respice terrifici scelerata sacraria Ditis, cui cadit infausta fusus gladiator harena, heu, male lustratae Phlegethontia victima Romae! nam quid vesani sibi vult ars inpia ludi? quid mortes iuvenum? quid sanguine pastavoluptas? quid pulvis caveae semper funebris, et illa amphitheatralis spectacula tristia pompae? nempe Charon iugulis miserorum se duce dignas accipit inferias placatus crimine sacro.
Look at the crime-stained offerings to frightful Dis, to whom is sacrificed the gladiator laid low on the ill-starred arena, a victim offered to Phlegethon in misconceived expiation for Rome. For what means that senseless show with its exhibition of sinful skill, the killing of young men, the pleasure fed on blood, the deathly dust that ever enshrouds the spectators, the grim sight of the parade in the amphitheatre? Why, Charon by the murder of these poor wretches receives offerings that pay for his services as guide, and is propitiated by a crime in the name of religion.
final_alignments\Prudentius_Reply_to_Symmachus_Book1.json