when reading ancient narratives about gladiators condemned prisoners and mistreated animals in the arena many of us cannot help but experience a powerful emotional response after all these are highly affecting stories by design with narratives that

GRADING RUBRIC ___ / 20 PTS: LENGTH

Narratives should be 600-1,500 words in length.

___ / 20 PTS: NARRATIVE POWER

Not all stories are well-suited to the above-specified length, so choose your topic and its presentation carefully. Consider what will be most effective to put in or leave out. what narrative shortcuts can you might strategically employ to demonstrate your knowledge of the ancient world without resorting to long exposition. Does it give the impression that this narrative could only happen in a situation like the Roman arena (and not, for instance, a modern locker room or boxing ring)?

___ / 20 PTS: HISTORICAL ACCURACY AND DETAIL

Does your narrative square with the world portrayed in Futrell and other available, reputable, sources (e.g., The Romans historical textbook by Boatwright and Talbert)? Your narrative should not cover all aspects of Roman sport—you’d need far more than 1,500 words for that. Rather, it will be successful if it richly explores a handful of related issues.

___ / 20 PTS: EMPATHETIC / EMOTIONAL POWER

Does the submission provide a compelling psychological portrait? Does it highlight the difficult decisions and situations faced by those in, and around, the arena? Even if the narrative privileges a particular perspective (e.g., that of the lanista or martyr), does it acknowledge, or at least leave room for, contrasting perspectives?

___ / 20 PTS: POLISH

Are factual, typological, and grammatical errors kept to a minimum? Does the submission give the impression of careful thought, work, and editing?