Gladiators

1. Gladiators Blood Sport in the Roman Empire

2. Who were gladiators? • Gladiators were condemned criminals, prisoners of war, or slaves bought for the purpose of fighting other gladiators to the death. • Romans were more excited when free men fought each other rather than slaves.

3. Idolization of Gladiators • Gladiators were sometimes seen as modern day athletes. • Gladiators had no social status, in fact many of them were slaves but sometimes military and political leaders fought in the arena in order to me adored by the masses. • Sometimes women even cheated on their husbands with gladiators because they were seen as heart throbs.

4. Fighting Animals • Roman emperors would bring in exotic animals from around the world to fight. • Once an emperor brought in 9,000 animals to the arena in one day, they all were slaughtered. • Sometimes animals even beat the humans and they were the only ones left in the arena.

5. Female Gladiators • Female Gladiators were called Gladiatrix • It was very controversial for women to compete in the games but starting in 193 CE they were allowed to fight in the arena. • This did not last long because in 200 CE women fighting in the coliseums was banned.

6. The End to the Roman Gladiator • Constantine publically declares his hatred for gladiatorial combat, but does not stop it • His son, Constantius II, prevents members of the imperial guard from fighting • By the 4th century, emperors no longer act as sponsors • The result is a decline in gladiatorial combat