Gladiators- More Showbusiness Than Slaughter

[Viggen]

The research, which disputes images of ancient combat such as those seen in the Russell Crowe epic Gladiator, suggests that the fighters of yore would have far more in common with the overblown histrionics of modern-day premier league footballers or WWE wrestlers: highly trained, overpaid and pampered professionals with throngs of groupies - and an interest in not getting too badly injured.

 

full article at the Scotsman

[Ursus]

This is interesting. But I wonder, if Spartacus and his cronies were merely well-paid athletes, why did they revolt?

[Fafnir]

Spatacus and his cronies were slaves. May be the reason why they revolted.

 

Perhaps the only gladiators who were over-paid and pampered, as the article suggests, were the free men who became gladiators willingly.

[lastman456]

Pay attention to the modern athlete and all the times they have gone on strike despite their healthy salaries. It is not so hard to imagine gladiators getting spoiled that way.

 

As to slaves revolting merely because they are slaves, you are putting a modern emotion on a very old tradition. Slavery was common and accepted, few slaves even considered freedom as an option. Yes, I said accepted, even by the slaves. The idea of personal freedom as we consider it is very 20th century.

[lastman456]

Pay attention to the modern athlete and all the times they have gone on strike despite their healthy salaries. It is not so hard to imagine gladiators getting spoiled that way.

 

As to slaves revolting merely because they are slaves, you are putting a modern emotion on a very old tradition. Slavery was common and accepted, few slaves even considered freedom as an option. Yes, I said accepted, even by the slaves. The idea of personal freedom as we consider it is very 20th century.