This is more information about Roman entertainments.

1. Roman Culture:
GLADIATORS

3. The Empire
Map source: http://library.thinkquest.org

4. Gladiators
• The word gladiator comes from Latin for
swordsman (gladius= sword). That definition
does not do justice to the life of that
professional combatant.
• The first gladiators were part of a sacrificial rite
adopted from the Etruscans.
• Image source: http://www.ou.edu
Funerary Stele from Bologna,
Sandstone, 350 B.C.

5. Gladiators
First introduced to Rome in 264 BC, the sons of
JuniusBrutus honored their father at his
funeral by matching three pairs of gladiators.
http://www.antiquainc.com/

6. Gladiators
Gladiatorial combat was originally part of a
religious ceremony that insured the dead
would be accompanied to the "next world" by
armed attendants and that the spirits of the
dead would be appeased with this offering of
blood.

7. “First they will warm up with wooden
weapons. Then they show their skills in
the main event, which is basically a fight
for life. The grand prize is to survive to
come back and fight another time”

8. Roman Spectacles
It is sad to note that the popularity of these
spectacles led to the deaths of over 800,000
people in the Amphitheater in Rome and tens
of thousands of animals. Entire species were
no longer found in their native habitat, having
been captured or driven away.

9. Roman Spectacles
Gladiators were
comprised of criminals,
captured runaway and/or
unruly slaves, prisoners
of war, and volunteers.
Why would a free Roman
volunteer to suffer the
ultimate social disgrace
(infamia)?

10. Roman Spectacles
• To demonstrate their
readiness to face death,
gladiators were fighting
with bare torsos.
• The gladiator is
signaling to the referee
(wearing a tunic) his
desire to give up the
fight.

11. Man Vs. Wild

13. Images source: http://news.softpedia.com/newsImage/People-And-Beasts-on-the-

14. Fun for the Whole Family
• venatio - (Latin) a hunt or wild beast show conducted during gladiatorial games in
which bestiarii fight wild animals in an arena for sport; condemn criminals who
committed capital crimes participated in the venatio without weapons to carry out
their death sentence. Animals included were lions, elephants, bears, deer, wild
goats, dogs, and camels.
• Usually following the venatiowas the humiliores, the execution of Roman citizens
of lower status. Usual forms of execution included burning at the stake, crucifixion,
or ad bestias (when the prisoner is left alone in the ring with one or more wild
animals). Ancient writers suggest that during the humiliores, most respectable
men and women went for lunch instead of staying to watch.

15. • Gladiator footage