Transcript The Roman Gladiators

The Roman Gladiators
A Gladiator’s Life
Types of Gladiators
Circus Maximus and The
Colosseum
A Gladiator’s Life
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As Rome expands it comes
into conflict with other
cultures which leads to
armed conflict
Majority of those that
become gladiators are
because of conquest
The conquered were then
escorted back to Rome
where they would be sold
in slave markets
A Gladiator’s Life
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Sent to a ludus
gladiatorious to be trained
Training was under the
supervision of a lanista or
“the butcher”
Abuse was common place
and was both physical and
psychological (whipping
most common)
Day consisted of lifting
weights and learning the
art of death
A Gladiator’s Life
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Common myth is that
gladiators were only
slaves
Majority were but they
were criminals,
debtors and those
condemned to death
Trained according to
one’s physical
attributes or skills
Types of Gladiators
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Samnite carried a sword,
long shield and a visored
helmet
Retarius carried a trident,
used a net to snare and
wore amour for his
throwing arm
Myrmillo carried a dagger
and a shield and was
protected by leg bands and
a leather belt
Types of Gladiators
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At the coliseum gladiators
fought first
Concerned about survival
and what lanista will do if
you do not perform well
After condemned are
killed, animals hunted and
criminal fights
Gladiators fight again in
late day but it is to the
death now
Types of Gladiators
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Defeated gladiators could
appeal for mercy but it was
at the whim of the crowd
Death did not always come
at the hands of one’s
opponent
Men dressed as Roman
gods would kill the loser in
a variety of ways to add to
the sensationalism of the
event
Thumbs down did not
mean death. It meant to
spare the gladiator and a
thumb up meant to kill him
Circus Maximus
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Large outdoor arena
that seated 200,000
people
Held chariot races
Chariot teams had
fans who followed and
cheered for their
teams
Used by emperors to
appease the poor with
free bread and
admission
Circus Maximus
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Emperor Nero raced
several times
Possessed no skill but
people adored him
His behavior became
irrational
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used camels instead of
horses
held night races
Began killing those who
beat him
Declared himself
champion at every race
Colosseum
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Built by Emperor
Vespasian and Titus
70-80 A.D.
Seated 45,000, had
two large restroom
areas, covered area,
numbered seating
based on class, and
had supporting
facilities nearby
Longest games were
123 days long
Colosseum
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Exotic animals hunts,
gladiatorial combat,
executions, brutal
plays, battle
recreations and
possibly naval battles
with alligators
entertained the
crowds
Christians martyred
still debated
Used as a social valve
to control populace