The Roaring Crowd
**Present Time**
Asprenas's eyes widened as he caught the aroma of freshly cooked lucania wafting through the air.
"Oh, that smells delicious!," he exclaimed, darting toward a nearby thermopolia stall without waiting to see if Caligula would follow. Two young male slaves trotting behind them struggled to keep up with Asprenas's rapid pace.
Caligula followed, accustomed to Asprenas's impulsive nature. "Asprenas, slow down!", attempting to rein his friend's enthusiasm.
They'd been walking for almost an hour now, the sun is getting hotter by the minute, producing a tiny beads of sweat on Caligula's handsome face, but the sun's hot temperature does nothing to dampen Asprenas's spirits.
As they walk, Asprenas regaled Caligula with tales of his misadventures from the previous night, including a hilarious story about how he'd tripped over his own feet and spent hours finding his way home after a night of drinking passum. His animated chatter drew amused glances from passerbys, who couldn't help but be charmed by Asprenas's infectious enthusiasm. They attracted a few curious stares from the other young nobles, who were also heading to watch the munera like Caligula and Asprenas. They even almost gotten into small fights because of Aprenas's loud mouth.
As they resume their walked, munching on the street food they bought. Asprenas began to speak his mind again, but this time, it is his brother Nero Caesar he has something to say about.
"You know, Nero Caesar isnt the brightest, is he?" he said, shaking his head. "I dont get why your father and the senators pushed him as heir apparent, all he has is being the oldest son. It should have been Drusus or you! You're the only one that has brains and the looks in your family"
Caligula raised an eyebrow, careful not to react too strongly to Asprenas's blunt words. "My older brother is perfect for the role," he said calmly, though a hint of defensiveness crept into his voice.
Asprenas snorted, his expression skeptical. "Hah! is there really nobody else aside from your brother?"
Caligula frowned but did not respond, clearly unwilling to engage in a debate about his brother's qualification. For Caligula, his father's decision is right, everything Germanicus did, is for the greatness of the family. He really believe that.
Fortunately Asprenas let it go and shut his mouth, he already knows how loyal Caligula is to his family, and he doesn't know how to lift the mood up again when Caligula starts to frown.
The two friends continued their slow now leisurely and uneventful quiet stroll toward the Circus Maximus, different kind of stalls lined up on the side of the road selling everything from street food to souvenirs.
The Circus Maximus, known as a large chariot racing stadium, located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills, oval shaped almost closed to a round shape, is transformed as a temporary gladiator arena one month prior for the occasion.
In front of entrance, they passed by a standing group of what seems like young thermopolia pleabians bearing all kinds of streetfood, to sell inside for the spectators, who are busily arranging their wares. The air feels electric with excitement.
Today marked the first public event, and Emperor Tiberius had declared a grand gladiator fight to showcase Rome's wealth and influence. The timing even coincided with the appointment of an heir apparent, making the celebration all the more significant and also making Caligula's family a favorite topic of the masses, he's been hearing all about it whenever they pass by people on the way. Making Caligula felt a surge of more pride and loyalty towards his family.
Once inside, they made their way to look for their seats, Asprenas, looking around saw some of his noble friends, already seated on the benches. Asprenas, motioning for Caligula to follow him, nods, and the two expertly made their way to where his friends is sitting.
Passing by the crowd that is composed of different people, the air filled with smell of sweats and aroma of streetfoods. Once they reached Asprenas's friends, Caligula looked back and gave a look to the two young slave of his father that is accompanying them, the slaves, understanding what it meant backed away, blending in the crowd, made their way at the top back seats where they belong, further from the fighting ground. The sounds of the crowd, vendors, and gladiators preparing for the first fight grew louder in Caligula's ears, building anticipation for the spectacle to come.
The grand arena altho only a quarter of it is being used for the munera was a sea of people, yet the seating arrangements were starkly segregated by social class. The patricians occupied the first and second inner circle of marble tiered benches from the fighting ground, providing a clear elevated aerial view of the actions below. Whereas Asprenas and Caligula is now seated, with Caligula being near the stairs.
As the benches stretches out from a small circle to a wide circle, their quality dropped, reflecting the decreasing social status of the spectators.
The equestrians sat in the elevated middle tiers, while the plebeians were relegated to the furthest top tiers, mixed with different patricians slave. The fighting ground with its sandy floor, freshly raked and smoothed, glowed golden in the hot sunlight.
The imperial box, reserved for the emperor stood out as a raised, makeshift covered platform with plush seating and shade, also near the fighting ground, though the emperor himself was nowhere to be seen.
As the trumpet blared, the already loud crowd went wild, their roar growing deafening as two gladiators, a newcomer and a veteran, both slaves, their armor glinting under the sunlight like a thousand tiny mirrors, emerged and made their way to the center of the arena. Both gladiators basked in the cheers, both roaring loudly, driven by the sweet promise of rewards and mostly for victory, proud to be on the spotlight, proud to be a gladiator!
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*Last Revision (021725)
INDEX:
1. lucania - meatballs made from pork, beef or a combination of the two often served with sauce
2. thermopolia - street vendors
3. munera - gladiatoral contest