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The Crimson Battlefield :: Tournaments :: Tournament Discussion :: O/T: A little history of the Roman Games
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O/T: A little history of the Roman Games
« Thread Started on Dec 4, 2003, 8:02pm »		[Quote]
The book I mentioned in our discussion topic for a tournament in The Sidelines section really has some interesting stuff about this "national institution" that started in 264 BC with 3 pairs of slaves fighting to the death as a funeral custom (this actually dates back to prehistoric times). By 145 BC, 90 pairs fought for three days.
After the initial exhibition, the two brothers who staged it became the most popular men in Rome and politicians, eager to be elected, put on similar shows. Promoters bought up able-bodied slaves, criminals and prisoners of war for these fights and rented them to the office seekers. The fighters became known as "gladiators", meaning "swordsmen".
The bouts were staged as an added attraction to the chariot races, acrobats, wild animals and other performers at the Circus Maximus. The government also put on the shows to keep the mob quiet during the decline of the Empire.
Soldiers were also condemned to the arena for insubordination.
"Novelty acts" were also introduced when the crowds got tired of standard combat (the net and trident against sword and shield).
There were also gladiator schools to teach the trade and the one in Pompeii still stands. It was considered a better deal than army life. SPARTACUS would be a good film to review at some point for further insight into these fighters.
These fighters who were rented out usually didn't fight to the death but it all depended on who was giving the games. The victor could also pretend to slay his opponent, who was dragged off as though a corpse and sent to some provincial circus where he wouldn't be recognized.
I can probably pick out further tidbits of this history if anyone is interested...
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Metal Zombie
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Re: O/T: A little history of the Roman Games
« Reply #1 on Dec 6, 2003, 5:52pm »		[Quote]
Whoa, that's some pretty interesting stuff. I had no idea about any of that, to be honest. Pretty crazy...

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Re: O/T: A little history of the Roman Games
« Reply #2 on Dec 7, 2003, 5:23pm »		[Quote]
It's a paperback called THOSE ABOUT TO DIE by Daniel P. Mannix, written in 1958. I really enjoy it myself as it goes beyond what you would normally get in a typical history course.
The title is from, "Hail Caesar, we who are about to die salute/greet you!", the address the participating gladiators made en masse to the Emperor in his private box before the games began. They would also raise their right hands straight out in a salute as they chanted it together.
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