Marcus is amazed by the scale of the crowd and the variety of people. He spots his uncle Titus already seated and wonders how he got there so early, given Titus's habit of sleeping late. The arrival of Caesar is met with a great roar from the spectators, followed by the entrance of the gladiators, who salute the emperor. tesserae, -ārum (f. pl.): tickets apparitor, apparitōris (m.): gate-keeper pulvīnar, pulvīnāris (n.): imperial seat of honor tubicen, tubicinis (m.): trumpet-player paria gladiātōrum: pairs of gladiators lanista, -ae (m.): gladiator trainer

...sciēbat Titum sērō... surgere solēre ("...he knew that Titus was accustomed to getting up late").

The story begins with the crowds swarming toward the amphitheater. On all sides, there is noise from citizens, women, and slaves. Cornelius shows their tickets ( tesserae ) to the gatekeepers and is led with Marcus to the section reserved for senators.

"Beat him!" / "Murder him!" (crowd shouts) Grammar Focus

This chapter frequently uses the (Accusative + Infinitive) construction. Examples include: