Who were the Gladiators?
In general, gladiators were prisoners of war,condemned
criminals, or slaves bought for the purpose of gladiatorial
combat by a lanista, or owner of gladiators. Professional
gladiators were free men who volunteered to participate
in the games. In The Satyricon, Petronius suggested that
Roman crowds preferred combat by free men over that of
slaves. For example, the character of Echion is excited
about games in which free men, "not a slave in the
batch," will fight. Though low on the social scale,
free men often found popularity and patronage of wealthy
Roman citizens by becoming gladiators. The emperor Augustus
sought to preserve the pietas and virtus of the knight
class and Roman senate by forbidding them to participate
in gladiatorial combat. Later, Caligula and Nero would
order both groups to participate in the games.Though a
gladiator was only required to fight two or three times
a year, few survived the three to five years.
The Coliseum comes to life in the
realism and detail found in this massive short sword.
This beautifully detailed Roman Gladiator decorator sword
features a 20.5" steel finished zinc blade, wood
pommel and hand guard, leather wrapped scabbard with simulated
gold engraved furniture. Measures 29.5 " overall
and weighs 4.5 lbs.
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Image for Detail View >
