GLADIATORS IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE WHAT WERE GLADIATORS

GLADIATORS IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE

WHAT WERE GLADIATORS FOR AND WHAT DID THEY DO? TRUE OR FALSE! GLADIATORS BATTLED OTHER GLADIATORS TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE GLADIATORS FOUGHT ANIMALS TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE ONLY SLAVES WERE ALLOWED TO BE GLADIATORS WERE WORTH A LOT OF MONEY GLADIATORS OFTEN WENT ON HOLIDAY WHENEVER THEY LIKED

TRUTH GLADIATORS BATTLED OTHER GLADIATORS TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE GLADIATORS FOUGHT ANIMALS TO ENTERTAIN PEOPLE FALSE GLADIATORS WERE WORTH A LOT OF MONEY ONLY SLAVES WERE ALLOWED TO BE GLADIATORS OFTEN WENT ON HOLIDAY WHENEVER THEY LIKED

SO, WHERE DID GLADIATORS COME FROM?

THE ETRUSCANS AND FUNERALS GLADIATORS WERE CREATED BY PEOPLE CALLED THE ETRUSCANS. THEY HAD GLADIATORS AT FUNERALS TO ENTERTAIN THE GUEST.

THE FIRST ROMAN GLADIATORS THE ROMANS LIKED THE IDEA SO THEY ALSO HAD GLADIATORS AT THEIR FUNERALS. ONE DAY, A RICH FAMILY HAD OVER 200 GLADIATORS FIGHT IN THE MARKET SO THAT EVERYBODY COULD WATCH.

Roman Gladiators • There were different kinds of Gladiator who all fought in their own way

The Provocator • Was meant to be like the army • Broad, tall shield. • Short sword for quick fast motion. • Do you remember Titus’ sword? • Lightly armoured. • Only fought other Provocators.

The Eques • Eques only fought other eques, like the Provocator. • Would often ride on horseback with a lance. • Wore tunics. • Early on they were fully armoured.

Thraex • One of the most popular kinds of gladiator. • The Thraex carried a small square or rectangular shield made of wood. • Curved sword for getting around opponents shields. • Wore protective shin guards because of his small shield. • Always had a griffin on their Shield.

The Hoplomachus • Very similar to the Thraex. • Wore shinguards, had a similar helmet and a small shield. • His shield was a smaller bronze shield though which allowed him to carry two weapons. • He would also carry a spear, this was rare in the area as people wanted to see close up fighting. • He needed two weapons so that he could still fight if he lost his spear.

The Murmillo • One of the most famous types of gladiator. • Had a tall broad shield and a sword similar to the Provocator. • He also had armour running down one arm. This meant that he could move in close while fighting and still be protected. • He had a lot of heavy equipment so could get worn out. • His shield always had a picture of a fish on it.

The Retiarius • Another famous type of gladiator. • Very little armour. • They used a net and trident combination. • They were very quick and would tire their opponents. • They would catch the opponent in their net and while they were helpless attack with the trident.

FIGHTS FOR POPULARITY AND POWER SOON, GLADIATORS BECAME VERY IMPORTANT. PEOPLE WANTED TO BE POPULAR BECAUSE POPULARITY MEANT POWER. A WAY TO BE POPULAR WAS TO GET A LOT OF GLADIATORS TO FIGHT!

SOON, GLADIATORS WERE THE MAIN SPORT TO WATCH IN ROME. BIG ARENAS WERE BUILT TO HAVE GLADIATORS FIGHT IN THEM!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF GLADIATORS AFTER A WHILE, PEOPLE GOT BORED OF WATCHING MEN AND WOMEN FIGHT EACH OTHER. THE ROMANS LOOKED AT WAYS TO MAKING THE GAMES MORE ENTERTAINING FOR THE AUDIENCES.

THE ROMANS HAD BATTLES BASED ON HISTORICAL EVENTS

THEY HAD BATTLES AGAINST WILD ANIMALS SUCH AS LIONS, TIGERS, ELEPHANTS AND BEARS!

THEY WOULD EVEN FLOOD THE ARENAS AND HAVE PEOPLE FIGHTING ON BOATS!

SOON, GLADIATORS BECAME VERY POPULAR BUT NOT EVERYBODY WAS HAPPY. ONE OF THESE PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HAPPY WAS A GLADIATOR NAMED SPARTACUS!

Make your own Roman Swords