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.

Bibliography

"Gladiators" book by Silvano Mattesini