Sic Parvis Magna

Abstract

Born into an undesirable life, Artemisia, daughter of Spartacus, is soon thrusted into a more unwelcoming one that is similar to her father’s. As an offspring of the infamous gladiator, fighting naturally runs through her veins but facing the dangerous outside world is something she wished came easily, as well. Artemisia returns from running errands, leaning towards the decision of living a modest life after she has witnessed a boy being beaten half to death in the streets, when debt collectors invade her home. Her mother, Diana, is threatened about the whereabouts of their money. Artemisia challenges them to spar while striking a deal: if she wins, they leave; if she loses, they can take her as payment. She loses. Eventually brought to be auctioned in a slave auction, she is purchased by the Dominus of a local gladiatorial school. Here, Artemisia must prove her worth based around the rumors on her fighting prowess or be made to do “other services”. She manages to prove her worth, barely. Artemisia trains with the rest of the gladiators, earning the title of gladiatrix and regarded as an Amazon by silver-tongued individuals. She befriends Titus, a veteran gladiator who trained Spartacus, and a tender slave-gladiator from Macedonia named Albus. The day of her first fight in the arena quickly approaches, to which Titus tells her that she “must know when and when not to kill.” Pitted against an opponent much younger than she is, and reminds her of the boy she witnessed years ago, Artemisia has to decide which is a better sacrifice: her freedom for the cost of one life or the cost of one life for her freedom.