Roman Games & Gladiator Comparison
Adam Bajjada - Ancient History Essay - Gladiator
Adam Bajjada - Ancient History Essay - Gladiator
Gladiator has been reviewed by some as “...the revival of Roman history”(Mitchell, 2000) and extremely unrealistic by others. However it is the major themes portrayed in Gladiator such as the social, political and economic situations that need to be analysed in further depth with close reference to the written and archaeological evidence.
During Gladiator, Senator Gracchus states that “The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, but the sand of the Colosseum”. Here
Gracchus is emphasising the idea that the mob of Rome no longer cares for the struggle of political freedom and democracy that the senate still fights for, but the amount of spectacles the emperor is able to provide. This can be supported by Juvenal who states that: “A body that used to confer commands...and everything else...is eager and anxious for two things only:
‘Bread & Circus.’ ”(Parker,1935).
Both the races and gladiatorial contests were used as a mock political forum by the mob. During the reign of Commodus: “ A riot broke out in the Circus, and the mob forced their way...Once again the Emperor...handed over his favourite to the people...”(Parker,1935). In this source Cleander who was
Commodus’ Imperial Secretary is referred to as “his favourite”. Hence this source identifies how instrumental the mob mentality was during the games that even the Emperor had his hand forced in the disposing of his most trusted and important servant.
Another prominent political theme displayed throughout the movie is the corruption within the Senate. Whilst consulting Senator Falco, Commodus states: “Thank you Falco. And for the loyal subjects I hope they weren’t, too expensive”. This concept of buying the senators can be supported historically through Emperor Vespasian whom which replaced the majority of the senators with his own loyal subjects to ensure his own position
Adam Bajjada - Ancient History Essay - Gladiator
Gladiator has been reviewed by some as “...the revival of Roman history”(Mitchell, 2000) and extremely unrealistic by others. However it is the major themes portrayed in Gladiator such as the social, political and economic situations that need to be analysed in further depth with close reference to the written and archaeological evidence.
During Gladiator, Senator Gracchus states that “The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, but the sand of the Colosseum”. Here
Gracchus is emphasising the idea that the mob of Rome no longer cares for the struggle of political freedom and democracy that the senate still fights for, but the amount of spectacles the emperor is able to provide. This can be supported by Juvenal who states that: “A body that used to confer commands...and everything else...is eager and anxious for two things only:
‘Bread & Circus.’ ”(Parker,1935).
Both the races and gladiatorial contests were used as a mock political forum by the mob. During the reign of Commodus: “ A riot broke out in the Circus, and the mob forced their way...Once again the Emperor...handed over his favourite to the people...”(Parker,1935). In this source Cleander who was
Commodus’ Imperial Secretary is referred to as “his favourite”. Hence this source identifies how instrumental the mob mentality was during the games that even the Emperor had his hand forced in the disposing of his most trusted and important servant.
Another prominent political theme displayed throughout the movie is the corruption within the Senate. Whilst consulting Senator Falco, Commodus states: “Thank you Falco. And for the loyal subjects I hope they weren’t, too expensive”. This concept of buying the senators can be supported historically through Emperor Vespasian whom which replaced the majority of the senators with his own loyal subjects to ensure his own position
Bibliography: • Matyszak, P. (2007). Ancient Rome: On Five Denarii A Day. Thames & Hudson Ltd, London. • Rodgers, N. (2005). Life In Ancient Rome: People & Places. Hermes House, London. • Carrington, R. (1961). Dawn of History Series: Ancient Rome. Chatto & Windus Ltd, London. • Kohne, E. & Ewigleben, C. (2000), The Power of Spectacle in Ancient Rome: Gladiators and Caesars [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 8 June, 2012]. • Roman Festivals & Holidays [Internet]. Available from: [Accessed 6 June, 2012].