1. Gladiators & Games
UFC is for wimps

2. Origins Etruscans Funeral “games”
216 BC – first Roman ones – 3 days of games
Often during military campaigns or wars to raise morale
Eventually accompanied by a feast
“Given” by everyone from local politicians to the emperor

3. Gladiators Often slaves & POWs Volunteers allowed
Trained in a school (ludus)
Lanistae
“Nos morituri te salutamus”
Usually kinda chubby…
Wooden sword – rudis

4. Kinds of Gladiators
Several variations
Romans vs. non-Romans

5. The Colosseum Flavian Amphitheatre; 80 A.D.
Colossus of Nero nearby -> Colosseum
Seated 50,000 –1/2 of Neyland Stadium
Besides gladiatorial games:
Venationes
Naumachiae
Public Executions

6. Architectural Features
80 entrances; 3 levels = 240 arches
All 3 kinds of ancient columns
Velarium – awning
Hypogeum – underground; trapdoors

7. Pollice VerSo Defeated gladiator could be killed or spared
Victor asks crowd
Emperor/giver of the games has the final say
Pollice verso = “with thumb turned”
Victories and times spared recorded like a modern athlete’s stats
Reported on gravestone
Popular and successful gladiators would be more likely to be spared

8. Panem & Circenses “Bread and games”
Appeasement of the masses through food and entertainment
Abandonment of civic duty by the masses
Moral and political decline
“Panem” is from what?
What are some other similarities?

9. Are we any different?