"How to Survive as a Roman Gladiator." Topic

"In many ways a Roman Gladiator was a bit like a Big Brother Contestant. By which I don't mean that in the Big Brother household they are battling to the death with Gladius in hand (although perhaps they should be, Channel 5 take note). Instead I mean that Gladiators were both loved and despised just like the fast fading celebrity who finds themselves in the midst of the Big Brother household. You can't help but think of the average BB contestant as being someone you totally dislike but at the same time you just can't bring yourself to turn the TV off (even when they've just spent the last 10 minutes screaming at someone for eating the last of the coco pops).

Gladiators were idolised. They were the sporting hero of their time. A baby oiled titan. And yet they were hated in the same breath, they were slaves, and much lower status than virtually everyone else in Roman society (apart from the actors, they were real scum). If you were unfortunate enough to become a Gladiator (unless you wanted to be one, free Romans were often drawn to the danger and excitement of the arena although they would of course keep their identities a secret so as not to embarrass their families) then you had to work hard to survive. Balancing both being really good at fighting with having the charisma necessary to win over the crowd.

How did they do this? What top tips would they have shared in order to be triumphant?…"
Full article here
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Amicalement
Armand

As Gannicus said in Spartacus. "There is only one way to be champion. Never ****ing lose!"

(smile)

Amicalement
Armand