Clodia Minor wakes up wrapped around
the arms of the man she loves. As she glances at him, he seems to be both
anxious and excited. He will be racing at the Circus Maximus today, an event
that brings much joy and profit to the citizens of Rome. Although she would
rather leave with the love of her life, she is to report to Gaius Julius
Gracchus as she will be his company for this event.
When they arrive at the circus most
seats appear to be taken, but Gaius manages to find two seats where the race
could be seen at a distance. Before the race begins, Gaius Julius Gracchus and
other senators bet on the team they believe has the most potential to win. Like
most senators, Gaius chooses the red team.
Once the charioteers line up, despite
his concealment, Clodia notices he is part of the green team. The races begin;
he manages to hold the lead for a few seconds, but a member of the red team
soon catches up. As she looks down the center of the race court, a low wall
with decorative sculptures tilts one of the monuments, letting the audience know
one lap has been completed. All the spectators begin yelling, the red and green
team are now tied. But, suddenly the unexpected happens; the red team knocks
down his opponent. As the member of the green team hits his head against the
floor, the spectators stand and silence soon plagues the circus. When Clodia
Minor sees the love of her life hit against the floor, she begins crying
uncontrollably, streams of tears soon run down her cheeks.
Gauis Julius Gracchus does not seem
to be moved by her tears. He begins to clap once the red team wins and forces
her to leave with him. She was to never see him again.
