Who are the gladiators? Who were the gladiators of Rome?

The word "gladiator" comes from the Latin "gladius", ie, "sword". In ancient Rome, gladiators called prisoners of war and slaves, who were specially trained to fight with each other in arenas of amphitheatres. The gladiators of Rome fought in public until one of them fell dead. Fights initially were arranged on the days of the biggest religious holidays, and then turned into the most popular spectacle, aimed at amusing ordinary citizens. The tradition of such a battle has lasted more than 700 years.

History of appearance

The custom of carrying out such battles came to ancient Rome from the Etruscans, in which such battles were of a purely religious nature, and the dead were considered a sacrifice to the god of war, Mars.

Prisoners of war and sentenced to execution - that's who are gladiators at the very beginning of the birth of this phenomenon. Under the Roman laws, they had the right to take part in battles, and in case of victory on the won money could redeem their life. There were also cases when citizens, having refused freedom, decided to take part in such battles in pursuit of popular glory and money.

The first battles

The debut battle of gladiators in Ancient Rome is a duel of three pairs of participants, which was arranged in 264 BC. E. During the wake of Brutu Peri. Popular such fun became after 50 years, when 22 pairs of bestarians during 3 days pleased the residents at funeral games, organized in honor of the triumvir Marc Emilia Lepidus. In the year 105 BC. E. Already every child knew who the gladiators were, thanks to the relentless attempts of tribunes, aimed at amusing the Roman rabble, which by that time was already practically formed as a social stratum. Gladiator fights were officially recognized as public fun.

Soon the tournaments, lasting for several days, in which many gladiators took part, were no longer a novelty. There were people for whom such battles became a trade, they were called lanists. The essence of their activity was that they visited slave markets, where they found physically strong slaves, preferably prisoners of war or even criminals. Having acquired such a slave, they taught him all the features of the battles necessary during the battle in the arena, and then rented out to the organizers of the spectacles.

Preparing for combat

During study, the gladiators were carefully looked after, fed well, and their treatment was handled by the most trained doctors.

This can be confirmed by the fact that the famous ancient Roman physician Galen worked for a long time at the Great Imperial School, where they studied. The soldiers were sleeping in pairs in small rooms measuring 4-6 square meters. M.

They daily engaged in intensive training, lasting from morning to evening. In the training of newcomers took part already held gladiators of Rome, who taught their pupils fencing. At the initial stage of training the beginner had to learn how to make strong accurate shots in the chest and head of the opponent, without neglecting his defense. To strengthen the muscles at the next stage, the iron weapon of the gladiator was already used, the weight of which was twice as large as that of the weaponry.

When a newcomer comprehended all the elements of martial art and was ready for real battles, he, depending on his skills and physical fitness, was identified in the appropriate group.

Remuneration

Gladiators became not only because of pressure from the slaveholder, but also completely willingly, wanting to gain fame and material wealth. Despite all the shortcomings of such a profession, a simple but strong man, being a representative of the lower class, had a real chance to get rich.

Although the probability of dying on the sand of the arena flooded with blood was much higher, many took risks, perhaps even little realizing who are the gladiators and what their fate is. The happiest of them, except the love of the Roman rabble, and often noble women, received serious cash prizes from fans and organizers of the battles. In addition, Roman spectators often threw the winner on the arena, especially if he was a favorite of the public, money, jewelry and other valuable trifles, which were also a considerable share of his income.

The opening ceremony of the battles

The rite of the opening of the battles was an impressive sight for all those gathered. The organizer of the games on a chariot or on foot, surrounded by many friends, went around or walked around the whole arena to the enthusiastic screams of spectators who were already looking forward to the smell of blood. Then the parade of all the participants of the forthcoming tournament came to the arena. They were wearing a gladiator's helmet and other outfits. The audience, hailing their favorites, literally raged. Then the gladiators stopped in front of the imperial box, putting their right hand forward with screams: "Caesar! Going to death greet you! ". After that they went to the room under the stands, where they spent time waiting for their exit.

Gladiatorsky Theater

All the battles took place in different ways, there were pair matches or confrontation of several dozens of participants. But sometimes the whole performances were played in the arena, which was popularized by Julius Caesar. In a matter of minutes grandiose scenery depicting the walls of Carthage was created, and gladiators, armed and dressed as legionaries and Carthaginians, imitated the storming of the city. Either a whole "forest" of felled trees appeared on the stage, and the besties depicted the attack of legionnaires from ambush.

Who are the gladiators in this action? Warriors or actors? They combined the functions of both. Fantasy directors did not know the boundaries. Although the Romans were already difficult to surprise, Emperor Claudius succeeded. He staged a sea battle of such magnitude that no one could imagine, and impressed all residents of the Eternal City.

By the beginning of the IV century, the gladiators were gradually losing ground. These were the times when the Roman Empire was exhausted under the heavy oppression of the attacking barbarian tribes. This state of affairs only worsened due to the economic crisis, and the organization of the fighting was quite expensive.

Although some time the battle continued, but with a smaller scale, and soon they were officially banned. Already no one shouted from the stands of "Bread and Spectacles!" And did not greet the emperor, and 72 years later the Roman Empire was destroyed.