Lucian Toxaris vel amicitia 59

[59] Those were his words; accordingly, we eked out a wretched existence during the interval, and when at length the spectacle began we were there looking on, for taking me with him on the pretext of going to see a Greek show that would be enjoyable and novel, he had brought me to the theatre. We took our seats, and first we saw wild beasts brought down with javelins, hunted with dogs, and loosed upon men in chains—criminals, we conjectured. Then the gladiators entered, and the herald, bringing in a tall youth, said that whoever wanted to fight with that man should come forward, and would receive ten thousand drachmas in payment for the encounter. Thereupon Sisinnes arose, and, leaping down, undertook to fight and requested arms. On receiving his pay, the ten thousand drachmas, he promptly put it in my hands, saying: “If I win, Toxaris, we shall go away together, with all that we need; but if I fall, bury me and go back to Scythia.”

[59] He found out all about them, and then came back to me. ‘Toxaris,’ he exclaimed, ‘consider your poverty at an end! In two days’ time, I will make a rich man of you.’ We got through those two days somehow, and then came the show, in which we took our places as spectators, Sisinnes bidding me prepare myself for all the novel delights of a Greek amphitheatre. The first thing we saw on sitting down was a number of wild beasts: some of them were being assailed by javelins, others hunted by dogs, and others again were let loose upon certain men who were tied hand and foot, and whom we supposed to be criminals. The gladiators next made their appearance. The herald led forward a strapping young fellow, and announced that any one who was prepared to stand up against him might step into the arena and take his reward, which would be £400. Sisinnes rose from his seat, jumped down into the ring, expressed his willingness to fight, and demanded arms. He received the money, and brought it to me. ‘If I win,’ he said, ‘we will go off together, and are amply provided for: if I fall, you will bury me and return to Scythia.’ I was much moved.

[59] That was all he told me, and we managed to eke out a wretched existence in the interval. When the games were about to begin we also were among the spectators, for Sisinnes dragged me out, persuading me that it would be a pleasure to see the wonderful Greek games, and brought me to the theatre. Sitting there we first saw wild beasts infuriated with darts and then chased by dogs, or let loose upon bound men, who, we concluded, were criminals. Then the single fighters entered, and the herald, bringing forward a well-grown youth, said that whoever wished to fight him was to come into the arena and get two thousand dollars, the wages for fighting. At this Sisinnes rose, and, leaping into the arena, offered to fight, and asked for weapons. When he received the money he brought it to me and gave it into my hands. "If I should win, Toxaris," he said, "we will go off together with plenty of money, but if I fall, bury me and go back to Scythia." Thereupon I cried out,