"It's definitely historical," Eliot agrees, for once being completely sincere about the topic. "Rather like some other countries they made us study in school. Every time they conquered a new country... Or if a slave had a particular... bent for fighting."

He shrugged. "As I said, there's a historical precedent."

Of course, he didn't mention the rebellions the Roman gladiators occasionally started in the city. Nor did he bring up how the Roman Empire had essentially rotted from the inside until it coule no longer defend itself. If the others knew of that time in history, they'd be able to get the reference.