Gladiators fight Essay Example

Gladiators fight Paper Many other training methods were used to prepare a gladiator to fight. To increase strength, training consisted of hitting a large pole, called a palus, with a wooden sword. Each recruit would plant his own palus and use it as his own. Gladiators were taught to stab at their opponents, not to slash them. Stabbing injured major organs the fastest. Gladiators made shields from branches and swords from sticks to practice with. Weapons included the war chain, net, trident, dagger, and lasso. All of these weapons were used against the palus. Gladiators also fought in armor. They carved a large shield called the scutum, the left grieve the ocrea, the right grieve the galea, and the sword the gladius. Gladiators not only learned how to fight well, but how to make an effective killing blow. Some gladiators used spears, and practiced throwing at targets. Gladiators didnt only train for strength, but for distance and speed. Gladiators did not only train for strength, but for distance and speed. When the gladiator was about to be killed, the lanistas taught the gladiators to die with bravery and to not be afraid. Gladiators were trained to give watchers entertainment and a good time. (Owens, The Roman Gladiator) We will write a custom essay sample on Gladiators fight specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Gladiators fight specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Gladiators fight specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Gladiator training had always been looked at as barbaric and stressful. But, the training was far from barbaric. An analysis the foot bones of gladiators that suggest they had extremely strong feet, and most had fought barefoot. An examination of the bones, showed no breaks or stress fractures in the feet; thus suggesting the training was not barbaric. (Karl Grossschmidt, True Gladiators)Â  Major gladiator schools, had a hospital. The one thing that was always available to gladiators was medical care. Lanistas and emperors wanted their gladiators to have the best heath possible. Many of the methods doctors used in ancient time are used today, such as the practice of bone setting. Most of the time gladiators received better heath care than many of the Roman citizens. Two of the most famous doctors from the gladiator period, are Galen and Philostratos. Galen practiced medicine at Pergamum. He contributed many different health care techniques and different exercised and training methods. One of his suggestions was to use a small ball and follow the workout by eating, athletes are those which not only exercise the body, but are able to please the spirit. (Grivetti, Applegate 7) To train with the ball, required no money; almost everyone could afford it, and it took no weapons or other equipment to use. He recommended always train in moderation. Galen also said training did not just include building upper body strength, but to work on distance and speed. He advised gladiators to run in deep sand, because it is not easy to place your feet. Galen recommended jumping across ditches carrying lead weights. (Grivetti, Applegate 8) Philostratos, described training that included running, lifting weights, and exercise that included wrestling with beasts. His approach is what professionals today call cross-training. Philostratos suggested chasing horses and bending sticks of iron with their bare hands. A famous boxer, Tisander, from Naxos, trained under Philostratos. Philostratos instructed Tisander to swim around the headlands of his island. He was only to swim using his arms, which by resting the rest of his body, it also received exercise. The doctors were an important part of the training of hundreds of gladiators. As a result, gladiators were very fit for their games. Many gladiators fought throughout the Roman time, but only few became famous. (Grivetti, Applegate 7) Two gladiators, Polumbus and Spartacus, became known to history. Polumbus was a gladiator in the city of Ephesus, the capital of ancient Asia Minor, now located on modern day coast Turkey. Polumbus was a new kind of gladiator: a volunteer. He was married; this meant he was a free man. Polumbuss training method included running and practicing in mock fights. His masters name was Vettius; he also owned the gladiator school that Polumbus attended. Polumbus was a Mirmalo gladiator; the Mirmalo used a Samnite sword, and a helmet. The Mirmalos usual opponent was the Thracian. Polumbus was Vettiuss best gladiator. He usually defeated all of his opponents. The night before his final fight, Polumbus ate with his fellow gladiators and Vettius. The next day, Polumbus fought his rival, the Thracian, and was ordered to die. He received the customary execution blow. (Discovery Channel True Gladiators) Polumbuss wife place on his tomb, To Polumbus, my own husband for the sake of his memory, hear this. (Discovery Channel True Gladiators) Polumbus was later buried in the gladiator graveyard, right outside the Romes walls. Spartacus was a gladiator who lived and went to school in Capua. His manager was Lentulus. Spartacus is famous for leading a gladiator revolt. The gladiators were upset at how they were being treated, and decided to revolt. The gladiators chose Spartacus, Crixus, and Oenomaus to lead the attack. Eighty of the gladiators escaped, behind Spartacuss tactics. Knifes and other weapons were used to escape. The eighty gladiators set up a defensive front at Mount Vesuvius. When armies came looking for them, the gladiators used ropes to hide in holes, and then used surprise attacks. (Meijer 30-33) The gladiators were finally surrounded by the Roman army in the city of Bruittium and Marcus Licinius Crassus killed Spartacus in battle. Gladiators played very important part of Roman entertainment and culture. The first gladiatorial games took place in Rome in 264 BC as a part of an upper-class funeral ritual. Decimus Junius Brutus put on a gladiatorial game in honor of his late father. Three pairs of slaves fought in the Forum Boarium. Emporer Augustus was one of the emperors to promote gladiator games, and move them commercially to an arena. He thought the games would be good propaganda for the empire. The first gladiator games were held in his name, the future games held in Augustuss sons and grandsons names. During his games, over 10,000 gladiators fought to their death and these games were later said to have been the greatest ever. (Meijer 33-35) Augustus wanted to make sure other emperors did not become as well known as he, so he limited the number of gladiators allowed in the different schools. During Augustuss reign, he chose only ten days to be devoted to gladiator games. The first dates were December 2nd to 8th, December 17th to 23rd, during the festival of Saturnalia, a peace festival in honor of the god Saturn. The second set of dates were March 19th to 23rd, during the festival of Quinquatrus, this was the fifth day after the Ides of March, the day of Julius Caesars death. (Meijer 33-35) Gladiators fought in the Colosseum. The Colosseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was the main amphitheater in Rome. It could hold up to 50,000 seated spectators. The Colosseums main use was holding gladiatorial combat. Construction was initiated by Emperor Vespasian and completed by his sons, Titus and Domitian, between 72 and 81 AD. (Nardo 30)Â  Also, after about three to five years of fighting, gladiators could earn their freedom. A form of gladiator is still around today, the football player. Football players devote their lives to training and excelling, just like yesterdays gladiators. Gladiators were the athletes of their day. Although some did not have a choice, many were motivated to join their sport. Financial results, adoration status, quality nutrition, shelter, and medical attention, and resulting independence from a job well done drove these men. They reflected the brutality and grit of their day. The gladiators took their oath seriously to the end: To suffer myself to be whipped with rods, burned with fire, or killed with steel if I disobey. As Maximum (played by Russel Crowe, in Gladiator the movie) stated: Death smiles at us all. All that a man can do is smile back. (Ridley Scott, Gladiator) Works Cited Dunkle, Roger. Roman Gladiatorial Games. 11 August 2002. Brooklyn College, www.nutrition.org.