are you? 三十三，色雷斯人彷彿要努力捉摸對方的意思似的，一面仔細地注視著凱撒，一面答道。 你是色雷斯人嗎？ Yes. 色雷斯人是勇敢的民族，這是我在戰鬥和危險中親自體驗到的。除此之外你還可以為你的禮貌和教養而自豪。 How did you know? 從一個女人那兒。但現在不是談這個問題的時候，因為你本人以及你所獻身的事業，正遭受著極大的危險。 你指的是什麼危險？斯巴達克斯後退一步，驚恐地問。 我全都知道了，但是斯巴達克斯，我到這兒來並不是想加害於你。恰恰相反，我想拯救你。有一個人坐在傅林娜聖林的一棵大樹下面，無意之中聽到了你們今晚的會議。 啊，我詛咒所有的神！斯巴達克斯絕望地叫道，握緊了拳頭，威嚇天空。 但是他還沒有去報告執政官：我竭力阻止他這樣做，可是他一定會在今天夜裡或是明天早晨去報告當局，那時候，你的整整四個軍團還沒有來得及聚集起來就要消滅了。 斯巴達克斯陷入可怕的絕望的心境中，他扯著自己的頭髮。接著，他像瘋子一般，一動也不動，把眼睛睜得大大的，注視著那照耀著月光的樹幹，用斷斷續續的夾雜著哽咽的聲音發出一陣低語，好像在跟自己說話一般； 五年來的信念、工作、希望和戰鬥，全都在一眨眼之間毀滅了！一切都完了，被壓迫的人什麼希望也沒有了我們只有做奴隸，做奴隸度過這卑賤的一生！ 在斯巴達克斯激動的臉上，反映出強烈的內心痛苦，凱撒不但懷著憐憫、同情而且幾乎懷著尊敬的心情，看著這個被極大的痛苦折磨著的、偉大而又堅強的人。凱撒是一個已經意識到自己的天才而且對它懷著無比驕傲的統帥，他一向認為世界上沒有一個值得他敬仰的人，但現在，這個角鬥士卻使他不由自主地產生了讚賞的心情。因為斯巴達克斯從對自由的神聖的愛中吸取了力量，他想完成希臘、羅馬的英雄們才能完成的偉大事業。由於他用頑強的精神、遠大的目光、天生的卓越智慧和崇高的信念武裝了自己，由於他充滿了勇氣和極其旺盛的精力，使他能夠創造一支由兩萬名角鬥士組成的正規軍隊。 凱撒一想到那些軍團，他的目光裡就閃爍著貪婪的、野心勃勃的火光，他的頭開始昏眩，他的全身頓時起了一陣戰慄。他大大地張開了兩眼，凝視著阿爾巴納斯諸山的山頂，落入無比廣闊的幻想世界中去了。啊，要是那四個軍團兩萬名戰士能由他來率領作戰多好啊！不出幾年他就會征服全世界，變成羅馬的統治者。但他絕不像蘇拉那樣變成一個人人畏懼和憎恨的傢伙，而是一個受到大家愛戴的統治者。他將要成為平民階級的偶像，但他將成為那些驕傲而徒然掙扎的貴族們的災星！ 兩個人都不作聲：一個感到非常痛苦，另一個卻陷入野心勃勃的幻想中。第一個打破這一沉寂局面的是斯巴達克斯。他清醒了過來，可怕祂蹙緊雙眉，流露出一種嚴肅但是生氣勃勃的神情堅決地說： 不，我對朱庇特的雷火起誓，絕不許這樣！ So what are you going to do?凱撒好像被斯巴達克斯的喊叫喚醒了，問道。 斯巴達克斯用他烈火一般的目光注視著凱撒那時已經變得平靜清澈的眼睛，並且過了一分鐘又問道： 可是你，凱撒，你是什麼人是我們的朋友還是敵人？ 我很想做你們的朋友，但無論如何我絕不是你們的敵人。 你能為我們做任何事嗎？ How to do it? 把那個知道我們祕密的人交給我們！ What?你想叫我這個羅馬人不管這次威脅羅馬安全的奴隸暴動嗎？叫我這個有可能防止這次暴動的人聽任它爆發嗎？ 你的話不錯，我忘記你是一個羅馬人了。 而且我希望整個世界都屬於羅馬。 唔，自然。你是奴役全世界各民族的羅馬暴政的化身。你懷著比馬其頓的亞歷山大大帝還大的野心。當羅馬之鷹用它的翅膀覆蓋了全世界各民族，你就要把這些民族用鐵鏈鎖起來，把他們緊握在你的鐵拳之中。羅馬將變成一切民族的統治者，而你則變成羅馬的統治者，是嗎？ 凱撒的眼睛裡迸發出喜悅的光芒，但他立刻回覆平素的鎮靜態度，微笑著對斯巴達克斯說： 我的理想是什麼，誰也不會知道。也許，連我自己也不清楚。但是我為了從窠巢中飛出去找尋自己的幸福，還得積聚力量。你，斯巴達克斯你具有偉大統帥的驚人精力和智慧，你聚集了一支奴隸的隊伍，創造了好幾個精銳的軍團，準備率領他們去作戰。但是請你告訴我，斯巴達克斯，你想的是什麼？你所希望的又是什麼？ 我希望，斯巴達克斯說，他的心中燃燒著熱烈的信念。我希望毀滅你們這個腐化的羅馬世界，希望在它的廢墟上看到各民族獨立的花朵。我希望消滅那種強迫一個人向另一個人屈服的可恥法律，消滅那種叫同樣由女人生下來、而且具有同樣力量和智慧的兩個人中的一個汗流滿面地勞動，耕種不屬於他的田地，供養另一個對罪惡、懶惰和逸樂安之若素的人的法律。我希望用壓迫者的血來償付被壓迫者的呻吟，我希望粉碎繫在羅馬勝利之車上的不幸的人的鐵鏈。我希望把奴役的鐵鏈改鑄為短劍，使每一個民族能夠用那短劍把你們驅逐出境，把你們逐到偉大的神賜給你們的義大利本土，不許你們越出原有的國界一步。我希望燒毀所有的鬥技場，在鬥技場上，你們這些人形的野獸把我們叫做野蠻人，而且使我們這些為了幸福、為了精神上的享受、為了愛而降生的不幸的人互相殘殺，來娛樂你們這些世界的暴君。我對萬能的朱庇特的雷火發誓，我希望看到自由的太陽輝煌地照耀，可恥的奴隸制度在地面上消滅！我一定要獲得自由，我渴望自由，我要爭取自由，我要為每一個人、每一個不論大小強弱的民族爭取自由。和平、幸福、正義以及不朽的神賜給人們享受的一切崇高幸福，會伴隨著這樣的自由來到人間！ 凱撒動也不動地站在那兒傾聽著，他的嘴唇上掠過憐惜的微笑。當斯巴達克斯說完以後，他搖搖頭並且問道： 接下去怎麼樣，高貴的幻想家，接下去又怎麼樣？ 接下去就是正義的政權壓倒暴力，智慧的政權統治貪欲。釋放角鬥士答道，在他的火熱的臉上，流露出他心胸中熊熊燃燒的崇高感情。接下去就是人與人之間一律平等，民族與民族之間互相親善友愛，幸福在全世界的範圍內獲得凱旋和勝利！ 可憐的幻想家！你相信所有這些幻想能在你這一生中實現嗎？Julius.凱撒帶著嘲弄和憐憫的口氣。可憐的幻想家！他沉默了一會兒接著說，聽我說，斯巴達克斯，而且把我這番充滿好意的話仔細地考慮一下。我對你的同情要大大地超過你想像的那種程度。你記好，我不是屬於那種輕易向別人獻出友誼、特別是輕易向別人表示尊敬的人。要實現你所幻想的一切，那是絕對不可能的：這是純然的幻想，不論就你所設想的目標或者就你現在所採取的手段來說，都是空中樓閣。 斯巴達克斯正想反駁，但凱撒打斷了他的話說。 不要打斷我的話，你聽著，你得明白，我到兒來跟你談話是為了你的利益。nature.你自己並不認為你的兩萬名角鬥士就會使羅馬戰慄。很顯然，你絕不會這樣想。你認為，自由這個字眼，會使廣大的奴隸群眾聚集到你的旗幟下來。讓這些奴隸的數目達到十萬或者十五萬吧（雖然這永遠不可能），讓他們在你的教導下用鐵的紀律團結起來，讓他們為死裡求生的勇氣所鼓舞而英勇地戰鬥。讓一切都是這樣吧！但是你能相信他們能夠打敗曾經征服亞、非兩洲一切帝王的四十萬羅馬大軍！這些兵士都是自由公民，他們在義大利有他們自己的一片土地，有他們自己的家，難道你以為他們不會起來對你們這些什麼產業也沒有、萬一獲得勝利就會使他們破產的窮光蛋拚命嗎？你們是為了死裡求生而戰鬥，他們卻是出於自衛的本能；你們是為了爭取人權，他們卻是為了保衛自己的私有財產。誰能夠獲得勝利，是不難想像的。在數量上他們先占了優勢，此外，在每一個城市或者自治市裡有他們的同盟者，但對你們來說，卻是敵人。為他們服務的有整個國庫的全部財產，尤其重要的是，還有貴族們的巨大財產。他們那一邊，還有羅馬的威權，經驗豐富的統帥的軍事藝術，所有城市和所有羅馬共和國公民的財富，更不用說共和國的船舶艦隊，以及從世界各個角落裡徵集來的後備軍了。那些頑固、粗魯的蠻族和從各個國度來的奴隸，他們之間並沒有可以使他們互相結合的高貴傳統或者別的物質上的連繫，他們甚至並不完全懂得你所努力奮鬥的目標。你的勇氣、毅力和超群的智慧足以使這樣一些人納入秩序和紀律嗎？我曾經一度相信你能夠做到，但仔細一想，不，這絕對不可能你具有堅強的意志和智慧，而且完全有能力指揮軍隊我承認這一點。但你最多只能使你的軍隊暫時隱藏這些缺點，猶如一個人把身上的癰疽遮掩起來一般。你能夠動搖你故人的勝利信心，但你在完成這種理智和勇氣的奇蹟之後，你能最後戰勝敵人嗎？ 嘿，那有什麼關係！斯巴達克斯用極其冷靜的態度叫道。我可以為正義的事業光榮犧牲，我們流的鮮血一定會使自由之樹結出果實來，我們的鮮血將在壓迫者前額蓋上可恥的烙印，我們的鮮血會產生無數的復仇者。我們留下了可以被人模仿的榜樣這是我們能夠留給後代的最寶貴的遺產！ 偉大的自我犧牲，但那卻是毫無效果的無謂犧牲。我已經向你指出，你所採取的手段不足以達到你的目標，現在我還要向你指出，你的目標本身只是激動的想像的產物，只是外表誘人的幻想，猶如人類無力捕捉的幽靈：它在遠處看來是活生生的，它誘惑著你，但是你愈是頑強地追上去，它就愈是遠遠地離開你。當你覺得你好像已經捉住它時，它卻在你的眼前突然消失了。人類自從離開樹林住在一起，自由就消失了，奴隸制就產生了；因為每一條為了全體利益而限制個人權利的法律，就侵害了個人的自由。從此以後，不論在什麼地方，不論在什麼時候，總是由最強橫最狡猾的人統治群眾，而且老是有普通的人民服從他們。甚至好些最優良、用最英明的制度建立起來的共和國，也逃避不了這一規律，因為它的根源就存在人的本性之中。底比斯、斯巴達和雅典的不光榮的結局就是證明。就在我們這一以人民具有最高權力的原則為基礎的羅馬共和國，你已經看到，一切政權都被那一小撮貴族所掌握，他們占有了一切財富，也因此掌握了一切力量，他們把共和國的政權變成了他們這一階級世代相傳的遺產。四十萬個沒有食物、住所和衣服抵禦冬寒的羅馬公民能算自由人嗎？他們只不過是第一個遇到他們購買他們的選票的人的奴隸罷了，選舉的權利就是這些貧苦的世界統治者的唯一財產。因此在我們這兒自由這個字眼早已失卻了它的意義。雖然這調子永遠能夠在群眾的心坎裡引起反響，但有時候往往是一些暴君彈奏得最出色。斯巴達克斯，我遭到這些極其驕橫的貴族的壓迫，我同情平民的悲哀和痛苦，我明白只有消滅貴族，平民才能得到幸福，為了打垮這些豪門貴