AMICITIA SINGULARIS
Matthew Califano
Amicitia Singularis is the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between a boy named Publius and a famous gladiator named Priscus . At the beginning of the story , Publius , the son of a wealthy banker , believes he wants to become a gladiator until he decides one day to visit a ludus and realizes how brutal the life of a gladiator is . At the ludus , the boy is nearly killed , but Priscus intervenes to save his life . In return , Publius asks his wealthy father to buy Priscus ’ s freedom , and the boy and gladiator become lifelong friends .
Olim erat puer nomine Publius . Pater Publii erat argentarius . Publius habitabat in villa in colle Palatino . Publius conflictiones gladiatorum amabat spectare . Optabat esse gladiator . Omnes gladiatores et sua varia arma vestesque Publio placebant : Thrax et retiarius murmilloque . Quondam cum Publius ad ludum ambulabat gladiator nomine Priscus eum in via vidit .
“ Quid agis ?” rogavit Priscus .
“ Ambulo ad ludum ” respondit Publius . “ Cur ambulas ad ludum ?” Priscus interrogavit . “ Opto conflictiones gladiatorum videre . Cupio esse gladiator !” respondit Publius . Tum Priscus Publio viam ad ludum monstravit .