Gladiators graffiti
Gladiator fights - what an exciting detail of Roman history. The gladiator graffiti discovered in Pompeii lets you experience, through the depicted scene of a gladiator fight, a small glimpse into the life of Roman gladiators.
To the death in the arena
From the Latin gladius - short sword - derives the name gladiator. Gladiators in ancient Rome were mostly slaves and professional fighters, who fought to the death in the arena for the purpose of entertainment of the emperor and the public.
Usually only 2 gladiators fought against each other. This duel is called gladiature. The design of the performances was magnificent and staged on a grand scale. Julius Caesar - so the tradition - had his gladiators equipped with silver armor. Animal rushes (venationes) were also part of the fixed program, but always served only as a prelude to the following spectacle. The "real stars of the arena" made their appearance only in the afternoon. They were admired and revered but at the same time despised. Gladiators were trained in gladiatorial schools, received excellent medical care and a special diet. However, this served only the purpose of preparing the fighters for the bloody slaughter in the arena.
Types of gladiators and their special equipment
The equipment of the fighters was originally very simple. In the course of time, different types of gladiators were formed, which differed in their equipment and were evident in traditional representations - as well as in the gladiator graffiti:
- Retarius with net and trident
- Thracian with small shield, curved dagger, helmet and greave
- Murmilo with short sword, shield and helmet with fish symbol
- Secutor with different helmet, otherwise like Murmilo
- Relief size ca.22x18cm
Gladiators graffiti - historically impressive
An impressive testimony of gladiator fights in ancient Rome is the gladiator graffiti found in Pompeii. Depicted in the gladiator graffiti is a fight scene between the Secutor (Serius) and Retarius (Albanus).
Gladiators graffiti - history that can be experienced
The Gladiators Graffiti was made as a replica in high quality alabaster plaster.
For every history cabinet and fans the Gladiators Graffiti is an absolute must.
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