8 Entertaining and Unforgettable Fun Facts About Gladiators You Need to Know

1. Female Gladiators Fight Club

Rome wasn't built in a day, but it seems the ladies had their fair share of the fight club too: Female gladiators, known as "gladiatrices," made up a small but fierce portion of warriors who battled in the ancient Roman arena.
Source => reddit.com

2. Gladiator Greetings

"Hasta la vista, gladiator-style": Forget the dramatic line "We, who are about to die, salute you!" from your favorite movie scenes; gladiators actually touched their left hand to their upright fist and raised it towards their opponent in a gesture called "dexiosis," accompanied by an authoritative yell as a sign of respect and readiness for battle.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Spartacus was not just a fierce gladiator, but also a master of poker nights? Discover his impressive combat skills and how he led a historic uprising with his charisma. 🏆🛡️🎭

=> Fun Facts about Spartacus

3. Gladiator Survival Rates

Gladiators: they weren't always as dead-icated to their jobs as you'd think! In fact, their survival rates were higher than a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?": Only 10 to 20 percent of gladiators met their end in the arena, with most living to fight another day, thanks to their high financial value to investors and the fact that some free-born citizens willingly signed up for this uniquely stabby career path.
Source => history.com

4. Rome's Got Talent

Who said ancient Rome didn't have a flair for theatrics and surprise twists? Picture this: Russell Crowe in Gladiator, dazzling the crowd with a choreographed performance that ends in a fake death - talk about your ancient Rome's Got Talent! The serious reveal: Contrary to what movies depict, many gladiatorial battles were expertly choreographed spectacles that did not always end in death; some gladiators were even volunteers, not slaves, trained in the Ludus Magnus - Rome's biggest gladiatorial school built by Emperor Domitian in the late first century CE.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Gladiator Sweat Beauty Secret

If ancient Roman women were ever feeling a little "sweaty" around fighting men, they had a remedy for it: gladiator sweat, collected and sold outside arenas, was a popular purchase for wealthy women who believed it enhanced luck and strength, with the potency directly linked to the gladiator's success in battle - though it was not used as an aphrodisiac, as often misconstrued.
Source => grunge.com

6. Daring Damsel Gladiators

In a daring twist on the damsel in distress trope, it seems that some ancient Roman ladies turned from being carried off by gladiators to actually becoming one: women, alongside male slaves and prisoners of war, voluntarily signed up to become gladiators, risking their lives for the chance at glory and fame in the arena.
Source => ushistory.org

7. Accessorize Like a Gladiator

Just like a Roman-themed episode of "Pimp My Chariot," gladiators loved to accessorize and switch it up: They were trained in various weapons and armor, often choosing their own killer combinations depending on their opponents, showcasing their adaptability in the arena and keeping the crowds on the edge of their seats.
Source => thoughtco.com

8. Animal Elevator Party

As lions climbed into the gladiator ring, some whispered it felt like an elevator party with bears, hippos, and even giraffes – it's clear the animals had a roaring good time: The Colosseum in Rome featured 28 lifts designed to transport beasts weighing up to 300 kg (660 pounds) into the arena for gladiatorial games through a complex system of tunnels, cages, and trap doors, making it the ultimate backstage party for lions, tigers, and more in the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire.
Source => ancient-origins.net