21. Use the following words to fill in the blank:

aqueduct, atrium, battered, chariot, client, cremate, deteriorate, forum, fresco, gladiator, hazard, helter-skelter, mosaic, plume, reservoir, sermon, style, tesserae, triumphal, visor

In ancient Rome, there was a grand structure known as the __________ that brought water from distant sources into the bustling city center. Near this marvel of engineering, there was an open space called the __________ , where citizens would gather to discuss the matters of the day or conduct business.

Adjacent to the forum was a large __________ in a wealthy Roman's villa, which was beautifully decorated with a __________ floor that sparkled with intricate designs made from tiny __________ . The master of the villa, a powerful __________ to a Roman senator, often hosted gatherings where he would deliver a __________ on the virtues of Rome.

One day, a message arrived in a __________ , causing quite a __________ among the servants. The message foretold a great __________ procession for a returning general. As a sign of honor, the villa's master decided to wear a __________ in his helmet, which had a shining __________ .

However, the festivities were not without their dangers, as the city's infrastructure had begun to __________ due to neglect. A nearby __________ that supplied water had become a __________ , threatening to flood the lower parts of the city.

In preparation for the celebration, the villa's walls were adorned with a new __________ , depicting a scene of a __________ in combat, which was quite the trend in Roman decorative __________ . But the day before the procession, tragedy struck. The villa was __________ by a severe storm, causing much damage.

The master of the house, in his sorrow, decided to __________ the remains of his fallen ancestors' tokens, which had been stored in the atrium, to protect their legacy from any further disasters.