Ludi Apollinares of 194 B.C.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

OOC: Figured I might as well name him if anyone wants to talk to him.

IC: The Scribae of Caesonius Tacitus, Leo, would be cheerfully drinking.

[Ass. Admin B]

THE FOURTHEENTH AND LAST MATCH OF THE LUDI APPOLINARES
NEXT WILL BE CHARIOT RACES, GRACIOUSLY SPONORED BY GAIUS CLAUDIUS NERO.


ALEXANDRIUS OF TACITUS

VERSUS

VENUCIUS OF CORBULO

The crowd swells and undulates with anticipation. Cries of "Alexandrius!" and "Venucius!" echo in the Arena, as everyone eagerly waits this final match. A test between two gladiators who have proven themselves above the rest. A match that will surely echo through history as one of the greatest in Apollinares history.

Out walked both gladiators. Alexandrius, still in his hoplite armor but having abandoned his spear, waving to the crowd. Venucius, in his shabby leather harness waving about the giant stone mace which still had the dried blood of its previous victims upon it. The two stood before each other as the crowd went from a ear-deafening roar to complete silence. It was if all of Rome was holding its breath for this one moment.

"BEGIN!" Cried the master of ceremony. His words answered by a thousand, nay ten thousand cheers erupting as one.

Venucius flew forward, hoping to catch Alexandrius off-guard. But Alexandrius was no rookie, nor was he over-eager or over-confident. He was a veteran, both in the arena and on the battlefield, and as such he was not to be so easily shaken. Deflecting the first heavy blow with his shield he swiped with his sword in retaliation, catching the brute across the shin, summoning a roaring curse from Venucius, who retaliated by almost jumping forward. Despite his attempt to block the man from getting closer with his shield, and with his sword arm caught unprepared to stab, Venucius overpowered Alexandrius who was thrown to the ground, his sword flying out of his hand. They tumbled across the sand as the crowd reacted with delighted surprise at the messiness of it all. Venucius rained blow after blow on the Greek, who struggled to regain position under a flurry of meaty fists hammering upon his helmet and cuirass. Alexandrius was however far from done. Thinking fast, he used the shield strapped to his arm as a primitive weapon, hammering back at the Gaul with the edge of his shield, inflicting a staggering and dazing blow to the Gauls head which made him inactive for just a moment. Alexandrius needed nothing more than a moment, and with an opening before him he rolled away and grabbed his fallen sword and turned to face the Gaul once again.

Venucius, having regained his footing charged forward once more, hoping to repeat his success, but this time Alexandrius was not to be taken by surprise. He deftly dodged the charge and inflicted a searing cut across Venucius' back, causing an angry red line to appear and blood to begin spewing from the man. Venucius roared in pain, anger and frustration. He looked about feverishly for his mace, but saw it lying in the sand behind Alexandrius. There was only one way forward, and that was taking down Alexandrius now before he had time to capitalize on his weapons advantage. Venucius charged once more, this time aiming to sweet the legs of Alexandrius, but this was for nought. Once again, Alexandrius deftly misdirected the charge but this time he did not merely slash the back of Venucius, this time he dealt a heavy thrust with the sword, piercing the side of the brute and making him fall to the ground. Venucius, bleeding heavily, lay panting in the sand.

The crowd erupted in cheers and repetitions of "Alexandrius! Alexandrius!" as the victorious Greek held his arms aloft, thanking both the crowd and the Gods for his victory. The master of ceremonies arose and called out "MERCY" and Alexandrius merely nodded and smiled. Venucius had earned mercy for his fantastic bouts that day, and if he were to survive the wounds, the crowds would love to see him upon the sands once more. The crowd had witnessed a truly spectacular Ludi Apollinares, and it would be spoken of for generations to come.

Spoiler!

Ludi Apollinares 194BC14.png (84.96 KiB) Viewed 2179 times

[Ass. Admin B]

FOR THE PRIMARY GLADIATOR MATCHES THE FOLLOWING DIGNITAS AND DENARII REWARD IS AWARDED:

Postumus Caesonia Tacitus: 25 dignitas. 10.000 Denarii.
Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo: 10 dignitas. 1.000 Denarii.
Amulius Valerius Marius: 10 dignitas. 1.000 Denarii.

NEXT THERE WILL BE CHARIOTEERING. THE RULES ARE AS FOLLOWS.

All who wish enter must pick a number between 1 of the 20 chariots. No one can bet on the same chariot, each better must bet on a seperate chariot. He whose chariot wins (or gets closest to winning) receives the grand sum of 20.000 Denarii.

FOLLOWING THE CHARIOTEERING, THERE WILL BE THE BATTLE GLADIATOR GAMES. HERE THE GLADIATORS OFFERED ENMASSE WILL DUKE IT OUT IN A GRAND DISPLAY OF DEATH AND GORE.

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

Leo would be cheering and simply yell to Senator Domitus Corbulo "Good match! I hope to see Venucius at next year's games too!"

[Postumus Caesonius Tacitus]

Leo would pick the number 9 for the chariot races.

[Marcus Decius Bellicus]

A representative of Proconsul M. Decius Bellicus would place his wager on Chariot 11

[Gaius Quinctilius Varus]

Q.Q.Q. drunk off honeyed wine would place his bet on lucky 10

[Allectus Fabius Maximus]

Primus Proximus Maximus puts a wager on number 17

[TerranSteel]

A designated servant of Consul Furius Pavo places a wager on Chariot 2

[Amulius Valerius Marius]

Amulius Valerius Marius placed his bet on 7.