The Gladium (GLAY-dee-um)

The Gladium is a large, open-air arena located near the center of the Tharan capital of Myr. It is both a gladiatorial school where warriors from all over Tarsere come to hone their craft, and a theatre where the populace of Myr come to be entertained by the bloodsports held within.   It originally grew out of the training grounds constructed by the Tharan military leadership to maintain the fighting edge and discipline in their troops after the collapse of the Empire. Shortly after Tharos emerged as a nation unto itself, it was decided to construct a series of buildings to commemorate the founding and the first building the nascent Tharan government chose was The Gladium. They constructed it in homage to the great colosseum in Phared and it bears many similarities to the arenas seen across The Shiare, though it dwarfs all but the great arena in Cor Caroli.   It hosts many minor contests that are open to the public monthly during the last week of each month with greater and more prolific battles being held during the four High Holidays throughout the year. The greatest contest occurs yearly during the Feast of Mithras, with challengers from across the world battling for supremacy, glory and wealth.