Anthony

**__Rome__**: Today at the Coliseum was packed as the final fight of the day commenced. It was a fight to the death between two star gladiators, Verus and Priscus. Both warriors started out aggressively, each h performing skillful maneuvers to penetrate the other’s defense. Even though Priscus was the larger and more experienced fighter, it was Verus who drew first blood. After several minutes of intense sword fighting, both gladiators were left without shield. It looked bad for Verus later, as his sword had snapped in two, but Priscus honorably dropped his sword too to make it fair. So it was down to hand combat now. A well-aimed punch in the jaw sent Priscus toppling, and Verus raised his arms up in victory. But Priscus wasn’t done yet, and with a great roar he knocked Verus down from behind. Several successive punches sent Verus toppling, and Priscus paused to equip himself with a pair of spiked knuckles. In that time, Verus has also equipped himself with the spikes, and they were slowly circling each other. Suddenly, Priscus lunged forward and they wrestled and grappled to the floor. The scene was obscured by a cloud of sand made by the writhing gladiators. STOP! Emperor Titus commanded. Both men, bloody, sweaty and dirty, rose up to their feet. Slaves entered from the side of the Coliseum and presented them with laurel wreaths and a wooden sword. Both men clutched each other’s hands, and raised them in victory. The hour-long nail-biter had turned out to be a tie, with both gladiators gaining freedom and respect.
 * __ Late Thriller Turns Out To Be a Tie!  __**