12-29-2001, 03:43 PM
Gladiatorial fighting was certainly a full-contact sport. However, all gladiators did not die in the arena. Some retired as rich freedmen, after numerous victorious fights. The good ones were worshipped like modern pop-stars. The contract between the lanista, the gladiatorial school manager and the individual offering the games specified whether the fight would be "sine missio" or not. "Sine missio" means "without leave", in other words until the death of at least half of the combatants.<br>
Considering the price of a well trained gladiator you needed a solid fortune to organize a "sine missio" event, IMHO..<br>
It was of course different in the case of prisoners of war. Every crushed revolt produced great numbers of prisoners of war and those were often sacrificed in the arena. In this case it was probably "sine missio".<br>
Some pottery ware from Gaul decorated with gladiatorial scenes demonstrates also that the public could ask for mercy in favor of the defeated gladiator. Or even for both when they had fought well. At that point they shouted "Stantes Missi" (May they leave standing).<br>
And of course there was the theatrics and the rigged fights. It is quite easy for two superbly trained athletes to give a fantastic show, finish the fight with a harmless but impressive flesh wound and receive their "missio".<br>
Moreover, in the case of stars, I suspect no one would want to see them die. They wanted to come back the next day and watch them again..<br>
But basically, a gladiator was there to die and the arena was a bloody place indeed. All in all, as far as contact sports are concerned I'm content enough with Rugby football. <p></p><i></i>
Considering the price of a well trained gladiator you needed a solid fortune to organize a "sine missio" event, IMHO..<br>
It was of course different in the case of prisoners of war. Every crushed revolt produced great numbers of prisoners of war and those were often sacrificed in the arena. In this case it was probably "sine missio".<br>
Some pottery ware from Gaul decorated with gladiatorial scenes demonstrates also that the public could ask for mercy in favor of the defeated gladiator. Or even for both when they had fought well. At that point they shouted "Stantes Missi" (May they leave standing).<br>
And of course there was the theatrics and the rigged fights. It is quite easy for two superbly trained athletes to give a fantastic show, finish the fight with a harmless but impressive flesh wound and receive their "missio".<br>
Moreover, in the case of stars, I suspect no one would want to see them die. They wanted to come back the next day and watch them again..<br>
But basically, a gladiator was there to die and the arena was a bloody place indeed. All in all, as far as contact sports are concerned I'm content enough with Rugby football. <p></p><i></i>
