12-25-2006, 06:47 PM
It is not so clear what the signs really were which the audience made with their hands to express if a defeated gladiator should receive the coup de grâce or the missio (dismission from the arena).
Junkelmann mentioned in his book that the ancient authors used the term "pollice verso" but it does not seem clear in which way the thumb was turned, downwards like shown in the famous picture of Jean-Léon Gérôme, or some movement towards the breast or throat with the thumb to indicate a thrust of the sword.
What was the sign for missio? "Pollicem premere" (squeezed thumb) means that the thumb was pressed onto the fist and this had a good luck meaning. It definitely does not seem to have been thumbs up as Hollywood wants us to think.
Does anyone of you have some clues what the signs could have been.
Junkelmann mentioned in his book that the ancient authors used the term "pollice verso" but it does not seem clear in which way the thumb was turned, downwards like shown in the famous picture of Jean-Léon Gérôme, or some movement towards the breast or throat with the thumb to indicate a thrust of the sword.
What was the sign for missio? "Pollicem premere" (squeezed thumb) means that the thumb was pressed onto the fist and this had a good luck meaning. It definitely does not seem to have been thumbs up as Hollywood wants us to think.
Does anyone of you have some clues what the signs could have been.
