Chapter 211
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Gladiator showed her new friends the way to Hope's apparent kingdom. She told what she knew, Hope shared power with Julius Caesar. Gabrielle feared it was the same Caesar from her world, a ruler she knew to be a charming sociopath who killed anyone, even his own friends and allies, for his own power. This kingdom was based on their version of Rome. And like ancient Rome, there was no amount of power that would satisfy them. There was little reason to suspect that this would not bring about ruin to their own people. A few people liven in great luxury, but most lived in poor and overcrowded slums. Most of the ruling class belonged to the priesthood of Ares. They often kidnapped the poor and sacrificed them to Ares, either for reward or for their own sadistic pleasure. The poor had no recourse from any courts, could o little to resist. Struggling just to survive, many resorted to theft and/or prostitution just to feed themselves and their families. Escape from these slums was difficult as there were few "legitimate' jobs, and practically none for unskilled laborers. Joining the new roman army, helping to conquer and enslave others, was one such escape. Many were desperate enough to do just that. Another option was to become a gladiator. To kill others and live in relative luxury, until you were killed. These were often done in the Great Colliseum. Admission was free to all, a way to keep idle citizens entertained and out of mischief. This also helped people to idolize these gladiators, make them more likely to want to become gladiators themselves. Work on the Great Colliseum was never suppossed to be completed. Work was hard for those who did the labor, but it provided just enough food and fuel for their families. It was a running joke that everyone wound up in the Colliseum, either as a laborer, or as a gladiator. When they reached the new Rome Gladiator was horrified to see posters, advertising some of these fighters. One of whom was her sister, who had become a local celebrity by killing others. Gabrielle was also horrified to realize that her own daughter had helped to create this particular mini-kingdom.