100 words for Friday Fictioneers, a collection of galley slaves who each week labor under the lash to propel Rochelle’s hexareme and write a flash fiction inspired by a photo prompt. This weeks picture was provided by Sandra Crook and I envy her for having been to Lyon to take it. She is an excellent writer so be sure to visit her story among others. You’ll be glad you did.
In researching this story I learned that the present day English word for ‘arena’ came from the Roman word harena which was an ancient Etruscan word for sand. My title was borrowed from an excellent novel of the same name by Richard Sapir. It is easy to imagine that we are somehow disconnected from the past and nothing could be farther from the truth. The past is ever present and lives and breathes in all of us.
“Gaius, do you think anyone will remember us after we die?”
“I don’t think, Servius, I work.” Gaius spied a bloody tooth glinting in the torchlight and tossed it into a cart overflowing with body parts. “When all is ready for tomorrow’s spectacle, I’ll go home, drink wine and sleep. If I wake up breathing, I’ll give thanks and begin again.”
“But…”
“Servius, do you know aught of those over whose blood we rake fresh harena each night?”
“No…”
“Nor I, my friend…” Gaius shivered as a cool breeze ghosted through the vast Lugdunum amphitheater. “Nevertheless, we will be remembered.”
ironwoodwind 
Good one Doug, A nice little touch of roman history..well done.
Dear Summerstommy,
Thank you very much for saying so.
Aloha,
Doug
that sentence with ‘ought’…I think my English is failing me…!
Nice atmosphere…he’s a real philosopher…but great scene caught there, picking up body parts!
Dear Managua,
I hope I got that right. I’ll have to go check. Thanks for reading and commenting. I know someone had to clean up after all the killing that went on and I could not help but wonder what they might have thought as they went about their job night in and night out.
Aloha,
Doug
Yes, good point!Thee will have been all kinds of discussions then! But the philosophical one while only parts of bodies were being collected is very clever, and entertaining.
Doug,
great research for this one. I like the touch of authenticity to it. The characters have a very stoic attitude for having a rather grotesque job to do.
Dear David,
Thanks for the nod to research. I think Gaius and Servius and anyone in that position would become inured to it after a few years. I read that the Romans as a society viewed those who were killed, most often criminals, as not part of society. The feeling was that they deserved what they got for not supporting the body politic. And Gaius and Servius were slaves, working as part of the servus publicus of the Lugdunum province so they were next on the chopping block should they fail to do their jobs.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
They did have a different view of human life than today, at least in some aspects. I’m sure it’d be just like working in a slaughterhouse or similar situation. I’ve always believed, for good or bad, that you can get used to anything.
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I have always enjoyed the classics and the interlude of the Roman overlords.
So, i enjoyed this story plus you didn’t betray the wit and depth of the Romans in the characters too. An informative read. If indeed, the past is lost upon us, I take solace in the heritage they bequeathed to us – words – a rich vocabulary.
Dear Charles,
You are right about one of their most important gifts to us. Words. Amazing to think how we are connected by them.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Interesting read. Thanks for the research and the pics.
🙂
Dear YS,
Thank you, Sir. My pleasure.
Aloha,
Doug
Beautiful, Doug. I loved the quiet, reflective tone of this piece. You set the atmosphere perfectly, and Servius and Gaius are so real one feels as if they are raking harena alongside them. Your writing reminds me how powerful “quiet, understated, and natural” can be.
Dear Lisa,
And I loved that you found in it what I hoped you would. I tried to place myself there in the arena at night during the inevitable clean up work and then just listened. Thank you for your kind comment re ‘quiet, understated and natural. You made my morning.
Aloha,
Doug
No – thank YOU. This is one of those stories that makes me feel like a better person for having read it.
A nice bit of historical research went into this Doug, thank you. The note of resigned indifference comes through nicely. I think I’m more used to seeing ‘ought’ spell ‘aught’ but that’s probably one of those irritating Anglo-American nuances, and I haven’t found the definitive word on it so far. Enjoyed your take on the prompt.
Dear Sandra,
You have solved it for me. Thank you. The word should be spelled ‘aught’ I think. So much so that I’m going to edit right away. Thanks for reading and contributing that bit of scholarship. I love polishing.
Aloha,
Doug
It’s good to be reminded how far civilization has come and interesting to delve (if only for a moment) into the minds of those who dared to question the norm.
Dear Dawn,
Sometimes I wonder whether civilization has come far at all. It is a good question.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Excellent dialogue, darling. And thank you for the lovely pictures you contributed.
Dear Helena,
Interesting that your name has it roots in that era. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
and don’t forget Arcadia as well, darling!
You have jumped straight into the brains of these two, Doug, and I love how much they are exactly like us, even in a different environment. We’ve come so far, and yet, we’re almost back where we started, aren’t we?
Dear Jennifer,
I think only our technology has come far. We are little different otherwise. “…strut and fret our hour upon the stage, and then are heard from no more…”
Thanks for reading and reflecting with me. I appreciate your presence.
Aloha,
Doug
I think you nailed it with that comment, Doug. Our technology may change, but deep down inside we still have the same questions and feelings as centuries ago.
Well done. Don’t think I can come close with that. Great research.
DJ
Dear Danny,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug, your story’s a reminder of how people really make history interesting and make it his-story (no gender bias intended), rather than a dry collection of dates. The everyday and even mundane are the fabric upon which those who do “great” things weave their better-known stories. For every Caesar, there are hundreds or thousands of those like Gaius and Servius taking care of business each and every day. I’ve always loved history and Roman history was one of the areas (or arenas, if you will) that I particularly liked. Your story rings completely true–a couple of everyday Joe’s doing what needed to be done.
janet
Dear Janet,
Thank you very much for such a thoughtful comment. I was fortunate that my mind took me to that night after a spectacle and introduced me to Gaius and Servius. The eternal question was always there and informs the story itself. Thank you for dropping by to read.
Aloha,
Doug
I love that you imagined this as just another ordinary day in the life of a lowly Roman maintenance man!
Dear Linda,
You now how people are always some great figure in history in their former lives? I was Gaius and Servius in my former lives. This story came easily to me.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Fascinating story and great research as usual, Doug! And to make us like Gaius and Servius too, because after all, they’re just doing their jobs as part of a society no one questions.
Dear Perry,
Lots of ordinary folks back then asking the same questions we do. Little has changed.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug you made history interesting through the eyes of these two men slaving away. (pun intended). I loved the cadence and the tone of this piece.
Dear Dana,
You are kind to this old scribe. Mahalo.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
One never thinks about the job security these coliseums ensured. Great perspective! 🙂
Dear Hugmama,
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Wonderful, Doug! Mahalo. My history-junky, teen son, will love it! I’ll send it to him. 😉
Dawn
Dear Dawn,
You are lucky to have a history junkie son. Share away!
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Love the story you create in the tension between Servus and Gaius (and the names were not a coincidence I guess).. In that contrast the real story is created.
Dear Bjorn,
I wish I was that smart. But I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Ghosted as a verb is way cool. I’m writing that down.
Your dialogue was really good; realistic, smooth, authentic in my ear, it all worked well for me.
Thanks for sharing!
Dear JK,
Thanks for your comments, especially re ghosted. I love it, like smoke though a keyhole. If there was a magic tracker that counted the times and places I’ve used that word, I’d be in trouble. Luckily, there is no such animal. I appreciate you stopping by.
Aloha,
Doug
Yes, it certainly seems as though you are in direct communication with the classical world – as I hope we all can somehow be. Love your photo of the viaduct.
Dear Lindaura,
In a previous life, I was Servius and Gaius. Aquaducts are one of the most amazing of the Roman’s engineering feats. Have you read, Pompei, by Robert Harris?
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
I really enjoyed this – it gave me goose bumps. Very well done.
Dear Katie,
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
You are so right we are connected to our past whether we choose to recognize it or not. Whether we remember them or not our ancestors have made their mark on our lives.
Dear Joseph,
Well said, Sir.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
I heard the author Hilary Mantel say something very similar on the radio tonight – about how we all live in history, we’re just not aware of it at the moment we’re living it. A lovely thought Doug and beautifully written.
Claire
Dear Claire,
I will be adding Hilary to my list of people to learn about. Thank you. I appreciate your presence here every week. Let me know, please, if I ever disappoint you.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
We are Servius. We are Gaius. Lovely comment on history.
Dear Patrick,
Yes, we are. Too bad most of us haven’t got a clue.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
i loved the photos and the research and the dialogue. kind of gave me chills. i’ve always been fascinated with what went on after the show. it was such a great scene, picking up body parts.
Dear Kz,
That’s where the saying, It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it, came from. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
quite nice Doug
oh yes they will be remembered (sinister grin)
Dear MDW,
True, that. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
I never thought of it before, but someone had to clean up.
Great idea.
Dear MythRider,
Your name puts me in mind of Mithrandir. Very cool.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Cool reference. Too bad We hadn’t talked before I signed on. Mithrandir would have been a great blog name.
Phyllis
I was very comfortable with your uncomfortable story, Doug as I was born on the site of a Roman fort and I lived in a house near Hadrian’s Wall. I’m even closer to Roman Britain where I now live.I don’t think society is very different today: we have office slaves; and street cleaners routinely sweep up the blood and vomit of drunken revelling teenagers.
Oops! Pressed the button before complimenting you on your atmospheric tale. Impressive. Ann
Dear Ann,
I want to hear more. Have you stood at night next to those stones and let your mind quiet, let the voices from down through the years speak. Oh, how I envy you.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Yes, I have heard those voices. There was a ruin of a small temple called Broccolitia which I could not go into for quite a long while, because the stones so disturbed me! I’m a hopeless neurotic! But stones do gabble. Ann
🙂
Dear Doug
I love the clarity of your thought and prose. I love the lack of sentimentality and the completeness of each fragment. You get the psychology of the people so exactly – in this case, Servius and Gaius. – both utterly believable.
You reminded me of a pivotal scene in Charles Kingsley’s Hypatia when the elephant carrying the heroine walks onto the freshly raked sand, and where she places her foot, the blood oozes through, and she panics…
Your story is masterly, beautifully written, spare clean prose and so satisfying
Dear Valerie,
Your comment leaves me speechless and full of gratitude. In my rush to Google Hypatia, I am reminded again of how well read you are and of how the things I don’t know would sink the Titanic. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and comment with such detail and generosity.
My belief that human thought and emotion have changed little through the eons and eras seems to serve me well when I write. That and the experience I’ve had in life’s trenches. In the end I write what I think, and pray that I get it right.
Thank you for letting know I hit close to the mark.
Kia Ora, dear friend.
Yours,
Doug
You actually hit the mark!
Horses for courses – I know the things that have come my way, and you know those that as you say, you’ve learned in life’s trenches….and like you I’m constantly consci0ous of how much I don’t know… especially when talking to my grand-children !.
I love your take on this – the men behind the scenes. People tend to forget the “little people” who make all the arena bloodshed possible! I enjoy a good bit of dialogue.
I’m also impressed at your research – I tend to just see the picture, mull it over and then write. I’m a bit of a lazybones!
Dear Draliman,
And I can do nothing without parsing the photo until I have worn out Google and Google Earth and Wikipedia. Nutcase.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
I think Gaius thinks more than he thinks he does. (whew! That sentence wore me out….). Great perspective on the real people who came before us. History books would have us thinking that there were only famous people around; you shone a light on a few of the regular Giuseppes. (Italian for Joe)
Dear Erin,
I love that sentence you wrote…(made me laugh even as I read it twice.) We stand upon the work of all those who came before.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the research and the photos. I know you’ll be remembered because you’ll be leaving behind a treasure trove of flash fiction (and other writings) as a lasting legacy. Ron
Dear Ron,
I hope my son appreciates them and I hope I can branch out into longer works. Thanks so much for being such a thoughtful and kind reader. Few like you out there.
Aloha,
Doug
Doug,
I’m envious of Sandra, too. These photos are gorgeous. Well-conceived take, and gory, and brilliant. Someone had to do this terrible job. I think I would drink lots of wine if it were me!
Dear Amy,
Gory? One tooth and some sand covered blood? And here I was trying to be subtle.
Thank you for reading and commenting. More wine for both of us.
Aloha,
Doug
I guess your topic. My imagination can fill in the rest!
Once again you’ve imbued so few words with so much authenticity. That particular detail of raking sand over the blood puts us there in time and place. Well done.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/martyr/
Dear Maggie,
I appreciate that feedback and am glad my story kept your interest. I thought yours was quite unique this week.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Aloha Doug,
I was immediately absorbed into the roman time – great dialogue! I had so many pictures -vor meinem inneren Auge- how can I say that? in my inner eye? however, I love your story! Liebe Grüße
Carmen
Dear Carmen,
Inner eye, minds eye, all the same to good writers like you.
Vielen Dank.
Aloha,
Doug
A glorious snapshot of a moment in time. I’m thinking ‘Gladiator’, not called upon to do other than serve until…..called for something more. One who questions not necessarily being the thinker while the other seeks to get on with the job but may mull things over with his wine. Lovely piece. And additional pictures. I’m like yer man above. Look at the pic, think a bit and go. Such research as yours shows.x
Dear Scottishmomus,
Thanks for such effusive praise. I’m fortunate in that I like to set the scene as accurately as possible. Tiny details add color to the palette.
And the pictures? Isn’t it great how we build around the ruins and pass them by until they disappear into the background? I would be all over them. Fascinating world we live in.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
You’re very welcome.x
You’re very welcome.x
“…a bloody tooth glinting in the torchlight…” I could feel the darkness and and the gruesomeness of the job they had to do. Nicely done, as always.
Dear Patti,
Thanks for immersing yourself in the moment.
I appreciate you dropping by.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug,
I was mesmerized by your story. How barbaric their job was. How barbaric the time was. Of course they are remembered. We do not want to repeat such acts again. So we must learn by learning of the atrocities made by the ones that came before us.
Thank you for a fantastic story.
Love, Renee
Dear Renee,
We think of their job as barbaric, but my research tells me that they did not. Reportedly, they felt that those killed in the arenas of the day were beneath contempt and not worthy of felling sorry for. I’d give a lot to be able to go back there and live in those times for a while, but it’s just as well I don’t. Language barrier would get me killed.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Aloha,
Doug
Dear Doug
I loved this brief glimpse into the lives of Gaius and Servius and how matter-of-factly you told the story of their day, it is a very well written and enjoyable read.
A great story Doug, as usual
Take care
Dee
Dear Dee,
Thanks for stopping in to read and comment. You keep my tank topped of with ink and fuel for inspiration.
Aloha,
Doug
Running behind again, but determined. I read this three times — not because I had to in order to understand it — but because it just deserved more than the 45 seconds the average 100-word story requires. There’s so much here, Doug. You’ve caught the total depravity of the Roman mindset of the day in the line, “I don’t think.” You couldn’t have said it more perfectly if you had used three sentences to explain it.
The other remarkable line is that he shivered when the cool breeze “ghosted” through the amphitheater. One wants to think that he shivered because he realized that they would be remembered because of the horror of the events that gave them their work, but the characters you’ve created are as small-minded as their rulers, so he doesn’t realize the true horror of it at all. He just shivers because he’s cold, and although his words are prophetic, he doesn’t “get” it. The whole truth of that fact adds to the barbaric nature of the whole. It’s really excellent, and my journalistic hat is off to you for doing it all in 100 words.
Dear Sandra,
You are such a wonderful soul to visit my story after its time is up. And then to comment with so much thought. If I could bottle this feeling I feel….
Thank you. Two words from my heart. Two words I never use lightly. Two words for you, from me.
And because you put so much of you into what ought to have been (the usual) a short, ‘good job’ comment, and because no one is going to come back here and re-read my story, I’m going to share something with you.
Gaius says “I don’t think” because he is fed up with his partner of the moment who is shirking his work and asking a philosophical question instead of pitching in with the labor. He’s trying to get Servius to get busy and help. Gaius shivers when that breeze ghosts through the arena because its majesty and grandeur are not lost on him. (here, because 100 words was not enough, I put a message in my tags that tells why Gaius knows they will be remembered.) It is the stones of the arena that will keep their memory alive down through the centuries and that knowledge is what makes Gaius shiver and it is why I used the word ‘ghosted’.
So you see, though I failed to tell the story in my allotted word count, I tried hard to leave enough clues to come close and I deeply appreciate that you walked the arena with my characters for as long as you did.
There is more I want to say to you on the subject and the fact that I write for you, someone who sees deep into the fabric of a story, to the history behind it, but I must wait and use e-mail to do so. May I?
Many Mahalos, Sandra.
Aloha,
Doug
Hi, Doug.
I feel a little bad that I didn’t read your tags, and then I (hopefully) would have picked up on your clues a little better. But I usually deliberately avoid the tags so as to allow the stories to speak to me all by themselves. I guess it’s a little like playing a game and wanting to win without receiving extra clues.
Please feel free to e-mail me at any time. I have several e-mails — for different purposes — but the one attached to this blog (and listed on my profile should you lose it here) is the following:
sandraconner3@gmail.com
Look forward to hearing from you again.
You write so well. Very imaginative and good philosophy.
Dear Indira,
Thank you so much. You are kind to pop around and read this older entry. I appreciate it.
Aloha,
Doug
I’m camping on your blog today. Its a pleasure to read wonderful stories here. Thanks you visited my post and I found your. So informative blog.