Roman Culture: GLADIATORS The Empire

The Empire
Roman Culture:
GLADIATORS
KIN 375 – Dr. D. Frankl
Map source: http://library.thinkquest.org/
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
Gladiators (II)
Theater of Marcellus
• First introduced to
Rome in 264 BC, the
sons of Junius Brutus
honored their father
at his funeral by
matching three pairs
of gladiators.
Image source:
http://www.antiquainc.com/
Funerary Stele from Bologna,
Sandstone, 350 B.C.
Initiated by Vespaisian,
Vespaisian, the official opening
ceremonies were conducted by emperor Titus
in AD 80.
Gladiators
(III)
• “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.”
• Gladiatorial combat was originally
part of a religious ceremony that was
intended to insure that 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.
Source: http://campus.northpark.edu/history/
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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.
Roman Spectacles
Hippopotamuses were no longer
seen in Egypt, elephants were
not found in northern Africa
and the population of lions
disappeared from Assyria.
Image Source: http://www.nature.ca/
Image Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
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)?
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
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.
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
Roman Spectacles
• The referee is holding the
winner’s hand as he waits
for the crowd’s choice
and the final decision of
the editor .
• Two categories of
gladiators only fought
opponents of the same
type: the eques
('horseman') and the
provocator ('challenger').
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
• Five musicians reflected the shifting
moods of combat with their music.
• To the left is a bust of Hermes and above
is a "couch of Libitina" ready for its next
occupant.
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
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Animals
The Colosseum in Rome
• In ancient times called the
"Flavian Amphitheater.”
• The name "Colosseum"
came from a colossal
statue (120 ft. high;
capacity range 40,000 -60,000)
Source:
http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
Animals
Animals
Source:
http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
Source: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/
classics/gladiatr/arena.htm
Roman Spectacles
Sports in Ancient Greece
Sports were
• Grounded in mythology
• Linked with religious beliefs
• Characterized by
El Djem: http://www.wellesley.mec.edu
Rose Bowl: http://www.sfo.com/
–
–
–
–
Gender exclusion
Frequent violence
Absence of administrative structures
Absence of measurements & record keeping
Source: Coakley (2001)
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Roman Contests
and Games
• Emphasized spectacle, combat, and
the power of political leaders
• Characterized by
– Diversions for the masses
– Exclusion of women as athletes
– Absence of quantification and record
keeping
Questions for Discussion
• Compare and contrast Greek athletics,
Roman spectacles (pre-modern), and
contemporary athletic (post-Modern)
events. Provide specific examples.
• How did the gladiatorial spectacles serve
the needs of Roman society? Are there
any similarities in the ways professional
sports “serve the needs” of contemporary
American society.
Source: Coakley (2001)
Questions for Discussion
• The moral issues associated with
Roman gladiatorial contests are very
obvious to a 21st Century citizen of
the world. What moral issues need to
be addressed regarding the current
practices in contemporary collegiate
athletics and professional sports?
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