Outside of my training in armed and unarmed combat, I enjoy writing, and would welcome discourse with fellow scribes.
Movies
Gladiator, Spartacus, 300, Troy, Cleopatra, Quo Vadis, Demetrius the Gladiator, The Arena, Amazons and Gladiators, The Three Hundred Spartans
Television
Rome
Books
Gladiatrix, Victoria, Victrix, The Light Bearer, Midnight Falcon, Lion of Macedon, Spartan, Under the Eagle, The Eagle's Conquest, When the Eagle Hunts, The Eagle's Prophesy, The Eagle's Prey, The Eagle in the Sand, Centurion, Gates of Fire, The Ten Thousand, Tyrant, The Gates of Rome, Gods of Swords, God of War, Death of Kings, Lord of the Silver Bow, Shield of Thunder, Fall of KIngs, Alexander, Lady of the Light, Russell Whitfield, Donna Gillespie, David Gemmell, Simon Scarrow, Michael Curtis Ford, Bernard Cornewell, James Duffy, Stephen Pressfield, Ross Leckie, Gillian Bradshaw, Mary Renault, George Shipway, Conn Iggulden,
Heroes
Leonidas, Brasidas, Lysander, Xanthippus, Alexander, Caesar, Maximus Decimus Meridius, Auriane of the Chattians, Victoria of the Iceni, Taurus of Rome
You will know me, of course, as “Achillia,” victrix and gladiatrix prima in the Games of Trajan. But there is more to my story than merely my excellence on the killing ground of the arena.
I was born twenty-six years ago in the polis — that is to say, the city-state — of Sparta. You will have heard of it of course, and with good reason. Leonidas, the last stand at Thermopolae, the invincible Spartan war machine…I am scion of that glorious line.
It is my belief that much of Rome’s strife is down to the fact that they treat with the Gods as though their observance is some sort of business transaction. In Sparta, the Gods are still honoured in the old ways, and thus it was that I, in my seventh year, was sent to live in the Temple of Athene. My Order is dedicated to the service of the Goddess, my time there spent in ritual observance and training my mind and body in the arts of combat. As you must know, Athene is not only the Goddess of Wisdom — War is also her Dominion.
I say with no arrogance that I was the finest student of my era — the high priestess told me as much, and we Spartans value truth and do not praise lightly. Indeed, the high priestess chose me to undertake The Mission…to go out in the world to educate the barbarians in the ways of our Goddess. In these modern times, with the Romans aping our superior Hellenic society, we must do all we can to teach the uneducated the proper ways.
My Mission, however, was to reveal itself in quite a different way to which I had anticipated. Shipwrecked and cast up on foreign shores, I was captured and forced to slavery by the lanista, Lucius Balbus. Lesser women would have broken, but not I — it is not the Spartan way to capitulate and give oneself over to the weak solace of surrender. Instead, I dedicated myself to excellence, proving to my captors and fellow captives that I was indeed morally, mentally and physically superior to all of them. Naturally, I did not impress this too much upon them — not everyone has the benefit of the Spartan agoge – the Upbringing in your Latin.
It was in the ludus of Lucius Balbus that I discovered my true purpose. As I have said, War is Athene’s dominion, and by triumphing in the Arena, I honoured her. All my great victories were fought and won in her name, as I proved in the ultimate crucible the superiority of the Spartan race.
It was in the ludus too, that I found love in the beautiful Eirianwen and hate in the shape of Sorina. Even now, when I bring her face to mind, fury burns within me.
Those days are gone now, and the roar of the crowd is but a distant echo. But Lysandra has yet more blood to spill. Hades, I will gift your halls, that much I swear — my enemies will know my face before they die, and I will send them to you…broken all to pieces.
This the Vow of Lysandra the Spartan.
Who I'd like to meet: Admirers, fellow warriors of the arena, scribes, soldiers of Sparta and Hellas, Romans...Plebian, Senator or Soldier...despite what people say, I am personable when approached by foreigners as well as Hellenes.
Knowing how to begin a new day is important to make life more fun. Here are 10 tips that have worked for me over the years:
1. Greet the day.
2. Smile, and say "Good morning" to everyone you see.
3. Feel good about yourself and your qualities.
4. Say optimistic things about the day. By looking at yourself in the mirror and saying at least 10 good things about yourself, it will definitely improve your day.
5. Focus on your objectives for the day, and get them done as soon as possible.
6. Trust in your inner strength to solve any problem that day.
7. Remember this: "If life doesn't smile at you, tickle life 'till it laughs!"
8. Sing (or hum) any song with a positive message.
9. Eat breakfast. This is a healthy way to start the day and will help you throughout the day.
10. Exercise. It releases chemicals in the brain that make you feel better.
Tips: a) Remember no day is the same. b) When your passing someone not so happy, smile at them and say "hi!" it can really cheer others up to make their day brighter.
gia sou lysandra! san spartiatisa pou ise sou kano doro enan amforea san efxaristo gia tin filia sou pou apikonizi tin tragiki erotiki istoria tou axilea kai tis amazonas
