Gladiators at PompeiiThe brutal, thrilling world of gladiators was a popular motif in the art of Pompeii, as this informative book demonstrates. Gladiators at Pompeii, illustrated with striking Pompeiian depictions of these ancient combatants, presents a complete picture of the gladiators of the Roman Empire and the highly organized and regulated tournaments in which they competed. Luciana Jacobelli reveals the latest evidence on the best-documented categories of gladiators, their origins, social status, equipment, and training. Originally staged for the funeral rights of prominent Roman citizens, gladiatorial games eventually became a tool for career politicians to both gain popularity and appease the often turbulent masses. While most gladiators were slaves or prisoners of war forced into a career of battle, others were criminals or free men from prominent families who aspired to fame and fortune. Surprisingly, there are even records of women gladiators. Gladiators at Pompeii offers a riveting account of the lives and exploits of these Roman warriors, who continue to capture and enthrall the popular imagination today. |
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amphitheater amphitheater at Pompeii Ampliatus animals Archeologico Nazionale inv arena armor Augustus Barracks cavea century A.D. Colosseum contest corridor decorated defeated depictions Dio Cassius duel duovir duoviri earthquake of A.D. edicta editor muneris emperor entrance epigraph excavation familia gladiatoria famous fight fighters FIGURE 58 Fiorelli fought fresco frieze funeral funerary galerus gladiatorial combat gladiatorial paintings gladiatorial spectacles graffiti helmet Herculaneum hoplomachus hypothesized inscription Juvenal lanista left leg Lucretius ludus magistrates Maiuri Maius manica marble munera munus murmillo Museo Archeologico Nazionale myth Naples Naturalis historia necropolis Nero Nero's net-fighter Nucerian Gate ocreae opponent pairs of gladiators Pompeian Pompeii probably quadriporticus rectangular shield relief representations retiarius riot Roman Rome Samnites Satrius Valens Satyricon scholars secutor slaves Sogliano Spartacus spectators subligaculum Suburban Baths Suetonius sword symbol tavern theaters Thracian Thraex tomb tunic type of gladiator Umbricius Scaurus velarium venationes victory wall weapons wild beasts