Gladiators
heroes or victims?
Gladiators
Gladiators were typically people that were sentenced to death. However, they could also be free men or women who gave up his/her freedom to become a gladiator
Details
The rules of the gladiatorial games were as follows:
- Two or more gladiators fight a duel until one of them admits defeat by putting up one finger
- After this occurs, the emperor would give a "thumbs-up" signal if he wanted the fallen gladiator to live, or a "thumbs-down" signal if he preferred otherwise.
Other miscellaneous facts:
- Most gladiators did not fight more than 2 or 3 times
- Gladiatorial games were performed until early 600’s AD
- Children were allowed to see executions and other entertainment involving blood and gore.
- The battles escalated from with shields and swords, to no shields, then to no swords or helmets
what happened at the games?
At the games the gladiators would fight to the death. In the morning the gladiators would fight the lions and tigers, about 9,000 animals were killed during all the games. Around noon the criminals were killed by mnay things such as animals, fire, gladiators. In teh afternoon the main events were held where the gladiators would fight to the death. A total of 3,000 men/women fought at the coliseum.
pros and cons of being a gladiator
pros:
- You only fought two or three times a year.
- When you are a gladiator you can earn your freedom if you fight for three years successfuly without dying.
- Most gladiators became wealthy and a part of the upperclass.
cons:
- You were expected to die before your three years was up.
- You had to have a special diet.
- It was a gladiators duty to die.
- Even if you make it out alive with cuts and gashes they will most likely become infected and you could then die.