Roman Gladiators:

Gladiators (from the Latin gladius, meaning 'sword') were professional fighters in ancient Rome who fought against each other, wild animals, and condemned criminals, often to the death, for the entertainment of spectators. These fights, originated by the Etruscans, took place in the Colosseum and other arenas in many cities during the Roman republic and Empire.

The attitude of most Romans towards gladiators was ambivalent: on one hand, the gladiators were slaves with the lowest status; but, if successful, some gladiators became celebrities.

Despite the extreme dangers of the profession, a few gladiators were volunteers (called auctorati) who fought for money to resolve their own financial troubles. These fighters were also highly trained. Indeed, their combat skills were such that, when he had no alternative, Gaius Marius had gladiators train the legionaries in single combat.

The Texas Gladiators:

We have begun a Gladiator School in Central Texas. We use the same shapes and styles of weapons as the historical gladiators, and as best we can, we use their same tactics and techniques.

One difference, however, is that while our weapons are shaped the same, they are made of non-lethal materials, so nobody really gets injured. Our swords and spear points are made from stiff wool felt, and we wear protective equipment for eyes and other tender areas. We strive to use the same types of clothing, armor, and shields as the originals, and practice together at intervals to develop an informative, enjoyable presentation. We are Gladiators for Hire for events and parties, gatherings, meetings, or other special occassions.

With the greeting of "Ave, Caesar, morituri te salutant" (Hail, Caesar, they who are about to die salute you), we at the Familia Gladiatoria Aquila (The Eagle Gladiator Family) invite you to contact us if you live in the Central Texas area, to find out when we will have our next public display, or perhaps to come join us at our outdoor practice sessions and try your hand at vanquishing our champions! Men and women over 18 are encouraged to join, and we have discussed the possibility of creating a junior group of younger warriors. Interested? Email Aries at aries@theromanway.org.

Our members recommend these books on Roman Gladiators:

	Gladiators and Caesars: The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome, by Eckart Kohne and Cornelia Ewigleben The definitive work on Gladiators in the Roman World, from Republic to the end of the Empire. Good photos of museum pieces, reenacted warriors, and construction techniques for reproducing the gear. Deals not just with combat, but with the politics of the Caesars who staged the games and built the great arenas. ~Vespa		Gladiators 100 BC - AD 200, by Stephen Wisdom, illustrated by Angus McBride Lavishly illustrated Osprey book. Looks at informative statues, mosaics and sculptures from the Gladiator era. Quick overview of the schools, styles and training, along with general descriptions of their equipment and lifestyle. Typical of the Warrior series, not all the illustrations are historically precise, but the flavor and style is plain enough. Many items are shown in component part sketches, facilitating reconstruction. ~Vespa
	Gladiators, by Michael Grant A short, detailed look at life in the ludus (school) and the effects of gladiatorial games on the public well-being in Ancient Rome. A quick read, and not terribly technical, nor filled with much untranslated Latin. Very easy to see what happened in a Gladiatorial bout, and how the differerent categories of Gladiators interacted with each other. ~Vespa		Colosseum: Rome's Arena of Death, by Peter Connolly A history of arenas and their purposes in general, but focussing on the Flavian Ampitheater in Rome, now called the Colosseum. Discusses the construction, improvement, and underground works of the Great Arena, along with good, solid information about various other aspects of Gladiatorial life and death. Excellent details of some of the equipment. Some discussion of reenactors' attempts at reconstructing these pieces of gear. Accompanies a BBC history television series. ~Vespa

You may also browse our complete list of recommendations.