Senator Gracchus climbed the many stairs inside the Colosseum. He listened to the shouting crowd and he was not enthusiastic about being there.

He joined a group of other senators near the top of the arena. "Senator Gracchus," Falco said with surprise. "We don't often see you enjoying the pleasures of the crowd."

"I don't pretend to be a man of the people," said Gracchus. "But I do try to be a man for the people."

The Colosseum was full. The crowd was already beginning to shout the name of their hero and favorite gladiator. "Maximus... Maximus... Maximus."

Cassius started to introduce the next event of the day. "Now, as we celebrate the sixty-fourth day of the games, you will see how kind the Emperor is and how he loves his people!"

Servants came into the arena pulling great boxes. They removed the covers and took out loaves of bread. Then they started to throw them into the crowd. Other servants appeared at the top of the steps and threw the bread down. There were thousands of loaves. The crowd cheered and caught as many loaves as they could.

Commodus chose this as the best time for him to enter.

Below, in the prison area, Proximo stood with Maximus. They heard a great cheer go up from the crowd.

"He certainly knows how to please them," said Proximo.

"Marcus Aurelius had a dream for Rome, Proximo," said Maximus. "This is not it."

"Marcus Aurelius is dead, Maximus," Proximo reminded him.

In the arena the servants had thrown all the bread to the crowd, and Cassius spoke again. "The Emperor has decided there will be a special contest today. Five years after his last fight in the Colosseum, we bring you the greatest gladiator in Roman history! Today Tigris of France returns!"

The crowd loved a surprise and they cheered in excitement as Tigris drove his chariot into the arena.

He was a large man of about forty-five and he looked dangerous. He wore silver armor and a silver tiger helmet with a face guard. The bright sun shone off his helmet as he rode around the arena with his arm held high. The crowd shouted and cheered even more loudly.

Tigris stopped his chariot, got down, and waited in the center of the arena. He was carrying a sword and a spear and he looked frightening.

When the crowd became quieter, Cassius started to speak again. "And from the great school of Aelius Proximo... Caesar is pleased to give you... the Spaniard, Maximus!"

There were more cheers and shouts from the crowd.