Gladiators

History and Origin Etruscans and /or Samnites funeral rites (religious origins) munus = a funeral gift for the dead First one: honor father by shedding blood 3 pairs of slaves in cattle market

Gladiators and culture nearly 7 centuries Caesar - 320 ludi legislation to limit elite during Republic advertisements

Romans and concept of death “Socially dead” Slaves, prisoners of war, convicted prisoners If fought well Reclaim lives Reclaim social identities

Romans and concept of death Face death and overcome death High mortality rates Life-span – age 30 Meet death with honor and dignity Militaristic culture Valued art of killing Hand-to-hand combat important Ability to kill single handedly important to survival of empire

Who entered the arena? Damnati ad mortem Committed capital crimes “condemned to death” Committed capital crimes Fought without weapons

Who became a Roman Gladiator? Criminals who did not commit capital crimes prisoners of war Slaves purchased by Lanista Citizens sold selves to lanista

Spread of gladiatorial performances Mosaics and paintings Conquered towns built amphitheaters Lanistae followed troops Animals from distant provinces Excessive cost showed empire’s power

Ludi vs Munera Ludi Munera Frequent Associated with god Public treasury Munera Infrequent Associated with funeral Private individual

Venationes Animal hunts Bestiarii – trained to fight animals Need to protect self from hostile nature

Humiliores Execution of non-elite Romans convicted of capital crimes Burned at stake, crucified, ad bestias Contradictory attitude Power of society Don’t watch

After lunch…gladiatorial contests Ethnic names identified weapon used NOT ethnic identity of gladiator

Samnite Galea – visored helmet with large crest and plume Scutum -large oblong shield gladius Ocrea- boiled leather greave

Samnite Scutum Ocrea Galea Used gladius Large oblong shield Metal or boiled leather on left leg Galea Visored helmet with large crest and plume Used gladius Root of word “Gladiator”

Secutor Round helmet w/ crest and 2 eye holes Leather or metal protected right arm Spatha- short sword Ocrea -Metal leg guard

Secutor Name from fighting technique Chased opponent Rounded helmet Good pairing with net of Retiarii Leather or metal protects right arm Short sword called spatha Had large shield Leg guard called ocrea

Thracian Metal helmet with Grifone Sica- Curved dagger Parma - Small round shield

Thracian Parma Sica Grifone Small round or square shield Curved dagger Mythological beast on metal helmet

Retiarius Trident Iaculum -net Subligaculum –loin cloth Protection on one arm and shoulder

Retiarius “net man” Iaculum Trident Net trip and hold opponent ‘Fork’ skewer captured victim

Retiarius continued Left arm protected Metal shield on left shoulder No helmet or shield Light and fast Main opponent Secutor

Mirmillo Visored helmet decorated with fish, the mirmillo Used large rectangular or round shield

Mirmillo Shield Visored helmet Main opponent Retiarius Rectangular Sometimes round Visored helmet decorated with a fish - mirmillo Main opponent Retiarius

Hoplomacus Heavy metal visor Large rectangular shield, scutum gladius sword Arms, legs protected by metal or leather and right arm has additional armor to shoulder - manica

Hoplomacus – Arena bulldozer Most heavy armored Scutum Gladius Heavy visored helmet Legs and arms protected Manica additional armor to shoulder Extra armor = speed limited

Free citizens who sold selves to be gladiators End of Republic ½ gladiators Economic factors Three meals Medical care Career opportunity Jobless Trades limited to army, teaching (if literate) and gladiator schools

Free citizens took oath Agreed to be Branded Chained Killed by iron weapon Pay for meals “with blood” “Suffer things even if they did not wish to”

Training Fighting techniques Efficient killing blow How to submit for effective finish

Women Female gladiators? Skill in killing and dying well More important than gender

Conditions Gladiators – investment property Diet Medical care high in protein and fat Medical care Survival = freedom Relationships legally recognized marriages and families

Fighting Fought few matches year Survived, win freedom Lost match Could plead for life Could have another chance

Decisions Habet, Hoc Habet! Mitte! Lugula! He’s had it! Let him go! Kill him!

The thumb Crowd signified disapproval Crowd signified approval Extending thumbs up and down Turning thumb upwards and toward heart Crowd signified approval Pressing thumb and forefinger together

thumbs up gesture Meant death, not mercy Waving handkerchief signified mercy Shouting “dismissed” could result in mercy

Honor in death Loser to be valiant in death Honorable way to die Loser grasped thigh of conqueror Victor held loser’s head Plunge sword into neck

Just checking…. Charon et Mercury costumed attendants Charon struck dead with hammer Mercury poked dead with hot iron

Winner Gladiators paid Winner receive symbol of victory golden bowl, crown, coin, palm leaf