The Oath of the Arena — Uncover the Gladiator Conspiracy

Your quest begins at the Pula Amphitheater, a colossal edifice built between 27 BC and 68 AD, under Emperors Augustus, Claudius, and Vespasian. It is the sixth largest preserved Roman amphitheater, capable of seating approximately 23,000 spectators. Its dimensions of 132 x 105 m, with an arena of 67 x 42 m, hosted gladiator fights and venationes until their prohibition by Emperor Honorius in 404. The 26 intact rows of seats and 3 levels of arcades with 72 bays attest to the grandeur of ancient Rome in Pula. It is here, amidst this imposing architecture, that the first clue of your investigation awaits.

Continuing your journey through Pula, you reach the Forum, the beating heart of the Julia Pola colony, built under Augustus between the late 1st century BC and early 1st century AD. This vast space, approximately 100 x 60 m, once surrounded by porticos and temples, was the site of Pula's first Christian building in the 4th century, and later an episcopal basilica from 425. Today, remnants of the curia and the Temple of Diana are still visible, offering a glimpse into the political and religious functions of the era. On these historic flagstones, you must decipher an ancient message hidden by the conspirators.

The route then leads you to the Temple of Augustus, erected between 2 BC and 14 AD in honor of Augustus, Rome, and the goddess Concordia. This temple, 8 x 17.5 m, is a rare example of a preserved Roman triad temple in Croatia, with its Corinthian hexastyle and a 3 m high podium. Restored in 1947 after damage from World War II, it now houses an exhibition hall. The original dedicatory inscription, 'IMP. CAESARI. AVGVSTO. DIVI. F. PONTIFICI. MAXIMO. COS. XIII. IMP. XVII. TRIB. POTEST. XXVII. ROMAE. ET. AVG. ET. CONCORDIAE. AVG. SACRUM', will be the key to unlocking a new stage of your investigation in this Istrian city.

Nearby stands the Arch of the Sergii, built around 30 AD by the sisters of the Sergii, Salvia Postuma, Iunia, and Terentia, to commemorate Lucius Sergius Lepidus and his brothers, victors at Nauloque in 36 BC. This 8 m high arch, a triple Corinthian arcade, is decorated with floral reliefs and winged victories. It once incorporated the ancient city gate of Pula and was restored in the 19th century. This monument, rich in symbols of triumph, conceals a crucial clue related to the conspirators' identity, revealing how their influence has endured through generations and the Roman monuments of Pula.

Your journey concludes at the Small Roman Theater of Pula, built between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, with a capacity for 300 to 500 spectators. Its 18.5 x 7.5 m stage and semi-circular limestone seating were used for theatrical performances and Roman public assemblies. Uncovered in 1930 and restored in the 1950s, this site offers you the final piece of the puzzle. By exploring these Roman monuments of Pula, you will have not only thwarted the plot but also traversed the history of Istria, from ancient Roman heritage to more recent eras, leaving behind a legacy of discovery and adventure.