I suppose movies like Spartacus and Gladiator- which I hated-have served to colour forever the popular impression of the men who fought in the arenas of ancient Rome. Gladiator at least gets one thing right; good fighters were the popular sporting heroes of the day. But the assumption that these men were thrown willy-nilly into the contest to sink or to swim is completely wrong. They were nurtured, and carefully nurtured, by prolonged and intensive training. Those who were unable to meet the standards set simply never made it to the arena. The assumption that they were all slaves is also erroneous. Many volunteered for a profession where the rewards, both in money and in popular adulation, were gratifying and welcome for men who would have lived and died in servitude and obscurity.
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I think that "Gladiators" is a bit like "Football Players"...the culture of the gladiatorial life must have changed greatly over the centuries and what held true in one part of the Roman territories or in one era would bear no resemblance to other places and times. The thing that frustrates me is how little material is available on the subject.
ReplyDeleteI like this painting, despite its inaccuracies:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Leon_Gerome_Pollice_Verso.jpg
The feature I like best is the little traces of light coming through the awning. It's obviously a beautiful afternoon, with shade provided.
Yes, excellent! There was a very good documentary on the BBC a year or so ago on this subject.
ReplyDeleteAh...cop this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/142024.Far_Arena
Here you will find an interesting yarn to read. The Retarius has made a comment if you scroll down the page.
That's great. Thanks, Retarius. I'll check it out this evening.
ReplyDeleteOh, I see it's now THE Retarius. :-))
ReplyDeleteAna THE Imp...THE Retarius. The other guy's long gone so megalomania may run wild and free.
ReplyDelete:-)) I shall change to The Anastasia.
ReplyDelete