Roman Gladiators Essay examples -- Roman History

GladiatorGladiatorial events were a token of the Roman civilization. A brutal form of sacrifice adapted from the previous civilization of Etruscans, who believed when a person dies, his spirit relies on a blood sacrifice to survive in the afterlife. The first event to take place in Rome was in 264 BC, when Decimus Brutus held a sacrifice to honor his dead father (Roman Gladiator). Soon after these events became an undeniable fictitious character of the Romans lives, used for political power and ecumenical entertainment. A gladiators life was far from easy. Most were slaves, prisoners of war, or hardened criminals, therefore they were not free men. Often times they were trained and forced to take part in the events, hoping for their freedom if they were to conquer their grim fate and survived for a few years (wik). This was depicted in the most recent movie GLADIATOR. In this aim Russel Crowe Maximus starts out as an army general under Marcus Aurelius, until Commudus murder s his own father out of spite for his fathers loyalty to Maximus and not him. He then inherits the title of king, and condemns Maximus to a gruesome fate as a slave/gladiator. Though this doesnt sound like the ideal life, to some at the time is was an appealing, so much so that some free men degraded themselves so they could battle in the games. Was it for basic living? Possibly but more than likely it was for the Fame and Prestige of a Gladiator. These free men were known as Professional gladiators.Training was hard for these with child(p) warriors, they often trained at special gladiator schools, the largest of which was connected to the great Coliseum by underground passages. Here they learned how to fight skill in full with swords, daggers, nets, chains, and an... ...m. This huge circular arena was the pinnacle of the Roman Gladiatorial games, and though it isnt fully intact, it is a great reminder of ancient culture. Though today these games seem inhumane and unneces sary, to their ancient culture it was a vacation from everyday stress. Even the emperor butterfly was said to understand that though money and grain would satisfy and individual, large spectacles were necessary for the contentment of the masses (wes civ). Works Cited1. Gladiator. Dreamworks Video. 2005. Directed by Ridley Scott.2. Gladiators. Wikepedia, 2007. http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator3. capital of Mississippi J. Spielvogel. Western Civilization Third Edition, A Brief History volume 1 to 1715. 2005 Belmont CA. Wadsworth Publishing4. The Roman Gladiator. Classics Technology Center. 2005. http//ablemedia.com/ctcweb/consortium/gladiator1.html