Gladiators of Rome
By Bartek Sliwa
Gladiators were trained warriors who fought each other to the death to
entertain the Roman people. Most of these matches took place at a large
Amphitheater called the Colosseum. The majority of them were slaves who
were sold to gladiator schools where they were trained to become gladiators.
There they were put in different classes that determined what type of a
gladiator they would be. Even tough many of them became rich by winning
fights most died in the following matches and never enjoyed their new fame
and fortune.
Colosseum
Emperor Titus wanted to create more entertainment for the people of
Rome by providing more Amphitheaters and other public facilities. A huge
Amphitheater was built in the center of Rome called the Colosseum. It was
50 meters high, 86 meters long and 54meters long. It took over ten years to
construct and could house almost 50,000 spectators. Most of it is still
standing today. Many other amphitheaters were set up all over the empire
but none of them even compare to the Colosseum. It was opened on 80 A.D.
with emperor Titus there to begin the first games, which lasted 100 days.
Most emperors enjoyed gladiator matches and often attended them at the
Colosseum. They would be the President of the games and sometimes be the
final say in weather the loser is to be executed. A huge feast was held for the
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gladiators. For many it was their last meal. The day would usually begin
with fights between animals or other activities. But the biggest attraction at
the Colosseum was the gladiator contests, where hundreds of men would die
every day for the amusement of the audience. Rome was a very violent
society and Gladiators became renowned through out the empire.
Gladiator School
The Gladiators schools were well equipped with trainers, doctors and
training equipment to keep the men fit. Most of them enjoyed their life at the
school and as a gladiator much better then when they were free, Because
they were kept comfortable, well fed and cloth and were able to leave the
school sometimes. Gladiators were placed under the control of their trainers.
They were all skilled warriors who spent most of their time with their trainer
getting ready for their next fight, which could very well be their last. The
trainers were often former gladiators them selves and passed the knowledge
of their experience down to their students. They were first taught the main
fighting skills and then the particular class of fighting which they were the
best at. Also they were taught navel warfare for when the Colosseum was
flooded with water and boats were brought in.
Types of Gladiators
Not all gladiators had the same weapons and armor. There were
different classes of gladiators based on size, strength and skill, which
determined his weaponry. The large, strong men were usually trained to
become Murmillo or Sammnite gladiators. The Murmillo was heavily
armored, carried a rectangular shield and a short sword. The Sammnite class
was very similar except that he carried a much larger shield. Then there was
the Retiarrii and Thracian gladiators who were usually smaller and lightly
armed. The Retiarrii had a net, trident and dagger, while the Thracian was
armed with a small round shield and a curved razor-sharp dagger. Most
matches were between fighters of different classes to add variety to the fight.
Such as a Sammnite would fight a Retiarrii, where the more lightly armed
Retiarrii would have more speed and agility. The heavily armed Sammnite
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would be slower but more protected by his armor. There four the Sammnite
was better equipped for defense and the Retiarrii for attack. All of the
classes had advantages and disadvantages to their style but overall they were
equal.
Life of a Gladiator
Most gladiators were usually Slaves, criminals or prisoners of war
who had little choice in weather or not they wanted to be a gladiator. But
some of them were wealthy citizens of the Roman Empire who volunteered
to become a gladiator to gain fame. Very few of them lived to fight more
than two or three matches. When a gladiator won a match the emperor
would reward him with prizes of gold and silver. A poor slave gladiator
could suddenly become rich. If he won five fights in a row, he won wooden
sword called a “Rudis” which made him a free man. But many of them
didn’t leave with their money because of the trill of winning and the thought
of more gold and silver made them want to fight again. As a gladiator
survived more fights he became more and more famous, much like famous
athletes are today. The gladiators really enjoy the fame and most decided to
stay and risk their live to maintain it. Most of them didn’t live long enough
to enjoy their new fortune. Some men did chose freedom and to enjoy their
fortune, they often became trainers of the next generation a gladiators.
Gladiators were brave warriors who were willing to die for the
entertainment of the emperor and Roman people. Most of these matches
took place at a large Amphitheater called the Colosseum. Usually most of
them were slaves who were sold to gladiator schools where they were
trained to become gladiators. The size of the Gladiator determined what
class he would fall under. Even tough many of them became rich, most died
in the following fight. Basically by staying they exchanged their life for sort
lived fame and a small fortune they would never collect. When they retired
they would collect the wealth and freedom they had earned but they would
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People would watch them battle it out sometimestill the point of death. But I am going to tell you more in this 1000 words booklet on roman gladiators. Becoming a Gladiator There were many different ways of becoming a gladiator such as: being captured as a prisoners of war, being a slave sold into gladiatoral schools or even volunteers. People liked being gladiators they enjoyed the excitement, ...
lose the fame. But if they stayed then the fame would be maintained as long
as they live but the fortune never used. For these brave men no amount of
freedom or fortune can replace being admired and respected by thousands.
Bibliography
Peter Amey: Pax Roma: Greenhaven Press, Inc: Copyright 1980: Great Britain
Anne Steel: A Roman Gladiator: Wayland Publishers: Copyright 1988: Belgium
Pierre Miquel: Life in Ancient Rome: Silver Burdett Company: copyright 1978: United States
