The gladiator was a fighter of Ancient Rome. The name derives from gladio, the Latin word for the sword used during the fighting. The Colosseum gladiators were usually slaves or prisoners of war, or people condemned for committing some crime.
The duels between gladiators were born in Etruria and were later taken up by the Romans. Their origin is attributable to the munera, or public works created for the sake of the Roman people. The munera gladiatoria were public shows offered by wealthy people on certain occasions. Among these were gladiator games.
Roman gladiators were pro at fighting. The familiae were the groups of gladiators trained by the lanists: in the schools they were taught how to die in the arena. At the entrance to the arena, the competitors went under the Emperor’s gallery and shouted: “Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant” (“Hail, Caesar! Those about to die salute thee”). The defeated gladiator had to know how to die with dignity, the winner instead made him swing his sword in the air before piercing the opponent’s neck. The public expressed their appreciation for the possibility of granting life or death, but the killing of a professional gladiator was rare. The winning gladiator would gain success and well-being, as well as the possibility of obtaining leave after a career of triumphs.
Credit : Ancient and Recent
Picture Credit : Google
