Gladiators: The Hero and Slave of Ancient Rome

Gladiators: The Hero and Slave of Ancient Rome

It is a historical error that the dying warriors greeted the emperor with "Ave, imperator, morituri te salutant." This famous phrase was recorded only once in a special naval battle in front of Emperor Claudius in A.D. 52. The real life of Roman gladiators was quite different from the images that pop culture produced.

Gladiators were the clowns of destiny dancing at the border of death and life, but at the same time they were the main players of the most sophisticated entertainment system the Roman Empire created.

Researchers at the University of Vienna in Austria analyzed the remains of gladiators excavated from Ephesus in 2014 and found that they received nutritional care from a plant-based high-protein diet centered on barley and beans. They managed their conditions systematically just like modern athletes.

Gladiators were clearly classified by their professionalism. Examples include heavily armed Mürmillo, Retiarius using nets and trident, and Traequez with excellent maneuverability. According to archeological evidence, 10-15 pairs of matches were held on a typical match day, and systematic training was conducted for each specialty in Rudy.

The existence of a female gladiator was definitely evidenced through the remains of a 'Great Dover Street Woman' who was discovered near London in 1996. An oil lamp found in the tomb had the image of Amazones. Until Emperor Septimius Severus banned female gladiators in 200 A.D., they were actually active in amphitheaters.

The gladiatorial culture began with Etruria's funeral service in the 3rd century B.C. and gradually developed into the center of Rome's political tools and popular culture. Various relics were found at the recently unearthed gladiatorial quarters in Pompeii. The graffiti on the wall shows that they were not just slaves, but entertainers who enjoyed popularity with the public.

Modern films and dramas often portray gladiators as tragic heroes or victims of cruel entertainment. But archaeological evidence shows they were more like professional athletes receiving systematic training. These ancient professional athletes, the prototypes of professional sports today, remind us of the social implications of sports and entertainment.

"Quis alio die?" (Who's going to have another day?)
- Doodles about gladiators found on the walls of the Colosseum