CLASSIC 20 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Gladiator, Forum Boarium, Murmillo
Document Summary
Could have been a display of courage a man fighting to the death with a sword often thought to be an etruscan custom to honor the dead. Ancient evidence: greek historian nicolaus of damascus is the only ancient source that attributes origins to etruscans. Trainer of gladiators (lanista etruscan word) Etruscan god charon of underworld also associated with god dis pater, who escorts corpses of slaughtered from the arena. But all the wall paintings from etruscan culture with greek athletics and horse races, none depict gladiatorial competitions. Campania in southern italy mostly likely place of origins. First amphitheaters and arenas for gladiators bult in this area. Wall paintings of paestum may be earliest representations of gladiators but much different from later types; had blood dripping from wounds. Put on by his sons marcus and decimus. Consisted of 3 pairs who fought to the death in the forum boarium. Over the years, the number of pairs increases each time.
