Favourite Type Of Gladiator?

[Quintus Artemis Sertorius]

oh yeah, anyone know about when they started making the gladiatores kill eachother in the ring? i know that during the republic they rarely actually died in the ring. most of them took on the noteriety of modern day sports idols, and they were owned by private gladiator schools that would rent them out for important occasions, but when did the shift from good sport to butchery happen?

[Lost_Warrior]

It never really did, AFAIK. There were people who died, but they were usually executions. The real, trained gladiators didn't usually die (although they did, of course, on occasion). Usually it was up to the crowd and the Emporer if one was to live or die but as gladiators were expensive and compensation was necessary for one killed in the arena, the decision for death was usually not made.

[Incitatus]

But it was often made on religious occasions to honour the gods!

[Lost_Warrior]

I believe that's how it started, yes. It was originally a religious affair done on funerals. It later became just sport.

[Quintus Artemis Sertorius]

yeah, at one time gladiatorial games were put on in order to celebrate a funeral, but at least in the late republican times they weren't being killed. i just wanted to know when the practice of having gladiators, or prisoners acting like gladiators were forced to fight to the death.

[Lost_Warrior]

I do believe it was in the earlier times when most of the "death matches" were fought. It 'evolved" into a sport later.

[Incitatus]

They were used to celebrate marriages and birthdays as well as funeral games.

[Sextus Roscius]

Tharacians for me, more heavily armored must of made for a longer and siller match.

[Lost_Warrior]

More armor=wear out faster=die easier.

 

I prefer lighter armor. Most gladiators fought bare chested. It was a mark of honor for them to show their willingness to die.

[Violentilla]

I have a fantasy where I am captured by a horny retarius! Yeah, TMI, I know.