Death
Contrary to popular belief, Roman gladiators did not always die when they lost a fight or a match. Low level gladiators, noxii, always died because they were sentenced to death, but high level gladiator were loved by the people, so their losses did not always result in death. The sponsor of the fight, or the emperor if present, would choose if a defeated gladiator would live or die. But, the audience tried to sway the decision. Thumbs up and shouting “mitte” meant let the gladiator go.Thumbs down and shouting “lugula” meant kill the gladiator. Ultimately, it was up to the sponsor or the emperor to decide. If death was chosen, the defeated gladiator was expected to calmly and unflinchingly accept death. Most gladiators died from a single, powerful, final blow, so their deaths were swift. When a Gladiator was injured, they would be treated by Rome’s finest doctors. Most Gladiators had one big wound, instead of multiple small ones. Doctors at the time were good with external wounds, which could be easily treated, however internal wounds were hard to treat, leading to complicated surgery or sometimes death.
Funerals
When noxii, low level gladiators, died, their bodies were not carefully disposed of, as they were either burned or thrown in a river. Sometimes low level gladiators were buried, however they were buried in mass graves with other noxii who died. However high level gladiators were buried with treasures from their lives. They could be buried with money, jewels, and/or family. As an act of respect, other gladiators would pay for the funeral of the gladiator who died. If a gladiator died, often the sponsor of the games he or she died in would have to pay the family money as a condolence. |
Freedom
Occasionally a gladiator would be freed from their service upon certain conditions. Sometimes they would be freed after an extremely good or historic fight, although this was more uncommon. Usually a gladiator would be freed after a prolonged service, usually after 3 to 5 years. The audience would start to shout if they want someone to be freed, but it is up to the Munerarius or editor of the match to give the final decision. To signify the freeing of a gladiator they would receive a wooden sword called a rudis during a ceremony which is held after their fight. A freed gladiator is referred to as a Rudiarius. After Freedom
Once a gladiator was freed they commonly picked from a few options on what to do now in their life. They could retire from work and try to live off of all of the money they earned as a gladiator. They could become a bodyguard for a rich roman, or a roman official. They could train new gladiators in a gladiatorial school. They could become a referee for future gladiatorial matches. They could continue to fight in hopes of fortune and fame. And finally, they could take jobs from the public to fight at parties in order to entertain. |
Sources
Ancient History Encyclopedia: http://www.ancient.eu/gladiator/
The Death of Gladiators: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/gladiators/death-of-a-gladiator.htm
The Roman Gladiator: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/gladiators/gladiators.htm
Gladiators and Freedom: http://www.warriorsandlegends.com/gladiators/gladiators-and-freedom/
Murderous Games: Gladiatorial Contests in Ancient Rome: http://www.historytoday.com/keith-hopkins/murderous-games-gladiatorial-contests-ancient-rome
Did gladiators always fight to the death?: http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/did-gladiators-always-fight-to-the-death
Colosseum: a Gladiator's story (movie)
Gladiators: Historyextra.com: http://www.historyextra.com/article/feature/gladiators-facts-ancient-rome
Gladiators and Freedom: http://www.warriorsandlegends.com/gladiators/gladiators-and-freedom/
Ancient History Encyclopedia: http://www.ancient.eu/gladiator/
The Death of Gladiators: http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/gladiators/death-of-a-gladiator.htm
The Roman Gladiator: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/gladiators/gladiators.htm
Gladiators and Freedom: http://www.warriorsandlegends.com/gladiators/gladiators-and-freedom/
Murderous Games: Gladiatorial Contests in Ancient Rome: http://www.historytoday.com/keith-hopkins/murderous-games-gladiatorial-contests-ancient-rome
Did gladiators always fight to the death?: http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/did-gladiators-always-fight-to-the-death
Colosseum: a Gladiator's story (movie)
Gladiators: Historyextra.com: http://www.historyextra.com/article/feature/gladiators-facts-ancient-rome
Gladiators and Freedom: http://www.warriorsandlegends.com/gladiators/gladiators-and-freedom/