The Adventures of Coelopedes

The study of history is the study of ghe greats. Large scale battles, treaties and conquests fascinate both the scholar and the causal enthusiast. But we often forget that the great storms of history are made of tiny droplets, those singular individuals who often get lost in the chaos of events. Coelopedes was one such individual.
Raised by a simple farmer, his adventurous nature soon manifested itself and, as he reached maturity, Coelopedes was soon swept away to live a life full of conflict, danger and, eventually, glory. As was often the case with those made for greatness, his adventures were many, and the following is but a drop in the ocean that was his life.
Coelopedes' sister, the beautiful Read, was kidnapped by a cruel, powerful man, tne notorious Punctus Praetorius. In a desperate attempt to free her, our hero ventured into the kidnapper's palace. However, his plan to asassinate Punctus and free the maiden misfired, and Coelopedes was thrown into a dungeon to face a giant beast known only as the Odium.
The monster was very dangerous, as evidenced by its first act, which was to devour one of the palace servants who had had the misfortune of falling into the dungeon by accident. Coelopedes looked around for a weapon, any weapon, and, having found nothing but a large bone of some unfortunate victim, quickly grabbed it and managed to stick it into the creature's mouth.The bone snapped within seconds, crushed by the powerful jaw, but our hero used the time wisely and hid under a large rock. Alas, the monstrosity was so strong, that the rock offered little protection against it. Having exhaused all other options, the warrior tried to flee. He ran through a large, open portcullis, but only managed to reach a small gate, which was closed. Now he was trapped, with the Odium rapidly approaching.
It is often said that true heroes never give up, enen when facing impossible odds, and Coelopedes was no exception. In one last deperate attempt, he picked up a rock and, with astounding accuracy and force, hurled it at the lever holding the portcullis in place, just as the Odium was passing through it. Thanks to perfect timing, the beast was crushed by the spikes of the heavy mass of iron and pinned to the ground. Thus, Coelopedes managed to cheat death once again.
He did manage to free his sister, although available sources are not clear as to exactly how he did it. His tale is long and full of adventure, with many heroic deeds, including toppling Empires and overthrowing tyrants.
Coelopedes is depicted sitting in row F, seat XIV of the Colosseum.
The man in the foreground is known as Emperor Commodus, but his is a story for another day.
Painted for Desperta Ferro Magazine.