Life of a roman slave

Life of Argus         Born in 29 A.D Argus was one of 3 children born to King Pilius and Selene of Nicopolis. However, at the age of 12, a small revolt was organized against the Greeks by Pilius. It was totally crushed and Pilius and Selene were executed. Argus was captured and sold to Gnaeus Julius Agricola, a wealthy Roman Farmer of Stabiae. He along with another slave worked in Gnaeus's fields during the summer and as an aide to the cook in the winter. He did this monotonous labor until the age of 17, when he was assigned the job of a paedagogus for Gnaeus' youngest son. Argus was extremely well educated, thanks to his Greek parents. Here the boy was taught simple math and was told stories such as the Odyssey and plays by Sophocles or Aeschylus. However, one fateful day while walking the son to school, a vicious dog leapt out of an alleyway and bit into the boy's neck. Argus beat off the dog but it was to no avail. The attack left a gap in the boy's neck which would not heal. The boy died several days later. Furious that such horrors could happen to his son, Gnaeus blamed Argus for not stopping the attack sooner. Instead of death Argus was to live out his days as a gladiator, a barbarous warrior, killing others for entertainment or being killed himself.

        Though many of the gladiators were considered celebrities, the lives of most were short and unfavorable. Argus however, was extremely fit and made a good fighter. Though barely making it through the first contest, the following events became easier and easier. Becoming well known, Argus began to like the life of a gladiator. When not fighting he was treated with tremendous respect and regarded as a...