Experiencing The Roman Empire - Gladiators

EXPERIENCING THE ROMAN EMPIRE HIST 1301 | History Gladiators Gladiatorial fight had a significant role in both public entertainment and Roman society. In the third century BCE, matches were first used in funeral games, which were performances honouring the departed, in central Italy. Three pairs of gladiators engaged in combat during the inaugural gladiatorial contests in Rome in 264 BCE. The number of games grew throughout the ensuing centuries until hundreds of gladiators were participating under the emperors. Although some gladiators were volunteers, enslaved individuals coerced into the position made up a sizable portion of the gladiator population. A lanista, the group's manager, trained a familia, a group of gladiators, at a gladiatorial school. Along with evaluating new recruits, the lanista and other trainers selected the weapons that each would carry into battle. Although gladiators had rigorous training every day, they were only supposed to fight a few times a year. Typically, matches featured gladiators with different weapons engaging in combat. One popular kind of combat pitted gladiators against retiarius, who carried a trident and a net in his hands. Although gladiators did not always fight to the death, spectators had a significant influence on the matches and frequently urged gladiators to murder their injured opponents. If the emperor was there, he might also affect the result by giving the opponent the "thumb up" or "thumb down," which would enable them to live or die, respectively. The most skilled and prosperous gladiators were able to make money from fighting in addition to developing a loyal fan base. There is evidence that senators and ladies engaged in gladiatorial combat as well, maybe to ceremoniously recreate mythological situations. No senator or person of equestrian status could participate in the combat, according to a decree passed by the emperor Tiberius in 19 CE, indicating that their involvement had been a persistent problem. A stone sculpture depicting two female gladiators fighting from the first or second century CE makes it certain that women participated. A huge arena in the centre of Rome called the Colosseum served as the venue for several public events, including gladiatorial fights. Constructed during the years 69–79 CE, the Flavian Amphitheatre was called after the governing family of that era. The enormous statue of the emperor Nero that stood close by gave it the other name, the Colosseum. (The statue, which stands taller than a hundred feet, was subsequently renamed in honour of the Roman sun deity Sol.) Emperor Titus formally consecrated the amphitheatre in 80 CE during a celebration that featured a hundred days of competitions. Its intricate system of barrel vaults and ascending arrangement of many styled columns were features of its design. It was large enough to accommodate up to fifty thousand seats, and events that were held there included animal hunts, simulated naval battles, and gladiator bouts. Although the astounding feats of showmanship were meant to be entertaining, they also had a significant political purpose. These epic games, together with the free wheat distribution, were part of a satirical programme dubbed "bread and circuses," which was designed to divert the populace's attention away from any flaws in Roman rule. It was believed that people who had access to food and entertainment to meet their basic requirements were less likely to notice social inequity, grow disgruntled, or incite insurrection. Additionally, the games served to increase public support for the emperor in office, who was typically a frequent attendee.