The Birth of the Roman Arena and Gladiator Combat

Over the past few years, I have had the chance to watch the video "Gladiator", with Russel Crowe. As I watch the movie, each time something new comes to mind. It appears in the movie that gladiator contests long existed before the Coliseum was even thought about. I have no doubt that there have been spectator events of combatants evening going back to the stone age period.

Besides the Romans, the Mayans also conducted gladiator events along with various sporting events on a wide scale for viewing. However, not much is known about the Mayans like the Romans are. The Romans recorded historical events better than the Mayans. I am sure that there were other societies that conducted spectator sports as well. As advanced as the Greeks were, one would suspect that they did the same. However, not much is known about them as well.

Roman history is different. They not only documented events they left behind graves and artifacts.

In this months Archeology magazine, there is an article written by Shelby Brown about the Roman Arena. The article gives the birth and reason behind the first gladiator events. In 264 BC, two sons used three days of gladiator events to honor their father that had just died. Of all places it took stage in a used cattle market. It was called the Forum Boarium. Not to be out done, the three more sons of Marcus Ameilus Lepidus, decided to host three days of what was called funeral games for him. This happened in 216 BC at the Forum Romanum. They used 22 pairs of gladiators for combat. The Roman games were on their way .

Just as we do today with our motion pictures, each new individual would try to outdo their predecessor with extravagant games. It was a way to show off their wealth, citizenship, political standing, or social status. They would use particular dates like birthdays, funerals, or holidays to celebrate the gladiatorial events.

Arena's were built round for one reason. Wherever you sat, your eye vision would be to the center of the arena.