The rich and powerful trade slaves to train and pit against each other in the gladiator arena while their owners wager on whose horse in the race - so to speak - might emerge victorious.
This month, a grand tournament is being held for gladiators from across all the Roman Empire and its territories. Many will compete, and the last one standing will win their freedom (along with a handsome purse to help them in their new life).
All's fair in love and war, but the arena is neither, and there are rules that must be enforced to ensure that the nobles can enjoy the blood sports without undue incidents.
And also, incidentally, the safety of the competitors.
Overseeing the contest is the winner of last year's grand tournament. She is tall, broad, powerful, and quite beautiful.
She sympathizes with the competitors, as she was one of them last year. Now, all she can do is to make sure that they all have the best chance to follow in her footsteps.
And now, the tournament begins.