Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Classics · key term
A trained arena fighter who fought other gladiators using specialised weapons and defensive equipment.
Used by OCR
Paper 4
Revise: The amphitheatreRoman authorities presented these deaths as punishment for threats to social or religious order and as warnings to others. This was different from a contest between trained gladiators: an execution victim might have little realistic chance of survival.
Distinguish a gladiator's popularity with spectators from his low social status.
The crowd influenced a defeated gladiator's fate, but the sponsor made the decision. Do not assume that every defeat ended in death.
When comparing gladiator types, connect equipment to fighting style: the retiarius needed distance, while his secutor opponent needed to close it.
Create a free account to read GCSE Classics revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.