Chapter 11 Chapter Ten: The Uprising

The city of Capua, rich, cheerful, livable, and full of pleasures of all kinds, was the capital of Compania, the most fertile, richest, and most beautiful province in all Italy, when the events we describe took place, The city of Capua was in decline, and it could no longer match its former grandeur and power; but before Hannibal's expedition to Italy, even her rivals Rome and Carthage jealous of it. As has been surmised, the city of Capua was founded by the Osgians about two centuries before the founding of Rome.It stands on the beautiful banks of the Vertunas, and probably was once called Fartunas, after the name of the river.After the Etruscans conquered the Osgi, Ausan and Aulun.For about three centuries, Capua was the capital of a confederation of twelve cities in this region.Italy inherited the wealth of civilization from these highly cultured peoples, and much earlier than it inherited Greek civilization.

After three centuries, that is to say, around the year 332 of the Roman era, the Etruscans lost their original spirit of fortitude because of the mild climate, rich products, and corrupt morality that was all the rage. , became weak, they were unable to resist the aggression of their neighbors, and were conquered by the powerful mountain people, the Shamnites.The Shamnites took their lands and began to rule over the conquered Etruscan cities; it was probably the Shamnites who renamed the city of Farduna Capua, and Capua was probably theirs. Own the name of a distinguished leader.But the Shamnites gradually lost their original strength after gaining the dominion of Compania.They were constantly at war with the barbaric shepherd tribes of the nearby Apennines, and these wars, after about a hundred years, at last attracted the ever-victorious Roman eagle, which by then had conquered most of Italy.The inhabitants of Compania attracted the Romans in the nature of asking for help from their allies, but the Romans stayed in this beautiful province.They gave Compania only nominal independence and a very pitiful autonomy; in practice it became a Roman province.A large number of Roman citizens and noble families, attracted by the beautiful nature and mild winter, flowed into the city of Capua.It was in that period that Capua began to prosper, prosper, and become a wealthy, densely populated metropolis.

Hannibal was victorious at the Trebia and Lake Trasimeno, and especially after the defeat of the Romans at Canet, Capua fell into the arms of the victor.Hannibal turned this beautiful city into a supply base for his expeditionary force.But after a while, Hannibal failed, and Capua's lucky star died.The Romans re-ruled Capua, exterminating some of its inhabitants and exiling others or selling them into slavery.The Romans migrated the nearby mountain people and farmers to the city of Capua as immigrants.These immigrants were all Roman supporters, and they remained loyal to the Romans in times of crisis.

One hundred and thirty-eight years later, due to the extremely strong protection of Sulla and his soldiers who colonized the surrounding suburbs of Capua, Capua returned to its former prosperity.Now the city has a total of 100,000 inhabitants.A fortified wall was built around it, six miles in length.There are beautiful streets in the city, extremely ornate temples, magnificent arcades, palaces, baths and arenas.The appearance of Capua not only rivals Rome but surpasses it, especially because the warm sun shines here all the year round; The famous Eternal City of Romulus on the Seven Hills is not so generous.

In this way, at the evening of February 20th, 680 AD, when the sun, surrounded by light white clouds and red clouds, gave out brilliant flashes, it slowly descended from behind many hills. When going to the sea to the east of Terlon City, the streets in Capua City were still very noisy, crowded and lively as usual.The craftsmen finished their work, the shops began to close for a rest, some residents began to go out for a walk in the street, and some began to go home; the silence and tranquility of dusk slowly descended, and began to replace the boiling activities of the day. On the handsome Via Albon, which almost divides the town in two from the Farovieri Gate to the Benevent Gate, the townspeople of all ages and occupations came to a sudden halt.They stared in amazement at a small troop of knights galloping at full gallop from the Via Appius.A captain of ten led ten knights. Their horses were covered with dust, splashed with mud, puffs of hot air from their nostrils, and white foam on their bits. To have some kind of particularly urgent and important mission.

I swear by the rod of Jupiter on Mount Tifat, said an elderly burgher to his young companion.I have seen such a gallop only once, some years ago, when the news of Sulla's victory over Norbanas, the Mallibin consul, near the temple of Diana on Tiphat, outside our city, was also reported by a team of Urgently rushing to report like this. How strange to know what news this cavaliers bring!said the young man. They probably came from Rome.A blacksmith said as he untied his leather apron, which had many holes burned by sparks.Almost all blacksmiths have worn such aprons for generations. Must have brought something new.

Perhaps, we will be in some danger? Has our plot been exposed?A young gladiator, suddenly pale, whispered to his companions. At that time, the captain and his ten knights had turned from the Arbon Street into another beautiful street, the Cypressia Street.The street was almost full of shops dealing in fragrances and cosmetics.Various spices, balms, lipsticks and essences from Capua supplied the needs of all Italy, especially a group of noble ladies and ladies in Rome.The house in the middle of Cypressia Street is the admiral Metius Metius, who was stationed in Capua by Rome.The residence of Libeonas.

The knights halted before the house, and the captain dismounted, entered the arcade, and asked the porter to come in at once and report that an urgent message from the Roman senate was to be sent to the admiral. The gate of the Admiral's Mansion was full of curious crowd.Some people wondered at the distressed appearance of the knights and horses who were exhausted from galloping; others wondered what business the knights came here for and why it was so urgent; some even tried to chat with these soldiers , trying in vain to get some news out of their mouths. All the speculations and temptations of the idle Capuans were in vain.Among the mean and incoherent answers they had managed to get from the soldiers, they knew only one thing, and that was that this company of knights came from Rome; Nor can it explain the mysterious emergency.

Suddenly, several slaves rushed out of the Admiral's Mansion, and quickly ran in all directions along Cypressia Street. ah!cried someone from the crowd.Things are not for fun! what kind of thing? who knows Look how fast the admiral's slave runs!Like a doe in the woods of Mount Tifate escaping from the dogs! Something major must have happened. Hey, of course.But where are these slaves going? The crux of the matter is here!Guess what! Oh, if only I could know!I would give out ten boxes of my best rouge in exchange for this news.A tall, fat, rosy-cheeked merchant from a nearby perfume and cosmetic shop said he pushed forward, eager for some news.

You are right, Garymis, said another Capuan.You are right, there is no doubt that something very serious has happened.Although I desperately wanted to know the truth of the accident, I still found nothing.It was almost intolerable! Do you think something dangerous is going to happen? Otherwise so what!Could it be that the Senate sent such a whole team of messengers for no reason and told them to run so desperately?They must have downed a lot of horses along the way! I swear by the wings of Elise, messenger of the gods, I seem to see there Where, where do you see? Here, it's over there, on the corner of Albon Street

May the great God help us!The owner of the spice shop yelled with a pale face.Isn't that the leader! Yes, yes it was he!Jidus.Sylvie Lionas! Look how fast he was following the admiral's slave! Something must have happened! May Diana bless us! When the commander Jidus.Sylvia Lionas entered the Admiral's Mansion, almost the entire Cypressia Street was crowded with people, and the whole city of Capua was a sensation.But at that time, two tall, strong and strong men were riding on horseback along the rather long ditch that ran from the hills outside Capua to the city wall.Those two people were panting with difficulty, their faces were pale, and their bodies were covered with dust and mud.But judging from their attire and weapons, it is easy to recognize them as two gladiators. This is Spartacus and Enomayi.They left Rome on horseback late at night on the 15th of this month, galloped with all their strength, replaced new horses at every resting place along the way, and quickly arrived in Suaisa.Pometye.But here the captain and ten of his cavalry overtook them.The detachment galloped toward Capua, alerting the admiral there of the plot of slave insurrection.In this way, the two gladiators were not only forced to give up the idea of ​​​​changing horses, but also had to turn off the Appius Avenue at all times and run along the nearby fork. In one place they bought two horses, and, with their strong will and fortitude of character, they went on and on: now they turned into paths, now they got lost, now they took shortcuts and galloped, Make up for lost time, but that's probably where the way of Appius winds and turns so that the soldiers go the wrong way.Finally, the two gladiators came to the main road of Ateratungapua. They hoped to reach Capua an hour earlier than the emissary of the Senate, and it would be a great achievement and a victory if they could do so!But suddenly, six miles from the hills from which the Cranius springs, and seven miles from Capua, Spartacus's horse gave up, and fell down with its rider.Spartacus put his arms around the horse's neck, trying to stop it, but the poor beast fell to the ground, crushing Spartacus' arm, and dislocating the joint at his shoulder. No matter how painful the sprain was, Spartacus still didn't let it show at all in his expression. Only by watching very carefully could he find the slight twitch of his pale face caused by the severe pain.But the physical pain was nothing compared with the mental pain that afflicted this man of iron will.This unexpected setback made him feel the pangs of despair, for he expected to reach Lendurus, half an hour before their enemies.In the gladiatorial school of Bachiatus, but now they are forced to fall behind, seeing the building they have built tenaciously for five years is about to collapse and destroy. Spartacus sprang to his feet, forgetting for an instant the dislocated arm; he uttered a cry of despair like the roar of a mortally wounded lion.Then he said despondently: I swear to God Erebus, everything, everything is over! Enomayi dismounted, approached Spartacus, touched his shoulder with concern, and wanted to know whether he had suffered any serious injuries. What’s wrong with you!What are you talking about!How can it be all over now, when our hands have broken the fetters, are free, and hold the dagger?Enomayi tried her best to comfort Spartacus. Spartacus was silent, then he glanced at Enomayi's horse and cried: Seven miles!There's only seven miles to go, and we hope the gods who oppose us die!We should give up trying to get there in time!If your horse has strength enough for the two of us to ride three or four miles, we can walk the rest of the way very quickly!Since we were already an hour ahead of the enemy, it would take at least another hour after the detachment arrived there to give these orders and try to thwart our plans for an insurrection. You are quite right, replied the German, but then, going back to his horse, he said: But I wonder if the poor beast can carry us two miles on his back again? The two gladiators examined the unfortunate horse carefully, only to find that it was in a half-dead state. It was panting with difficulty, pulled its sides convulsively, and was constantly steaming from its body.It was evident that this horse would soon go down like the first horse, and that riding it would not only crush its arms and thighs, but risk breaking its head.After deliberating for a while, the two gladiators decided to abandon the horse and go on foot to Capua. Weary and enfeebled from the long gallop and hunger (they had scarcely eaten for days), Spartacus and Enomay set off at once on foot at a frantic pace, trying to cover them quickly. The distance between Capua and Capua.They walked silently, both their faces were pale, and their bodies were sweating, but their will was indomitable. They moved forward at an astonishing speed, and they arrived in Canada in less than an hour and a half. Outside the city gates of Puia.They rested here for a while, and they had to let their breathing settle down and get back to normal, so as not to arouse the suspicion of the guards at the gate; people detained.After resting, Spartacus and Enomayi walked forward again, and then began to walk towards the city gate.Both gladiators tried to look like ordinary, hungry poor men, but their hearts were beating violently, and drops of cold sweat were dripping from their brows from nameless terror. . As they walked towards the stone arch of the city gate, Spartacus, anticipating possible arrest, had prepared a plan of action to deal with the eventuality: they must draw their short swords and attack the guards in a split second, killing them, Stab them, open a bloody path at any cost, and rush to Lendurus.Bacchiatus' gladiatorial school; Spartacus had no doubts about the inevitable success of his plan, for he knew Enomay's skill and his own strength.It was difficult for the twelve old and weak soldiers standing under the city gate to resist the fierce charge of the daggers of a pair of highly skilled gladiators.However, Spartacus was very reluctant to implement this desperate plan.Spartacus' unrestrained, resolute and fearless heart never shrinks or trembles even when he himself faces death or is in extremely dangerous situations several times, but now he jumps very violently when he approaches the city gate. stand up. Two engineers were lying on the bench and fell asleep, the other three were squatting on the marble steps leading to the city wall and throwing dice, and there were two guards, one was lying on the side of the bench, and the other was standing beside them chatting. From time to time, he looked at the passers-by who went out of the city and entered the city, mocking them. Three or two paces ahead of the gladiator, walked a poor old country woman.She was holding a round basket with several pieces of soft cheese in it.Then a soldier sneered and said: You're too early in the market, old hag! May God bless you all!The old woman replied kindly, and continued to walk forward. Look at her!Another soldier sneered.What a beauty!Like Atropos, the oldest and ugliest of the three Fates! How wrinkled her skin was, it looked like old parchment, wrinkled by the fire. Just think of the cheese she sells!Even if it was given to me to eat, I would not let it be imported. Let her go to the god Erebus in hell, this nasty old woman, the unlucky creature!exclaimed a gambler, and with resentment threw the wooden cup in which the dice were placed onto the steps; the dice rolled out and fell to the ground.This unlucky old woman!It's all her bad luck!I've rolled the exact same idea three times in a row.Unlucky dog! At that time, Spartacus and Enomay, who were short of breath and pale with excitement, tried not to attract the attention of the soldiers, and were about to pass through the city gate under the stone arch. This pair happened to be the venerable guards of the old Fate, and one of the guards pointed to the two gladiators.Verily, I swear to Jupiter who protects us, this pair of wandering gladiators are so filthy and thin as if they had just crawled out of the Styx in hell! I hope you will be torn to pieces by ferocious beasts, you hateful beasts about to be slaughtered!cried the soldier who had lost at the dice, shaking the wooden cup vigorously, resolving to try his luck again. Spartacus and Enomay made no reply to these insults, and they had slipped past the guards and passed through the first stone arch.There is a raised and lowered iron fence suspended high under the stone arch by several special chains.Then, they slipped past the stone steps leading to the top of the city wall, and were about to pass through the second stone arch of the city gate below, when they suddenly saw: a centurion was leading thirteen helmets, armor, shields, and spears. Heavily armed soldiers with swords, daggers, and spears rushed out of the city.The centurion himself was also in full armor, striding ahead with the staff which signified his own official position, and as soon as he was under the stone arch he gave the order: Prepare your weapons! The guards guarding the city gate jumped up one after another, and although they caused some confusion among them, they still lined up at an unexpected speed. The centurion made a hand effort, and Spartacus and Enomay had to stop, their hearts constricted in despair.They took a few steps back and glanced at each other, just in time for Spartacus to grab the German who had already grasped the hilt of his sword. You trash, are the city gates guarded like this?The stern voice of the centurion resounded under the extremely silent stone arch.Is it okay to be on duty like this, lazy man?He tapped one of the two soldiers sleeping on the bench with his baton because he was late in line. And you, said the centurion, turning around, to the centurion who was standing on the left side of the line in great panic, you, Livius, are very negligent of your duties, and pay no attention to the discipline of your subordinates. .I relieve you of your position as chief of post, and now you must obey the captain of the team I brought, Lucius .Methinius command, they are here to strengthen the defense of the city gate.He was silent for a while, and then said: The gladiators are about to riot, and the emissary of the Senate reported that the situation is very serious.So we must put down the bars, close the gates, and guard them as carefully as in war.We have to step up our guard.In short, we should do our part in times of emergency when disaster looms. When the new whistle chief Lucius.When Methinius lined up all the soldiers in two ranks, the centurion frowned; questioned Spartacus and Enomay: Who are you?Gladiator? It's a gladiator, Spartacus managed to suppress the unbearable sense of panic, and replied with a firm voice. Well, naturally it is from Lendurus.From Bachiatus's gladiatorial school? You are mistaken, my lord Popilius, replied Spartacus, his eyes suddenly blazing with hope.We are Metius.An attendant in the residence of Admiral Libeonus. do you recognize measked the centurion in surprise. I have seen grown-ups several times in our host's house. Indeed, said Popilius, looking at the gladiator.But the growing darkness covered their appearance, and the centurion could only see their burly bodies.really, i feel like We are Germans, and the admiral sent us to serve our noble wife, Lei Liya.Domitia, we have been following her litter to escort her. Spartacus at Lendurus.Bachiatus worked as a gladiator for four years at the gladiatorial school, and he absorbed some gladiators from Capuan aristocratic families into the League of the Oppressed, so he and Metius.Libeonus was well acquainted with the two burly Germanic gladiators.They once told him in detail some of the rules and habits in the admiral's mansion.It is easy to understand how gladly Spartacus took advantage of the darkness to employ this ingenious device which was the only way to save the dying cause. good!The centurion confirmed.You are telling the truth.I recognize you now. Please think about it, my lord, I still remember meeting my lord, said Spartacus with an air of innocence.In the middle of the night that day, in Gidus.Outside the gates of the house where Sylvie Lionars presides, we have met Your Excellency.My companion and I escorted the sedan chair of our wife Tomizia to the house of the ruler!Our wives often like to go out in the middle of the night mysteriously like this Shut up!Are you not afraid of your savage gods?Nasty Sembli people!Popilius shouted that he did not want this slave to slander the admiral's wife for her indecent behavior in the presence of many soldiers. A minute passed, at which point the two gladiators were too nervous to breathe a sigh of relief, and then the centurion asked Spartacus again: So where do you guys come from now? Spartacus seemed to hesitate, but he immediately replied in a very natural tone: Just returned from our master's Cooma Villa: we escorted a shipment of valuable furniture there.We've been shipping the furniture since yesterday. Very well, said Popilius, after a moment's consideration. There was another silence, and it was still the centurion who began to break the silence, asking the two gladiators: Do you know the news of the riot?Know in Lendurus.A plotted rebellion in the Bachiatus gladiatorial school, huh? What can we know?Spartacus answered in the most innocent tone, as if hearing a question that he didn't understand at all.If those crazy and reckless students of Lenduluth decided to rebel, they would certainly not tell us, because they are very envious of our luck.We could not have lived more comfortably in the house of our kind master. Spartacus's answer was very reasonable, and when he spoke so naturally, the centurion no longer had any hesitation.Although he immediately said: But if there were any real danger of a gladiator rebellion this evening, I would find the very idea of ​​a gladiator rebellion ridiculous, but if it were true my position would compel me to take every prudent measure.I order you to hand over your short swords though the very kind Lord Metius treats his slaves better than all you bastards deserve.Especially you gladiators, despicable villains, who can do anything, quickly hand over the dagger! Upon hearing the centurion's order, the irascible and reckless Enomayi nearly messed things up. He clenched the unsheathed dagger angrily, but Spartacus calmly held Enomayi's dagger with his right hand, and pulled out his own with his left hand, with a feeling of deep hatred. , respectfully handed both daggers to the centurion.Spartacus hurriedly said to the centurion Popilius in order not to cause Enomayi to have any new dissatisfaction: It is not good for you to treat us like this, Master Popilius!Why should doubt come to us?I think our admiral will not be satisfied with your suspicion.Whatever, do whatever you want.Here is our dagger, now let's go back to the Admiral's Mansion. Despicable gladiator, I will explain everything I have done to Admiral Metius.But there is no need to explain it to you.Get out of here now. Spartacus held Enomay's trembling hand, bowed to the centurion, and then led the Germans to the city together.They walked very fast, but tried not to arouse any suspicion. The two gladiators, breathless after the great excitement and miraculous escape from danger, walked up the Rue Albon.Here their attention was attracted by an unusual sight: there was noise, bustle, and confusion in the town; Too late to go to the gladiator school! A stone's throw from the city gate they turned left, into a pretty street full of stately mansions.Then they walked quickly through the street, turned to the right, and turned into a quiet side street, from which they entered a bewildering labyrinth of innumerable alleys.The further they went, the narrower, darker, and fouler the alleys became.At last they came to Lendurus.Near the gladiatorial school in Bachiatus.The gladiator school is located on the edge of Capua, near the city walls, right in the center of the intertwined alleys we have just mentioned.In many of the huts around here lived a group of low-class whores, who frequented the nearby taverns and taverns where the ten thousand gladiators of the Lendurus school of gladiators met. There were only a few hundred students in this gladiator school at first, but gradually, the gladiator boss got rich, and the school expanded more and more.Now it includes several buildings with no difference in appearance and interior structure.Because those buildings were all built for the same purpose.Each building consists of a wide inner courtyard surrounded by four houses.That yard is where the gladiators practice martial arts in sunny days; in bad weather, they do gymnastics and practice swordsmanship in the hall built separately. On both sides of the extremely long corridors on the upper and lower floors of each building around the courtyard were many small rooms side by side.Each small room can barely accommodate one person.Gladiators slept on mats made of dried leaves or straw. In all the buildings, besides the hall where the sword was practiced, there was a large room, which was used for the armory.The armory was fitted with iron bars and a solid oak door, the key to which was carried by the gladiator boss himself.In those arsenals were hidden shields, short swords, knives, tridents, and other weapons, which the gladiator masters must prepare for sending the gladiators to the arena for gladiatorial fights. Those halls can accommodate 350 to 400 gladiators, and the order in the halls is maintained by the released gladiators or the gladiator teachers.Most of these teachers were hired by Lendulus from outside the school or selected from among the gladiators in the school.The school guard was usually served by veterans of the Roman legions, appointed by the admiral of Capua.The heavy work of removing excrement in the school was performed by a group of slaves trusted by Lendurus. These 18 or 20 school buildings were built for the gladiatorial school. They were originally built without regard to the aesthetics of the buildings. There are only narrow streets or alleys between them.These streets and alleys were once part of the city block, but twenty-eight years before the events we relate, the gladiators in the school attempted to respond to the Roman knights (who called themselves Vizius or Minozius). S) led an uprising, and from that time the houses were walled off at the behest of the Roman Admiral and Senate.Thus, surrounded by a stone wall twenty-eight or thirty feet high, the gladiator school of Lendurus, with its twenty houses, became a fortress, as if it were a special little town within a great one.All the streets near the gladiator school became the outskirts of the gladiator city.Ordinary residents try to avoid that area, as if there is some kind of plague circulating there. On the night of February 20th, an unprecedented strange phenomenon occurred in the gladiator school: all the gladiators stayed in the school.Some gladiators practice offensive and defensive techniques in the martial arts hall, fighting each other with wooden short swords. These wooden swords are the only harmless weapons they are allowed to hold in their hands during their studies.Another group of gladiators gathered in the courtyard, one team at a time.They were doing gymnastics or singing the mysterious songs of their native lands, the words and meaning of which were beyond the understanding of the soldiers serving as guards.Some gladiators roamed the alleys of the houses connected to the school, while others gathered in the corridors or slept in their own small rooms. All these unfortunates, accustomed to suffering and concealing their feelings, tried to put on an air of poise, but it was easy to see, if one looked closely at their faces, that they were agitated, terrified, and It was as if something very momentous was awaiting. Don't the gladiators go out today?A one-eyed, one-handed guard, a veteran of Sulla's men, was questioning another companion with a face covered in scars. Who knows you!They seemed ready to spend the evening at school.What a strange thing! Their filthy concubines missed them so much that they waited in hotels and restaurants for this group of intimate guests.Those hotels and restaurants that are very noisy and lively every day will become deserted tonight. strangeness!I swear to Sulla the Majesty, this is a strange thing! It's even weird, and, to be honest, I find it quite uneasy. What?Is there any danger of riots? How can I tell you that it won't be a real riot or a rebellion I don't think a real riot is possible but at least there will be some kind of commotion and confusion To be honest, not only do I feel in danger, I can't even make it through tonight. Let them try it!I swear to the Nemesis in hell, my hands are itchy!if The old soldier suddenly shut up at this point, and made a sign to his companion to be silent.Because the principal and owner of the gladiator school, Lundulus.Bachiatus was coming towards them. Thirty-one-year-old Lundulus.Bacchiatus was a slender, pale man, whose small black eyes often had a sly and savage gleam, and his whole appearance gave the impression of ruthlessness and cruelty.His wrestling school was that of his father, old Lendurus.Bacchiatus bequeathed his legacy.Due to various circumstances, the old Lundulus turned his original school with only a few hundred gladiators into a first-class gladiator school famous all over Italy.He made a fortune trading human life and blood. Since the old Lendurus passed away a few years ago, the present Lendurus, master of the gladiatorial school, was not content with his father's legacy, and decided to double his capital, successfully developing His father's upright trade. As Lendurus approached, both soldiers bowed respectfully to the gladiator boss.He returned the salute to them and asked: Does either of you know why almost all the gladiators, contrary to custom, remain in the school?There was no one in the school at this time before. I don't know what a soldier said. We are more surprised by this than you are, said the other soldier more frankly. This is how the same thing?asked Bachiatus, frowning, with a gloomy and savage look on his face.Are they ready to make a move? Both soldiers fell silent.But the gladiator trader's question was answered by the appearance of one of his slaves.The slave's face was pale, and had an extremely terrifying expression.He led the way, followed by a freed slave from the admiral's mansion, who also seemed very excited. It turned out that the freed slave had been warned by the admiral's urgent order that the gladiator's uprising was a great danger not only to his school, but also to the city and the entire republic.The admiral suggested to Lendulus to prevent all attempts by the gladiators to seize the arsenal, and to close all the gates of the gladiatorial school, and the admiral promised Bacchiatus to send the soldiers within half an hour. Commander Gidus.Sylvia Leones led two large groups of Roman soldiers and one detachment of the Capua City Defense Forces. Lendurus.After hearing the report from the admiral's envoy in a trembling voice, Bachiatus immediately became dumbfounded, as if he had lost consciousness, and could not utter a word, if it hadn't been for the people around him urging him to take emergency measures to deal with the crisis.他醒悟過來的話，真不知道他還會這麼呆呆地站上多少時候呢。 倫杜魯斯清醒過來以後，立刻下令叫兩百五十名兵士和在學校中服務的兩百五十名奴隸偷偷地武裝起來，竭力不讓角鬥士們注意到這些。他們全部趕到福爾金娜門角鬥學校通康訪尼亞的福爾金娜幸運女神廟所在的那部分城區的大門，他應當在那兒採取進一步的措施。 嚇壞了的、臉色慘白的倫杜魯斯．巴奇亞圖斯跑去散發了武器以後，第一個向福爾金娜門跑去。接著，武裝起來的兵士和奴隸也漸漸向那兒走去。他把他們分成好幾個分隊，每隊約莫二三十個人，又委任了他手下最勇敢的老兵做了隊長，把他們派去防守武器庫和學校的全部出口。 倫杜魯斯雖然採取了這一連串的預防措施，但他的頭腦還是極其混亂，心臟也跳動得非常厲害；因為誰也沒有他明白：這一萬名角鬥士加上他們的本領，將是一支如何巨大而又可怕的危險力量。統領季杜斯．賽爾維里昂納斯也趕到了，他是一個年輕而又壯健的二十八歲的漢子；他對危險毫不懼怕，而且是個非常自負而又極其魯莽的人。他為了執行上司的命令，使提督感到滿意，就親自率領了他在加普亞統轄的兩大隊中的一個大隊，趕到角鬥學校裡來了。 你們這兒有沒有發生什麼變故？he asks. ah!倫杜魯斯滿意而深深地吐了一口氣叫道。但願朱庇特保佑你，馬爾斯幫助你！welcome! 告訴我兒究竟發生了什麼事暴動的人在哪兒？ 目前還沒有發生什麼變故，而且也沒有什麼叛亂的徵象。 你幹了些什麼事？採取了一些什麼措施？ 倫杜魯斯簡略地把他的措施告訴了統領，又加添道：他完全信賴統領的英明，並且願意絕對服從他的命令。 季杜斯．賽爾維里昂納斯對應當採取什麼步驟，仔細考慮以後，從自己的大隊中抽出二十名兵士去加強倫杜魯斯派去防守武器庫和出口的各個分隊，而且下令除了福爾金娜門之外，把所有的門統統關閉起來。他自己和包括兩百六十名兵士的主要力量，則留在福爾金挪門旁，準備機動地援助任何需要援助的地方。 當他把這一切安排妥當以後，天已經完全黑了。角鬥士們感到非常激動；他們成群結隊地聚集在院子裡和巷子裡，而且新的角鬥士愈來愈多地加入到他們隊伍中來。他們統統大聲地相互交談著。 武器庫都關閉了！ 這麼說，他們要出賣我們了！ 他們已經什麼都知道了！ 我們完了！若是斯巴達克斯在這兒多好！ 不論是他，不論是埃諾瑪依都沒有來他們一定是在羅馬上了十字架！ Oops!Oops! 詛咒那些不公正的神！ 他們把門都關起來了！ 可是我們沒有武器呀！ arms!arms! 誰能給我們武器？ 這一萬人的吼聲愈來愈大了，就好像是一陣陣滾動的雷聲或者是雷雨和暴風雨期間大海的怒吼聲。只是由於統領和百夫長（斯巴達克斯曾經英明地把一萬名不幸的同伴編成軍團和大隊，而且委任了指揮的人）的努力，角鬥士們才平靜下來，分散到各個大隊中去。當黑暗降臨到大地上以後，在那二十個原先被混亂、喧鬧和絕望所統治的寬廣院子裡，現在已顯得非常沉寂和安靜了。 在每一個院子裡聚集著一個大隊的角鬥士；由於地區的限制，他們列成密集的行軍縱隊十六人寬三十二人長。他們默默地站在那兒，驚恐地等待著聚集在一個練武大廳中開會的統領和百夫長們的決定。這一把他們聯合起來並使他們立下重誓的神聖事業的命運，就要在這次會議中決定。 所有這一切剛巧是在斯巴達克斯和埃諾瑪依經受種種危險，克服重重困難，到達倫杜魯斯角鬥學校的時候發生的。他們不得不停頓一會兒，因為離他們不遠的地方，某些不夠老練的兵士，恐怕在小巷組成的迷宮中迷路，燃起了火炬；火光一下子映出了梭標、長矛、短劍和頭盔。 這是羅馬軍團，埃諾瑪依對斯巴達克斯低聲說。 是的，釋放角鬥士回答，一看到這景象他的心臟就幾乎要炸裂了。 這麼說，我們已經遲了他們已經圍住了學校。我們怎麼辦呢？ Wait a minute! 斯巴達克斯緊張地傾聽著，努力想聽到遠處傳來的哪怕是極微細的。人聲和喧鬧聲，他睜大了兩眼，驚恐地注視著火炬的躍動，它們正沿著好幾條巷子從東到西移動，漸漸地遠去，最後完全消失了。 於是斯巴達克斯對埃諾瑪依說： 站住，不要作聲。 斯巴達克斯極其小心而且偷偷地沿著巷子向剛才兵士們經過的地方走去，他才走了六、七步就停了下來，他的注意力被一陣極其細微的聲音所吸引了。他把手掌遮在前額上，竭力注視著，過了一分鐘他才看出在街道的一端移動著的黑黑的人群。終於，他如釋重負地吐了一口氣，小心地回到埃諾瑪依那兒，抓住他的手，一起循著巷子走去，向左面拐彎，在新的小徑上走了十來步，停下來對日耳曼人低聲說： 他們剛剛開始包圍角鬥學校。現在他們正在十字路口佈置一隊隊的兵士，但我們對這兒的巷子要比他們熟悉得多，我們可以比他們早十分鐘到達被圍的學校的圍牆邊。那一邊的牆略微有些倒坍，它的高度不會超過二十八尺。我們可以從那兒爬到學校裡去。 就這樣，這位不平凡的人物顯出最勇敢的人也少有的鎮定態度，竭力跟惡運搏鬥著，他每一分鐘都從他的智慧和精神中汲取層出不窮的新力量，來挽救這一已經遭到極大危險的神聖事業。 一切都恰如色雷斯人所預料的一般。他和埃諾瑪依靜悄悄地迅速穿過好幾條黑暗而又彎曲的巷子，來到他所說的那段圍牆旁。於是，埃諾瑪依以出人意料的矯捷姿態人家很難想像他這樣的巨人會有這樣的身手利用石灰已經剝落的古老圍牆凸出來和凹進去的地方向上爬去。一會兒他就到了牆頂，開始沿著另一邊的牆壁爬下去，但那比爬上來還要困難。日耳曼人的影子一消失，斯巴達克斯就用右手撐住牆上凸出來的一塊石頭，開始像踏樓梯一般地爬上去。他忘記自己的臂膀脫了臼，用力一撐，突然痛苦地尖叫了一聲，便仰面朝天地跌到地上去了。 怎麼了，斯巴達克斯？傳來了埃諾瑪依的輕微的聲音，他已經從牆上跳到角鬥學校裡面的院落中了。 沒有什麼，釋放角鬥士回答，他竭力用意志的力量強迫自己站起來，而且不管極其劇烈的痛楚和脫臼的臂膀，重新像野山羊一般敏捷地向牆頂爬去。沒有什麼脫臼的臂膀 啊，我對所有地獄中的神起誓！埃諾瑪依好不容易壓低了自己的聲音叫道。你提醒得對我們竟會沒有考慮到這一點等我一下我立刻爬到牆頂上來幫助你。 於是他開始向牆上爬去，可是那一邊傳來了斯巴達克斯的聲音： 沒有什麼沒有什麼我對你說，沒有發生什麼事清！你不要動我立刻就可以自行爬到你的地方來我用不著幫忙。 果真，這幾句話還沒有說完，牆頂上就出現了色雷斯人剛毅的黑影。接著，日耳曼人看見：斯巴達克斯怎樣沿著凹凸不平的地方，像踏梯級一般地爬了下來。最後，色雷斯人用力一跳就到了地上，向埃諾瑪依走了過來。 埃諾瑪依本來想問問斯巴達克斯臂膀的情形，但當他看到釋放角鬥士的臉慘白得發青、兩眼變得像玻璃，樣子不像人簡直像幽靈一般的時候，他只是低聲叫道： Spartacus!Spartacus!埃諾瑪依的喊聲中蘊含著無限的深情，這彷彿不是像他這樣的巨人能夠發出來的。斯巴達克斯，你竟忍受了這樣的痛苦！這已超出了人力所能忍受的限度斯巴達克斯你覺得不舒服吧快在這兒坐下來 埃諾瑪依親切地抱住了斯巴達克斯，把他放到一塊大石頭上面，讓他的背靠著圍牆。 斯巴達克斯真的失去了知覺，脫臼的臂膀所引起的劇烈痛苦以及五天來所遭受的肉體與精神上的磨難，終於壓倒了他。他那死人也似的臉，冷冰冰的，好像大理石一般，額上布滿了大滴汗水，慘白的嘴唇在劇痛中痙攣地牽動著，他的牙齒在昏迷中發出格格格的響聲。埃諾瑪依剛剛讓他靠到牆上，他的頭就向肩膀歪了過去，動也不動地掛在那兒。他好像已經死了。 埃諾瑪依這一粗魯的日耳曼大漢，由於這一偶然的機遇變成了一位關切的看護，他不知道怎麼辦才好，只是驚惶失措地注視著他的朋友。接著，他以跟他的魁梧軀體不相稱的小心翼翼的輕柔動作，拉住斯巴達克斯的手，把它輕輕地抬起來，然後捲起了短衣的袖子。果然，手臂腫脹得很厲害，埃諾瑪依認為必須把斯巴達克斯的手腕用布條掛起來。他立刻開始這一工作，他放下斯巴達克斯的手，把自己的褐色罩袍的邊緣撕下一塊來。但是，當那隻疼痛的手滑下膝蓋一下子垂下去時，斯巴達克斯就猛烈地抖動了一下，開始發出呻吟聲，而且睜開了眼睛，他的神志漸漸地清醒了。 痛楚使他喪失了知覺，痛楚又使他恢復了知覺。他剛清醒過來，就向四面看了一下，聚精會神地想了一會兒，自嘲自諷地叫道： 好一個英雄！我對奧林帕斯山上的朱庇特起誓，斯巴達克斯竟變成了一個可憐的婆娘！我的弟兄們就要遭到屠殺。我們的事業快要被人毀滅，我卻像一個懦夫似地昏了過去！ 埃諾瑪依好不容易才使斯巴達克斯相信：周圍還很平靜，他們來的正是時候，還來得及使角鬥士們武裝起來，他的昏厥只持續了兩分鐘，但他的手臂卻腫得非常可怕。 日耳曼人用布條緊緊地紮住了斯巴達克斯的手臂，用狹長的一端繞過斯巴達克斯的脖子，使他的手臂在胸前處於平放的狀態。 現在你就不會像以前那麼疼痛了，斯巴達克斯只要保住一隻右手，還是天下無敵的！ 但願我們能得到短劍！斯巴達克斯答道，一面迅速地向最近的一幢房子走去。 一會兒兩個角鬥士就進了那幢房子；前面的大廳中一個人影兒也沒有。他們就穿過大廳進了院子。 五百名角鬥士正分成兩個大隊默默地站在那兒。當斯巴達克斯和埃諾瑪依出人意料地出現在院子裡的時候，角鬥士們立刻認出了他們的領袖，頓時發出了快樂而滿懷希望的喊聲。 不要作聲！斯巴達克斯用他強有力的聲音叫道。 不要作聲！埃諾瑪依跟著叫道。 Be silent.整齊地站著，現在不是談話的時候，色雷斯人添上幾句說。 角鬥士們剛剛恢復平靜，斯巴達克斯就問： 領導你們的一批統領和百夫長呢？ 就在附近，他們正在阿芙樂爾院裡開會，討論對付的辦法，一個千夫長從隊伍裡出來報告。學校已經被羅馬的大隊兵士包圍了，武器庫也被好幾分隊兵士防守起來了。 我知道這一點，斯巴達克斯答道，接著回過頭來對埃諾瑪依說。讓我們上阿芙樂爾角鬥院去。 然後，斯巴達克斯轉過身來，對聚集在院子裡的五百名角鬥士用洪亮的聲音說話，以便大家都能聽到： 為了天堂與地獄裡所有的神，我命令你們嚴守秩序保持肅靜！ 斯巴達克斯離開了老角鬥院（那就是他們剛才進去的那個四合院子的名稱）以後，就向鄰近的那個叫做阿芙樂爾的角鬥院走去，在阿芙樂爾角鬥院的左面是海克力斯角鬥院的房子。他和埃諾瑪依很快地走到阿芙樂爾角鬥院前面，進了練武廳，約莫有兩百名左右的角鬥士主管，包括統領、百夫長以及被壓迫著同盟的高級主管，正聚集在那兒開會，他們在幾支火炬的照耀下，商討應付危局的計劃。 Spartacus!臉色慘白、臂膀受傷的色雷斯人一出現，三十幾個聲音就一齊叫了出來。 Spartacus!其餘的人跟著叫道，在他們的聲音中交織著驚愕和喜歡。 我們已經完蛋了！主持會議的角鬥士說。 還不見得，斯巴達克斯說，如果我們能夠奪到武器庫，哪怕是一個也好。 難道我們能夠做到嗎？ 我們沒有武器。 大隊羅馬兵士很快就要攻打我們了。 他們會把我們剁成肉醬的！ 你們準備了火炬嗎？斯巴達克斯問。 我們準備了三百五十支到四百支火炬。 這就是我們的武器！斯巴達克斯說，他的兩眼迸發出喜悅的光輝。 過了一會兒，他又說： 在我們學校的一萬名角鬥士中間，你們無疑是最勇敢最剛毅的戰士。我們這批不幸的弟兄們選你們做他們的指揮官是絕對不會錯的。今天晚上你們必須拿出你們的毅力和勇氣來作證明。你們是不是已經準備擔當一切？ 當然準備擔當一切，兩百個角鬥士堅決而齊聲地答道。 你們是不是準備赤手空拳和武裝的羅馬兵士進行搏鬥，你們有沒有犧牲的決心？ 我們準備應付一切，擔當一切，角鬥士們更熱烈地重複答道。 那麼大家趕快把所有的火炬拿到這兒來。如果可能，最好再把火炬增加到兩倍、三倍。我們要把它們點燃起來，用來作為我們的武器。然後我們衝到最近的那個武器庫那兒去，把防守的兵士們趕走，燒毀庫門。用裡面的兵器把大家武裝起來，以便我們爭取偉大的最後勝利。不，我對奧林帕斯山上的神起誓，我們還沒有完全絕望，只要我們還有信心和勇氣，相反的，如果我們大家都具有不戰勝毋寧死的決心，我們的勝利是有保證的！ 這時候，斯巴達克斯蒼白的臉彷彿發出了非凡的光彩，他的兩眼炯炯發光，他的相貌也顯得分外英俊，信心和熱情使這個在肉體上已衰竭到極點的人突然振奮起來。他的熱情好像電流一股，直通到所有聚集在這兒的角鬥士的心中，一剎那間大家都紛紛向另一個房間撲去。那個房間裡，貯藏著具有遠見的斯巴達克斯叫他們從阿芙樂爾角鬥院及其他七個角鬥院裡收集來的火炬。那兒有各種各樣的火炬：有得是用松脂和油浸過的麻編成的，有得是用一束松脂和別的可燃物體放在圓管中製成。更有用滲透了松脂和臘的繩索編在一起製成的。角鬥士們把火炬像短劍一般揮舞了一陣，然後點起火來，接著，他們充滿了狂怒，決定運用這些似乎很可憐的武器挽救他們的事業。 那時候，百夫長波比里烏斯加強了加普亞各城門的警衛哨以後，率領了三百個羅馬兵士來到了倫杜魯斯角鬥學校，他將這些兵力轉交給統領季杜斯．賽爾維里昂納斯指揮。同時，提督梅季烏斯．李倍奧納斯也率領著七百名由好幾個百夫長指揮的加普亞城防軍，來到了福爾盒娜門旁。 五十歲的梅季烏斯．李倍奧納斯是一個又高又肥胖的人，他那光亮、紅潤的臉顯出一種但求安寧、太平而且最好能像伊比鳩魯派那樣，在三榻餐廳大吃大喝享受口福的人的神氣。 梅季烏斯已經做了好幾年加普亞提督，他那崇高的令人羨慕的官職使他握有很大的權力。在太平無事的時候，他的公務活動的範圍是很狹仄的，他用不著過分忙碌。但奴隸暴動的威脅卻像晴天霹靂一般，使平素毫無準備的他猝不及防，好像是一個正在做好夢的人被人突然叫醒卻還沒有完全清醒過來一般。這位驚惶失措的提督大人對一切都感到心慌意亂，活像是陷在亂麻堆中的一隻小雞。 但是，孕育著危險的、必須迅速作出決定的嚴重局勢，對遭受懲罰的恐懼，他那位野心勃勃而又果決的夫人陀米齊雅對他的堅決要求，最後還有他的勇敢的統領賽爾維里昂納斯不斷的建議，終於壓服了他的畏怯；於是，這位對將要發生的事變遷並不十分清楚的提督大人，最後還是草草地採取了一些措施，下了幾道命令，雖然他完全不明白這一切將會引起什麼樣的結果。 但是隨著他的那些措施來的，卻是這麼一件不可預見的結果：從加普亞城防軍中匆匆挑選出來的最勇敢但是裝備惡劣的七百名兵士一致要求提督本人親自率領他們作戰，因為他們認為他是加普亞城的最高長官，大家一致信賴著他。於是，嚇得喪魂落魄的梅季烏斯，這位甚至在自己的院子裡都感到不很安全的提督大人，不得不去親身承受由這一事實所引起的全部困難。 這個嚇壞了的可憐人起先堅決拒絕部下的要求，提出種種推辭的理由，而且想出了一個藉口。他竭力說他自己是一個穿寬袍的文官不是拿短劍的武人，他從幼年時代起從來沒有學過掌握武器的藝術，也沒有參加過戰事。他竭力申說他必須留在提督府中，因為他能夠預見一切，而且可以照顧和安排一切，但是，在加普亞元老院的壓力、兵士們的要求以及他的夫人的責備之下，可憐的人只好屈服，而且不得不戴上頭盔、披上鎧甲、繫上短劍。最後，他不得不率領著兵士們向倫杜魯斯角鬥學校出發，可是他不但不像一位領兵出戰的軍事長官，倒像一頭被人家拖去屠宰的祭神畜生。 這隊加普亞的城防軍剛剛走到福爾金娜門附近，統領賽爾維里昂納斯就領著倫杜魯斯．巴奇亞圖斯、百夫長波比里烏斯以及另一個百夫長蓋烏斯．艾爾比提烏斯．索朗尼烏斯一齊迎了上去。統領賽爾維里昂納斯請求提督立刻召開會議，而且盡可能迅速地討論出一個行動計劃來。 是啊開會，開會說說倒很容易，開會必須首先確定是不是所有的人都知道所有的人都能夠梅季烏斯十分昏亂地咕噥著說。由於他想掩蓋他的恐懼，他的惶惑不安的程度就愈加增長了。 因為總而言之他沉默了一會兒，故意裝出一副正在仔細考慮的樣子，接著說。我通曉共和國的一切法律，必要的時候我也能夠使用短劍如果祖國需要的話必要的時候我可以獻出我的生命但是率領軍隊這個這太突然了甚至還不知道去攻打什麼人怎麼打法？在哪兒打？因為如果是你所說的那些看得見的敵人在開闊的戰場上我早就知道該怎麼辦我能夠但是 他的亂七八糟的演說突然完結了。不論他怎麼努力搜索那些可以使他的演說草草結束的字句，一會兒搔搔耳朵，一會兒搔搔鼻子。還是什麼也想不出來，就這樣，可憐的提督竟不顧文法的規則，用但是結束了他的演說。 統領賽爾維里昂納斯微笑了一下。他十分了解提督的性情，他看到他的上司已經陷入了極其困窘的境地。於是他為了把這位提督大人從困境中拯救出來，同時完成他自己早已想就的計劃，說： 我認為只有一個辦法可以根除這些踐奴陰謀暴動的危險，那就是防守和保衛武器庫。我們必須把角鬥學校所有的門都關閉起來，同時派兵扼守這些出口，使角鬥士不能跑到外面去。我們必須封鎖這一帶的全部街道，關閉所有的城門。這一切我已經吩咐下去了。 你做得很好，勇敢的賽爾維里昂納斯，你能夠預見到這一切那就很好。提督顯出一副莊重的態度說。他非常滿意，因為他可以不必匆促地發布命令，同時又可以逃脫責任。 現在，賽爾維里昂納斯接著說。我這兒還留有一百五十名兵士。再加上你帶來的這隊勇敢的城防軍，我就可以堅決地攻打這批造反的暴徒了，把他們擊潰、趕散，強迫他們回到自己的籠子裡去。 great!你想得真不錯！這些辦法恰恰就是我想提出來的！梅季烏斯．李倍奧納斯無論如何也沒有料到賽爾維里昂納斯竟能把軍事行動的領導責任全部擔當起來，因而大聲叫道。 至於您，賢明的李倍奧納斯大人，您既然這麼忠於職務，一心想參加戰鬥 啊既然有您這樣經過戰爭鍛鍊的勇士在這兒難道還用得著我來幫忙啊，不！那是絕對用不著的，因為我 既然您願意這樣做，統領打斷提督的話接著說，你可以率領一百名加普亞城防軍到海克力斯角鬥院的大門口去，從這兒到那兒還不到兩箭遠。您可以和我已經配置在那兒的兵士一起守住出口 可是你是明白的總之我是一個披寬袍的文官雖然如果你認為 哦，我明白了：大概大人想親自跟這批賤奴作戰，因為我們可能會跟他們發生衝突但無論如何，防守海克力斯角鬥院大門是很重要的任務，因此我想請您擔負這一任務的責任。 說到這兒，統領附著提督的耳朵急促地低聲說： 您絕不會遭到一點兒風險！ 接著，統領又大聲說： 但是，您如果另有措施 啊，不，不不必了梅季烏斯．李倍奧納斯膽子略微壯了一些以後答道。你趕快去驅散這批造反的賤奴吧，我的勇敢機靈的小夥子。我就率領一百名城防軍趕到你指定的防地去。如果有誰敢從那大門裡出來如果他們竟敢來攻打我如果那時候，你們會明白他們也會明白他們會大大倒楣雖然究竟雖然我是個披寬袍的文官但我還記得青年時代曾經立下戰功這些造反的惡奴一定會倒楣如果 提督一面給自己壯膽，一面握了一下賽爾維里昂納斯的手，便在受他指揮的那個百夫長和一百名加普亞城防軍的簇擁之下，向自己的防地出發了。但在他的靈魂深處，他對這由於一萬名角鬥士的夢想所促成的悲慘境遇感到悲痛，他渴望回到以前的安樂生活中去。 那時候，忽而被希望所鼓舞，忽而又被絕望所折磨的角鬥士們，還是站在各個院子裡等待他們上級的命令，而角鬥士的那批主管呢，卻已經用火炬武裝起來，並且準備不惜任何犧牲奪取海克力斯角鬥院的武器庫。武器庫的人口由五十名準備死戰的羅馬兵士和武裝奴隸防守著。 但是，正當斯巴達克斯、埃諾瑪依和他們的同志們準備衝進通武器庫的走廊的時候，一陣軍號聲突然震破了深夜的寂靜，在角鬥士們等待的各個庭院中引起了淒楚的迴響。 靜一些！cried Spartacus.他一面注意地傾聽，一面用右手揮了一下，叫那批用火炬武裝起來的同志們停下來。 果然，軍號聲才歇，立刻聽到了一個傳令官的喊聲，他以羅馬元老院的名義，要求造反的角鬥士們立刻分散，回到各自的臥室中去；他警告道，如果他們不服從命令，在第二次軍號聲以後，共和國的軍隊就要用武力驅散他們。 對這一要求的回答是一陣洪亮、持續的怒吼。但是，傳令官的那番話還是像深山中的回音一般，在每一個聚集著角鬥士隊伍的院落門前，一次又一次地重複著。 斯巴達克斯聚精會神地考慮了好幾分鐘。他的臉顯得陰沉而又可怕，兩眼注視著地面，好像在跟自己商量。接著，他轉過身子對著同志們，為了使大家都能聽到他的話，大聲說： 如果我們現在準備進行的攻擊獲得成功，我們就可得到大批短劍，我們就可以用它們來奪取校中其餘的武器庫，取得勝利。但是，我們如果遭到了失敗，為了使自由的事業不致全部毀滅，我們就只剩下一條出路。兩個軍團的正百夫長必須離開這兒，回到自己的弟兄那兒去，如果在一刻鐘以後，他們還聽不到我們自由的頌歌，就讓大家悄悄地回到各人的房間裡去，因為這表示我們沒有奪到武器。那時候，我們就得打破或者燒毀離海克力斯門一箭半之遠的圍牆下的那道小柵門，跑到牆外的沙尼米提斯酒店裡去，在那兒用拿得到手的不論什麼東西武裝起來。然後，我們一路衝出去，克服一切阻礙，不管我們活下的人有幾個一百個，六十個，三十個無論如何要在維蘇威山紮下野營，我們就在那兒舉起自由戰旗。讓我們的弟兄，不論帶武器或是不帶武器，一律取最短的捷徑，成群結隊或者獨個兒聚集到那邊去。我們被壓迫者推翻壓迫者的戰爭將要在那邊開始！ 斯巴達克斯很短促地沉默了一會兒，他看見有兩位正百夫長猶豫不決地不肯離開這一目前最危險的地點，就下令道： 阿爾莫季烏斯，克魯維昂納斯！我以最高領導者的名義，命令你們出去！ 那兩個年輕的正百夫長垂下了頭，極其勉強地朝著不同的方向走了開去。 那時候，斯巴達克斯就轉過身子對著他的同志們說： 現在前進！ 他第一個衝進武器庫前面的那條走廊，他和埃諾瑪依兩個人好像一陣旋風那樣向羅馬兵士撲去。羅馬兵士的隊長是一個獨眼、斷臂的老兵，他一看到角鬥士就喊道： go ahead!go ahead!哼，卑賤的角鬥士前 但是他的話還沒有說完，斯巴達克斯已經伸出了他的長臂，把一支又粗又長、熊熊燃燒的火炬，打到他的臉上。 正當兵士們毫無效果地想用短劍來刺斯巴達克斯和埃諾瑪依時，那個老兵卻尖叫一聲後退了；兩個拚命戰鬥的無畏角鬥士，揮動著在他們手中變得空前未見的可怕武器。他們攻打守庫的兵士，逼得他們擠成一堆，最後，把他們從武器庫門前趕開。 但那時候，在季杜斯．賽爾維里昂納斯率領下的那隊羅馬兵士，以及由波比里烏斯和艾爾比提烏斯．索朗尼烏斯分頭率領的兩隊加普亞城防軍，在第二陣軍號聲響過以後，已經同時趕到角鬥士隊伍集合的三個院子門前，他們開始用投槍向手無寸鐵的角鬥士的密集隊伍擲去。 這是極其可怕的一剎那。在驟雨一般的致命的投槍的攻打下，手無寸鐵的角鬥士們發出一陣陣的慘叫、咒罵和怒吼，向院子周圍的門戶退去，他們異口同聲地叫道： arms!arms!arms! 但是雨一般的投槍並沒有停止，角鬥士們的撤退很快就轉變為恐慌的潰退。他們在門旁擠成一堆，在走廊裡猛烈地擠軋，沒命地向自己的房間跑，有的跌倒了，有的壓做一堆，有的互相踐踏。倫杜魯斯角鬥學校的各個角落裡都是他們的咒罵聲、叫喊聲、哀號聲、哀求聲、祈禱聲，受傷的人和將死的人的呻吟聲。 那三個院子裡的角鬥士的慘遭屠殺，以及他們的四散奔逃，使聚集在別的院子裡的大隊角鬥士感到恐慌，逐漸消失了勇氣；他們的隊伍很快變得稀疏起來，接著亂成一團，終於完全潰散了。如果這批人能有武器，他們一定會奮起戰鬥，或者一直打到最後一個人，或者大獲全勝，即使處在兩個羅馬軍團的壓迫下也沒有關係。但在當時，這批手無寸鐵、只能聽憑別人屠戮的角鬥士們，卻不能夠也不願意聚集在一起了，即使是一刻鐘也不行，每個人只想到自己的生路。 那時候，斯巴達克斯、埃諾瑪依和另外兩個同志一起肩併肩地像雄獅一般戰鬥著。狹窄的走廊不允許四個人以上的隊列戰鬥，因此他們很快就把武器庫門前的兵士趕開。他們雄赳赳地追趕著兵士們，很快地把他們逼迫到前廳中，在那兒，一百多名角鬥士已經用火炬武裝起來了。他們包圍了一部分兵士，繳了他們的械，而且就地殺死了他們。另一部分燒焦了臉、灼瞎了眼的兵士們就沒命地逃了出去；正在那時候，角鬥士已經衝到走廊裡，把火炬成堆地拋到武器庫的門前，準備把門燒毀，這樣一來就可以衝到武器庫裡去。 被火炬灼痛的兵士們發出慘叫，像瘋子一般四散奔逃；其中的一部分被角鬥士追上了，倒在地上，被他們踏得死去活來，但另一部分兵士終於逃到賽爾維里昂納斯、波比里烏斯和索朗尼烏斯的隊伍中去。這時他們正以密集的隊形追逐著後退的角鬥士們。羅馬的統領賽爾維里昂納斯和波比里烏斯等得到兵士