Running head: The Life of a Gladiator
The Life of a Gladiator: Solider or Slave
The Life of a Gladiator: Solider or Slave
The life of a Roman gladiator is usually portrayed as a glamorous and respected solider. He is strong, brave, handsome, and noble. How accurate is this image that is often conjured when the term gladiator is spoken? This popular image probably is the result of Hollywood depictions showing gladiators as heroes who eventually earn their freedom and rise above the powers that enslaved them. This paper will examine the real life of the Roman gladiators and the cruelty they were forced to endure. I will also discuss the background and origin of the gladiator in an attempt to explain why it was such an important part of Roman society. Upon completion of this paper, I am hopeful that the reader will have a more accurate image of what life was really like for the Roman gladiator.
All the previous fighting had been merciful by comparsion. Now the finesse is set aside, and we have pure unadulterated murder. The combatants have no protective covering; their entire bodies are exposed to the blows. No blow falls in vain. This is what lots of people prefer to the regular contests, and even to those which are put on by popular request. And it is obvious why. There is no helmet, no shield to repel the blade. Why have armour? Why bother with skill? All that just delays death. In the morning, men are thrown to the lions and bears. At mid-day they are thrown to the spectators themselves. No sooner has a man killed, than they shout for him to kill another, or to be killed. The final victor is kept for some other slaughter. In the end, every fighter dies. (p.17)
The defeated gladiator would possibly raise his left hand (also sometimes referred to as raising a finger which may have indicated a request for mercy) asking for his life to be spared. If the spectators turned their thumbs down they were indicating that the fighter should live (perhaps...