Gladius was a brave warrior who was imprisoned and made a slave for fifteen years by Menas Maxius and his wife Postera. He was made to fight in brutal gladiatorial games against vicious animals and against other slaves. Once, after pleasing his captors, he was offered the company of a woman named Felicita who was one of Postera's personal slaves. The two fell in love and conceived a child. Maxius lied to Gladius, telling him that Felicita died in childbirth when, in reality, she had merely been banished from Apropus. A broken-hearted man, Gladius continued to fight until Hercules brought him the news that his wife and child were still alive! Gladius assisted Hercules in freeing the other slaves and he was re-united with Felicita and his son.
Background Information[]
Gladius was one Latin word for sword, and is used to represent the primary sword of Ancient Roman foot soldiers. Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those of the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the early part of the conquest of Hispania. This sword was known as the gladius hispaniensis, or "Hispanic sword"