APOLLONIA

Twelve

A flash of searing pain shot through Apollonia's gut as she opened her eyes and groaned. A Carthaginian mercenary smirked and walked away. Sunlight blinded her as she wriggled to a sitting position, holding her hands over the place the man had just kicked her. All the other slaves were standing up and getting ready to start walking again. The thought of more walking was disgusting to Apollonia and she growled as she got to her feet. Raw skin underneath the straps of her sandals stung and her leg muscles hurt. Hunger was gnawing at her and fatigue paired with the hot sun made her feel faint. But it was no good to think about all that was uncomfortable. She would walk all day long, whether she liked it or not. When evening came once more, Apollonia did not think of being put to death as being such a bad fate anymore. In fact, death seemed rather inviting. Soon the bandits were painting their faces and arms, making their dark skin look pale. A moment later they were marching through a large gate. They had arrived at the shining city of Pompeii.- Apollonia stared breathlessly at the beautiful, great city. Pompeii glistened in the orange and red light of the setting sun. She gawked at the intricate architecture of the tall aqueducts and temples. A little ways into the city was the market. A few people sauntered about the streets on their way home for the night. They were led to an area with horse stalls, prison-like cells, and a large platform. The horses were put in stalls and the slaves were all put into a cell. Apollonia stuck her face through the iron bars to watch the Carthaginians. The mercenaries walked up to a man with a red sash around his long, white tunic. As they spoke to the important official they motioned to the cell. Then the man nodded and wrote something on a paper before handing it to the bandits. When the man turned and went out of sight, the men came back and opened the cell. They pulled the tall man that had walked in front of Apollonia out of the small cell and shoved him onto the platform. Standing in the center of the wide pedastal, the man hung his head, waiting to be bought. The Carthaginian leader shouted to the people in latin. A very small crowd of people congregated in front of the platform. Before Apollonia knew it, the man had been sold and the slave traders were hauling another slave up the stairs to the stage. The slave was an old woman. It took a while longer for an offer to be made for her, but when someone in the crowd decided to take her, she was taken off the stage and a mercenary soldier grabbed Apollonia's arm and pulled her to her feet. It was her turn. The crowd stood below her. She felt all of their stares boring holes in her skin. Some of the people scratched their chins and stood staring, evaluating, and deciding whether they wanted her or not. Thououghly embarrassed, Apollonia stared at her feet. Suddenly, a familliar voice called out from the crowd. "Iudices! I will buy that servus for 25 denarii." A man pushed through the crowd. A handful of coins were given, a name signed on paper and the transaction was complete in the blink of an eye. Apollonia dared to glance at her new owner. What she saw made her gasp. The bandits looked at her strange and she bit back her surprise. She followed her master off the platform and around the corner of a building. Releasing her joy and relief, Apollonia laughed and hugged the man. He looked down at her and spoke. "Come to visit me, proneptis? You could have just taken a coach, you know." "I have never been so happy to see you in all my life, Uncle."Iudices means "Sirs!"

servus means "slave"

denarii was the currency in 200BC Rome

proneptis means "neice"