But from the other end of the passage came gladiators running, hastily brought together by Parthenius.
For a moment there was a jam in the doorway, a burly gladiator and a soldier of the guard were wedged together, each endeavoring to hold the other back and force himself in.
Meanwhile Petronius continued to exhort his soldiers to stand back, and Parthenius to promise rewards to the gladiators who pressed on. The tumult became terrible. Men came to blows without, there was a running together of slaves and freedmen—of frightened women and pages from all sides. Some had leaped from their beds, roused from sleep, and were not clothed. Some bore lamps—but again certain others attempted to extinguish the lights. Some cried “Treason!” Others “Away with the monster!” Some called out “Nerva is the Emperor!” others “Domitian is the Augustus!”
Then the gladiator at the door, by dint of elbowing, forced his way within, but he was unarmed.
Next moment the Prætorian guardsman held back by the gladiator entered and struck at Stephanus, dealing a frightful blow.
Relieved by this assistance, Domitian staggered to his feet and glared about him. He was too much out of breath to speak, and in at the door came others pressing, some crying one thing, some another.
Then Domitia unfolded her arms, and taking the sword of Corbulo in her right hand, extended it to the gladiator and said—“Make an end.”
The man snatched at the haft; and with a blow drove the blade into the breast of the Emperor.
Still the prince remained standing, and stretched forth his hands gropingly for a weapon.
Parmenas leaped at him, and with a knife struck him in the throat.