Chapter 160: A New Beginning
< 160. A New Beginning >
“Go! Tear them apart!”
“Don’t lose to those Capua bastards!”
“Break the noses of those Roman scum!”
As soon as the match started, the spectators were completely immersed in the fight.
The interest in Marcus and Caesar faded away in an instant.
‘Amazing.’
Marcus scanned the people who filled the arena.
It seemed that the popularity of gladiator fights had increased even more while he was in the East.
Not only men, but also women were noticeable in large numbers.
He could see women wearing elegant clothes, huddled together and shouting in sharp voices.
Caesar, who had returned to Rome after a longer time than Marcus, was even more surprised.
Although he was publicly ascetic, he enjoyed pleasure more than anyone else in private.
He accepted this change positively.
Clang! Clang!
He enjoyed snacks and wine to the sound of weapons clashing, and did not hesitate to bet money on the outcome.
“The level of gladiator fights has improved significantly compared to what I remember.”
“Didn’t you say that it’s been more than eight years since you last saw a gladiator fight, Caesar? Of course there have been many changes.”
“I heard that you also started gladiator fights in your Eastern province. Is it going well?”
“Yes. Although it’s still in the initial stage, we are getting satisfactory results. We are using one page of the newspaper for gladiator fight promotion, so the ripple effect is very good.”
Caesar, who had been fixed on the arena, slowly turned his head to the side.
“That newspaper thing you mentioned, is it really true that you can print thousands of copies in just a few days with the sample you showed me at the previous meeting?”
“Of course. It’s not that hard if you use the printing press and metal typefaces that I explained to you.”
“Amazing. Then when are you planning to bring it to Rome?”
“I don’t have any plans to do that for a while. I have a plan to sell books printed in large quantities through Articus’s publishing house, but I think bringing the printing press to Rome is a problem that needs more consideration.”
Caesar leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice.
He had already lost interest in the gladiator fight that he was enjoying so much until a while ago.
“There’s no need to even think about it. I would have doubted your sanity if you said you were going to distribute the printing press to the public.”
“So you think the risk is too high?”
“It’s not just high. It opens up the possibility of completely overturning the foundation and structure of society. It’s not enough to just have a printing press, but you’ve already developed the technology to mass-produce paper as well.”
“Yes. Actually, I also had similar concerns as you, Caesar. That’s why I’ve been focusing on security so far to prevent the technology from leaking out.”
“Then keep doing that, no, do it even more. You shouldn’t bring the printing press anywhere unless you can control it perfectly.”
Caesar thought that the masses were too stupid or too smart for their own good.
Rome was already experiencing an increase in citizens who had a comfortable life due to the surge in food production.
What would happen if books were widely distributed with printing technology?
Marcus had a rough idea of what kind of changes this could bring through history.
In that respect, Caesar’s insight was remarkable for grasping the potential dangers of knowledge dissemination without prior knowledge.
“It’s a pity to waste the technology that I worked hard to complete, but there’s no choice. As soon as I return to the East, I’ll raise the level of security. It would also be good to make an example of anyone who tries to leak the technology.”
“An excellent choice. The only typefaces that citizens need are those we carefully select. They don’t need anything more, and they shouldn’t know either.”
As their conversation progressed, the outcome of the gladiator fight also began to emerge.
The Roman gladiator managed to break through the defense of the Capua gladiator after dozens of clashes.
Boom!
“Woah!”
Their conversation was interrupted by cheers from all sides.
The Capua gladiator who was staggering tried to swing his weapon a few more times, but he couldn’t continue fighting and fell on the spot.
The referees who quickly appeared on the arena carried away the injured gladiator on a stretcher.
The victorious gladiator performed a ceremony and induced applause and cheers from the audience.
Of course, there were some who sighed.
There were sighs from those who came from Capua to cheer and those who lost money by betting.
Then, a loud announcer stood in the middle of the arena and raised his voice.
“The next match will be a duel between the strong man from Capua who can freely wield two swords, Mumillo, and the sixth-ranked Roman gladiator who is a master of shield skills, Verso! By the way, the current odds are not much different from one to one. It’s a match where you can’t tell who will win! Please bet as much as you want on the side you like!”
The Roman citizens who had already won one match did not hesitate to bet money on the Roman gladiator’s victory again.
Caesar, who had been staring at the people who were ecstatic for a while, slowly opened his lips.
“Shouldn’t we also create something that will be a hot topic before we leave Rome?”
“That would be nice if we could. But do you have anything in mind that could do that?”
“Gladiator matches, gladiators… the popularity of the citizens…”
Caesar muttered to himself and soon a broad smile appeared on his lips.
“Marcus, I’m talking about Spartacus, who always accompanies you. He must be a freed slave, right?”
“Yes. He has been a free citizen for about twenty years now.”
“But liberti don’t have the right to serve in the army, do they? How did he manage to rise to the rank of centurion?”
“Because he was the best gladiator in Rome. No one opposed him joining the army with the support of public opinion.”
The free citizens of Rome were divided into ingenui, who were born free, and liberti, who were freed slaves.
Liberti also had Roman citizenship, but they had some restrictions on their rights compared to ingenui.
The biggest difference was that they had no right to vote by blood, and their right to vote was practically nonexistent, as they had little influence.
The descendants of freed slaves often became ingenui, but it was almost impossible for the freed slaves themselves to advance in society.
Caesar thought that he could use the huge popularity of gladiator matches as a good publicity stunt.
“If he has already joined the army and risen to the rank of centurion with an exception, it would be easier to solve this matter. How about giving him a newly established medal and appointing him as a legionnaire on this occasion? I know he has already earned enough military merit.”
“Spartacus as a legionnaire? Is that possible?”
It was unprecedented in the long history of Rome that a freed slave himself, not his descendants, became a legionnaire of the Roman army.
Some people who were sensitive to tradition and law might voice their dissatisfaction.
Caesar swept his hand over the view of the arena and smiled faintly.
“That’s why we have to use this opportunity. Let’s put Spartacus on this stage at the closing ceremony of the final match. The best gladiator ever born in Rome receives recognition for his merit on the stage of the closing ceremony and is appointed as a legionnaire. What could be a better picture than this? Who would dare to oppose it?”
“That’s a brilliant idea. It will definitely be a huge publicity stunt. And it’s perfect as the finale of the biggest event of the year, the final match. That day will probably be a frenzy of enthusiasm.”
Spartacus still had a tremendous name in Rome.
His footsteps were like a legend in the gladiator society.
He escaped from his humble slave status with his own skills and rose to the position of right-hand man of a noble family.
He did not stop there and completely changed the conditions of gladiators with his excellent skills and heroic appearance.
He also made a splash in the public by joining the Roman army and earning brilliant military merit as a centurion.
If he became a legionnaire here, it was easy to imagine what kind of talk would come and go.
“Spartacus will become a symbol of Rome’s tolerance and hope for freed slaves. Who would have ever imagined that a freed slave gladiator would become a Roman legionnaire?”
“Spartacus is also from Thrace, so he will have a very positive impact on the natives.”
Rome had already granted citizenship to Pharaoh, making him a Roman citizen, and pursued an active assimilation policy.
Spartacus’ appointment as a legionnaire was also very efficient in terms of this assimilation policy.
“I think it would be nice to engrave an eagle decoration on the newly established medal for symbolism. It would be a medal that is only given to the bravest soldiers. It sounds like a good picture.”
“Who will award the medal then?”
“Well, if you do it, it might give the impression that you are favoring your own people, so I think it would be better if either I or Magnus do it. Spartacus also participated in Magnus’ eastern expedition before, so I think he would be good at giving him the medal. Magnus won’t refuse such an opportunity, so he’ll gladly accept it.”
Marcus decided to follow Caesar’s opinion completely.
He needed to leave an unforgettable strong impression on the citizens before leaving Rome.
If he could also reward Spartacus for his hard work in this way, he couldn’t ask for more.
He hoped that this would be enough compensation for his dedication and effort so far.
※※※※
The final match of the gladiator tournament ended with Rome’s victory and achieved the highest box office ever on its last day.
The closing ceremony that ended all schedules also attracted countless people without any gaps.
Senators, knights and their children, and even gladiators who did not participate in the final match were noticeable.
There were quite a lot of people on normal days, but this time it was different.
It was because the Triumvirate announced in advance that they would make a major announcement using this closing ceremony.
“I would like to sincerely thank all the beloved citizens who have gathered here today. I also want to say thank you to the gladiators who have shown us wonderful matches so far.”
Marcus’ voice echoed over the arena, standing in the middle of the arena instead of the host.
Caesar and Pompey were wearing togas with orange silk and gold thread embroidery and stood next to Marcus.
Pompey still had some dark circles under his eyes, but he didn’t look as tired as before.
“Wow!”
The sight of the Triumvirate gathered in one place was enough to draw cheers from the citizens.
Besides, Marcus was the one who developed this gladiator match.
Everyone in Rome knew that.
It was natural that enthusiastic cheers poured out.
Various performances and dances by mimes followed to decorate the closing ceremony.
Drinks and snacks were provided free of charge to the audience.
People laughed and chatted, exchanging their impressions of the final match.
Their faces were filled with anticipation for next year.
After all the performances were over, Marcus came forward again and announced a surprise that poured oil on the burning desire of the citizens.
“You have been waiting for a long time. You must have had an experience of not being able to watch the match you wanted properly because there was no seat. But from next year, there will be no such thing. The giant amphitheater that you have been waiting for will open next year.”
“Wow!”
“Now we don’t have to stay up all night in front of the arena!”
The official name of the Colosseum was Campus Marcus, named after Marcus.
It was the result of his strong insistence that he wanted to name it this way.
“Gladiator matches have become a symbol of Rome. We have met many heroes through gladiator matches. And today! Spartacus, the brightest name among all those heroes, will have another glorious day. I am overjoyed to be able to share this momentous moment with you.”
As Marcus gestured, Spartacus, wearing a crimson cloak over his splendid armor, slowly walked to the center of the arena.
The cheers of the citizens who remembered Spartacus’ legendary matches were beyond ecstasy and almost madness.
Marcus stepped back and switched places with Pompey.
Pompey held a crown with an eagle emblem and approached Spartacus, who knelt on one knee.
Marcus’ enthusiastic explanation continued.
“Spartacus has earned more merit than any other soldier since he joined the Roman army. In the east, he defeated countless enemies and saved the lives of his fellow soldiers in crisis, receiving a civic crown.
He also fought bravely as a centurion, leading his soldiers better than anyone else for the glory of Rome. He was willing to go to any battlefield for the sake of the Roman army. He cut off the enemy’s general in Gaul, and also defeated many enemies in Parthia, showing the exploits of the Roman army.”
Marcus stopped here.
It was Pompey’s turn next.
He looked around the audience with an extremely solemn expression and opened his lips.
“So I would like to award this great warrior a medal that symbolizes the Roman army itself on behalf of all Roman citizens. Anyone who receives this medal is qualified to be a legionnaire even if he is not a senator. Spartacus will be the first example of this glorious honor!”
No one opposed him.
The citizens answered by shouting their throats out, and the senators remained silent.
There was nothing they could do anyway once the Triumvirate agreed on their opinions.
Marcus slowly scanned them with an indifferent look.
Cato and Cicero didn’t look very good either.
They just applauded the Triumvirate’s decision along with the citizens.
The Senate would continue to decline like this in the future.
< 160. A New Beginning > End
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