- On 09/03/2022
- In curiosity
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MURDER IN THE COLOSSEUM
Although held in one of the world’s most famous arenas, details about the bloody Gladiator games held inside the Colosseum are still under debate by modern historians. The Gladiator games date back to 264BC and were used as a tool to entertain the roman masses so they would not revolt against their leaders. Held around 10-12 times a year, the Games included battles, games, animal hunting, executions, and many other bloody activities – the Romans had strong stomachs!
Over the years the games began becoming more elaborate, as the new Emperor would try to outdo their predecessor, and Emperors would be judged depending on how fantastic their games were. Gladiators themselves were either slaves, criminals, or prisoners of war, and their eventual deaths were watched by the public with vigor. Some Gladiators were allowed to fight for their freedom, while most were thrown into the arena unarmed to face their sentence. Although that does not mean these were disliked individuals. An ancient gladiator was treated akin to a modern-day sports star. Romans would bet on and celebrate their favorite gladiators, even purchasing merchandise with the Gladiator’s name or face.
Luckily, it was not always a fight to the death for these poor Gladiators. A referee oversaw the games and would stop the battle if a Gladiator was seriously injured. Gladiators even had trade unions, and their blood and sweat would be collected and sold into cosmetics, moisturizers, and oils as aphrodisiacs for women. For such a brutal and bloody occupation, they certainly did everything by the book, and made a profit!
Whether you are a historian, or only a fan of the film Gladiator, the Colosseum, and its spectacles, are definitely one of the most interesting, and bloody events.
Enjoy a visit to the Colosseum Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with our Skip-The-Line Tickets: