Introduction Into TWO REMAIN

Hello, I am Gabby Conlan and my topic is Historical Fiction. For my project I created a short play that included elements from Ancient Rome and took place during that time period. This play is based on two brothers, Aurelius and Evander, who are sold as gladiatorial slaves after their father is killed. Their father, earlier on, swore that if he ever died before paying back his debt everything he owned and his family would become the property of these men. This included his two beautiful sons and his faithful wife. The father made this when borrowing their money. These men then murdered him so that they could gain everything that was his to pay their debt. Aurelius and Evander then were sold into slavery to a man named Brutus who was one who owned gladiators. Brutus is a very influential man in the Roman society and is respected by his peers for owning and training successful gladiators in the arena. Now, Evander and Aurelius become gladiators and go through training as all gladiators must. Brutus also owns many other slave gladiators. Their names are Valentina, Aquila, and Bacchus. Valentina and Aquila are fraternal twins, wealthy Roman citizens that chose to become gladiators. Aquila is extremely protective over his sister and will make sure that no one messes with her. He is a quiet man who is thoughtful and calculates every move those around him make. Valentina is a woman with extreme skill and is not afraid to speak her mind. Bacchus is a soldier from Greece that came to Rome to get work. He is a very loud man who is friendly but extremely brutal in the arena. There are several different types of gladiators such as the bestiarii who were armed with spears or knives and are matched against different beasts. As this gladiator developed, they began to be highly trained fighters who must kill exotic beasts brought to Rome. Another lethal fighter would be the dimachaeri who fought with two swords, one in each hand. This is the type of fighter Aquila is. Valentina is a There were also a group of gladiators called Retiarii. These are gladiators carrying a trident, dagger, net, and a larger leather wrist band extending to the shoulder and onto the chest. At times they wore a metal shoulder shield to protect their lower face and neck. This type of gladiator is what Bacchus has been trained to be. Evander and Aurelius are Thraces. These gladiators had broad rimmed helmets that covered the entire head, a small circular or square shaped shield, and two thigh length greeves. Does everyone know what greeves are? (If not they are armor that cover the shin area) These men also fought with curved swords called a “sica”. After they train they fight in the arena and realize how dangerous this is. Valentina and Evander become entangled in a love interest that Aurelius does not approve of for he is attracted to her as well. One day Aurelius and Evander have an argument because Evander took the side of Aquila in a disagreement between the two. This then pits the two brothers against one another. They barely speak. But then while waiting for their matches, Aurelius sees one of the thugs who killed his father. In that instance he flashes back to the scene of the crime. After he replays this in his mind, he realizes that Evander has done everything for him. Aurelius was always self-centered and let Evander give up all he ever wanted for him. Suddenly the announcement is made that Evander and Aurelius will be fighting each other alone in the arena. They both make a decision right then as to what they are going to do…