The Life of Gladiators in Rome

Roman gladiators are some of the most iconic characters in history and they have defined how we think of entertainment in ancient Rome. Their portrayal in films and through stories have turned them into archetypal legends who faced death on a daily basis – certainly something not to be taken lightly. The expectations of gladiators are incomparable to anything we see or do today, making their lives even more fascinating and yet inconceivable. We tend to associate gladiators with an image of blood, gore and brutality but we wanted to give them a bit more credit and explore the real history behind these characters to learn about what ‘being a gladiator’ was really like. The term gladiator is derived from the Latin gladiatores in reference to their weapon the gladius – short sword. Many historians believe the tradition of gladiator fighting dates back to the Etruscans who hosted the contests as part of religious rites of death. However, it’s been disputed that the contests were also to commemorate the deaths of distinguished aristocrats and wealthy nobles, forcing condemned prisoners to fight, with the act of combat and bravery representing to the virtues of those who had died. The sport of gladiator fighting ran for over 650 years – a proof of its popularity! Spanning throughout the Roman Empire it was a fixture in the Roman entertainment calendar from 105 BC to 404 AD and the games mainly remained unchanged bar a few small rules. Early on, most gladiators were condemned prisoners and slaves, who were sacrificed by their Emperors. Later, when the Coliseum opened in 80 AD, being a gladiator proved a lucrative career move and thanks to this change in trend, gladiator schools were set up to train these volunteer fighters, enticing free men with the hope of winning a stake of the prize money and ultimately, glory. These new fighters included retired soldiers, warriors and desperate men looking to make a living. Some were even knights and nobles who wanted to prove their pedigree and show off their fighting skills. Rome had three notable training schools, Capua being one of them for the calibre of gladiators it produced. Agents would scout for potential gladiators to try and persuade them to come and fight for their honour. These gladiator schools offered both safety and captivity, comparable to a prison with its gruelling schedule, yet offering the comfort and security of three hearty meals a day and the best possible medical attention. Although these men were free men, they had to live in shackles and were not allowed to speak at mealtimes but they were allowed to keep any rewards and money if they won a fight. Their diets consisted of protein and carbohydrates like barley porridge and cereals – with no option of wine, water only. Although the gladiators were fighting fit, most of them were a little on the round side as it was preferable to have some extra padding around the midsection to protect them from any serious damage from superficial wounds. Gladiators were an expensive investment for those who ran the gladiator schools, so it was preferable that the fighters did not die on the field – meaning they had to be strong enough to last more than one fight. Contrary to popular belief, not many gladiators actually fought to the death. Some historians say 1 in 5 died in battle, others 1 in 10, yet most only lived to their mid-twenties which compared to today’s average is shocking! However, it was also common place at fights held at the Coliseum for the Emperor to have the final say as to whether the combatants lived or died – often invoking the opinions of the audience to help decide on the matter. So whether you fought well or not, your fate could lie ultimately in the hands of your ruler. When we think of gladiators in ancient Rome we tend to stereotype and think of men; warriors or slaves. But interestingly female slaves were also forced into the pit to fight alongside their male counterparts, or as Emperor Domitian preferred, to face them against dwarves for his particular entertainment. Women fought in gladiator fights for 200 years until Emperor Septimius Severus banned their participation from these blood thirsty games. The brave, strong gladiators not only had their strength to bring into the pit but also their swords. The type of armour and weapons they fought with depended on their social ranking as a gladiator. There were four main classes of gladiator: the Samnite, Thracian, Myrmillo and Retiarius. The Samnites were equipped with a short sword (gladius), rectangular shield (scutum), a graeve (ocrea) and a helmet. The Thracians fought with a curved short sword (sica) and a very small square or round shield (parma). The Myrmillo gladiators were nicknamed ‘fishmen’ as they wore a fish-shaped crest on their helmets and also carried a short sword and shield, like the Samnites, but their armour consisted only of padding on arm and leg. Finally, the Retiarius were the most exposed of all, with no helmet or armour other than a padded shoulder piece, and whose defence included a weighted net used to entangle the opponent and a trident. Although gladiators may have seemed well equipped, the strength and courage it must have taken to step into battle and face death on a regular occurrence is unfathomable. We can be grateful that this brutal form of entertainment came to an end in 404 AD thanks to the Emperor Honorius who closed down the gladiator schools, years before. Who knows when this diversion might have ended had he not have stepped in and called it a day? Learning that the majority of gladiators weren’t actually slaves, but free men who had volunteered for a slice of glory and winnings, makes gladiator fighting seem all the more bizarre and barbaric; opting into a blood battle over traditional forms of trade and commerce. However, it doesn’t take away from the pedestal on which we will always place them – venerating those who survived as heroes and legends of their time. But in the context of the 21st century, I think it’s safe to say that this is one sporting game we’re glad hasn’t come around again!

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Rome's top three museums for art and history

A visit to Rome is rich in culture, history and tradition. Any visitor will fall in love with the city and be overwhelmed by the deep running traditions and heritage of the Roman people. There’s no better place to experience this than by visiting the wealth of museums within Rome, accessible with your Roma Pass and OMNIA Card. Both cultural and historical, there are museums that exhibit the city’s artistic and social past. We thought we’d look at top three and share with you why they are must-sees: Vatican Museums Arguably the most famous museums in Rome, the Vatican Museums are a cultural pilgrimage as much as a religious one. Set in the Vatican City they are home to some of the most priceless art and sculptures in the world. This vast set of interconnecting museums measure over 9 miles, so you’re best to dedicate a good half day to exploring the departments and salas at leisure. Some of the highlights of the museum include the Papal Throne, the Sistine Chapel, and various galleries displaying ancient statues, busts, maps and tapestries. Its 1,400 rooms are brimming with art dating back from Ancient Egypt to the 20th century. So there’s something for everyone. Obviously there’s a deep spiritual undercurrent and theme behind all the works collected and on display in the Vatican Museums so visitors can learn about the Papal history and Roman Catholic influence over art works through the ages. Some of the artists featured in this renowned museum are Michelangelo – who’s Last Judgement can’t be missed – Raphael and Bernini, among others. National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo This fortified castle, and mausoleum, is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks and sits impressively on the northern bank of the River Tiber. The National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and is otherwise known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. Interlinked with the Vatican – there’s a secret passage underground that links the two together once used for papal refuge – the museum of Castel Sant’Angelo is home to Papal apartments of the (infamous) Borgia Pope Alexander VI and display the lavish decorations and furniture collected by these heads of the Church. Visitors can also admire the Hall of Urns where it’s believed the ashes of Hadrian are kept, symbolically, right in the centre of the stronghold. Capitoline Museums Rome’s Capitoline Museums are some of the best collections of ancient Roman art and archaeology. Originally built as the ‘people’s museum’ it’s also believed to be the first museum in Rome – and the world’s oldest national museums – founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV. One of the many highlights of the collection is Rome’s national symbol, the She Wolf and Romulus and Remus. The collections also contain ancient sculptures, statues, sarcophagi, mosaics and ruins of ancient dwellings from the Roman Forum. Set within three buildings, there is so much to be discovered about Rome’s rich history and culture – as well as Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek cultures. The Capitoline Museums give visitors a unique insight into Rome’s important history and you won’t be disappointed! With the Roma Pass you can get free entry into the Capitoline Museums and the Museum of Rome for free and many other historic sites like the Coliseum and the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill at a discounted price.
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Happy Halloween horror tour of Ancient Rome

You don’t normally associate the pagan festival of Halloween to the holy Catholic city of Rome, however, if you are looking for something spooky while you’re in Rome then look no further. We’ve compiled a list of our top five scariest spots across the city for you to get your fix. Just don’t blame us if it’s too frightening... Capuchin Crypt of Bones Just off Piazza Barberini, this eerie church is not one to be missed if you’re into bone-chilling experiences – pardon the pun. Located underneath the church is a crypt decorated with the bones of 4,000 monks from the Capuchin order, dating back to 1631. The bones were used decoratively to line the walls of the church and later the friars were to bury their own dead to continue the tradition. This impressive ossury is divided into five chapels and visitors are guided by natural light and low lit candles, adding to the eerie experience. Some might say it’s a macabre work of art, as the bones have been laid out in various designs and orders. You’ll notice some of the skeletons have been draped in the old Capuchin robes and look down at you from their place on the wall. Catacombs of St Callixtus These catacombs contain some of Rome’s most important martyrs and popes of Ancient Rome. It wasn’t until the first half of the second century that bodies were even buried underground, so these catacombs hold significant importance as being the first place to bury Christians all in one, joint place, together in tombs. The Catacombs of St Callixtus cover 90 acres and there are over 12 miles of pathways to explore, down four levels, over 20meters underground... Look out for the “little Vatican” the area where all the popes are buried; the crypt and statue of St Cecilia, patron of music, and also the ancient frescoes which decorate the walls. The Vatican Necropolis Found in the Vatican City, the Vatican Necropolis is the burial ground of the majority of, and the more recent, popes and is a hugely important place for Romans and Catholics to this day. Underneath St Peter’s Basilica, the catacombs are open to the public for you to walk through the tombs. Don’t miss the ‘graffiti wall’ which contains a number of ancient Latin scribbles, either. Some of the oldest tombs date back to the 3rd century and you’ll even be able to see the tombs of Apostle Peter, Circus Nero and Gaius of Rome. Museum of Purgatory Take the spook-scale up a notch to the Museum of Purgatory, a tiny room inside Sacra Cuore Suffragio (the Church of the Scared Heart). It’s believed that Father Jouet, a French missionary priest, saw a man’s face in the flames when a painting of the Virgin Mary caught fire, and he believed it was a soul whose body was buried on that spot, stuck in purgatory. So Jouet decided to build a church to pay tribute to all those souls. Many people haven’t heard of the Museum of Purgatory so you'll probably be the only visitors there at one time. Whether you believe in purgatory or not, it’s worth a visit just to see the artefacts on display that claim to be evidence of souls trapped, trying to get out.... Monster House If you need something slightly less scary and a bit more lighthearted, head up to the Spanish Steps where you can see the open mouthed door of the nicknamed Monster House. Although visitors aren’t allowed to enter the house, once owned by two baroque painters, the Zuccari brothers, you can stand outside and admire the bizarre entrance. In 1592 the Zuccaris decided it would be comical (one would assume?) to decorate their house with gaping mouthed windows and doors. Here you can see the giant features set in stone which, on a dark night, are somewhat less comfortable to look at...
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Our Guide to Unique Buildings in Rome

From ancient works to modern standouts, here's the most unique buildings in Rome Stroll around Rome for the day and you'll be faced with architectural marvel after architectural marvel, with gigantic churches, elaborate fountains and skyscrapers tied together in a harmonious (if not slightly chaotic) network of narrow streets and crowds of people. If you've only got a few days in the city and you're a bit of an architectural buff, it's worth listing down some of the most beautiful buildings in Rome to save on time - check them out below. Colosseum Were you even remotely surprised the Colosseum made the list? As one of the biggest architectural marvels in Rome, this gigantic Flavian stadium dates all the way back to 70-80AD and still looks like it's in pretty good nick. While gladiators and wild animals once played out gory scenes on its sands, it now serves as a popular tourist attraction for history buffs and large scale concerts and the occasional religious ceremony is held here nowadays. Castel St Angelo This stark fortress on the River Tiber is impossible to miss and has a colourful history with separate lives as a final resting place, battleground and papal residence. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian to serve as his mausoleum, the cylindrical fortress became a crucial military and papal residence since it happens to be nearby the Vatican City. The iconic angel statue that sits atop it was only added in 590AD after Pope Gregory was visited by a vision of Archangel Michael while the city was entrenched with plague, which he believed hailed the end of the epidemic. St Peter's Basilica Arrive at St Peter's Basilica at the right time and you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis in one of its upstairs windows, reciting prayers to an attentive crowd below. It's said to be built above the final resting place of Peter the Apostle, one of Jesus' most trusted disciples, and Christians from all over the world travel to pay their respects at one of the holiest sites on earth. For those who aren't so religiously inclined, the Basilica is an unforgettable site with the likes of Michelangelo working on its iconic dome and architects like Donato Bramante, Carlo Moderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini bringing it to life. MAXXI Designed by architectural superstar Zaha Hadid, MAXXI houses some of the most seminal works of the 21st century and is itself a work of art. Its gorgeous slick and sloping lines weren't predetermined however as the Ministry of Cultural Heritage actually ran an architectural competition, after which the winners' design would be made a reality and Zaha Hadid secured the prestigious project. As a stark juxtaposition to the city's range of ancient Roman buildings, it's a vision of modern Rome that the emperors of old would hardly have been able to dream of. Pantheon Thousands of people flock to the Pantheon every year to see the glory of ancient Roman architecture, with its ivory facade, broad dome and tall imposing columns setting the bar. As a relic of Emperor Hadrian's era, it was commissioned by the ruler and later finished in 126AD to worship a number of Roman gods - though it later became a church, then the tourist attraction it is today. Church of 2000 If you've just about had enough of traditional churches out in the Vatican City, American architect Richard Meier's modern take on the religious place of worship is a breath of fresh air. As the same man who designed the Ara Pacis museum, the Church of 2000 has the same graphic design sensibility with bisected shapes and walls of glass playing into the structure. Its three gigantic curving shells contrasted with the sharp blocks of the main church hall are a pleasing
Megan Hills

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