Roman Gladiators:Heroes or Victims?
They were Both!
Victims Point of View
- most were slaves captured during numerous wars Rome fought.
- a method was used to determine a criminals death. Those who murdered were put into the arena unprotected against a wild beast. Those who committed arson were burned. Others were crucified.
- Lions, elephants giraffes, and other rare animals all played a role in gladiator fights as well.
- "If they lose, they die"~unknown
- The audience and the emperor decided if the gladiator lived, or died. However, most of the power was in the audience.
- It was the gladiators " duty" to die.
- "The loser will not be spared"~unknown
They battled against fierce beast. And they also battled to the death.
Heroes Point of View
- · The profession called for courage, good morale, and absolute fidelity to the master to the point of death.
- · Through courageous behavior, he received an honor similar to that of a Roman soldier on the battlefield
- Women also served as gladiators.
- The fight between Priscus and Verus was the only fight to be recorded in detail.
- · The fight between Priscus and Verus was a draw.
- Their owners fed them with high energy diets.