Gladiators and Gladiator Games
Gladiator Helmet
A picture of a gladiator helmet.
Gladiators
Commodus may have been a crazy emperor but he needn't have been so to have entered the gladiatorial arena despite the one in ten odds that a gladiator would be killed in a given fight.
Gladiator Terminology - Gladiators Types - Gladiator Weapons
There were many types of gladiators in ancient Rome. Some gladiators were named for opponents of the Romans; others took their names from their functions.
Gladiator Types
There were many types of gladiators in ancient Rome. Some gladiators -- like the Samnite -- were named for opponents of the Romans [see Samnite Wars]; other types of gladiators, like the Provacator and Secutor, took their names from their functions: challenger and pursuer. For more on the weapons associated with each class of gladiator, see...
Priscus vs Verus
Read Martial's poem and an English translation about a gladiator fight between two star gladiators.
Roman Amphitheater of Syracuse
The plan of the Roman Amphitheater was a typical Roman amphitheater, but it had a square reservoir in the middle, supposedly for crocodiles that would feed on the corpses, according to Sicily - The New Winter Resort.
Gladiators - Thumbs up!
The editor decided who lived and who died in the arena, although he usually paid some attention to the cries of the crowds and the gestures for mercy of the gladiators.
Gladiator Movie - Starring Russell Crowe
Ridley Scott's blockbuster, Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe as general-slave-gladiator Maximus, is historical fiction. To attend the movie under the impression that it will be anything but a Hollywood production will lead to disappointment. With that in mind, it is almost amazing how few gaffes there really are.
Morituri te salutant
Morituri te salutant or morituri te salutamus was supposedly said by gladiators about to die in the arena. Find out about the recorded literary usage of the "those who are about die" phrase.
Rudis
A rudis is a special sword.
Naumachia - Naval Battles
Naumachia were part of the entertainment provided the Roman public. They were staged naval battles.
Curule Aedile
Curule Aedile is the title of a Roman magistrate. Curule aediles were responsible for certain Roman games (ludi).
An Introduction to Wall Inscriptions from Pompeii and Herculaneum
An Introduction to Wall Inscriptions from Pompeii and Herculaneum, by Rex Wallace, provides a guide for those seeking to decipher Pompeiian graffiti.
Praetor - Roman Magistrate Praetor
Praetors were magistrates in charge of public games.
Photos of the Roman Colosseum
Pictures of the Roman Colosseum.
The Battle That Stopped Rome
If you're trying to understand what we know of the Teutoberg Forest disaster in A.D. 9, when three Roman legions were annihilated by German tribes, or you are looking for background on the opening scene of the movie Gladiator, Peter S. Wells' very clearly written The Battle That Stopped Rome - Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the Slaughter of the...
Top Myths about Ancient History - Today's Myths About the Past
Today we have a variety of "urban legends" about the past. Here are some of what are probably misconceptions.
Gladiator Pictures
Irene Hahn's pictures of gladiators from a mosaic at Bad Kreuznach.
Slave Revolts or Servile Wars in Italy
Information on the slave wars of Rome, including the revolt led by Spartacus.