PATAYAN SA ROMAN ARENA! ANG MGA MANDIRIGMA NG COLOSSEUM: ANG MGA GLADIATOR

You are inside a dark building, waiting for the door to open. You are trying to calm yourself down but your heart is beating so fast. After a long wait, the door finally opens and you are greeted by a loud scream. You walk towards the arena to face your fellow gladiator in a fight to the death. The scenario you just heard is a common beginning of gladiatorial fights during the Roman era. For this episode, we will tell the story of notorious but fierce gladiators. But before that, I would like to greet our comrade Vijay Jeliegue Muel Palek of Banga, South Cotabato Vincent Maredo Fox Nujain Channel of Marawi Richard Manalo of Bicol Leo Gian Paclibar Millori Works of Cebu Angelo Sabanto of Dasmariñas Cavite GTR Vijay of Ballarat, Australia and Robert Yu of Vicenza, Italy Thank you so much comrades for your unwavering support to our channel. If you want a shoutout in our next episode, just comment below and tell us what is your favorite historical event. Gladiators are warriors trained to fight in the arena to meet the needs of the Romans in fierce entertainment. Gladiators used to be superior to current athletes such as boxers, UFC fighters, and basketball players but their work is more bloody and can lead to death. But how did this culture start? The term gladiator comes from the word gladius, the traditional Roman sword. Therefore, gladiator means a person who uses gladius. The history of gladiators began almost 200 years before the time of Julius Caesar. According to ancient historian Levi, the first gladiator fight took place in 264 BCE as a ritual for the death of an important person in Rome. This is because the ancient Romans believed that each had a debt to the gods and could be paid by the bloodshed from the battles. In this first battle, three pairs of slaves fought until death. Subsequently, it became part of the culture of the rich people in Rome to honor the important people who died or for important events. One example of this is when they started a gladiatorial fight when they were defeated in the Battle of Cannae. In this battle, the Romans surrounded the Carthaginians and defeated them. To ask for help from the gods, several pairs of slaves and gladiators fought until death. Up to 105 BCE, several politicians brought and showed gladiator and demonstration fights in the city of Rome. It was well-liked by the audience, both ordinary and high-class citizens, which is why it became part of the religious festival of the Romans. These warriors came from various sources, most of them were slaves, convicted criminals, or victims of war. However, the ranks of gladiators were also open to desperate Roman citizens where they gave up their freedom in exchange for food and care given to the gladiators. In addition, they could not only receive food, housing, and care, but they would also have the opportunity to become rich and famous. Recruits were looking for a few talents to become gladiators. These recruits favored adults in their 20s, with a height of 5'7", good physique, and no feelings. The fat, unqualified ones became ordinary slaves or were just sent home if they were Roman citizens. The lucky ones to be selected were considered so-called gladiators, where they were sent to lodos or gladiator schools for intensive training. Compared to the Spartans and legionaries, the training was focused on endurance, stamina, and team tactics. The training of gladiators was based on building the body and strengthening their chauvinism to be more appealing to the eyes of the audience. The training of these gladiators was divided into four days. On the first day, they did a short but high-intensity workout. The second day was intended for the most intense exercise where they run and run in the afternoon. The fourth day was intended for rest, and the fourth day was for a medium-intensity workout. After four days, the cycle would resume. This training program was designed to have a short day of rest and exercise to strengthen their bodies when they are not injured. If you are familiar with this training program, it is because it is similar to the exercise program that bodybuilders currently have. According to archaeologists, they found different types of dumbbells weighing 4 lbs to 200 lbs each. Therefore, we can assume that gladiators are doing bicep curls, squats, deadlifts, and other exercises that are still being done today. However, although gladiators have large bodies, they are not as muscular as bodybuilders because they need fat in their bodies. Fat serves as an additional protection against cuts, bruises, and bruises. Gladiators look like mosaics in the Roman Colosseum where you can see that their bodies are very large but they have a little fat in their bodies. In addition to beautifying the body, gladiators also participate in high-level and specialized weapons training that are different from those received by soldiers. Compared to soldiers who are trained to fight with their comrades, gladiator weapons training is based on one-on-one combat and showmanship or to make their fight look like a competition. According to an observation by a Roman author, Sicintilian, It is not enough to be good at gladiator fighting, but you should also be able to watch it. That's why gladiators use fake, feints, and strange attacks such as running away and running away from enemies. According to doctors or trainers, gladiators practice using a heavy wooden sword that is repeatedly hit on the throat. Each wooden sword is twice as heavy as conventional swords. They do this to increase their muscle endurance. In addition to bodybuilding and weapons training, gladiators also go through intensive running exercises to increase their stamina. There is also a great need for nutrition in the training of these warriors In order to carry out their heavy training and build their body, gladiators need to eat up to 6,000 calories a day. Compared to ordinary Filipino men, we only eat 2,400 calories a day. According to a gladiator school, a gladiator eats 1 kilo of barley, a type of wheat, 1 kilo of beans, half a kilo of vegetables, and half a kilo of different fruits. It should be noted that this diet is post-protein and calcium. This is because meat is expensive at this time and they will not waste these on an unpopular gladiator. As a solution, gladiators eat a special protein shake made from boiled animal bones and toasted vegetables. This combination of training and diet of gladiators has become very effective. In the study of archaeologists, they discovered that the bones of gladiators are twice as strong as ordinary people. At this point in their training, the gladiators will go through a thorough selection process where they will be divided into different gladiatorial houses and they will fight for their permanent role in the arena. For those who are not selected, these gladiators will be placed in low positions where they will fight unbalanced battles where they have a high chance of winning. On the other hand, the chosen gladiators will be counted in gladiator houses with their own fighting and equipment style. Each of these houses has its own culture and rules to follow. At this time, gladiators are not only fighting for their own fame but also for the houses they are counted in. Each house has an equivalent gladiator type that is intended to have advantages and disadvantages to make the battles more exciting. For example, gladiators with large bodies are often made into Murmillo-type gladiators. This is a strength-type gladiator with a heavy helmet, a large oval shield, a thick arm guard and leg armor. It is also armed with a small sword. This is the most armored gladiator type. However, the protection worn by his suit has a negative effect on his movement. The equipment carried by Murmillo gladiators is heavy so that their fighting will be exhausted. In addition to this, their helmet is thin and limited in their vision and breathing. It is also given with a smaller armor so it should be chased by its opponent. To counter these disadvantages, the Murmillo gladiators have their feet spread instead of walking so they don't get tired and are able to walk because they can't see the ground. The smart gladiators are often placed in the ranks of the retiarius. They are armed with a trident and shield. They don't have a shield and helmet and they only have an arm guard to protect themselves. This lack of armor was replaced by their free movement and speed. They are considered agility-type gladiators and are compared to the Murmillo. They can chase their opponents or knock them down using their shield. Through their trident, they are able to pierce from a distance the Murmillo armed only with a small sword. Opposite to the retiarius are the Hoplomachus-type armed with a hoplon or round shield, long sword and sword. It also has an arm and leg guard and helmet. Hoplomachus are more armed and protected compared to the retiarius but their equipment is also light so they can keep up with them. Because of this, they are the perfect opponent to the retiarius using their long sword and shield on the body. However, because they are not as fast as the retiarius, it is easier for the Murmillo to chase the Hoplomachus. In short, design the gladiator houses to have their own strengths and weaknesses to make the fights more exciting. We will compare the gladiator fights to a glorified batobatopic. Aside from the mentioned, there are several types of gladiators. First here are the bestiarus or gladiators fighting the ferocious animals in the arena such as lions, elephants, rhinos, jaguars and others. Next are the gladiatrix which are the female gladiators. The lowest class of gladiators are the noxi or criminals who commit heavy and dangerous crimes. They are often challenged in hopeless battles. Before the gladiatorial games start, the event is first reported to the entire city and nearby areas. Along with the announcement, the gladiators are given a name and location. This is done to ensure that the attendance in the arena is high. In the night before the fight, the gladiators are fed a generous meal as their last meal in case they get tired. Compared to the knowledge of the majority, many of the gladiator fights do not end in death but in submission. Remember that gladiators are not disposable but prize fighters like professional basketball players or boxers. That's why their assets are in the interest of those who want to survive. Inside the arena, the gladiators are accompanied by Suma Rudis, a senior referee who is also a former gladiator. They have the authority to stop the fight if needed. They do this to ensure the quality of the fight in case the gladiators or to save the lives of the players. As mentioned at the beginning, not all fights end in death. A gladiator can raise his hand to ask for a mission or submission. If a referee asks for a mission, the fight can be stopped and the decision is given to the gladiator. The editors are the gladiator fight organizers. Most of the time, the editor will stop the mission especially if the gladiator However, if the editor does not like the gladiator's performance, he gives the decision sine missione, there is no way back. The gladiator asking for a mission is completely ignored. This decision is seen by giving a thumbs down. The gladiator expects his own strength and gives his whole leg to the opponent to give him a fierce and quick death. If the gladiator shows mercy this time, the gladiator can give a painful and slow death. For gladiators who are fed up with the expensive way, his body is carried under the arena where his neck is tightened as a confirmation of death. The richer gladiators are given burols and monuments to recognize their career as warriors. This example can be seen in a village in Verona where a retiarius is buried. In his grave, the number of his victories and defeats became his gladiator type. The more poor are buried in ancient cemeteries for gladiators. Meanwhile, the gladiators who are fed up with the expensive way or showed mercy are first hammered with a wooden hammer in front of the audience as a confirmation of their death. However, the most dangerous that can happen to a gladiator is if his body is hammered along with other bodies that are still alive. In the time of Augustus Caesar, the gladiatorial fight where the demand for gladiators increased. For the Romans, gladiators are a symbol of strength and bravery that they should idolize. For the women, gladiators are just a fantasy. That's why the sweat of gladiators is sold to both men and women as an elixir of strength and courage inside the room. In order to avoid the rapid extinction of gladiators and to protect the assets of gladiators, Augustus Caesar prohibited the sine missione or killing of gladiators. For the ordinary Roman citizens, the gladiatorial fight is one of the most popular events of the year. The audience is free in the arena. In addition, each spectator is given a piece of bread that they can eat while watching. That's why the culture of watching gladiators is called Bread and Circus where each one shares the blood of entertainment and food that will fill them. This expense is usually paid by lanista, politicians, and wealthy citizens who want to improve their reputation. Although bloody, the gladiator culture brought some good things to the Roman society. First, it brought an economic boost due to the growth of the industry here. The gladiator industry is not only counted by the politicians but also by the lanista, doctor, supplier, recruiter, performer, doctors, and many more. In addition, due to the need of the place where the battles will take place, the construction industry to build arenas just like the huge Roman Colosseum that is the work of thousands of construction workers, engineers, and others. These arenas also boosted the local economy where countless stores came to serve the many people These gladiator games also helped to quickly integrate different cultures within the Roman Empire. Many gladiators and their companions came from different parts of the empire in order to expose people to different cultures and races. Unfortunately, the popularity of gladiators is often overshadowed by opportunists for their own benefit. As mentioned earlier, the viewing of the arenas and the food provided is free. Usually, this expense is paid by rich citizens to get the support of the people, especially the lower class. This is one of the fastest ways to become powerful. According to Gracchus, anyone who can get the support of the masses can control the room. We can say that this is one of the first ways of vote-buying in history. Next, politicians also used gladiators to distract the people from the problems faced by Rome. In times of poverty and chaos, the attention of the masses goes to the politicians to ask for solutions to their problems. At this time, politicians or sometimes emperors use gladiator games to calm the hungry masses. This is harmful to the Roman society in two ways. First, the government spends a lot on these sponsored games in order to reduce their wealth. Second, instead of solving the problems, this is just a cover-up. Some historians also say that these gladiator games became the center of immorality in the Roman society. Inside and outside the arena, sports betting and betting are common. And of course, where there is gambling, there is also gambling. In addition, there is also a wide market where viewers have access to women from different parts of the empire. At the beginning of the 2nd century AD, the price of gladiator continued to rise and was out of control. A basic gladiator is worth 1,500 denarii, equivalent to 6 years of salary of an ordinary soldier. Meanwhile, the famous gladiator is worth 4,000 denarii, equivalent to 10 years of salary of a soldier. Because of this heavy cost, local politicians gradually lost their support for gladiator games. Therefore, the imperial government was forced to sponsor this costly game. At the beginning of the 3rd century, the Crisis of the 3rd century took place where the Roman Empire At this point, the gladiatorial culture At the same time, a new religion began to emerge in Rome. This is Christianity. Many Christian preachers of this time turned to Christians watching gladiatorial fights. According to them, this is a mass murder and they put their souls in danger watching it. In 315 AD, Constantine the Great forbade the first Christian Roman Emperor to kill criminals in the arena. In 365 AD, Emperor Valentinian I ordered the reduction of expenses, especially expenses related to gladiatorial games. By 393 AD, Christianity became a state religion of the Roman Empire led by Theodosius I. This resulted in a tighter regulation of gladiators. And in 404 AD, Emperor Honorius on gladiatorial games throughout the empire. As a result, gladiators gradually disappeared from history. Despite their disappearance, the story of gladiators is still alive today in movies, computer games, and other media. There are many more details about gladiators that we did not include in this episode so if you want to add something, just comment below. If you are looking for more historical videos to watch, make sure to visit our YouTube channel. I would like to recommend our episode about the Aztecs. Once again, I am Sir Ian and let us study history together.