Gladiators are professional fighters who fought in the arenas of ancient Rome. Such activity flourished for 1000 years. She was a very profitable phenomenon and, of course, it was a great business.
Who are gladiators?
Already in the 3rd century BC, gladiator fights were born. It happened in the Roman region of Campania. They say that the Romans did not invent these battles themselves, but borrowed them from the Etruscans. But there are no facts that would confirm this. Rome also adopted this tradition. in 216, the first battles had already taken place in Rome. They were like sacrifices. But over time, the religious component disappeared and the fights have already become a political, sports and entertainment phenomenon.
Gladiator duels at one point had a large scale. The state itself financed them. And once the gladiatorial games lasted as long as 100 days and during this 9000 animals died. Free and slaves, emperors took part in such spectacles. Only in 404, Emperor Honorius banned such battles. This was mainly facilitated by Christianity.
Most gladiators are slaves. They were usually young and very strong slaves who could be bought. For a crime or fault, a slave could be sent to the gladiators. In addition, prisoners of war and criminals could also engage in this craft. For many of them, participation in such work meant certain death. But, of course, not always. Many could earn money, be released after a certain period of fighting and living, etc.
A Roman citizen and a free man could become a gladiator. They were called auctorates. These were people who wanted to have free housing, food, fame, popularity in the future. There were also rumors that they became gladiators to pay for their father's funeral or to help a friend. Before becoming a gladiator, one had to go through a series of bureaucratic procedures. To begin with, the novice received 2000 sesterces - silver Roman coins. It was a very small amount, because an unskilled slave cost so much. He was signing a document that could be beaten, burned, killed. After the oath, the gladiator no longer had any rights.
Gladiators were adored by women. Many famous Roman women sought meetings with them and had lovers or fathers of children among these courageous handsome men. After all, such men were hardy. young, strong, had a beautiful figure. If the gladiator was famous, often won, then he had a lot of money and lived in luxury.
The Auctorate received 2,000 sesterces for each battle. A free gladiator could terminate the contract by paying a large sum.
Women could be gladiators too. They earned well and thus became free from the influence of their father, brother or husband. But such a profession was considered shameful for a Roman woman, because the girls fought topless. Sometimes they dressed up as Amazons or competed with each other in chariots, shooting darts.
Gladiators in the first periods fought with dwarfs, boars, and later with each other. Such women had a skirt, greaves, a helmet, which they took off at the end and everyone saw their faces. Gladiators did not marry. At the same time, male gladiators who were once free could have a family.
Female slaves were often used for entertainment. Men fought with each other, but captives or female slaves in certain periods fought with wild animals, defending themselves only with a small knife. Of course, there was very little chance of survival.
Gladiators could perform before 200 AD. At the same time, the Roman emperors, seeing that girls did not participate in the Olympic Games, forbade women to participate in gladiator fights and in sports in general.
How much could be earned from gladiator fights?
Real business was built on bloody battles. People who recruited gladiators were called lanists. They had a great chance to get rich quickly. It was a rather shameful profession. But, if a person was noble, then selling and buying gladiators was a normal thing and was not considered something bad.
There were special schools for gladiators. By the way, Spartak's rebellion started from one of them.
In order to organize gladiatorial games, it was necessary to have a lot of money. This was done by editors - rich Romans. During the games, the editors bought gladiators from the Lanists. There was a contract where everything was spelled out. If a gladiator was killed, the full price was paid for him, and only half for the wounded. For each killed or very "heavy" gladiator, 4000 sesterces were paid.
During the Empire, the emperor himself usually "supervised" gladiator fights, and their schools were his property. In addition, control over gladiator fights and their organizations began. After the year 27, it was forbidden to organize battles for those with a fortune of less than 400 thousand sesterces.
How much did the gladiators get? When a man went to the arena for the first time, he was led out to the audience before that. They looked at him, made bets.
In general, if the gladiator survived, then this is already a reward for him. And they also gave him a palm branch, a laurel wreath, and a necklace. They also gave a monetary reward, which even slaves received. The money a slave would receive depended on who he was. A slave could receive money in the amount of the value, how much it cost. The auctorate received 500 sesterces.
Coins were given on plates, which were also a prize. Of course, gladiators could also receive more valuable gifts, for example, houses, estates. The greatest reward is freedom from gladiatorial training, after which a man could become free to work in a gladiator school.
Of course, those who owned schools or individual very popular gladiators received large profits. They could be millionaires by now.
Women and gladiators
Women adored gladiators and turned it into a business too. Girls painted graffiti, confessing their love and looking for an opportunity to meet their beloved man. Rich ladies paid large sums of money to the conman to meet the gladiator alone. Difficult women could even intervene in the battle and save the life of their favorite.
If the gladiator was famous, then blood, sweat and even dirt were collected from his skin with the help of a special device, placed in dishes and sold for a lot of money. Rich Roman women bought such a cocktail. They added it to their cosmetics and believed that it would make them more sexually attractive, healthier, and their future children strong.
Women also bought a blood-stained spear with which a gladiator was killed. It was especially loved by brides who parted their hair on their wedding day with this spear. And pregnant women bought blood, gladiators drank it with grape juice so that the child would be strong.
Gladiators, on the one hand, were considered murderers, corrupt people. And on the other hand, women loved them, admired them, and their owners made a serious business out of it and earned a lot of money.
Until now, gladiators are a symbol of strength, courage, and endurance. There are many computer, mobile, online games related to these people. After all, they are associated with excitement and competition, the spirit of victory and competition. Very often, such games become favorites of many gamers.