Rachel Slack
8-25-10
Cruel Punishment, Purpose or Pleasure
The date is August 25 Romans crowd the stands of the newly rebuilt Circus Maximums. They have come to see the persecutions of individuals convicted of Christianity. These persons have been sentenced to death by being eaten alive by starved lions. The ruler, Nero, is using these individuals as scapegoats to get the attention of the roman people off of himself and the peoples' beliefs that he started the fires.
It is a hot summer day and the people of Rome are sitting in the sweltering heat of mid-day. There is no shade and flies are buzzing around the carcasses of the demised from the previous group of Christians who were persecuted for their beliefs. The next group is being released from their holding cells; they are mortified by what they have just witnessed. These poor people have just seen the people they cared about the most tore to pieces for the entertainment of Nero, their twisted ruler, who upon common belief revels in the pain and suffering of those around him. The accused are now lined up waiting for their oncoming execution, but these people have faith they sing to their god, praising his name and begging him for an easy death. Nero raises his hand and gives the signal, the lions have are now free. The prisoners are tore apart, and eaten alive all for the entertainment of a society who is as sick as their ruler. But not all of them find this entertaining. From the lips of Decimus Petronius Cato," The victims screams still echo through my nightmares, and for some reason I cannot shake the fear of cats ever since viewing those deaths (Ailurophobia)." After interviewing Decimus it was now Nero's turn. "They deserved it, they didn't follow the religion that is Rome, they were given the option to convert and denounce their faith, and none took advantage of my generous offer. They could have saves themselves it they wanted to live. But non they chose death, and I gave them just that."
So what are the persecutions of the accused? Does it have a true purpose that will benefit the people of Rome? Is it just a distraction to save Nero's reputation, which he has slandered on his own? Or maybe, just maybe it's nothing nut the sick entertainment for a sick man.