Реферат: The Rise Of Gladiatorial Combat In Rome

collosseum helped to mold renaissance styles. In the eight century they said

that:

As long as it stands,

Rome will stand;

when it falls, Rome will fall;

when Rome falls, the world will fall

The colosseum has often been raided, but has never fallen. It has been made to

serve many purposes, many of which are ironic. These have included sacred

occasions, church services, and plays. Thus through all the depredation the

colosseum has faced over the years inside and outside of the arena, this

indestructible building still towers over the city today. (13:230)

The Gladiator in Society

The reputation of gladiators in the eyes of the public was curiously

mixed. For one thing they were feared. Society was never able to forget for

very long that the gladiators were a potential danger to society. So, of course

were the masses of slaves in general, and that is why their crimes were so

savagely punished, if one slaved murdered his master, the whole household had to

die. But by training the gladiators they spared the rest of the slaves family,

and forced him to fight for his life in front of the community he violated.

Moreover their legal and moral position in the community was one of complete

shame. When a gladiator was killed, his corpse was not permitted honorable to

be buried, unless it was claimed by his family or a friend. (9:91)

However there is ample proof of the admiration and indeed excitement

that the gladiators aroused. Gladiators became so ingrained in the Roman mind

and soul that they believed in superstitions that resulted from munera. It was

believed that the warm blood of a slaughtered gladiator would cure epilepsy.

When newly married women, parted their hair with a gladiators spear, it brought

good luck if this had belonged to a man mortally wounded in the arena. (8:276)

Gladiators were also seen highly upon by women, graffiti at the Pompeii