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Gladiators

Gladiators. Hollywood History. Hoo?. Originally slaves Captured prisoners of war Africans Christians Lower than actors, athletes, and musicians. Y?. Entertainment for the upper class A potential means of advancing upwards in society Not necessarily for military training. Methods.

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Gladiators

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  1. Gladiators Hollywood History

  2. Hoo? • Originally slaves • Captured prisoners of war • Africans • Christians • Lower than actors, athletes, and musicians

  3. Y? • Entertainment for the upper class • A potential means of advancing upwards in society • Not necessarily for military training

  4. Methods • One on one • Groups against groups • Animals against animals • Animals against humans • Some battles were to be fair contests • Some were intended to be massacres • Women are occasionally involved

  5. The Colosseum • Largest venue for Gladiatorial combat • Contained underground tunnels and a retractable roof for shade • Could be flooded to allow for naval battles • Had a sand floor to soak up the blood quicker

  6. Commodus…the Gladiator? • Roman Emperor Commodus (180 – 192 CE) loved the idea of being a Gladiator • Believed they represented strength and bravery • Often dressed as a Gladiator at social gatherings • Fought prisoners and other unprepared people • Often not given proper weaponry or armor

  7. One on One Battle • Different styles (see assignment) • Ended either with death or surrender • The surrendered would raise their thumb, index, and middle fingers as a symbol of submission • The Emperor, speaking for the crowd, would either signal thumbs down (drop your weapon) or thumb into the body (kill the opponent) • Very few gladiator battles actually ended with death

  8. Pollice Verso – With a Turned Thumb (Thumbs Down)

  9. The End • Rise of Christianity • Gladiator games are seen as games meant to honor the pagan Gods • Also too bloody for Christian societies • Constantine (first Christian Emperor) rebuilds Rome by eliminating older blood sports (~300’s CE) • Olympics (honored pagan Gods) • Gladiator games • 476 CE – Western Roman Empire falls

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