"I will have my vengeance ... by subduing my opponent."

topic of the day 054 & video of the day 049

the Truth about Ancient Gladiators

Youtube channel: College Humor

What, who, when, how, why? Then, so?

I - Not a bloodsport

For most of gladiatorial history, intentionally killing your opponent is against the rule, which is why only one in ten deaths ended in a death.

II - Umpires

They are there to enforce the rules and being scrupulously fair, stopping the fight and letting the gladiator to get up again if he fell for example.

III - Train to subdue, not kill

They are train to subdue their opponents rather than flat out kill them.

A match would actually end if one of them is wounded, got too tired or just held up a finger to tap out.

IV - Value for money

Gladiators were expensive, being fed, clothed, housed, armed and trained by owners called Lanista.

Archaeological evidence suggests that they had healthy diets and received quality medical care.

This is why some of them could fight up to forty fights, similar to a modern day boxer.

V - Once in a blood moon

On occasion, an emperor or a sponsor would demand a fight to the death but it was rare and generally frowned upon. Even Rome's first emperor declared outlawed it entirely.

VI - Thirst for entertainment, not blood

Contrary to popular beliefs as I keep on emphasizing here, the citizens are more like fans at a sporting event.

VII - Admired in and outside of the colosseum

Just like being a modern celebrity athlete, successful gladiators' portraits would graced the wall of public places while children would play with their clay doll counterparts. Surprisingly, the most successful would even commercially endorsed products.

"Gladiators seek to best all, it is how they succeed."