giovedì 17 aprile 2025
Cosa avrebbe dovuto fare l'impero romano per arrivare ai giorni nostri
martedì 6 agosto 2024
THOSE ABOUT TO DIE TV SERIES - Complete Historical Analysis
Now that I have finished watching all the episodes of this TV series, I can assess its historical accuracy: overall, I would rate it a 3 out of 10. Indeed, there are numerous and serious historical inaccuracies; let's analyze the main ones.
GLADIATOR FIGHTS
Firstly, it should be noted that no one, not even slaves, had to pay to attend the games or shows in general (as depicted in the TV series). The social hierarchy was respected by the allocation of seats (political figures sat in the front row; wealthy citizens behind them; further back the poorer citizens, and in the last row, the slaves).
A gladiator could be a slave, a prisoner of war, or even a Roman citizen in economic difficulties seeking social-economic redemption. Each gladiator was a significant investment for their owner (they had to provide food, lodging, and training). For this reason, during gladiatorial fights, it was more common for both combatants to leave the arena alive. Fights to the death were exceptional occurrences. (In the TV series, it seems that both surviving is the exception).
It is also worth noting that every fight had a referee who could stop the match if any situations compromised a fair fight (e.g., equipment malfunctions or defects not caused by the fight). There could not be scenarios where, as shown in the series, two gladiators were chained or blackmailed like simple slaves. Furthermore, the series does not feature any referee figures.
A gladiator could not kill his opponent without the authorization of the Emperor or the games' organizer. (In the series, at least in one fight, the gladiator Flamma kills his opponent without receiving any indication from anyone).
The gestures indicating the death or pardon of a gladiator did not involve the classic thumbs up or thumbs down. Most likely, the gesture for "life" involved showing the thumb and then putting it into a fist (as if sheathing a sword); the gesture for death probably involved showing the thumb simulating a sword slash. (In the series, the stereotypical thumbs down gesture is shown).
The same fame that today's Serie A footballers have was attributed to the strongest gladiators back then.
THE WORLD OF CHARIOT RACES
Unlike what happens in the TV series (especially in the first half), it seems that during these races, there were practically no crashes or "dirty tricks." In reality, there were no rules during the race, and the charioteers did everything to win and to stay alive: cutting off, ramming, and whipping both the horses and the other charioteers were common and perfectly legal actions.
Contrary to what is suggested in the TV series, betting on races and any other gambling was absolutely forbidden! The bets we see in the TV series are therefore all clandestine and illegal. (For more on gambling in Rome, see the post "Gambling in Ancient Rome"). The large business generated by betting and gambling, in general, was such a big phenomenon that Rome's magistrates tended to turn a blind eye to these activities, which, however, were never conducted openly.
It is almost unnecessary to say that, unlike what is shown in the series, charioteers did not have lockers with their names inside the baths or their "box."
VARIOUS ASPECTS
In the TV series, we see (or rather, infer) that Emperor Titus is killed by a group of men under the command of Domitian and Tenax. In reality, Titus probably died of malaria in one of his country villas, two years after coming to power. Some believe he might have been poisoned by his doctor, in that same estate.
The show depicts Vesuvius as a mountain from which a pyroclastic flow erupts. In reality, before that tremendous eruption, Vesuvius as a mountain did not exist; the area appeared flat to the Pompeians of that time.
Contrary to what is shown in the series, the Vestals did not have the power to free a slave; they could request a pardon for a condemned person.
In one of the final episodes, we see the Colosseum filled with water. This fact is historically documented, but the show presented to the spectators was a scaled-down representation of an ancient naval battle between Rome and one of its historical enemies. The crews of Rome's enemy fleet were made up of condemned criminals, while Rome's fleet consisted of capable sailors from the Roman army. For more info on naval battle shows, see the post "The Naval Battle Shows."
Bibliography:
- Silvano Mattesini - Gladiatori - Archeos editore
- Konstantin Nossov - Gladiatori, sangue e spettacolo nell'antica Roma - Libreria Editrice Goriziana
- J.H. Humphrey - Roman Circuses
lunedì 5 agosto 2024
Main military ranks of the imperial roman army
ROLE |
RANK |
ADDITIONAL INFO |
Recruit |
Tiro |
- |
Private |
Miles |
- |
Engineers; gunners; administrative staff |
Immunes |
Soldiers chosen for their specific skills |
Trumpeters and horn players |
Cornicen, Buccinator e Tubicem |
They transmitted commands with the sounds of their instruments |
He carried the flag of the century, the cohort and the maniple |
Vexilifer |
It visually indicated the direction to follow to its reference structure |
Bearer of the Legion's symbol |
Signifer |
He had to defend this symbol to the death |
Bearer of the Eagle, symbol of the army |
Aquilifer |
He had to defend the Eagle to the death |
Vice centurion |
Optio |
He was supposed to replace the centurion |
Chief of a Century |
Centurio |
- |
Highest centurion |
Primus Pilus |
Expert centurion |
Head of the military camp |
Praefectus castrorum | Experienced former Centurion |
Direct subordinates of the deputy commander of the Legion |
Tribuni angusticlavi |
Citizens belonging to the order of Knights (rich people those were not members of the elite) |
Deputy Commander of the Legion |
Tribunus Laticlavius |
Young senator |
Commander of the Legion |
Legatus legionis |
Senator |
Bibliography:
I principali gradi militari dell'età imperiale
RUOLO |
GRADO |
INFO AGGIUNTIVE |
Recluta |
Tiro |
- |
Soldato semplice |
Miles |
- |
Ingegneri; artiglieri; personale amministrativo |
Immunes |
Soldati scelti per le loro specifiche abilità. Esentati dai lavori più pesanti |
Trombettisti e suonatori di corno |
Cornicen, Buccinator e Tubicem |
Scandivano i comandi con i suoni dei loro strumenti |
Portava il vessillo della centuria, della coorte e del manipolo |
Vexilifer |
Indicava visivamente la direzione da seguire alla propria struttura di riferimento |
Portatore del simbolo della legione |
Signifer |
Doveva difendere il simbolo fino alla morte |
Portatore dell'Aquila, simbolo dell'esercito |
Aquilifer |
Doveva difendere l'Aquila fino alla morte |
Vice centurione |
Optio |
- |
Capo di una centuria |
Centurio |
- |
Centurione più alto in grado |
Primus Pilus |
Centurione esperto |
Responsabile dell'accampamento militare |
Praefectus castrorum |
Ex centurione esperto |
Sottoposti diretti del vice comandante della Legione |
Tribuni angusticlavi |
Cittadini dell'ordine equestre |
Vice comandante Legione |
Tribunus Laticlavius |
Senatore giovane |
Comandante Legione |
Legatus legionis |
Senatore |
Bibliografia:
- Storia completa dell'esercito romano di Adrian Goldsworthy
- L'esercito di Roma di Chris McNab
domenica 4 agosto 2024
SERIE TV THOSE ABOUT TO DIE: ANALISI STORICA GLOBALE
venerdì 26 luglio 2024
SERIE TV THOSE ABOUT TO DIE - ANALISI STORICA Parte 2
Riprendiamo l'analisi storica delle principali vicende della serie TV THOSE ABOUT TO DIE.
Parliamo ora delle corse dei carri nell'antica Roma, confrontandola con la realtà fittizia dello show.
- Cominciamo con il dire che erano effettivamente presenti le 4 fazioni che vediamo gareggiare: gli azzurri, i rossi, i bianchi e i verdi. Ogni squadra aveva come proprietario/proprietari dei ricchi cittadini romani. I "piloti", gli aurighi, erano degli schiavi addestrati allo scopo, ma potevano anche essere dei cittadini romani in condizioni di necessità che cercavano fortuna tramite questo mestiere. Infatti potevano ottenere una discreta fortuna dal giro di scommesse sulle corse dei carri.
- Il giro delle scommesse, assolutamente illegali (erano consentite solo in occasione di particolari feste religiose; per maggiori informazioni sul gioco di azzardo nella Roma antica si veda il post dedicato Il gioco d'azzardo nella Roma antica), credo si possa ritenere abbastanza ben rappresentato.
- Anche il "mercato" dei diversi aurighi tra le varie fazioni è realistico, come lo è altrettanto vedere la folla che acclama l'auriga Scorpus come una star. In effetti i gladiatori e gli aurighi di successo erano considerati delle star come i calciatori del giorno d'oggi. Pensate che si arrivava a vendere il sangue o il sudore del tal gladiatore.
- La rappresentazione delle corse, sempre rimanendo nell'ambito delle prime 4 puntate, sono state rappresentate praticamente senza scontri tra gli aurighi. Nella realtà questi erano molto frequenti, dato che non c'erano praticamente regole. Frustate, sia all'auriga che ai cavalli degli avversari, erano comuni, così come gli scontri tra i diversi carri.
- È quasi inutile dire che, diversamente da quello che si vede nello show, gli aurighi non avevano armadietti con i nominativi all'interno delle terme o del loro "box".
giovedì 25 luglio 2024
Historically analyse of Those aboute to die. Part 1
Recently, I started watching the TV series 'Those About to Die,' which is about Rome under the rule of the Flavian dynasty. Initially, it narrates some events that take place under Emperor Vespasian. Gladiator fights and chariot races are shown, both in the Circus Maximus, while waiting for the completion of the Colosseum.
Let's begin by analyzing from a historical perspective the few gladiator fights I've seen in the first four episodes. I have to say that I noticed several gross errors:
- First of all, it should be noted that not all fights ended with the death of one of the contenders. This was quite rare; and do you know why? Not out of a sense of pity for those human beings, but for financial reasons. A gladiator was a significant investment in terms of food, lodging, and training. It was unacceptable to lose a number of such properties equal to the number of matches that would take place. Note: do not confuse gladiators with those who were condemned to death and forced to fight to the death among themselves, against one or more soldiers, or even against wild beasts. These poor souls were doomed to certain death regardless.
- Gladiator fights had some rules and a referee, or "togado" judge. In case of breakage or malfunction, not caused by the fight, of one of the gladiator's equipment, they could request a temporary suspension of the fight. This possibility was also granted in other cases where situations unrelated to the fight could determine the outcome of the match itself.
- The outcome of the fight was decided only by the Emperor. This outcome was influenced by the "togado" judge or by the reactions of the audience, who shouted either 'missus' (save him) or 'iugula' (kill him). In no case, as happens in the TV series, would a gladiator have killed his opponent before the final judgment.
- While it is true that there were cases of fights between gladiators of the same type, as shown so far in the TV series, it was much more common to see fights between two different types of gladiators.