How did gladiators live in ancient Rome? Mill of myths: gladiators were not slaves

The Romans turned gladiator fights into cruel fun, but their Etruscan ancestors came up with the entertainment. The ritual had religious significance and accompanied the burial process of wealthy people. A sacrifice was made in honor of the deceased. The struggle decided who would fall in battle and appease the cult of Mars.

The first gladiator fights took place in the empire in 264 BC. The event also marked the funeral of a noble citizen of the empire. The event was held with the participation of three pairs of fighters in a shopping area. The tradition was remembered 50 years later during the funeral of the consul’s son. Funeral games were organized in the Roman Forum, built for the occasion. The battles lasted for three days and more than 20 pairs of fighters took part in them.

Over the next 100 years, the labor of gladiators was used in burials. In 105 BC. competitions received the status of entertainment in Rome.

The crowd was delighted with the fighting, and the politicians, in turn, tried to win the popular love and favor of Roman citizens. Before coming to power in the empire, Caesar organized games with the participation of 320 pairs of gladiator fighters. After this, the Roman Senate decided to limit the number of participants in the event. Officials were banned from holding games two years before being elected to high office.

Were gladiators slaves in ancient Rome?

Gladiators were considered professionals in the art of wrestling. They specialized in handling a certain type of weapon. Fights took place in public arenas of the Roman Empire. Amphitheaters for performances were built between 105 and 404 BC.

Gladiatorial fights usually ended in death. The life expectancy of those who fought was short, but the profession was considered prestigious. Most gladiators belonged to the class of slaves, free citizens, or prisoners. Bloody battles often replaced the death penalty. Without a doubt, the arena shows of the Roman Empire were one of the most popular forms of entertainment in antiquity.

Gladiators were trained in the art of combat in schools of excellence. They took an oath and were not considered human beings: they did not testify in court, they were sold, they were rented. The profession of a gladiator was fanned with romanticism, although in reality poor people often entered schools in search of good nutrition. Some men entered the arenas in search of glory. History knows of cases when gladiators were granted freedom.

Life of Gladiators of Ancient Rome

Gladiatorial games were held by the emperors of Rome and the local aristocracy to demonstrate their power and wealth. The event commemorated a high victory of a state or the visit of an official or diplomat of another state. Fighters fought in arenas on the birthdays of wealthy people or to distract people from everyday problems, solving political and economic issues.

The largest venue in the history of Ancient Rome was the Colosseum in the center of Rome - the Flavian Amphitheater. The ancient stadium accommodated from 30 to 50 thousand spectators. Representatives of Roman society purchased tickets in advance for the bloody death attraction. Wild and exotic animals died at the hands of the gladiator. If they won, the men were thrown to the lions.

A common misconception is that gladiators were required to greet the Emperor of Rome at the beginning of each show with the words:

Ave Imperator, morituri te salutant

“Long live the Emperor, we who have come to death salute you!”

In reality, these words were spoken by prisoners doomed to death in battles at sea.

Often gladiators were also prisoners of war forced to work in the arena. There are known cases when bankrupt aristocrats entered the arenas. For example, the famous Sempronius, a descendant of the powerful Gracchi dynasty, became a gladiator.

Before Septmius Severus entered the arena in 200 AD, women were prohibited from competing as gladiators.

There was a constant recruitment of gladiators into fighting schools. Living conditions in them were similar to a prison: shackles and small barred rooms. However, the food served was much better for promoting health. Gladiators received good medical care.

Those who won the competition became people's favorites and were especially popular with women.

Those who refused to enter the arena were beaten with leather whips and hot metal rods. An indignant crowd of 30-40 thousand spectators demanded the killing of the enemy. The most famous case of refusal during a battle organized by Quintus Aurelius Symmachus 401 AD. The German prisoners, instead of entering the arena, strangled each other in cages, depriving the Roman citizens of the spectacle.

When a gladiator was not killed outright, his opponent could show mercy and let him live. He raised a weapon with a shield and a finger. Although his opponent could have killed him at that moment. If the emperor was present during the performance, the fate of the gladiator was decided by the crowd, waving fabrics and making hand gestures. The word "Mitte!" and raised up thumb meant “Let them go!” Thumbs down and the expression “Iugula!” - “Execute him!”

Scenes on the walls of ancient Pompeii tell about the life of gladiators. The images indicated how many victories the fighter had won: Petronius Octavian - 35, Severus - 55, Nastius - 60. The winner was awarded a palm branch of victory, a crown and often a silver dish.

The holding of gladiator competitions conflicted with the new Christian religion that came to Ancient Rome in 404 AD. Emperor Honorius closed the gladiator schools. The last event was the arrival of a monk from Asia Minor, Telemachus, who stopped the bloodshed by standing between the fighters. The indignant crowd stoned the monk to death.

Emperor Honorius eventually banned gladiatorial combat, although hunting of wild animals remained for a long time. The Romans lamented the cancellation of popular entertainment.

How did gladiator fights take place in ancient Rome?

The days of gladiator fights were declared holidays in the empire. Preparations for the event took a long time, and were carried out by specially trained people - editors. They advertised and sold tickets.

The search and ransom of gladiators was carried out by citizens with the profession of lanist. They looked for physically strong slaves and prisoners of war in the markets and brought them to schools to teach fighting skills.

On the appointed day, citizens were seated strictly according to social status. A huge number of citizens gathered. The show was accompanied by a theatrical performance. Then wild animals were released. Convicts sentenced to death fought against them. If they won, they were given life.

The fighting took place under musical accompaniment. The rhythms of the music accelerated as the battle progressed. The main goal of the gladiator was to strike the skull or artery. Demonstration of military prowess was equated with heroism by the civilian population in ancient Rome.

Types of gladiators in Ancient Rome

The term gladiatores meant "weapon" or "short sword". Many other types of weapons were used in competitions. Gladiators wore armor and helmets with decorative motifs, decorated with ostrich or peacock feathers.

The quality of weapons and armor depended on the gladiator's class. There were four main groups.

1. The Samnite class was named after the Samnite warriors who fought in the early years in the arenas of the Republic. The Romans originally used the word "Samnite" as a synonym for gladiator of Etruscan origin. They were well armed, had a spear and sword, a shield, and protective armor on their arms and legs.
2. Thracian gladiators were armed with a curved short sword (sika) and a square or round shield (parma) to protect them from blows.
3. Other gladiators were known as "murmillons." They had a fish-shaped crest on their helmet. Like the Samnites, they carried short swords and had armor padding on their arms and legs.
4. The retiarius did not wear a helmet or armor. He carried a metal mesh in which he tried to imprison his opponent. Having entangled him in a net, he inflicted final blow with his trident.

Gladiators fought in pairs in different combinations. This allowed for a contrast between the armored slow classes, like the Fransian, and the protected ones, like the retiarii.

Names and classes have changed over time. For example, the names “samnite” and “gaul” began to sound incorrect when countries with similar names became allies. Archers, bestiaries and boxers also entered the ancient arenas of Rome to hunt wild animals.

Who gave the names to the gladiators of Ancient Rome

The name gladiator was part of his stage image. The fighters were given names in the schools of mastery or by the masters of the slaves. In any case, they were of Roman origin. The citizens of Ancient Rome did not want to hear about the “barbarians”.

The most famous gladiators of Ancient Rome

The most famous gladiator of Rome was Spartacus. He took charge in 73 BC. revolt of gladiators and slaves from Capua. A Roman soldier, he was captured by the military in Thrace to be transported to a gladiator school.

He organized an escape with 70 comrades from the school and created a defensive camp on the slope of Vesuvius. The camp was besieged by the Roman military, after which they left the position and set off across the Campania region. Former gladiators organized their own battle group. Fighting along the way in the northern Alps, Spartacus showed the traits of a military leader in the fight against the Roman army. Spartacus died in battle, but not before he managed to free three hundred military prisoners in honor of his fallen comrade.

Two years after the revolt, the army of Marcus Licinius Crassus finally arrested the rebels in Apulia in southern Italy. As a warning to others, more than 6,000 gladiators were crucified along the Appian Way between Capua and Rome. After this episode, the number of gladiators owned by citizens was strictly controlled.

Another famous gladiator is Emperor Commodus (108-192 AD). There were rumors that he was the illegitimate son of a gladiator. He wasn't professional fighter, but received huge amounts of money for his performances at the Coliseum. The Emperor dressed as Mercury and competed in the arena. More often he killed wild animals from a closed platform using a bow.

The gladiator Spiculus was so inimitable in the art of combat that Emperor Nero gave him an entire palace.

One day my nephew took up bodybuilding. The question of nutrition immediately arose. There were two options - purely protein diet, mainly from fish and chicken meat for building muscle mass. The second option is that the diet is more balanced and varied, mainly including vegetarian food. My nephew is not a vegetarian, but the desire for a curvy, pumped up body was very strong. In a conversation with him, the topic of gladiators of ancient Rome was raised and I remembered that they were vegetarians. I became interested myself and looked for information about them. This is how this article appeared. Maybe someone will be interested too)

There are many myths regarding gladiators and their battles in the arena. Western cinema produces series and individual films that essentially have nothing to do with the historical realities of that time. Let's figure out where the truth is and where the myth is, based on historical documents. I am most interested in the nutrition of gladiators, which helps them endure heavy physical activity, fights and promotes the rapid healing of wounds. But... let's start from the beginning.

Gladiators in ancient world were very popular and recognizable by sight. From some of them, especially popular ones, casts were made and profiles were sculpted, statues were cast, and their exploits were depicted on vessels and interior items. Gladiators came from different social classes - it is a mistake to think that all gladiators were slaves. Initially, of course, this was the case - those who were captured, bought on the slave market, caught for murder or theft, and who fell into debt were released into the arena. Arena fights were held for the amusement of the public and during important religious holidays as a gift to the Gods and Goddesses. Over time, to make the fights more spectacular, gladiators were carefully selected and trained specifically for battles.

The myth that gladiators died like flies in the arena is nothing more than a myth. The life of a gladiator was very expensive - a gladiator had to train for several months before entering the arena, preparation took a lot of time, and therefore gladiators were protected. Along with arena fights between people, fights between gladiators and animals were also practiced. Bulls, lions, tigers and crocodiles came out in opposition to human life. On major holidays, Indian elephants were specially brought. Gladiators who especially distinguished themselves and were liked by the public were presented with a wooden sword, symbolizing freedom. The gladiators, “having been released,” again signed the contract and entered the arena. Accustomed to the roar of the public, respect and daily training gladiators could not imagine themselves outside the walls of the arena and training barracks.

As excavations and fragments of history testify, successful gladiators were very wealthy people who had their own estate, family and children. Some emperors, for example Commodus, who reigned in 176-192, did not escape the fate of gladiatorial life. The thirst for glory, and maybe adrenaline, pushed the emperor into more and more battles. The emperor ordered his every appearance in the arena to be celebrated in historical information, making it safe to say that it happened 735 times. Is it a lot or a little? In 20-30 fights, a gladiator could gain freedom. If a gladiator participated in 50 fights and managed to survive, then his popularity could be compared with the popularity of our Diva during the Soviet era. Much was forgiven to such gladiators; people loved and revered them as gods, immortalizing busts and profiles in the annals of history.

Gladiators were required to have the following values:

1. Fortitudo (strength)
2. Disciplina (discipline)
3. Constantia (extract)
4. Patientia (patience)
5. Contemptus mortis (contempt of death)
6. Amor laudis (lust for fame)
7. Cupido victoriae (lust for victory)

This explains why the people tolerated the gladiator emperor, who completely forgot about the state. In 192, on December 31, as a result of a conspiracy, Commodus was killed, which caused a wave of indignation throughout Rome, from which their “earthly god” was taken away.

However, gladiator fights were not limited to fights in the arena; they continued with fights on the water. Battles on ships were called naumachia, from the Greek. "Ναυμαχία" - naval battle. History recorded the first naval battle in 46. BC The organizer of the naval battle was Gaius Julius Caesar, who laid the foundation for a completely new direction in spectacular battles. For this battle, an entire lake was dug on the Campus Martius in Rome. To appreciate the scale of the battle and the preparations for it, it is enough to say that there were 16 galleys with 2 thousand gladiators in them on the lake. Another major battle on the same lake was a mock battle of Salamis between the Greek and Persian fleets, which involved 24 warships and 3,000 gladiators. The largest naumachia was the “show” by order of Emperor Claudius. Lake Fucino near Rome could accommodate 50 warships and 20 thousand gladiators. The peculiarity of “sea” battles was that there was no place for personal or individual battles - success depended on the well-coordinated work of the team, so only in such battles did blood flow like a river.

More than half a million spectators gathered for the naumachia of Claudius. All gladiators who survived were released from gladiatorial obligations and released. The exception was the crews of several galleys who avoided the main battle.

Despite the seriousness of the battles, there were times when jokes were made in the arena. Thus, during the reign of Emperor Galien, a bullfighter could not hit a bull in 10 attempts, but, nevertheless, was awarded the winner’s laurel wreath. When the public roared in indignation, the emperor announced through his heralds that he was rewarding the winner for doing the impossible - it was impossible not to hit the bull after so many attempts... A peculiar joke, of course. Another story tells of a jeweler who deceived the emperor's wife by giving her a ring containing fake jewelry. The shaking jeweler was brought onto the stage, announcing that he would fight lions. However, the roosters were released to the general laughter of the public.

The life of a gladiator was similar to the modern everyday life of a soldier - gladiators lived in barracks that were locked at night. In the morning they had breakfast and hours of training. Before sunset - dinner and sleep. The discipline was strict and the training hard. A doctor was assigned to the gladiator barracks, who often examined the soldiers for their physical and moral health, compiled a diet and recommended the intensity of training.

We cannot help but talk about hygiene, to which Roman doctors paid great attention. The proverb - “It is better to prevent a disease than to treat it” - comes from Rome. Hygiene was on top level, the purity of drinking water, and the fruits and vegetables sold were given the closest attention. Special employees checked all drinking water bodies and all goods sold for cleanliness.

The gladiators' diet, paradoxically, was strictly vegetarian, and wine, entertainment with women and noble feasts after the battle were the lot of the director's imagination and the ruling elite of Rome. Gladiators were awarded wine only on major holidays, which was extremely rare, but even then, not for everyone. Roman civilization was famous not only for its high culture, but also for medicine, which was very progressive for that time. Reading the treatise of the doctor Atenay, you understand that it is still relevant today:

• You should not drink milk to avoid getting sick (the Romans did not drink milk in its pure form and always diluted it with water).
• You should not eat heavy food at night.
• Healthy food is fruits and flour products.
• You should not eat rich bread, raw meat, raisins and smoked meats.

The food was prepared with a large number spices, thus compensating for the lack of flavors and micronutrients. The food was not salted. Salt was used as a preservative for food so that it would not go to waste, so the food was flavorful and always fresh. Ancient doctors studied the effects of certain products on the body, noting their observations and recording the results, thanks to which many works have reached our time.

The food for a new recruit who just got into the gladiator barracks included stews and porridges; the stew was a kind of diet for cleansing the body of “former” food. The recipe for one of the stews includes a mixture of flour, honey, grated cheese, olive oil and water. Only then, after a while, the recruit was allowed to eat porridge, and later main dishes. The main dishes include barley and beans. Beans were eaten with a lot of vegetables. The diet also included dried fruits and mineral water.

There was one dish in the gladiators’ diet that “a certain nationality” passed off as its own invention. In the form in which it is now - perhaps, but the first recipe and the idea itself belongs to Greece, from where Rome adopted it! This is... borscht!!! “Wash yourself,” brothers and sisters from our sister Ukraine. With lard - this is your invention, but nutritious, healthy and tasty - this is Greek... Beetroot and cabbage were specially grown for borscht. Surprisingly, cabbage was considered the most healing in borscht. The diet of not only gladiators, but also the whole of Rome included a huge number of recipes based on cabbage. Even Cicero dedicated his laudatory odes to cabbage. There were a lot of borscht recipes; it was the Romans who figured out that before cooking borscht, fry the beets in oil.

The bread that was baked, as mentioned above, was not included in the diet of the gladiators, but was replaced by barley cakes. They drank water or a drink based on fermented barley - kvass in our understanding. Beer was brewed in Rome, but this drink was the preserve of the poor and lower class.

It is very interesting that before a beginner was allowed to train, 1-2 months of a vegetarian diet had to pass. After 4 months it was already possible to engage in heavy training and training with weapons. Only after a year was it possible to enter the arena, and the point here is not at all that the fighters were trained for battle within a year; after all, there were also experienced captured warriors. And the fact is that on plant foods, the fighters quickly gained the required weight, the bones acquired strength, the body was cleansed of toxins that caused excessive strain in the muscles and reduced the gladiator’s reaction speed, interfering with his victory. The gladiators were by no means muscular and lean “Hollywood big men”, but strong, densely built men with a small “belly”. Fat layer protected the body from falls, impacts and injuries.

Researchers from Medical University Veins, having analyzed several thousand bones belonging to gladiators, confirmed the fact of a vegetarian diet. Having compared the bones of gladiators with the bones of “ordinary residents of Rome,” scientists noted that gladiators, in terms of their chemical composition, have stronger bones.

Why was a vegetarian diet mandatory for gladiators? Scientists believe that a vegetarian diet helped them stay strong, and the layer of fat served as additional protection from bladed weapons during fights. Strontium, contained in plant foods, strengthens bones and promotes rapid healing of wounds. Subcutaneous fat fiber, with a vegetarian diet, is dense and well supplied with blood. When eating meat, it is very loose and the blood supply is very difficult. Don't believe me? Check...J

Vegetarian food is very easy for digestive system, food is absorbed and digested faster, lightness in the body appears within half an hour after eating. No toxins are formed in the body, no overexertion occurs gastrointestinal tract from his excessive work. After all, even Hippocrates wrote that beef causes melancholy and is poorly digested by the stomach. He recommended eating beans and grains, which became widespread.

If the gladiators with their intensive training, elevated physical activity and frequent multiple injuries gave preference to plant foods, maybe you should think about your diet...

Initially, gladiators were people sentenced to death who had nothing to lose. The statutes of ancient Rome made it possible to fight for freedom and, in case of victory, one could exchange one’s life for money gained in battle. Then to gladiator fights ordinary people joined who desperately wanted to achieve fame and material well-being. In order to become one of the fighters, they had to take an oath and become “legally dead.” Every person who decided to do this was fed high-calorie food free of charge and provided with timely treatment. Fighting sponsors spent a lot of money on the maintenance of gladiators, so it was often very expensive at the show where the fight was fought. There are known cases when bloody gladiatorial battles of women were staged.

Gladiator Schools

In ancient Rome, there were even special institutions in which gladiators were trained in combat. They could belong to either the state or a private person. The manager of such an establishment was called a “lanista.” Under his command was a staff of teachers teaching fighters fencing and weaponry, as well as cooks, doctors and even a funeral team. The daily routine and discipline at the gladiator school were extremely strict.

In some similar institutions they also taught fighting with wild animals. Such fighters underwent training much longer. They were taught training, habits various types animals. Elephants, lions, tigers, bears, panthers, and leopards died in the ring along with people.

Gladiator classification

Ancient Rome was full of gladiator fights, which were first held during church holidays, and then became an integral part of almost everyday entertainment for citizens. There was even a classification of fighters by specialization.

1. Andabats - gladiators who fought on the principle of cavalry competitions, without the right to see their opponent.

2. Bestiaries were originally criminals sentenced to fight with animals. The convicts actually had no chance to survive. Subsequently, these gladiators began to undergo training. Armed with darts or darts, fighters often began to win such battles.

3. Bustarii - gladiators who fought in memory of those killed at ceremonial games.

4. Velites - pedestrian gladiators who fought with javelins, a small dagger and a shield.

5. The Venators were not gladiators, but were present at every battle. They entertained the audience using animals. They performed tricks: they put their hands into the lion's mouth, they rode on a camel.

6. Dimachers had 2 swords with them during the fight. A helmet and shield were not allowed.

7. The Gauls were armed with a spear, a small shield and a helmet.

8. Laquearia. Their task was to catch the enemy using a lasso.

9. Murmillons. On the crest of their helmet was a stylized fish. Armed with a short sword and shield.

10. Noxii are criminals who were released to fight each other. Sometimes they were blindfolded and given this or that weapon. The judge or someone from the crowd was allowed to give hints to the combatants. However, most often the public shouted down the instructions and the fighters could not hear anything.

11. Pregenaries. By performing first, they warmed up the crowd. These gladiators wrapped their bodies in rags and used wooden swords.

12. Provocateurs - gladiators armed with gladiuses and shields were the only ones allowed to protect their bodies with a cuirass.

13. Rudiarii - fighters who earned freedom, but decided to remain in the ranks of gladiators. They were awarded with a wooden sword. They became coaches, judges or assistants.

14. The Sagittarii fought on horseback and were armed with a bow.

15. Scissors - fighters armed with weapons resembling scissors.

16. Tertiary - a reserve player who came in as a substitute if for some reason one of the gladiators could not participate in the battle. In other battles, the tertiaries fought the winner of the main competition.

17. The Equiti spent the first half of the battle on horseback, and after the spear with which they were armed was thrown, they continued to fight on their feet with short swords.

18. Cestus - fighters who fought using only a cestus - an old analogue of brass knuckles.

The tradition of gladiator fights in the territory of Ancient Rome persisted for more than half a millennium.

For information:

Gladiator classification

• Andabat (from the Greek word " άναβαται " - "raised, located on an eminence") They were dressed in chain mail, like the eastern cavalry (cataphracts), and helmets with visors without slits for the eyes. The Andabats fought each other in much the same way as knights did in medieval jousting tournaments, but without being able to see each other.
• Bestiary: Armed with a javelin or dagger, these fighters were not originally gladiators, but criminals ( noxia), sentenced to fight with predatory animals, with a high probability of death of the sentenced person. Bestiaries later became highly trained gladiators, specializing in combat with a variety of exotic predators using javelins. The battles were organized in such a way that the animals had little chance of defeating the bestiary.
• Bustuary: These gladiators fought in honor of the deceased in ritual games during funeral rites.
• Dimacher (from the Greek " διμάχαιρος " - "wearing two daggers"). Two swords were used, one in each hand. They fought without a helmet or shield. They were dressed in a short soft tunic, their arms and legs were bandaged with tight bandages, and sometimes they wore greaves.
• Equitus ("rider"): In early descriptions, these lightly armed gladiators were dressed in scale armor, wore a medium-sized round cavalry shield, a brimmed helmet, without a crest, but with two decorative tassels. During the Empire they wore forearm armor ( manika) on right hand, a sleeveless tunic (which distinguished them from other gladiators who fought bare-chested), and a belt. The Equites began the battle on horseback, but after they threw their spear (hasta), they dismounted and continued the fight with a short sword (gladius). Typically, equites only fought other equites.
• Gaul: They were equipped with a spear, a helmet and a small Gallic shield.
• Essedarius ("chariot fighter", from the Latin name for the Celtic chariot - "esseda") . They may have been first brought to Rome by Julius Caesar from Britain. Essedarii are mentioned in many descriptions starting from the 1st century AD. e. Since there are no depictions of the Essedarii, nothing is known about their weapons or fighting style.
• Hoplomachus (from the Greek " οπλομάχος " - "armed fighter"): They wore a quilted, trouser-like leg garment, possibly made of canvas, a loincloth, belt, greaves, forearm armor (manika) on the right arm, and a brimmed helmet with a stylized griffin on the crest, which may have been decorated with a tassel of feathers at the top and single feathers on each side. They were armed with a gladius and a large legionary shield made from a single sheet of thick bronze (examples from Pompeii have survived). They were fielded in battles against the Murmillons or Thracians. It is possible that the Hoplomachus descended from the earlier Samnites after it became "politically incorrect" to use the name of a people who had become friendly to the Romans.
• Laquearius ("lasso fighter"): Laquearia could be a species retiarii who tried to catch their opponents using a lasso instead of a net.
• Murmillo: They wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest (from the Latin " murmillos» - « sea ​​fish"), as well as forearm armor ( manika), loincloth and belt, leggings right leg, thick windings covering the top of the foot, and very short armor with a notch for padding on the top of the foot. Murmillons were armed with a gladius (40-50 cm in length) and a large rectangular shield of Roman legionnaires. They were fielded in battles against the Thracians, Retiarii, and sometimes also against the Hoplomachus.
• Pegnary: They used a whip, a club and a shield, which was attached to the left hand with straps.
• Provocateur (“applicant”): Their uniforms could be different, depending on the nature of the games. They were depicted wearing a loincloth, a belt, a long greave on the left leg, a manika on the right hand, and a helmet with a visor, without brim or crest, but with feathers on each side. They were the only gladiators protected by a cuirass, which was at first rectangular, then often rounded. The provocateurs were armed with a gladius and a large rectangular shield. They were exhibited in battles with the Samnites or other provocateurs.
• Retiarius (“net fighter”): Appeared at the dawn of the Empire. They were armed with a trident, a dagger and a net. In addition to a loincloth supported by a wide belt and large armor on the left shoulder joint, the retiarius did not have any clothing, including a helmet. Sometimes a metal shield was used to protect the neck and lower part of the face. There were retiarii who played female roles in the arena, who differed from ordinary retiarii in that they were dressed in a tunic. The retiarii usually fought the secutors, but sometimes also the murmillos.
• Rudiary: Gladiators who earned their release (awarded with a wooden sword called rudis), but decided to remain gladiators. Not all rudiarii continued to fight in the arena; there was a special hierarchy among them: they could be trainers, assistants, judges, fighters, etc. Rudiarii fighters were very popular among the public, since they had enormous experience and could be expected from them real show.
• Sagittarium: Horse archers armed with a flexible bow that can fire an arrow over a long distance.
• Samnite: Samnites, ancient type heavily armed fighters, which disappeared in the early imperial period, its name indicated the origin of gladiatorial combat. The historical Samnites were a powerful alliance of Italic tribes living in the Campania region south of Rome, against whom the Romans waged war from 326 to 291 BC. e. The Samnites' equipment included a large rectangular shield, a feathered helmet, a short sword, and possibly a greave on the left leg.
• Secutor: This type of fighter was specifically designed for fights with retiarii. Secutors were a type of Murmillon and were equipped with similar armor and weapons, including a medium oval shield and gladius. Their helmet, however, covered the entire face except for two eye holes, in order to protect the face from the sharp trident of their opponent. The helmet was almost round and smooth so that the retiarius' net could not catch on it.
• Scissor (“one who cuts”, “cutting”)- a gladiator who was armed with a short sword (gladius) and instead of a shield had a cutting weapon that resembled scissors (essentially two small swords that had one handle) or, in a different scenario, he wore left hand an iron hollow rod with a sharp horizontal tip. With this cutting weapon, the scissor delivered blows that resulted in minor wounds to the opponent, but the wounds bled a lot (several arteries were cut, which naturally caused fountains of blood). Otherwise, the scissor was similar to a pruner, except for the additional protection of the right arm (from shoulder to elbow), which consisted of many iron plates fastened together with strong leather laces. The helmet and protective equipment of the secutors and scissors were the same.
• Tertiary (also called " Suppositicius" - "replacing"): Some competitions involved three gladiators. First, the first two fought with each other, then the winner of this fight fought with the third, who was called the tertiary. Tertiaries also came in as replacements if the gladiator announced for the fight for one reason or another could not enter the arena.
• Thracian: The Thracians were equipped with the same armor as the hoplomachus. They had grand slam, covering the entire head and decorated with a stylized griffin on the forehead or on the front of the crest (the griffin was a symbol of the goddess of vengeance Nemesis), a small round or flattened shield, and two large greaves. Their weapon was a Thracian curved sword (sicca, about 34 cm long). They usually fought with Murmillons or Hoplomachus.
  

• Venator: They specialized in show hunting animals without fighting them in close combat, like bestiaries. The Venators also performed tricks with animals: they put their hand in the mouth of a lion; rode a camel, holding lions on a leash nearby; forced an elephant to walk on a tightrope. Strictly speaking, the Venators were not gladiators, but their performances were part of gladiator battles.
• Pregenary: Performed at the beginning of the competition to “warm up” the crowd. They used wooden swords and wrapped cloth around the body. Their fights took place to the accompaniment of cymbals, trumpets and water organs.

Gladiators were people of different nationalities who fell into slavery, but became a real elite among tens of thousands of Roman slaves. Those who constantly honed their fencing skills, only to fight to the death for the amusement of the public.

It is known from the history of the Roman Empire that fighters of different classes competed against each other in the arenas. They differed not only in their fighting techniques, but also in their ammunition.

Murmillo, translated from Latin as “sea fish”. The name comes from the decoration in the shape of a fish on a closed heavy helmet. The Murmillo's forearm, arm and legs were protected by armor, and he was armed with a shield and a forty-centimeter sword - a gladius. A retiarius, that is, a fisherman, usually fought against such a fighter. Apart from one metal plate on the shoulder, the body of the retiarius is not protected by anything. But the weapon is much more exotic - in the right hand there is a long trident, and in the left fishing net. The task of the retiarius is to capture the enemy with a net and throw him into the sand. And with a trident you can snatch the gladius or make a sweep.

But sometimes the net alone in the hands of the retiarius became a deadly weapon. It was weighted around the perimeter. And it could be used as a chain.

The fights between the Murmillons and the Retiarii are a classic combination of gladiator fights in the arenas of ancient Rome. There were more than 20 types and classifications of gladiators! They all inflicted completely different damage on each other. For example, in addition to the gladius, the scissor was armed with a short knife with two blades and one handle. With it, without inflicting deep wounds, the scissor cut the arteries of the enemy until he bled to death. And Dimacher fought with only two daggers.

But there was also a type of gladiator whose opponents in the arena were not people, but wild animals. They were called Venators. These were gladiators sentenced to fight with lions for some crime. They had little chance of survival.

In battles, both against wild animals and against each other, gladiators often used darts or spears.

In a wide swing, such a spear could cut the throat like a dagger, but without reducing the distance with the enemy. Or throw it from a few meters.

But in addition to different weapons, protection and equipment, gladiators differed among themselves in weight characteristics. Some moved much slower, some faster. But fighting while walking on sand in the bright sun was not easy at any weight. Therefore, metal armor most often protected only the hand holding the weapon, and one leg - the one that was most often put forward. The shield, if there was one, served a double function. For defense and attack.

For the Romans, a gladiator match was at the same time a dramatic performance, circus performance and a boxing match. These events were organized in advance by special people - editors. The editors prepared the site for the fight, did advertising and distributed tickets. Anyone could bet any amount on one of the fighters.

Gladiators trained in special schools, which were led by a lanista - that is, both a trainer and manager of a group of gladiators. A lot of money was invested in particularly promising fighters. These schools taught prisoners of war and criminals who were considered slaves the skills needed to fight to the death. Lanista made sure his gladiators were well fed and did not get sick. After all, they were considered the property of the gladiator school, and brought unprecedented income. But some gladiators were not slaves, but took risks only for the sake of money or thrill.

First of all, fencing teachers taught their students how to handle a wooden sword, and only after successful training did they receive a steel one. And after graduating from school, they took part in the so-called “Libera Price” - a general feast where spectators could get acquainted with the characteristics of the fighters and think about the bets. At the same time, during the time of Emperor Nero, they often bet on women. After all, it was the weaker sex who were then in particular demand among spectators as gladiators.

The paradox was that gladiators, who emerged victorious from many battles, became incredibly popular in society, earned more in one battle than a Roman soldier earned in a whole year, had their own home, but still remained slaves. And the profession of a lanista in Rome was considered shameful - after all, like a pimp, he sold bodies. That is, the gladiator craft was equated by many with prostitution.

Slaves of different ages and nationalities were enrolled in gladiator schools. But not many lived to maturity. The life of a gladiator wounded in the arena most often depended on the public. If for some reason the majority liked him, the audience voted for life, showing a fist with a hidden thumb. When they chose death, they extended their thumb to the side. And the winner carried out the will of the crowd, so that next fight, perhaps die yourself.