Gladiatorial games are a mirror of Roman society with plebs greedy for spectacles. Captured soldiers, free Romans, emperors and even women became gladiators. They were praised by the audience, and the state deprived them of their rights. Gladiators could be ruthless and merciful, wealthy and poor. At the lecture, we will hear the story of the famous gladiator. We will live his day before the battle and feel for ourselves why the gladiatorial path was so contradictory.

We’re going to recreate the world of the hero-gladiator. We will live it hour by hour, pausing at tense moments to determine how a warrior should act in a particular situation. Our responses will alter the course of the lecture, and our interaction with history will help paint a complete picture of Rome during the gladiator era.