The Ultimate Survivor; Roman Gladiator Style

Sports and Society in Ancient Greece and Rome

So you think you have what it takes to win in the ultimate game of Survivor? Can you outlast all of your opponents? Can you learn real survivor skills that are needed to remain alive? There will be a handsome reward if you are able to even live. If you think you have what it takes read on. But beware, this season we’ve changed the rules to gladiatorial combat style.

Before actually entering the contest, there will be training. Training will take place either in Rome or one of the provinces. As a gladiator, you will be owned by a lanista and training will take place at their school, or a ludus. While staying at the ludus, the training will be extensive and plentiful. You will be taught the necessary skills of fighting for survival in the arena for combat. The training will be rigorous and tough, to ensure that you do not die. Your death is certain to bring monetary loss to your lanista.

The lanista is able to make a very wealthy profession of “renting” you and his gladiators for the games. Although the lanista would have enough money to be thought of as rich and wealthy, he will never be associated with the aristocrats of society. Being a lanista is thoug

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Even if you were to die and your lanista would loose your future services, if you were to not even put of a decent fight, your lanista’s reputation could be at stake of providing quality gladiators. Auguet, an ancient Roman writer, is noted as saying, “It was in the eyes of the Roman he was regarded as both a butcher and a pimp…it was upon him that society cast all the scorn and contempt aroused by an institution which reduced men to the status of merchandise or cattle. He would indicate to him either to kill you or issue a reprieve of your life, a missio, usually for fighting valiantly. Once a gladiator you will have to take the gladiatorial oath. You will be allowed to wear a chest plate and equipped with a helmet, a short sword and a lance.

Once the training is complete, the true test begins. The fighting will continue, with non-stop action until either one of you is mortally wounded or surrender. These structures are called amphitheaters. Then, almost always according to the crowd’s opinion, the editor would indicate to your opponent your fate. Although you will never be a Roman citizen, you’ll be a free man. Thracian’s are given a curved short sword (sica), armor covering the left arm (manica) and coverings over both of your legs.

Once a gladiator, you’ll be designated as a certain type of gladiators.

Thracian- The Thracian is also an opponent of the Murmillo.

The games are given as a funeral gift for the dead, or a munus. To surrender you would hold up your index finger.

Approximate Word count = 1612
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

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