1. Roman Gladiators and the Coliseum

2. The Coliseum Travertine marble from Tivoli via a special road Travertine marble from Tivoli via a special road 527 meters in circumference 527 meters in circumference Arena area: 3,500 square meters Arena area: 3,500 square meters Height 57 meters Height 57 meters Awnings Awnings Seating 45,000 with another 5,000 standing Seating 45,000 with another 5,000 standing

6. Typical Schedule Morning – beast hunts Morning – beast hunts Lunch Time – executions Lunch Time – executions Afternoon – Gladiators Afternoon – Gladiators Usually about 10 days a year. Fans spent all day at the special event. Usually about 10 days a year. Fans spent all day at the special event. Individual gladiators only fought about 2-3 times a year. Individual gladiators only fought about 2-3 times a year.

7. How did the Displays get put on? The Government regulated Gladiators: The Government regulated Gladiators: –Set up Gladiator schools –Procuring wild animals – the more exotic the better!  Hippos, rhinos, lions, tigers, bears, ostriches… Competition – Entertainment was the Goal! Competition – Entertainment was the Goal! –Gladiators  Did not fight animals – animal fighters called beastiaries  Gladiators usually evenly matched to ensure a dramatic fight –Animal Fights – could have different numbers of animals and men as well as unusual fighting combinations

8. Events Each “ festival day ” planned to be an impressive event to draw in massive crowds. – each bigger and better than the last. Each “ festival day ” planned to be an impressive event to draw in massive crowds. – each bigger and better than the last. Creative pairings of animals or evenly matched trained fighters were sure to spark interest and ensure impressive fighting. Creative pairings of animals or evenly matched trained fighters were sure to spark interest and ensure impressive fighting.

9. Becoming a Gladiator Usually recruited from slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war Usually recruited from slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war Training a gladiator was expensive so the gladiator was considered the property of the trainer Training a gladiator was expensive so the gladiator was considered the property of the trainer Gladiator schools were called ludi Gladiator schools were called ludi

10. Armor Worn to ward off small wounds Worn to ward off small wounds –Don ’ t want a gladiator unable to fight due to something minor. –Large wounds would be fatal anyway Regulations on kinds of armor worn to ensure a fair fight Regulations on kinds of armor worn to ensure a fair fight Helmets made gladiators look sinister Helmets made gladiators look sinister –Maybe made killing a long time training partner a bit easier – metal mesh covered the eye holes.

11. Armor

12. The Gladiatorial Combat Itself Gladiator Banquet the night before: public allowed to view the fighters (made for lively betting the next day) Gladiator Banquet the night before: public allowed to view the fighters (made for lively betting the next day) Day of Combat Day of Combat –Gladiator parade –Weapons examined –Music –Betting

13. Gladiator Specialties Samite – carried a sword, rectangular shield, armor on right arm and left leg Samite – carried a sword, rectangular shield, armor on right arm and left leg Thracian – short sword (sica), and small round shield (parma) Thracian – short sword (sica), and small round shield (parma) Retiarius – no armor but had a net and a 3 pronged trident Retiarius – no armor but had a net and a 3 pronged trident

14. Decisions, Decisions Gladiators fought to render the other fighter helpless Gladiators fought to render the other fighter helpless Once one fighter was helpless, the victorious gladiator turned to the sponsor to decide if the loser should live or die Once one fighter was helpless, the victorious gladiator turned to the sponsor to decide if the loser should live or die The crowd sometimes swayed the decision The crowd sometimes swayed the decision Thumbs Up = kill him Thumbs Up = kill him Thumbs Down = spare him to fight another day Thumbs Down = spare him to fight another day If thumbs up the loser extends his neck to be killed. If thumbs up the loser extends his neck to be killed. Losing gladiators sometimes spared if they fought bravely Losing gladiators sometimes spared if they fought bravely

15. Gladiators were low on social scale – usually began as prisoners or criminals Gladiators were low on social scale – usually began as prisoners or criminals Gladiators could become heroes if successful fighters Gladiators could become heroes if successful fighters If a gladiator survived 3-5 years they were often set free If a gladiator survived 3-5 years they were often set free

16. Did Combat automatically end in death? No, a very successful fighter might eventually earn his freedom No, a very successful fighter might eventually earn his freedom Most eventually died in battle Most eventually died in battle Inscriptions on graves gave info about age and number of fights Inscriptions on graves gave info about age and number of fights Average gladiator age was 18-22 Average gladiator age was 18-22

17. Gladiator Games only one form of Public Entertainment Theater and Plays Theater and Plays Chariot Races (really dedicated fans) Chariot Races (really dedicated fans) Gladiators Gladiators Religious Festivals Religious Festivals Readings and Speeches Readings and Speeches Same people go to ALL of these types of events – people don ’ t tend to be as diverse today Same people go to ALL of these types of events – people don ’ t tend to be as diverse today

18. Gladiatorial Fights Huge increase in scale over time Huge increase in scale over time First match held at a funeral celebration in 264 BCE with 3 pairs of gladiators (an Etruscan tradition before this) First match held at a funeral celebration in 264 BCE with 3 pairs of gladiators (an Etruscan tradition before this) 216 BCE = 22 pairs of fighters 216 BCE = 22 pairs of fighters 183 BCE = 60 pairs of fighters 183 BCE = 60 pairs of fighters Julius Caesar has an event in 65 BCE in honor of his father that has 160 pairs of fighters Julius Caesar has an event in 65 BCE in honor of his father that has 160 pairs of fighters 107 CE Emperor Trajan has a 123 day festival with 10,000 pairs of fighters 107 CE Emperor Trajan has a 123 day festival with 10,000 pairs of fighters

19. Roman Culture more Violent than Today Gladiators Gladiators Beast Hunts Beast Hunts Public Executions Public Executions Naval Battles Naval Battles Plays with Violence Plays with Violence Animal Sacrifices Animal Sacrifices There were no hospitals so people died at home There were no hospitals so people died at home

20. Gladiator Shows Mirror Basic Issues of Roman Life Military Training Military Training Military Domination of the World Military Domination of the World Gladiators as lessons in life Gladiators as lessons in life –Examples of courage –Public executions were reassurance that crime didn ’ t pay

21. Social Classes The Coliseum brought together a variety of people but also defined them into groups The Coliseum brought together a variety of people but also defined them into groups –The watching and the watched –Social classes in the stands  Dress: Emperor wore a purple toga, senators a purple stripe on their toga, military displayed medals  Seating Area – high class was closer to the action  Entrances – separate upper class entrances to the arena

24. Contemporary Mosaic

25. Another Mosaic

26. Movie Trailer… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTT2 9cavKo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTT2 9cavKo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTT2 9cavKo&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvTT2 9cavKo&feature=related

27. American Gladiator