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The Martyr of the Catacombs A Tale of Ancient Rome By: Anonymous |
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A TALE OF ANCIENT ROME If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus,
what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? ST. PAUL ILLUSTRATED NEW YORK: HUNT & EATON CINCINNATI: CRANSTON & CURTS CONTENTS. I. THE COLISEUM
II. THE PRETORIAN CAMP
III. THE APPIAN WAY
IV. THE CATACOMBS
V. THE CHRISTIAN'S SECRET
VI. THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES
VII. THE CONFESSION OF FAITH
VIII. LIFE IN THE CATACOMBS
IX. THE PERSECUTION
X. THE ARREST
XI. THE OFFER
XII. POLLIO'S TRIAL
XIII. THE DEATH OF POLLIO
XIV. THE TEMPTATION
XV. LUCULLUS Illustrations. THE BOY MARTYR
PLAN OF THE CATACOMBS
A PASSAGE IN THE CATACOMBS
THE COLISEUM CHAPTER I. THE COLISEUM. "Butchered to make a Roman holiday." It was a great festival day in Rome. From all quarters vast numbers of
people came pouring forth to one common destination. Over the Capitoline
Hill, through the Forum, past the Temple of Peace and the Arch of Titus
and the imperial palace; on they went till they reached the Coliseum,
where they entered its hundred doors and disappeared within. There a wonderful scene presented itself. Below, the vast arena spread
out, surrounded by the countless rows of seats which rose to the top of
the outer wall, over a hundred feet. The whole extent was covered with
human beings of every class and every age. So vast an assemblage
gathered in such a way, presenting to view long lines of stern faces,
ascending far on high in successive rows, formed a spectacle which has
never elsewhere been equaled, and which was calculated beyond all others
to awe the soul of the beholder. More than one hundred thousand people
were gathered here, animated by one common feeling, and incited by one
single passion. It was the thirst for blood which drew them hither, and
nowhere can we find a sadder commentary on the boasted civilization of
ancient Rome than this her own greatest spectacle. Here were warriors who had fought in foreign wars and were familiar with
deeds of valor, yet they felt no indignation at the scenes of cowardly
oppression displayed before them; nobles of ancient families were here,
but they could find in these brutal shows no stain upon their country's
honor. Philosophers, poets, priests, rulers, the highest as well as the
lowest in the land, crowded these seats; but the applauding shout of the
patrician was as loud and as eager as that of the plebeian. What hope
was there for Rome when the hearts of her people were, universally given
up to cruelty and brutal oppression? Upon a raised seat in a conspicuous part of the amphitheater was the
Emperor Decius, near whom the chief people among the Romans were
gathered. Among these there was a group of officers belonging to the
Pretorian guards, who criticised the different points in the scene
before them with the air of connoisseurs. Their loud laughter, their
gayety, and their splendid attire made them the object of much attention
from their neighbors. Several preliminary spectacles had been introduced, and now the fights
began. Several hand to hand combats were presented, most of which
resulted fatally, and excited different degrees of interest according to
the courage or skill of the combatants. Their effect was to whet the
appetite of the spectators to a keener relish, and fill them with eager
desire for the more exciting events which were to follow. One man in particular had drawn down the admiration and applause of the
multitude. He was an African from Mauritania; of gigantic strength and
stature. But his skill seemed equal to his strength. He wielded his
short sword with marvelous dexterity, and thus far had slain every
opponent. He was now matched with a gladiator from Batavia, a man fully equal in
stature and strength to himself. The contrast which the two presented
was striking. The African was tawny, with glossy curling hair and
glittering eyes; the Batavian was light in complexion, with blonde hair
and keen gray eyes. It was hard to tell which had the advantage, so
nearly were they matched in every respect; but as the former had already
fought for some time, it was thought that the odds were rather against
him... Continue reading book >>
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Historical Fiction |
History |
Literature |
Religion |
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