CIRCENSES: Championship Race

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Ouch! A bad round for the Greens! Kostas and Nestor manage to swing around the metae without much trouble, but their teammates struggle to outmaneuver one another. Makarios tries to regain ground from Galen, but looses control of this horses instead, and the already wounded chariot is struck again! Makarios' struggle is not without some small victory however: although he doesn't gain on Galen, he still manages to trip up his rival enough that the young Prasinus is dragged back with him.

Green fans throughout the Circus don't know what to make of this mess in the far turn!

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Everyone seems shaken by the last turn as the charioteers take an opportunity to reassess the lay of the track. The leading pack of Greens holds a straight course at full speed to bring a swift end to this second lap. Meanwhile, Artemon, Diocles, and Petrus are now headed for the metae themselves!

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Nestor takes advantage of the calm on the track to speed ahead! He clatters along the outside wall—no harm done, though—and draws his chariot up alongside Kostas. The two Greens are neck-and-neck as they approach the linea alba for a second time!

In the other turn, however, Artemon is struck with disaster! The lone White careens into the metae, putting him—and his factio—out of the race! Diocles and Petrus lazily round the bend in the safety of the outside lane.

Valete.

[Manius Ovidius Hyacinthus]

Profiled.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

We've just entered the third and final lap of this race, and it's back-and-forth at the lead! In the turn, Kostas manages to pull ahead of Nestor, who still doggedly clings to the Prasinus' flank. Not far off, Galen and Makarios trail along ...

As Artemon rolls from the wreckage of his chariot to safety off the track, Diocles suddenly leaps ahead! The trailing Green makes a last-minute rally as he charges into his final lap in the Circus! Only Petrus lags at the rear now.

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

The struggle continues among the Greens for pride of place on the track! Kostas keeps charging ahead, leaving his teammates further and further behind! Galen attempts to veer around Nestor's team of Asturcones, but Nestor's command of the reins is too skillful for the feint to succeed. Makarios takes advantage of the struggle between Galen and Nestor to charge up alongside his long-standing rival, cutting Galen off from the the third lane.

Diocles too keeps his renewed pace, heading into the turn! It might be too soon to write off this feisty Prasinus just yet!

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Diocles swings perfectly through the metae, crossing the linea alba in one swift stroke, and bringing him ever closer to the jockeying band of Greens near the front!

Kostas appears to be on a break-away charge, as he continues unimpeded through his penultimate turn! There is precious little time for anyone to outpace him now! Nestor's steady hand keeps Makarios firmly in check behind him, but crafty Galen advances along an undefended flank, leaving his rival Makarios to contend with the resolute Green on his own.

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Makarios refuses to let his nemesis Galen get away from him. He bears down hard on the unwavering Nestor, and finally overtakes him in the third lane! Makarios keeps hot on Galen's heels as both round the metae.

Diocles continue to makes gains further back, catching up quickly to the recently displaced Nestor!

Petrus, meanwhile, is just rounding the turn to complete his second lap.

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

Green fans are on their feet as Kostas is headed for the finish line, well ahead of anyone else on the track! Galen and Makarios seem to have forgotten one another and their bitter feud as both focus on charging ahead for second place.

Diocles continues to weave through the outer lanes, making gains every step of the way. He now approaches Nestor from behind as both round the metae!

Valete.

[Lucius Livius Seneca]

L. Livius prae. circ. omnibus in Circo s.p.d.

An unexpected round in the Circus, indeed! With the linea alba in sight, Kostas inexplicably chokes up on his reins, slowing his chariot to a steadier pace. Is this folly, or a boast on the part of the leading Green? The rest of the Prasini seem to follow suit, however ...

Only Diocles continues headlong, gaining ground against all his teammates! There's a chance yet this spirited Green will capture at least a showing in this championship race!

Valete.