Roman Mysteries - Combat of the Gladiators

Combat of the Gladiators 2003

On Saturday 10 August 2003, the Museum of London sponsored a Combat of the Gladiators in the City of London, the financial district. The Guildhall Yard, where the combats took place, is directly above Londinium's ancient amphitheatre. right: banner of the school of Draco

The show is to be performed by an award-winning re-enactment society called BRITANNIA , who worked on the film 'Gladiator'.

The gladiators fighting include Draco, an ex-centurion and war-hero who was sentenced to death for killing a fellow officer. The Emperor pardoned him and Draco has fought over 20 combats. And won. left: Draco himself

Audax, whose name means 'swift', is a savage tribesman from Germania. He fights as a Thraex (curved sword) or Murmillo (heavily armed).

Rufus is a high-born Roman who scandalized society when he sold himself to become a gladiator. He fights as a heavily-armed Hoplomachus.

Severus is an ex-centurion from Hispania who was condemned to the arena after leading a mutiny. A martial arts expert, he fights as a Dimachaerus: with two swords.

Vulpus is a prisoner of war from Germania. It took five legionaries to subdue him and when a barber tried to cut Vulpus's beard, the savage bit off one of the barber's fingers. Vulpus, fights as a heavily armed Hoplomachus and - as you can see - he still has his beard. right: Vulpus in a fighting mood

Other crowd favourites are Achillea and Amazonia, female gladiators, and Rapido, who fights as a Retiarius, with a trident and net.

And now for the show:

The year is AD 85. The Emperor Domitian, Titus's younger brother and son of Vespasian, is visiting Britannia. Although his visit is supposed to be a secret, today is his birthday. The Emperor insists on celebrating the occasion with games. The procurator of Britannia is requested to put on the games in Domitian's honour. At great personal expense, he has brought together two great gladiator schools: the school of Draco, based in Londinium, and the school of Demetrios from Camolodunum. The crowd is encouraged to stamp their feet and scream for their champions. The people are excited and the amphitheatre is full by the third hour after noon.

Spectators are given a scroll with the programme of events listed on it:

Presently the sound of horns announced the musicians. The aulos is a two-piped reed instrument with a haunting buzzing sound, to my ears very middle eastern. It is accompanied by a timbrel or drum. Another musician whirls a gourd-like instrument which makes a strange howling noise. The Empress and her attendants have arrived.

As the Empress takes her seat excitement mounts. Soon a rumour is spreading among the crowds: the Emperor Domitian tried British wine at a banquet the night before and today he has a splitting head ache. He is in a particularly bad mood.

Before the games, priestesses from the temple of Fortuna sprinkle the arena with a laurel branch to sanctify it to the goddess. These are NOT Vestal Virgins. The Vestal Virgins were never allowed to leave Rome.

They sprinkle sand which will soon be soaked with blood. In fact the word for sand - 'harena' - gives its name to the arena. Gladiatorial combats were originally funeral games but today the blood is spilled to satisfy the people.

The procurator welcomes the crowd and asks them not to demand death for too many of his gladiators. After all, they are expensive to replace!

At last the Emperor arrives in his chariot. The crowd rises to show its respect. The Emperor is 34 today. He does not appear to be in a good mood.

The Emperor takes his seat and the gladiators salute him. They never come armed into the arena, they might revolt!

Yes, you're right. One of those gladiators is a woman! She is Achillea, rumoured to be a descendant of Queen Boudicca. A whisper runs round the crowd: she ruthlessly assaulted a guard who tried to get fresh with her. Is that him the stretcher bearers are carrying off?

Let the games begin!

Soon the fights begin.

One of the first pairs to fight are Achillea, fighting for Londinium, and Amazonia, fighting for Camulodunum. The fight is short: Achillea easily vanquishes her foe. The crowd calls for blood. 'Please,' says the procurator. 'Spare her! A gladiatrix like that costs good money!' But the Emperor supports the crowd's wishes and Amazonia is no more.

Among the gladiators who fight next are Rapido and Vulpus. Rapido, the son of a Thames fisherman bears whip marks on his back. He insulted the Emperor. The punishment does not seem to have worked. As he enters the arena he makes a rude gesture towards Domitian instead of saluting him. A gesture he will later regret.

Rapido is pitted against Vulpus, dressed as a heavily armed hoplomachus. The fight is a good one but eventually the savage German gets the better of Rapido. The brave retiarius lifts his arm, pointing a finger into the air. He is appealing to the Emperor for mercy. The crowd waves their hands, even those supporting Londinium. 'Mitte!' they cry. 'Let him live! He fought well and bravely.' But Rapido's insult to the Emperor was not forgotten and it is up to Domitian to decide the little gladiator's fate.

Slowly Domitian rises, and with a smirk he thrusts his arm forward, thumb extended: 'Iugula. Cut his throat.' And it is done. right: Domitian gives the sign for execution

So the games continue. Some gladiators live to fight another day. Some are taken to be buried. Among them are Draco who did not survive his 21st combat. The adventurous Roman citizen Rufus - who hoped for glory in the arena - is killed by Achillea after a good fight. Demetrios, a runaway Greek slave, also fights bravely but suffers ultimate defeat.

At last the games are finished. The Emperor seems to be in a better mood and he makes an announcement. He will give one gladiator his freedom today. Holding the wooden sword, a symbol of the gladiator's freedom, Domitian walks up and down the line of panting, bloody gladiators. He pauses for a moment before Vulpus. The crowd roars its approval but Domitian moves on. Will he free the beautiful Achillea? Again he pauses and again the crowd cries 'Yes.' But finally the Emperor gives the wooden sword to Severus. And so ends the Combat of the Gladiators!

VALE.

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