Did Decimus Junius Brutus Scaeva have even the faintest idea what he was about to unleash one morning in 264 BC? At high noon, with the baking Rome sun at its zenith, six slaves walked into the Forum Boarium – at the time Rome's cattle market – to face their deaths. As the entertainment highlight of the funeral of honoured Rome Consul Brutus Pera, Junius' father, three of them had been given the honour of following their former master to the next life.
As the fight began it was to be the start of a bloody legacy that was to last for centuries, and perhaps the only reason we still recall the names of this Roman Consul and his son, for this was the birth of the gladiators of Rome.
Showdown at High Noon
Of course we have no way of knowing where the sun was in the sky that day. In fact it may even have been cloudy for all history has handed down to us. However for centuries after this first recorded mention of a gladiatorial fight, the main event of the Colosseum gladiator fights was held at high noon. "The sun would shine directly down on the gladiators giving the very best lighting", says Pietro, my guide for the afternoon.
It would perhaps be more accurate to refer to Pietro as my "doctor", the ancient name for a Roman gladiator teacher, for I am in fact being told this in Rome's gladiator school where I am enrolled for the afternoon. After countless visits to arenas and amphitheatres across Europe, this is my chance to finally discover something of what it must have been like to be a Roman gladiator. I am very excited.
We Who are About to Rip You Off Salute You
Any modern-day tourist to Rome will have encountered a "gladiator". Today usually pursuing nothing more lethal than the extraction of €5 or so from your wallet as they pose for a photo outside the Colosseum, their reputation has nonetheless taken a bashing over the years. In 2002 thanks to a legion of complaints from tourists as reported by BBC NEWS in the article "Rome's gladiators make a killing" , the Government of Rome forced them to charge fixed rates (supposedly €5) for a photo. In addition, so haphazard had their "costumes" become they were forced to adhere to a strict dress code.
Then on the 7th April 2010 it was the turn of blitz quotidiano to report Rome police being called to intercept a fight between rival photo-posing gladiator groups outside the Colosseum; "Roma: rissa al Colosseo per conterdersi turisti, sei arresti", ran the headline. As I walk through the gates of the Scuola Gladiatori Roma I can't help but wonder what I have let myself in for.
Gruppo Storico Romano – Scuola Gladiatori Roma
However, the site of my training, a small allotment-like plot on the ancient Appian Way just outside Rome, could not throw into sharper contrast the down-town tourist "gladiators" and the authenticity with which the Gruppo Storico Romano approach their work. I am greeted with an "Ave" ("Hail") from a very distinguished-looking gentleman dressed in the classical Roman purple tunic. Pietro, who spends his spare time as a Roman Senator guides me through the museum section of the school and explains its history.
The "school", which is in fact more of an association of like-minded people passionate about the accurate education and re-enactment of Roman history, was founded in 1994 and counts 150 members. Calling themselves the Legio XI Claudia (after one of two legions raised by Julius Caesar for the Gallic invasions), they specialise in 1st Century AD Roman history and strive for maximum authenticity in all aspects of their education, costumes, weaponry and Roman life. Though their forte is unquestionably gladiator training, they count amongst their numbers Senators, Prefects, Legionnaires and Aristocratic Ladies.
The Visit: What Did the Romans Ever Do for Us?
It is a chilly January Rome evening so there are just two of us for Pietro to enthral with his history of the Romans on our way through the modest museum. I have been on several guided visits to the Colosseum, the Forum, Trajan's Market and other iconic Rome sites, but nothing compares to this. This frankly extremely modest collection of artefacts, weapons and costumes is for the next two hours brought to life through Pietro's incredible knowledge and passion.
He demonstrates the range of a miniature Roman ballista, which he himself built, and tells of the ups and downs of the Praetorian Guard designated as the body guard to the emperors. I am given the chance to wear a Roman Legionnaire helmet, arm myself with a shield and wield the short, but deadly gladius. I am shown how the rivets (one wooden, one iron) in a Roman spear, a pilum, would break upon impact allowing it to be used only once. Finally of course there are the gladiators themselves.
The Gladiators in Rome
Since that infamous morning of 264 BC, the Romans were hooked. They had already come into contact with gladiatorial-like combat as practised at funerals by the Etruscans, but as entertainment, this was novel. Gladiatorial fights were to remain a feature of everyday Roman life for the next five centuries. They were not a constant, however.
Certain Emperors such as Nero banned the games, whilst others such as Titus, Caligula and Commodus embraced them and even fought in the arenas in one form or another (though always with minimal risk to their own safety). I am shown the various weapons that the gladiators of Rome used to choose from and even given the chance to don a gladiator helmet. It turns out to be incredibly cumbersome and virtually blinding. Pietro explains that as opposed to protection it was in fact designed as a handicap. The Romans could be cruel.
The Training
However as darkness falls I can delay no longer and it's time to enter the arena of my gladiator school, or ludus, as the Romans called them. In true gladiator school style the floor is covered in sand (in fact the word "arena" comes from the word for sand or a sandy place). Once used to soak up the blood of man and beast alike, it is an ominous sign. I am issued with my tunic and wooden gladius sword. After the rebellion of Spartacus, the most famous of all gladiators in 73 BC, it was deemed too dangerous for the safety of the empire for any gladiators to be issued with the real thing until "safely" inside the arena. Two thousand years later it is a decision I am grateful for.
During the ensuing half an hour it is demonstrated in no uncertain terms just how long I would have lasted had this been for real. Not long! The five defensive counter-moves Pietro attempts to teach me soon become a muddle. As for attack, I am still too concerned about the implied loss of a limb I have just suffered every time it is my turn to go on the offensive. After a very uneven but truly unique and eye-opening experience Pietro shows mercy and gives me the thumbs up. Phew. With great pride I receive my certificate of Roman Citizenship as graduation from gladiator school and head off to fight another day. However, like the Romans who witnessed that very first encounter, as long as the swords remain wooden, I am hooked. Ave!
Myths About Roman Gladiators
Myth One: All Roman gladiators looked like Russell Crowe
The article " Roman Gladiators were fat vegetarians " based on research carried out by the Austrian Archaeological Institute and reported in April of 2004 by Robert Koch in News In Science has revealed Gladiators were in fact often fat vegetarians. A diet of barley, beans and dried fruit brought strength and a nice layer of protective fat should they get cut whilst fighting
Myth Two: All Roman gladiators were male
It has long been known there were female gladiators or "gladiatrix" (plural: "gladiatrices"). But they are generally thought to have fought only other gladiatrices or dwarfs. In fact they also fought men who had one arm tied behind their backs.
Myth Three: Thumbs up meant mercy
Controversial this one, but It now seems much more likely that a sort of downwards motion made as if sheathing one's sword meant salvation.
Myth Four: All Roman gladiators fought to the death
Once they became professional, gladiators were extremely unlikely to be killed in the arena. The years of training and feeding that had been invested in them made them simply too valuable. They were the superstars of the times and the Romans appreciated a good fight, not necessarily one to the death.
Myth Five: All Roman gladiators were slaves who were forced to fight
Some were, but the vast majority were criminals for whom opting into gladiator school (if lucky enough) represented a way out of Rome's overcrowded jails, where the average life expectancy was 3 years. Win ten fights (to the death) and they were free. Not great odds, but better than rotting in prison.
Practical Information
The Gruppo Storico Romano is best contacted directly by phone. The times of gladiator school are flexible and they can take anything from individuals up to groups of 30 people. The visit generally includes a brief visit to the museum followed by the actual gladiator training. Certificates of Roman Citizenship are issued upon completion. Training is in Italian or English.
Address:Gruppo Storico Romano Via Appia Antica 18
Contact: Tel 06/51607951 or email in advance ww.gsr-roma.com
Price: Varies according to the numbers. Contact the school directly for details
Children are welcome and, incredibly, courses of up to 5 months are also available.
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