word "Gladiator" comes from the Latin «gladius», t. E. "Sword".In ancient Rome, gladiators and slaves were called prisoners of war who have been specially trained for armed combat with each other in the arena of amphitheater.Gladiators of Rome fought in public, until one of them falls down dead.Fights were held initially in the days of the biggest religious festivals, and then turned into the most popular spectacle, entertainment aimed at ordinary citizens.The tradition of the battle remained for more than 700 years.
story of
custom of holding such fights came in Ancient Rome from the Etruscans who have the battle were purely religious character, and the sacrifice of those killed were considered the god of war Mars.
prisoners of war and sentenced to death - that's who the gladiators at the beginning of the birth of this phenomenon.According to Roman law they had the right to take part in the fighting, and in case of victory in the winnings could redeem his life.There were also cases where citizens who give up freedom, decided to take part in such battles in the pursuit of the people's fame and money.
first fights
debut battle of gladiators in ancient Rome is considered to match three pairs of participants, which was constructed in 264 BC.e.during the commemoration of Brutus Perry.Popular became so much fun in 50 years, when 22 pairs bestiaries within 3 days delighted residents for funeral merrymaking organized in honor of the triumvir Marcus Aemilius Lepidus.In the year 105 BC.e.have each child knew who the gladiators, thanks to the tireless efforts to tribunes, aimed at the entertainment of the Roman mob, which by this time was already practically formed as a social stratum.Gladiatorial fights were officially recognized as public entertainment.
Soon tournaments, which lasted for several days, which was attended by a lot of gladiators, were no longer a novelty.There are people for whom such fights became a craft, they were called lanista.The essence of their work was that they had visited the slave markets, where there is a physically strong slaves, prisoners of war, it is desirable, or even criminals.Acquiring such a slave, they taught him all the features of the battles necessary during a fight in the arena, and then leased to the organizers of spectacles.
Prepare for battle
While studying for the Gladiators were tended, nourishing food, and their treatment takes the best trained doctors.
Proof of this is the fact that the famous Roman physician Galen worked for a long time in the Great Imperial School, where they were trained.Soldiers slept in pairs in a small room of 4-6 square meters.m.
They daily engaged in intensive training, which lasted from morning to evening.The training was attended by newcomers already held gladiators of Rome, who taught their pupils fencing.At the initial stage of training a novice I had to learn to make a strong accurate blows to the chest and the head of the enemy, without neglecting his defense.To strengthen the muscles used in the next stage has iron weapons Gladiator, whose weight has been specially twice more than in the combat arms.
When novice learned all the basics of martial arts and was ready for a real battle, it depends on the skills and physical fitness is defined in the corresponding group.
Award
Gladiator's not only because of pressure from the slave owner, but completely voluntary, wanting to get fame and wealth.Despite all the disadvantages of such a profession, a simple but strong man, as a representative of the lower class, I had a real chance to get rich.
Although the probability of dying in the sand of the arena, covered with blood, was much higher, many took risks, perhaps even a little aware of who the gladiators and what their fate.The happiest of them, but the love of the Roman mob and often noble women received serious cash prizes from the fans and organizers fighting.Besides Roman audiences are often thrown into the arena to the winner, especially if it was a favorite of the public money, jewelry and other valuable stuff, which were also a considerable share of its revenue.
Opening fighting
rite of opening the fighting was impressive spectacle for all the participants.The organizer of the games in a chariot or on foot, surrounded by many friends, rode or walked around the arena by cheering spectators, who had anticipated the smell of blood.Then came the arena parade of all the participants of the upcoming tournament.They wore a helmet and other clothing gladiators.The audience, welcoming their favorites, just raged.Then gladiators stops in front of the imperial box, holding his right arm forward, shouting: "Caesar!Going to die salute you! ".Then they went to a room under the stands, where he spent time in anticipation of its release.
gladiatorial theater
All the battles were different, there were twin fights or confrontation of several dozen participants.But sometimes played out in the arena of the whole presentation, which popularized Julius Caesar.In minutes, created grandiose scenery depicting the walls of Carthage, and the gladiators, armed and dressed as legionaries and the Carthaginians, simulated assault on the city.Or, on the stage appeared a "forest" of trees felled and the bestiary represented Legionnaires attack from ambush.
Who are the gladiators in this action?Warriors or actors?They combine the functions of both the others.Fantasy directors-directors knew no bounds.Although the Romans were already difficult than a surprise, the Emperor Claudius succeeded.He made a mock sea battle of such magnitude that no visitor could not imagine, and impressed all inhabitants of the Eternal City.
By the beginning of the IV century gladiators gradually began to take positions.It was a time when the Roman Empire was exhausted under the heavy yoke of attacking barbarian tribes.This situation is only getting worse because of the economic crisis, and the organization of fights was quite expensive.
Although some battle still continued, but on a smaller scale, and soon they were formally banned.No one shouted from the stands "bread and circuses!" And welcomed the emperor, and in 72 of the Rome Empire was destroyed.
