ROMAN GLADIATORS

GLAD·I·A·TOR

• (in ancient Rome) a man trained to fight with weapons against other men or wild animals in an arena.

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• Not all gladiators taken into the arena were slaves
• Although most early combatants were brought in as slaves
• Warriors were often desperate men, ex-soldiers, Knights, and even senators

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• The first battles were originally held at funerals
• It was thought that human blood purified the deceased's soul

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• Not all battles were to the death
• Gladiators were expensive to house, feed, and train
• The battle would end if someone forfeited, or was seriously injured

GLADIATOR CLASSES

• Thraeces-fought with sword and shield
• Equites- rode into the arena on horseback
• Essedarii-fought from a chariot
• Dimachaerus-Wielded two swords at once
• Retiarius-one of the most unusual classes, fought with only a net and trident

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• Gladiators rarely fought animals
• Beasts were reserved for two special classes of Gladiators known as venatores, and bestiarii

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• Females fought in gladiatorial battles as well

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• Roman emperors sometime fought In battles along with other Gladiators
• Emperors did however fight against inexperienced, and weak foes, they still gained a lot of popularity from people in the audience

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• Gladiators were often known as celebrities and sex symbols

GLADIATORS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• http://www.history.com/news/history-lists/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-...
• Bull, Stephen, and Tony North. An Historical Guide to Arms & Armor. New York: Facts on File, 1991. Print.