Sheba and the Gladiator

1

SIGN OF THE GLADIATOR

-Who are you?

-A legionary of the Emperor.

-What do you want?

-I have a plea.

You must avenge all those

who tell in Syria

because of

Quenn Zenobia's treason.

Quenn Zenobia, who rose

to the throne of Syria

following the death

of King Odenathus.

her spouse and our

most loyal ally.

began showing signs

of intolerance towards Rome.

With the help

of the Assyrians

she served the sacred bonds

which tied her to the Empire.

Our garrisons were taken

by surprise and annihilated.

Their banners dragged

along the desert sand.

That woman's crazed ambition

must be suppressed.

Perhaps we should entrust

the fate of that far province

to negotiations rather than

to military force.

Negotiations would serve

no purpose.

Zenobia rebelled

when she realised

our troops wouldn't be moved

from the northern borders.

Revolt is rife

in Gaul and Germany.

Withdrawing one single legion

could spell disaster.

What about the disasters

which could be caused

by that arrogant queen?

We've confronted

that arrogance

with the bravery

of one of our best generals.

Marcus Valerius.

Marcus Valerius is a man,

not a god.

No matter how courageous,

his cohorts are insufficient

to hold back those hordes.

Marcus Valerius, commander

of the Roman troops.

He's here at your feet,

alive as you wished.

On your knees.

Kneel before our Queen,

you Roman dog.

Don't Romans kneel?

Not before a queen

guilty of treason.

The treaty with Rome

was oppressive for my people.

Isn't someone who refuses

to sbmit to Rome a traitor?

And what is someone refusing

to kneel before Zenobia?

-An enemy.

-Conquered enemies should die.

-Kill me.

-Dying is too easy.

Slavery is more offensive

to a Roman's pride.

You developed your muscles

in Rome's gymnasia.

I'll send you to a place

whe yo can exercise them.

Work, you scum!

Come on, move.

Hold it.

If you kill him,

you'll take his place.

Go on, keep working

or I'll break your bones.

Stand back.

Pull back the stone.

Help me get him out.

All back to work.

Hurry.

-What's going on?

-His arm is crushed.

-He'll bleed to death.

-Don't waste your time.

He's useless for work, anyway.

I'll finish him off.

Don't move or I'll kill him.

Look after him.

Take him outside.

Even with one arm

he'll be good for something.

Thank you.

He was one of my soldiers.

In battle you'd be

too scared to look at him.

Now you can take

your anger out on me.

Get him.

I could slay you like a dog.

But that would be too little

for what you've just done.

Tie him to the cross.

In the sun!

You'll die of thirst.

Your skin will parch.

Your blood will dry up

while you await death.

But that will be slow to come.

Take him away.

Go.

Hey, you!

Forbid our men

to enter any taverns.

or to approach women.

Our lives are at stake.

One word and we're lost.

May I be damned

if that isn't our ally.

It is she!

It would be child's play

to kill her now.

But it would cost you

your life.

One step towards her

and you're dead.

Who will give us

the information we need?

Someone I'm meeting tonight.

Stand back.

Back.

Go away.

-Is that the Roman consul?

-Yes, my Queen.

What's his crime?

Attempting

to start a mutiny.

Bring him here.

That man does not deserve

your sympathy.

In your place

I would not be so lenient.

I didn't ask

for your advice, Semantius.

What makes you think

I'm so merciful?

Quickly.

So this is a symbol

of the Roman Empire.

He could be knocked over

with a single blow.

I was told you dared

to revolt against my men.

It doesn't surprise me

that such inhuman tortures

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