Passing through the gates of Rome, Atretes is overwhelmed by the hurly-burly of the city, the overpowering diversity of sights, smells, and sounds, and the sheer magnitude of humanity crowded within the “splendor and magnificence” of the Imperial City. To Atretes, however, Rome is a “stinking bog of base humanity drowning in the filth of depravity” (182). He and the other gladiator-trainees are brought to the main ludus and locked in their cells. Atretes cannot imagine any viable means of escape.

Atretes trains harder than most, listening and studying for any advantage that will keep him alive in the arena. He feels a grudging respect for Bato, the Ethiopian trainer who is smarter, tougher, and less abusive than Tharacus. One day, a Roman aristocrat challenges Atretes to a sparring match. After only a few minutes, Atretes finds the man’s weakness and nicks him on the face, drawing blood. Bato stops the match, telling Atretes quietly, “Another day.” Rather than punish him for wounding a Roman citizen, Bato rewards him with a sex worker. Bato fears Atretes will incur the wrath of the emperor for besting and taunting an aristocrat, but nevertheless he schedules Atretes for the arena two months before his training is complete.